Here's to the Guys.

On the flip side..

Here's to the guys. 

The guys who chase Christ over anything.

...the guys who know what it actually means to be a man.

...the guys who chase purity in a perverse society. 

...the guys who respect women Biblically.

...the guys who aren't afraid to lead.

...the guys who use their gifts and talents, whether society calls them "manly" or not.

...the guys who aren't afraid of emotion.

...the guys that are chivalrous.

...the guys who act like men, not boys.

...the guys who grew up to be the people their mamas prayed they would become.

...the guys who don't let how much they can bench press define them.

...the guys who are completely radical for Christ.

...the guys who are all in.

...the guys who don't date as a sport.

...the guys who know that God is in charge of the show, not them.

Thank you. 

If you're one of those guys and you feel like nobody notices, 

I'm telling you that we do, 

so thank you.

You guys are incredible.

Here's to the Girls

Here's to the girls. 

     The girls who put Jesus first in everything...

...the ones who don't view dating as a sport

...the ones who recognize their value as daughters of God

...the ones who realize that they are not the ones in charge of their lives

...the ones who refuse to act like the world. 

....the ones who respect themselves enough to dress modestly.

...the ones who don't put themselves out there for every guy in the world.

...the ones who refuse to gossip and cut people down. 

...the ones who love like Jesus.

...the ones who portray gentility and kindness. 

...the ones that have what many mothers of sons are praying for.

...the ones who use the creativity and talents given to them. 

...the ones who accept who they are because they were divinely created. 

...the ones who act like ladies. 

...the ones who refuse to live a boring life. 

...the ones who are radical for Christ.

...the ones who stand out as light in this dark world.

You ladies are true gems. 

Don't forget it.

Burdened People

Post I wrote for my youth group's blog :) 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

~Matthew 11:28-29

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  ~Galatians 6:2

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else.” ~Charles Dickens

Guys. High School is really hard. Life is really hard. There are the things that are hard, but we can handle, and then there are the burdens in our lives; the things that overwhelm us and seem absolutely impossible.

If you are trying to carry these burdens  by yourself…stop. From experience, if you carry these things by yourself too long, you will fall apart. You’re not strong enough.

God knows that you aren’t strong enough- He specifically created you that way! Every time there is something in your life that you can’t handle, He has just given you another opportunity to hand something over to Him; another opportunity to trust your Creator with your life. Trust in the Lord, don’t depend on your own strength.

As the Church, God has given us another role having to do with burdens; we need to be caring for our fellow brothers and sisters and walking with them, taking their burdens. You might be a little confused as to what I mean by that, so I will clarify…

If there is someone crying in youth group or anywhere…don’t ignore them. Comfort them, advise them, let them tell you what’s going on, be there for them.

If there is something going on in a fellow believer’s life (or anybody’s life really, but right now I’m specifically talking to the Church)…help them. Do what you can to make it easier. Love them, care for them, encourage them.

As the Church, we HAVE to be there for each other. We need to be done with letting people sit alone, ignoring the pain we see, and only thinking of ourselves. God is incredible and takes our burdens, and He has given us the ability to help others with their burdens as well. Do not neglect this. Look for the burdened people who you can love.