Christian News

What Did You Do With Your Summer Job Earnings?
You toiled away this summer, so what did you do with that money? Did you work to spend or save? Did you give money to the poor or remember to tithe to your church? Sometimes we give teens a pass on money management, because often parents and adults still see teens as "children." Yet, learning good <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/Foundations-Of-Good-Stewardship.htm">stewardship</a> over our money as teens will be a bigger blessing when money management gets way more complicated later. The Bible speaks more about money than love, and with good reason. We all have a rough time with money. Some people love it so much it gets in the way of a relationship with God. Others are so fearful of money that they avoid earning it and think of it as something evil and corrupting. God can bless us with money as long as we learn how to be good stewards over it and use it in the ways He wishes us to. How do we know how God wants us to use it? Well, that comes from a relationship with God. It all starts with that basic foundation.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/28/what-did-you-do-with-your-summer-job-earnings.htm">What Did You Do With Your Summer Job Earnings?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 at 23:00:42.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/28/what-did-you-do-with-your-summer-job-earnings.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/28/what-did-you-do-with-your-summer-job-earnings.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/28/what-did-you-do-with-your-summer-job-earnings.htm&zItl=What Did You Do With Your Summer Job Earnings?">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Proverbs 10: 4-5
<div style="width:147px;float:right;font-size:0.8em;margin:5px 0 5px 5px;text-align:center;"> <img src="http://z.about.com/d/christianteens/1/0/q/-/-/-/Bible.jpg" alt="" style="width:170px;height:120px;border:none;" /> </div> Proverbs 10:4-5- "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son." <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> As a typical procrastinator, I know the burden it places on my life. I've had to work hard to get the energy to plan ahead, and I often have to pray hard for God to give me the ability to put my work first before doing other things. The thing is, getting my work done first almost always brings me more pleasure than putting it off, because then the work doesn't hang over my head. These verses from Proverbs tell us that God wants us to stop procrastinating and actually get things done. The verse may sound harsh, but it is an important lesson to learn now, when it's just <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/schoolstuff/tp/examstudytips.htm">exams</a>, papers, or taking out the trash hanging over our heads. Later, it will seem like so much more.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/25/sunday-scripture-proverbs-10-4-5.htm">Sunday Scripture: Proverbs 10: 4-5</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 09:09:06.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/25/sunday-scripture-proverbs-10-4-5.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/25/sunday-scripture-proverbs-10-4-5.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/25/sunday-scripture-proverbs-10-4-5.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Proverbs 10: 4-5">Email this</a>

Teens Less Likely to Evangelize
According to a recent <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.barna.org/teens-next-gen-articles/403-how-teenagers-faith-practices-are-changing">study by the Barna Group</a>, not only are Christian teens less willing to evangelize, but they are also less likely to associate with non-Christians. In 1997, 63% of Born Again teens said they were likely to have evangelized, while the 2009 study showed a decline to only 45%. The study asserted that teens were following a cultural change that dictates making bold faith statements is too aggressive, though most of the students still thought it was "cool to be a Christian." Harder hit than <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/whattheybelieve/p/Protestant.htm">Protestant</a> teens were the Catholic groups. They showed that Sunday School and small group participation was declining. Protestants actually showed increased religious activity such as praying, worship, reading the bible, and youth group attendance. So, what do these numbers mean to you? As a Christian teen, are you more or less likely to evangelize or even explain your faith to your non-believing friends? Do you even have non-Christian friends? The study raises a lot of questions about the direction the Christian faith is taking in this generation, yet I wonder if we have answers.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/24/teens-less-likely-to-evangelize.htm">Teens Less Likely to Evangelize</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Saturday, July 24th, 2010 at 15:30:43.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/24/teens-less-likely-to-evangelize.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/24/teens-less-likely-to-evangelize.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/24/teens-less-likely-to-evangelize.htm&zItl=Teens Less Likely to Evangelize">Email this</a>

Disappointment for Teenage Palin Fans
If you are a fan of Sarah Palin, you may have been anticipating her new biography geared directly toward teens. However, Zondervan, the publisher, has announced that it is postponing publication. According to <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/20/books/20arts-PALINBIOGRAP_BRF.html?_r=1">reports</a> by the Associated Press, Zondervan stated that October was not "an optimal time" for the book to be released. The book was to be titled, "Speaking Up," and it was written by Kim Washburn. It was to be part of the ZonderKidz Biography series. The series has biographies of many pop culture figures such as Bono and Tim Tebow, and the stories are to be inspirations to Christian teens. No further information has been provided as to why the book was delayed, and Zondervan has not stated if it will print the book at all.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/23/disappointment-for-teenage-palin-fans.htm">Disappointment for Teenage Palin Fans</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Friday, July 23rd, 2010 at 12:26:17.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/23/disappointment-for-teenage-palin-fans.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/23/disappointment-for-teenage-palin-fans.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/23/disappointment-for-teenage-palin-fans.htm&zItl=Disappointment for Teenage Palin Fans">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Romans 15:1-2
<div style="width:147px;float:right;font-size:0.8em;margin:5px 0 5px 5px;text-align:center;"> <img src="http://z.about.com/d/christianteens/1/0/q/-/-/-/Bible.jpg" alt="" style="width:170px;height:120px;border:none;" /> </div> Romans 15:1-2- "We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. " <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NLT.htm">(NLT)</a> Well, if it's okay for you, it must be okay for others, right? Not exactly. Romans 15:1-2 tells us that we have to be considerate of how our actions affect those around us. We all have friends who are not Christians or whose faith is shaky. Most of us also know people who may have had some really bad experiences with Christians or seen Christians being hypocritical. Because we don't always know how our actions will be perceived, we have to do our best to make sure that we build up our friends in the Lord. This means watching our own actions around others. Sometimes this takes a ton of patience, and sometimes it is frustrating when we want something or want to do something, but we know it will be misunderstood by others or tempt others away from God. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/advice/a/BeGoodFriend.htm">Being a good friend</a> means understanding your friends limits and not pushing him or her away from God, but instead showing love and kindness that pull them toward Him.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/18/sunday-scripture-romans-151-2.htm">Sunday Scripture: Romans 15:1-2</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Sunday, July 18th, 2010 at 09:24:32.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/18/sunday-scripture-romans-151-2.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/18/sunday-scripture-romans-151-2.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/18/sunday-scripture-romans-151-2.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Romans 15:1-2">Email this</a>

God is Bigger Than Your Screw Ups
Hey, I screw up. We all do. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/ScrewUpsBible.htm">Mistakes</a> are part of who we are as human beings. That is why God is so up with forgiveness. If you look through the Bible, many of the characters we love the most are the ones that screwed up the most. It was in their stories of redemption that we see hope for ourselves. It is easy for us to get caught up in the mistake rather than how we fix it. Sometimes fixing our mistakes is a scary thing, like apologizing to a friend for doing or saying something bad or telling our parents we lied. Those things can be tough, but it's part of growing and learning. Yet one of the toughest things we face is asking God for forgiveness. It is there if we seek it, but we have to come to God with true humility. And forgiveness is not to be taken lightly. We must strive to refrain from making the same mistakes over and over. Yet, the fear of making the same mistakes should never deter us from seeking God's guidance and grace. God knows we are not perfect, He understands, and if we seek Him, He can help us make the changes in our lives that we desire.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/14/god-is-bigger-than-your-screw-ups.htm">God is Bigger Than Your Screw Ups</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 at 00:01:52.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/14/god-is-bigger-than-your-screw-ups.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/14/god-is-bigger-than-your-screw-ups.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/14/god-is-bigger-than-your-screw-ups.htm&zItl=God is Bigger Than Your Screw Ups">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Psalms 34:18
<div style="width:147px;float:right;font-size:0.8em;margin:5px 0 5px 5px;text-align:center;"> <img src="http://z.about.com/d/christianteens/1/0/q/-/-/-/Bible.jpg" alt="" style="width:170px;height:120px;border:none;" /> </div> Psalms 34:18- "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> It can be very easy to fall into a feeling of defeat. We often face frustrating situations where we think there is no hope and no end in sight to our misery. Sometimes we think that if we just try hard enough or <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/p/IntecessoryPray.htm">pray</A> hard enough things will change. Yet sometimes it's not about God giving us what we want (though I do know how frustrating that can seem at the time). In those times, it's important that we reframe our outlook on God's plans. We are all guilty of trying to mold God's mission and plans for our lives to our own desires. We can easily allow the fact that our lives are going in a completely different direction than what we think we want to really get us down or make us <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/f/AngryWithGod.htm">angry with God</a>. Yet, God is there when our hearts break, and He will be there when we see the opportunities in front of us after we leave the frustration behind. Even in the darkest of moments, God gives us a bit of comfort and light. Even when we cannot seem to see the purpose in, or reasons behind, the obstacles, we can turn to God and ask Him the questions. Yet, it is up to us to allow God into our lives so that He can open our eyes to all the other possibilities.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/10/sunday-scripture-psalms-3418.htm">Sunday Scripture: Psalms 34:18</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 21:34:43.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/10/sunday-scripture-psalms-3418.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/10/sunday-scripture-psalms-3418.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/10/sunday-scripture-psalms-3418.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Psalms 34:18">Email this</a>

Where are Your Role Models?
I've read dozens of blogs and articles this week about role models for girls and guys ranging from tearing down movie and literary characters to strong criticism of sports figures and celebrities. I do agree of much of the criticisms. However, I question whether we are looking in the right places for role models. First, using fictional figures as guides to good decision making is not really practical. They are, after all, characters and some of their situations aren't really all that realistic anyhow. Meanwhile, look at celebrities (in any field), and you can make a much longer list of people not to emulate than those who live lives we'd want to follow. Yet none of these people come remotely close to our lives. They have nothing to do with the things we face on a daily basis, so why would we look to emulate them? If parents are concerned, then maybe it's time to have a talk with their teens about those non-role models. Get involved in their lives and meet the true role models in their lives like <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/youthworkercenter/a/effectiveleader.htm">youth leaders</a>, pastors, teachers, and counselors. There are so many positive role models close to home that deserve far more focus than the ones we see on magazines, in books, and on television. We also need to give teens credit for being discerning. We all hear and see things in our lives that may seem attractive, but are really bad for us. Teens more often than not know better. Sure, everyone makes a bad decision from time to time, but it's probably not because a Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears did it before them. It's more likely that their friends are doing those things. This is why role models close to home are so much more important. They are INVOLVED. They set an example in church and in their lives. They are the ones that impact teens so much more, and they can have a far reaching and long-term impact on teens than anyone in pop culture.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/08/where-are-your-role-models.htm">Where are Your Role Models?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Thursday, July 8th, 2010 at 23:16:40.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/08/where-are-your-role-models.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/08/where-are-your-role-models.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/08/where-are-your-role-models.htm&zItl=Where are Your Role Models?">Email this</a>

Finding Friends in a New Town
I remember moving to a new town right before I started Junior High, and the transition was pretty tough. I wondered if I would ever find any new friends, as I also faced the anxiety of navigating the middle school environment. Sure, I ran into a few nasty girls who showed no signs of wanting to be friends with anyone but their small group, but I also met some great people who were warm and welcoming. When going to a new high school or changing youth groups, we can all be faced with the questions of whether people will like us. That first moment of walking into the unknown is hard, but we have to step forward and be ourselves. We can take the first steps to talk to people, or make sure we smile and keep ourselves open. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/advice/tp/makefriends.htm">Making real friends</a> takes time and effort. Sure, there are those lucky people that seem to have that magnetism that just draws others in, but most of us have to learn how to make conversation, take first steps, and allow people to see how wonderful we really are.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/07/finding-friends-in-a-new-town.htm">Finding Friends in a New Town</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Wednesday, July 7th, 2010 at 01:27:20.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/07/finding-friends-in-a-new-town.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/07/finding-friends-in-a-new-town.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/07/finding-friends-in-a-new-town.htm&zItl=Finding Friends in a New Town">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15
<div style="width:147px;float:right;font-size:0.8em;margin:5px 0 5px 5px;text-align:center;"> <img src="http://z.about.com/d/christianteens/1/0/q/-/-/-/Bible.jpg" alt="" style="width:170px;height:120px;border:none;" /> </div> Galatians 5:13-15 - "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> Freedom is often something we take completely for granted. We forget that freedom is Christ does not mean running around willy-nilly doing whatever we want. True freedom comes from knowing we could do those things, but that we don't have to do certain things. We can make choices that help us or hinder us, but freedom is that we choose which direction to go. One of the benefits of freedom is that we get to choose how we act toward others. We live in a world where competition and being better than someone else is rewarded. Yet, think about a time you were kind to another person. Think about how freeing that felt. Rather than judging, think about a time you extended a helping hand rather than <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/gossipquiz.htm">gossiping</a> about that person later. While we may have the freedom to treat people just about any way we wish, treating others with <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/fruitofthespirit/a/FruitKindness.htm">kindness</a> can be the most freeing action of all.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/04/sunday-scripture-galatians-513-15.htm">Sunday Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Sunday, July 4th, 2010 at 13:10:31.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/04/sunday-scripture-galatians-513-15.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/04/sunday-scripture-galatians-513-15.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/07/04/sunday-scripture-galatians-513-15.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Galatians 5:13-15">Email this</a>