5 ways to survive church as a single

1) Smile and wave

Sometimes you just have to smile and wave, especially when people ask or make stupid comments such as. (for everyone else take a hint write these down and don't ask or say them)

-so when are you getting married?

-you know that guy/girl is really awesome you should marry them?

-you need to do this (insert some stupid thing to make the person “better” or “fixing” them for marriage) because you know we can’t get married till we are perfect.

-just enjoy your single years you’ll miss them when you get married

-what about (insert name here)?  Have you thought of asking her out yet?

-so you and (insert name) what’s going on there? You like him/her?

-so do you think (insert name here) likes you?

-it will all happen in Gods timing.

These are all things that makes us all just want to punch brick walls so please stop. And for the singles don’t punch a brick wall it’s just not comfortable just smile and wave.  

2) Stay strong

                I know there are days where you just can’t take it anymore whether  it be people need to leave me alone or ill go crazy, or its get married or die. The point is we are not meant to do this alone we all need friends and we also need God more than anything else. Psalms 27:8 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”  But most of all let’s not act like kids who just Got there Halloween Candy taken away. (although we feel like it sometimes)

3) Be involved

                What better way to get your mind off of everything around you then to get involved with something and start serving others. Whether it be helping in the homeless ministry, men’s/women’s ministry, youth ministry or even the children’s ministry. Plus there are so many other ways you can serve and God commands us to love one another as we love ourselves. But if you do get involved in a church here are something’s not to do.

4) Be peasant

                As much as we all hate hearing it “it will all happen in Gods timing” that statement is very true. Nothing happens till Gods says it will. I’m not in any way saying its going to be easy, or even that you won’t worry or be upset in fact you will worry and you will be very upset many times its all a part of life and without that we would not need God. What im saying is there will be many temptations to go your own way and do your own thing because to you it seems that God is ether not working in your life or he has forgotten you, both are not true at all, and will lead you to places you don't want to be. We need to choose to be peasant even when it is impossible.  

5) Love God

              

                This is just something that every person should do not just singles. Without God we wouldn’t even know what love is. 1 John 4:19 “We love because he first loved us.” If we can’t find satisfaction in the love of Christ who is perfect how then will we find satisfaction in the love of a man or women who is flawed.  

Lies the church believe about children

Before I go in to the lies the church believe I want to clarify that this is not every church, but a majority of the churches. I have talked to many different people from many different churches, and I have also been in children’s ministry for about 9-10 years now. I don’t claim to be an expert, but I am just sharing my experience.

Children's Ministry Isn't Important

Some may say that children's ministry isn't important because they're just children after all. And you’re just an adult after all. This reminds me of a saying from Horton Hears a Who by Dr.Suess. “A person's a person no matter how small.” God sees us all the same, as his creation, that he loves with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). It doesn't matter if you are as good as mother Teresa, as bad as Hitler, as young as the newborn, or as old as the oldest person you know, he loves us all the same with a love we can't understand. So to say that one of God's creations are not important really is not a good argument.

Children are innocent in the eyes of God

Children are innocent in the eyes of God. Any parent should be able to tell you otherwise. Romans 3:23 applies to everyone (for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God). The punishment for sin is separation from God forever. It seems like a terrible thing to say that our children are separated from God because of their sin, but to say otherwise would be a lie. All the more reason to teach our children from a young age about the savior, Jesus Christ, who can save them from their sin.

Children don’t or can’t understand salvation

Continuing with the last one, some say they don’t or can’t understand salvation or other concepts about the bible. Matthew 18:1-5 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.” Jesus himself said that it is a child who can best understand. Children are much smarter than people give them credit for. Children are sponges-they take in everything. All the good things, and bad things. It's also said in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Children don’t play a part in the church

Children don’t play a part in the church. Every person in the church plays a part. Sure they can't run a program, but they can sure help sometimes. They are some of the best helpers. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 14 “For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.”  Yes, children do have their own spiritual gifts that can benefit the church, if only they have someone to help them understand and give them opportunities to use their gifts.

Children’s problems aren't as big as our adult problems.

Children’s problems aren't as big as our adult problems. The person who said this does not know what some of our children have to go through. “50% of all North-American children will witness the divorce of their parents. Almost half of them will also see the breakup of a parent's second marriage.” http://www.children-and-divorce.com/children-divorce-statistics.html . Here is some more information for those who still think that children don’t go through a lot these days.
http://www.childstats.gov/americaschildren/glance.asp.

We can wait until the children are older to teach them so they can really understand

This one goes along with the one that says they cannot understand salvation. Some say we can wait until they are older to teach them so they can really understand. Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” How can they understand if we don’t tell them and we already know they can understand because Jesus said so in Matthew 18. Also, if we wait we may lose them. More than half of those who accept Jesus as their lord and savior will do so before the age of 12. Less than 6% of people will accept Christ after the age of 12. It is vitally important that we teach them at a young age.

Children’s ministry is just Games, stories, crafts, and snacks

Last but not least, some say Children’s ministry is just Games, stories, crafts, and snacks. Children’s ministry is so much more than that. You are forming children in to who they are going to be and how they will respond to the world around them. You may be teaching a future president, pastor, teacher, cop, mother, doctor, garbage man, secretary, and so on. Each with the possibility of changing lives. All you have to do is say I am willing to treat these children like real people and love them for who they are. You don’t have to work every week, you don’t even have to teach. Children's ministry needs people to sign children in. People who can sit with the kids. People to provide snacks people, to help with crafts and games, and so on. You can be a part of changing our world one child at a time. 

10 ways life is just like a video game

10 ways video games and life are the same.

1) RPG- (Role Playing Game) Life is essentially a role playing game, where you play the role of yourself. Pretty simple, or so you may think.  

2) XP-(experience points) I know for you non gamers this one is a bit hard to understand. Yes, it is XP not EP. Sound it out. Basically every time you learn something new you get experience points and the more you get the better you are, and sometimes you even level up.

3) Ratings- also like aging up. depending on the age you are, that will determine what games you might play. (Personally I do not suggest any of the mature or adult only games, but that’s me)   

EC-(Early childhood) before elementary school 

E-(everyone) Elementary school

                E10+- (ten and up) middle school

                T-(teens) High school

                M and AO-(mature/Adult only) College and up

               

4) Boss- (The bad Guy at the end of the game that is nearly impossible to beat) - these are things that we think are impossible or bullies in your life. I also call them your own personal Goliath.

5)Bug- (Glitch in the game that makes it not work correctly) we all have Glitches in our lives. It could be something not turning out the way you wanted it to. We also all have our own personal glitches, but that’s what make us all unique.

6)Cheat code –(a code you can enter in to the game that gets you something that you didn't have to work for) This is my favorite part of the game Sims. Your sim would never have to work to get money. In life cheat codes are easier ways to do something or get something at a cheaper cost. You can find a lot of cheat codes on Pinterest.

7) Character- (the character in a Game) you talk to other characters in life. Not much else to go on for that one, it’s too simple.

8) Memory card – (a card to store you game information on) Your brain is your memory card, so take good care of it

9) Lag- (when the game runs slowly) When you are being lazy or when you’re sick, you lag.

10) Game over- (when the character runs out of lives) This one is the saddest. This is when you die L it's game over buddy.  

purity and making the most of your life

     

  About a week ago I came across a picture of a letter that had been posted in a school some where here in the U.S.A. and here is what it read.......

I don't think my shoulder, bra strap, belly-button, legs, or back are going to distract any male students or faculty. this dress code is telling girls to cover up so that they don't distract males because "boys will be boys." It's hot. Girls are going to wear shorts and tank tops. we should stop teaching women to change so they don't have to fear men, and start teaching men to respect women. this is simply perpetuating rape culture.

I hope to help shed a little light on to this issue and how to better understand why wearing cloths that show too much skin is not respecting others and more importantly yourself.

Let's say that one day someone walks in to your class room with a chocolate bar, holding it out for everyone to see gloating about their nice tasty chocolate bar that you don't have. so you turn your head to see this nice delicious chocolate bar. every one looks at you like your some kind of criminal. "how dare you look at my chocolate bar!" exclaims the class mate with the bar. "You should learn some respect, that's just rude." Upset and confused you turn your head away. "You should ask for a piece of that bar, it looks so good," your friends whisper to you. you take another peak and think about it. the thought of eating a piece is so overwhelming and mouth watering, you get up and ask for a small piece. Again, you are reprimanded for asking. Destrot, you walk away with your head down. Still gloating over the chocolate you stare from a distance. Your friends say, "hey it's alright, second times the charm right?" Spirit renewed you try a new strategy. You wait until that class mate is alone then you again ask for a piece. Obviously annoyed, she gives you a small peace in hopes you will stop bugging her. As you eat it, your mouth waters. It's the best thing in the world that you have ever tasted. You ask for another piece, to which she obliged. You eat it. Next thing you know you have eaten the whole bar and now she has none to share with her friend at lunch.

Now there are two points of views on this story I want to talk about. First, the character who asks for the chocolate. That character represents Men and the chocolate is representative of two things: one, a women showing too much skin, and second our purity. you see some people may say that "boys will be boys" and in essence that is true. That is how God has made them. 

I want to talk to the guys real quick. This is not an excuse to not always be working on your self control. If you make a mistake don't just say, "well it's just the why I was made." You were not made to make mistakes and you were not made to sin. Learn day by day how you are to treat women from a biblical perspective and strive with everything you have to be the man that God has called you to be. And if you do make a mistake one day, repent and turn to God for forgiveness. 

Now the second view is that of the girl with the chocolate. She has this amazing gift (purity) that she has received from her father(God). She is very excited about this gift and wants all her friends to know, but in doing so she shows this boy her candy bar, and gets upset when he looks at it, not knowing what is going on in his mind. After being asked for a piece, she stands strong and says no, but this causes her to think about sharing it early (she was saving it for a friend at lunch(her marriage day)). Now alone and faced with the decision on whether or not to share it, the girl gives a small peace away (a kiss, a hug). After a while she gives more and more away until all of it is gone.

The thing is, if you have given away your candy bar in your life, God is in the business of restoring candy bars for those who repent and turn to him.

As Christians, we should want to make the most of the life we have here on earth to glorify God and bring people to him. So how do we do this? We must show the fruits of the spirit in our life.

Love-Romans 5:5 "and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

We need to not only love ourselves, (which we tend to do naturally) but also love others. Like it says in John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Let's show a love that will make people stop and think about what makes us so different and want what we have.

Joy- let the Joy of Christ fill your life. Isaiah 12:6 "Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” God will fill you with Joy. Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." There is coming a day where no one will steal our Joy. John 16:22 "So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you."

Romans 8:6 "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." There are so many things in this world that can steal away our peace. Let's focus our minds on Christ and remember these two promises.

Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

We even have a kindness week, but do we really know what it means to be kind? Job 6:14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty." Let's remember that it is God who has made us, and he likes all things good. Proverbs 21:21 "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor."

Goodness is pretty self explanatory. Be good and don't do what is wrong. God has so much Goodness stored up for us that fear him. And this is not a cowardly fear, this is a respectful fear. Psalm 31:19 "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!"

 

Self-control seams to be a lost art in our world, but it is still just as necessary as it was 2,000 years ago. Proverbs 25:28 "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." 2 Timothy 1:7 "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

"Patience is a virtue" I'm pretty sure everyone has heard that one. Proverbs 25:15 "With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone." Luke 8:15 "As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience." 2 Corinthians 12:12 "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works."

If we are not faithful in what we believe and say who will believe us? Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Psalm 36:5 "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." Proverbs 3:3 "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart."

Colossians 3:12 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness,humility, meekness, and patience," some of us may view God as this big man sitting in heaven looking down ready at any moment to strike us down. This is terribly wrong. Yes, God is the ultimate Judge, but we also have to remember how Jesus came to Earth. He came as a baby. A tinny infant laying in the hay of a feeding trough. Humbling and gentle. Not only that, but he is also a comforter and called loving father. As God's children we too should also be gentle. 

And in all this we have a father in heaven who loves and cares about us enough to wants to have a real personal love relationship with us. We can talk to him when ever we want to and we can talk to him about whatever we want to. 

What will you talk to him about today?

1 Timothy 2:9-10 "likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works." 

Matthew 16:26 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?"

Introvert, Extrovert! Or Ambivert?

Most of us already know what an introvert and an extrovert is but just in case for thoughs of you who don’t know.

Introvert: someone who gets there energy from spending time alone. They are deep thinkers and enjoy reading a good book.

Extroverts: someone who gets there energy from other people. Loves social outings and being in groups of people.

Now that we have that settled lets talk about this third one, Ambivert. Ambivert is a mixture of both extrovert and introvert, they enjoy being around other people and even need to, but also value time spent alone.

So which one of the 3 do you fall in to?

Contrary to common belief they are not really 3 categories but more of a scale introvert being on one side, extrovert on the other side and ambivert being in the middle.

Introvert-----------------------------------Me---------Ambivert--------------------------------------------Extrovert

For me personally I find myself to be an ambivert but leaning to introvert. (see scale above)

Here are a list of characteristics of an extrovert 

   ·         Assertive

   ·         Talkative

   ·         Easy to approach

   ·         Has many friends

   ·         Energized by being around people

   ·         Like to go to parties

   ·         Expressive

  

Here is a list of characteristics of an introvert

   ·         Private

   ·         Independent

   ·         Likes to be alone

   ·         Thinks before they speak

   ·         Quiet

   ·         Energized by alone time

   ·         Fewer but closer friends

You still may not know where you are on the scale but in the end all that matters is if your being yourself. God made you exactly the way he wants you to be and has a plain for your life. As long as you love God and you are following him with all your heart it does not matter if your introvert ambivert or extrovert you still have a purpose on this earth. And that is to serve and love God and others.  

Poverty in the Classroom

Teaching is one of the most important professions out there due to the influence they have on raising up the next generation. It is the responsibility of the teacher to not just teach, but to care for and nurture each and every student in a creative learning environment. Each teacher has their own unique teaching style, but it is important to keep the student involved. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." In order for the student to truly learn and understand, they must also feel involved and important.

As you may know there are some students that seem to be unruly or completely uninterested in learning altogether. But instead of getting upset or angry at them, we should first seek to understand why this behavior occurs. As artist and educator Josef Albers once said, “Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers.” So why do some students exhibit these sorts of behaviors? We believe it is an issue of poverty.

Now the question should be what is poverty? Many believe it is merely a lack of food, clothing, or money. But we argue it goes much deeper than that. To explain what we mean by this we can look at an article written by blogger Harinath Pudipeddi. Harinath argues that there are 7 basic types of poverty. His groups and definitions for them are as follows:

1.      “Economic Poverty - Lack of monitory demands for providing themselves with Food, Cloth and Shelter. Please note that money need for only the mentioned attributes falls under this category.”

2.      “Bodily Poverty - Lack of property physical health and access to health living conditions.”

3.      “Mental Poverty - Lack of thinking, which is resultant of lack of access to education and knowledge.”

4.      “Cultural Poverty - Lack of coming together in a society. No collaborative activities taking place which leads to disconnect between people.”

5.      “Spiritual Poverty - surprising right? Yes, lack of feeling of togetherness/brotherhood plays an important role in bringing people together.”

6.      “Political Poverty - Lack of understanding of how system works. The basic problem is the understanding of how to cast one's vote and elect their leader. “

7.      “Societal Poverty - Lack of social connectivity”
           

So our next big question is; what does poverty look like in your classroom? Poverty can be manifested in many different ways:

   ·         Lack of participation

   ·         Lack of social interaction

   ·         Lack of basic social skills

   ·         Anger

   ·         Constant sleepiness

   ·         Irritability

   ·         Bad hygiene

   ·         Bullying issues

   ·         Constant disobedience towards authority

With these things in mind, we now need to know how to properly care for and teach these students. Here are three main ways you can do this:

*Come to Understand Their Situation*

Put yourself in their shoes. It may sound like a cliché, but it is extremely important. The better you understand the situation the student is in, the better equipped you will be in knowing how to teach them.

*Be Encouraging, Not Critical*

            Although constructive criticism is good in some cases, remember that honey is sweeter than vinegar. You can correct while still being kind, and for any kid that is a really important factor in their development. Stay positive and patient.

*Be Consistent*

            This is a key factor. If you aren’t consistent in your own behavior and actions, people, especially students, won’t know what your expectations are of them, and they will have issues in trusting you. “Let your yes be simply yes, and your no be simply no” (Amplified Version, Matt. 5.37).

*Be Involved*

            Show interest in the students. Communication is also very important here. Your responsibility to your students doesn’t just stop inside the classroom. Be involved and communicate with the parents. Doing this also helps in understanding your students further.

With all these things in mind you can come to better understand the reality of poverty, and how it affects the classroom setting. We hope this information is useful to you and are very thankful to you as teachers for what you do. Thank you.

Works Cited

Pudipeddi, Harinath. "7 Types of Poverty." : 7 Types of Poverty. N.p., 4 Aug. 2007. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

7 things men need to hear often

Alright men its your turn.  Here are 7 ways we can lift up our men.

   1)      You are right

Every guy I know wants to hear they are right, so ladies as hard as it may be to say your wrong, tell a guy when he is right; except when he is wrong don’t lie.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,

    but fools  despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 3:7

 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

    fear the Lord and shun evil.

   2)      You are needed

Every guy needs to know that he is needed, because each and every one of them are needed. They each bring something interesting and useful to this world. So whether it be, “ I don’t know what I would do without you”, or ”I need your help with this thing over here.” Let them know how much you need them in your life.

Hebrews 13:16

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Romans 12:6-8

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

   3)      You are Strong

You might not be the captain of the football team or the award winning weight- lifter, but you might be the strongest man a woman knows. Also  it isn’t all about muscle, but also about character. A man with a good strong character is a man many people will follow.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 29:11

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

   4)      Thank you for (insert chivalrous task)

When a man does something nice such as open the door for you, pull out the chair for you,  or carries that heavy box, say thank you.  Simple as that.

1 Peter 3:7

Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

   5)      I Trust you

If you trust a man tell him you trust him and why. Men love to know when they are trusted.

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

Psalm 37:3

 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

  6)      You look good today

Yep, even guys want to know when they look good.  Meaning, who wouldn’t feel good after being told you look good today.

Psalm 139:14

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

   7)      You’re worth dying for.

Everyone, yes even you, are worth dying for. Jesus came 2,000 years ago to die for you, so that you can have eternal life. Don’t ever forget that.

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image,

    in the image of God he created them;

    male and female he created them.

Romans 3:23

 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 1:9

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 14:2-3

My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.