Blog for Middle Schoolers

Hello, middle school girls!
The Lord has laid you on my heart and I'm now writing for YOU too:)
Check out the blog, "Princess Reflections"
http://girlsnotconforming.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned for weekly challenges, topics relevant to you - modesty, boys, music, self-image, peer pressure, friends & much more!

Let's Dance in the Minefields, Part #1

Do you remember your wedding day? I sure do - it felt as if it was only yesterday. It's hard to believe I've been married to my best friend for almost 1 year. I know that isn't very long for you long-time married couples - for that I commend you and want to know how you have stayed strong through YOUR marriage. What have you learned? What has God taught you?

Right now, my Counseling classes are focusing on marriage. I was amazed what the statistics were ...  nowadays, only 50% of those who marry do not divorce - and this does not include the marriages that struggle "behind-closed-doors." I don't know what your marriage is like - we all have struggles - there is no "perfect marriage." I have learned so much about my husband this year and am continuing to learn new things each and every day.

Throughout my Counseling studies, I want to offer you some encouragement. I don't know what's going on in your marriage or, perhaps you have a friend who is struggling "behind-closed doors." Today, I want you to remember YOUR WEDDING DAY. Break out those wedding albums and videos! What was it like? Remember walking down the aisle with your handsome groom smiling at you in your beautiful white gown as you walked down the aisle. Were you nervous? Excited? Giddy? Did you sleep the night before or were you too excited to sleep? Did your handsome groom send you a sweet note or gift before you walked down the aisle? I will never forget - right as my makeup was being done for pictures on our wedding day ... in came a beautiful engraved heart necklace and handwritten song from my handsome groom. The necklace said, "Forever" with our wedding date on it. It made my heart melt. I'm so thankful that the Lord brought us together and I pray for you as you continue on this beautiful journey as well.

Read & Listen to this song by Andrew Peterson called "Dancing in the Mine Fields"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtTa81LyuQM

"Well I was 19, you were 21
The year we got engaged
Everyone said we were much too young
But we did it anyway
We got the rings for 40 each from a pawnshop down the road
We said our vows and took the leap now 15 years ago

We went dancing in the minefields
We went sailing in the storms
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for

Well "I do" are the two most famous last words
The beginning of the end
But to lose your life for another I've heard is a good place to begin
'Cause the only way to find your life is to lay your own life down
And I believe it's an easy price for the life that we have found

And we're dancing in the minefields
We're sailing in the storms
And it was harder than we dreamed
But I believe that's what the promise is for
That's what the promise is for

So when I lose my way, find me
When I lose loves chains, bind me
At the end of all my faith to the end of all my days
when I forget my name, remind me

'Cause we bear the light of the Son of man
So there's nothing left to fear
So I'll walk with you in the shadow lands
Till the shadows disappear
'Cause He promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of this chaos baby,
I can dance with you"

This is my favorite love song - it's so honest. Marriage is a promise and a commitment ... Sometimes you have to "dance in the minefields" and "sail in the storms" ... that's the promise ... DON'T GIVE UP... Find each other when you "lose your way." We bear the promise of Jesus Christ - so don't fear!

Was 1 Corinthians 13 read on your wedding day?

Read 1 Corinthians 13 today and thank the Lord for His everlasting and perfect love and also as a reminder of how we should strive to love our spouses.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=NIV

Frenzied College/Working Students ...

Are you part of the college/working student crowd? Are you one who works by day and studies by night? I know the all-nighter study sessions can become discouraging. I feel your pain. Sometimes it's important that someone just takes a second to encourage you. So, here it is ...
Even though, at times, it may seem like an unending battle, you will reach your goal! Phillipians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." For those long nights where you just want to go to sleep or watch a movie with your husband/wife (if you are married, if not, it can be to hang out with friends) repeat this verse to yourself! I have another favorite scripture that encourages me throughout trying times ... Philippians 3:14, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us" (NLT). Perhaps God is calling you to be a Pastor, a Counselor or even a highschool teacher. If God is calling you to do this, an education is vital. If God has laid the calling on your heart, He will equip you and give you the strength to continue to "press on toward the goal." I just want to encourage you today to stay strong, continue to work hard and continue to trust God and put Him first in your life...everything else will follow.

Henry Blackaby once said, "Every person's life intersects history --- only a few impact it." What's God calling you to do to impact history for Him? Don't be afraid ... what He calls you to do, He will equip you for, if you seek His will and guidance.

Praying for you as you answer God's call,
Lizzy

Modest is hottest ... despite what the world says!

To all the young girls out there ... modesty is something our generation struggles with. It's "cool" to wear things too tight, too short and too low-cut. But, guess what? True beauty is a girl who doesn't need to dress like that ... true beauty is "clothing yourself with modesty" ... inside and out!

When I was 12 or 13 years old, I bought a tshirt exactly like the one above at Lifeway Christian Stores (actually, my mom probably bought it for me - thanks, Mom!). Ever since then, one of my favorite mottos is "modest is hottest." I excitedly wore this t-shirt, although I would receive occasional glares and rolling of the eyes from other teenagers because of it. But, guess what? I want to stand for something different - something of God. If that means that we get occasional glares because of it, then so be it. I want others to see what Christians are - striving to be like that of Jesus Christ. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Girls, I want to encourage you to stay strong and to stand for Christ! If you will be one of the girls at the Conference in June ... I hope to talk to you more about this topic. :)

Listen to this music video by Krystal Meyers called "Anticonformity" ... Not sure about you, but I relate through music...:)
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xzjm5_krystal-meyers-anticonformity_music

Lyrics to Anticonformity * make sure you read the bold parts!

It's all around
Pressure from my so-called friends It's all around
I'm measured by some stupid trend
It's all around
Everyone is just like them
It's all around It's all around
It's all around

So I'm anticonformity
I don't try too hard to be
I'm not what you think you see
Inside I've made a change
And I'll never be the same
NO WAY!

They conform
Un-individuality
They conform
Forget about variety
Yeah they conform
They don't know what they believe
They conform
They conform
They conform
Image is overrated if it washes off in the rain
You know you gotta go deeper to go against the grain"


Stay strong girls,
Lizzy XOXO

A world without hope?

Today, while waiting in line at Walmart, my soul was saddened and my heart was overwhelmed  and broken with a world in need, one family in particular brought this to the surface for me to contemplate. I saw a middle-aged mother abusing her child in the checkout line. She was hitting him, throwing him into the cart, choking him, literally dragging him and other details that hurt to write. There I was - with a cart full of items, standing in line with tears streaming down my face, not knowing what do so or what to say. I thought to myself, "If she does this in public, what does she do behind closed doors?"

How did our world get this way? Sin. A life without a Savior. A life without hope. Not only did my heart go out to the little boy being shoved and beaten; my heart went out to the mother. Maybe she was brought up the same way and doesn't know how to parent any other way. Maybe she is a lost soul; seeking something different, yet doesn't know how to find it. Maybe she is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet; no one to help her. You could be feeling a lot like the mother feels - alone, tired, not sure what to do. Or, perhaps you are like the little boy - being shoved in different directions, confused, hurting and not sure who or what to turn too. Brothers and sisters, I'm so thankful that there is hope - the hope of Jesus Christ!


Psalm 34:17-22
"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;    
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted    
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,    
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;    
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems his servants;    
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him."

Did you catch verse 17 above? "HE DELIVERS THEM FROM THEIR TROUBLES?"

We don't want to be controlled by our sinful nature, but by Jesus Christ! I encourage you today to examine which state you are in - are you feeling hopeless, alone and feel like you have no direction? Or, perhaps you can help OTHERS who are lacking hope and direction ...  John 16:13 says, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come."

Listen to this song - "OUR HOPE ENDURES" (link below) by Natalie Grant and reflect upon your state of hope and I challenge you to seek others who are feeling hopeless and offer them the good news of Jesus Christ!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1mu3F0dQz0

Highlights & Scripture?

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (NIV)

Do you smile like this girl when getting your hair done? Do we smile like this girl after delving into God's Word?

To all you women out there....how many of you get excited about getting your hair done? Girlfriend, I'm talking; sitting in the relaxing, squishy chair that makes you feel 3x taller, layed back, sipping a lemonade, while getting 65 foils layered in your hair that may have a few grey strands and split-ends (yes, I had a strand of grey hair at 12 years old)? Getting my hair done EXCITES me. I always feel like a different person from the time I sit down, to when I get back up, with freshly cut hair and beautifully layered highlights and lowlights. While thinking about getting my hair done again and how much I thoroughly enjoy this day, I thought, "do I get this excited about reading Scripture and spending time alone with God?" Often times, we feel like as Christians, we HAVE to read our Bibles and spend quality time with God. Although we do need to be in God's Word and spend quality time with Him, we should develop an excitement and yearning to draw closer to the Lord, not just feel like we "have to." This is something I've always struggled with and want to encourage you to get excited about spending time with our Creatior, Maker and Heavenly Father. I want to get excited about reading Scripture like Beth Moore. If you've been to any of her retreats or participated in her Bible study dvd's, she's giddy about spending time with the Lord and soaking up Scripture. Let's strive for that kind of excitement ... the kind where you feel like a different person from the time you sit down to when you get up again.

God's mercy in disguise!

While riding along, jamming to Klove radio this morning, I heard this beautiful song again by Laura Story called "Blessings." I've heard it a million times while listening to her cd, but hadn't really listened to the true meaning of the lyrics.

Read these lyrics to her song "Blessings" - soak them up!
"We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

(Chorus)
'Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
As long as we have faith to believe

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise"

Isn't it encouraging that through our hardships and roller coaster up's and down's, they can also be "blessings in disguise?"  One of my favorite parts of the song is, "What if trials of this life, The rain, the storms, the hardest nights, Are your mercies in disguise?"

Your trials may be God's shield of protection over you. It could be a time to draw closer to Him and re-kindle that thirst and desire for Him and His word. Isn't that a beautiful thought? Wow. God is good. I will end on that note, "Isn't God good?"