Monthly Archives: February 2013

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To be a kid

Undaunted by failure

Not a slave to the clock

Footloose and fancy-free

 Mind fresh with imagination

To a kid

Dirty hands are a sign of a good time

 and " mess" has no meaning

Weeds don't exist and flowers are for picking

 Stray animals and drawings are worth saving

A kid believes

that green beans might be the worst thing out there

And cookies and hugs make everything better

 Kids live in a world where

Every day is cloudless, even the rainy ones

"Where troubles melt like lemon drops"

 Where beauty is experienced,

 and not just admired or envied

Forgiveness comes without thought

and love is the only four-letter word

  I think I want to be a kid when I grow up.

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.    Psalm 139:13, 14

What is your favorite kid quality?

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Spoiler Alert: You see the words on movie reviews.  These words are cautionary.  Stop!  Don't read ahead unless you want the element of surprise ripped from your movie-watching experience.

These words don't scare me, rather they excite!

The spoiler alert usually provides me with needful information: Is the movie worth it?  If the main character dies in vain?......I'm not watching it.  If the star-crossed lovers don't get together in the end?......Why waste my time? I'm looking for the good ending.

There is something better than the element of surprise.

Anticipation!

I've watched Pride and Prejudice forty times (in fact I might watch it again today).  It doesn't bother me in the least that I know the last five minutes of the movie by heart:

Spoiler Alert:  Elizabeth is up, though it's barely dawn.  She's wrapped in a shawl, taking a walk (she's fond of walking).  It's clear now that her prejudice toward the wealthy and handsome Mr. Darcy was, in fact, wrong.  And she is uncomfortably aware of her feelings for him.  Mr. Darcy is also unable to sleep.  He hastens across the field to Elizabeth's side determined to declare his undying love once more.... This time his love is not refused.

 

Good endings make the painful parts bearable.

"This is my message to you:

Don't worry

 about a thing

cause every little thing

gonna be alright"...

(Apparently I know a Bob Marley song.  Oops. Oh well- seems appropriate)

Life is indeed a mystery.  There are twists and turns in which we find ourselves unprepared for.  In life we celebrate unexpected joys, and suffer miseries unimagined.  Life is more beautiful and worthwhile with the knowledge that its dips and climbs are commenced by an everlasting joy.

God's been good enough to give us a spoiler alert.  Dare to read ahead.

“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Revelation 21:3,4

We, in Christ, have an ending worth anticipating; pain-free and joy-full

 an un-ending, ending.

 

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I can't say enough how much I love that our High School girls invest their time in the lives of our God's Girlies crew.  I know that our girls love getting to hang out with them.  I think they're pretty cool myself.   Meet one of our mentors, Emily.

I accepted Christ when I was 10 years old after growing up in a Christian home my whole life.  It took me a couple of years to realize that my choice to follow Christ was one that needed to be made daily, not just once and I'm ready for Heaven.  After that epiphany, my spiritual life grew so much, especially when some quiet time between me and God started taking place.

When Emily was asked why she would want to mentor, she answered:

I've had a mentor who really helped me grow in my walk with God and I want to be able to do that for someone else.

Emily's favorite Bible verse:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Each mentor was asked what they know now that they wish they would have known when they were preteens.  Emily answered:

I have learned that meeting the needs of others is more gratifying than meeting the wants of myself.  Also I now know that God's instruction isn't to keep us from having fun, but to protect us.  Living life and seeking God's will, fulfills me in a way nothing else can.

Good stuff!! I love this girl!  Look next month to hear from another GG's mentor.  In the meantime, pray for our mentors; that they will continue to grow in their love for the Lord.

If you have something to share; your testimony or a recipe,  a devotion idea or a meaningful verse or picture-send it on over to

 kristiburden@gmail.com