5 Steps to A Powerful Quiet Time

1. Find Your Spot

I had the same spot almost every day for my devotions. It was the nook in my bedroom window. Sometimes, during the Summer, I would climb out the window and sit in the sun on our rooftop. But inside or out, I knew that was my "holy" place. Of course, nothing about it was actually "holy" or "super spiritual," but for me it was sacred. It was the place I made an intentional date with God. 

Is there a little closet in your house? Or a meadow in your backyard? 

Think about it, where can you designate as your sacred place with God? 

Now set it up with your Bible, some candy, your music and journal. 

2. Set An Alarm

Time flies, weekend days get lazy, and after school is kind of a blur. Try setting an alarm to remind you to spend intentional time with God. Cell phones weren't as nifty or accessible back in my day, but today I have an alarm that goes off, reminding me it's 10AM and I need to take a time out to read, pray, journal, or listen to worship music.

Any alarm will do really. Go ahead, pick a time and try it tomorrow. If that time didn't work out, pick another until you find one you're comfortable and able to keep. 

3. Bring Headphones

Music does something to the human soul. I think God adores music. Sometimes listening to a worship CD or a playlist of songs that talk about God can help focus your mind and heart on Him. My favorite quiet times were when I could belt out worship to God in the privacy of my own room. 

Need music ideas? Take a peek at ours! (Click on the names to see music)

>>Britt Nicole, >>Jamie Grace, >>Antioch Worship, >>Kari Jobe, >>Hillsong United, >>Group 1 Crew, >>Kristian Stanfill, >>Mandisa

4. Get a Pretty Journal

True Girl Fact: If things are cute, we will use them. Sad, but true. Journals are a peek into what's really going on in your heart. Don't think, just write. Write down prayers, questions, complaints, sorrows, funny stories, memorable moments and tell them to God. 

If you need a little inspirational cutsy to get your quiet times motivated, then get yourself a cute journal! Marshall's usually has some super cute ones with easy to write on pages! 

5. Have a Conversation with God

Ultimately, spending undistracted time with God is the main goal. Sometimes life can give us easy-to-use excuses to not spend time with Him. But it's so important, as we grow in our faith and knowledge of who God is, that we actually get to know HIM! Don't make it complicated or formal. Just talk to Him like you would anyone else. Your prayers will change and take different shapes throughout your lifetime. 

Need a conversation starter? Tell God what you're thankful for today. Then tell Him what you want to know about Him. Ask Him to show you something about Him this week. 

However you do it, whenever you do it, making time for undistracted focus on God is important in a Christian girl's life. There is great value in meeting with the Creator of the world everyday.

What Does it Mean to Be Brave?

What does it mean to be "BRAVE"?

BRAVE:

ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage. 

• people who are ready to face and endure
• endure of face without showing fear (ex: we had to brave the heat) 
• Synonyms 
• courageous 
• valiant
• bold
• defy
• dare
• challenge
• face

For me, the keys words I think of when it comes to being brave is being fierce, strong, bold, and courageous. As I repeat these synonyms in my head, I realize that these are the characteristics that we, as daughters of God, have. 

Now, let's be honest. We're girls; it's normal for us to not always have these traits. Actually, this past month, I haven't been challenged or bold at all and that's perfectly okay. 

However, there is going to be a time in your life where God will call you to be brave. 
He will call you to be warriors and fight. 

There's going to be a time where you will need your sisters in order to overcome something. 

That, my friends, requires bravery, hence the "ready to face and endure" definition. 

Last year, on the weekend of 9/11's ten year anniversary, I was supposed to drive from Temecula to a hospital in Orange Country. Approaching the San Onofre nuclear power plant, we noticed some heavy traffic and assumed it was due to the security there. 

We drove past it, got through the traffic, and my brother tried calling the hospital to let them know I wouldn't make it for a special appointment on time.  The anxious part?  When he called, there was no sound; no ring, nothing. No one picked up, even though it's a hospital. 

Heavy traffic + nuclear power plant + hospitals not picking up + highway patrol speeding past us = something had to be fishy. 

We reached the city, finally off the freeway, and the street lights weren't working (of course they weren't). The cars were in a total gridlock, car accidents happening, and it took over 20 minutes to just drive a block. We weren't close to the hospital. On top of that, our cell phones weren't working. 

Now the equation is: No communication + no transportation + weekend of 9/11 anniversary = conclusion of a possible attack. 

Finally got to the hospital-- we went into one of the buildings to see that the lights were out, security was blocking the doors, and it was a mess. 

It was a point where all I could do was sit in my car, assume the worst, and be in fear. There was a sense of vulnerability. My brother even called us, "sitting ducks" because that's exactly what we were. I kept wondering when God was going to kick in this "super woman" attitude so I wouldn't be so afraid of the country getting attacked or us getting into a car accident. The "super woman" attitude never came. However, I prayed and prayed for bravery. I wanted to be bold and strong and fearless in a situation like this. If I wasn't, there would be a weakness in me that I know God didn't want to hold me back. 

Ladies, be brave and don't let yourselves be anything less. 

Don't be afraid, because God will always be there (Isaiah 41:10) in every situation, every moment, every memory. 

If you have an army of sisters by your side, then what's to stop you from being brave? (: 

Madi is a Becoming High School Freshman Intern.  is a worship leader, leading singer for a local band, and a blog writer. Her goal in life is to dream big, stay strengthened and so whatever God calls her to do.

Vision Leaks: How to Fill Your Passion Back Up Again

Passion.


It's what drives our every move. It's that step forward when you feel like you can't make it anymore. It's a hand being raised as high as it can reach. It's an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action. An interest followed by exaggerated zeal.


Can it be that God created in each of us a different passion that all work together for the furthering of his kingdom?


Ask yourself: What kind of culture, aspect, and growth are you trying to create with your life?


Because I don't think the question is 'How much passion do you have,' but 'What are you passionate about?'

For a long time my passion was music. But it wasn't just music, it was more than that. It was worship. I was a church three days a week, involving myself with the high school worship team. I had a family there and a place to belong. If I wasn't at church doing worship, I was at home practicing, singing, playing guitar.


And then it was gone.


Not the music. I could still sing and play guitar- but my passion. I started asking myself if I ever really was passionate. And now, looking back I know that I was.


But vision leaks. You will be so passionate about your own individual interest, and then one day you might find yourself unable to even look at the paintbrush. There's nothing wrong with you. We can't always have passion just as we can't always feel the presence of God in that all powerful, peaceful, revealing way that God sometimes chooses to gift us with. Because if we always felt God's presence, it wouldn't be as powerful as the way he does it now; waiting for the moments we need him most so that we can bask in his glorious presence and give him the praise that he deserves.


So remember that just because you can't feel God, doesn't mean he's not there. And just because you feel lack of passion, doesn't mean it won't return.


The negativity of the enemy may sometimes be overwhelming. But how do you take air out of a bottle?


You fill it with something else.


We need to continually be refilling ourselves with vision and drive. I've found that a good way of doing so is reading my bible and praying.


It makes one guitar strum something more than music. One brush of paint, more than a picture. One basket shot more than a game. It turns into, not what you can do, but what God has given you the ability to do and how you can offer it back up to him.


It turns into worship

"Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart." 2 Timothy 2:22

Love, Bailey

Expectant for the Future

photo via

Becoming 2013 is on it's way! There's been so much planning, excitement, and ideas; you girls are in for a treat!

One of the things that have definitely been an influence for me everyday is planning, and I kind of had the same issue in middle school as well. 

Planning is an awesome thing; it teaches you to be prepared and ready for an upcoming event, however, if you plan to much, you're being absorbed into the future instead of the present. See what I mean?

The cycle began during middle school, when I was so focused on high school. "Pick your classes, email your counselors, and let's do this." Before I even got into freshman year, I emailed the colleges I was considering for the requirements. I was way too stuffed into the concept of being organized.

Then, this year came, and I was so focused on next year classes to take, just because everyone kept asking me what I had in mind. I found myself saying, "I don't know" a lot, and I thought it was considered a bad thing that I wasn't sure.

Finally, I went to a college-browsing event at the mall the other day, and I was back onto planning college. People asked, "Oh, what are you thinking about majoring in?" And again, I found myself saying, "I don't know."

But you know what?

 Saying "I don't know" is okay. 

You see, we can't plan the future accordingly to how we want it to go. If we did plan everyday for the rest of our lives, we'll be consumed in our expectations, which sometimes, will not live up. 

What if I told you that we have someone who already has created our days? What if I told you that He has planned it unique and specifically to you? That's right. 

So, as a result of all this, I've instead found myself letting God take control in what He has to offer me. We learn along the road and become more brave in our actions as we conquer them. You see? The whole part in becoming is that key word, "ing". My English teacher once told me that when you see the root "ing", it means it is continuos and is still happening. 

That's right, folks, all of us are becoming. 

We are always going to become something, and we are always going to learn how. 

The next time you find yourself stressing for the future, lay back, and live in the time being! You'll find yourself totally relieved when you have faith in our awesome Father and learn as you go with Him :) 

~Madi
Becoming Conference Intern

My Battle Field Mind | We Are Worthy

More often than not I feel less than worthy of the blessings God has placed in my life. Even more than that, sometimes I feel unworthy for Him to use me.

Recently and quite frequently I've been going through some spiritual battles in my mind.  Seriously. It's like a modern war between two forces, good and bad, going on in my brain. I think the worst part though, is that I didn't even realize it. I was losing the battle, thinking I was winning in my relationship with God.

It's funny how one simple moment can reveal to you the lies you have been believing. 

In my particular revelation, I was holding my precious niece. So innocent and cute. On my drive home, I began to sob my eyes out, because it hit me:

I need God the way my baby niece needs her mother to survive. I need God's unfailing love just like my niece needs her mother's. 

I've easily gotten caught in the lie trap that I needed a guy to come in and sweep me off my feet. Do you do that too? We start to fantasize about how our life would be so much more fulfilled with a companion, a best friend, a comfort right by our side. 

But God created the world and my life, your life, and I'm sure He knows just a little bit better as to what we need than we do.

My mind battle continues in my taking advantage of the fact that God's always with me. I know He loves me. I know who He is. I know what He's done. But there are times when I don't live like it. 

Yet I continue to hear him say,

"Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

I know it's truth. 

You or I may not be worthy to have the God working in our lives and using us, but I believe He is creating in us. Something beautiful. He uses the weak to lead the strong. 

Jesus makes us worthy by wiping our sin and shame away and declaring us perfect before God. 

I believe  He wants to use anyone who is willing to be used, so long as they get back up every time they fall and continue to run the race.

So, that's what I intend to do.

And my mind battle? I won it, because Jesus went before me. 

Talk to us

How about yourself?

Is there something stopping you from moving forward?

Talk with us about it in the comments below or on our Facebook Page.

Love, Bailey.

ABOUT BAILEY: Bailey is our High School Becoming Girls Conference Intern. She loves writing and music and YOU! Come say hi. 

Wait, WHY does God Love Me? | A Reminder of God's Love

Faith is defined as having a confident TRUST in someone or something...

Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength, ability of a person. 

I am going to be very real right now. Lately I have been struggling with having faith in God and knowing that when I fail, He will be right there to pick me up. I have been struggling with my heart all week going back and forth between feeling so cruddy and trashy because of the amount I have messed up and remembering to rejoice in the fact that I am redeemed and made new by the blood of the lamb. 

I know, its a hard truth to live into sometimes, but we have to TRUST and have FAITH in the Lord.

Why??

He knows my name... Isaiah 43:1

He sees my every move... Psalm 139:7

He thinks about me... Psalm 139:17

He is with me... Joshua 1:9

He will fight for me... Exodus 14:14

He made me in His image... Genesis 1:27

He is my safe place... Psalm 62:6-8

He has a plan for me... Jeremiah 29:11

He is GOOD... Psalm 119:68

He is freedom... 2 Corinthians 3:17

He is always with me... Matthew 28:20

After everything I have done and everything Christ knows I will do, He will still love me. He holds me in the palm of his hand and nothing, "no power in hell and no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand." He is and always be my protector and the only one who will love me with endless grace, mercy and forgiveness. 

Remember that lovlies. You are a redeemed, beautiful creation of God.

Love,
Sam


Samantha is on our Becoming Intern Team and loves talking with middle school and high school girls about all things beauty, God,  writing and boys. She is currently studying to be an Ultra-Sound Technician. 

The Mirror of Nakedness | What do you see?

I am beginning to wonder if my choice of coffee shop wasn’t the best choice for today.

This place is lined with mirrors. Along the wall of my booth is a mirror so close if I turned my head slightly to the left, I could see to the bottom of my pores. If I turn my head to the right, I gaze out across the coffee shop, which in some sense is very cute and cozy but when I look closely, I can see three of four of myself depending on my angle. I’ve been here plenty of times, but for some reason, today, it’s just become a different experience and I think I know why.  

In the middle school session at the Becoming conference we took a trip back into the Garden of Eden and revisited the events and conversations that took place there.  When Adam and Eve realized that they were naked after partaking from the tree they were instructed not to, they hid, due to fear and shame. They heard God’s voice calling for them in the garden and they were afraid.  When God pursued them in conversation, He asked them one of the most profound questions of all time:

"[Adam, Eve]…..Who told you that you were naked?"

I have spent my whole life listening to all of the voices who find it entertaining to lie to me and to try to tell me who I am.  Sometimes the voices are actually voices of people that I know- and other times the voices come in disguises like thoughts, things I see on TV, or things I read in a magazine...you get the idea.

So this morning, when I woke up- the very first thought that popped in my head was, 

“I feel gross.” 

Which led to, 

“this is not going to be a good hair day.”

Which led to a trip to the bathroom and straight toward the mirror accompanied by the thought,  

“ OMG- not a pimple too!!!”

And after 3 attempts to get my hair looking cute, I threw it in a pony, left the house frustrated and thinking horribly about myself.  Sound familiar?

Now, isn’t it funny that today I chose THIS coffee shop, of all the coffee shops in my area, to come to??

I didn’t think about those darn mirrors while I was on my way here.  However, now as I sit here quietly, annoyed as crap with all of these mirrors, I hear a different voice.  Ever so gently (which is one of the ways that I know God is talking to me because He is always loving, and always gentle when He corrects) I hear Him say, 

“Cara, who told you that you weren’t beautiful today?  How did this start?” 

And I am reminded of how my loving Father said to my brother Adam and my sister Eve, “Who told you that you were naked?  Who told you that you should be ashamed of how you were made? Who told you that you are not okay, and absolutely WONDERFUL, just as you are?”   

I wouldn’t be surprised if he spoke to Eve specifically about her beauty, for God knows that at the heart of every woman is a desire to be stunning, and to be told that she is so.  

Girls, the Enemy will take every opportunity to tell us a lie.  Remember my sweet sisters—no mirror, no man, no media or voice other than God’s alone can tell you who you are- for “you are fearfully and crazy wonderfully made!” 

Love,

Cara

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Cara is a girl who is embracing each season and capturing key moments through writing, music, coloring, and community. She enjoys doing all of these things much better when she has a cup of tea in hand and her slippers on. You can find her at caraemaat.blogspot.com

You are Perfection | Understanding How God Views His Daughters

Have you ever felt like you are the only person on the planet who gets nervous? 

The only student at school who has embarrassing moments? The only girl in the history of woman to not have much confidence? Does it kind of seem like everyone does everything so effortlessly while you seem to just be stumbling through life? Yea, me either;)

For some reason "perfection" has become an acceptable standard in our everyday lives. In our grades, in our talents, in our creativity, even in our physical appearance (hair, skin, nails, body). While it is admirable to strive to be the very best we can be, "perfection" is an unattainable goal that will drive us more insane, the more we aspire to reach it.

It is perfectly ok to get nervous while talking to that cute guy and it's cool if you spill food on your clothes, or trip in the hall. A few blemishes on your face doesn't make you ugly, and no matter how curly or straight your hair is there is ALWAYS someone who wishes they had what you have. And you know what? It's not even that big of a deal if you rip a big one in front of class (okay, that's kind of mortifying, but you get the point).

No matter what we do - however silly, foolish, random, embarrassing it is, our Creator has the only opinion that should matter most to us. And His opinion is that we've already reached perfection in Jesus Christ.

Even when our peers sneer and laugh and we feel a little less than, we know we always have Gods stamp of approval.

The word of god says "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV).

You may be wondering, how on earth do you "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ'? 

It starts by feeding our minds truth. 

Truth is, that no matter how you or anyone else makes you feel: You are Smart, you are beautiful, you are loved and you are worth it. 

You don't have to have it all together to be loved, You don't have to be perfect to have confidence. The confidence you need to be the best you can be lies in christ alone. Feeding your heart and mind truth kills the lies and heart and mind that is obedient to christ knows it's worth/value.

This may not always FEEL or SEEM true, but it is. 

So train your thoughts, tell Your self everyday that you are beautiful, loved and Worth it! Remember, You are his workmanship, created by the hands of god for good.(Ephesians2.10)

Ask God to show you what He sees in you. I can guarantee that the results are beyond "Perfection"!

xoxo,

Ryen

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Ryen is a 21 year old girl who has a hand full of dreams and a heart full of God. (Yes, those are Toby Mac lyrics.) To read more from Ryen go to funfabsaved.blogspot.com"

Beauty Is Light Shining Brightly

I couldn't sleep and it was almost midnight. I don't know what it was, exactly. Maybe it was the fact I was just plain stressed out. Whatever it was, I spent a whole night last week going straight to my bible to find one specific verse. But it wasn't that verse that tripped me out. It was what happened after I found what I was looking for.


After looking up that one verse, I switched to another verse. Then, to another, and another, and another. There, I found myself reading pretty much all of Luke, and then, I finally landed on this verse: 

Luke 8: 16

"No one lights a lamp hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open."

Now, normally I'm not a Bible-freak. I find myself in a habit of only reading it when I need it and I'm desperate, but this verse  totally changed that. It's caught my eye before, but something about it stuck to me so strongly than ever before. 


Then a few pages later I found Luke repeating the same thing. Out of the whole chapter, this is something he repeats; something he wanted to stick out to the world.

Luke 11:33

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lightened, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."

No matter what, that first line always comes striking back. And that brings me to the trippy part. After being hit with that verse twice, I flip through Matthew to find a different verse. But this time, it's like the verse is thrown at my face. This one, I'm sure, everyone knows.

Matthew 5: 14

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

It literally says the same exact thing. When you think about it, sure, it may talk about showing light to other people and not hiding it. Sure, it may talk about His light shining in the darkness, but there could be another thing to it, too . . .


We shouldn't hide our light. 
Our spark and our passion and our drive is the thing that shows God more than how much we read, pray, worship, anything. The things we do can show our faith so evidentally that it makes the angels praise and sing. This, my friends, is truth.


So this is my challenge to you.
How can we shine brighter and more visibly this week? 
Is there someone that needs you to smile at them? 
Or share a lunch table with? 
Is there a girl who needs to hear she's beautiful? 
Or a friend that needs you just to pray with them? 


It's time to shine girls!


Love, Madi <3

How He Loves Us

Rachel's post on God's love reminded us of this song all week. Hopefully it gets stuck in your head like it did ours!

Just How Much Does God Love Me?

I like to jam while I’m driving. I’m that crazy person sitting behind you at stoplights, fingers tapping the steering wheel, singing along to the radio. No, before you ask, I don’t crank the music up loud (sensitive ears), but, yes, I have been known to burst into tears or spontaneous laughter merely on account of a song.

On my way to school one morning, a line or two of one of my time-tested favorites drifted into my mind, completely random and out-of-the-blue. Boy, would I love to hear that one. I didn’t know it well enough to sing it a cappella, so I let it slide.

Guess what happened?

It wasn’t the very next song. But two songs later, the opening strains of the first verse stumbled out of my speakers.

My jaw dropped. My eyes bulged. My foot came slightly off the gas pedal. Then I caught myself. How silly is this? How ludicrous that I’m so surprised that God would send me a treasured song over the radio just now when, uh, duh, He’s GOD and He LOVES me like that.

Needless to say, I had the best two minutes belting out each verse plus a couple choruses in praise. I arrived at college, found a stellar parking spot on my car-clogged campus, and sat there, singing and delighting in His love for me.

I’m not saying that it’s ludicrous to be grateful when God showers His love on us by whipping out an unexpected blessing or writing I love you on our day. What I am saying is that HE LOVES YOU. And HE WANTS YOU TO KNOW.

He’ll do practically anything to get your attention. Whether it’s a flower growing up out of the sidewalk in the middle of winter, a rainbow painted in the sky, or your favorite song coming on the radio, God is random and creative and wonderful and madly in love with you.

“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

Let’s not think ourselves so little loved that He wouldn’t do something insane and out-there for us.

Instead of being shocked, surprised, and really bad drivers when He catches us off guard like that… Let’s make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Let’s drink in the sight of our loved one’s smile. Let’s pick up that smooth stone in the road as a reminder of where we’ve been and what He’s doing in our lives. Let’s open our arms and twirl in the sunshine He sends down to us.

Because He loves us like that. 

Rachelle Rea is a homeschool grad, college girl, and dreamer who blogs at www.rachellerea.com. 

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