Standing @ My Locker- "Beautiful to the King"

Hey everyone!

So, I have found that public school is full of judgement. Everywhere that you turn it seems like there is someone to judge you attitude, your grades, your look, your style... I picked up Jenna Lucado's book "Redefining Beautiful" the other day and came across this definition.

Beautiful: What God sees when God sees you.

I don't know about you, but this statement is nothing but the truth to me! But, it isn't always the first thing that comes to mind when someone starts picking out your flaws. Sometimes it can be hard to put up with all the judgement, but just think of that one definition, and you can remember that even if a worldly person does not think that you are beautiful, the king of kings does!

So next time somebody tries to but down the way you look or act, just think of that and it will make you feel so much more confident about yourself. I know it does for me!!!

Abbie :)

How REAL Are Your Relationships? - Being Different

Sometimes its hard being a Christian, while being surrounded by people who look at you differently because you have values. They think you're weird for the sole reason of not wanting to be surrounded by partiers. You get the reputation of being someone who sucks the fun out of everything, when that's actually not the case at all. We just know when having "fun" is acceptable and when its not. On many occasions, people who are friends of mine have tried to change the person that I am. I have just recently gotten accused of being the good little Christian girl who is naive of what really goes on everyday. The thing is, Christians do know what goes on, we just choose not to get involved. One of the most important things to do when you're a Christian teen is to realize whats right and whats wrong. Its so easy to "forget" about glorifying God in everything that you do. Its something all Christian teens should work on everyday. Our actions must show others that we truly mean what we say when we talk about our relationship with God. People will pay attention more, when one does what they say.

~Kayla :)

Standing @ My Locker- "Sleeping In"

Hey Guys!

Alright, today I want to talk to you guys about "sleeping in". It seems that Sunday night services at my church inspire me to pass things on to you guys :)

Last Sunday we were talking about sluggards. Do you roll over and hit the snooze button every morning? or Lazy around before you start you day? Well, by doing this you could be putting off some very important opportunities.

Do you really want to get caught sleeping in?

Think about school... if you are late to school, you will miss out on some important information from class. The same thing goes for sleeping in as a Christian. If you are too afraid to get up and face your life, then what kind of testimony are you giving to the non-believers around you? By not waking up to a world that is dying to be found, you are losing several opportunities to be a witness.

At school it's going to be tough to share your faith. Some days you may feel like just blending in with the crowd and acting like everyone else. But, the reality is that if you do this, then you are going to regret it. You can't take back words that you say while acting like everyone else, and the actions that you make will not be taken back either.

So don't get lazy and try sleeping in on the the job that God has given you. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us, so the least we can do is live a life for Him in return, and put the work that He has for us first!

Don't forget to go to God in prayer through the struggle that you may face at school, and let us know if there is anything that we can pray for!


Abbie :)

During "Home School 101" - What Does God Want Me To Do?

What Does God Want Me To Do?

I have thought a lot on what God wants me to do. One opportunity that home schoolers have that public school teens may not have is a chance to discover their talent. In public school, you don't get as many opportunities to really find out what the talents you have are. Home schooling allows you to study  that talent as part of your curriculum. I like to write stories, bake, and draw. I don't know if these talents are what God wants me to use. It may be none of them. Many of the studies I've done have me doing things I don't like or have interest in doing, but it's an experience to try them. But I know that the Bible says to do all things for God.

Colossians 3:23 " And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (KJV)

I keep praying that God will guide me down His path, and that I won't go my own way. 

Psalm 32:8 " I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Psalm 25:12 " Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose."

Psalm 37:4,7 "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him."

I encourage you, whether home schooled or in public school, to pray that God will guide you and point you in the direction He wants you to go.

Shelby ;D

How REAL Are Your Relationships? Relationships with our disliked authority

Hey guys so I was watching my bible class today and my teacher Mr.Smith was talking about respecting authority and how its easy to respect the authority that you liked. I got thinking about and how do us teens treat the authority that we like and that we don't like? We should be treating them the same way with respect. I know one thing I do is with the authority I like I listen to what they say I take their advice and I treat them with respect. The authority that I tend to not like I respect them when they talk to me but I found myself talking to my friends a lot about how I dont like them and I realized thats not what I should be doing. If I have a problem with somebody I should address it with them and if its a personal issue I have with them I should address it with God. We need to pray for our authority the ones we like and the ones we dont when you pray for them you start to gain a love for them and before you know it because your being respectful to them they are being respectful to you. This is just something we should ponder next time you want to disrespect your authority or next time you want to shove it in their face that they were wrong. God is watching they will have their time at judgment but we need to remember so will we and what will God have to say to us? Will it be good or will it be bad?
Krystl <3

Dorm Room Discussions

The troubles one may encounter while attending college can vary on a wide assortment of levels. First and foremost, the most difficult thing for me to witness, personally I think, is a teacher spreading false information. This can be true not only for your college experience but also for high school as well. Its disheartening to see a professor spreading information leading students away from Christ. When in reality He is the single most important thing for not only school but for life itself.
My name,s John and I experience this every timeIi attend class. This especially takes place in my Biology class, but also happens in nearly every class I take. Most seem to disregard Jesus and consider it a cultural thing just like the Buddhists and Hindu's of India. Is it possible for me to make an impact hearing this go on everyday?

The answer is yes.

1. Speak up!-You have a voice and God gave it to you for a reason. The voice you have is yours and yours to use for the kingdom of God. Don't waste it!

2. Do not Be Afraid!-Jesus is always on your side. A friend once told me this, If God is for you then who can be against you? The Lord's hand will see you through! Always trust in Him!

3.Respond only to His voice!-I say this because sometimes Satan has a way of seeping into our minds and making us believe something we know to not be true. Such as the kids hearing the wrong information in the classroom. Don't be mislead by Satan. Respond only to the Lord's voice. Listen to Him and He will surely lead you away from the evil one.

From my own experience I understand these things are easier said than done, but one thing will never go wrong for you and that is the Lord, Jesus Christ. We are all part of His larger plan in which He will see you through a mere problem with this.
Just how do you let the others know that the information isn't true? This is a tough one, because you don't want to disrespect the teacher in front of the whole class(if you're called to do so then do it) but rather speak to them individually. Who knows maybe someone in the class feels the same way? Its like the Lord said, He who has ears, let him hear. Just remember not everything a professor says is true. Always keep the Lord number one on your mind, and NEVER be afraid to stand up for the kingdom of God!

God Bless,

John

Standing @ My Locker... - "Don't Give In!"

Hey everyone! So its a Monday and your first day back at school for the week. Everyone is complaining about how they don't want to be there, and how tired they are. Do you give in and do the same thing? Follow the example that they are giving you?

I know that I have done this. Sometimes you just think... "Well everyone else is thinking the same thing!" But the truth is, we ARE NOT like everybody else. We are supposed to be the example for them to follow not the opposite of that. How will they see us as any different from them if we are talking and acting the same as they are.

I know this can get very hard. Especially when you hang out with those friends of yours that are not Christians. But, in all honesty, that is the best time to shine the light for Jesus. If you act the way that we are supposed to as Christians, then your friends will notice that there is something different about you. And in some cases they might realize that they want that one thing that is making you so much happier than anyone else.

I was sitting at my church on Sunday night, listening to the message that was being given. We were going through the book of James. As we walked through the different parts of the book, some things would just hit me and I would realize that I needed to make a stronger stand to not give in to what everyone else wants me to act like at school.

First off, trials. Not one person could tell me that in school, they have never faced a trial! They are all around and there is no getting around that. But, the thing is how will we face those trials? Our reaction to these trials will show when other people are around. They will be looking for the way that we will react. So, we can't drop our guard. We have to live out the things that we say that we believe.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." ~James 1:2-3~

Right in those verses it tells us how to answer to the testing of our faith. We need to still show joy through trial. Don't get angry and lose it. That is a natural reaction to a trial, but you have to keep your cool. Ask yourself, "What would I do if Jesus was standing right next to me", the truth is, He really is next to you, He is everywhere, all the time!

The other thing that I want to address is the way that we speak at school and anywhere really. We can't say one thing and do another. If we say that we have faith in Jesus Christ, then we have to live it. People won't even consider Jesus as an option if we don't seem any different than they do. If we aren't living a different life style then the nonbelievers, then there is a problem.

Before you say anything, think "If I was at church with my church family right now, would I even consider saying that?" If the answer is no, then don't say it at school either! If something can't be said at church, then it shouldn't be said ANYWHERE! We cannot be praising God on Sunday morning, and then turning around Monday morning at school and spreading gossip about other people. That is not anyway to live out the life God wants you to live.

" With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be" ~ James 2:9-10 ~

So, the next time you walk into school, consider these two things before you act or speak. Always think about what God would want you to do first, not what everyone else wants you to do. And always remember...

"As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead." ~James 2: 26~

Abbie :)

Standing @ My Locker...- "Through My Eyes"

I have been in public school since kindergarten, so I really don't know any different than what goes on there, and the struggles that I face being a Christian growing up in a public school. But one thing that any Christian in a public school setting would say is that, IT IS NOT EASY!!! There are "giants" to face around every single corner. To some people, the way that we live as a Christian is just ridiculous. They just don't understand the entirety of growing up the way that we have.

So, what I'm going to start out with is a few questions, just to get you thinking about different aspects of being a Christian in public school....

Q. What do you want people to think about you?

A. For me I want people to know that I am a Christian. I don't care what they have to say about it, they can think what they want. I don't want them to think that I am ashamed of my faith... What good will that do in reaching out to them?

Q. Do you get discouraged by your peers and teachers?

A. For me, the majority of my peers and teachers do not share my faith. They just don't understand the things that I believe. But, then there are the few that I know are Christians, and I can talk to them if I start to feel discouraged. From experience I can say that it isn't fun to be "alone" in school. It can feel like you are the only one that is following God's way and you can reach the point where you are asking yourself why God is putting you through this. Sometimes it just doesn't make sense to us, but in the end God has a plan for us, and a reason that we are in a public school. As long as you stick to your faith and lay your life, struggles, and problems at God's feet, then you will pull through, and be an example for those around you.



"Pile your troubles on God's shoulders- he'll carry your load, He'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin." ~Psalm 55:22~

Q. Are you willing to stand up for what you believe in?

A. As a Christian, sometimes other people will test you as to whether you will do what you say that you live for. One of those things is sticking up for your faith and for God. I know that this can be really tough when you think that nobody will take your seriously, but God will help you through it. It may seem crazy, but those opportunities to "prove" your faith, may really be a chance that God is giving you to reach out to that person that is longing for an answer to their constant struggles in life.

Q. When you see someone that's lost in their troubles, will you look to God for help in reaching out to that person?

A. From my point of view, this can be one of the hardest parts of being a Christian in public school. You see so many people with troubles piled onto their shoulders, and all you want to do is reach out to them and tell them about God. The problem is finding the courage to do so. Many of us are afraid that we will be rejected by other people. They may laugh at us or tell us that what we believe is stupid or wrong. But, this is the time that we have to stay strong and be persistent. When God pulls at our hearts to go and talk to someone, it may be the only chance that that particular person will hear the gospel. It won't be easy for us to talk to them but really we aren't the ones talking, we are being God's hands and feet and he is talking through us.

Q. Ever get called a "Bible Banger", "Jesus Freak" or "Goody Two Shoes"???

A. "Goody Two Shoes" is one that I have gotten before. People think that just because you're a Christian you can't mess up and can't do anything wrong, and if you do mess up or do something wrong, it's a HUGE deal! So it makes you feel like you have to be perfect (or at least close to it since only God is perfect) when you are at school and around your friends. And from experience, I know that it is really hard. No one is looking at them thinking that they have to be perfect, only you because of what you believe. But, my advice to you, take it as a compliment. Don't let it get to your head that you have to be perfect all the time. I mean, you want to shine a light, but don't take on so much pressure to always please everyone else that it makes you stressed and afraid of messing up.



"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." ~ Deuteronomy 31:16~

• I would love to hear about your struggles as you make it through public school, and stories that you have to share!
• Also your answers to these questions would be great too!
  

Abbie :)

Need Prayer?

Devotions

"Stained Glass Masquerade" by Krystl 3/10/10

"The Body" by Krystl 3/20/10

During "Home School 101"...

Are you a Christian home schooled teen?  Then this is the place for you.  Let Krystl, Shelby, Emily, and Hannah share their experiences with you and encourage you during your "Home School 101".

We Need To Be Content -  by Krystl - 2/25/2010

What Does God Want Me To Do? -  by Shelby - 3/4/2010

On The Playing Field

 

 Being a Christian athlete has it's trials and blessings.  John, Ken, Abbie, Krystl and Emily are Christian athletes who want to share their experiences and encourage you to do your best for God "on the playing field"!

  

"Your Teammates" by Emily 2/27/2010

Dorm Room Discussions

John and Kenny want to share their experiences in college along with encouraging you to stand fast for God during your "Dorm Room Discussions".

"Standing Up  For God" by John - 3/3/2010

Standing @ My Locker....

 

Going to public school can be rough for any teen, especially if you are a Christian.  There are many pressures and "worldly pulls" on you.  Abbie goes to public school and wants to share her experiences and encourage any who may be struggling while "standing at your locker."                                     

    "Through My Eyes" 2/25/2010

"Don't Give In" by Abbie 3/1/2010 

"Sleeping In" by Abbie 3/20/10