Scars or Stars?
September 7, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Elizabeth Flores |
When I was 19, I dated a guy five years older who effectually said, “I’ll never drive a car again!” Because he hit a lady in a crosswalk and seriously injured her, his response to the tragedy was to put the blame on his driving, and never get behind the wheel again.
These two incidents have reminded me that what happens to us in life is not nearly as important as how we respond to it. Let’s face it. Bad stuff happens to all of us! There is no way around it. Life isn’t always fair! But when trouble strikes and disappointment rears its ugly head, the attitude with which we choose to respond to the hardship will ultimately determine its outcome.
Overcoming Hardships
A study was done on one hundred of the world’s most successful people in order to find out if there was anything each of these people had in common. After a thorough investigation into their lives, they were found to be from a variety of different races, income brackets, educational backgrounds and social positions. Nearly ready to give up on the idea that a common thread might bind them, it was finally discovered that there was one thing each of these successful people shared. Each of them, at one time or another had been faced with a serious hardship, handicap or adversity they had to overcome. Their response to that hardship, whatever it might be, was to meet it head-on and overcome it. In so doing, each of these people developed the character necessary for success.
As we navigate through life it is inevitable we will face obstacles, disappointment, grief, depression and stress. Sometimes these experiences produce scars. But according to Robert Schuler, “God wants to turns our scars into stars.” Our attitude and response to the blows that come our way may determine whether or not God can do it!
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By Kathy A. Lewis. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=418
Runaway People
August 31, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Hemera |
I'm outta here
When our plane landed in San Antonio, Texas, my friend and I were more than 1,500 miles from home. We were running away because we were tired of our parent's rules and we hated school. We thought being 16 years old meant you could quit school, find a job and be fully independent. It took two months to learn otherwise.
The National Network for Youth suggests that approximately 1 to 1.3 million young people run away from home each year. The reasons vary. Some teens are in abusive situations at home. But some run away from good homes because they want to be free from their parent’s restrictions. In every case there is a communication breakdown of some kind that prompts a teenager to think their problem is unsolvable. So instead of facing life—they run away.
I ran away from home twice before I realized I was only complicating my life. At some point I had to face my frustrations and figure out how to resolve them.
The temptation to run
Teens aren't the only ones who runaway! Adults do too. Sometimes difficult tasks, illness, dysfunctional relationships, financial burdens and more, make running away an attractive option. Husbands and wives abandon each other. Disgruntled employees walk off the job. It seems easier to run from a problem than to have to face it. But what we fail to resolve usually comes back later to haunt us.
If you drive north on Interstate 5 from southern California, just before you reach the San Joaquin Valley, you'll descend through a pass (a 7% grade) known as the Grapevine. Experienced truckers use a combination of brakes and gears to help them keep their rigs from going too fast. Occasionally when a driver loses it, he or she heads for a runaway truck ramp that's designed to help them stop. Once they hit the ramp they know they're ok.Just as runaway truck ramps save out-of-control vehicles, so the cross saves runaway people. All who run to Jesus find relief from the destructive momentum of sin. Jesus said,
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself" (John 12:32). What a relief!
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By Rich DuBose. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=202
The Waiting Game
August 24, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Daniele Codega |
But waiting seems unavoidable. We wait in shopping lines, in doctor’s offices, in repair shops. On phone calls, we’re put on hold. I don’t know anyone who enjoys the waiting game. We want what we want when we want it. In this day of instant coffee, instant breakfast cereal, fast food, and instant web browsing, we don't want to wait on anything?
The Bible says we are to wait on the Lord. “Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14, NKJV). Wait a minute. Is the Bible telling us that even God puts "callers" on hold? Sometimes. Quite often, in fact. What we’re saying is, even though God’s line is always open to take our calls, the answers may be delayed.
Why the delay? Because we need to learn to wait. Waiting teaches us patience. “But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.” (Hebrews 10:36, The Message).
Worth Waiting For
All good things are worth waiting for—a wedding day, a new baby, a graduation diploma, a new job, or a bumper crop of fruits and vegetables—all are God’s promised blessings. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind” (The Message).
But God’s greatest blessings are yet to come. Isaiah 25:9 tells about it: “Also at that time, people will say, ‘Look at what’s happened! This is our God! We waited for Him and He showed up and saved us! This God, the one we waited for!’” (The Message).
In the meantime, what do we do? Just wait!
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By Bob DuBose. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION © 1982 and THE MESSAGE ®.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=442
Dating That Hurts
August 21, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
.gif) |
| Photo: Torvald Lekvam |
When Mr. McDreamy finally makes it to the door, he takes one look at you and tells you you’re ugly and so lucky that he took pity on you and asked you for a date because it’s probably the last date you’ll ever get. On the way to the car, he slaps you because you’re not keeping up with him. What do you do next? I know you’d end the date, maybe even tell your father and let him deal with Mr. McNightmare. And you’d know in your heart that you were way too good for him.
Let’s change the scenario a bit. Let’s pretend you’ve been going out with Mr. McDreamy for a year and you’re feeling a little uncomfortable with some of the things he wants you to do and how he’s begun to treat you, so you tell him you want to break up. He tells you you’re ugly and that you’ll never get another boyfriend and then he slaps you. Unfortunately, too often in this scenario, the girl believes her boyfriend and decides she better stay with him rather than be alone.
Dating Abuse On the Rise
Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? Well, it’s what’s happening to teens throughout the nation. In fact, the incidence of dating abuse is so prevalent that Liz Claiborne Inc. formed a research center to study the phenomenon and recently released findings from a 2006 survey. There are some chilling results. The findings were astounding. The results show that alarming numbers of teens experience and accept abusive behavior in dating relationships and that the problem gets worse as teens get older and into more serious relationships. Many teens also feel physically and sexually threatened. Key findings include:
- 1 in 2 teens who have been in a serious relationships say they've gone against their beliefs in order to please their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they've been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner
- 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age if they're in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would break up if they did not give in.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.
- 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it -- we're called children of God! That's who we really are” 1 John 3).
If you recognize yourself in one of those statistics, confide in an adult who loves you and let them help you. Recognize that no one – no one -- is allowed to hit you and hurt you with their words or their fists. You are a precious child of God. If you’d like to read more about the study by Liz Claiborne Inc., visit: www.loveisnotabuse.com.
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By Dee Litton Reed. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE ®.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=701
Dating That Hurts
August 21, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
|
| Photo: Torvald Lekvam |
When Mr. McDreamy finally makes it to the door, he takes one look at you and tells you you’re ugly and so lucky that he took pity on you and asked you for a date because it’s probably the last date you’ll ever get. On the way to the car, he slaps you because you’re not keeping up with him. What do you do next? I know you’d end the date, maybe even tell your father and let him deal with Mr. McNightmare. And you’d know in your heart that you were way too good for him.
Let’s change the scenario a bit. Let’s pretend you’ve been going out with Mr. McDreamy for a year and you’re feeling a little uncomfortable with some of the things he wants you to do and how he’s begun to treat you, so you tell him you want to break up. He tells you you’re ugly and that you’ll never get another boyfriend and then he slaps you. Unfortunately, too often in this scenario, the girl believes her boyfriend and decides she better stay with him rather than be alone.
Dating Abuse On the Rise
Sounds unbelievable, doesn’t it? Well, it’s what’s happening to teens throughout the nation. In fact, the incidence of dating abuse is so prevalent that Liz Claiborne Inc. formed a research center to study the phenomenon and recently released findings from a 2006 survey. There are some chilling results. The findings were astounding. The results show that alarming numbers of teens experience and accept abusive behavior in dating relationships and that the problem gets worse as teens get older and into more serious relationships. Many teens also feel physically and sexually threatened. Key findings include:
- 1 in 2 teens who have been in a serious relationships say they've gone against their beliefs in order to please their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they've been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner
- 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
- 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age if they're in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would break up if they did not give in.
- Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted as a result of pressure.
- 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it -- we're called children of God! That's who we really are” 1 John 3).
If you recognize yourself in one of those statistics, confide in an adult who loves you and let them help you. Recognize that no one – no one -- is allowed to hit you and hurt you with their words or their fists. You are a precious child of God. If you’d like to read more about the study by Liz Claiborne Inc., visit: www.loveisnotabuse.com.
Respond to this article View Reader Comments______________________________
By Dee Litton Reed. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines. Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE ®.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=701
Modesty and the Bible
August 17, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Katie Waybill |
Just like the rest of Christianity, modesty isn’t pick-and-choose. It’s a package, a whole-life deal. Check out these verses: 1 Timothy 2:9, 10, 10; 1 Peter 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:2; and Matthew 5:28.
Influence
Like it or not, the way you dress and behave influences other people either for good or bad—for eternity. How would you rate your influence?
Now, if you’re truly a Christian, you believe what the Bible says is truth, right? And if you don’t follow what the Bible teaches, it’s sin, right? So what are you going to do now?
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By Vicki Redden. Reprinted with permission from Insight Magazine, October 21, 2006. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=1884
Modesty and the Bible
August 17, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
|
| Photo: Katie Waybill |
Just like the rest of Christianity, modesty isn’t pick-and-choose. It’s a package, a whole-life deal. Check out these verses: 1 Timothy 2:9, 10, 10; 1 Peter 3:3; 1 Timothy 3:2; and Matthew 5:28.
Influence
Like it or not, the way you dress and behave influences other people either for good or bad—for eternity. How would you rate your influence?
Now, if you’re truly a Christian, you believe what the Bible says is truth, right? And if you don’t follow what the Bible teaches, it’s sin, right? So what are you going to do now?
Respond to this article View Reader Comments______________________________
By Vicki Redden. Reprinted with permission from Insight Magazine, October 21, 2006. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=1884
Smoking In the Family
August 3, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Ria Hills |
Pastor Steve Answers:
You're right on track. The most potent thing you can do is pray! When you pray it affects your dad, and it affects you, too. It also impacts the great unseen battle between Christ and Satan. When you pray you're talking to the God of the universe (see James 5:16-18 if you doubt it).
You've asked if there's anything else you can do. I'd say yes. Let your dad know about your worry. Don't lecture him. But let him know that since you love him and value the security he provides for you and your family, you want him to be around a long time. There is little doubt today that smoking shortens a person's life. If your dad knows you want him to stop, it can make a difference.
Another key is whether or not your dad even wants to stop smoking. Some people do and some don't. Some have tried to stop in the past and don't think they have a chance to do so anymore. They lack hope.
Some people are able to stop smoking instantly and never return to it. That's a wonderful miracle! Most need additional help and support to follow through on their decision. That support is needed in two areas.
The first area is nicotine withdrawal. That's the incredible craving a smoker's body has developed to keep nicotine coming into their system. If a person goes two to three days without smoking, the nicotine withdrawal leaves, because by then the drug is washed out of their system. Drinking lots of fluids and exercising help during this time.
But perhaps the most important help comes from a support person who will keep encouraging the former smoker when waves of nicotine withdrawal crash on them. This hits a person and then goes away, only to return again, then leave. That support person (maybe you?) can help get the former smoker through those initial two to three days.
The second area is the psychological crutch or habit that smoking provided. Many get past the nicotine withdrawal and think they have smoking beat. But then they get depressed or end up in a situation where they always smoked in the past. They return to their well-established habit pattern, and the nicotine gets back into their system. This second area calls for help from the support person also.
Some suggest that God can be that support person. God is certainly able to do that. However, many sense God's support even more intensely when somebody like you provides God's support in person, too.
In summary, here are some steps:
1. Pray.
2. Share your concerns with the person who is hurting themselves.
3. Realize that the person with the destructive behavior must want to stop.
4. Support that person as God becomes real.
By the way, this information applies to teens who want to stop smoking also. In fact, it applies to most destructive behaviors that destroy us and take us away from God. So why not try it in your own life too?
Respond to this article
View Reader Comments______________________________
By Steve Case. Reprinted with permission from Insight Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=661
Smoking In the Family
August 3, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
|
| Photo: Ria Hills |
Pastor Steve Answers:
You're right on track. The most potent thing you can do is pray! When you pray it affects your dad, and it affects you, too. It also impacts the great unseen battle between Christ and Satan. When you pray you're talking to the God of the universe (see James 5:16-18 if you doubt it).
You've asked if there's anything else you can do. I'd say yes. Let your dad know about your worry. Don't lecture him. But let him know that since you love him and value the security he provides for you and your family, you want him to be around a long time. There is little doubt today that smoking shortens a person's life. If your dad knows you want him to stop, it can make a difference.
Another key is whether or not your dad even wants to stop smoking. Some people do and some don't. Some have tried to stop in the past and don't think they have a chance to do so anymore. They lack hope.
Some people are able to stop smoking instantly and never return to it. That's a wonderful miracle! Most need additional help and support to follow through on their decision. That support is needed in two areas.
The first area is nicotine withdrawal. That's the incredible craving a smoker's body has developed to keep nicotine coming into their system. If a person goes two to three days without smoking, the nicotine withdrawal leaves, because by then the drug is washed out of their system. Drinking lots of fluids and exercising help during this time.
But perhaps the most important help comes from a support person who will keep encouraging the former smoker when waves of nicotine withdrawal crash on them. This hits a person and then goes away, only to return again, then leave. That support person (maybe you?) can help get the former smoker through those initial two to three days.
The second area is the psychological crutch or habit that smoking provided. Many get past the nicotine withdrawal and think they have smoking beat. But then they get depressed or end up in a situation where they always smoked in the past. They return to their well-established habit pattern, and the nicotine gets back into their system. This second area calls for help from the support person also.
Some suggest that God can be that support person. God is certainly able to do that. However, many sense God's support even more intensely when somebody like you provides God's support in person, too.
In summary, here are some steps:
1. Pray.
2. Share your concerns with the person who is hurting themselves.
3. Realize that the person with the destructive behavior must want to stop.
4. Support that person as God becomes real.
By the way, this information applies to teens who want to stop smoking also. In fact, it applies to most destructive behaviors that destroy us and take us away from God. So why not try it in your own life too?
Respond to this articleView Reader Comments______________________________
By Steve Case. Reprinted with permission from Insight Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=661
Childhood Games
July 27, 2010
Source: Hope Generation
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| Photo: Richard Styles |
Hide and seek. It’s a concept, a “game,” that still translates to many of us today. Children aren’t the only ones who play this game. A lot of us are still hiding. Hiding from our past. Hiding from our future. Hiding secrets. Some of us are even hiding from ourselves. The truth is that as scary as it sounds to hide, it can be so comforting at times. You can get lost in your “world”, under the bed or wherever your hiding spot may be. You become familiar with it. You become comfortable. You begin to like the thrill of hiding.
Seeking
But Hide and Seek isn’t just about hiding. There is someone who’s seeking. Someone who’s looking for you. And I think there’s a seeker in every one of us. All of us, whether believers or unbelievers, are looking for something. We are searching for something to fill our void, to give us purpose, to give us happiness. Be it money, be it relationships, be it the perfect job. In the end, we’re all seeking. In the end, you get tired of hiding and you want to start doing the finding and the seeking.
God, in his infinite mercy, seeks us out every day. And I can only hope that one day we can stop hiding and begin seeking God in return. If you need to hide, hide long enough to where you find yourself right in the place where you can be found only by Him, whose seeking is relentless and passionately radical. Or if you feel courageous stop your hiding and start seeking the One person who will never stop seeking you.
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By Andrea Torres. Copyright © 2010 by GraceNotes. All rights reserved. Use of this material is subject to usage guidelines.
Original Post: http://e-gracenotes.org/article.php?id=1882
