Giving Thanks!

As a reminder, Youth Group is NOT meeting this Wednesday!  I will be home all day on Wednesday doing the following (NOT exactly in this order):

1.  Freeing Ranger from the torment of raindrops.

2.  Sprucing up my home for Thanksgiving Company: Dad, Mom, Frank, Bill, Debbie & Jamesonnnnnnnnn.

3.  Cooking like a CRAZY person as many dishes as I can in advance...so on Thanksgiving morning, I can relax and provide moral support to Frank (the AMAZING turkey rotisserie-er-er).

4.  Awaiting the arrival of one Miss Sasha (who plans to come over and hang out with us...cause we're so cool like that!).

5.  Calming Ranger from the bowling strike-like sounds of thunder.  Tranqulizers anyone?

6.  Preparing some yummy-licious goodness for Sasha and Frank to eat when they determine they are hungry.

7.  Going shopping for the "AFTER THANKSGIVING Clam Chowder feast at our house" - Please RSVP if you are coming to feast upon Frank's Clam Chowder in Sour Dough Bread Bowls...and weigh in on your nomination for the movie we should watch.  Personally, I think something with a Christmas flavor would do nicely.

8. Getting out my china, formal silverware (okay, it IS only stainless steel), etc.

9. More cooking and deliciousness so my house will smell like a haven of mouthwatering aromas.

10. Meditating upon my Lord and all the wonderful things I am thankful for!!

 

And, by the way...following is a great Planet Wisdom devotional to get your thankful creative juices flowing!

 

I wish you all a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

 

And, one of the thankful mind/heart/soul walks I will dwell upon is each one of you!

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Thanks from the Fish Posted: 25 Nov 2008 07:21 AM CST "But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD." (Jonah 2:9) You'd never guess that the verse that follows this one contains the word "vomited." Remember Jonah? God told him to go east. Jonah didn't like the gig and tried to go west. God sent a storm and a big fish to do a little catch-and-release with His prophet. In the belly of the beast, Jonah repented. And as often happens with repentance, he was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. He looked forward to singing thanksgiving songs while keeping his promises to God. Notice: This desire for thanksgiving came before God freed Jonah from the fish. Jonah's impulse to thank God wasn't just because he was having a better day. It was because He was back in close fellowship with God. Think: Have you noticed that giving thanks to God comes more easily when you're close to Him? Do you need to repent and turn away from any sin in your life today so you can rediscover a thankful heart? Pray: Ask God to help you to listen when he convicts you of sin, of going the wrong way on the path He's marked our for you. Then ask Him for courage to turn around and tell Him thanks. Do: Add another 10 things you're thankful for to the list you started earlier this week without repeating anything from the first few days. Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

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Ramblings about a tiny nuisance

I work at a hospital.

 

Sometime last week (I think it was last Friday when I was cutting roses for an arrangement on my fireplace mantel), I was impaled with either a splinter or thorn.

 

It wasn't until Sunday evening when I noticed this small discomfort on the pad of my left index finger (Mr. Pointer for those of you from my generation).  I don't know if it was restless energy or heightened anxiety (we WERE watching the 3+ hour movie "Exodus"), but I found myself absentmindedly scraping/scratching this area on my left index finger.  And, it hurt.  So, I stopped.  However, I must have scraped/scratched it enough to cause it to inflame slightly, because.

 

At work on Monday morning, I was doing data input and noticed whenever I typed, mostly, the ts, gs, bs, fs or rs on the keyboard, my finger would protest with this nagging pain.  Now, don't lecture me on the correct posture for typing…I've been typing since before you were born (nod to James Fox)!  And, gasp, I was taught typing on a manual typewriter (ah, the good old days of the late 70's).

 

Anyway, I work at a hospital.  Keyword: HOSPITAL.  My supervisor instructed me to go to our associate health department (think, school nurse) and see if they could help me with my pain.  Mind you, this was after about 20 minutes of doctors, other associates, etc., trying to extract the splinter from my finger!  Associate health was no help either.  They didn't even have tweezers to extract the wee beastie from my finger.  One offered the fall-back "digging with a needle" approach, to which, I politely declined.

 

I've tried the soak in hot water method.  I've tried the biting it method.  All to no avail.  And, I KNOW this offending thorn will eventually be pushed out of my finger by my body.  It is just this annoying, nagging nuisance constantly distracting me throughout my day.

 

I wonder if this is how my sin looks to the Holy Spirit?  Or, is that my problem: that I would regard sin as an annoyance rather than a huge gaping chasm separating me from a right relationship with my Lord?

 

Oh Lord! Help me see sin the way you do!

 

P.S. BTW, today is my favorite day!  That it happens to coincide with the premier of "Twilight" does not go unnoticed by me! 

 

P.S.S. Frank rotisseried a scrumdillylicious turkey for his company pot-luck today and it was aromatizing the house this morning.  My stomach was being taunted by wonderful wafting turkey vapors.  Ahhh…Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Which reminds me…I have a Turkey & Wild Rice recipe to send to Sarah. 

Favorite Romantic Movies

We had this conversation the other day at work and I came up with my list of favorite romantic movies.  If you can ever find the DVD for "Still Breathing" and could purchase it for me...I'd be forever grateful!  It has a great picture of committed love and waiting for marriage to have sex.   Mary's Favorite Romantic Movies ----------------------------------------------- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

13 Going On 30 (2004)

27 Dresses (2008)

50 First Dates (2004)

African Queen,The  (1951)

American President,The  (1995)

An Affair to Remember (1957)

An Ideal Husband (1999)

Autumn in New York (2000)

Baby Boom (1987)

Backstreet (1961)

Barefoot in the Park (1967)

Batteries Not Included (1987)

Beaches (1988)

Becoming Jane (2007)

Big Chill,The  (1983)

Bishop's Wife, The  (1947)

Blast from the Past (1998)

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Bridges of Madison County,The  (1995)

Bridget Jones' Diary (2001 )

Bringing Up Baby(1938)

Bull Durham (1988)

Casablanca (1942)

Charade (1963)

Chocolat (2000)

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

City of Angels (1998)

Clueless (1995)

Dave (1993)

Devil Wears Prada, The  (2006)

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

Elizabethtown (2005)

Emma (1996)

Enchanted (2007)

Enchanted April (1992)

Ever After (1998)

Every Time We Say Goodbye (1986)

Failure to Launch (2006)

Family Stone, The  (2005)

Far and Away (1992)

Father of the Bride (1991)

First Knight (1995)

Flashdance (1983)

Footloose (1984)

French Kiss (1995)

Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)

Funny Face (1957)

Funny Girl (1968)

Gaslight (1944)

Ghost (1990)

Gone With the Wind (1939)

Good Year, A (2006)

Grease (1978)

Greenfingers (2000)

Henry Poole is Here (2008)

His Girl Friday (1940)

Holiday Inn (1942)

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Il Postino (1994)

Importance of Being Earnest, The  (2002)

Indiscreet (1958)

It Could Happen to You (1994)

It Happened One Night (1934)

It's a Wonderful Life (1946)

Jane Austen Book Club, The  (2007)

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Kate & Leopold (2001)

King Arthur (2005)

Lake House, The  (2006)

Last Holiday (2006)

League of Their Own, A (1992)

Legally Blonde (2001)

Legends of the Fall (1994)

Little Romance, A (1979)

Little Women (1994)

Love Actually (2003)

Love Potion No. 9 (1992)

Love Story (1970)

Maid in Manhattan (2002)

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Man Who Loved Cat Dancing, The  (1973)

Marie Antoinette (2006)

Mean Girls (2004)

Mermaids (1990)

Miss Congeniality (2000)

Miss Potter (2006)

Monkey Business (1952)

Moonstruck (1987)

Moulin Rouge (2001)

Move over Darling (1963)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Murphy's Romance (1985)

Must Love Dogs (2005)

My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

My Fair Lady (1964)

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Mystic Pizza(1998)

Never Been Kissed (1999)

Nine to Five (1980)

No Reservations (2007)

Norma Rae (1979)

Northanger Abbey (1986)

Notebook, The  (2004)

Notting Hill (1999)

Now, Voyager (1942)

Out of Africa (1985)

P.S. I Love You (2007)

Pajama Game, The  (1957)

Penny Serenade (1941)

Perfect Man, The  (2004)

Persuasion (1995)

Phantom of the Opera, The (2004)

Philadelphia Story, The  (1940)

Pillow Talk (1959)

Practical Magic (1998)

Pretty in Pink (1986)

Pretty Woman (1990)

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Prince & Me, The  (2004)

Princess Bride, The  (1987)

Princess Diaries, The  (2001)

Raising Arizona (1987)

Raising Helen (2004)

Rebecca (1940)

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Roman Holiday (1953)

Romance on the High Seas (1948)

Romancing the Stone (1984)

Room With a View, A (1986)

Roxanne (1987)

Runaway Bride (1999)

Sabrina (1954, and 1995)

Say Anything… (1989)

Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Shakespeare in Love (1999)

Shall We Dance (2004)

Shop Around the Corner, The  (1940)

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

Some Like It Hot (1959)

Someone Like You (2001)

Somewhere in Time (1980)

Sophie's Choice (1982)

Splash (1984)

Steel Magnolias (1989)

Still Breathing (1997)

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Sweet November (2001)

Tequila Sunrise (1988)

Terms of Endearment (1983)

That Touch of Mink (1962)

The Holiday (2006)

Titanic (1997)

Truly, Madly, Deeply (1991)

Two Weeks Notice (2002)

Under the Tuscan Sun(2003)

Up Close & Personal (1996)

Walk in the Clouds, A (1995)

Walk to Remember, A (2002)

Way We Were, The  (1973)

Wedding Date, The  (2005)

Wedding Planner, The  (2001)

What a Girl Wants (2003)

What's Up, Doc? (1972)

While You Were Sleeping (1995)

White Christmas (1954)

Working Girl (1988)

Wuthering Heights (1939)

Throwing around "Love"

Frank and I had dinner with Jameson recently.  I was SO happy to see him and hugged him so hard!  It was way harder on me when he left...I felt like someone had punched me in the stomach.  As he left I said, "I love you.  Be safe!"  His reply, "I love you too mom."  I believe Jameson does love me.  But, I also believe he loves his freedom right now more.  I thought about this exchange of "love" words between us as I read the following devotional from Planet Wisdom.

 

Loving God means obeying His commandments.  Jesus said so.  I wonder how many of us (myself included) love the idea of obedience rather than being obedient.

 

This is what Moses wrote to the nation of Israel...

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)

 

And He [Jesus] said to him, " 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)

 

Then Jesus said to His disciples...

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35)

 

I love you all & pray for you daily-M

PlanetWisdom.com Devotionals

Love Ya! Posted: 18 Nov 2008 04:04 PM CST "If you love me, you will obey what I command." (John 14:15) "Love ya!" "Oh, I love these things." "I just love that show." "That guy is great; I love him." "I love you in those shoes." "I love you, but . . ." We love to throw the word "love" around like it's "like," don't we? And that's fine as long as we all know what we mean. But the casual use of "love" has put a dent in our understanding of the word. For his disciples, Jesus set the highest meaning of the word: "Love" = "obey me." Ouch. I do not love that definition. I want to be able to shout "Yes, I LOVE Jesus!" and get some points for all that emotion without being fact-checked by my obedience. Living love is so much harder than saying love. Think: Do you think obedience to Jesus is a fair standard for whether we love Him or not? How would you rate the distance between any feelings of love you have for God and your obedience of Him? Pray: Ask God to give you the courage and will to show your love for Him by doing what He tells you to do. Do: Listen this week for all the different ways people use the word "love." Visit PlanetWisdom.com for more great resources!

President-Elect Barack Obama - Worth Mentioning

I heartily agree with the comments posted on Mark Matlock's blog.  I have reposted it here for you to read, but here is the link directly to his blog.  http://www.planetwisdom.com/marksblog/2008/11/election-reflection.html

 

I am just a little bit proud of what my momma said when I called her shortly after the election.  She said something to the effect, we were a little disappointed with the election results, but we will pray for our new president-elect.  And, her comments are as they should be.  Sensible, not fear driven and, I would add, dependant on God.  Check out what Mark has to say.

 

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Election Reflection

Around the dinner table last week I asked my kids who they were going to vote for. My son replied "Obama" and my daughter, "John McCain".

I asked my daughter, "Why?". She said because that is who we (Jade and I) were voting for. Dax commented back "No they aren't, they are voting for Obama."

I smiled. Neither of my kids had picked up on who I was voting for. I liked this. It made me feel "fair and balanced".

I responded to the kids telling them they should never vote a certain way just because somebody they knew (even trusted) were voting that way. I then asked them the reasons why they might vote for either candidate and a nice discussion followed.

What concerned me most in the conversation was how much fear my daughter shared with us about an Obama victory. In fact, the night of the election she actually cried because she was afraid Obama was going to take our house away.

Now I have been critical of both candidates, but I've never shared the sentiment that I was afraid of an Obama presidency. Where did she get this fear from?

Further probing unfolded various conversations with friends, their parents, and church family members.

I was shocked. While I may have preferred one candidate over another, I've never been in fear of either one becoming president. What is shocking most, is that much of this "fear mongering" came from those who would call themselves followers of Christ.

As Christians our confidence lies in the sovereignty of God. We do not need to fear anything or anyone. But rather in humility and grace live our lives respectfully in the world.

Romans 8:15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."

1 John 4:4
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

The head of marketing for a well respected presonality in Christian ministry once gave me advice for selling more books, raising more money, and filling more seats. "The majority of Christians are motivated by fear. Your problem Mark, is that you always think positively and hopefully about teenagers. You don't have to change the core of your message, just leverage fear more to sell your message."

I left the office disillusioned. Fear is not the message of the Gospel.

But judging by the tears of my daughter after Obama's victory, Christians use this message of fear most. Shame on all of us.

Reflection on the election I have a few thoughts about how involved Christians should be in the political process.

1. First recognize that our citizenship is in the kingdom way of heaven and not of this world. (Phil 3:20) My life needs to reflect the kingdom of God and not a political party. There are deeply Christian values found in both partys' philosophy of government and there are also many values that distinctly go against the kingdom way of heaven. In both parties! So don't get too tied up in red and blue, your time should be spent living in the kingdom way of God.

Have you examined the aspects of your party that reflect God's kingdom? Have you been honest about what does not? Can you support the values with scripture?

2. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." Mt 22:15-22 Those word's of Jesus have deep implications. Read that passage and ask exactly what did Jesus mean by this?

Clearly there are certain obligations we have as Christians living in a specific country. But what do you think belongs to God that should not be given to Caesar?

3. Mt 12:21 "In His name the nations will put their hope." How do you think the world will change most? By changing the government or helping others follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ ? Let's not put our effort into changing the world through government let's change the world through the hope they might find in the way of Jesus Christ.

When Barack Obama won the senate seat and gave his acceptance speech, I was impressed by him. Most notably by his sincerity of Christian faith and the message of hope that he presented (in fact I remarked to my wife that he gave witness to a sincere Christian faith rarely seen in politicians who are simply trying to get votes).

I didn't know much about Obama at that time other than his speech, and I have learned much more about him both positive and negative since then. But I have not seen any reason to doubt the sincerity of his Christian faith. Is he perfect in his walk? By no means, and there are important matters in which Obama and I disagree, his position on abortion most notably. But our churches are full of imperfect Christians, saved by grace, and being ever more transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Whether you voted for him or not, he is now our president and worthy of our prayers. Also, consider some ideas he has that might actually be good for our country. As brothers and sisters in Christ we should challenge him when we disagree, but with humility, love and grace.

Now it's time to put our politics aside and begin living out the kingdom way Christ saved us to. To do any less would be an offense to the death Christ died for all.

11.17.08 - A Christian Cullen?

Don't know how many of you have read the "Twilight" books...but I am eager to see the movie!!! Unfortunately, I won't be able to see the mid-night showing (ahem, Katie!)...nor have a chance over the weekend, as my plate is full!  But, I DO plan to drag Frank to see it soon!

 

Anyway, this Soul Fule was VERY timely!  Especially since there are a few rumors rolling around that the books are all about sex.  Which, couldn't be farther from the truth!  In fact, I do like the way the author makes a point of having the characters wait until marriage for sex.

 

Which, is also God's plan for you, child of God.  Like I said, this Soul Fuel was great!  It does an excellent job of challenging you to wait for marraige before having sex.  Not only is it a great idea, but, God tells us to!

 

Read on!

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: dare2share <dare2share@d2smail.com>
Date: Nov 17, 2008 3:34 PM
Subject: SF 11.17.08 - A Christian Cullen?
To: mehickcox@gmail.com

 

A Christian Cullen? BELLA SWAN has always been a little bit different. Never one to run with the crowd, Bella never cared about fitting in with the trendy, plastic girls at her Phoenix, Arizona high school. When her mother remarried and sent Bella to live with her father in the rainy little town of Forks, Washington, she didn't expect much of anything to change. But things do change when she meets the mysterious and dazzlingly beautiful EDWARD CULLEN. For Edward is nothing like any boy she's ever met. He's nothing like anyone she's ever met, period. He's intelligent and witty, and he seems to see straight into her soul. In no time at all, they are swept up in a passionate and decidedly unorthodox romance - unorthodox because Edward really isn't like the other boys. He can run faster than a mountain lion. He can stop a moving car with his bare hands. Oh, and he hasn't aged since 1918. Like all vampires, he's immortal. That's right - VAMPIRE. But he doesn't have fangs - that's just in the movies. And he doesn't drink human blood, though Edward and his family are unique among vampires in that lifestyle choice. "To Edward, Bella is that thing he has waited 90 years for - a soul mate. But the closer they get, the more Edward must struggle to resist the primal pull of her scent, which could send him into an uncontrollable frenzy."* Of course the vast majority of you reading this already knew about the highly anticipated Twilight movie - right? Kind of like a combo of Dracula and Romeo and Juliet, this story has captured the attention and hearts of literally millions of teens. And you also know about the unique choice the Cullens have made in terms of being vegetarian vampires - i.e., not drinking human blood. Sure, it smells great to them, but on moral principle they abstain because of the harm that comes from partaking. So what about the idea of a 'Christian Cullen'? No, obviously not a decision to abstain from drinking human blood - I'm kinda assuming most if not all of you don't really have an issue with this area. But there is another area that is definitely an issue with teens. In a word...sex. Whoa - just wait a second! Am I saying that having sex is like a vampire drinking blood? Well, if it is taking place outside of marriage, yes. Actually it's not me saying it. It's God's Word: Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). I've heard many Christians claim that all sin is the same in God's sight. While technically true in the sense that all sin breaks God's standards for life, this passage makes an obvious category distinction: No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. In other words, when you violate God's perfect design for sex in terms of it being made for marriage only, it is like draining your own spiritual blood and the blood of another. Just like you cannot jump out a window and expect gravity not to kick in, you also cannot have sex outside of marriage and not expect very serious and permanent consequences. I'm not just talking about the risk of disease - because that is minor compared to the guarantee that you murder a part of yourself and someone else when you 'hook up.' So what would a 'Christian Cullen' be? I think you've figured it out. It's a Christian who - even though they are attracted to another person - decides to abstain from sex until marriage because he or she knows that breaking God's design is very much like draining blood. Listen - making a commitment to save sex until marriage will NOT lessen your enjoyment in relationships. It will NOT mean that you are weird or too scared. It WILL mean that God will bless your decision and give you an enjoyment of sex in marriage that the ones who gave it away will never know. And if you have already made that mistake - the great news is that with a change of heart and a prayer for forgiveness, you can be made whole by God's love and power. Who's with me for a 'Christian Cullen' movement? Head: What you need to know about this truth The Bible warns against pre-marital sex not because God doesn't want us to enjoy it - but because it was designed for marriage. When we break that design, there are serious consequences. Heart: What you need to feel about this truth Feel excited that one day you will be able to enjoy sex in the way it was designed. Hands: What you need to do about this truth Talk to your parents and/or youth leaders about your commitment to purity and how they might be able to help you reach your goal. *Source: twilightthemovie.com

Leaders! Parents! Be sure to check out the Youth Leader Guide and Parent Guide for A Christian Cullen? For ideas on how to talk with teens about the Gospel using current topics from teen culture, check out this week's Culture Commission! For more teen and youth group resources visit www.dare2share.org. Interested in a Dare 2 Share Conference near you? Visit www.dare2share.org/invincible to learn more.

© 2008 Dare 2 Share Ministries

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Soul Fuel - 11.10.08 - Your True BFF

The following is from Dare2Share.  Some of you have established your BFF...some of you haven't.  Some of you have discovered your BFF was NOT the BFF you thought you had.  Ultimately, Jesus calls us His friends.  I believe, when you and your BFF have Jesus first in the heart of your friendship, THAT is a friendship worth keeping.  In my entired 40+ years of friendships, I can count on one hand only three best friendships that had/have the truth of Jesus first.  And, I married one of them.  The other two, are still my friends today.  You know?  None of them are from High School or College.  What about you?  Do your friends draw you deeper in your relationship with Jesus...or pull at you to abandon Him and focus on them?  What kind of friend are you?

Your True BFF Whoa. Somewhere in the mix of electing a new President, watching the World Series, working, and taking care of my family, I somehow missed a monumental and significant new television series: Paris Hilton's My New BFF Where were my BFF's when it comes to making sure I didn't miss a second of what I'm sure will go down as some of the most compelling and transformational footage ever to hit the cable and satellite channels??? But perhaps not everyone shares my view...I read that one of the 'auditions' to join Hilton's posse had a grand total of 40 people show up! Pretty much less of a crowd than I face every Saturday morning at Starbucks when they have Pumpkin Bread samples. Then of course there has to be a song to go along with the show - so sample some of these lyrics, my friend: All of my life I've been waiting, For someone to trust, someone who cares. Someone who knows, that would always be there. Someone who always would tell me the truth, Even when it's the hard thing to do. Someone who always knows what to say, And when they don't, they don't go away. Someone who always walks by my side, Through the hard times. Could you be the one I want? My best friend. Could you be the one I need? My best friend. All of my life, don't you know I been waiting? For the best friend. Could you be the one I want? My best friend. So I ask myself...self: why the popularity of this trash series? I guess there are plenty-o-party animal Paris fans that admire the (ahem) hotel heiress, but I believe there is a deeper issue here. Seriously - I know 'deep issue' and 'My New BFF' seem like concepts that are a few million light years apart - but for all its candy-coated concepts, Paris' song literally strikes a chord that resonates with every human. No, not the need for a bedazzled cell phone...but the need for a relationship that is authentic, loyal, and permanent no matter what. You know - a BFF! Call me crazy, but somehow I don't think Paris is likely to find one amongst the highly motivated and qualified contestants 'lucky' enough to be a part of a show I'd actually call So You Think You Can Grovel? But in truth, it's not just the wannabe heirheads that would likely gossip and betray someone for their own gain. It's also you..and me...and everyone else on this planet. As nice as we behave and as 'real' as we try and keep it, we all fail our friends from time to time. There's another truth, though, that paints a picture of faithful friendship and meets every criteria laid out in Paris' 'My BFF' song: All of my life I've been waiting, For someone to trust, someone who cares. God's Word promises: For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). Someone who knows, that would always be there. God has said: "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you" (Hebrews 13:5). Someone who always would tell me the truth, Even when it's the hard thing to do. The Bible says: Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). Someone who always knows what to say, And when they don't, they don't go away. Someone who always walks by my side, Through the hard times. Jesus said: Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" ( Matthew 11:28-30 The Message). The Bible is crystal clear about your true BFF. Jesus Christ loves you with an everlasting love. He longs to be a part of your life and share each step of the way. But the key is that you have to allow Him to take that place in your life. Are you ready and willing to have a new best friend forever? He's just a prayer away. Head: What you need to know about this truth Jesus Christ offers us an eternal and loving relationship that begins when we put our trust in Him alone as our Savior. He is truly the ' friend who sticks closer than a brother' (Proverbs 18:24). Heart: What you need to feel about this truth Feel confident that even though your family and friends fail you, if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, you will always have a best friend. Hands: What you need to do about this truth Friendships grow deeper when there is time spent together communicating and sharing. If Jesus is truly your best friend, then make it a point to develop that friendship every day by reading His Word and praying.

Leaders! Parents! Be sure to check out the Youth Leader Guide and Parent Guide for Your True BFF. For ideas on how to talk with teens about the Gospel using current topics from teen culture, check out this week's Culture Commission! For more teen and youth group resources visit www.dare2share.org. Interested in a Dare 2 Share Conference near you? Visit www.dare2share.org/invincible to learn more.

© 2008 Dare 2 Share Ministries

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