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Sunday Scripture: Philippians 2:14
<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> Philippians 2:4 - "Do everything without complaining or arguing"" <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> There are always things we have to do that we just can't stand. Really, how many of us enjoy taking our finals, bringing out the garbage, or cleaning our rooms? We'd all love the opportunity to party and have fun all day long. Yet we all have responsibilities. It's easy to get bogged down by the negative side of our responsibilities, and often it comes out in the form of <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/advice/f/complaining.htm">complaints</a> that lead to arguments with family, teachers, youth leaders, etc. We all do it. We gripe or voice our displeasure. Yet God tells us that we need to move beyond complaining and learn to take our responsibilities seriously. Instead take the time to do those chores, study for those tests, and write those papers without a complaint. Soon you'll find that not complaining leaves you more time and energy to get those things done so you can really focus on more important things, like your relationship with God.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/07/sunday-scripture-philippians-214.htm">Sunday Scripture: Philippians 2:14</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, March 7th, 2010 at 10:25:48.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/07/sunday-scripture-philippians-214.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/07/sunday-scripture-philippians-214.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/07/sunday-scripture-philippians-214.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Philippians 2:14">Email this</a>

Christian Lessons from the Oscars?
Sometimes we need a little fluff, right? If we take life too seriously and deny ourselves a little <a href=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/f/HaveFunFAQ.htm">fun</a> and laughter, well, then life becomes too serious. The Bible clearly shows us moments of joy and celebration. There were weddings, parades, dancing, and more. For some of us there are the Oscars to enjoy the frivolous fun that Hollywood can sometimes provide. Does that mean we should take the Oscars too seriously? No. The key in this situation is to not lose our balance when it comes to enjoying a bit of fluff in a life of honoring God. There are lessons involving gluttony and excesses that Hollywood puts on parade that evening. Diamonds that most of us could never afford grace the red carpet, women starve themselves to fit into dresses, and money that could be used to feed the poor or house the homeless is instead poured into one night of glamour. Yet there are heartwarming moments when we see people who came up from nothing achieving their dreams, thanking God, and trying to use their celebrity for good. So, as in most of our life situations, there is always a need to look at situations with a sense of balance.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/06/christian-lessons-from-the-oscars.htm">Christian Lessons from the Oscars?</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, March 6th, 2010 at 15:02:28.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/06/christian-lessons-from-the-oscars.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/06/christian-lessons-from-the-oscars.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/06/christian-lessons-from-the-oscars.htm&zItl=Christian Lessons from the Oscars?">Email this</a>

Fasting for a Good Cause
According to the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.freep.com/article/20100226/NEWS05/2260323/1322/Youth-groups-go-for-30-hours-without-food-for-good-cause">Detroit Free Press</a>, Christian teens from 215 metropolitan Detroit youth groups are <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/WhyWeFast.htm">fasting</a> for 30 hours in order to help those in need by raising funds. The students range from 7th to 12th grade, and the idea is to raise money for World Vision, a Chrisitan relief group. The youth groups in Detroit are not the only ones participating. Over 500,000 youth worldwide will participate, and the group expects to raise over $12 million during the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.30hourfamine.org/">30-Hour Famine</a>. So, while fasting is a useful tool in reinforcing your own faith, it can also be a helpful spiritual discipline to keep our eyes on those around us who may not have our privileges. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/04/fasting-for-a-good-cause.htm">Fasting for a Good Cause</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, March 4th, 2010 at 11:12:54.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/04/fasting-for-a-good-cause.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/04/fasting-for-a-good-cause.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/04/fasting-for-a-good-cause.htm&zItl=Fasting for a Good Cause">Email this</a>

I'd Rather It Be Right than Easy
The other evening I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about his <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/dating/a/HowToDate.htm">dating</a> troubles. He is older and not married, and often feels the pressure of those around him to find "the one." The conversation sat with me a while, because I firmly believe that God will bring us the right person in His time, not ours. Yet the thoughts about our impatience with things began to flow a little more as I chewed a bit on the concept: Do we want thing to be right, or do we want them to be easy? A lot of times we wish things were easier than they are. Yet, when things come to us very easily, we tend to take them for granted. It sounds great at first to get everything you wish for without having to lift a finger, but is it that great? When you have everything what is left? Or, if you don't have to work for anything, how much do you appreciate it. Think about a school project you worked and slaved over to get a good grade. It probably felt better than any other good grade, because you know that you put everything into it. It's not that different with emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives. In our dating lives, it's may be better for us to wait to date the right person rather than date people for the sake of dating, which can taint our views of love and life. When we take time out of our busy schedules to participate in Outreach or go to church, it's a sacrifice of time. We sometimes have to work on our relationship with God in tough times, because it doesn't always come easy when we are facing difficulties. Yet, when we come out of the darkness, after being <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/dating/a/HowToDate.htm">patient</a> and knowing that we didn't compromise ourselves to take the easy road, the rewards are so much greater than we could have ever imagined.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/02/id-rather-it-be-right-than-easy.htm">I'd Rather It Be Right than Easy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/">About.com Christian Teens</a> on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 23:06:08.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/02/id-rather-it-be-right-than-easy.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/02/id-rather-it-be-right-than-easy.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/03/02/id-rather-it-be-right-than-easy.htm&zItl=I'd Rather It Be Right than Easy">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5
<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> 2 Timothy 2:5 - "Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules."" <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> Despite the popular saying, not all rules are meant to be broken. In fact, if anyone watched the Olympics this year, they would have seen judges being quite particular about the rule of each sport. As is the human condition, sports and officials aren't perfect, but many of the officials wanted to be sure that the medal winners were deserving in both athletic ability and sportsmanship. As the Olympics come to a close, we will all talk for weeks about who won the most medals, who performed best on skates, skis, snowboards, and more. Yet in the larger picture we should reflect on the lessons that God provides us each with Olympic-like talent in some area, a desire for us to work together in love and respect, and a willingness to life one another up. In spirit, the Olympics reflect these values to us every few years.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/28/sunday-scripture-2-timothy-25.htm">Sunday Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5</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, February 28th, 2010 at 12:26:20.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/28/sunday-scripture-2-timothy-25.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/28/sunday-scripture-2-timothy-25.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/28/sunday-scripture-2-timothy-25.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5">Email this</a>

8.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Chile!
First Haiti, now Chile, and a Tsunami warning had been issued in Hawaii. There were many worries that aTsunami would hit Hawaii, as it often takes hours for the waves to move through the massive ocean, however the Tsunami warning was lifted this evening. However, we do know that Chilean buildings are destroyed, roadways and bridges are impassable (if they even exist anymore), and the search is on for those missing or killed. Made worse is that two of Chile's largest hospitals have structural damage, meaning other hospital facilities are having to bear the load of treating the injured. The death toll is already in the hundreds. Like Haiti, the Chilean people truly need our <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/p/IntecessoryPray.htm">prayers</a> and assistance. Many of the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/">organizations that were collecting money and supplies</a> for Haiti are also beginning to collect for those in Chile. If you have friends or family in Chile, you can contact the U.S. State Department Hotline at 1-888-407-4747 or ChileEarthquake@state.gov, though they cannot help find friends that are not U.S. citizens.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/27/8-8-magnitude-quake-hits-chile.htm">8.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Chile!</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, February 27th, 2010 at 18:56:36.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/27/8-8-magnitude-quake-hits-chile.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/27/8-8-magnitude-quake-hits-chile.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/27/8-8-magnitude-quake-hits-chile.htm&zItl=8.8 Magnitude Quake Hits Chile!">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Ephesians 6:19-20
<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> Ephesians 6:19-20 - "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should." <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/NIV.htm">(NIV)</a> One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of our faith is when we discuss it with non-believers. Evangelism is a concept that often strikes fear into Christians, because there are images of losing friends, people getting angry, or non-believers bringing up arguments that we are unable to argue from not knowing our Bibles as well as others. Yet, there are many <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/EvangelismStyle.htm">evangelism styles</a> that fit the personality that God gave you, and God is there to give you the courage to speak the right words and have the right actions at the right time. The key to being a good witness for God is to allow God to use your strengths to be a light unto others. Artistic? Use your art to show God to those around you. A talker? Preach the Word. Social? Plan an event around your faith. Volunteer-minded? Invite friends to a church volunteer event in your community. There are ways for us to show others that Christians are not always standing on a soapbox trying to force the gospel on people. More often we demonstrate God's love in our everyday activities.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/21/sunday-scripture-ephesians-619-20.htm">Sunday Scripture: Ephesians 6:19-20</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, February 21st, 2010 at 13:19:07.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/21/sunday-scripture-ephesians-619-20.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/21/sunday-scripture-ephesians-619-20.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/21/sunday-scripture-ephesians-619-20.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Ephesians 6:19-20">Email this</a>

Going Green and Winning for the Earth
Like most teens, you may not be completely focused on your future, but you may be concerned about what your world is going to look like when you grow up. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.planet-connect.org/">Planet Connect</a> just announced that <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.planet-connect.org/fall09winners">10 high school students</a> have won $1,000 grants to undertake environmental projects like building organic gardens, producing model environmental houses, and initiating pilot programs for sustainable lunch trays. Planet Connect, in conjunction with the Weather Channel, offers high school students a number of outlets to go green on both a large scale by applying for grants and awards, but also in small ways by teaching teens how to go green in their personal lives. As Christians, we have a <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/a/GoingGreenChristian.htm">responsibility</a> to care for the earth and be sure we take care of the planet. Each of us can <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/tp/WaysGoGreen.htm">do something</a> to be a little more environmentally-friendly.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/20/going-green-and-winning-for-the-earth.htm">Going Green and Winning for the Earth</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, February 20th, 2010 at 13:17:40.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/20/going-green-and-winning-for-the-earth.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/20/going-green-and-winning-for-the-earth.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/20/going-green-and-winning-for-the-earth.htm&zItl=Going Green and Winning for the Earth">Email this</a>

Lent Has Begun. That Means Easter is Coming!
Between Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, there's been a flurry of activity among my Catholic friends. Thus, we usher in the time of reflection among some Christians where they sacrifice, or fast, some form of pleasure to be reminded of their relationship with God. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/christianliving/f/NoLent.htm">Not all Christians observe Lent</a>, but that doesn't mean lessons can't be learned from the holiday itself. One of the reasons I get excited about this time of year is that it builds up the anticipation for Easter. Of all the religious holidays, it is the one that makes me check and double check where I am in my faith. After all, if Jesus died on a cross for us, we can surely spend a little more time in prayer or study, right? We can ask a friend to come to youth group or open up about our faith to someone we meet, right? Sure, not always easy, but in comparison, our sacrifices seem small. So, even if you aren't observing Lent, it's still a good time to reflect before the Easter celebrations get into full swing.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/17/lent-has-begun-that-means-easter-is-coming.htm">Lent Has Begun. That Means Easter is Coming!</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, February 17th, 2010 at 22:29:47.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/17/lent-has-begun-that-means-easter-is-coming.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/17/lent-has-begun-that-means-easter-is-coming.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/17/lent-has-begun-that-means-easter-is-coming.htm&zItl=Lent Has Begun. That Means Easter is Coming!">Email this</a>

Sunday Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46
<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> Matthew 13:45-46 - "The kingdom of heaven is like what happens when a shop owner is looking for fine pearls. After finding a very valuable one, the owner goes and sells everything in order to buy that pearl."" <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/versionsofthebible/p/CEV.htm">(CEV)</a> Faith is one of the most important things in your life. What would you give up to keep it strong? We live in a world where we're told that so many things are more important than our faith. There are so many distractions, and we find it easy to give into them. Yet, as we learn more about our faith, as we develop and strengthen our relationship with God, we find that those other things become less and less valuable. It is that relationship with the Lord that becomes like the pearl. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/od/biblestudyresources/a/runningbibstudy.htm">Study</a> and prayer can keep us focused on what is truly important.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/14/sunday-scripture-matthew-1345-46.htm">Sunday Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46</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, February 14th, 2010 at 13:22:15.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/14/sunday-scripture-matthew-1345-46.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/14/sunday-scripture-matthew-1345-46.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://christianteens.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://christianteens.about.com/b/2010/02/14/sunday-scripture-matthew-1345-46.htm&zItl=Sunday Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46">Email this</a>