All youth are at risk of developing substance abuse problems if they are exposed to addictive substances and use them repeatedly. But a number of risk factors increase the chances that they will become drug-involved, including:

Family history

• Alcoholism or addiction in the family

Family environment

• Domestic violence or child abuse
• Lack of adult supervision

Psychology

• Childhood aggression
• Lack of problem-solving
• Depression
• Compulsiveness

School

• Rejection by peers
• Lack of commitment to school

If a student has some of these risk factors, he or she is not doomed to become a substance abuser. Even kids at high risk may never develop an addiction. By taking steps now, you can help students avoid or delay any drug experimentation. [...] Continue Reading "Students & Drugs! What’s Really Going On??"]]> Students’ experience at home is the largest single factor in whether or not they will have a drug or alcohol problem early in life. The stress and pain from living in an alcohol- or drug-affected family can lead to the use of other substances.  Several steps need to be take place to enhance a family’s role in preventing alcohol or drug addiction. First, we must create family environments where it is not acceptable to be drunk or high on drugs. If a parent, other adult, or child has an alcohol or drug problem, someone must have the courage to address it.  Students’ spot hypocrisy faster than adults can speak it. We must talk clearly to our children about our expectations that they not drink, smoke, or take drugs – but our own behavior is must more influential than our words. Adults must model what they want youth to become.

All youth are at risk of developing substance abuse problems if they are exposed to addictive substances and use them repeatedly. But a number of risk factors increase the chances that they will become drug-involved, including:

Family history

• Alcoholism or addiction in the family

Family environment

• Domestic violence or child abuse
• Lack of adult supervision

Psychology

• Childhood aggression
• Lack of problem-solving
• Depression
• Compulsiveness

School

• Rejection by peers
• Lack of commitment to school

If a student has some of these risk factors, he or she is not doomed to become a substance abuser. Even kids at high risk may never develop an addiction. By taking steps now, you can help students avoid or delay any drug experimentation. And delay is key: kids who start experimenting at an early age are considerably higher risk for developing addictions. Someone who makes it to age 20 without abusing drugs or alcohol is less likely to develop a substance abuse problem. Here are just a few things you can do:

1. Do a family history to determine whether your family has shown signs of alcoholism or other addiction.
2. Evaluate your own use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.
3. Foster strong family bonds to help counter powerful peer influences.
4. Set clear expectations for behavior.
5. Let your kids know they can talk to you about anything, without harsh judgment or lectures.
6. Expose your children to activities like sports, art, music, reading, or drama, so that they develop avid interests.
7. Help your child feel a part of his or her school.
8. Teach your child to make independent decisions.
9. Teach your child to cope with frustration and stress.

10.  Teach your child to be skeptical of sales pitches.

Students whose parents urge them not to use drugs are less likely to do so – even if they’re pressured by peers. You can help protect your family by creating a loving home and by focusing on the following:

• Let family members know you love them.
• Make time for fun.
• Establish or renew family traditions.
• Hold family meetings to problem-solve and plan activities.
• Limit television.
• Make time for each child.
• Communicate your values.

Other Parenting Tips

• Observe your students in different settings. Be aware that behaviorial problems can be risk factors for kids. Know that normal teens moodiness are not the same. If a family member is abusing substances, don’t try to handle everything alone.
• Get to know your student’s friends and dates. Open communication keeps you in touch with those to whom your child is close.
• Know where your children are. Require them to inform you about where they are and to get home on time. Rules and consequences, limits and freedom, teach children to be responsible.
• Talk openly about drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Give examples of situations when children may be offered drugs or alcohol. Talk about what they can do to stay out of trouble.
• Take family members’ concerns seriously. Treat them with respect, and let them know that whatever happens, you are there for them.
• Many times when parents suspect something is not normal, they will wait and see what shakes out. Be proactive and do not be afraid to do the research on your student and find out what is going on. Give students the benefit of the doubt, but be diligent to check out the activities in which he or she is involved.

Information for this article was gleaned from many sources, such as: National Institutes of Health; www.jointogether.org; www.connectforkids.org; www.well.com.user/woa; Center for Drug Free America; and www.teenchallenge.com

YO!!!!!  On the real!!  I love these resources!!!  No matter what setting or culture you’re speaking too, these talks are CRAZY!!!  My students LOVED them and whenever you’re talking about sex, you’re going to grow your urban ministry!!  LOL!!!

Whitney Houston has made some serious missteps in the past few years, many of which were documented by the media and even her ex-husband’s ill-conceived reality show “Being Bobby Brown.” Understandably, Whitney wants all of us to forget her past drug and marital issues and focus on her music again, which leads us to her new album, “I Look to You.”

On her first album in seven years, Houston makes it clear that she has fought her way back into the musical spotlight, hoping she can win our hearts back, while still accepting that there may be those who doubt her.

Before delving in too deep, it is necessary to address Whitney’s new voice. Once lauded as “The Voice,” Houston has certainly lost a bit of her range due, undoubtedly, to her age and drug use; but that doesn’t mean that she can’t hold a tune. For the most part, Whitney consciously stays within her new range—although the ballads sprinkled throughout tend to draw out notes that are less steady.

This is really this album’s pitfall: The ballads don’t really match the quality of the ones from previous albums or many of her other songs on “I Look to You” itself. The biggest proof of this lies within the album’s first leaked track, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Certainly those who are looking for more of Whitney in her “I Will Always Love [...] Continue Reading "The God of a 2nd Chance!!"]]>

Whitney Houston has made some serious missteps in the past few years, many of which were documented by the media and even her ex-husband’s ill-conceived reality show “Being Bobby Brown.” Understandably, Whitney wants all of us to forget her past drug and marital issues and focus on her music again, which leads us to her new album, “I Look to You.”

On her first album in seven years, Houston makes it clear that she has fought her way back into the musical spotlight, hoping she can win our hearts back, while still accepting that there may be those who doubt her.

Before delving in too deep, it is necessary to address Whitney’s new voice. Once lauded as “The Voice,” Houston has certainly lost a bit of her range due, undoubtedly, to her age and drug use; but that doesn’t mean that she can’t hold a tune. For the most part, Whitney consciously stays within her new range—although the ballads sprinkled throughout tend to draw out notes that are less steady.

This is really this album’s pitfall: The ballads don’t really match the quality of the ones from previous albums or many of her other songs on “I Look to You” itself. The biggest proof of this lies within the album’s first leaked track, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” Certainly those who are looking for more of Whitney in her “I Will Always Love You” days will be drawn to this track. But, placed in the middle of the album, the song falls flat. The slow power ballad builds slowly and ends anticlimactically. Other songs, like “Like I Never Left” and the first single, “Million Dollar Bill,” just sound outdated and cheesy.

Interestingly, on “I Look to You,” the up-tempo and mid-tempo songs take center stage. Notably, “A Song for You” shines through in the middle of the album when its slow musical-esque piano tinkling gives way to a faster, synthesized dance beat. The slower Akon-produced “I Got You” really brings Whitney into the present. It’s able to showcase Whitney’s still-powerful vocals without straining them and put her over a modern hip-hop-influenced head-knocking beat without her sounding out of place.

Closing the album, “Salute” is by far one of the standout tracks on “I Look to You,” with Whitney proclaiming that she survived all by herself over a military-like snare. Again, Whitney sings extremely well within her range to great effect, showing that when she has the right song, she can hit it out of the park.

As Whitney says in the final song of “I Look to You,” “Don’t call it a comeback/I did it for years.” Whitney’s “I Look to You” isn’t really a comeback, but more of a reintroduction. As the singer tells her story, we are introduced to her new voice and her new style. Gone are the massive runs and the incredible power ballads. Replacing them is a faster-paced album that shows that, for the most part, Whitney Houston can still believably compete against the younger girls who run today’s R&B music scene.

It’s All About the Team
Whether on a professional football team or a church staff, the quickest way to create problems is to be a grandstander. By the nature of student ministry, it is easy to create a church within a church. Most student ministers are gregarious and can easily draw a crowd of students. They also generally have great influence over the attitudes of both students and their parents. This precious influence must never be used to create and “our church/their church” mentality. The church is a single organism growing toward one goal, which the pastor must set, with the Holy Spirit’s leading. The growth must express itself in multiple ways, but is must always be toward [...] Continue Reading "Cultivate a Strong Relationship with Your Pastor"]]> Whether you have been a staff member for a short time or for more years than you care to count, you already know that getting along with your pastor can be trying. Maybe you serve with a pastor who has not expressed his expectations. Maybe because he has not or cannot express his expectations, the two of you are at a loggerhead. Having been on both sides of the fence, I think I can help. 

It’s All About the Team
Whether on a professional football team or a church staff, the quickest way to create problems is to be a grandstander. By the nature of student ministry, it is easy to create a church within a church. Most student ministers are gregarious and can easily draw a crowd of students. They also generally have great influence over the attitudes of both students and their parents. This precious influence must never be used to create and “our church/their church” mentality. The church is a single organism growing toward one goal, which the pastor must set, with the Holy Spirit’s leading. The growth must express itself in multiple ways, but is must always be toward the goal, Remember, it’s all about the team.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise – NOT!
The 1960’s comedic character Gomer Pyle may have made us laugh with his trademark line, “Surprise, surprise, surprise,” but no pastor likes surprises. The last thing a pastor wants is to learn, as he enters the worship center is that the student ministry will be doing a five-minute skit during the service to promote the upcoming mission trip. Oftentimes, student ministers can avoid these scenarios by not flying by the seat of his pants. Save the surprises for the pastor’s 50th birthday. Keep the pastor informed.

Walking the Tightrope
Student ministers have one of the most difficult balancing acts to perform. Much like a circus star walking the high wire under the big top, those who work with students must walk the tightrope of games and growth. To do so requires incredible balance. Certainly, student ministry should be fun and appealing, but at the same time leaders should build it upon the biblical mandate to make disciples. Your goal as a student minister should be to develop teenagers who are conformed to the image of Christ.

Because church members generally evaluate ministers and ministries solely by numbers, many student ministers feel pressured to turn student ministry into an entertainment world. Do not give in to that temptation. Most pastors want to know that their student minister understands the biblical goal of ministry, has planned to accomplish that goal, is walking with balance the tightrope of games and growth. If your pastor is confident your ministry is balanced, he will defend you before the naysayers.

The Three Rs: Realizing, Reading, and Registering
The three Rs of ministry are realizing, reading, and registering. Most pastors are committed to lifelong learning, and they want the same commitment from their staff. In ministry you must realize that learning can never really end.

You do not have a corner on the market of knowledge. It does not matter how successful you deem your ministry to be; there is always something else to learn. Read incessantly. Read for professional development.

Register for student ministry conferences. There are plenty led by student ministers whose experience and expertise will help you grow and improve. In fact, surprise your pastor (there are some pleasant surprises) by developing and presenting to him an annual learning plan. In your learning plan include the books you will read and the conferences you will attend. Let your pastor know you are growing with him.

Maybe your ministry situation is not healthy. Possibly you are at fault. Ask the Lord and your pastor for forgiveness. Maybe your pastor is the guilty party. If so, extend the olive branch of forgiveness and friendship and realize that if the staff is not getting along – the church never will.

Whether we have a definite method of educating our teens about goal setting or not, we should remember that they are watching us to see how we plan our future and how we achieve our goals. Goal setting will give your teens direction. Following are a few things to remember related to goal setting.

Try the MAPS Principle: 
1. For teenagers, goals must be Measurable. For many of us, goals tend to be vague and obscure instead of definite. Our teens should be able to tell if they have reached them or not.

2. Goals must be Attainable. Being [...] Continue Reading "Helping Students Set Goals"]]> Goal setting is an important concept to consider in guiding our teens to become fully functional adults in this world. Understanding what drives people is a first step in guiding our teens to set reasonable goals for their own lives. Psychologically, the will to live, the need to feel important, the need to be unique, and the need to love and be loved is what motivates most of us in our lives.

Whether we have a definite method of educating our teens about goal setting or not, we should remember that they are watching us to see how we plan our future and how we achieve our goals. Goal setting will give your teens direction. Following are a few things to remember related to goal setting.

Try the MAPS Principle: 
1. For teenagers, goals must be Measurable. For many of us, goals tend to be vague and obscure instead of definite. Our teens should be able to tell if they have reached them or not.

2. Goals must be Attainable. Being able to reach them is important, so goals need to be reasonable and reachable.

3. Goals also must be Personal. Someone else’s goals will not necessarily be motivating to youth. This one is particularly difficult for parents because we tend to have goals for our children. However, unless those goals become their own, they are not likely to pursue them vigorously.

4. Finally, goals must be Specific. The best way for us to know if we have arrived at our goals is to be as specific as possible.

Teens need direction and guidance from us as parents. We must help them identify whether their goals are God’s goals or just their own. Here are three ways to help teens in defining their goals:

1. Prayer and Bible study. God will give them direction as they read His Word and prayerfully ask for His wisdom in decision making. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him (Jas. 1:5, NIV).

2. Guidance from family and friends. We have responsibility as parents to keep them on track and their mature friends can be a source of help as well.

3. Guidance from Christian leaders. A trusted staff member (pastor, youth minister, minister of education, etc.) as well as committed church members can guide youth toward godly goals.

Ultimately teenagers must use their own faith in the Lord as they set and progress toward the goals for their lives. Encourage them to follow Paul’s example: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14, NIV).

Q. Tell us what our goal is with LifeWay Girls Ministry?One of the markers we follow is this: “Girls ministry provides a culturally relevant, holistic approach to meeting the real-life needs of girls, their parents, and their leaders, helping girls to discover and embrace their identity in Christ while launching them into the world as godly, confident leaders.” Our main goal is to help teen girls have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, grow that relationship so that they can reach out to others and make that relationship known to other people. We want girls to know who they are and whose they are. That impacts everything in their lives—the decisions they make, the people they hang out with, the lies or truths they believe. We want them to know Truth in a personal way and have that truth change their futures. So much of what happens in women’s ministry is repairing the damage that was done during the teen and young adult years. We want to come back [...] Continue Reading "Sister Circle Blog"]]> Pam Gibbs, LifeWay Girls Ministry Specialist was asked a few questions about Girls Ministry at LifeWay. Here is what Pam had to say: 

Q. Tell us what our goal is with LifeWay Girls Ministry?One of the markers we follow is this: “Girls ministry provides a culturally relevant, holistic approach to meeting the real-life needs of girls, their parents, and their leaders, helping girls to discover and embrace their identity in Christ while launching them into the world as godly, confident leaders.” Our main goal is to help teen girls have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, grow that relationship so that they can reach out to others and make that relationship known to other people. We want girls to know who they are and whose they are. That impacts everything in their lives—the decisions they make, the people they hang out with, the lies or truths they believe. We want them to know Truth in a personal way and have that truth change their futures. So much of what happens in women’s ministry is repairing the damage that was done during the teen and young adult years. We want to come back a generation and prevent some of those mistakes before they reek havoc on lives.

A.

Q. What resources and events will LifeWay have to help carry out this goal?We have loads of resources that have already been released—from Wild About You, which was our very first girls’ specific Bible study, to the Girls’ Ministry Handbook, which is a how-to to begin girls’ ministry. Just go to lifeway.com/students and search for girls’ stuff. It would take too long to explain them all!

A.

In terms of events, right now, there is one event that we have for girls. It’s actually for girls and their moms. It’s called “You and Your Girl” and it will be taking place in four cities this year: Katy, TX; Elizabethtown, KY; Broken Arrow, OK; and Las Vegas, NV. It’s a one day conference that not only challenges girls to remain faithful to God in a godless culture, but also encourages moms and daughters to strengthen their relationship with each other. You can go to the lifeway.com and check out that event, too.

In the future, we’ll be hosting our own Girls’ Ministry Forum, where leaders, both paid staff and volunteer, can come to be trained, enriched, educated, and challenged in all things girls’ ministry. Can’t wait for that!

Q. Tell us 5 words that describe what LifeWay Girls Ministry is all about?I’m a writer, so I can’t do anything in five words. So here’s my best shot at it:
discipleship,
culture change
building leaders (does that count as two words or one?)
prevention ministry
Spiritual warfare (Satan will do everything in his power to thwart the efforts at reaching teen girls)

A.

Q. Five years down the road, what do you hope LifeWay Girls Ministry has accomplished? Gosh, several things: I want to build a network of girls’ ministry leaders. I know about people across the country, but they often don’t know about each other. It would be so awesome to have a network of ideas, accountability, encouragement, and support.

A.

I want people to see LifeWay Girls’ Ministry as a resource house—a place where they can find training; a place where they can find biblical solid but relevant resources for their needs (Bible studies, training, events, whatever!); a place where they can find information about current issues and trends in girl culture and church culture. I want girls’ leaders to look to us for help in whatever aspect of girls’ ministry they are facing. 

Q. What are the newest or upcoming releases for LifeWay Girls Ministry?I am totally excited about the resources we have releasing this year. Of course, Esther: The Role of a Lifetime released in November. Then, in April, we will be releasing a retreat in a box entitled “Woven.” The theme of that is unity, helping girls understand the importance of being a united group and the damage that cliques and exclusive groups can do. The box contains 10 student books, a leader’s guide, promotional posters, and a CD-ROM with lots of extras. In May, we’ll be releasing the Girls’ Ministry Idea Book. It’s written by Jimmie Davis, the girls’ minister who wrote “Girls Ministry Handbook.” Jimmie has been doing girls’ ministry for forever and has put into written form lots of her ideas and ministry projects. It contains everything from physical education and teen girls to rites of passage.

A.

In June, we will be releasing Girl Talk: The Power of Your Words. And as the title suggests, it’s a discussion of the power of our language. It tackles everything from lying to trash talk to the importance of being an encourager. In August, we’ll release our final Bible study for the year. It’s called Confident. It focuses on how God created women (and men) to be confident because of their standing in Him. It discusses how women lost their God-confidence at the fall, and how Christ’s redemption also opens the door for our confidence to return. It really challenges girls to evaluate where their confidence is based.

We then just learned that a student whose mom was away on a business trip just passed in a car accident. The student is having a tough time dealing with the death of her mom, as would  any student. 

To top it off we found out TODAY a student of ours has been charged with child molestation. His mom caught him inappropriately touching his 4 year old niece. Could you imagine a mom having to turn her son in for molesting her grand-child. They discovered this behavior has gone on for sometime after they interviewed the 4year old. 

In youth ministry you have good and bad days. Sometimes you will go for weeks or months where you feel like everything is going well. Suddenly, things begin falling apart and you may  feel you have nothing left to give. In that moment of your weakness, God in his sovereignty lifts you up. It’s that support and comfort that helps you endure the hard times, the disappointments and the discouragement. In the midst of your hardache you [...] Continue Reading "The pressures of Student Ministry!"]]> The past two weeks have been crazy at our church.  It seems like the last few weeks we have put out a dozen fires with our students making poor choices. It started with a student leader who decided to skip school for 16 days. When she decided she did not like her new school. This student is in the 11th grade an cannot afford to mess up. Georgia law will allow the school to drop you if you miss over 15 days of school. 

We then just learned that a student whose mom was away on a business trip just passed in a car accident. The student is having a tough time dealing with the death of her mom, as would  any student. 

To top it off we found out TODAY a student of ours has been charged with child molestation. His mom caught him inappropriately touching his 4 year old niece. Could you imagine a mom having to turn her son in for molesting her grand-child. They discovered this behavior has gone on for sometime after they interviewed the 4year old. 

In youth ministry you have good and bad days. Sometimes you will go for weeks or months where you feel like everything is going well. Suddenly, things begin falling apart and you may  feel you have nothing left to give. In that moment of your weakness, God in his sovereignty lifts you up. It’s that support and comfort that helps you endure the hard times, the disappointments and the discouragement. In the midst of your hardache you have to be a comfort and support for families. It’s at moments like this you have to be assured of your calling. It’s also in moments like this where the Lord expands and deepens you in your spiritual walk.

What tips do you have when dealing with pressures of student ministry? How do you stay encouraged in the midst of what seems like chaos. 

As I was preparing for 2009 with a list of all I will do better this year; I started getting convicted. Each year my church makes ministry goals. I normally reach 85% of those goals. Those goals are always my main focus. It’s my personal goals that always lack. I begin to look at the goals I set for myself in 2008 and to my surprise all were incomplete or not fully fulfilled. I good friend of mine posted a blog about the meaning of the number 9. The number nine means to bring conclusion, judgement or finality.  2009 is the year to bring an end to bring to a conclusion for me. I must bring an end to procrastination! I must bring an end to mediocre living! I must bring an it to doubt! I must bring an end to excuses! I must bring a end to fear! I must bring an end to living beneath! I must bring an end to faithlessness! Before realizing or gaining insight about the plan God had for me for 2009. I coined 2009 “It’s mine in 2009″…lol. Each year we come up with these catchy phrases [...] Continue Reading "It’s not Mine in 2009 or is it?"]]> It’s 2009 can you believe it! 2008 ended with a lot going on for me. My 19 year old brother was in a major accident. Basically, there was only one door left on the car. God showed himself to be faithful through this travesty. My brother is fine and will be going back to college on the 12th!

As I was preparing for 2009 with a list of all I will do better this year; I started getting convicted. Each year my church makes ministry goals. I normally reach 85% of those goals. Those goals are always my main focus. It’s my personal goals that always lack. I begin to look at the goals I set for myself in 2008 and to my surprise all were incomplete or not fully fulfilled. I good friend of mine posted a blog about the meaning of the number 9. The number nine means to bring conclusion, judgement or finality.  2009 is the year to bring an end to bring to a conclusion for me. I must bring an end to procrastination! I must bring an end to mediocre living! I must bring an it to doubt! I must bring an end to excuses! I must bring a end to fear! I must bring an end to living beneath! I must bring an end to faithlessness! Before realizing or gaining insight about the plan God had for me for 2009. I coined 2009 “It’s mine in 2009″…lol. Each year we come up with these catchy phrases but have we taken the time to really gain insight into what the HolySpirit is speaking to us? What is God calling you to bring conclusion to in your life? What next steps is he impressing on your heart to move in? What things did you leave unfinished in 2008? I challenge you to gain insight into those areas and bring conclusion. Here a simple way to begin.

Proverbs 16:1-9

1. Gain Clarity by doing some self-Introspection- What is God saying? 
2. What do I need to change in my life?
3. Commit all your plans to the Lord
4. Find accountability- People who care about YOU not what you DO!!
5. Develop a strategy and step out
6. Track yourself throughout the year every 60 days.

Some people stay up until midnight to welcome in a New Year. Others will stay up to make sure the old year leaves! Seriously, as you enter this New Year, you can’t afford to let your past infect your present or sabotage your future.  It is time to let some people, situations, and thoughts disappear with 2008. Some of us have old hurts, hardships, and hang-ups that refuse to be healed. We are still angry because he stole your girlfriend at the sixth grade dance, we refuse to go visit family members because of what so and so said about you at your high school graduation, or since she has never apologized for hurting your feelings thirteen years ago, you don’t speak to each other. All of these old wounds must be forsaken, forgiven, and forgotten! There are people praising God in church every Sunday who lie awake in the privacy of their homes digging up old bones, picking at half healed scars and reliving old memories. You need to accept that some issues will never be resolved in front of you. You won’t witness the payback. Vengeance is the Lord’s, not yours. He will handle it in [...] Continue Reading "Bury the Past; Embrace the Future!!! 2009 – That’s What’s Up"]]> “Walk in newness of life…” Romans 6:4

Some people stay up until midnight to welcome in a New Year. Others will stay up to make sure the old year leaves! Seriously, as you enter this New Year, you can’t afford to let your past infect your present or sabotage your future.  It is time to let some people, situations, and thoughts disappear with 2008. Some of us have old hurts, hardships, and hang-ups that refuse to be healed. We are still angry because he stole your girlfriend at the sixth grade dance, we refuse to go visit family members because of what so and so said about you at your high school graduation, or since she has never apologized for hurting your feelings thirteen years ago, you don’t speak to each other. All of these old wounds must be forsaken, forgiven, and forgotten! There are people praising God in church every Sunday who lie awake in the privacy of their homes digging up old bones, picking at half healed scars and reliving old memories. You need to accept that some issues will never be resolved in front of you. You won’t witness the payback. Vengeance is the Lord’s, not yours. He will handle it in His own unique way.

A man was going to enter into a business partnership with a friend. He had come across a great idea and needed his friend to invest in it to get it off the ground. His friend turned down the partnership, stole the idea, and started his own highly successful business. This man was so upset; he could not believe that his friend would do this to him. The man still started his business without his friend’s investment and over the years was slowly becoming successful. He heard about a similar company that was in trouble and had the opportunity to buy the failing company at a significant discount. Little did he know; that friend that had stolen his idea, while on the outside looked very successful (blessed), was in the middle of his 2^nd ugly divorce and had just filed bankruptcy. His company was going under and was looking to be bought out… See how God works… Let God and Let God…….

Would you let someone or something that is unhealthy and hurtful move into your house? The mistake most of us make is allowing past hurts to take up residence in our heads and hearts without contributing to the mortgage/rent, the utilities or the water bill (Our wellness or welfare). We allow them to create their own space in our lives and become the obstacles, excuses, and barriers to growing as a Christian, a spouse, a parent, a co-worker, a teacher, a friend, and most importantly, a person. Many times we allow sin and her offspring to keep us from fulfilling our purpose and potential in life.

Paul says, “I know the law but…can’t keep it…sin…keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I…need help…I decide to do good, but…My decisions…don’t result in actions. Something…gets the better of me every time” (Ro 7:17-20). “Thank you Paul” for clarifying to the rest of us who mistakenly thought that once we became Christians there’d be no more struggles! Then he goes on to say, “Consider yourselves to be dead to sin” (Ro 6:11); “Just as Christ was raised from the dead…we also should walk in newness of life” (Ro 6:4).

Paul was honest enough to admit that he still struggled in certain areas. Unlike those with a pharisaical spirit who condemn others for doing the very things they do themselves. We all hate hypocrisy! We know those in the church, at the job, and in the neighborhood that judge other people on face value without making an investment in getting to know them. Many of us have been guilty of assessing individuals and groups without asking one questions or even having a conversation. Most of our beliefs are based on something from our past.

What is more amazing is that while have our own secret and not so secret prejudices (sin)  We collectively disdain the idea of people bending, breaking, and bypassing the rules that they are charged and compensated to uphold. When police, politicians, and pastors past and present transgressions are exposed, we take a moral stance against it and condemn them without any mercy. But what about when we sin and it is exposed only to you and God? Where is our moral compass at these moments, what excuse will we give to legitimize lies and justify unjust acts? What is our stance when we have been unfaithful to ourselves and God?

The real question is: Are we forgiving ourselves and others so we can move on in our lives or are we placing a value on something that worth nothing??    

In 2009, stop pursuing dead issues and let go of past errors and events; Whatever happened in the past, we have moved past it and cannot change it!!

Whatever sin we are struggling with…..  Admit them, Quit them and Forget them!

Now let me say this, if the thing (sin) you are holding on to is a traumatic or life altering experience, you can still move on. Whether you committed the sin or the sin was imposed on you, you can still move forward. First, you take it to God and ask Him to take this load and burden from you. Second, and this is the most difficult but most necessary step. You must forgive those who violated you and those who you violated. We must atone for our sins and forgive those who have sinned against us (just like God forgives us)… Third, you unapologetically seek professional assistance through counseling or therapy. Fourth, you find a support network of friends and family to walk through the healing process. Fifth, Claim your freedom from the past. You speak to your past and inform it that you are no longer its victim. Claim the victory over your past. Hand it the eviction notice and move it out of your life for good.  This is not an easy or quick fix but is necessary in order to move forward in 2009.   

Instead of struggling to change what you cannot change alone, let God’s transforming power sweep through your life and sever the ties between you and all those tormenting people, places, thoughts and actions from your past. If you do your part, God will do the rest!!

Let them go today in Jesus’ Name!

Have a blessed 2009!!!!!!!!

Looking at these pictures reminds me of the fact that God’s hand is still covering us all.  You see, I am a firm believer that you can’t die until your assignment is over!  God proved that point yet again!  We must live everyday as if it’s our last; never looking backwards, always moving forward!  So doing this holiday season, we are so thankful and grateful as a family.  I pray God’s blessings on all of you during this holiday season!

Quo Wallace

Continue Reading "What a Christmas!!!!!"]]> What a Christmas!!!!!  On Saturday, Dec. 19th around 4 PM my husbands (Jeff), our 3 kids, a one of our kids’ friends were on their way home.  As they were crossing over an intersection, someone ran a red light and hit them.  The impact was so intense, it ran them off the road into a tree and the car flipped over twice.  Thank God the kids were ok!  Our 5 year old (Cameron) car seat was smashed!!!!!  My husband unfortunately, broke his collier bone and badly injured his back.  The fortunate part was…He Lived!!!!!!

Looking at these pictures reminds me of the fact that God’s hand is still covering us all.  You see, I am a firm believer that you can’t die until your assignment is over!  God proved that point yet again!  We must live everyday as if it’s our last; never looking backwards, always moving forward!  So doing this holiday season, we are so thankful and grateful as a family.  I pray God’s blessings on all of you during this holiday season!

Quo Wallace