Growing by the Grace of God

By Emily Herring Dunn

For the past year or so I have been doing many things to try to grow in my faith. One of those things is reading a One Year Bible to try and “know my stuff” and grow closer to God. While I do have moments when I let the everyday world take over and I fall behind on my God time, I am doing a better job than I ever envisioned.

OK, so that’s not quite good enough. I asked for the One Year Bible so I would get up every morning and spend time with God. While some mornings I’m full of excuses or tired from the previous days of the week, I shouldn’t let that interrupt the relationship.

I am slowly but surely realizing that this is a tough world we live in. While I knew this to begin with, it is sinking in more and more as I grow older.

I’ve realized that as Christians we have it even harder. We are living in a secular world that focuses on everything from sex to drugs, to little things like “bad words”, and that secular world idolizes such things.

In high school and college, I think things are even worse. Here we are from ages 13 to 22 and we’re learning how to be adults. I mean, let’s face it, we are learning, and perhaps no one truly ever learns what that word “adult” means.

Just to help this devotional along, let’s give you a definition:

Adult’ a. grown-up; mature—n. mature person, animal, or plant.

So, what does that mean? We could go in circles forever! You could look up grown-up, mature, person, and even animal or plant. How are we supposed to know when we’re adults and when life is supposed to be really tough? I can tell you, for me, life has seemed the most difficult between 13 and 22.

Between ages 13 and 22, a person is supposed to learn how to be mature. A person is supposed to learn good life choices, and as Christians we are supposed to learn how to live according to God’s will and plans. We may make plans of our own, but how do we make sure that everything is for the glory of God? As other individuals around us are focused on the secular world, making decisions that we don’t look at as lightly as they do, how are we supposed to grow up to be Christian adults?

Christianity’ n. religion based on the teachings of Jesus—Christian a., n.

According to Webster’s New Pocket Dictionary, Christianity is a religion based on the teachings of Jesus, so we can assume a Christian would be a person, animal, or plant that follows the teachings of Jesus, correct? So, an ‘Adult Christian’ may be something like this:

Adult Christian’ n. mature person, animal, or plant that bases his, her, or it’s life on the teachings of Jesus.

As ‘Adult Christians’, we are held to higher standards. We base our lives on the teachings of the number one teacher, the Messiah, the Son of God who died for our sins. And yet we are sinners everyday and surrounded by sinners as well. What does that mean? It means that we do not deserve to be Adult Christians, but we are blessed with God’s grace and forgiveness because of His son’s teachings.

OK, so what does this have to do with being between the ages of 13 and 22?

Between the ages of 13-22 a person is more apt to change, more apt to molding, and out on his/her own more so to experience what this world is all about. That’s a scary step, wouldn’t you say? Because when a person is 13 you don’t think much of him/her going out in to the world and becoming a new adult. At the age of 13, a person is still a child to most.

Then, suddenly, at age 18, a person is expected to become a ‘mature person,’ step out in to the world, and make the right choices.

I don’t think so.

We as Christians are growing every single day. As young adults, and as adult Christians, we strive to live by the teachings of Jesus Christ and to witness to those around us. It isn’t easy. The people around us give in to the temptations of everyday life, as we do, but the difference is that some of them don’t have the Savior to forgive them and rescue them from a damned life.

I know. It’s intense.

Psalm 37:3-4 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.”

How amazing is that? As long as we trust in the Lord, do good, and take delight in the Lord, then we will live safely, prosper, and receive our heart’s desires. Now, who deserves that?

I can tell you who. No one.

We are living a blessed life. Though at times it may seem more difficult to be an Adult Christian than to just be an adult, it’s a choice we have made and a life we have been blessed with. Jesus died on the cross for all of our sins, and we must live each day with that in mind.

Though other adults may seem like they’re having more fun living a life that isn’t by the teachings of Christ, we have the ultimate blessing and fun a head of us—even after death! We live on forever by the grace of God, simply by glorifying Him and doing good by Him.

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again—my Savior and my God!” Psalm 43:5.

Your life is in God’s hands. Put your hope in God, praise Him, and He will give you your heart’s desires. As an adult, that’s a pretty good thing to know. We trek through life wondering if we will ever get what we desire, ever get what we think we deserve—and God says yes you will. Praise Him through the storms of high school, of college, or growing up and He will mold you in to an Adult Christians.

Certainty in the Uncertainty

By Stacey Wilson

Lately, the Richter scale has seen its fair share of news headlines. The first quarter of 2010 left its mark in history as a period of earthen instability – thousands and thousands of people shaken from their normal routines within a matter of seconds, many of them changed forever.

The ground shifting beneath us, however, hasn’t been the only unsteadiness we’ve felt these past few months. Lingering economic problems, more terrorist attacks, and heated political climates have also contributed to a sense of global shakiness.

And then there are the seemingly ever-present personal issues “us girls” deal with that can shake us pretty badly: Will I ever find the right guy? What will I do after I graduate? Am I really where I’m supposed to be in life?

Uncertainty.

It can prevent us from moving ahead with confidence. It can paralyze us from making important decisions. And it can permeate us with a sense of uneasiness that makes life just plain hard sometimes.

When I find myself in this boat of apprehension, waves crashing around me in the middle of the deepest ocean, I can usually look back on my journey out to sea and realize that it was just me paddling.

There will always be uncertainty in life; the apprehension comes when we lose sight of who’s in control, who should be paddling with us. You see, there’s certainty in the uncertainty.

John captured these words of Jesus in his gospel account: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It’s certain that we will have trouble in this world. It’s also certain that Jesus has overcome it. So how do we live in the midst of the world’s uncertainties with confidence?

I think these verses in Proverbs 3 sum up what our actions should look like: “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.”

Straight. I like that word. It implies that even in the crookedness and debris of life, our paths can cut right through the heart of unexpected obstacles. We can become living examples of Christ’s overcoming power in this world. That’s how we’re supposed to live; trusting that God will make our path straight even when we don’t know if there’s a fallen oak tree somewhere up the road. We don’t have to know where the tree will be or how we will get past it, we just have to trust that he’ll provide an axe or the strength to climb over it.

Staying constantly focused on who is ultimately in control of the storms and tragedies that affect our lives can take the sting out of uncertainty. Each obstacle is an opportunity to experience more of God’s grace, mercy, and provision. When we look at our uncertainties in this light, we can’t really be moved.

Getting Married Young: Advice from someone who did it

By Emily Herring Dunn

I know that I have my regular column entitled Married in College, but I thought it may be refreshing to write an actual article on being married young. After all, many of you may be nearing an age where you feel ready to be with that person whom you love.

My husband and I knew each other all through high school. Though we were friends and we were there to support each other through rough times, we were not romantically involved until our senior year of high school. In the first month of our freshman year of college, we eloped.

While this may seem extreme and not well thought out to many of you readers, we are still going strong and still feel like we did when we first started dating.

It’s not easy. Being married young is NOT easy. No matter how easy people may make it look on the television or through articles or books, it is not easy.

I think it’s and for people who got married young to admit the trials and tribulations they faced. Why? Because when you marry young you are automatically put into a category of concern. People do not understand why you couldn’t wait; if it’s so meant to be, why can’t the couple wait a few more years?

Everyone has their reasons, but being in a category that is so questioned these days makes it hard for younger couples to admit they’re struggling. Getting married young is typically viewed as a mistake to the outside world, so for those who got married young they have to stay strong and appear as though nothing is ever wrong.

OK, you may think that’s a little over the top. There are the few who look at young married couples with admiration and wish that they could do the exact same thing. Perhaps others have patience, perhaps others aren’t sure, or perhaps others wait because they don’t want to be seen as other young married couples.

I cannot speak for everyone. I can simply give you some pointers.

One: If you feel as though you are ready to be married, make sure you talk it through. Don’t just get up and get married because others are telling you not to, or because you want to prove people wrong. Those are NOT good reasons. Get married because you know it’s right, because you know you don’t want to wait another day to start your forever together. Don’t get married for sex. Talk everything through and make sure you are getting married for the right reasons.

Two: Look at your financial situation. One thing I do look back on and laugh at is that Clark and I were not ready financially. We were both college students and the only reason we had money is because I had quite a bit saved from babysitting the year before. Neither of us had “real” jobs, and we were trying to make it in school. If you’re going to get married, you need a support system—friends, family, finances. Clark and I didn’t have any of those, possibly because we didn’t tell anyone we were getting married. Make sure you have enough money to stabilize yourselves in the beginning—especially if you are both in college.

Three: Talk to others about it. Clark and I were concerned that no one else would understand. We told my roommate, a few close friends, and hoped for the best. The day we got married, we e-mailed both of our parents a long letter explaining why. While I know that their advice would have been full of questions of, “How are you going to,” “Don’t you think you should,” “You are far too young,” I think we could have handled it. I think we would have seen things we didn’t think about, and things we needed to wait on, but I know we still would have done it. Premarital counseling, I think, is important; though we didn’t go through it, I think it’s a good suggestion—especially if you’re young. You need to have someone else talk you through situations, point out the importance of communication, and so on. We didn’t get all of that until after we were married, and I think the first few months would have been a lot easier had we talked to our closest friends and family.

The times that we live in do not support young marriages. Women and men are supposed to go out and establish themselves on their own. However, I think that if you are ready—you’re ready. If you know, you know. No one else can make the decision for you, but I think it’s a decision that is not to be made lightly and should only be carried out if you are completely positive.

While my three pointers left out the most important in my opinion, I thought it would be best to end with.

The Most Important thing to Remember: Always put God first. In the relationship, you must remember that there is Someone who needs to come before your spouse. It should be God, each other, and then everybody and everything else. God is always first, and if He is not first in your relationship, then you need to rethink your decision. Clark and I struggled with God in the beginning because we were so enamored with each other that we seemed to forget Him. Talk to Him about it, pray about it… because only He can give you the right answer.

Marriage is one of the most important decisions you will make in your entire life. It doesn’t matter if you decide when you’re 18 or when you’re 65 as long as you’re sure it’s the right decision, the right person, and God is not going to be pushed aside for it.

I married at age 18. Now, at age 21, I look back and know that I would still make the same decision, with the same man, but I would tweak it just a bit. I would make sure we had the support systems, would make sure we talked to someone, and would enforce the most important thing to remember: that God was first in the decision.

Married in College: A Family Visit

By Emily Herring Dunn

Now that you know the condition our apartment was in, you can understand the stress that would come with a family visit.

In April Clark and I prepared for my mom and little sister to visit from Germany. They were coming for my birthday as well as my older sister’s graduation from Roanoke College in VA. We had a fun-filled planned vacation, but my mom and little sister were not prepared for Homespun Hills.

The other thing that we all weren’t prepared for?

Possessiveness.

When my mom and little sister visited, all of a sudden I was possessive of everything. After all, it was our house. I was angry when they insulted anything, upset when they didn’t consult me about their plans—even if I was in class.

The first visit of my family coming to stay with us did not go entirely as smoothly as planned.

My mom and little sister arrived shortly before my birthday. The plans we had for while they were “in town” was simply to go to the outlet stores up the mountain. Mom said she would take me on a mini-shopping trip for my birthday, and my little sister wanted me to help her pick out some clothes.

Well, the day after they arrived I left my house key with them and went to class. My mom wanted to run a few errands, and she needed the house key, obviously, to get back in.

Well, when I returned from class my mom and little sister were gone.

Clark had one key, and they had the other. Luckily, one of our windows didn’t lock, so I took my time (this wasn’t the first time) maneuvering the window to get it open and get in to the house.

I was furious.

I had told them what time I was done with class, and had thought we were going shopping when I got home. Mom said she just wanted to go here and there and would be back in time. How could they be so inconsiderate?

Between 30 minutes to an hour later they walked in carrying shopping bags.

I started spouting.

I gave them evil looks and wondered what on earth had happened. I thought we were all going shopping together. Did they forget what time my classes were over? I had to break in to my own apartment because they were out doing something we were supposed to be doing together!

After my mom explained and my little sister cried, we all settled down. However, this was only the beginning.

My birthday was on a Friday that year, but we had decided to drive to the outer banks for the weekend. We couldn’t leave until around 4, though, because Clark had to work. Though he assured us we’d get there in good time, mom didn’t know good time still meant 11:30pm.

The whole way there she muttered about his driving under her breath. It took all of Clark to keep his patience, and most of the time all of him lost.

When we first stopped for gas, and Clark asked mom to fill up, there was a conflict. Clark spilled out the how much we really had in our bank account, and then I was furious for letting my mother know how destitute we were.

Oh, how the list goes on.

While the weekend at the beach went very well, it was later that the true blow up occurred.

When we returned I had exams to take and we were going to have a “real” birthday celebration with a cake and such. While I was studying, my mom decided to invite our neighbor over for the birthday celebration. While I appreciated her thoughtfulness, I was annoyed.

I wanted my birthday to be with my family, only. After all, they were there for it—why did we have to invite our 40 year old neighbor who we saw everyday?

I started yelling.

I was yelling about my birthday, about my exams, about mom and Molly not respecting our house—everything.

I then commenced to tell our neighbor that my mom wasn’t feeling well and would he mind if we just sent over some food. My mom emerged from the apartment and started yelling at me, in front of our neighbor, telling me not to lie.

Our poor neighbor.

Clark pulled us in to the apartment and played peace maker, which was surprising because he and my mom had been complaining about each other to me just earlier that day. We then went back to apologize to our neighbor after Clark had calmed us down.

While the visit ended up being wonderful, it was a lesson-learning experience.

I learned that my mother is always going to be my mother, even in my house.

I learned that Clark and I still had a lot of growing up to do before we were ready for relatives to stay with us.

I learned that Clark and I had to establish ourselves as our own entity, our own family.

I learned that my parents, and Clark’s parents, still had a lot of accepting to do.

I learned that everything was going to take time.

I learned that everything would be OK as long as we kept putting God first.

So, this column probably isn’t as entertaining as the last few. I must say that while the visit still sticks out in my mind, I can’t remember a lot of the details. I can’t remember my exact words or my mother’s, I can’t remember Clark’s attitude before or after he played peace maker, and I can’t remember exactly all that my neighbor had to endure.

What I can remember is that we got through it. We survived the first visit of others that were to come, and I finished my first spring semester of college.

We had no idea what was on our schedules for the next year.

Mother’s Day Tributes!

RCG Mag staff wanted to take a moment to shout out to their special mom’s this month! So take a moment and read up on why we love our mom’s…then go hug yours or any other inspiring woman in your life. Here’s to the strong, empowered women of our lives! Happy Mother’s Day!

Amy Marturana

My mother is my best friend… maybe it’s a special bond we have because we share the same birthday, or maybe it’s just because she is such a compassionate, comforting and understanding woman.  My mother is stylish… we share our clothes.  My mother is more popular than I am… we can’t go to any store without her seeing someone she knows. But most of all, my mother is an inspiration. I have never met a person with more strength and optimism than my mother, and I doubt I ever will.  There’s nothing she can’t do.  She graduated from college, had a full time job, raised two kids, and most amazingly, fought cancer.  The things she has gone through just within the past year of her life are more than most people would ever be able to bear.  But not my mother.  Sure, there are tough days… she’s only human.  But the way she faces the world in such a confident, optimistic and fearless way, makes me want to look life in the eyes and challenge it the same way.  Seeing my mother’s strength and heart gives me the strength to get through the tough days. She gives me the power to see the good among the painfully unfair things that have been thrown our way.  And most of all, she gives me support, love and solidarity when I feel like life may be falling apart right in front of me.  I have never stopped learning from her, and I know I never will.  So, thanks mom…you’re pretty great.  Happy Mother’s Day, I love you!

Sarah Buzzelli

Words can’t describe the love and respect I have for my mom.  The older I become, the more I realize all she has done for me.  Not only is she my mom, but she is my best friend. This past year has brought some difficult situations my way, and my mom has stood by my side through them all.  She is there for me no matter what I say or do, and I can never thank her enough.  What I love most about her is that she strives to be a Godly example for me. The way she lives her life is a testimony to me, and I am forever grateful for this.  Her patience, love, kindness, and courage are all parts of her loving and charitable personality that I respect and hope to attain.  God has blessed me with a wonderful mother who loves and worships Him, and radiates compassion and forgiveness.  I am so thankful for her, and I couldn’t ask for a better mom.

Emily Raush

When I look at my mom, I see the kind of woman I desire to be. With four children, she takes joy in putting all her time into supporting us in everything we do. She is such an encouragement to my life and has taught me what it looks like to be a hard-working, genuine, compassionate and godly lady. I am amazed at her selfless desire to help other people, no matter who they are or how busy she is. My mom is the epitome of the godly woman described in Proverbs 31, specifically verses 25-26: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” My mom is not only my role model, but she is also one of my best friends, and I so much appreciate how she is always there to listen to me, understand and offer godly advice. Even when I don’t treat her the way that I should, she chooses to love me no matter what. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am for my mom. God has really blessed me with her and my dad; I could not ask for a greater example of Christ’s love. Happy Mother’s Day Mommy…I love you!

Courtney Miller

When I was a senior in high school, my senior prom fell overnight into Mother’s Day.  When they didn’t have enough volunteers to work the 11pm to 5am after-prom event, my mom chose to begin her Sunday in a high school cafeteria.  And when we woke up mid-day after getting home, she made a full breakfast for ten people. This is why my mom is amazing: she has been a caterer, a driver, a hostess, a boss, a chaperone, a psychologist and an audience.  She has sat through enough bad violin concerts and grade school plays to fill a scrapbook.  She has two kids but plays an integral role in several of their friends’ lives. Yes, sometimes I think she mothers too much and we have our share of squabbles.  I still get frustrated when I’m home from college and she makes me text her telling her I’ve reached a friend’s house.  But I know she does it because she loves me. She’s always looking out for me.  If the world had more people that cared as much, it would be a better place. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom.

Angel Neal

I would like to wish my mother Cheryl Neal a Happy Mothers Day. My mom has always been there for me when I needed her to. Ever since I was born she has put in a hundred in ten percent to help me an anyway that she could. I know sometimes we can have our arguments, but I believe it’s because we’re so much like each other. I want to thank her for raising me to be a beautiful classy young woman just like herself. I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. At the end of the day in many cases she is the only one who understands. I don’t tell her enough how much I appreciate her and love her so I want to take the time out and thank my mommy. I love you!

Samantha Highfill

From my genes to my strength, I am my mother’s daughter. Most importantly, she is the reason that I’m alive, but she’s also the reason behind who I am. She gives me my independence when I need it and she offers advice when I ask. She accepts me and she loves me. I admire her from a distance as she leads by example, running her own company and being a successful woman in a patriarchal corporate world. She’s my best friend, but let’s not forget, she’s also the reason for my great hair. You always hear people say that they can never repay their mothers and it’s at this point in my life when I realize just how true that is. I can only hope to one day become for my daughter what my mother is for me – my core.

Catey Gonzalez

Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful mom, Christine Louise Russell Gonzalez. I love you for “oofy poofy oofy poofy, nope!” and “Koala Lou, I love you.” I love you for all the years of home schooling I wouldn’t trade for anything (if I’m a genius—and I am—it’s only because of you!). I love you for being my favorite person to weep copiously about movies with. I love you for raising me to love God, and for not raising me to be one of “those girls.” I love you for all the times in the last few years you’ve pushed and encouraged me, to help me become the kind of woman I want to be. Not to mention you’re way more beautiful than all the other *cough*-year-old moms around! I love you Momma, big as the world.

Non-Stop Honor: How to Love Your Mom 365 Days a Year

By Catey Gonzalez

In Exodus chapter 20, God gave His people ten basic instructions for how to live an upright life. When you really think about, ten rules is not all that many; obviously God meant for us to pay special attention to these ten things, above everything else. Fairly high on this list of ten—number five—is “honor your father and mother.” Added to the end of that command is a promise from God: that “your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” This promise refers specifically to the promised land God was giving to his people in the book of Exodus, but even today, all these thousands of years later, the implication remains that honoring your parents is a really important thing to God.

This month we will set aside a day to honor our mothers. At my house, this will entail breakfast in bed, a few gifts, lunch at her favorite restaurant, and probably flowers—all to show my mom that we think she’s wonderful and we love her. Mother’s Day, no matter how simply or how extravagantly you acknowledge it, is truly a great thing. However, when God instructs us to honor our mothers, He probably didn’t quite mean giving them one day out of the year and being content with that. The question we should ask ourselves, then, is how can we show our mothers honor throughout the year? To answer this question, I think it is important to first know what the word “honor” actually means.

The first definition Dictionary.Com gives for the verb form of this word is “to hold in high respect.”  You can show that you hold your mom in high respect in a hundred different ways, from small things like answering in full sentences instead of mumbling when she asks you about your day, to bigger things like vacuuming or washing all the dishes without being asked. Respect can be a tricky concept to grasp, however; it can take so many different forms, and it means something different to each person (Aretha didn’t say “find out what it means to everyone!”). Ultimately this particular expression of honor will depend on your individual relationship with your mother. If you’re not sure what your mom thinks of when she thinks of respect, it’s not a bad idea to just ask her directly! It sounds corny, but she’s likely to be thrilled that you really want to know.

Dictionary.Com’s second entry for the verb “honor” is “to revere.” A better word for “revere” might be “admire.” There are many ways to let your mother know that you admire her. One of the best ways might be to tell friends how much you appreciate her, while she’s there. But advice like this is not hard to come by. We girls are told fairly often, by our churches or our grandparents or our favorite piece of chick-lit, that it’s important that our moms know we admire them. We know it’s important to externally show our admiration; it might, therefore, be more important to work on internalizing this particular component of honor. Sure, we can remember to find a way of showing our admiration a few times per month or even per week, but do we really believe our own words on a daily basis? God’s desire, according to His command in Exodus, is that we honor our mothers not occasionally but with our lives—and that includes consistently revering them in our hearts.

I’m not at all trying to say that Mother’s Day is pointless or that it’s not a good way to honor our mothers. The Oxford English dictionary includes a definition that Dictionary.Com leaves out: “to celebrate.” We rightfully set aside one Sunday every May to celebrate the women who mean the most to us, whether it be with cards or food or gifts or just an extra long hug. But I would suggest that this year we should try to keep the values of Mother’s Day dear to our hearts long after May has come and gone. Imagine how honored your mom would feel if she was surprised with breakfast in bed in the middle of October!

Love Letters from Jesus – Lamentations 3

By Laura Kuhns

My blessed child,

Do not despair. I see when you are surrounded by spiritual darkness, when your heart is overwhelmed, and when all you want to do is bury yourself under the covers and never come out. Trust me when I say that I see every affliction you go through, and I am still in control. No situation is out of my hands. I have allowed you to see these trials so that your faith in Me will grow and our relationship will deepen. I know sometimes it seems that I have forgotten you or that I am punishing you, but this is far from the truth. When you are in your darkest moment and hopelessness has all but completely overtaken your life, I will come through for you.

Though your heart feels discouraged and downcast, do not give up hope. Refuse to let evil and despair take over your life. Remember the times I have rescued you in the past. My love is steadfast; it is firmly fixed on you, never to be shaken or removed. Do not forget that my mercy is new every morning and it never comes to an end.  Though tears may cover your cheeks in the night, I will wipe them away and give you a reason to smile once more. I will take care of you and heal your heart just as I promised, because you are My child and I Love you more than you could ever imagine.

Wait for me, my love. Do not give up, do not lose hope, and do not let this fear and anxiety take over your life. Choose to make Me your true love, your source of hope and strength, and I will not disappoint you.  I will come for you and I will save you, but first you must wait. I have something valuable to teach you in this. Seek Me and you will understand.

Do not give up, dear one. I know my ways seem cruel and unfeeling, but remember My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not the same as My ways. I do not enjoy watching you cry or knowing you are hurting, but I will hold you and know that it will make our relationship stronger in the end. I desire to know you and for you to know me far more than I desire you to be in constant comfort.

Hold on to me and my promises. Oh, precious one. Remember how I love you and that I will come through for you at the right time. Turn your heart to Me, follow Me, and trust in Me. I will never let you go, even in your darkest moments.

Your Rescuer.

Me… a Missionary?

by Laura Kuhns

“If you feel that you are called to full-time missions, come forward during the song and dedicate your life to doing God’s work overseas.”

Ever heard that? Did you go forward? I never have. Maybe you’ve thought, “Me, called to missions? I don’t think so. There’s no way God would ever call me to be a missionary overseas!” Don’t worry, you’re not alone.

I never thought the Lord was calling me to be a missionary. For years I insisted that I was called to be a stay-at-home mom and raise Godly, Christian children. Sure, I may be called to do that, but I think I was selling myself, and God, short. We have all been called to something greater than that, and if we are willing to remove our pride and let Him use us, the Lord can change the world through us.

This spring break I had the opportunity to spend a week in El Salvador playing with kids in orphanages and talking to girls in prisons. What an amazing trip! It was incredible to be a part of the work God is doing in the city of San Salvador. But when I came home, I found myself in a spiritual slump. I kept thinking about how much I wanted to be back in El Salvador continuing the work of God there.

Finally, a friend of mine sat me down and, with a strict look, told me, “Just because you aren’t in El Salvador anymore doesn’t mean you can’t continue the work of God here.”

I instantly felt ashamed. I thought I had left the mission field when I landed back in the States, but I had simply moved from one area of the mission field to another.

Hebrews 11:13 says that those who followed God in the Old Testament “acknowledged they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

They understood that they do not have a “home” on this earth and, therefore, wherever they were was considered their mission field.

What does that mean for you and me? It means that no matter where you are, at home, at school, at work—that is your mission field. You may not be speaking a foreign language, you may even be in your own backyard, but that does not matter. Your neighbors and friends need to hear the name of Christ and you can be the one to tell them.

You may be thinking, “I’m not qualified for that. I’m not very good at speaking to people about Christ; I never know what to say. What if I mess up and ruin any interest they had in God in the first place?”

Read Jeremiah 1:5-8. The Lord called Jeremiah to be a prophet before Jeremiah was even born. God fashioned him in his mother’s womb specifically to be a prophet to God’s people. When Jeremiah claims he does not know what to say, the Lord assures Jeremiah He will give him the words to say. God will do the same for you.

If you have been saved, you have been called to be a missionary. Like I said before, it may not be in Russia, or China, or El Salvador, but wherever you are is your mission field.

For me, that means that the university I attend in the mountains of North Carolina is my mission field right now. The people I sit next to in class and the professors I nearly kill in Chemistry lab need to hear about Jesus.

They are just as lost as the people I was serving in El Salvador. I have a truth that many people are missing and I have a responsibility to let God use me so they might hear that truth before it’s too late.

So, my friends, the bottom line is you have been called to missions.

The location does not matter because there are people without the truth all over the world. Don’t let fear or self-doubt hold you back because the Lord will give you the words, the strength, and the power to say what needs to be said.

It’s complicated, thanks to Facebook

By Michelle Golden

In today’s dating world, technology defines relationships. Sure, there is still a dating scene- but the definition of a relationship has been morphed through sexts, tagged Facebook statuses, and dedicated Taylor Swift lyrics in the form of away messages. While this new tech-savy Facebook has certainly helped many aspects of human interaction in the business world, the romantic hemisphere has unquestionably suffered.

Facebook has morphed from a small and private social media network site for specifically college students to becoming a tool for exploitation for the entire world. People can broadcast absolutely anything they want on Facebook for the whole “FB” population to view. Status updates allow people to say what’s on their mind and the Facebook profile as a whole allows people to mirror how they see themselves in everyday non-virtual life. A change in relationship status announces single-lady status, commitment, or swinger-status. People even fake relationships for reasons that can vary across the globe.

It seems like these days the meaning of “relationship” is only implied if it is made “Facebook Official.” If it’s not Facebook Official then the relationship hasn’t been taken to an appropriate level. But why is the Facebook relationship status so essential to modern day relationships and what does it exactly mean?

By being in an established relationship on Facebook, a social appearance has been made in cyber-space. Once the relationship status has been changed from “single” to “in a relationship” to “in a relationship with Jane Doe” news of such events have been plastered on the newsfeed of all 976 friends. This news ignites curiosity. People want to know the details after such news has been released to the Facebook community. And when a break-up occurs? Oh, you bet your butt people want to know what happened. Questions involving the five W’s will be flying from all directions. When Facebook just came out, people would KNOW exactly what time the Facebook break-up occurred. A broken heart used to be visible on everyone’s newsfeed as soon as Steve and Jill broke up. The concept is almost heartbreaking in itself. Is nothing even private anymore?

Not really. Nowadays, the dating scene has been pushed more and more towards sexual encounters at hotel parties rather than pure emotional attraction and then illustrated by drunken tagged pictures the next morning. Partygoers can expect to have new friend requests waiting in cyberspace even if it is at 3:28 am – moments after stepping out of the cab upon returning from the party. On Facebook, reality is, you can and will be found – one way or another. This can be followed by a dependency on Facebook to further pursue a possible relationship with last night’s hookup. It’s okay though, because everyone is doing it. No pun intended.

Although Facebook allows for social interaction, networking, and, of course, procrastination – it has also provoked jealousy. Years ago girls didn’t have any initial substantial proof of their boyfriends talking to other people of the female race because Mark Zuckerberg wasn’t born yet to invent the Facebook wall and honesty boxes. Before Facebook, we didn’t have the conscious need to keep looking. When there is a constant dependency to stay connected online and check out the significant other’s profile page, the sadness of it all is that the real relationship has never been so disconnected. Just a few years ago, relationships were more natural because people actually had to spend real time getting to know someone by talking and engaging in an in-depth conversation. Nowadays, do we even know what it is like to get to know each other face-to-face?

With that being said, is Facebook the new homewrecker? The relationship buster? The cheating ex-boyfriend? A study published in the CyberPsychology & Behavior Journal analyzed the effect of Facebook use on the romantic relationships of college students. The study claimed, “Increased Facebook use significantly predicts Facebook-related jealousy in romantic relationships.” The more time spent clicking, browsing, surfing on Facebook, the more likely jealousy-related feelings and behaviors will be ignited.  There is so much information that can be found on Facebook – whether it is the friending of the opposite sex, writing on the opposite sex’s wall, or being tagged in pictures with the opposite sex. The more information readily available at a partner’s fingertips and the more time spent on looking through this information, the more likely jealousy is in the air. However, as with anything, it is up to the individual personality. If trust is an issue, it is a personal issue – just so happens that the technology is an enabler of such personality issues. Don’t let this be you.

Facebook is brilliant. It connects people from all over the world and maintains, sustains and rehashes new and old friendships. But when an emotional relationship is heavily reliant on Facebook to provide information, Facebook’s users have taken the site too far. So how about we all do ourselves a favor? Let’s get off our ex-boyfriend’s profile; our new love interests posts from 2008; and our crush’s photo albums with the sorority girls. Why don’t we actually logout and spend some quality time with our significant others and embrace the moments? What it comes down to is that sometimes the connection two people have on Facebook is all that the relationship is based on. If boy knows everything about girl and girl knows everything about boy after spending hours clicking and clicking and staring at a computer screen reading posts from exes and old hook-ups from months or even years back, there is no point to the relationship.

Our Boy Troy: Questions about unfaithfulness and what’s with girls & jerks?

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