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August, 2011
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FAVORITES |
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HabibiJesus shares a portion of her
favorite book:
There's
a book called Just like
Jesus and it has my favorite
saying:
"God loves you just the way
you are, but he refuses to
leave you that way. He wants
you to be … JUST LIKE JESUS" Max Lucado
The P.L.A.N. From Max Lucado
Am I fitting into God’s
Plan? What are my
Longings? What are my
Abilities?
Am I serving God
Now?
"Let God have you, and let
God love you—and don’t be
surprised if your heart
begins to hear music you’ve
never heard and your feet
learn to dance as never
before." Max Lucado.
HabibiJesus also shares her fav
Bible verses:
1: Let us run the race
that is before us and
never give up. Hebrews 12:1
2: Be self-controlled
and alert. Your enemy
the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion
looking for someone to
devour. Resist him,
standing firm in the
faith.
1 Peter 5:8–9
NIV
3: Work as if you were doing
it
for the Lord, not for people.
Colossians 3:23
4: I ask—ask the God
of our Master, Jesus
Christ, the God of
glory—to make you
intelligent and
discerning in knowing
him personally, your
eyes focused and clear,
so that you can see
exactly what it is he is
calling you to do. Ephesians 1:17–18
5: Our faces, then, are
not covered. We all show
the Lord’s glory, and we
are being changed to be
like him. This change in
us brings ever greater
glory, which comes from
the Lord, who is the
Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
6: Do not merely listen
to the word, and so
deceive yourselves. Do
what it says. Anyone
who listens to the word
but does not do what it
says is like a man who
looks at his face in a
mirror and, after
looking at himself, goes
away and immediately
forgets what he looks
like. James 1:22–24
NIV
Metea's
favorite Bible verse:
I think my favorite Bible
verse is: Philippians 4:8 --
Whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are
honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report if
there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think
on these things. I
love how it tells us right
where to focus our thoughts.
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PHOTOS |
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Snowflower shares her talent of
photography:
Titled: Hurt Butterfly
About this photo: This Butterfly was
unable to fly or if it was it choose
not to. It was in the same spot for
more then 2 hours.
Click on image for enhanced view.
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HabibiJesus shares her talent of
drawing:
Click on image for enhanced view.
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HabibiJesus also shares a picture of
a craft she created.
Jesus was made out of
wire. doing all that bending
hurt my fingers. Didn't even
want to write. The cross was
two pieces of scrap wood I
found in the wood shop at
school. Reason I made it was
for an art assignment. Tons
of people loved the idea. Too
bad it didn't get to go into
the glass case in the hall
way. Our school ain't allowed
to display things like that
in the hallways. I got B- on
the project and as soon as I
took it home mom stole it
from me and said it was
hers.
Click on image for enhanced view.
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POEMS |
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A Poem by HabibiJesus
SCRATCH!
scratch at my heart
scratch at my mind
scratch at my feet
scratch at my life
please satan leave me alone
just please go away
stop scratching at my heart
I need to love GOD
stop scratching at my mind I
want it clean so I can go to
HEAVEN
stop scratching at my feet I
want to walk the streets of
GOLD
stop scratching at my life I
already told you I am GODS
child NOW
please satan stop scratching
me!
I no longer follow u!
I am walking by my GOD each
day and nothing u can say or
do can stop me
please
just go away
I love my GOD now
u can't get in my heart
anymore
so
please
stop scratching at
me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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QUOTES |
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AnimalLover4lyfe would like to share
a quote:
"God has no
blackberry but is my
favorite contact. He does
not have Facebook but is my
best friend. He does not
have twitter but I still
follow Him. And even without
internet, I am always in
contact with Him."
♥-A FB
status post from a friend.
Favorite Quotes by sPrevorb31
I have a quote that id like
to share from a book that
has helped me over the last
month hope it helps someone!
"You were made to be
seen and known and
loved deeply. And
its okay to want
what you were made
for."
from- Do You Think I'm
Beautiful - by Angela Thomas
And I have another, from the
newest Chronicles of Narnia
movie, The Dawn Treader
Lucy - "Do you really believe there is
such a place?"
Reepicheep - "Well, we have nothing, if not
belief."
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RECIPES |
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River of Life shares this
recipe
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown
sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins |
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 375º F
(190º C).
2. In large bowl, cream
together butter, white
sugar, and brown sugar until
smooth. Beat in the eggs and
vanilla until fluffy. Stir
together flour, baking soda,
cinnamon, and salt.
Gradually beat into butter
mixture. Stir in oats and
raisins. Drop by
teaspoonfuls onto ungreased
cookie sheets.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes in
the preheated oven, or until
golden brown. Cool slightly;
remove from sheet to wire
rack. Cool completely.
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STORIES |
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A Story
shared by KingJoshua
The sun sat high in the
clear blue sky, it's radiant
light shining brightly
through the bedroom window
of a quaint two story home,
lighting up the pages of a
teenage girls diary as she
wrote...
“Dear diary, Yesterday I
thought I would try to make
a friend, so at lunch I went
over to some of the other
kids. They stopped talking
when they saw me so I asked
if I could sit with them. No
one said anything so I sat
down, but as soon as I did
they all grabbed their trays
stood up and left me to eat
alone again. I wasn't
feeling very hungry so I
decided to cut lunch short
and escape to the library
before Ashley and her
friends found me. I tossed
my food in the trash can,
but as soon as I pushed the
door open I saw Ashley
walking toward me with her
friends, so I ran out of
there as fast as I could. I
wondered why they were
always making fun of me. It
seems like ever since the
first day of school Ashley
told me, very unkindly, I
might add, that she didn't
like anything about me, and
decided that she would
reassure me of this
throughout high school.
Luckily I managed to avoid
them the rest of the day....
"Linda! Come down and eat
your breakfast, the bus will
be here soon!" Called Cindy,
Linda's mom. "OK, Mom, be
right there."
… “Wonder if the rumors are
true...a new guy...at
school. Maybe he'll be my
friend...well, a girl can
hope.”
"Yeah, hope, maybe I'll pass
my math test too." She
muttered under her breath as
she proceeded to close and
lock her diary.
That persistent hope
remained in the back of her
mind as a spark to her weary
soul as she rose to meet the
day ahead.
Linda appeared at the top of
the stairs just as her mom
was about to call for her,
again.
"Here I am! " She said,
hopping down the stairs
until she reached the bottom
"I'm ready for school."
"Good, a couple more minutes
and you would have missed
the bus." Cindy said,
smiling as she saw her
daughters outfit.
"That shirt looks cute with
those jeans, but I think
Grandma meant for it to be
paired with that adorable
skirt she sent along with
it."
"Ohhhhh, mom, I can't wear
that to school." Linda
groaned, rolling her eyes.
Just then she heard the
squeal of the buses breaks
as it came to a halt down
the street.
"Ahh, the bus!" She
exclaimed, running past her
mother and grabbing a piece
of toast on her way out the
door.
"That girl..." Muttered
Cindy, shaking her head as
an amused grin spread across
her face.
“Where did the time run off
to?” Linda thought as she
ran down the side walk,
cramming the toast in her
mouth in an attempt to
finish it before she reached
the bus.
As Linda got closer to the
bus she saw that Henry was
patiently waiting for her.
Henry has graying hair and
wears glasses, and is truly
one of the nicest people she
knows and well liked by
everyone at school.
"running a little late, eh
Linda?" He said with a grin
"Yeah, thanks Henry, you're
a life saver." she said,
trying to catch her breath.
"Don't mention it, Linda" he
said, that welcoming smile
present as always.
Linda began walking down the
row in search of an empty
seat, but whenever she found
one, it was soon occupied by
a backpack. Just when she
thought she would have to
sit in the back again, there
to her left was a seat
occupied only by air. Linda
looked to see who was in the
seat next to it and saw that
it was a boy she didn't
recognize. He was wearing
earphones and was looking
out the window, so she
couldn't see him very well.
"I hope he doesn't mind if I
sit here" Linda thought as
she sat down tentatively.
Linda sat in silence the
entire ride, trying to
decide if she should say
something or not.
"OK, everybody out." Henry
said interrupting her
thoughts as he pulled a
lever to open the bus door.
“We're there already?” Linda
sighed, looking out the
window to see if Ashley and
her group had walked toward
the door yet as she stood up
to walk out the door.
"Maybe I'll be able to avoid
Ashley completely today" she
thought as she made her way
up the steps and into the
school. Linda walked timidly
down the hall to her math
class, but hesitated outside
the door.
“Well, here goes nothing”...
She thought before opening
the door to enter.
"Good morning, class" Said
our teacher, Ms. Morgan.
"Hello, Ms. Morgan." all
responded. She then picked
up some papers off of her
desk and began handing them
out.
"As you know this test
counts as half of your final
grade, so I expect nothing
short of excellence." Ms.
Morgan was a very strict
teacher, she was in her
thirties. Her light brown
hair was pulled back in a
little bun resting neatly on
top of her head.
"Times up,' Ms. Morgan
announced, hearing the buzz
of the timer "Put down your
pencils."
You could feel the relief of
the students as they let out
a collective sigh.
"Please lay your papers on
my desk on your way out."
Ms. Morgan said, an amused
smile placated at how
apprehensive some of her
students looked. Linda got
up and walked toward the
teachers desk.
Ms. Morgan had always
intimidated Linda a little,
because she always stared at
everyone like they were
delinquents, or something.
After placing her paper on
the desk, she creeped out
into the hall and looked
around to see if Ashley was
anywhere in sight, but
amazingly she wasn't.
“Wow” Linda thought as she
began walking to her next
class, “usually she's right
there waiting to get in her
first insult of the day.
Maybe it has something to do
with that new guy?” Linda
pondered as she walked
inside her English class.
The ringing bell was music
to her ears, as it meant
lunch time was here. Linda
heard her stomach growl and
quickened her pace toward
the cafeteria. Once she got
there her jaw dropped at how
long the line was already “I
hope they have some lasagna
left once I get up there”
Linda thought, waiting almost
impatiently as she got
closer to the front of the
line. The lasagna is the
best, but you have to get
there early if you want any.
Now that there were only two
people in front of her, she
focused on the guy in front
of her and noticed that it
was the same guy she sat
next to on the bus. His hair
was brown mingled with a
lighter brown, and from what
she could see he was wearing
a chestnut colored bomber
jacket and a pair of neatly
pressed blue jeans.
"Good afternoon, Mrs.
Calvert, I trust you're
well?" He said in a regal
tone.
"Well, who do we have here?"
Asked Mrs. Calvert, a wide
smile spreading across her
face as she was obviously
pleased to see a new face.
"My name is Clark Wilson.
It's a pleasure to meet you"
I could tell that she was
surprised by his response, I
was too.
"My word, aren't you the
polite one!" She exclaimed.
"Thank you, Ma'am." He
replied
"Well, I think you deserve
an extra helping of lasagna,
young man."
Linda looked and noticed
that she was about to give
him the last piece of
lasagna and her shoulders
sank.
“I was so close” she
thought, then something
unexpected happened
"No, thank you Mrs. Calvert,
I couldn't do that. Let some
one else have it." He said
smiling and walking away to
find a table.
"Well, I guess that means
you get the last one then,
Linda." Said Mrs. Calvert,
placing the steaming lasagna
on her plate.
Linda couldn't believe it,
"Really? Great!" she
exclaimed, so happy, she
felt like jumping but
stopped herself as others
would notice.
"Thank you very much." Linda
said, smiling wide as she
turned around to find a
seat.
"You're very welcome,
Linda." Mrs. Calvert called
after her, chuckling.
While Linda looked around
for a seat, she noticed that
Clark was sitting by himself
at one of the nearby tables.
“I wonder if he'd mind if I
sat with him” Linda thought,
taking a couple of steps
toward him. Just then she
saw him stand as Amber and
Ashley approached him and
hold the chair out for each
of them, then sitting back
down. Linda stopped right in
her tracks and her face fell
along with her hopes.
“I'll just... go sit some
where else” she thought,
turning to walk to her usual
table. While she sat there
she found herself watching
Clark talk with Amber and
Ashley and, hate it as she
did, couldn't help but envy
them. Even the culinary
delight on her plate known
as lasagna did little to
boost her down trodden
spirit. After finishing her
lasagna she didn't feel like
eating the rest so she
picked up her plate and
dumped the remains in the
trash can, then with one
last glance at a certain
person across the cafeteria,
she pushed the door open and
walked out.
Unbeknownst to Linda, Jared,
one of Amber's goons, had
seen her leave and, having
finished eating, stood to
follow her.
“Now I can find out where
she disappears to” He
thought, a triumphant grin
spreading across his face.
Once Linda arrived at the
library, she set her course
straight to her favorite
section; Poetry.
As Linda skimmed through the
books, searching for her
favorite author, Jared had
peeked around the corner and
saw the telltale signs that
someone had just entered the
library. “Ah ha!” he
thought, stealthily walking
through the door, “No wonder
Ashley and Amber couldn't
find her, they never go in
the library..” He thought
with an amused smile. “Now,
where did she go?” in his
triumph, he had lost sight
of Linda and began creeping
between the bookshelves to
find her once more.
Meanwhile, Linda had found
the book she as looking for,
and proceeded to walk over
to her favorite chair. She
often came here when she was
feeling down for it was a
quiet little corner whose
chairs rarely had occupants.
A window there was a
favorite vantage point of
hers, seeing as it faced the
schools extensive garden.
There were many windows with
a view of the garden, but
this particular window gave
an up close view of the most
beautiful sight she had ever
seen. The ground bore a
carpet of delicate blue
bells, accentuating the
cherry blossoms that hung
gracefully off the trees as
their petals seemed to glow
in the radiant light of the
afternoon sun.
Linda smiled wide as she sat
and watched the tree
branches sway gently in the
wind, her plight momentarily
forgotten. So entranced was
she that the light sound of
Jared's shoes on the
polished oak floors escaped
her ears.
“There she is”, He thought,
rubbing his hands together
greedily, “this will surely
increase my standings with
Amber”. He then noticed she
was staring out a nearby
window and looked to see
what it was that had so
captivated her. He saw the
flowers, but saw not the
beautiful harmony in which
each element mingled with
the other, and after a few
seconds had become
disinterested and decided it
was time for his exit. Just
as he closed the door behind
him, the bell rang, causing
him to jump and spin around
before realizing that it
meant he was late for class
and he ran for his next
class, “I'll tell Amber and
Ashley after class”, he
thought.
The library doors burst open
and Linda ran out, stopping
briefly to see if anyone was
in the hall before running
to her next class. The
ringing of the bell was like
music to her ears, as it
meant that school was
finally over. Linda breathed
a sigh of relief before
standing to walk out
"Well, school is finally
over." She thought, watching
or signs of Amber and
Ashley, as well as her
goons. "Hopefully I can
avoid them until I get
home." She muttered.
Linda was walking down the
stone pathway that lead to
the sidewalk outside of
school when, as luck would
have it, she turned a corner
and there they were, baring
her path.
"Well, well, well," began
Amber, walking slowly toward
Her. "Look who it is."
Ashley walked up and put an
arm around Linda's shoulder
to create the impression
that they are friends.
"You left so fast yesterday,
we didn't get a chance to
talk to you."
"Umm... yeah, I-I was in a
hurry to get home." Linda
said, ducking out from under
Ashley's arm.
Her, Amber and Jared all had
smug smiles on their faces.
“What are they up to?” She
wondered
"Well, no hurry now, but I
have to ask," Amber said,
looking down at Linda's
clothes, then back up at
her.
“Here it comes”, Linda
thought with disdain.
"What dumpster did you get
those clothes out of."
"Hey!" Linda exclaimed
angrily, "You take that
back, my grandmother sent
this to me!"
"Oh, I'm Sorry," Amber said,
a slight smirk on her face,
"sorry that your grandmother
has such bad taste." She
finished, causing a chorus
of giggles from Ashley and
Jared.
This only served to make
Linda angrier. She didn't
mind too much if they made
fun of her but she would not
stand for them making fun of
her family.
"Well, I'd rather wear this,
then those trashy clothes."
She countered gesturing
toward the shocked trio, a
slight grin appeared on her
face the resulting hush and
surprised looks.
Amber's surprise quickly
turned to anger as she
recovered from from the
shock of Linda standing up
for herself. "Why, you
insubordinate..."
"Wow, good job, I'm
surprised you knew such a
big word." Linda said
mockingly, Cutting her off.
"I..Guh..Huh!?" Sputtered
Amber, taken aback by her
words, and unsure how to
react
"These clothes cost more
then you'll make in your
entire life!" Amber cried
indignantly, while Jared
just watched with an amused
grin.
"oh? Who designed them, a
monkey with a ruler and
safety scissors?"
"Oh!" Shrieked Amber,
drawing her hand back in
rage to slap Linda.
Just as Linda put up her
hands and cringed, an
authoritative voice yelled
"Halt scoundrel!"
Linda turned around to see
who had said it and her eyes
widened in shock as she saw
Clark walking toward them
"Leave her be, or I shall be
forced to unleash the wrath
of a thousand stars upon
thee." He said as he placed
himself between Linda and
Amber.
“Is he..protecting me?”
Linda couldn't believe it.
Some one was actually
telling them to back off,
albeit in a more formal
manner then she expected.
She could tell by the blank
expression on the three
bullies faces that they
didn't quite understand what
he said.
"I think I speak for all of
us when I say, huh?"
Expressed Jared, Confirming
what Linda thought.
"Let me dumb it down for
you," Clark said in a
condescending tone, speaking
slower to make sure he was
heard clearly, "Leave her
alone, or you'll have to
answer to me." His eyes
narrowed as he finished,
cluing them in that he meant
what he said. Amber's
expression showed her utter
amazement at this turn of
events. Jared had already
begun to inch away from the
conflict, for he was a
coward at heart.
"Umm...L-Lets go," stuttered
Jared, looking very
intimidated as he looked at
Clark, who was a good three
inches taller than him. "If
he wants to hang out with
that freak, then let him.
He's not worth our time."
Amber and Ashley were
clearly considering this,
and after a little thought,
seemed to have decided it
was their best option.
"Yeah, lets go." Amber said,
as she walked away.
"See ya later, freak."
Ashley said before following
her cohorts.
Linda was just stared at the
ground in an attempt to hide
the blush of embarrassment
that touched her cheek. Just
then she felt a hand rest on
her shoulder and heard a
gentle voice ask
"Are you alright?"
She looked up and saw that
it was Clark. "Yeah, I'm
ok."
His face lit up at her
words, and a smile creased
his lips.
"Ah, That's a relief." He
then took a step back, and
spoke again "Allow me to
introduce myself" he said,
bowing slightly "my name is
Clark Wilson"
Linda was almost completely
at a loss concerning whether
or not to trust him. Though
it may seem that she was
just being difficult, she
had legitimate reason to
question him, for no one at
school had ever been so nice
to her.
"Uhh...Hey" she said, A few
rebel strands of hair
dangled loosely in front of
her face, which she promptly
brushed behind her right
ear.
"I'm Linda." She continued.
Then, as an afterthought,
added "Thanks for protecting
me." Linda found it hard to
look him in the eyes, for
reasons that would occur to
her later.
"'Tis a pleasure, Lady Linda"
He said, a smile was still
present on his face as he
asked a question that caught
her off guard, "If I may
ask, who were those three,
and why were they bothering
you?"
Linda's eyes opened wide and
she took a step back
"You, you really want to
know?" She asked, hoping
with all her heart that he
was sincere.
"Why, yes Linda, I do. That
is, if you want to tell me."
He said, not knowing how
happy those words made her.
A wide smile spread across
her face, and she could see
in his eyes that he was
trustworthy. Linda looked
around and saw a bench where
they could sit while she
told him, and gestured for
him to sit down. She soon
found out, however, that
Clark was very much a
gentleman, for he waited for
her to sit before he did
and, as she explained the
whole ordeal to him, he sat
and listened patiently,
injecting a comment or two
when he thought necessary.
After she finished, she
looked him in the eye and
waited for his response.
"Wow, I'm sorry you had to
bare with all of that." He
said, as Linda stared at the
floor so intently that you
would think she had never
seen it before.
But she raised her eyes back
to his once she felt him
place his arm around her
shoulders in an effort to
comfort her,
"But" he continued, "You
need not worry any longer,
M'lady, for until my last
breath departs from me I
shall protect thee from
those that would wish to
mock thee and cause grief to
come upon thee."
Linda couldn't believe what
she was hearing, part of her
was still expecting this to
be some cruel joke, but part
of her desperately wanted it
to true. She tried to think
of something to say but all
that came out was "Thanks".
Clark smiled at her again
then looked away at the
clear blue sky, and she felt
like there were butterflies
playing tag in her stomach.
A light blush rested on her
face and she looked away.
Linda glanced at him
occasionally, and she
noticed he still had his arm
around her shoulders, and a
thought popped in her head
that made her cheeks redden
more then they already were.
“No, he'd probably get mad
if I did”. thought Linda,
yet another, quieter voice
told her that she should,
that he wouldn't mind.
“Well, I guess it wouldn't
hurt”, Linda thought as she
slowly canted her head
toward his left shoulder,
glancing at him. Once her
head was resting on his
shoulder, she waited for him
to move or push her away,
but he didn't, and for the
first time in a long time,
she felt like everything was
going to be OK.
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THOUGHTS |
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HabibiJesus shares her
thoughts on what Heaven may be like:
Heaven Vision
We never know when we will
die, or how we will die. We
don't know what heaven looks
like, because we've never
been their to see. Many
people try to dream what it
might look like. Some people
have a list of things they
wish to do once they get to
heaven. It's our home and
this is the way I dream it
will be like.
Almost everyone wants to
live a long happy life, some
done want to leave, because
the thought of leaving
loved ones behind. Many don't
get the chance to live very
long. Some die at birth and
some only live a few years
'til something takes their
life somehow. No one wants
to die a cruel way or in
suffering. I know I would
want to die peaceful, with
out pain or suffering.
The BIBLE says their is many
mansions their in my fathers
house. Ever since i was a
little girl I've heard
family and people in the
church say we will walk on
streets of gold. And when I
think about that I vision
walking past the open gates,
entering in Heaven with
every street covered in
gold. And while walking
around not seeing one grave
yard or funeral home
anywhere.
The place Jesus said he
would go away to prepare for
me is the most beautiful
place ever made. No one
would ever think to make a
blue print of. The place has
everything I could ever need
and even more than I could
dream of. Just to think I
wouldn't have to pay taxes or
mortgage on the place he has
provided for me.
Many people has a list of
things they want to do once
they enter in heaven. Some
cant wait to meet with their
family and friends that have
gone here before them. Some
say they will join the band
of angels singing. I know I
want to join and meet again
my family someday. But
mostly I want to be by Gods
side. Holding his hand like
he had done to me down on
earth. but this time I can
see and feel him in person.
Their is many other things I
would like to do, but most
importantly, I hope I don't
forget to do is wipe Jesus'
feet in expensive oils with
my hair just like Mary ( A
sinner did six days before
the Passover came to
Bethany, where Lazarus was
which had been dead, whom he
raised from the dead.) "John
12:1- 8" did to Jesus before
he was executed in front of
all the people. He died for
our sin so we would have a
way into Heaven. We should
do more for him than we do
now!
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ASK A TEEN
A column where adults ask teens questions and a teen responds.
This is a very interesting section for both teens and adults. |
Metea wrote:
MDBren wrote:What
words would you most
want to hear from
your parents?
What is the one
thing you would like
your parents to sit
down and talk to you
about? Wow! That is deep! How many
of us really know what we
want? I mean, how many know
what it is that will make us
truly happy? I think I never
knew. That doesn’t mean I
didn’t want things but I
know now that the things I
wanted weren’t the kinds of
things God would want for
me. I think maybe that is
why so many people feel they
have unanswered prayers.
They want but they aren’t
looking at the big picture
God looks at. So… how can
they know what would make
them truly happy? I never
really knew what would make
me happy until AFTER God
gave it to me. And even then
sometimes it took me some
considerable time to realize
what I had been given and
how important it really was.
So, how then to answer what
I want from my parents? I
thought about it a lot and
prayed for insight. I know
the answers might change
with time but right now I
think I want words of
acceptance. They knew from
the time they took me in
that I was a genuine
juvenile delinquent. They
were severely warned NOT to
trust me but they did
anyway. They treated me with
a respect I did not earn.
They knew my reputation and
my police records but they
took me in anyway. These
actions did not have any
significant immediate effect
on me in the beginning and I
know I’m not an easy kid to
get along with. Sorry, I
know I am wandering and will
try to stick to the
question. They did gradually
make me feel more and more
accepted. It was a long path
and not an easy or enjoyable
one but they stuck with me.
I know that they know my
reputation and the things I
have done but they never
talk about it. Maybe they
think they are protecting me
in a parental sort of way
but I believe I am stronger
than they think and I would
rather they did ask the hard
questions and that is what I
think I want their serious
thoughts about. I want them
to know the changes God made
in my life and to know I
will NOT return to the old
ways. I want them to know
how much I have come to love
them and how much they have
helped me. I don’t know why
the deepest emotions are the
ones hardest to talk about.
The normal everyday junk
seems to get in the way and
takes up most of the time.
I don’t know if I helped
much. I mean, I think most
parents and teens probably
come to know each other much
deeper than that in
seventeen years. I just
haven’t had them that long
and I wasn’t easy to get to
know.
Christnundrconstruxn
wrote:What or
how can we as
parents lead you as
teens closer to your
Lord?
or
What can we as
parents and leaders
do to strengthen
your walk with
Jesus? The very best way to lead is
to lead by example. As most
of you know, it wasn’t that
long ago that I was
searching. At the time, I
didn’t even know what I was
searching for. What started
me searching was a boy. I
found a Christian boy. He
showed me something I had
never seen in a boy before.
He had virtue, real virtue
like I had never seen
before. It directed his
actions so that his life
wasn’t just about his
desires and the things he
wanted. For the first time I
saw Christ in someone and
how it made him more than he
was. It gave him love and
peace and hope and patience
and joy and just a whole
different spirit I had never
seen before… something just
so much greater than
himself. At the time I
didn’t realize why or what I
was seeing but it attracted
me like nothing else I had
ever experienced before. I
did not understand but I saw
it was real. I did
understand it was because he
was a Christian. I promptly
broke up with him because of
it. I understood even if he
apparently didn’t that he
needed a Christian girl. If
I had stayed with him I
would only have hurt him and
I wouldn’t do that. Once
finding real virtue, I saw
it as something like a
treasure and something to be
protected, even from me.
But, discovering Christ in
someone started a search
like none other. I had to
discover the source. I had
to see what could make this
difference. It made me open
my eyes a bit wider. God had
given me a Christian foster
family too but at this point
I had had many dozens of
foster families so it was
just another of a very long
series. I examined them much
closer than I had before and
saw the differences there
too. When I was placed here,
they were warned not to
trust me but they did
anyway. They not only showed
trust in me but treated me
with love and respect.
Things began to change in my
life when I realized these
things. I had other homes
where they said they were
Christians but I never saw
it make much difference
before. Now I saw things
coming together in a
different way. I had been
beaten down by Christians
before so I was hesitant to
ask them about God. I had to
live with them and didn’t
want them coming down hard
on me about God too. I liked
the way things were
different here and didn’t
want them to change.
Instead, I got on the
internet to look. If
Christians started coming
down hard and pushing me
there, it had an off button.
That is about the time when
I found Christianity Oasis
and all of you. No one here
tried to beat me over the
head with the Bible. I never
felt pressured. I knew I
didn’t belong here because
it was a place for
Christians but all of you
people accepted me anyway. I
felt the love in this place,
how all of you cared about
each other and I could feel
that you cared about me too.
I kept coming back to learn
more. For eight months I
kept coming back and I kept
on learning a little bit
more each time. I enjoyed my
time here but I was agitated
afterward each time. So,
that was the pattern: it
felt good to be here but I
felt miserable afterwards. I
wondered why I even came
here and yet every time I
felt the attraction to come
back. That pattern ended
when I became a Christian on
October 23, 2010. Everything
came together. There was no
more miserable feeling
afterward. It was like this
was what I was meant to do
the entire time. I have been
coming back ever since to
learn more. Now, the reason I have been
sharing all of that was to
show you what attracted me
and how I was helped by all
of you here. It is right
back to leading by example.
All of you here helped me
along my path. I saw and was
attracted by Christ in you.
I personally believe this
has got to be the best way
for you to lead others to
Him. It has got to be the
best way to encourage others
in their Christian walk:
showing others Christ in
you. Without it, I would
still be lost.
Anonymous
wrote:What
are the things that
teens today respond
to best in being led
to the Lord, staying
faithful to Him and
resisting the
deceptions and
temptations the
world bombards you
with? The very best thing is to
show them Christ in you.
Lead by example. I believe
the Holy Spirit will give
you the right words to say
but the part that attracts
the most is seeing the
virtue inside, the Christ in
you. The words are good but
we need to see it live, in
action and working in your
life. Reflecting the source
encourages others to seek
out that source. The next part is sort of up
to them. You can encourage
them to resist the
deceptions and the
temptations but they are the
ones who actually have to do
it. No one can do it for
them. You can show them the
door but they are the ones
who have to walk through it.
We make mistakes. We make
bad choices. We screw up.
All you can do is to forgive
and keep encouraging and
show the way by example.
humblevisitor
wrote:How can
I follow God and do
what I know is right
to do even though
all my friends say
I'm wrong or crazy?
I sure know what you're
talking about! I used to be
popular. When I became a
Christian, I lost ALL of my
friends. I discovered that
the popular crowd wasn't the
“right” crowd. I am quite
certain that God wanted me
to lose all of those
non-Christian friends. Not
only would they not have
been a good influence for me
on my new Christian path but
they would have been a
severe hindrance. I screw up
enough on my own. I don't
need outside help! So, I
guess my answer is to not
worry about those friends
saying I'm wrong or crazy.
My concern for them is no
longer how they think of me.
Now it is how I can show God
to them too. Since I am
without physical voice I
think the answer to
Christnundrconstruxn’s
question applies to me too:
I must lead by example too.
The voice I must listen to
is the voice of the Holy
Spirit inside and not those
of my friends. God never
takes you to something
without taking you through
it. Philippians 4:13
AngelWings
wrote:( 1 )
What is true love
and how do you know
when you have found
it?
( 2 ) If your
boyfriend wants to
have sex, and you
don't want to lose
him. What should you
do ? You no its
against God's law.
( 1 ) 1 Corinthians Chapter 13:4-7 Love is patient and kind.
Love is not jealous or
boastful or proud or rude.
It does not demand its own
way. It is not
irritable, and it keeps no
record of being wronged. It
does not rejoice about
injustice but rejoices
whenever the truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never
loses faith, is always
hopeful, and endures through
every circumstance. That is God's description of
true love. I don't think I
could do any better.
I am in love but my own
descriptions seem sort of
pale compared to that
description. ( 2 ) I can see by the way you
worded your second question
that you already know what
you SHOULD do. The real
question now is: are you
strong enough to do what you
already know you should do?
My sister Charli explained
it to me this way: “It is
not mine to give away. It
belongs to someone else. It
already belongs to the man
that I will someday marry.
It is mine to protect and
guard for him. Of course I
might be tempted and the
pressure is great but it
doesn't belong to me. I
can't give it away. Even if
the one I am tempted to give
it to is the person who I
will someday marry, he still
isn't the one I can give it
to until he is my husband.
Only then does it belong to
him." There is much wisdom
in my little sister's words
and with her permission I
decided to share them with
you. The reason I underlined that
portion of Scripture above
is because it seems like he
is demanding his own way
with you. It seems like he
is pressuring you because
you feel that you might lose
him if you say no. Since
love does not demand its own
way, I question whether it
is true love he feels for
you even if it is true love
you feel for him. True love
isn't true love unless both
of you have it. If only one
of you have it, it is a
recipe for disaster and
someone is going to get hurt
deeply.
Daisy50 wrote:One
thing I'd ask a
teen, "Do you want
your parents more
involved in your
daily life, because
you'd like for them
to give you the
"right" answers to
your questions, or
are you more
comfortable asking
your friends-hoping
they'll give you
good advice?
For me, this is actually a
very hard question. The
truth is: I don't think I
would go to any one person
for answers to all of my
questions. For some things I
would go to this one and for
other things I would go to
another one and for
something else probably
another person, etc. I think
for me it is more a question
of how much trust I have in
the person rather than their
capability of giving me the
“right" answer. I believe I
would go to someone with
whom I had discussed the
subject matter before.
Somehow advice comes better
from familiarity. It would
be easier to ask for their
advice on that same subject.
I guess I also don't believe
in the “right" answer. I
think some answers are
better than others but not
necessarily “right". And
then, whether or not I want
to admit it, sometimes I'm
just looking for someone to
agree with me and I pick the
most likely candidate.
|
|
INTERVIEWS |
|
Interview of Momomuffin
How old are you? 18. 19 in
September
What is your favorite food?
pizza and chocolate anything
What is your most hated food
if you have one. carrots
What is your favorite movie.
Legally Blond 1 and 2 or
Harry Potter series
What is your favorite TV
show. Grey's Anatomy
(Lifetime episodes) or Say
Yes to the Dress or Duggar
show
Who is your favorite actor?
Man: Johnny Depp Woman:
Reese Witherspoon
Do you like to read? YES
What was the last book you
read? Reading the Left
Behind Series right now.
Reading The Indwelling
#10/16
Ever write a poem? Yes, not
in a long time
Ever eat a poem? Unless it
was written on my food, no.
Do you like church? Where I
go to church, yes.
Why or why not? Good people,
good messages, good Q&A,
good activities.
What is your family like?
Crazy
What is school like? Crazy
Are you home schooled or
public schooled or other?
Entering my 2nd year at
college
Do you sing or play an
instrument? I sing like I
know how to sing, but I know
I can't sing. And I play the
flute and piccolo.
Do you want to? Yes I do
What kind of music do you
like? Christian, rock, heavy
metal, techno, classical,
basically anything that is
good and isn't offensive.
What is your favorite
group/band? Don't really
have one right now.
Do you eat pie? If so what
type? chocolate. Or mixed
berry pie with a lemon crust
and blueberry ice cream.
What would you like to see
at this site for teens? More
talking in the forums.
Forums are kind of dead.
What hobbies if any do you
enjoy? Belly dancing,
watching anime, working in
the Chemistry prep room.
Do you have any collections?
if so what? music?
Do you have sisters or
brothers? An older brother
Do you get along with them?
No.
Who is your favorite family
member? Not really that
connected to my family.
Do you have pets? No.
If so what kind?
Have you ever dressed up one
of your pets in clothing?
If so what kind?
What is your favorite
number? 13. It's my lucky
number.
Interview
of Christintaylor
How old are you? 17 What is your favorite food?
Chicken and rice! What is your most hated food
if you have one? prob meat
loaf hah What is your favorite movie?
The proposal!! What is your favorite
TV
show? One life to live...its
a soap haha Who is your favorite actor?
don't really have one Do you like to read? ya for
the most part What was the last book you
read? "Its kinda a funny
story" Ever write a poem? ya to
tyler! Ever eat a poem?
huh?? Do you like church? ohhh
yesss Why or why not? because i am
happy there What is your family like?
crazy in good and bad way
What is school like? very
stressful...to much drama Are you home schooled or
public schooled or other?
public school Do you sing or play an
instrument? nope i have sung
for church before Do you want to? no What kind of music do you
like? country and Christian What is your favorite
group/band? ummm all the
country ones haha Do you eat pie? If so what
type? chocolate What would you like to see
at this site for teens? a
place where teens can talk
about there problems What hobbies if any do you
enjoy? huntin fishin and
trappin Do you have any collections?
if so what? nopeee Do you have sisters or
brothers? 3 half sisters and
1 brother Do you get along with them?
not the sisters.... Who is your favorite family
member? my pa (: i loveee him Do you have pets? yes If so what kind? two dogs
misty and scooter!! Have you ever dressed up one
of your pets in clothing? no
If so what kind? What is your favorite
number? 7
Interview of River of Life
How old are you? 15 What is your favorite food?
Definitely seafood – I like
all types but shrimp most of
all What is your most hated food
if you have one. liver
 What is your favorite movie.
Avatar What is your favorite
TV
show. Merlin Who is your favorite actor?
Tim Allen but I like any
actor who can make me laugh Do you like to read? Yes What was the last book you
read? The Goblet of Fire Ever write a poem? No, I’m
not talented in that area Ever eat a poem? No Do you like church? Yes Why or why not? Mostly for
the youth group. My youth
pastor is awesome. He makes
me laugh and he makes me
think. What is your family like? I
have an awesome foster
family What is school like? School
probably isn’t the way most
adults remember school. The
doors to the outside world
are kept locked during the
school day – no one in – no
one out. To enter or leave
you must do so by going
through the school office.
Police are stationed at the
school at all times when it
is open. Those are the parts
I don’t like. I do like my
teachers and my friends. Are you home schooled or
public schooled or other? I
go to a public high school Do you sing or play an
instrument? No Do you want to? No Do you eat pie? If so what
type? My favorite is apple What would you like to see
at this site for teens? More
teens
 What hobbies if any do you
enjoy? fishing Do you have any collections?
if so what? music? I move
often so I don’t collect
anything Do you have sisters or
brothers? Sort of – I have a
foster family Do you get along with them?
Usually
 Who is your favorite family
member? I don’t play
favorites Do you have pets? Not me
personally but my family has
a... If so what kind? golden
retriever Have you ever dressed up one
of your pets in clothing? No What is your favorite
number? I don’t have a
favorite I am aware of
Interview of
Ali dAubigne
I
am nineteen years old.
My favorite food is
spaghetti. My favorite
dessert is strawberry
shortcake.
I think my most disliked
food is English peas.
My favorite movie is an
older one entitled "Radio
Flyer". Older movie is "To
Kill a
Mockingbird".
My favorite
TV show is NCIS.
My favorite present day
actor is Mark Harmon. From
earlier movies my favorite
actor is
Gregory Peck.
I love to read.
The last book I read was And
the Angels Were Silent by
Max Lucado.
I have written poems, long
ones and short ones, serious
ones and funny ones.
But I have never eaten a
poem. That I know of,
anyway.
I love church, everything
about it. From teaching
children to learning myself.
Our pastor is
a great teacher also, and
I've learned so much from
God through him. From
ministering
to knowing God's grace.
My family is beautiful, my
dad and my two younger
sisters. I love them very
much. They
inspire me every day with
their strength and their
courage.
I love school because I love
learning things. And I love
trying to do my best every
day.
My school, elementary and
high school is a private
Christian school.
I sing and I play guitar and
drums.
I've always loved jazz and
classical music, and lately
I'm getting more and more
into gospel
and Christian music.
The bands I've always liked
are the old jazz bands, the
New Orleans type stuff.
Dixieland.
Charlie Parker, Jellyroll
Morton, Louis Armstrong. For
Christian music, there is a
little
named Rhema Marvanne who has
my musical heart.
I love blackberry pie and
pumpkin pie. Yummm!!!
I'm new to this website, as
you know, so I don't really
know everything that's
offered yet.
But I would love if it had
bible study for teens,
private counseling for
teens, and just a
place to go and ask
questions, about the bible,
about God and Jesus, and
about life.
Thank you, Pine, for the
opportunity to do this. I've
enjoyed it very much. I'm
thankful that
God showed me this website,
and also thankful that nice
people like you are a part
of it.
God bless you,
Ali
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