50 Fun Things to Do This Summer
During the summer it is so easy to say, “I have nothing to do! I’m so bored.”
So check out this list for some good ideas! Add your own–or have a few friends over and create your own list.
- Gather up a few friends and have a picnic in your backyard.
- Find a place to take a hike and get some cool pics.
- Buy some fashion magazines, pick out a couple of really cute outfits, and try to recreate them for less!
- Bead some bracelets and jewelry.
- Volunteer at the local animal or homeless shelter.
- Clean and ORGANIZE your room?
- Bake some cupcakes and deliver them to friends and family.
- Play some childhood BOARD games like “Sorry,” “Candy-land,” or “Monopoly.”
- Take your dog for a walk.
- Write a letter on stationary to a friend you haven’t spoken to in awhile.
- Do 25 jumping jacks!
Look through old family scrapbooks, photo books, and yearbooks.- Make a root beer float.
- Go to the movies with your siblings.
- Go window-shopping with a friend.
- Write a poem.
- Make fresh, homemade lemonade.
- Give your dog a bath.
- Make dinner for your family.
- Baby-sit for a neighbor for free.
- Have a sleepover party and watch scary movies.
- Plan a vacation you want to take next summer.
- Plant flowers in your yard.
- Sign up for a class about something you may like to do one day.
- Have a bubble bath.
- Make a playlist of your favorite songs and title it “The soundtrack of my life.”
- Learn a new sport.
- Splash around in a plastic kiddy pool.
- Buy some crayons and a coloring book.
- Read a book based on a movie you have seen.
- Make a scrapbook of your baby pictures.
Get a job or an internship.- Start a diary and write in it everyday.
- Spend the day at the library.
- Draw a self-portrait.
- Make a collage out of old magazines.
- Run around in the sprinklers.
- Go to a museum.
- Go out for lunch with one of your parents.
- Jump in the pool with your clothes on.
- Eat last night’s leftovers for breakfast.
- Learn to sew or knit.
- Invite friends over and have a tea party.
- Swing on the swings at the park.
- Tie-Dye a t-shirt or bed sheets with Kool-Aid!
- Make a smoothie.
- Learn how to define and spell 25 new words from the dictionary.
- Make popsicles in your freezer.
- Put on your headsets and dance.
- Go camping in your backyard!
Teens Speak On Graduating High School
Graduating High School - Brought to You From: Christian Forums.net
[Senior year for me has so far been one of my favorite years in high school. My friends and I have a lot of optimism for the future. Still, though, I feel like I'm getting old and regret being as studious as I've been all these years. I think I should have been looser and had a bit more fun. Anyone else feel the same way?] ~7teenyearsold
[It is true, in your higher years of secondary school, you figure out how much of a joke the previous years were and how marks really don't matter until grade 11 and 12. I sometimes wonder how my parents/teachers tricked me into working hard when I was younger. In grade 11 my mom parents sometimes convinced me not to go to fellowship events because I had too much homework, but in grade 12, I went to fellowship even more than I did in grade 11. Don't neglect your studies, but have as much fun as you can while you are still in high school. Having just started university about a month ago, I find that it is much more difficult to make time for stuff I enjoy without falling behind in my studies.] ~bigllama
[Keep in mind that there is something to honoring God with your school work. Maybe society does not treat school correctly, but that doesn't make it okay for Christian not to. You never know what knowledge God will use to change someone else's life through you.] ~Blazin Bones
[I think the point here is that teachers and parents put so much pressure on students to do well in school, sometimes to the point that grades take a much higher priority in our lives than they should. And often, pressure to do well leads some students to have a less active social life than we should. Teenagers should appreciate and enjoy having a social life in high school without neglecting their studies, because in college...] ~bigllama
http://www.christianforums.net/showthread.php?t=39089&page=1
Teen Driving – Keep Both Hands on the Wheel
I bet if you’re working on getting your driver’s license, your already sick of advice from your parents. That’s what they do; and they are supposed to help and protect you. So give them some slack and remember to listen; parental involvement will steer you in the right direction!
And to help, AAA has an awesome website for teens called, KEYS2DRIVE. AAA has been involved in helping teens and parents prepare for teen driving for 75 years!
Resources include:
- A driving knowledge quiz
- Parent-teen agreement
- Sample driving test questions for your state
- The licensing process
- Facts and risks
Check out these awesome links:
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God Bears Our Burdens
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19 NASB)
A skit performed at my grandmother’s church on Good Friday, delivered a message that impacted me deeply.
After the pastor’s message, two well known ladies in the church seated themselves at a small table next to the pulpit with coffee mugs in their hands, and brown sacks hung over their backs.
Their dialogue began: “Oh, I was so hoping that my husband and I would be able to go up to Canada for our vacation this year, but with the economy the way it is, I just don’t think it’s possible.”
“That’s too bad,” the other woman answered.
“Yeah, and I really need it this year. My life is so stressful.” The woman placed a rock into the sack hanging over her shoulders.
“Yeah, I mean, look at the world, it’s so unbelievably messed up! There’s so much wrong with our world!” Each one listed their complaints verbally.
As the ladies continued in their conversation, the rocks being added to their sacks from every worry, made the brown material hang low with heaviness. When they tried to stand up, they couldn’t, because they were being weighed down.
The two women had to do something, so they prayed and as they asked God for help, their burdens were removed and they felt alive, light and refreshed.
As I watched, I felt like a bullet had just hit me between the eyes. I had what could be described as an epiphany. I felt like I finally got it.
God doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy, or painless, however, they will be easier, and less painful if we allow him to take our burdens. And when we do so, we will feel lighter and be better equipped to follow Him, unburdened by the unnecessary things of this world.
SHANNON MEIERS
Shannon Meiers is a 16 year old home-schooled sophomore in high-school. Shes an aspiring writer, and is currently working with the special needs ministries at her church. Shannon, or Shan as her friends know her, is constantly learning… (read more…)
So What Is Easter?
“Many people are somewhat familiar with Passover, mostly due to watching movies like “The Ten Commandments” and “Prince of Egypt.” However, the holiday is very significant to the Jewish people, and was just as significant to early Christians.
Before the 4th Century, Christians celebrated their own version of Passover known as Pascha, during the Spring. It is believed that Jewish Christians celebrated both Pascha and Pesach, the traditional Jewish Passover. However, Gentile believers were not required to participate in the Jewish practices. After the 4th Century, though, the Pascha festival began to overshadow the traditional Passover celebration with more and more emphasis being placed on Holy Week and Good Friday.” About.com
“The purpose of Lent is to search the soul and repent. It began in the 4th century as a time to prepare for Easter. Lent is 40-days long and is characterized by penance via prayer and fasting. In the Western church Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 6 1/2 weeks, because Sundays are excluded. However, in the Eastern church Lent lasts 7 weeks, because Saturday is also excluded. In the early church the fast was strict, so believers ate only one full meal per day, and meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products were forbidden foods. However, the modern church puts a greater emphasis on charity prayer while most fast meat on Fridays.” About.com
So confusing. At least to me. And I noticed almost everyone on Facebook gave up something for lent. I grew up in a Catholic family and Easter was, well, bunnies, colorful eggs, candy, surprises under my bed in the morning, and lot’s of Italian food. I never understood the meaning–but I loved the fun.
The only part I remember being “religious” was the traditional watching of “The Ten Commandments.” I still like to watch it. Although the movie seems to go on for hours, you should take the time to curl up on the couch with family, and view this rendition of the meaning of Easter.
It’s the best part of the entire holiday. The Greatest Story Ever Told.
Cindy Scinto, Editor, iBeGat.com
Rad Rev: How To Help A Hurting Friend
Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (NIV)
Grief is hard. Losing a loved one, a treasured pet, a house, or a cherished dream can slice deep. Even when it doesn’t happen to us, but rather to someone we care about.
Have you ever had your own heart-break as you sat and watched someone else’s splinter and shatter into a thousand pieces? What do you do when that happens?
IDEAS ON HOW TO HELP
- Be there. Offer a shoulder to cry on or wrap your friend in a hug. Oftentimes, this will mean more to them than anything else you could do.
- Pray for them. Never underestimate the power of prayer to impact someone’s life or heal their hurt. You might feel powerless to help them, but you can always, always count on God knowing just how to heal them.
- Meet a need. Walk their dog. Vacuum their house. Take them a meal (or if you are culinary-challenged, choose a restaurant gift card instead). If you drive, offer chaffering services (when someone dies, family members sometimes fly into town and might need rides to the funeral, etc.).
- Send Scripture. Through a tweet, a note on their Facebook wall, or best yet, a card or short letter, tell them you love them and that God loves them.Keep asking. You don’t want to push too much, but when the chaos smooths out and real life resumes, that’s when your friend will need you the most. The pain isn’t squelched after just a week. So ask how they’re doing or if they need anything. Often. It means the world to know you remember.
One of the things I love most about Jesus is that He saw people and never shied away from their pain. Showing compassion can make us feel uncomfortable, but it’s always worth shining Christ’s love into hurting lives.
Dear God, my heart breaks for ______ today. I know they’re going through a rough time and I ask that You heal their hurts and show me what I can do to be a blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
SHARE IT
Have you ever been going through a hard time and had someone blow you away with kindness?
LIVE IT
Write out an encouraging Scripture (Psalms is a treasure trove!) on a pretty note card and mail it to a friend.
Visit this devo at Rad Revolution:
MORE ABOUT RACHELLE
Rachelle Rea keeps a Smile Box full of notes, letters, cards, and tiny trinkets friends have given her that have touched her heart. Another box holds colorful note cards that are perfect for scribbling Scripture on and sending to hurting hearts. A college sophomore, Rachelle coaches gymnastics at her local YMCA.
For more from Rachelle, visit her atwww.rachellerea.com.
teen photo by: David Castillo Dominici
Heartbreak Doesn’t Last Forever
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)
Every day, for 605 days, I prayed for God to send me a Christian friend. I felt alone and isolated at school due in part to the efforts of a group of mean girls. Their constant harassment and belittlement had made my life so miserable it was hard to come to school a lot of days. However, I believed God would make a way for me if I would trust Him. I continued to place my trust in Him no matter what I faced day after day.
One day a tall, skinny girl, with long brown hair and a smile that went from ear to ear, walked into my class. Mrs. Greene, my teacher introduced her. “Class, I’d like your attention. I’d like for you to meet Dianne Miles. She’s just moved into the area and she’ll be joining our class. I know that you all will make her feel welcomed.”
I could already hear the mean girls giggling at Dianne because she was so skinny. I wasn’t sure if we’d be friends, but I felt it was important to introduce myself and make sure she felt accepted. I knew what it felt like to walk in her shoes.
God gave me the words and the courage I needed to speak to Dianne. “Hi, my name is Crystal and it’s nice to have you here. I’ll be glad to show you around if you’re interested.” To my surprise, within no time, we had become best friends.
Dianne became a target for the mean girls, too, but we were able to face the bullies together. God had heard every prayer I’d prayed and today, four decades later, Dianne and I are still BFF.
CRYSTAL Y. HATHCOCK
Crystal Y. Hathcock and her husband Tony, live in Liberty, South Carolina and have been married for thirty-two years. They have two puppies, Hankie and Calvin. Crystal is a freelance writer; a student with the Christian Writer’s Guild and writes religious articles for the area’s local newspaper. She enjoys cooking for family and friends, couponing, jewelry making and singing. (read more…)
Another Love Dare
I’d like you to understand when I say, “God is our God.” Of course he is. Even Satan knows that.
But just knowing this truth isn’t all that being a Christian is about. Mark 8:34 says:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (NIV)
Let’s say there’s a guy that loves you more than you could know, and constantly tells you, but you keep ignoring him because you’re “too busy.” What if he wrote this long love letter that explained how much he cares for you? Not only that, but this letter contains all the answers that you’ll ever need to know in life, including promises for your future.
Why would you ignore this special kind of friendship? In order to follow God we need an intimate relationship with him. Part of that is to find who you are in him. Why would you want this dear friend to only be a small part of your life? Follow him and he will become your everything if you allow him!
I dare you to get to know the friend that loves you no matter how awful you treat him. I dare you to read the love letter that is scratched and dusty, hidden and ignored in the back of your bookshelf. God wrote it to you thousands of years before you were born. Turn your Sunday religion into a true, eternal relationship.
TESSA HALL
Tessa Hall is a writing and coffee obsessed seventeen-year-old. She lives for Christ only and believes that it’s not just a religion, but a relationship. Her Young Adult, Christian fiction contemporary novel, Purple Moon, is currently under contract with Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. She also writes a blog called “Christ is Write” where she posts teen devotions, writing tips, book reviews, author interviews, and coffee recipes.
Tessa has always enjoyed writing and has a passion to spread God’s healing, love, and comfort to her peers through the written word. Some of her other passions include acting, film, music, photography, and dance. She has big dreams and high hopes for her future, but believes that God can grant the desires of her heart as long as she puts Him first. Her favorite scripture is Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG): “You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.”
<<<more posts by Tessa…
God of Second Chances
“Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.” (Psalm 119:175 NIV)
Our God is a God of second chances and that fact was never more real to me than one summer afternoon.
In a single moment, I decided carelessly to jump in a pool. My swimming skills were lacking. A nanosecond after I hit the water, I knew something was wrong. I should have floated right back up. The water was only four feet deep. If only I could stand up! But buoyancy was working against me, and the shimmery floor below was evading my efforts to plant my feet firmly on the surface. During this harrowing experience, I went from a confident, bubbly teenager giggling on the sidelines to a scared, terrified little girl fighting for her life.
Panic set in. So this was it. This is how I would go home. I was about to die.
Immediately following my thoughts came an absurd sense of peace. I knew where I was going if I died. When I put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I was assured an eternity in heaven. And that fact, in what I thought to be the last few seconds of my life, was immensely comforting.
But I knew if God wanted me on earth, he would bring me out of this. I had swallowed some water and was choking, so I prayed fervently to God for clarity of mind, something I could do, or some way out of this nightmare. My arms and legs were still flailing all over the place. Spots swam in front of my eyes, and for a couple seconds it went black. I knew I didn’t have long. Only a miracle could save me now.
And a miracle is exactly what I got. Somehow, God gave me the sense to stick my hand out of the water and wave it frantically to get someone’s attention. Then, I heard a voice whisper across my heart, “Calm down, my daughter. Everything will be all right. Calm down and plant your feet.”
Suddenly, my head was out of the water, and I was gulping in glorious, wonderful air. I was clinging to the side of the pool with a fellow teen bobbing beside me. I’m not sure how he got me out, but I know that God is definitely active in my life, and as the pool incident proves, I’m here and have a purpose. I keep thanking God for giving me another chance at life.
Since then, I’ve found that I am able to laugh more, love better, and share more. During those horrifying seconds under water, I decided I would live my life for God and make every second count
“The LORD will keep you from all harm- He will watch over your life, the LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:7-8)
SHANNON MEIERS
Shannon Meiers is a 16 year old home-schooled sophomore in high-school. Shes an aspiring writer, and is currently working with the special needs ministries at her church. Shannon, or Shan as her friends know her, is constantly learning… (read more…)
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