3 Ideas to Break Your Summer Blues

As we all know the middle of Summer can be the most dull time of the year. You got all your beach days in and you're dreading the start of school. Everyone's favorite time of year is coming to a close and the question on our minds is, "Now what are we gonna do?"

This question, while common, can be a little dangerous for young Christian ladies such as ourselves.

When we don't have many options for entertainment we often just "go with the flow". But we tend to forget "going with the flow" is where the devil does his work. It can present us with the dilemma of compromising our faith or being bored, or simply being the odd girl out.

So instead of just going with the flow, BE the one with a plan. Innovate fun ideas. Be a good  leader without always being "that girl". Christians can have fun too  you know???

Here are our top 3 fun ideas for summer fun.

1.) Host a game night.

Board games, video games. outside games. It may seem like an obvious choice, but often times we forget the pure joy of getting together with friends, playing games and just being plain silly.

2.) Take a class/Learn a new skill

Ok, I know school is out and class is the L A S T word you want to hear, but sometimes classes can be fun. Get a couple of friends together and go to a pottery making/painting class. Or a dance class. Or an art class. Whatever you thoroughly enjoy doing I am sure there is a class for it. Bring a friend or go alone, just be sure to connect with other people. Common interests build friendships.

3.) Plan an elaborate party.

A big summer blowout. Get a group of friends together and spend the summer planning an end of the summer bash. I know, I know. "Plan" doesn't sound like fun, but with the right people anything can be fun:) C'mon, who wouldn't want to be responsible for the greatest party of the year!

These are just a few tips to having a great summer and pioneering [some fun] activities, all without compromising your faith.

Have any better ideas? Help a sister out. Leave a comment below:)

On the Occasion Of...

{the promised post from last tuesday...but blogger was being stupid}

Today's post is a letter to someone who has inspired me!

Dear Jules <3,
 You are leaving and yes, i am quite sad BUT i am also very excited for this journey that you and tyson are beginning with the Pitts family. As you begin this new journey, i want you to know about the journey you are leaving behind and the huge role you have played in it.

My Journey. This journey was going simply in wild circles until you came along. You spoke passion into my life, you helped uncover desires that my heart was unsure of. I knew that i was made for more, the word tells me this, but i had no idea for what or why.

TO BE A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS.

You gave me an outlet for these words that have so much meaning to girls around the world. You gave me someplace to begin to make a difference, to begin to have an impact on this world. And for this i thank you.

With my whole heart, i thank you for being bold and pushing aside your fear in order to pursue the dreams God placed in your heart.
~ Thank you for believing in me and my words, for giving me all the many oppurtunities that you have
 ~Thank you for speaking truth into my life time and time again.
~Thank you for the wisdom you have offered me in my relationship with Andrew.

You have inspired me to live fully into my dreams, without fear of failure. I am a voice now for girls who are trapped and in need of rescue...Because of you.


You have impacted me!

love always,

Waiting

Photo Credit

Sometimes I don't understand why I have to wait all the time.


These past few weeks, God has really challenged me. With friends, with school, with writing, with music . . . you name it. There's days where I wake up and I beg to God, "Give me a best friend who is true and trustworthy," or "Make time go fast so I can get school over with," or "Improve my singing or instrument playing so I can do something with it even more, so I can lead,"or "Share and let others know that there's hope and light out of darkness and that you don't have to focus on temporary things,"  but . . . here I am waiting and I am still praying every day for these things.


But you know, just a couple hours ago, it really hit me that God is telling me to be patient with myself. He's telling me to not be so wanting, but to actually be humble and wait.


I think pretty much everyone can relate. We're designed to be impatient and to want things to come to us sooner or for us to try and be better, yet we can't unless we find God in that somewhere and ask Him for advice.


I came across this verse not too long ago and it totally connected with how I was feeling. Although I begged God over and over and over, I realized that I really just needed to focus on God and be reminded for the future. Yes, I may have crazy dreams of becoming an actual worship leader or finally heading to high school and going to a homecoming dance for once or have a sister-best friend like back where I used to live, but I don't think God will provide me with those things until I find confidence in what He'll, I hope, do with my life. He already has rocked it, so why am I asking for more? Anyways, this verse has empowered me to just remember God & remember why I'm here in the first place:


"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to enable them to fulfill the purpose for which they are called" -Romans 8:28


He's already figured out our purpose. It's just our job to remember the outcome and direction for that, though. So, be patient, lovelies, with whatever is going on! It's hard, but it's worth the wait. Even though it's easy to forget it, God is in control. 


Love, 
~Madi (:  

I Crossed the Border

Well hello there! 


Oh man i have missed you girlies! I have been in Mexico (or Flexico as Doug Vonsteeg calls it... he runs Ventana if any of you know what that is). I was there for a whole week with the high school group and it was amazing. I wasn't originally going to go but that's another blog for another day.


Anyways... being in a different culture, completely out of my element definately made me notice SOO many cultural differences. For example: (these are all generlizations just so you know... and i apologize if i offend anyone)


- They are in no hurry to go anywhere; this is why it is called Flexico... every time is an -ishy time. Americans= we are all go go go go go go go go go go go... I think you get the point =)

-They always have time to stop and say hello... even if you don't speak spanish very well. they even (dare i say it!) go out of there way to make you feel welcome! Americans= if they have some place to be then at that time, you are not a priority right then
- They are so grateful! When WE were supposed to be serving THEM, they wanted to serve us back in whatever way possible... it was such a reminder how greedy we as Americans can be. We feel entitled to everything and these people's attitude's really blessed me. 


Needless to say, it was an amzing trip. I met so many people that impacted my life with their attitudes, their actions, their stories, and just how they lived their lives.


I am inspired to be the same. 

5 Lessons God Showed Me This Week

Hello bee-a-u-ti-ful girls =) 


so this week has been crazy. i was helping out at a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in the town i used to live in- Simi Valley.

Not only was this week so amazing because i got to spend it with people i grew up with and with crazy second graders that i love very much but also becasue God used this week to show that He kinda knew what He was doing when He uprooted me from my very comfortable home of 8 years and placed me in a completely strange town right before i started my freshmen year of high school (seriuosly- i had been to temecula ONCE before we moved here)... i was unhappy to say the least. and i was angry- oh so very angry [which is saying something because i'm not a very angry person usually]


5 Things God showed me this week:
1. He knew what He was doing when He placed me in Temecula because He knew that i would find the most amazing, encouraging, supportive, involved, fun, crazy, lovable youthgroup ever and that they would help me mature in my faith


2. He knew that i would build excellent friendships that have gotten me through some sticky situations and help keep me accountable in my walk... i never had that before


3. i needed the kick in the butt that the move provided to get out of my comfort zone and become my own person, the unique individual that Christ created me to be! and may i add that i love love being me =)


4.  i had become complacent in my walk and was doing things "on my own" and the move pushed me to a cliff that i couln't walk away from on my own. it caused me to realize that, to a degree, i wasn't allowing myself to get closer to God. and while yes, i was incredibly frustrated at Him after i moved, that struggle stretched me and taught me a lot about Christ and my identity IN HIM


5. He showed me how awesome my relationships are here and how my past friendships have helped shape them to be Christ centered and lasting


Needless to say, the move turned out to be a good thing and from where i am now in life, i wouldn't change anything about my circumstances then or how they effect now!

p.s if anything i wrote up there really affected you or you have questions about circumstances and what not or you just need to talk, email us becoming@ranchocommunity.org or come find me at uprising some time!

Love Your Neighbor...Only When You Feel Like It.

Have you ever felt like the world was against you? You wake up and your best friend suddenly isn’t, or people you hardly know are making it there life’s goal to make you miserable for no apparent reason? Are you sitting back waiting for the situation to change, but making no effort to bring on the change? Let me tell you, no matter what your age or situation in life, this doesn’t change. But the way you react to it can, and it can make a huge impact on your relationship with them, and your relationship with Christ.

I was in a season not too long ago, where I felt like I had many enemies that I had to face daily. I knew God had brought me to this place for a reason, and I could not understand why I had to be under such attack? My first instinct was to attack back. But instead, I asked God what He wanted me to do. Through His Word, wise Christ centered counsel, and through Christian teachings, I heard loud and clear, He wanted me to love the unlovable.

As people were scowling at me and mocking me (some to my face, and some behind my back), I had to smile and pray for them. People were tearing me down so they would look better. The more this happened, the more practice I got, until it became a little more of a natural response. Loving our enemies is not natural for us. We cannot do it on our own power, but only by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I think that one of the most over looked Commandments in the Bible is the commandment to LOVE one another, even the ugly.We have kind of gotten into a “Love Rut”. We think love is a feeling, an emotion we only have to show when we “feel” like it, or we only have to show to those that love us. That is one of the greatest lies we are being fed.
Jesus showed His love for us by being brutally tortured to His death on the Cross for the sins that we committed. Love is a sacrifice; it is not just a feeling. You can make a conscious decision to love the unlovable. You can make a choice that you will practice LOVE and ask for the Lords help.

You have heard that it was said ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…….If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mathew 5:43-48 NIV)

As I began to pray for those who persecuted me, a couple things happened. One thing that happened was that God opened doors for them; He opened doors for them that took them away from me. He also opened my eyes to their hurt, their pain. Some of these people were being nasty to push me away, and when I stood firm (through Christ’s strength) and loved them anyway, they really opened up and we became close.

The best part was that as I started praying for my persecutors, instead of them having a negative affect over me, those who wished to hurt me were bringing me closer and closer to the Lord. Their harmful intentions were bringing me into the presence of my maker.

Love,

Maegan Bourlett

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18)