School: Day Uno

There is something I have to tell you!! Unfortunately, school is upon us. Run, hide, do whatever you can to get away. But since I haven't been an avid blogger this summer, here is a blog dedicated to going back to school. (heaves a sigh)

1.We, or at least I, usually set goals for myself at the beginning of the year. But don't worry if you don't meet your goals. Just do your best, and work hard! That's all that matters!

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,

2. As school starts, you are reintroduced to the culture and environment that comes along with being surrounded by 2,000 teenagers. Don't fall under any traps! Stay on your wall!!!! Don't let your guard down and don't lower your standards! 

Psalm 62:6 Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

3. Meet new people! Get involved in new things! Try new activities! Get uncomfortable and branch out! Don't allow yourself to be a part of a secluded group. Be someone who is friendly with everyone, but always have your Christ following friends for support! 

4. Live your life in such a way that people ask, "why?" Let your difference be known! Show the love of Christ and live your life like Christ. This will make a huge difference! 

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 2:15-16

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Trust me, I'm not so great at these things, but I must work on them too! I'm excited and nervous about all this school year has in store. Keep on the lookout for more blogs as school begins! Have an awesome school year! 

The 7 Faith Killers

Back in March, I attended a conference with my youth group called Ignite. I was thinking about that conference today and how much I loved it, so I figured why not share it with all of you wonderful people?

My favorite session that I attended that weekend was called "The 7 Faith Killers".
He started out with saying that most Christians in our society are the definition of "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism." Big words, I know! This means that we 1. think as long as we're nice that 2. God will give us good things because 3. God isn't scary or big, He just takes care of us.
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism: No passion.

1. Family of Origin. Your family's beliefs, church attendance, and relationships are all vital to your faith. Of course, your faith is all your own, but letting the ones you love get in the way of that can either be very harmful or very helpful.

2. Lack of Positive Peer Support. If you want to grow, you must surround yourself with people who are growing. An example that this speaker used was college. You must fuel your faith in transitional times by surrounding yourself with Christ followers. He stated that the first two weeks of someone's college career can set their faith for the rest of their lifetime. You can't expect yourself to grow without the help of other growing people.

3. Lack of Biblical Knowledge. You must come to grips with the Word that will shape you.

4. No Early Leadership Experience. You are never to young to take charge and be a leader. Lead others by living a live worthy of the God who has made you and called you.

5. Denying Sacred Memory. Those times when God shows up and you can't deny it.

6. No Safe Place to Search. If you are not involved in a church that allows you to search safely, ask questions, doubt, be confused, or not be judged then you can't expect your faith to prosper.

7. No Mentors. If you have no adults in your life giving you advice, praying for you, or doing life with you, you aren't going to be poured into. When you pour out, but aren't being poured into, you eventually become empty and have no one to look up to.

Here are some other things I took away from that weekend:
*If someone lived your faith for 24 hours, would they be disappointed with God?
*The difference between a relationship and a religion is grace.
*Vagueness is killing the church. You can't just tell someone to go and be the light. You must show them what that looks like.
*You know God's voice if it aligns with His word, aligns with His finished work, and your godly counsel confirms it.
*The desert is a growing place.
*God won't push you over, but He will allow you to fall.
*It doesn't matter if they know you. It only matters if they know Christ through you.