Senior Spotlight~Lizzie Abshire

Our Senior Spotlight today is

Lizzie Abshire!

Lizzie is a senior at Aiken High School. Her life verse is Hebrews 12:6, 12-13 "Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son; Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

1. If you could have any job, no matter how crazy and no matter the pay, what would it be and why?

White water raft instructor. I would love to spend every day out on a river and God's greatest masterpiece is like Heaven on Earth.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?

Getting out of school early.

3. What is your favorite memory from the Student Ministry?

My first year I went to Beach Camp. It was amazing!

4. If you could ask God one question, what would it be and why?

That's a hard question because we're told God puts us through everything for a reason. So I honestly don't have any idea what it would be except "thank you."

5. Coffee or hot chocolate?

Coffee, no matter what!

Thank you, Lizzie, for letting us get to know a little about you! If you see Lizzie around church or town, make sure to say "hello" to her! 

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." ~Proverbs 27:17

Girls' Movie Night~Frozen

We had so much fun watching Disney's "Frozen" last night during Spring Break week! Here are just a few pictures from the night!

A few of the decor and food!

Do you want to build a snowman?

Queen Elsa (aka Campbell) was so excited to come to the big girl movie night and wear her dress!

If you couldn't make it this time, look for another fun night soon!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay his life down for his friends." ~John 15:13

Encouragment

There have been so many times in my life where I have depended on my own self to get through certain situations, whether it be worrying about the future, going through a valley, a big project, an exam that is half my grade, etc. All that worry and carrying burdens on my own back caused more pain and suffering, more pimples and stress when all along I should've turn everything over to Him. The One who knows my future and what is going to happen next.

What are things in your life right now that you are trying to handle on your own?

Pause and pray to the Lord: Can't wait to see how YOU do this, Lord.

He will answer. He is in control. He loves you.

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." ~1 Peter 5:7

Girls' Movie Night

Looking for something to do over Spring Break? Join me and the girls for a fun movie night as we watch the Disney movie "Frozen" at the ROCK. It will be Monday, April 7th from 7-10pm. We will have some yummy "Frozen" inspired treats plus popcorn of course! Invite your girlfriends too! Hope to see you there!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

A Second Quiet Time Plan

Don't you just love this quote?!? What a great slogan by Nike. Even though I am sure the purpose of this quote is for those who are trying to reach a certain sport or exercise goal, but this also can apply to our quiet time lives. There are so many times I say this, "Oh, I will start this tomorrow" and then tomorrow comes and we are still making excuses!

How are you doing with the "Digging Deep" challenge so far in 2014? I put up one type of quiet time plan from Marian Jordan a couple of weeks ago. Today, I am putting up a plan by Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in CA. The title of his blog and his plan is: Quiet Time with God: It's Simple, Really. This plan is very simple and easy to follow. If that is what you like, this plan is for you!

If you’ve never had a quiet time before, you may not have a good, simple plan for doing one. Simplicity is important with any plan you develop. If you make it complicated, you’re more likely to get off track. All you really need for an effective quiet time is a Bible, notebook, and maybe a hymn or songbook.

So what does a daily quiet time look like?

First, be quiet before the Lord. The Bible calls it waiting on God. You start by simply sitting down and shutting up. As you do this, you’ll find yourself revving your engine down and calming yourself. 

Second, pray briefly. Start off with a short opening prayer. Ask God to open your mind and guide you. Ask him to cleanse your mind.

Read a portion of Scripture slowly. This is where your conversation with God begins. He starts speaking to you through his Word, and then you speak back to him through prayer. Read the Bible slowly. Don’t try to read too quickly or too much. The more slowly you read Scripture, the more you’re forced to think about what you’re reading.

Meditate on the Word. Spend some time chewing on what God is saying. Chew on the Word like cows chew on cud. Ponder and wrestle with it in your mind. There are lots of great methods for meditating on the Word. You can find specific ideas on how to meditate on the Bible in my book “Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods.”

Write down what you discover. When God speaks to you through his Word, care enough about what he is saying to write it down. Writing enables us to remember what God has said to us and record our discoveries.

Pray again. Be quiet. Ask God to show you his Word. Talk to God about what he has said to you. Tell him what you’re thinking about what he is saying. Talk to him about anything else that’s on your mind.

There’s not just one way to have a quiet time, but following a plan similar to this can get you started on a rewarding devotional journey.

It's all about having a plan! Praying this plan helps you as you sit quietly before the Lord!

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty." ~Proverbs 21:5

Senior Spotlight~Brooke Sides

Our next Senior Spotlight for the Class 2014 is

Brooke Sides

Brooke is a senior and is home schooled while taking some classes at Aiken Tech. Her favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight."

1. What is your favorite movie and why?

I have so many favorite movies, but one of my favorites is The Game Plan. I like it because of the dance scenes since I am a dancer, and the daddy-daughter relationship that the movie has.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?

My favorite thing about being a senior in high school is that I feel like I am starting to grow up with having more responsibilities and getting ready to go to college.

3. What advice would you give a girl seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ?

I would advise a girl seeking to grow in her relationship with Christ to make time for quiet time and to be involved in youth group.

4. What is one thing God is teaching you right now?

I think right now God is teaching me to be patient and wait on the timing of his plan for me.

5. Cake or pie?

Definitely cake! I don't like pie unless it's chocolate.

Thank you, Brooke, for letting us get to know you a little better. If you see Brooke around, make sure to say "Hello!"

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

Quiet Time Tips

Happy Thursday, girls! Today I want to share a quiet time plan you can use to help you dig deep this year. In order for me to have a good quiet time, I have to have some kind of plan or agenda (must be the teacher in me). I don't do really well just opening my bible and reading. If you are like me, this plan may really work well for you. This is actually the plan that Marian Jordan uses on her website: redeemedgirl.org. It is called R.E.A.P. (Read, Examine, Apply, Pray).*

All you need is your Bible, a journal, a quiet place, and an open heart. This method is best used with a Bible reading plan. You can find these everywhere online, but some good ones are at biblegateway.com or if you have the Bible App on your phone, they have many different plans to reading the Bible in a Year. You can also find Yearly Bibles that have the reading plans mapped out for you.

Here is how the R.E.A.P. method works:

Read
*At the top of a sheet of paper (or in a journal), write the day's date and leave a space to write the title of your entry later.
*Pick a scripture to study either by using a Bible reading plan or by coming up with one on your own.
*Prayerfully read the text. Ask God to speak to you from His Word.
*Next, spend some time reflecting and writing about what you've read in your journal pages.

Examine
*Write down the key Scripture (or two) that stuck out to you.
*Write down what this scripture says and why it matters.
*Write down thoughts on what you've read from the entire section.
*Ask the Important Examination Questions as you Read the Text:
      *Who? (Audience, Speaker, Subject)
      *What? (Context, Purpose, Problem)
      *When? (Time, Duration, Season)
      *Where? (Setting, Situation, Location)
      *Why? (Motivation, Purpose, Intent, Lesson, Truth)
      *How? (Call to Action, Example to Follow)

Apply
*How does this text apply to your life, circumstances, and relationship with God? Write out how you will be different today because of what you have just read.
*Respond in your journal to the following questions and anything else that comes to mind.
     *What do I learn about God from this scripture?
     *What do I learn about myself from this scripture?
     *What commands/instructions/should I obey?
     *What truth can I apply to my life?
     *What sin do I need to confess?
     *What error can I avoid?
     *What promises can I claim?

Prayer
*Write out a personal prayer based on your time in God's Word.

This is just an outline that you can use. There may be times that you can't answer all of these questions. This is a flexible plan! The most important thing is that you are spending one on one time with God. Let Him guide and lead you.

Continue to look for more ways to dig deep this year on the blog.

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"The secret to true beauty is spending time each day with the Beautiful One (Jesus)." ~Marian Jordan, from The List.

*You can print this quiet time plan out at redeemedgirls.org under Podcast and Quiet Time Tips

**The R.E.A.P. method is from a sermon by Pastor Matt Carter fromt he Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, TX.

Dig Deep

Happy New Year, girls! Boy have I been slack over the past month with this blog. I do apologize. Life was crazy in the month of December both at the church and with my family! But, I am excited about a New Year in the Student  Ministry!

Each year, Stephen likes to give a challenge, almost like a goal or resolution, for us throughout the year. In the past it's been the Top 12, give up something for 13 days, etc. However, I am very excited about his challenge for us this year.

Luke 6:48 says: "They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

When our foundation is rooted in Jesus Christ, our faith grows and we become where we can't be shaken.

In the student ministry this year, our goal is to help you dig deep in your walk with Christ. We want to give every opportunity for you to be learning and growing in your faith, so when you leave us after graduation, you will be prepared for whatever life throws at you and want to continue to serve the Lord. You will hear us talking about this throughout the whole year! Stephen gave each of you a Garden Shovel with this reminder on it. If you did not receive one, please let us know and we will get one to you.

Over the next year, I am also going to challenge myself to give as much help and resources that I can to encourage you to dig deep. The main reason for this blog is just that. We can preach and teach all day long, but if you are not learning how to spend one on one time with Christ each and every day, what good is it? I hope and pray that you will make the commitment to dig deep this year. It will be the hardest goal you will have, but one that will give you the greatest benefit and blessing! Will you accept the challenge this year?

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"I have treasured Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against You." ~Psalm 119:11