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