God Has His Own Eraser
It was the second hour of history class and my brain was functioning on power saver. I nodded occasionally to let the teacher know I was still cognizant, but beyond that I was there only in body. Gradually I came up for air, and was struck by what I heard.
The unit we were studying was on Abraham’s life. The teacher was talking about the many terrible ways that he sinned against God. He lied about his wife being his sister … twice, he tried to force God’s promise of a son to come true on his own, and he didn’t act as the leader of his house to end the disputes between Sarah and her servant, Hagar.
Yet, even though Abraham made countless mistakes, God was still faithful to bring about his promise for his life. He did not hold Abraham’s deeds against him. God has his own eraser, and he uses it all the time with the sins of his chosen people.
It is so freeing to know that God will bring about his plan even when I mess up. He has a goal at the end of this, and I can be sure that he will accomplish it. My part is only to follow his direction for my life as best as I can.
Like Abraham, God called you when He drew you to himself. Follow his direction even in the smallest things. Don’t despair when something seems to go wrong because God is powerful enough to use it to his glory.
I’m sure glad I came up for air.
AIMEE LYNCH
Aimee Lynch is a homeschooled high-school student in Gaithersburg MD. She has a heart for children whose parents are divorced because she grew up in a single-parent home after her own parents divorced when she was five. Her blog, allfilledup.wordpress.com, is a place where she seeks to encourage other kids in difficult situations. In what little free time she has, she enjoys gardening, reading, getting involved in various youth projects, taking walks on the beach, and writing articles. (read more…)
End It
No one talk to me; no one get near me: I can’t handle it. Lock the door so no one can come in, and no one can go out. Look in the mirror, see nothing worth looking at. Why do I look this way? Why can’t I look good? Sit and think about my life, and how there’s nothing worth living for in it. The walls are closing in, there’s nowhere left to turn, one thing left to do: end it.
Have you ever felt this way? Like there’s only one option: ending your life. I have, and it’s not something I wish upon anyone.
I was 11 years old, starting 6th grade. I wasn’t strong in my walk with Christ, and I later realized that was the problem. The first paragraph describes how I felt. At school, I focused on my work and nothing else. I went to church and didn’t soak anything in. It was like I wasn’t really living; I was just existing.
If you’ve ever felt like this, please keep reading! The only way to escape the grips of depression is God.
My pastor runs a youth camp for a week during the summer. It was there that I felt God speaking to me, calling out my name; telling me that there was a reason to keep living: Him and His plans for me.
Things didn’t immediately get better—don’t expect them to—but I did start feeling better. It was like a giant weight was lifted off my shoulders. Now, I’m fine. I’m happy. It’s great because I can see God working in my life.
I want all of you to feel the same way. Please, if you feel the way I felt: talk to God. A youth minster, pastor, or an adult that you’re close to will help. God has a plan for you! Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (NLT). Please don’t deprive yourself and the world of that plan.
HALEY FAYE SNYDER
I’m Haley Faye Snyder. I’ve lived in the same Christian home in Kentucky since I was born. I have one little brother and two loving parents. I go to Westport Baptist church and have my whole life. I accepted Christ into my heart when I was six and then re-committed my life to Him when I was 11 at Boones Creek Baptist Camp. (read more…)
For additional resources check out this book:
By Lisa M. Schab
Despite what you might have been told, the feelings of sadness and hopelessness you may be struggling with are probably not “just a phase” or “something you’ll grow out of.” As many as 20 percent of people your age have symptoms of serious depression, yet many teens and even many adults don’t recognize the signs. Only half of depressed teens get the help they need to overcome these feelings. If you’re feeling depressed, this workbook offers things you can do, both on your own and with a counselor, to feel better.
The activities in Beyond the Blues can help you cope with sad and difficult feelings, find new ways to make friends, and deal with conflicts. Little by little and on your own schedule, you can make small changes in your life that will lead you to a brighter, more enjoyable future.
Publisher: Instant Help Publications
ISBN-13: 978-1572246638
$21.75
Knowing the Begotten – He Really Has A Plan
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)
Sometimes things are hard to understand. When my friends get mad at me or I mess up it feels like everything crashes down on top of me. That’s when I have to remember that God has a plan. I interpret this scripture as we all will go through obstacles in our lifetime and we must never give up. If we believe in Him and have faith in Him the journey He has set for us, will become easier. The journey will have highs and will have some lows. But God has a plan – even when we can’t see it. So we keep praying to God, having faith in Him and trusting that His way, His plan is the coolest.
God does want us to live a meaningful life on earth, but the true plans He has made for us are going to be realized when we meet in heaven.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: Dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt, & live like it is heaven on earth. – Mark Twain
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WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK TO GOD ABOUT YOUR PLANS – Check out
Praying from the Gut
by Steven James
If you could tell God anything, what would you say? If you could whisper to Him your darkest secrets, let Him know about your greatest disappointments, or share with Him your wildest joys…would you do it? God offers to listen to your deepest cries, just like a friend would – a friend so true, so loyal, so close that you could tell him anything without fear or shame or regret. He’s available. He wants to hear your needs, your doubts, your pain, your praise. And He’s waiting for you to talk to Him right now. This honest prayer journal for teens will help you talk to the One who loves you most. No matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what you have on your mind.
Publisher: Standard Publishing Company
ISBN-13: 978-0784713341
$13.00
BRENNA ARNOLD
Compassionate,motivated and energetic are a few words to describe this 14 year old from Southern Indiana!
Brenna was recently confirmed and is is very much involved as a member in her church. Highly involved with the youth program and in her community; makes regular visits to the elderly and area nursing homes.
This incoming freshman is very active at her school. She is involved in basketball, track, student council, choir, Jazz choir, and will be a Varsity cheerleader. She tells us,”I enjoy making people smile, it makes me feel good. Never frown, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile!”
Brenna has one older brother who is in his third year of college.
Beautiful in every sense of the word, Brenna has a great love for Christ and she’s not afraid to tell you about His love and amazing friendship. Brenna says, “I want to see teens know and understand that God is nothing to be ashamed of.” She’s ready to leap into high school with a passion for life, Christ and high goals and ambitions. (read more…)
Meet Brenna Arnold iBegat.com’s “SheGat” – our teen gal’s editor and iBegat Radio co-host.
Trust God for Your Success – Michelle Medlock Adams
“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3 AMP)
Lord, I’m not going to worry anymore about my plans and my ultimate success. I trust You, Lord, with all of my hopes and dreams. I know I can trust You, Lord. I know that You want the very best for me. Lord, I want my plans to be Your plans. I don’t want to walk outside of Your will for even one moment. I am rolling all of this over to You, Father, and I’m asking that You help me to leave it with You. It’s my nature to try and do it all myself, but Lord, I know that’s not Your way. From now on, I give it all to You, and I am confident that You will cause me to succeed.
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PLACES TO GO
TODAY’S VERSE
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- Happy Resurrection Weekend! http://t.co/mkXXl0Y8 http://t.co/Fp9CGEfD
Captain LaFoote
If you drowned and the sea spit you out, thrusting you back into an age of pirates, buried treasure and beauty beyond belief…would you stay?
Print Version: $9.95
Kindle Version: $2.99Teen Writing Help
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