An Under-Addressed Topic: Grief by Hillary Beth

Recently a woman shared that she had gone to a popular bookstore chain in search of resources on grief geared toward children. Surprisingly, there was very little available, but the recommendation given was to go to the local Family Christian store, which did have a few options.

Grief is a part of life that we all face at one time or another, to one degree or another – whether we would like to talk about it very much, or not. Often we grieve over not only those loved ones we have lost, but also we grieve over all of the dreams and life goals that death leaves unfulfilled. Psalm 57:1 pleads, “Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.” In the middle of grief, it may seem like the darkness will never pass.

There are so many different stages, which may cycle or repeat in some manner, that we go through in grief, and while no one will grieve exactly the same way, or for the same amount of time, there are healthy ways to grieve, and unhealthy ways. Healthy ways to deal with grief may involve speaking with a trusted friend or circle of friends about our feelings, memories, and decisions – or even a trustworthy professional. There may be other resources, groups, and people we seek out, as well. Unhealthy ways fall into the categories of habits that prohibit our healing, try to punish ourselves for things we regret, or focus so intensely on things we cannot change, that we can no longer see anything but our situation – including the good things that God brings into our lives even while we are still in our season of grief. Ultimately, though, our response–even in the middle of our deepest grief–is to be to turn to God for comfort and peace. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 tells us that Christians can have hope in grief, especially the kind relating to death, because of Jesus: “Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

While that doesn’t mean we don’t feel pain, or even that we would feel pain differently – it does mean that our eyes are lifted to above this moment in time, above these circumstances and situations that we will walk through, and above the perhaps overwhelming feelings and thoughts – to see that God has not left us, that we still can trust Him, and that Jesus, who also has dealt with death, has conquered even death! As we come to see who God is and what His work is all about in our lives more clearly, we can see purpose, be healed, and continue to walk through our journey of life, even through intensely raw emotional seasons.

Secure by Hillary Beth

In Bible study this week, someone shared about the word, "security." I have often cringed at that word, because I know it's easy to feel insecure about things.

Ironically, I was also re-memorizing a bunch of verses and "Questions and Answers" from the AWANA program 3rd grade book, as I am a Truth & Training Director this year, and I don't want to challenge others to do something I can't do myself... anyhow... one of the sections says:

How does God want me to live my life?
God wants me to be secure in Him.

The back up verse is: John 10:28-29. It says, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand." 

Now there's a lot of things I could feel insecure about right now. I'll list a few:

• Upcoming trips I want to take, but will have to do "alone"
• My weight or physical appearance
• The long list of "to-do's" I'm not getting done
• How my voice sounds when I sing on stage with my sisters in Christ
• Being a good enough leader when I prepare for large group time for Awana
• Managing my time well 

 There's a lot of things on my mind, and maybe you can relate to some of them - maybe there are things you are about to do on your own for the first time, maybe there are things you think if you could accomplish them people would pay attention to you, maybe you are too aware of, and hard on yourself about, things that other people don't notice - or notice and think are great about you - or maybe you just fear not being good enough for God to use you.

But those aren't things we need to worry about!
God has said He would give us the words to say in tough situations - Luke 12:12 - "for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." If He will do that, will He not also give us the strength to do what Colossians 3:17 asks of us? "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." That encompasses a lot. When I sing, I sing for Him. When I write, I write for Him. When I wipe down my baby's high chair for the millionth time... maybe for ya'll it's cleaning your room or helping a sibling... I should be doing it for Him. 

What are you insecure about tonight? Write a list - it's good to see it in writing. Then pray through each item, giving each to God. Admit your limitations, weaknesses, and fears - and resolve to do what you do, one step at a time, for Him!

Every Once in Awhile Something Shocks Me

Every once in a while something shocks me

By Hillary Beth Koenig

I remember the 4th grade. I naturally had assumed that I knew of every cuss word that there was, not that I used them, but I thought I'd at least heard them and vaguely knew what they meant. Nope, that was the year I heard the F-word the first time, and had to ask what it meant. I was pretty much appalled.

Then there was this year. I knew there were dating sites and hook up sites of all shapes and sizes, but I didn't know that there was one specifically geared to encouraging and enabling affairs. Yes, I consider that a whole new level of so-wrong.

But what do I find more appalling?

That so many people would believe the lies that Christian women are uneducated, thoughtlessly submitting to a life of being a "proper" wife and mother, according to others' standards, incapable of supporting herself if need be, and above all, that they, too have bought the lies that purity is simply a woman saving sex for her husband.

Wow.

First of all, I'm a Christian. I'm now a mother and a wife. I currently have multiple writing and editing projects due this week totaling several hundred dollars. The semester before my husband married me, I worked up to 63 hours a week in several part time jobs, and took 15 credit hours' worth of classes. While he was away with the military, I obtained a great job at an IT firm and couldn't wait to tell him about it - even though I was so nervous going to the interview that I would have given anything for his hug prior to it.

I will be taking care of myself and my child for the better part of the next year alone, because that's what happens in the military life. And that doesn't really faze me. I'll be an Awana leader for a bunch of tweens, sing on the praise team at Bible study, and show up to practices and set ups. I'll probably travel the country to see friends and family, and celebrate Christmas and birthdays without him.

I share all of this to answer a certain woman whose post has gone viral. She wrote a catch phrase, a bunch of people read it and said to themselves, “I like that!” and they didn’t stop once to think about what they were saying.

You can say, "'raise them to breathe fire,” all you want. But when the trials come, most of us are complaining about how "life should be fair," "I deserve more," and other nonsense. What's fair? And why do we all think things should be handed to us?

Trials make fire breathers. Not going with the flow makes fire breathers.

Now let me go back a different direction.

The writer asserts that women have purity standards imposed on them.

I will tell you - I chose my own standards. I was presented morals, viewpoints, rules, and truth as a child - along with lies, urges to do what I felt like, and peer pressure. But most of all, I was raised to think for myself and ultimately I made the choices to be a woman who followed God. That includes doing sex the way God intended - one man, one woman.

I married a man who waited for me. I waited for him. It took a lot of patience and some guts to explain to my coworkers at the writing center where I worked what my purity ring meant. The guy and the girl both said they'd never met a single person in their life before who had actually waited. I felt sad.

There's not a chaste and proper wife rule. It's a free to love wholeheartedly, free from guilt and shame, free from drama and tough consequences, free to be passionate and yourself thing to have sex with your spouse and your spouse alone. He was my first kiss. I was his first kiss. And the only reason that's hard to talk about, is because that's not something that happens a lot. 

I risk heaping more guilt. That's why people attack Christians who choose to do sex God's way. I don’t want you to feel guilty – I want you to be free. The truth of God’s word sets us free, and what Jesus did on the cross makes us pure, no matter what the sin.

In high school, I wasn’t caught up in drama. I was starting GGFG!

When you stay true to one person, you don’t deal with the drama, pain, and consequences of having had intimate relationships with many.

It may seem silly, but, I don't have to:

• wonder if my husband has other, even unknown to him children out there
• wonder if an old ex will pop up and cause sexual tension
• explain to a child that they have siblings that are his, mine, and ours
• feel ashamed of anything I did prior to marriage when talking to my kids about my past

Other people have asked if this was a first child for both of us. They assumed my husband may have had other kids with other women before me. Or, that I had a child that doesn’t live with us.

You’re not there yet. You’re a teen. But the choices you make now have consequences that last into adulthood. Choose to do things God’s way!

Grace Cannot Be Silent by Hillary Beth Koenig

The other day I read an article that stuck with me. The main point was, "Grace does not mean silence." The article accused Christians of not dealing with Bill Cosby's potential guilt correctly, because he is a beloved, famous figure; we want to ignore his shortcomings and any sin and failures because we like some of his achievements and values - at least on screen. If he is found guilty, though (and I really hope he is not guilty), we cannot simply ignore the crimes committed. 

Real grace is such an awesome thing that it doesn't even need to pretend that nothing's wrong; it sees whole truth and still allows us the capacity to love. God loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). God loved us so much he sent his only son (John 3:16). That's the cost of grace. And we cheapen grace if we try to limit it! Grace cannot be silent, because truth is not silent, and God is grace and truth (John 1:17 - "Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."). 

Our sisters, brothers, friends, fathers, mothers, pastors, teachers - all need grace sometimes. To heal, to move on, to know and follow God - we need grace. We can't ignore injustice or sin and expect grace to be able to do its work.

So, be above reproach in this - don't try to justify another's behaviors and actions, but look at it as an opportunity to share the Gospel, that is, that unfortunately everyone's a sinner, but that the good news is, we are stuck in that condition for eternity if we choose repentance!

Easter Testimony - Hillary Beth

Hillary Beth Koenig

Before I knew Christ, I had no desire to forgive others; after I understood what He had done for me, and I trusted Him, I wanted to follow Him in things like 1 Corinthians 13: "Love keeps no records of wrongs." Also, as I child, I was fascinated with ghost stories, but after I was saved I realized that the supernatural things that God has done - raising Jesus from the dead, changing my life and others' - that was what my heart really longed to know! Those things were the truth and not just myths!

Why is the road not smooth? By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Why is the road not smooth?

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Why are we never satisfied? At church this past Sunday, my pastor conveyed this truth: The reality we live in tempts us to stop pursuing God and live for the here and now. The funny thing is, when we live for the here and now, we end up being very worried about how things will work out, and we cannot enjoy our lives; we can get caught up in striving for more, and trying to make things work out on our own instead of depending on God.
See, nobody’s promised a smooth ride! People have problems, some have even bigger problems than others, but God shines through us when we don’t ride on our circumstances. We can let our circumstances drive everything we do and think, if we are not careful! “If things were only this way, if I only had this, if only this would happen…”
God is bigger. And He teaches us to trust Him – Matthew 6 says not to worry about where our provisions will come from, that the God who provides for the wild animals and plants certainly provides for us. Sometimes we have to work harder than other times to get stuff done; the Earth was cursed at the time of the Fall according to Genesis, and we have to work hard for our harvests. Although, sometimes God does bless us abundantly, when we don’t even expect it. (The glory goes to God.) Sometimes we just have to adjust our attitudes, be thankful for what we have, refuse to be victims of our circumstances, and be wise with our resources.
Another thing my pastor brought to our attention: God’s plans are bigger than our present experience; God is preparing us for our whole eternal experience, right now in the present.
We cannot understand all of what seems fair or unfair here, because we don’t know the mind of God, and we don’t see the big picture. Besides, who are we to demand God to prove Himself by doing things our way and on our timeframe? And we can’t base our faith on feeling like God is or is not doing what we think He should do. That is like saying “I know more than God” if we base what we believe on what we think is right and what we think should happen in our lives and the lives around us.
I have so many painful memories of trying to understand… but I chose each time to trust God. It is hard but it is good. We think we see the problem and the solution, but often our problems are way more than our circumstances – God works all things together for our good to make us more like Christ, and if we doubt God’s goodness, faithfulness, and promises, then maybe trials are the good thing for our faith. Our faith is way more important than even our basic needs of food, water… Jesus showed that when He was tempted (Luke 4).
Don’t lose heart  - “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7

Hope in the Coming of Christ, By Hillary-Beth

Hope in the Coming of Christ

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

What does it mean to put our hope in Christ?
Sometimes it feels like we are putting trust in a future we cannot control. Well, that is the truth! We can't control our futures; God is control! And God is good.
Some people get very focused on trying to figure out just exactly when Jesus is coming back. But doing this actually takes our focus off of Jesus and the work that we can be doing now for His kingdom. Our faith rests in a person, not a prediction. We are trusting Jesus, not a guess of when He's coming.
So , we know two things:
1. He is going to come!
2. There's no way to predict when. God has told us this in passages like Matthew 24:36.
The only thing preventing His return is the Father's hand on the door. He is allowing more time for people to turn to Him. That's what He's up to until then. And He knows the perfect time of when it will be time to return.
Our hope is in Jesus, who is still with us through the Holy Spirit. Hope says, "Whatever I face, God is more powerful, God is in control, will right all wrongs and restore creation in His perfect timing."
God's promises are for forever. There's no time limit on them, and they are delivered in perfect timing.
Everything since the original sin has pointed to the restoration of all of creation - Isaac and his stories, Moses and the stories of the Israelites, David and his Psalms and prophecies, Elijah and Daniel and their prophesies, and especially the Cross - all point to the day when we will be completely restored to the way we were originally made to be.

Last First Time, By Hillary-Beth

Last First Time

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Remember Kindergarten? It was all about firsts... and lots of pictures to document this!

The first box of crayons I got for school purposes was a 96 count, and I still have my first grade erasers, some pencils that have my initials, though the permanent marker is now fading.

This is my last first time.

This year I have my last binders, my last new markers and pens for studying, my last fresh start. This is my last opportunity to notice my classmates around me and their needs, my last chance to encourage them. This is my last chance to make an impact on other students. This is the last year I'll have to sit there with my schedule and wonder if I'll use my time wisely.

This is the last new schoolyear, and I want to give it all to God!
One of my dearest friends gave me this advice just this morning: "Stay in the Word... God knows the true desires of your heart... 'Be still and know' that He is God, and you are not."

I hope you will be aware of those around you this year, as well, young or old, at school, in stores, at parks, with your families, even at church - look for the opportunities that God will put before you!

Never Filled, By Hillary-Beth

Never Filled

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Have you ever tried to make somebody else be happy? Maybe it was a friend, a family member, a classmate, someone you see a lot, or someone you care about a lot. Have you ever wondered why you can't seem to do quite enough to make them completely happy all the time?

Well, it's sort of a "good news" and "bad news" situation. The "bad news" is - you will never be able to fill someone else's need.

In this life, you might encounter people who need healing from painful situations. You'll meet people who need love and have never known anyone who truly loved them. You might find that a friend or family member needs guidance, forgiveness, or comfort. You might come to know someone who wants a really close relationship, to feel known and appreciated. In the right context, all of these things are okay, and it is good and right and our duty even, to be there for others; the Bible tells us:

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

But as a Christian, you must keep this in mind - you are not, and cannot pretend to be, someone else's Savior, nor should you seek that someone else be that for you. No person can satisfy another person in the way God does; no person is good enough, knowledgable enough, or able to love like God loves us.

This is where the "good news" comes in! It is no coincidence that we call it, "The Good News," or the "Gospel." You see, what Christ has done on the cross is good enough for those who are in need - and good enough for you. If you are feeling unsatisfied today, ask God for your needs -

Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

A Good Story - The Heart of GGFG, By Hillary-Beth

A Good Story - The Heart of GGFG

By Hillary-Beth  

Sorting through an old box of papers, I found notes from an English class in highschool. Most of the notes were useless - my practicing matching questions for the test, random words and definitions that any dictionary could provide me later on, terms of poetry that I never understood, or the names of assignments for the day. One thing caught my eye.
There was a section that discussed what makes up a good story. I tried to explain this to many of my closer friends, not knowing exactly when the though originated. I knew that it was before I was a huge PluggedIn reader, where movies and other media are discussed - I recalled knowing what I thought was a good movie long before that.
According to my highschool class:
In a good story, the characters' actions have moral consequences; no one "gets away with murder," so to speak.
In a good story, evil is condemned and good is approved, which is found in direct and indirect ways; the tone itself may be as much as a clue as if good is rewarded, and evil is punished.
Also, a good story is neither cynical (where nothing goes right) or overly and purely sentimental (nothing goes truly wrong). A good story balanced realistically. That is, goodness is possible, but bad also. The struggle between the two is what makes a story, if you think about it, and it feels unsatisfactory if the good guys don't win, and the bad guys aren't punished.
Which brings me to my last point, which really was a PluggedIn truth - in a good story, there are distinct good guys and bad guys by the end of the story. And a good guy who does bad things and isn't punished, just doesn't satisfy. Not that good guys don't do bad things in some stories, but just that if they do bad things and are either praised for them, or don't get punished for them. See, there's good, and there's bad, and the two can't be a part of each other.
Luke 11:36
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."
And I know this is a little out of context, but I think it fits -
2 Corinthians 6:14
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Can you put down these lies? By Hillary-Beth

Can you put down these lies?

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Can you put down the lies?

Can you put down...

all the thoughts you keep having - thoughts that contradict with God's truth.
all the things you are living by - thoughts that are the world's way of thinking.


These things are for people who have no hope. But you have hope!

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Don't be trapped by the lies. Be set free in this hope that comes from God -

Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Come to Him today - put down the lies.

What are some lies you've faced in your life?
Feel free to e-mail us today: godlygirls@yahoo.com

The Marker Cap, By Hillary-Beth

The Marker Cap

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

"The lid on this marker is hard to get back on, and it's even hard for me, and I'm a lot bigger than you," I told a little 2 and a half year old. She laughed and said, "Yeah!"
I still felt bad, because she is a little disabled, and I didn't want her to think it was her lacking. So, I said, "It's just hard to get back on so it's not just you" and she got real serious and said, "Why?"
I didn't know why... what did she hear when I said that? So I just told her, "Because it is so tight, too tight."
Sometimes I feel like life is like getting that marker cap back on.
I can try several different ways, and I still don't have the strength to do it on my own.
I watched as this little girl looked inside the marker cap to make sure it was the right end she was trying. See, she understood a lot about how it was supposed to work.
Sometimes I think I get life.
But then the cap won't go on still yet.
The only one who can do it, is Christ!
Here's a good example from a sermon I just listened to. The pastor was talking about, "How do I get God's acceptance and approval? How do I became clean before God?"
So many people try to make themselves clean by themselves; they try to do good things, in hopes of outweighing the bad things. They try to make up rules that make them different, in hopes that they won't do bad things to begin with. But they can never be perfect. Have you tried to be perfect, thinking God will accept you if you are just good enough? Like the little girl, you just aren't strong enough to keep a cap on your life.
But God knows this! So He's made the way through Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus died for our sins, and was raised back to life by God's power so that we can live eternally with God.
What does that mean for you?
Stop trying to get the cap on, and give it to God; it's as good as done.

Counting As Living - The Good Stuff, By Hillary-Beth

Counting As Living - The Good Stuff

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

We're all alive if we can read this article. Have you ever heard the term, "abundant life," though? What if there's a lot of things that shouldn't count
as truly living?
For one thing, merely surviving shouldn't count for living. If we get up every day and make it through the day with no purpose, that is, without
seeking out where Christ is at work in our lives and the lives of those around us, we are missing out on so much.
Along the same lines, beauty is an integrel part of what it means to be alive - possessing some form of it, and admiring it around us. It turns our
focus off of ourselves and can shift our focus to Christ. Have you ever seen something in nature that makes the inside of you just stop and think,
"Wow, God is awesome!" or at least, "Wow, this creature/scene/storm is so detailed/moving/powerful!"
Joy is an integral part as well - holding onto it in our hearts through the darkest days keeps us going, and finding it priceless above the things of
this world keeps us seeking our strength from God. Also hope, true hope, lasts even when the body, heart, and mind has failed. That's because
it's bigger than ourselves; our hope is steady when we trust Christ for all His promises.
Living inside of a trap shouldn't count. What I mean by this is when we find ourselves living in fear, living in self-pity, living in hatred, living in rage, or
living in worry, we can't serve as we are called to, or even enjoy life as we could if these things were not consuming all of our time, energy, and
thoughts. Those terms - fear, self-pity, hatred, rage, worry - are almost contradictory with the word living. It's like existing without the sun - it just can't
be so. (The sun gives energy to the plants that use it for food, they feed us and the animals we eat, and the sun warms the earth and makes it
inhabitable.) Fear paralyzes us. Anger destroys us. Self-pity cuts us off.
Again, wandering aimlessly shouldn't count. Life has too much purpose to squander time after we know the truth. All things can be redeemed, but
why waste such precious time when we can be enjoying life - living abundantly? Giving less than 100% is not experiencing life at 100%. Zoom in, you're missing the good stuff.
Jesus came to give us life, and abundant life at that. (John 10:10)
Abundant = a great plenty, amply supplied, overflowing, teeming, rich, generous, lavish, full, no end of...
Will you live, or live abundantly?

Seven Times He Rises Again, By Hillary-Beth

Seven Times He Rises Again 

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

"It doesn't matter how hard you fall down. It matters that you trust God to raise you up again - after all, He's already Risen." ~One of my best friends~


Proverbs 24:16
For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,
but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

"Everybody falls sometimes, but you will have the strength to rise..."
(Downhere, What Faith Can Do)

Struggles can try to take our focus off Christ and put our attention on our failures, pain, and circumstances. Even when I try my best, sometimes everything combined just overwhelms me, and if I have the guts, I will admit it - "I fell again."

One of my friends told me, in possibly one of the worst moments of my life,
"It doesn't matter how hard you fall down. It matters that you trust God to raise you up again - after all, HB, He's already Risen."

A few weeks ago I was talking to a girl, I'll call her Lydia. She was talking about these times when we can't feel God. "I really don't know what it is. It's been a few "dry" months. I still read my Bible and pray, but it's been real silent."

She wasn't alone. In fact, all of that week, almost everywhere I turned, I came face to face with yet another person in this type of situation. But Lydia had some great insight, as I'll share later on. Lydia's faith carries her through, but not everyone chooses to hold onto the promises found in God's word like she does. It made me wonder, do we not know the promises well enough? Are we letting the world tell us these promises aren't always true and so are unreliable? Are we trusting what we can see more than what is true?

Wondering how large the issue was with people my age, I put out an invitation to talk about these "dry" times on Facebook. One of my friends replied,"He's there despite how you feel! Salvation is not based on emotions. If you are happy, he's there. If you are sad, He is still there. God is greater than your heart (1 John)."

Since it was on my mind, we ended up doing this for a topic for youth. "When you can't feel God..."

I asked the youth group if they can always feel God. They said, No!
When I asked what causes it, they discussed that we aren't redeemed yet, that maybe sometimes it's just because we live in a fallen world, but that the day is coming when we will never be separated from God again, so it is our hope.

Back to my friend Lydia. She isn't remotely a part of the youth, but I liked her insight on the topic. She said, "I keep thinking back to what I've learned of Abraham. What hit me was how many years he waited in between each time he heard from God. It doesn't seem that long reading the chapters back to back, but looking at his ages...it was decades of time!"

Lydia knows the truth, which holds her in this time; even though she can't feel God, she is trusting Him that He is there, He is at work, and He keeps His promises. Hebrews Chapter 11 tells us about all kinds of people in the Old Testament, including Abraham, who trusted God their whole lives, not yet receiving the things they had been promised, but knowing it was all in God's plans and God's timing.

At youth, we were also looking at verses that talked about God strengthening us in our faith, and it was discussed that those dry times test us but also make us more like Christ, as God has prepared everything in our lives to do. That's in Romans 8:28-29.

I love what one of the kids said, I'll just share it... I asked, What should we do when we can't feel God, and I thought they might do the Sunday School answers of "Pray," "Read the Bible," "Go to church..." but she said, "Do things for your love of God. Do everything you do because you love God and want to please him. Do chores and school and everything for your love of God."

I was impressed with the thought of dedicating everything to God especially, in a time when I may feel a disconnect. "Wow, that's a good focus," I told her. This discussion made me smile cause we were getting into applying stuff in life. I hope it sticks. I learned a lot.

Along these same lines, one of my friends wrote as her status the other day, something like this: "I will keep running the race and even if I fall down, I will not stay there, but remember that the One who died in my place, understands and went through greater temptations and death than I ever could. I will get up and have one thing in mind: it’s to finish the race."

So, I'm going to break a bit here. One of the passages we examined at youth included that first verse I wrote above, Proverbs 24:16. I asked the youth,

1) What does it mean 7 times in this passage?
They answered, "Every day... or ... special number throughout the Bible, like forgiving 70 times 7, which is found in Matthew 18:22."

2) What does it mean to fall?

The dictionary says, "to come down under the effects of gravity." Quite literal - you're allowed to laugh here, they did!
Some possible serious understandings include fall referring to sin, and our sin nature. We covered the question, "Are we born sinless, or sinners?" There was a little debate but we ended up at the conclusion that we were born sinners according to the Bible.

3) What does calamity mean?

Once again, the dictionary says, "adversity and trials, disasters that life inevitably sends our way."
This had great meaning to me, as far as the last part.

Now we get to the good stuff, where the hope comes in.
4) How do we have the strength to overcome our downfalls?

God provides the strength through His victory at the cross. It's supernatural. We can't do it ourselves or on our own.

5) What is our hope supposed to be in?
The Cross; eternal life; God

6) What is hope?
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hope produces joy and peace.

7) Can we always FEEL God?
No.

8) Is something wrong when we can't feel God?
Not always.

9) What should we do when we can't feel God?
See the student's answer above, about dedicating ourselves nonetheless.

In summary, the comfort that God gives us is not to escape the trouble we go through, but to get through the trouble to the end. WHAT'S THE END? Eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Truth: The more you think about a fall, a circumstance, whatever is holding you back... the bigger the problem becomes, because you put all your time on problem, instead of enjoying the freedom - FREEDOM FOUND IN CHRIST.

When we can't feel God, it's not that He is not at work.
That's something we just have to trust.
And there are reasons to trust Him; everything He's done for me in my life so far, everything He's done in the lives of those around me and those I read about through all of history, the cross... so many reasons.

I choose to trust Him.
Now you choose - when the dry times come (and they will!) will you examine your life, praise Him, and wait on Him?
Or will you try to take things in your own hands, stubbornly refuse His grace and peace, and try anything to "feel" again?

What's So Impressive About That? By Hillary-Beth

What's So Impressive About That?

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

I had a conversation last semester that inspired me.

A girl shared a story about what God had done in her life, and I commented on how impressive that was. She was like, What's so impressive about that?

It got me thinking...
sometimes, we don't recognize His work for as awesome as it is. Or celebrate it enough. Or thank Him enough.

See, she had shared her favorite verse, because I randomly sent out a verse as a text for an encouragement. Her verse was:

Romans 14:8
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

She started to share her story, but first she said, This story..."it's not a good one." At that, I couldn't help but mention Romans 8:8-9, which tells us how God sues all things for his good, to make us more like Christ.

Some pretty bad things had happened, things that caused her to wonder where she belonged. But God taught her that even if she didn't belong anywhere on earth she belonged to him, and that's all that mattered.

It's amazing the way God gets our attention, and speaks truth to us in hard moments.

Keep Strong, Hillary-Beth

Keep Strong

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Ever feel like you are in your own little mess, your own little world, and suddenly you wake up, and realize you owe an apology...to a lot of people in your life?
The going gets rough. But will you really give up? Galatians 6:9 encourages us to do otherwise; it basically says, don't get tired of doing the right thing! Because you will get the reward that comes along with doing good!
And while the whole world has tried to tell you that there's no way some things are going to happen, and that,
"People who say that nothing's impossible have never tried to slam a revolving door,"
...well, just imagine that revolving door get ripped off it's spinning pole and slammed right into the ground. Because with God, all things are possible. Mark 19:36
Only a hardened hard will not believe. Only a hardened heart will say, some things just aren't going to get better, some things just aren't going to change. There's news for such hard hearts; the reality of God's work and God's power, is a lot stronger of a reality than what we can just see and feel.
True, some things aren't going to change. Dead people don't generally come back to life. A lost limb probably isn't getting replaced. A scarred heart and memory may not get flawlessly healed. But clinging to God, who is the author of our hope (Hebrews 12:2, as our hope is in Christ's work on the cross), is good, while clinging to pain and anger and bitterness and fear of really living and doubt of really knowing, is not good. Those last things, will eat you up. That first part, will teach you how to live fully.
The old cliche stands. When God has brought you to it, He does bring you through it, and you are way too blessed to let it all go. It might be hard, but he never said it would be easy, just that He'd be with you, and He never said it wouldn't be a mess, just that when we looked back, it would be beautiful.
And so, ask for forgiveness for being this short-sighted.
Because sometimes you just keep on forgetting, what you've just gone through. And who you have. and Who is with you!
If God is with you, who can be against you? Romans 8:31

How to Reach Out to Others – With Love, By Hillary-Beth

How to Reach Out to Others – With Love 

 By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Part 3: Overcoming the Excuses...But...

In Part 1 I talked about Viewing Others As God Sees Them; You do see their sin. You do see their worth as God’s creation. Then you choose to love them despite their sin, just as God sees us.
In Part 2 I talked about Letting them know what you think about them. This includes praying for those opportunities, making opportunities out of everyday situations and random acts of kindness.
Maybe you’ve read Part 1 and Part 2. And maybe you are thinking, “But…”
If you are, this part is for you.
But she is still so mean. But he still frowns at me every day. But she doesn’t try to get along. But she won’t listen when I’m trying to be nice. But nothing’s changing at home. But he doesn’t care about the things that matter most to me, even God. But she still yells. But she doesn’t deserve nice treatment. But he hurt everyone so badly. But she’s not sorry.
Do any one of those sound like the things you might say in your mind? Do you feel this way toward someone in your heart? Do you see no hope, no change, nothing new, and just give up?
There might be times in your life, and situations, where you need to separate yourself from some person or group of people because they really aren’t changing and they are affecting your walk with God. But, most of the time, God has the people He does in our lives for a reason; that we could point them to Him!
Even when you can’t see God working in their lives, you shouldn’t give up. Even when you can’t see any changes, you shouldn’t give in. Yes, that’s right – you still have the duty and privilege of showing them compassion. If they ask you why, you will be able to tell them about God’s compassion for you. If someone else makes fun of you for doing the right thing, or asks you why you would be nice to someone who is awful to you, you can tell that person about God’s love. You will be able to tell them that God wants to give them the same mercy and grace!
But…
You still are struggling to decide to do the right thing. There are so many excuses. But guess what? When you are before God, what decisions will you have wished you would have made? Make the right decision now.
First, get in mind the person or people who you are having trouble reaching out to.
Now, ask God to help you decide to think of them as He does.
Maybe get out a piece of paper, a journal, or something you can keep. You can write something like this: I have decided to think about X as God does. I have asked Him to help me in deciding this.
This is the next step: Ask God to help you see opportunities.
Maybe on that paper or journal you can write: I have asked God to help me find opportunities to reach out to X. I am not going to base my actions and feeling on what X does, but rather on God’s goodness and mercy. I have asked God to help me use these opportunities wisely, that is, so I will point to God in what I do and say. I’m not perfect, and I realize that. But I commit myself, today, to being godly. That is, seeking what God wills and living it out, by deciding to look past the sin to see the people God created.
Does that make sense?
Maybe not.
Because, if I got what I deserved…well, I’ve sinned. Sinners go to hell. Hell is real and some people die every day that aren’t saved. They go to hell. I’ve been saved. My heart cries out for people to turn to God. If I can do anything to help them see their way is not God’s way, and to lead them to God’s way or a little closer to God’s way, then I am doing my part.
I challenge you – commit yourself to God. Submit yourself to God. And reach out to others as He provides the opportunities.

How to Reach Out to Others – With Love, By Hillary-Beth

How to Reach Out to Others – With Love

By Hillary-Beth Koenig

Part 2: Let them know what you think about them

If you are serious about reaching out to others through God's love, you will learn to view them as God sees them, as we talked about in Part 1. Now that you know how to get your own heart right about this issue, we are going to talk about how to take some action!

1. The best way to find opportunities to share God's love, is to pray for those opportunities to come! Spending time praying for the person's heart, for your own heart, for the situations that could come up when you see them, and for situations to come about that makes it easy to point to God, are all very important. It not only shows your desire to serve, but it gives you a desire to serve. I guess God knew that sometimes it's not easy to do the right thing - in fact, sometimes we REALLY don't want to do anything but teach that person a lesson or two. But that's not going to win their heart to God.

2. The best way to use opportunities to share God's love, is to make opportunities! That is, if someone drops a pencil, spring over to pick it up. Does your little annoying sister like the blue skittles best? Then pick out all your blue skittles and give them to her! Does that teacher just keep frowning? Maybe bring her a note to wish her a good day. Does that kid look lonely over there now that he has no one to pick on? Ask if he wants to eat lunch over with you! You never know when your kindness might change someone's whole day, and a day can bring about a lot; it only takes one moment to realize need for God, only one moment to ask God into your life, but a lifetime of walking with Him to become like Christ. Maybe they are trying and just need someone to be nice enough to give them a chance. Maybe they don't know how. It's not up to us to change them, but it is up to us to give them the opportunity to know God can change everything!

By giving them your best, your time, your talents, your kindness...you are telling someone that they are worth it in your eyes. If they can see how much you love God, they are sure to see that God must think they are worth it. If they ask you why you were nice, why you paid attention, or why you gave to them, you can tell them that it's because Jesus noticed you, paid the price for your sins, gave up everything for you - and this thing you just did is nothing compared to what He can and does give!

In summary, the best opportunities, are the ones where God is the focus, your heart is in it, and you don't let excuses keep you back. Wait, that last part sounds like Part 3...that's next time ;)