Friendship, By Courtney S.

Friendship

 By Courtney S. 

Friendship is apart of almost everyone's childhood. Especially as we get older and feel a need for support from someone other than our family. Someone who we can "unite" with and help us see things through the eyes of Christ to help us make the right decision (Romans 15: 5-6). Friends are usually the ones who play this role.
Are your friends loyal? Are you a loyal friend? Are you the type of friend that Wendy Hinson is speaking of in the poem below?
Think about this. Are your friends "gems" in your eyes? When you are away from them do you miss them very much? Do your friends bring you joy? In 2 Timothy 1:5 Paul writes to Timothy: Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. Paul is telling Timothy that he feels joy when he is in his presence.
Earlier on Paul had told Timothy that he keeps him in his prayers. Do you lift your friends up in prayer, when things are going well and when they aren't. Or, do you just pray for them when they are driving you crazy and you ask God to punish them, or to make them see things from your point of view? These are the things that I would like for you to think about.
Until Next Time,
~Courtney S.~

Do You Take Out Time To Listen To God?, By Courtney

Do You Take Out Time To Listen To God?

By Courtney S.

Cell Phone

Alarm Clock

Ipod

T.V.
Mp3
Friends
GOD

Is God at the bottom of your list? It seems that in an electronic filled world that God almost always comes last. Our lives are filled with noise and distraction. It seems that if something is isn't loud it doesn't get our attention.

For example:

During the summer my little sister had rented a Harold and the Purple Crayon DVD from the library. On the show Harold doesn't talk. Basically, none of the characters talk. Something about the quiet annoyed me. I asked my mom to turn it off. I had gotten tired of listening to complete silence.

Today, in my youth group my teacher showed us a video. The video started off with the host flipping channels and talking. When he finished there was complete silence for about 1 minute just in that short period all of us 5th-8th graders were sitting around squirming in our seats. Just then on the screen popped up the words:  Why does silence bother you? 

It was kind of scary, but it made me realize that more people than you think have a problem with silence. Why? What is so bothersome?  In the Bible God normally speaks to his followers in the silence. In 1 Kings 9 - 13. God comes to Elijah as a small voice after all of these louder, bigger, things happen. Here is the NIV version of 1 Kings 11 - 13.

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

The wind, earthquake, and fire were all louder than God's voice. If God spoke to you in a whisper would you hear Him? Or would you be busy listening to your Ipod and not able to hear him.

Think about it. If you have on loud music, the T.V., and you're instant messaging your friends can you hear your mom calling you to dinner? No. You can't, and her voice is literally audible. God typically speaks to your heart and mind. If your mind is constantly busy, then you won't be able to hear God. In preschool, you would have to take naps. Now, most 8-21 year olds don't have time for naps. They're too busy. I know I am, but it can be done. When you're riding to soccer practice just be silent, or when you're driving to your part-time job be silent. Pray to God He'll help you.

Remember God Loves You and wants to hang out with you.

The Problem With Rumors, By Courtney

The Problem With Rumors  

 By Courtney S.

"Hi Marcia!" said Clara. "Boy, did you miss some action last week!"
"What happened?"
"Well let me see.... Oh! There was a rumor that Brian Fitzger cheated off Mikayla's paper in geography class! He claims that he didn't but, I've told everyone that I can think of, well except you!"
"Oh Clara, you really should stop spreading rumors."
"Yea, I know! But, I can't help myself! You will pass this one on won't you? I mean, you have to! Everyone needs to know that Brian Fitzger is a cheater!"
"Oh alright, but this is the very last time! I mean it!"  
"Hi Clara! How was school?" Mom asked.
"Fine."
"You didn't by any chance spread any rumors did you?"
"Of course not mom! Why do you ask?"
"Well it seems like a lot of the kids are giving Brian Fitzger a hard time."
"Oh Mom! I had to! I'm tired of always having to be nice to that spoiled kid!"
"Well, 1st of all spreading rumors isn't nice whatsoever and even more than that it isn't godly at all. Mrs. Applewood allowed Brian to look at Mikayla's workbook because he doesn't have his own yet, and his eyesight isn't the best. He wasn't cheating."
"Oh" said Clara sheepishly.
"I think you have some apologizing to do young lady."
"Yea, me too."  
 Question Time!
I would like for you to answer the questions below and email them to me. With your answers please include you first name or nickname whatever you prefer and your age. I will then post them on CGC.    
1. Why shouldn't Clara have told had told Marcia that Brian Fitzger had cheated off of Mikayla's paper?  
2. What did Marcia do that was also wrong?  
3. How should Marcia have responded to Clara's rumor?  
4. Why did Clara have to apologize?  
5.What would you have done if you were in Marcia's position?  
6. What you have done if you were in Clara's position?  
Bible Verse  
New International Version (NIV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies.  
New King James Version (NKJV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  
King James Version (KJV): Psalm 34:13 reads: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.      

Summary

Basically all this is saying is: Refrain form speaking things that you do not know are true. For another example:  If someone were to tell you that they think something is safe to eat or drink, but they're not positive, would you eat or drink it? No! You wouldn't. You'd go and ask someone who knew. It's the same with what you say, if you don't know if the person did it, don't say they did. Talk to the person and find out or don't say anything at all. I know that sometimes it is easier said than done, but pray to God for strength and he will help you.   
 ~God Bless! Courtney~

Do you wear God's wardrobe? By Courtney S.

Do you wear God's wardrobe?

By Courtney S.   

In today's society girls are known to be clothes and shopping crazy. Did you know that God cares about how we are dressed too? I know I didn't.
Actually, I'd never thought about it until about 2 days ago when my mom was listening to the Christian radio station in my area. The female radio host was reminding young women that they needed to be sure they were wearing God's wardobe and not the world's.
 Below I have two tables: One is the world's wardrobe and one is God's. Which one do you wear? Which one do you want to wear? Which one do you think God wants His princess to wear?

The World's Wardrobe	The Truth
Lying	If you lie once you'll have to lie again and again. Who wants to live a lie?
Unrighteousness	If you become a constant liar, you're now unrighteous. You don't want to abide by the laws God has given us.
Trouble	If you're unrighteous, you begin to cause trouble. Instead of being peaceful and being a peacemaker, you're being a peacebreaker.
Unfaithful	You don't put all your trust in God, and that He CAN do anything.
Unsaved	You aren't saved, or at least you are acting like girls who aren't saved.
Clueless	There really is no direction that you're headed for. You are just "going with the flow".

God's Wardrobe	Know the Truth about...	Affirm key Scriptures
Belt of TRUTH	God	Deut. 4:39; Psalm 23:1; 18:1-3
Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS	The Righteousness of Jesus in you	Psalm 100:3; Rom. 3:23-24, 6:23; Gal. 2:20-21; Phil. 3:8-10.
Sandals of PEACE	Inner peace and readiness	Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14; John 14:27, 16:33, 20:21.
Shield of FAITH	Living by faith	Rom. 4:18-21; Heb. 11:1; 1 Pet. 1:6-7
Helmet of SALVATION	Salvation through Christ today and forever	Each day: Ps. 16, 23; Heb. 1:3-6 For eternity: 2 Cor. 4:16-18; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 John 3:1-3
Sword of the spirit GOD'S WORD	God's Word countering spiritual deception and accusations	Heb. 4:12; Matt. 4:2-11; 1 Pet. 3:15; Ps. 119:110-112

Which one of these do you want to wear? I know I want to wear God's wardrobe.
Are you a Christian? Do you want to be? Do you know what it is to be a Christian? If you would like to ask Jesus into your life please pray this simple prayer:  
 Dear God, I know that I have sinned, and I want you to come into my life. I know that Jesus is your Son and He died on the cross for my Sins. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.  
It's as simple as that. If you prayed this prayer please email us at: http://us.f543.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=godlygirls@yahoo.com or email me at: http://us.f543.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=christiangirlconnection@yahoo.com
You can also visit: www.godlygirlsforgod.2ya.com/christianityQ&A.htm and send Allison a question or note.  
Remember, God Loves You!   ~Courtney~  
God's Wardobe Form taking from: www.crossroad.to/text/articles/armorofgod.html

What Does "Love" Really Mean? By Courtney

What Does "Love" Really Mean? 

By Courtney S.

Love, what does the word love really mean? On Bible Gateway it pulls up 695 verses of the Bible with love in it. One of my very favorite Bible verses, John 3:16 reads: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to die for us. Webster's dictionary defines love as: A unselfish, loyal, and benevolent concern for the good of another. That is exactly how God feels for us. Even though we are sinful people he loves us unconditionally. He loves us even when we don't love him.

In the English language, love is used in so many different ways. I sign love, Courtney to my friends. I say, "I love yo," to my Grandma. On Valentine's day when you have to give cards to all the people in your class including, people you probably have never talked to, you sign Love, whatever your name is. I like how one of the CGC members named Allison signs her emails: Jesus Loves You! Allison.

I was on the Brio magazine website and I read an article that said how love was used way to carelessly. Star struck girls say: I love Zac Efron or I love Jesse McCartney. Do you really? How can you love someone unconditionally and unselfishly who you don't even know?  On movies, girls go on dates with the cutest guy at school and they come home saying I'm in love. The next day the guy, doesn't remember her. I don't think that is unconditional love. Do you? That just means the guy romanced her. In other words she bought into his flirtatious behavior. She fell for his trap. That is all that is.

I would love to hear your thoughts please send your comments and questions!

Remember Jesus is love,

Courtney S.