Children & heirs

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[a] Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[b] Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir." Galatians 4:4-7 (NIV)

Just think about. We are God's children and heirs. Isn't that something very, very, very amazing?

Call on Jesus

~Monday Movies & Music~

"Call on Jesus" is a song by PureNRG. Here are the lyrics. 

"“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."" John 15:5 (NIV)

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 (NIV)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;

    never will I forsake you.”[a]" Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

How about you? How has God helped you this year? 

Jupiter Winds by C. J. Darlington

~Saturday Stories~

Typical Grey: "... her fourteen-year-old sister was the only reason Grey had taken these smuggling jobs in the first place. Alone, she might've given up when Mom and Dad disappeared, but Rin gave her a reason to survive."

For five years Grey and Run had survived by themselves, smuggling goods and managing to stay unconnected from the Mazdaar government. But then it happens: Grey is captured. And this is about more than her smuggling, staying unconnected, and killing a border patroller to save her sister. The Mazdaar want her to lead them to her parents. But... Grey had no idea they were still alive.

Jupiter Winds was a pretty interesting, although dark, read. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone younger than 15 or 16. However, it did have a number of mentions of God, the overall theme being that God is always with us. Jupiter Winds has a sequel in Jupiter Storm.

For more on C.J. Darlington visit her website and Facebook page.

It's Christmas!!!

~Friday for Friends~

It's Christmas! Amazing how quickly time passes! 

How has your day been? How have you been celebrating Christ's birth? Who have you been celebrating with? Is it a joyful holiday for you? Are you grieving for someone? Do you wish you could feel God's presence more? Are you happy where you are in your relationship with God?

Please share!  

Celebrating while in grief

~Tuesday Thoughts~

Author and blogger Tessa Emily Hall has a good post on celebrating Christmas even when the world is grieving loss after loss. 

"In him [the Word] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it." John 1:4-5 (NIV)

Amen! Amen! Amen!

Follow your heart?

~Monday Movies & Music~

"Follow Your Heart" is a song by Anthem Lights. Here are the lyrics. 

"After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’" Acts 13:22 (NIV)

How can you follow GOD'S heart today? 

"That's how the peace of God works" and more quotes

~Saturday Stories~

“That’s how the peace of God works. Calm in the midst of trials.” ~ Thomas, Worth the Time

"You can ask for a willing spirit and opportunities, but don’t just sit around and wait to feel like serving because that’s not going to happen. You have to just do it.” ~ Heather, Me, Just Different

"He has created a way for you to come back home and be in relationship again. Nothing you have done can separate you from his goodness. And the best news of all, he has already made the way. You just have to ask.” ~ Pastor Bill, Like Moonlight at Low Tide

What about you? Did any of the quotes touch your heart? Have you asked God to give you words in your conversations? Have you tried serving even if you didn't want to? Have you experienced His peace?

Have you come back home?

Sharing the joy

~Friday for Friends~

"But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."" Luke 2:10 (NIV)

"Joy for all the people" includes, well, all people. Who can you share this joy with?

December's whirlwind

~Tuesday Thoughts~

With Christmas coming around, are you tired of all the commercials, the TV shows, the constant reminder of one more person you need to buy presents for?

On the other side, sometimes Christians go over the head with "just reminding people" about what it's all about.

How about picking a quiet place this week and, with no one else around, praying, reading, and listening to God in the midst of this whirlwind?

"My soul, wait in silence for God only,

For my hope is from Him." Psalm 62:5 (NASB)

What scars are for

~Monday Movies & Music~

"What Scars Are For" is a song by Mandisa. Here are the lyrics.

^"For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
  as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us."

Psalm 103:11-12 (NIV)

How about you? Have you experienced His love and forgiveness?

Like every good story

~Saturday Stories~

1. Like every good story
Mine has a beginning.
And we get to know the whos, and the whats,
And the whens, and all that.
And life's just going as it should,
Plain ole life, in other words

Chorus: You are the Writer of my story;
You are the Author Almighy
You know every stroke of the pen,
Every word, every phrase, every turn, every twist.
You. Know. My. Story.

2. And like every good story
Mine has an inciting incident,
A door I pass and can't go back.
And that's Your glory,
And that's the moment
When I realize that
No, I can't be the same anymore.

Chorus

3. Like every good story
Mine has a middle.
And everything's going great
And I'm going to get to my goal.
And there's people that opposed me,
But we both know that's temporary
I'm gonna get through this oh, oh, oh.

Chorus

4. Like every good story
Mine has a black moment.
And I'm sure everything's
Gonna crash and go down.
Where is that glory?
Where is that power?
It can't get worse than this, can it?

Chorus

5. Like every good story
Mine has an ending.
And even if it seems like a sad one
It. Is. Not.
Because the end of my story
Is everlasting life in Your glory
The happily-ever-after multiplied by a million times

Take the time to hang around

~Friday for Friends~

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

We are supposed to communicate, encourage, hang around with other Christians. We can be so encouraged! Of course, it might be discouraging at times. But even when those timed come, we can trust our Maker, who is always faithful.

Amen!

How can you communicate with other Christians this weekend?

He is with us - everywhere

~Tuesday Thoughts~

 "Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
  If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
  If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
   even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
   If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
   even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you."
Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

 Think about it. Think about all the places that exist on Earth. Hot places with beaches, freezing places with beautiful icicles hanging off the rooftops. Shabby homes with barely any furniture, massive palaces adorned with gold. Rockets sent to orbit Earth, submarines in the oceans' depths.

God is with us EVERYWHERE. Even of we don't feel like it.

Amen!

Start over

~Monday Movies & Music~

"Start Over" is a song by Flame featuring NF. Here are the lyrics.

^"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

We are made new! How amazing is that?

Don't Count on Homecoming Queen by Nancy Rue

~Saturday Stories~

Tobey doesn't have to try to be cool. She just is. She can pull off most anything at school, in a good Christian way. Stuff like See You at the Pole and standing up for those being picked on. But then THIS happens. She wouldn't have believed it herself if she hadn't heard it and seen evidence. Now can she prove to everyone that the most popular coach at school did rape a freshman?

Don't Count on Homecoming Queen goes deep... way deep. Tobey is pretty sure it did happen, but she didn't actually see it, which makes it harder to tell. And telling the story isn't even the end because SO many people just won't believe her. She could not have gone through it without God's help, the support of her family, and a new group of friends. 

Rape is real. It does happen, and it can't just be dismissed. One can't just ignore it or say that (s)he asked for it. And even though it may be hard, God can see us through. 

Tobey did look too perfect at times, and the ending wasn't as big as I expected. But the story of sticking up for what is right no matter what is so worth being told. 

Don't Count on Homecoming Queen is the first in the Raise the Flag series. The rest are "B" Is for Bad at Getting into Harvard, I Only Binge on Holy Hungers, Do I have to Paint You a Picture, Friends Don't Let Friends Date Jason, and When Is Perfect, Perfect Enough?. 

For more on Nancy Rue, visit her website, Facebook page, and blogs for tweens and teens.

Build each other up

~Friday for Friends~

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

Encouragement is such a beautiful thing. What was a time when you were encouraged? When you encouraged? 

What has God done in your life recently?

~Tuesday Thoughts~

So... Wanted to ask you guys. 

• What has God done in your life recently? 
• What joy have you felt? 
• Have you felt His peace? 
• Have you told others about Him? 
• How has He blessed you? 
• How has He reprimanded you? 
• Who has He used to help heal you? 
• What grief has He helped you through?
• What has He taught you?