Superbowl Food

January 13, 2009 Leave a Comment

It’s a new year, and everyone is making resolutions. Whether they are to be a better listener or to get more organized, we’re all thinking about the things we want to change. What better time is there to find a new way to reach people, than now? You can even use food to display a great example of what a Christian is supposed to be like. Actions speak louder than words, and if people see you helping others, they’re going to be thinking great things about not only you, but most importantly, Christ (and remember to give Him the glory!).

One way we can renew ourselves this month, while at the same time sharing our gift of hospitality, is to invite friends over for a simple, relaxing evening of watching (or not watching!) the Superbowl. While watching and chowing down on some of these great treats, we can be a good example to others by what we are watching on TV, whether it be turning the channel during inappropriate game time commercials or choosing to watch decent anti-Superbowl girl movies instead.

Appetizers
Potachos
Cheesy Football
Crispy Chicken Fingers

Entrees
Ham & Cheddar in a Loaf
Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-Up
Unbeatable Sloppy Joes

Desserts
Game Day Football Cake
BAKER’S ONE BOWL Chocolatey Football Bites
Football Field Gelatin

Drinks
Splash-of-Citrus Punch
Easy Hot Choco-Mallow Milk Shake (use football shaped marshmallows)

By Alexia Hammonds

Filed Under: Cooking Corner

Monday – Marvelous or Mundane?

January 12, 2009 Leave a Comment

I’ve heard many complaints about Mondays, but I love them! After a busy weekend, it’s nice to get back into the routine of the week. I am blessed to be able to work from home, so I’m able to take care of the house between other tasks, but I know many working women don’t currently have that option. Many women dread Monday because it means getting back to the same old routine of rush, rush, rush.

I used to work outside the home, so I know that it’s difficult, but I also learned that, for our family, it wasn’t necessary or best. If you work outside the home, or are considering working outside the home, really pray about and consider your situation.

Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:

1) Our second income wasn’t as profitable as our first. Even with mainly free childcare, we were spending extra money. Our grocery bill increased significantly (no time for coupons). There were also additional costs in gas, car maintenance, work clothes, eating out (I was too tired to cook every night), etc. When it was all said and done, my extra income did allow us a little more leeway, but it wasn’t worth the strain it put on our entire family.

2) There are so many work-from-home opportunities. I browsed around on Inc Moms Job Page a lot, and was amazed at the legitimate work-from-home opportunities out there! If your income is necessary, this is a great way to do it. The hours are generally very flexible, which allows more time for family and study. Granted, working from home is very difficult, and requires a lot of organization and time management, but it can also be very rewarding and fulfilling. (Each link in this paragraph will take you to a different website with more, in-depth work from home information.)

3) Our attitude affects the attitudes of others around us. When working full time, I was stressed out all the time. My family’s actions reflected my frazzled attitude. We were all constantly tired, and our life became one big rush to do everything we needed to do with not enough time to do it in. My goal of having a home full of love and happiness completely went down the drain and my new goal became a desire to just survive. Just trying to make it through the day happens to all of us on occasion, but if it’s happening all the time, we really need to look at our lives and reprioritize.

Stay Tuned

I think I’ve given you enough information to chew on today, so think about your life; where it’s been, where it is today, and where it’s headed. If you’re headed in a direction different than the direction you want to be going, then something needs to change. Just for today, allow yourself to dream about your ideal situation, and about what would make your Mondays marvelous instead of mundane. I’ll be back with part two next week.

Davonne Parks

Filed Under: Just for Today

Anti-Superbowl Party

January 11, 2009 1 Comment

January is a great time to focus on renewing ourselves with our friends! The Superbowl is coming up, and my husband loves throwing a Superbowl party for his friends in our basement. I, on the other hand, couldn’t care less about the Superbowl (sorry, football fans!).

When the house is filled with Superbowl fans, food, and drinks, what’s a non-football loving girl to do? Throw an anti-Superbowl party, of course!

How to do it

Anti-Superbowl parties are among the easiest parties to throw. If you have two TVs in your house, the Superbowl and anti-Superbowl party can easily be thrown in the same home. We’ll talk about that first, and discuss an alternative later.

First, suggest to the guys (brothers, dads, husbands) in your home that it may be fun for them to invite their friends over to watch the Superbowl. Invites can just be sent by word of mouth, phone, or e-mail; paper invitations are not necessary for this event! When my husband invites his friends over, I make sure to invite their wives, girlfriends, or sisters. We usually have our church announce the party to make things easier (if you have limited space, they can just announce that the invite is for a specific age group or small group), plus we invite a few others over the phone.

Next, plan the food. This is also really easy. Everybody brings a finger food or dessert, a drink, and a couple of dollars for pizza (start saving pizza coupons you receive in the mail). We supply plates, cups, and napkins, plus we make or buy a drink and an easy food.

Now it’s time to plan the anti-Superbowl part of the party! For the anti-Superbowl party I host, we watch a chick flick. I ask the girls from church, in advance, what they’d like to watch and we go with the popular vote. Generally, somebody has the movie of choice, so there are no rental charges, but if needed, rent it the night before (try the library first) so it’ll be ready to go the night of the party. This year, Nancy Drew has my vote!

The last thing you’ll want to do is make sure your house looks decent. You don’t need to spend days cleaning, but make sure things are straightened up, the kitchen counters are cleared for party food, the floor is vacuumed, and the bathrooms are clean and well supplied. This is not a job for your mom! Help relieve the stress she’ll feel by helping her out.

If you don’t have two TVs

Okay, so let’s say you don’t have two TVs. You can still host both parties at your house! The girls can hang out, talk (not gossip), paint their nails, or give each other makeovers. Do this in a room the guys aren’t in, of course!

You could also host an anti-Superbowl party even if nobody you know is hosting a Superbowl party. Just have your girlfriends over on Superbowl night for a night of girl fun! They can still bring food and drinks, so everything else (non-Superbowl related) still applies.

Skip it

Skip the decorations. There’s no need to spend time and money on decorations you’ll only use for a couple of hours. Remember, this month, we’re working on renewing ourselves, and it’ll be hard to feel renewed and refreshed if we go overboard with things. Enjoy knowing that we’re renewing ourselves and accepting the fact that, sometimes, less really is more. The less we have to plan, the more relaxed and peaceful we’ll feel about the party, and the more fun we’ll be able to have with our friends. Proverbs 122:8: “For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, ‘May peace be within you.’”

Party time

Since the Superbowl is on a Sunday night, we just have the party-goers follow us home from church that evening and the party starts right away! The food is in the kitchen, the football watchers are in the basement, and most of the girls are in the living room.

We all just chill out, relax, and have a great time together, whether we’re watching the Superbowl or not.

The clean-up is also really easy, since everybody throws their own trash away, and takes their left-over food and drinks home with them. All that’s left to do after everyone leaves is a quick vacuum for food crumbs, a trash run to the outside can, and you can call it a night!

Happy Anti-Superbowl!
Davonne Parks

Filed Under: Friends

The Secret: Part III

January 10, 2009 Leave a Comment

For the past two months we have studied and focused on the first six fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, and how they make for an amazing dating or marriage relationship. This month we will wrap up this study by adding the last three parts of God’s gift. They are faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22–23). Every aspect of this gift is very important, and one cannot thrive without the other. So let’s get started!

Faithfulness Matters

When you think about being faithful, the idea of believing in someone or something and being trustworthy or honest may come to mind. When God says He requires faithfulness from His children, He means that He not only wants us to believe in Him but to give Him everything we have. God wants us to choose and stick with His commands. We cannot go back and forth between sin and God. For example, in Matthew 6:24, it says, “…You cannot serve God and wealth.” This means you have to choose one and stand by your decision. One or the other, not both; the same goes for a husband.

When you choose a boyfriend, you really need to be faithful to him. Now this doesn’t mean that if you start dating and it turns out that you aren’t very compatible you can’t break up, but if you’re married, that’s exactly what it means. While you are in a dating relationship, breaking up is always an option, but being faithful while in the relationship is still the right thing to do. Let’s say you and a boy have decided to begin dating after talking for a while. Now that you’re exclusively dating, you shouldn’t flirt and hang out constantly with other boys. Your boyfriend needs to be able to trust that you are not cheating on him, just like you should be able to trust him. Trust is a huge part of any relationship.

If you can’t trust each other then you will never be satisfied. Having an undoubting trust means that you can rely on each other and lean on one other when something goes wrong; just like you should do with God (Matt. 11:28–30). Trust is an underlying tone of love. Trusting means that there are no little white lies, or huge black ones! When you tell your boyfriend something, he should not have to question you or check up on your “story.” Faithfulness requires the conscious choice to say no to other boys and to be there for your boyfriend. Remain faithful so that there is always trust, because without trust it will be impossible to survive as a couple.

Gentleness

The eighth piece of this great gift is gentleness. There is something special about your boyfriend when he is gentle and tender, right? I don’t necessarily mean mushy, but sweet and considerate. When I am sad or down, it means the world to me for my boyfriend to give me a hug or just let me talk about how I feel. His gentleness portrays the love that I know he has for me. I am always thankful for those times in our relationship.

A lot of times girls are guilty of being too hard on their boyfriends when they make a mistake. For example, when your boyfriend does something that he realizes is wrong and then confesses it to you, it is not the right attitude to yell at him or pull him down further than he’s already pulled himself. I don’t mean that you should tell him what he did was okay, but try not to rub it in his face, and do not continuously bring it up in conversation. Tell him that yes, he made a mistake, but now that he sees that he’s messed up, he can repent and be forgiven (Matt. 26:28). Encourage him for realizing his mistake, and don’t be judgmental, but be gentle. Being gentle and considerate with each other will create a stronger and more loving relationship.

Self Control

The ninth and final piece of the gift is self-control. This is a key part of a relationship and for most people can be incredibly hard. This can be thought of in a few different ways. It can include self-control from sexual sin, or from anger. We will take a look at both.

Any Christian who has studied the Bible knows that sex is a pleasure meant only as a gift for married partners (1 Cor. 7:1–2), but sometimes we mess up. We may think, Well we’re gonna get married in a few years anyway, so why wait? This is seriously wrong thinking! Having plans for marriage is drastically different than actually being married. So when you find yourself in a situation where you are extremely tempted to participate in sexual sins, remove yourself from the situation. I know the self-control it takes to walk away from that temptation, but you will never regret it. By abstaining from sexual sin you may very well be saving your relationship, because many times after sex the relationship is never the same and you can’t continue together. I suggest that you talk with your boyfriend and make the mutual decision to abstain from sexual activities until marriage to help protect your relationship. There is always the possibility that someone reading this may have been sexually impure before. What I want you to really understand is that there is still hope; there is always hope. God has promised forgiveness, but it’s up to you to take advantage of it.

Now let’s talk about controlling anger. Sometimes people do things that just cannot be explained. Often when these things involve anger they happen without thinking. I have always been taught to never be too quick to act on strong emotions. In the book of James we are told by the inspired writer to “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). The word wrath means anger, so he is telling us to be slow to get angry. That can be incredibly hard, especially when someone does something foolish or hurtful. What God wants you to do in your relationships is practice self-control. If someone tells you something and then you find yourself very angry, tell them that you need to go out for a while. Then come back later, after you have had time to think, and talk about it. This will help everyone from making rash decisions. This will also keep the lines of communication open, and that will make for a much happier and more successful relationship.

It’s a wrap

I sincerely hope that if you have been keeping up with this series you have benefited from it; I know I have. This gift bestowed on us by the Holy Spirit can be such a blessing if we practice it and use it in our dating and marriage relationships––and in all other relationships. God truly wants us to be happy when that is done while following Him, which it definitely can be! Love and partnership is meant to help us live in this sinful world (1 Thess. 3:12–13). If we demonstrate all of the elements of this gift in our relationships then we will thrive and harvest good fruit for God as He desires and commands (Matt. 12:33).

Shelby Garrett

Shelby Garrett

Filed Under: Dating

Shoes – A Girl’s Best Friend

January 9, 2009 Leave a Comment

Solomon 7:1 “How beautiful your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter!”

Ah, just the sound of it makes me very happy. Shoes. At a time when many of us are thinking about our weight, and what fits, or doesn’t fit, it’s always nice to have the comfort of knowing that (usually) our shoes will fit us, whether we’re a size 6 or size 12. And so, since many of us may be working on a new weight goal, and we’ve possibly got some money from Christmas, let’s talk shoes. And what better footwear to center our attention on in mid-winter than boots?

One of the most important things to consider when buying a pair of boots is comfort. You can find the greatest pair of boots in the world but be miserable if they do not fit you well. While there are many styles from which to choose, and many styles may be popular, do not be persuaded to buy a pair, no matter how inexpensive, if they do not feel comfortable. Take your time walking around the store. Although some shoes, especially boots, may take some time to “wear in,” you should be able to tell the difference between the need to wear them in and the fact that they will never be comfortable.

As with all clothing and accessories, I do not recommend spending a lot on trendy pieces, which will quickly go out of style. (Although I did grow up in the 80s, and am appalled to see the styles coming back!) Spend your money on classic styles that will still be popular for years to come. If you want the trendy styles, try to find them on sale, or buy an off-brand with the same look. Spend your money on pieces that will not be outdated a year (or less) from now, and whose material will stand the test of time.

Now for the styles…

You can go with heels, or not. Typically, taller girls look better in flats than shorter girls. Wedge heels are very popular, and comfortable, if you would like a heel but don’t want to feel like you’re going to tip over. Boot heights range from ankle to knee. Ankle boots are great under jeans, when you want the boot look but not all the weight under your clothing. Knee-high boots look great when worn with a cute below-the-knee skirt or dress, and can also be great added warmth under jeans. Boot materials can be as classic as black leather or as trendy as fuzzy camel suede (which, I’ll admit, is a trend that has lasted several years so far).

Here are some popular styles, at a very popular price…
(Hover over the images for product descriptions)

A great pair of knee-high black boots, with stretch for thicker calves, that can be worn with practically anything.

Shorter black boots for less bulk, without compromising on style. These boots, which also come in brown, can also be worn with just about anything.

Great under jeans or cords, and are a fresh alternative to the Ugg.

Great under jeans or cords, and are a fresh alternative to the Ugg.

Cute and trendy (but not too trendy) wedges. Great to wear over jeans or with a heavier skirt.

Cute and trendy (but not too trendy) wedges. Great to wear over jeans or with a heavier skirt.

For you colder weather gals. Perfect for yoga pants or jeans.

For you colder weather gals. Perfect for yoga pants or jeans.

For the more rainy winters––and through the spring.

For the more rainy winters––and through the spring.

Slouchy, yet sophisticated. Wear them with black dress pants, straight-leg jeans, or a knee-length skirt.

Slouchy, yet sophisticated. Wear them with black dress pants, straight-leg jeans, or a knee-length skirt.

A great option for maximum style with minimum height. Again, perfect with jeans.

A great option for maximum style with minimum height. Again, perfect with jeans.

Equestrian-inspired style. Great under or over a pair of jeans for a casual, yet put-together look.

Equestrian-inspired style. Great under or over a pair of jeans for a casual, yet put-together look.

NOTE: The availability and prices of all footwear are current as of December 11, 2008. Prices may now be different (hopefully lower), and some items may no longer be available.

If you’re in the market to buy a pair of boots, there are few times better than mid-winter, when you can catch many post-Christmas sales. So gather up your (other) best friend, put on your shopping shoes, and run to the stores to find the most stylish friend a girl can get.

By Lisa Grimenstein

Filed Under: Style Sense

Just for Today

January 8, 2009 1 Comment

Welcome to Just for Today! When choosing a name for this blog, we blog writers went through several ideas in our minds, but kept coming back to this one.  Too often, we tend to think about the past, or work towards the future, but in doing so, we sometimes forget to also live fully in today, seizing the small, unexpected moments life brings us.  We hope  that, by holding ourselves accountable in a blog for all of you to see, we will remember to renew our own spirits, and to embrace each moment for what it is, just for today.  We also hope that, in doing so, we will inspire you, the readers, to do the same.

Just for Today
Also known as “Father God”
© 1995 Mark Schelske. All Rights Reserved

Father God, just for today
Help me to walk, your narrow way
Help me to stand, when I might fall
Give me the strength to heed your call

Chorus:
May my steps be worship
May my thoughts be praise
May my words, bring honor to your name
(repeat chorus 2x)

It’s always today

It’s never tomorrow or yesterday; it’s always today, just like the saying goes: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift – that’s why we call it the present.”

Today will be gone in just a few short hours, never to return again. Let’s embrace it while it’s here!

Davonne Parks

Filed Under: Just for Today

Suspected Child Abuse: What to Do

January 7, 2009 Leave a Comment

As a young woman, one of the easiest jobs to get is babysitting. But, what if you suspect the child you are watching has been abused? What should you do?

When I was presented with this scenario, my first response was that I could not imagine being someone who suspected that was happening to a child in my care. But, I know it happens.

First, let’s look at the signs. Sometimes we tend to fear the worst. Before we accuse anyone of wrongdoing, it is important to know the signs. Of course, most of us just assume bruising and/or broken bones that are unexplained or don’t make sense are signs of abuse. However, remember to be careful when judging, because some kids really are more accident prone, and bruise more easily, than others. If you are unsure, ask a trusted adult. A teacher or guidance counselor may be very helpful, as they deal with difficult situations such as these. They are usually trained on what signs to look for and what a child’s behavior and mannerisms may tell you. Be careful to not discuss specific situations with peers, who are generally unexperienced and will be unable to help, and may start rumors that end up being inaccurate.

Remember that not all abuse is physical. Sexual and emotional abuse also affect a child negatively. Abused children are sometimes overly withdrawn, act out to hurt others because they have been hurt, suddenly act shy when they used to be very open, or play sexual games, acting out what’s been done to them. I found a good website (written for teachers on a government website) that may help you decipher whether or not you should alert someone to the situation.

Keep in mind that there is a huge difference between spanking and abuse. Spankings, in general, do not leave bruises. As a parent, a spanking is acceptable to get my child’s attention if I feel as though they could get hurt, or they disobey me (Proverbs 13:24). However, abuse is more than just the controlled discipline of the palm of the hand on a child’s hand or backside. It is also good to remember that just because a parent may “snap” at a child, it does not mean they are abusive. Sometimes parents are busy, have a lot going on, and become impatient. While the parent needs to apologize to the child, don’t mistake that for abuse. Anytime a child tells you they were “hit,” make sure you ask what happened. Sometimes when a child disobeys and is spanked, they say they were “hit.” Before accusing, make sure you get some background information on what happened.

I spoke with a few people just to see what their initial reaction would be and what they thought they would do to remedy the situation. The first response I got was that the person would want to confront the suspected abuser immediately. I strongly advise against this. Accusing someone of abuse is a very serious charge. On top of that, it puts you and the child in harm’s way by letting the parent know that you are aware of the abuse, if there is any. If it is true, they could attack you and/or the child. If it is false, it would forever damage your relationship with the family.

In a situation such as this, I recommend calling your local child protective services. No matter how you know the family or your relation to them, it is important that the family gets help. If you are unsure of how to contact your local CPS, you can check in the government section of the phone book, call a local police precinct and ask for it, or ask a parent or other trusted adult. You can also look it up online through search engines by typing “Children Protective Services” and then adding your state’s name. The greatest part about using CPS is that it allows you to remain anonymous. It will open an investigation, yet keep you from being targeted by the family as the person who alerted authorities. Again, remember that abuse is serious, and so is accusing someone of abuse. If you suspect abuse, don’t hesitate to call, as the child’s safety may be in danger, but never accuse someone of abuse, or call CPS as a joke, or to get back at someone you’re angry with. When you do contact them, they will want to know the specific signs that you are seeing. Make sure you are detailed in your description of the alleged abuse and that you let the person know you do not want to be identified.

There are many different outcomes to a situation such as this. It could range from counseling to prison, depending on the severity of the abuse. If both parents are guilty of abuse, the child will usually move in with an extended family member, or with a foster family until their parents receive the help they need in order to be better parents. By alerting someone to the abuse, you are doing the right thing––no matter what the outcome is. Although it will be very hard to do, know that if you don’t seek help for the children, you will always remember the problem and later in life you may wish you would have done things differently. Even if it means that child goes into the state’s care and the parent is disciplined, you just may have saved that child from a lifetime of more abuse, and they will be better off because of it.

Matthew 19:14: “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

By Sarah Ancheta

Filed Under: Tough Stuff

Magazine Mania

January 6, 2009 2 Comments

Magazines are everywhere; they’re at the gas station, grocery store, and library, as well as regular occurrences in our mailboxes. Many of us often flip through them to look at the pictures and read a few of the articles without giving it a second thought, but maybe we should think twice.

In preparation for this article, I recently flipped through a few teen magazines, and found some pretty vulgar things. Titles such as “How to hook the hottest guy in the room,” “The Pill,” and “Using Protection” fill the covers of these magazines. Inside the magazines are even worse! Girls are encouraged to take condoms with them on dates if they think intercourse might take place; almost every picture shows fashion as something that reveals most of our body; and gossip about celebrities is running rampant.

Some of you are probably nodding your heads in agreement, and others are probably shrugging your shoulders and thinking, “Who cares? It’s not that big a deal.” The thing is, it is a big deal! If you don’t think that looking at things like this affects you, stop and read The Heart of the Matter before finishing this article.

Now that we’ve read the article, and are considering the fact that maybe small things actually are “that bad,” what can we do about it? We love the fashion articles, the beauty tips, dating information, and advice columns, right? How can we give that up? The good news is that we don’t have to! We can continue to read the articles we like, but in a different way.

How to do it

Find good magazines! Pierce My Heart is expanding and changing to include the things we like in normal magazines, but from a godly perspective. There are other decent, godly magazines out there too (if you’ve found one, leave a comment about it below this article).

Lose the bad. This is the hard part. You have to make a conscious decision to rid your life of any and all trashy magazines, then follow through on that decision, so that you will only be filling your heart and mind with worthy thoughts, as we’re encouraged to do in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” In order to fully do this, we must get rid of fashion magazines that tell us to dress in revealing ways, magazines that gossip about celebrities, and magazines that encourage us to be sexually active with people we’re not married to. I don’t need to name the names – you know which magazines I’m talking about. If you’ve subscribed, un-subscribe, even if you lose money. If your mom buys them for you when she goes to the store, talk to her about it, and ask her to support you in your quest to become a purer person this year. If you’re going to a friend’s house that has inappropriate magazines you like to read, take other reading material instead, whether it’s a book, another magazine, or articles from this magazine that you print off.

Notice the difference. When you haven’t been reading those magazines for about a month, you’ll start to notice that you have a better self image (you’re no longer seeing airbrushed models), a purer mind (you’re no longer being encouraged to engage in sinful behaviors), and a cleaner heart.

Be renewed

Ask God to renew your heart this year, so that you will desire to be pure, inside and out. Make sure the choices you make with magazines affect your desire to be pure; rejoice in that pureness; and meditate on this verse: “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing in the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).

Davonne Parks

Filed Under: Media Matters

Not Cool Enough?

January 5, 2009 Leave a Comment

“I have a great boyfriend who treats me decently and is a believer in Christ, but he’s not the coolest guy around. Should I let my peers’ words influence how I feel about this guy?”
– Sarah

First, let me ask you a question. Why are your friends not supportive of your boyfriend? It sounds like he is a great guy, with good character. If the reason your friends are not supportive of him is because he is not “cool” or “popular” then your friends are not being constructive; rather, they’re being destructive to your spiritual character, and you should seek other influences. I’m not saying to lose your friends; just seek the advice from other godly people. It is important to remember that you should be dating someone in order for that to lead to marriage. Don’t spend your time dating “cool” guys just for the sake of dating “cool” guys. You should be seeking a relationship with someone who is a godly man.

Here is something to consider: If the only reason your friends don’t think you should date this guy is because he’s not cool enough, then no, don’t allow their words to influence how you feel about him, and beware of potential jealousy tainting others’ words. On the other hand, if your friends have other, legitimate concerns about his character, and sincerely have your best interest at heart, then think about what they say, because often when we’re in a relationship, it’s hard for us to see what is obvious to someone who’s not emotionally attached.

It’s important to know who is building you up and who is tearing you down, spiritually. You need to be discerning and honest with yourself. Does your boyfriend build you up and encourage you in your walk with God, or does he tear you down? Do your friends build you up and support you in making godly choices, or do they discourage you when your choices lean toward biblical principles? If your friends are gossiping about your boyfriend and saying things you know they shouldn’t, then they’re probably tearing you down, as well as him.

Remember, Jesus was not a popular guy (Matthew 10:22), and many people gossiped about Him and spread rumors. He did not allow others’ opinions of Him or His beliefs hinder Him from what He was doing or change what He believed. Godly character can change the world. As important as popularity and fitting in may seem in our world, it is not nearly as significant or eternal as having godly character.

Adam Grimenstein

If you have a question you’d like a guy’s opinion about, please let us know!

Filed Under: Ask a Guy

Resolving to Read

January 4, 2009 1 Comment

Welcome to the new year! It’s a time of relaxation, renewal, and…resolutions. I’m sure you’ve been working on your list of habits to break, or establish, in your everyday life. Although I love the freshness of the new year, it can also bring on a challenging endeavor: to actually accomplish all of these new resolutions. While you may include exercising more, eating healthier, or getting better grades on this year’s To-Do list, I want to challenge you to not overlook one of the most important habits of all––spending time in God’s word. And while this may be a chore at first, I hope that it will soon become the one resolution you actually look forward to (unless you happen to love running and giving up sweets!). For those of you who have already been committed to reading your Bible daily, then begin the year by resolving to continue, even when life is busy and other things seem more important. And congratulations on already accomplishing the most difficult part of many resolutions, which is to start!

This year, Pierce My Heart is including a link to the Bible reading plan for the year so that you can glance ahead more easily than before. We’ll start with two very relevant topics for this time of year––the newness of Creation and life of man in Genesis, and the introduction of a new way to salvation beginning with the birth of Jesus Christ in Matthew.

Like most resolutions, made any time of year, you may have a difficult time reading your Bible daily. While I want to encourage you to find a time and place that works best for your schedule, and to stick with it, I also do not want you to be discouraged when you miss a day or two––or five. Read to catch up, or just start up on whichever day it is. As with many resolutions, there is no harm in re-resolving if and when you fall out of habit.

This year, while we struggle to stay on top of the many resolutions we may make, let’s resolve to keep one in the forefront of our hearts and minds––spending time daily with God.

The Plan

This year’s Bible reading plan was borrowed from Bible-Reading.com. To correspond with the 2009 year, we have included actual dates for your referral. You can print the list below to keep in your Bible, or you may choose to use the above site, so that you can read from your favorite Bible version online.

JAN 1
JAN 2
JAN 3
JAN 4 Rom 1-2
JAN 5 Gen 1-3
JAN 6 Josh 1-5
JAN 7 Ps 1-2
JAN 8 Job 1-2
JAN 9 Isa 1-6
JAN 10 Matt 1-2
JAN 11 Rom 3-4
JAN 12 Gen 4-7
JAN 13 Josh 6-10
JAN 14 Ps 3-5
JAN 15 Job 3-4
JAN 16 Isa 7-11
JAN 17 Matt 3-4
JAN 18 Rom 5-6
JAN 19 Gen 8-11
JAN 20 Josh 11-15
JAN 21 Ps 6-8
JAN 22 Job 5-6
JAN 23 Isa 12-17
JAN 24 Matt 5-7
JAN 25 Rom 7-8
JAN 26 Gen 12-15
JAN 27 Josh 16-20
JAN 28 Ps 9-11
JAN 29 Job 7-8
JAN 30 Isa 18-22
JAN 31 Matt 8-10

By Lisa Grimenstein

Filed Under: Daily Bible Reading
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