Bad Santa or Crime Doesn’t Really Pay?

STOCKTON, Calif – A California teenager has learned the hard way that he's no Santa Claus. The Stockton Record reports 18-year-old George Herrera got stuck in a chimney while trying to sneak into his house Thursday. Art Ray of the Stockton Fire Department says the teen was breaking curfew and trying to get inside his home.

Ray says Herrera was trapped near the chimney bottom for about 90 minutes before emergency crews were called around 10:15 a.m. When they arrived, they could see his feet sticking out of the fireplace. Rays says rescuers secured ropes around the teenager's wrists and pulled him up about 8 feet with the help of a firetruck ladder. Officials say Herrera wasn't hurt and was allowed to return home after the rescue, which took about 15 minutes.

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Truth That Sets You Free

Ashli Roussel, iBegat the Begotten, IBegat Trouble

"You are a liar.” Although I would normally never encourage anyone to speak these words, there is an exception to that rule when it comes to one thing: an eating disorder. In fact, if you have an eating disorder, I encourage you to look it in the face and tell it, “You are a liar.”

Through an eating disorder, Satan tricks our minds to exchange God’s truth for lies, which can convince us easily that we are ugly or invaluable. Whenever we think these things, a red flag should alarm us that we are believing lies. But even when an eating disorder shouts lies that bring hopelessness, God’s truth can fill us with strength and life. When the lies seem unconquerable, God’s power is stronger. When an eating disorder tells you that you are not pretty enough, God says you are “fearfully and

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Merry Christmas

iBegat HOME, Sticky

Merry Christmas

From the writers and editors at iBeGat.com, may you days be merry and bright, may your nights be warm and peaceful. And may Jesus light your hearts.

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Different

Haley Snyder, iBegat the Begotten, iBegat U

"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 NASV)

On February 4, 2011, I went to Winter Jam with my youth group. The music was amazing, and my friends and I danced around like idiots, loving every moment. A group of guys sat in front of us with the guys from our youth group. They knew each other from school and wanted to hang out. While my friends and I were dancing, they kept looking back at us. They’d laugh at us when we’d dance stupid dances. I finally asked one of the guys from my church why they were laughing, and he said they thought we were weird. It kind of bugged me for the rest of the night that they

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Thanksgiving Thanks!

iBegat U

Give thanks with a grateful heart...

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Passion for Writing

iBe SHEgat, iBegat Books, iBegat Buddies, iBegat HOME, iBegat U

People milled about the room, almost everyone looking like they’d stepped out of a book. Actually, they had. I guessed that people costumes were dressed as a character from their book. Now why hadn’t I worn my costume? Ah well, at least I wasn’t the only one in normal clothes. Even though I wasn’t feeling like I was completely part of the crowd, I was ecstatic to be there at the One Year Adventure Novel summer workshop.

The One Year Adventure Novel (OYAN) workshop was absolutely the most awesome thing I experienced summer 2011. OYAN students are very excited about writing and really fall in love with their characters. That first day at the camp was an exciting way to start with all the people dressed up, talking, laughing, and having fun before the classes even started!

I made

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Say What?

Haley Snyder, iBegat Buddies, IBegat Trouble, iBegat U

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (Exodus 20:16 NIV) “Do not go about spreading slander among your people.” (Leviticus 19:16 NIV) “But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” (Mathew 12:36 NIV)

Tears stream down your face onto your pillow as you lay in bed. “How could they do this?” you think. Pulling out your phone and reading the text again, it hits you: the people you trust most told lies about you behind your back.

This recently happened to me with a close friend in my youth group. We were on a mission trip, but I got sick and had to leave early. When the rest of the group got home, friends of mine were mad at me because of things my friend

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The “Body” of Christ

iBegat the Begotten, iBegat U, Tessa Hall

You have legs to walk; eyes to see; ears to hear, and a nose to smell. If it weren't for these body parts, which contain a specific assignment, we wouldn't be able to accomplish certain jobs. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (NCV) says: “If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them… Those parts of the body that seem to be the weaker are really necessary. And the parts of the body we think are less deserving are the parts to which we give the most honor... Together you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of that body.” God has given each of us a gift to help build his kingdom. You have

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Deadlines

iBegat Books, iBegat Buddies, iBegat U

What is a writer to do with time constraints? By participating in NaNoWriMo last year, (National Novel Writing Month) I personally learned that I write best when I have a certain goal to accomplish each day. That goal helps me push myself to complete it. Even if I’m too tired or getting discouraged, I know I have a goal in mind and I want to meet it. Things like NaNoWriMo and signing up for a writing class will help with writing under pressure. In a writing class, the teacher gives you a deadline. If you miss that deadline, you can’t participate in any assignments concerning that piece of writing; deadlines have consequences when not met. You could even assign your own deadlines. Maybe three thousand words in one day or a chapter a week or any other deadline you

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