Halibut for Dinner

As you sit down to eat dinner, a server arrives with two silver platters. On one platter lies a gourmet meal of halibut; on the other, a rotten cod. The server requests your order. To his surprise, you would like the rotten cod. Of course, this seems ridiculous. Who in their right mind would want to eat a spoiled meal? However, decisions just like this stare us in the face every minute of every day.

When reading Christian articles geared towards teenagers, it is not uncommon to find a consistent motif throughout most works. That is, many of these articles possess the same underlying theme: Stay away from all ungodly music, books, movies and websites. Since we hear this advice repeatedly, it seems to lose its effect after the 50th time. This becomes extremely problematic since this message is vital to our spiritual health. In Deuteronomy 30:19, Moses declares, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (NKJV). By now we know the difference from right and wrong; we understand the consequences that come from an unwise decision. It is time for us to employ our self-control and choose the things that will ultimately prosper us. While society offers “desirable” rotten cod, we must always remember to choose the gourmet halibut.

Vending Machine Prayer

In a recent English class, my peers questioned me regarding my lifestyle and faith. During this conversation, I clarified my view of God: Oftentimes, people view God as some heavenly vending machine. They deposit a few prayers, punch in a request, and retrieve their answered prayer. When nothing comes out of the machine, they kick and punch it until their knuckles break. Angry about what they are tempted to label God’s “inconsistency,” they beg all of their muscular friends to shake it, hoping that something might fall out. When none of their efforts succeed, they walk away feeling cheated and doubting God’s faithfulness. Unfortunately, many people hold this greedy perception of Christianity as their own.

As Christians, we must place God at the center of everything. The term “Christian” only came to exist because the disciples resembled Christ while preaching in Antioch (Acts 11:26, NIV). What do we focus on? Do we resemble Christ? So many times preachers preach of what God will do for us, but what about what we will do for Him? According The Message, Romans 3:27-28 tells us, “God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade” (NIV). Our arrogant society exudes a self-sufficient view of life where people refuse the need for a Savior. Unfortunately, this leaves them empty-handed when God plans otherwise. Instead of striving to order our own steps, why don’t we give our lives over to the One who created us in the first place?

Mind-Set Revolution

"Honey, please clean the dishes."

"Mom, do I have to? You know I have tons of homework!"

Obedience often travels with grunts and groans rather than exuberance and enthusiasm. It seems as though our parents’ orders catalyze a plethora of excuses as to why we cannot complete the given task. Many Christians act the same way towards God’s calling. When He asks them to travel to foreign countries, many reply, “But God, I don’t have the money. Plus, their water is not safe! Do you have any idea what kinds of diseases I could catch? I might even die.” In essence, selfish desires hinder Godly calling.

Serving God brings joy; we love Him so much that the privilege to obey comes as a delight rather than a burden. Fortunately, God gives us this opportunity every day. Last week, I sat in a school computer lab, discussing drugs with a fellow student. He informed me of his drinking habits and explained that alcohol makes him feel “free.” During this conversation, he gave off an apathetic attitude towards the consequences of this deadly indulgence. He stated, “I’m going to die anyway. Why does the cause matter?”

After years of hard-hearted judgment towards drug addicts and the “worldly” members of my school and community, this conversation revolutionized my mind set. Why do people use drugs and hurt themselves in acts that we do not understand? They are broken people, completely blind to the joy and fulfillment in knowing the Savior. Yes, overseas missions is extremely vital in the body of Christ. People in other countries often live with false teachings and spiritually bare lifestyles. However, several believers fail to see the reality of life in America: our culture reeks of misconceptions. God has conveniently placed the mission field in our everyday lives. Those hurting people are students, teachers and administrators, and fill every classroom in the school building. Reaching out in love is not always easy, I know, but a listening ear and a prayerful heart just might do the trick.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NIV).

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).

Burnt Out

"This is Ellen with Channel 5 News. Tonight we expect freezing temperatures with about 2-3 inches of snow starting around 9 p.m. When you wake up tomorrow, there's a 90 percent chance that the roads will be covered with anywhere from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch of ice. Stay at home, and put the fire on, but whatever you do, don't leave your driveway!"

As a native Georgian, I think I can speak for the entire South when I say that we do not know how to drive on ice. When the meteorologist predicted wintry conditions, everyone fled to the local grocery store and stocked up on bread, milk, and canned goods. It's like they think the world is about to shut down.

Meanwhile, I observed a neighbor trying to drive up an enormously steep hill. Even though his truck had 4-wheel drive, the tires could not grip the road due to the thick layer of ice. Nevertheless, he kept trying. I thought to myself, “He’s going to burn out his brakes and cause some serious damage to that truck.” Why? Because he ignored common sense.

God calls us to many different purposes. He opens many doors to jumpstart a lifetime of following Him, and while it may sometimes seem difficult, we pursue His leading. The difficult part is trusting Him when He tells us not to do something. We feel like a child whose mother has just ordered, “Don’t open that gift until Christmas.” However, danger comes when we defy God’s commands. God “will guide you continually” and will never let you down (Isaiah 58:11, NKJV). When we decide to take matters into our own hands, our lives develop accordingly. We burn ourselves out, only to discover that nothing came of our efforts in the first place; we are right where we started. This year, give God an open ear and heed His warnings. Take His Word as truth, and watch your spiritual life blossom into a tree of trust and wisdom.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV).

“But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33, NKJV).

Fill Me Up

Pastors often use the analogy of a pitcher of water representing God's Spirit and cups representing us, God's vessels. They will pour the water into the smaller cups while quoting several scriptures concerning the overflow of God's Holy Spirit. These object lessons hold several valid points and clarify this entire spirit realm; however, these preachers frequently overlook a very important scenario.

Have you ever given numerous gifts to someone, simply expecting a gift in return? During December, many people give gifts, but they often bless someone with a present because of the expected benefits. This physical scenario translates directly into our spiritual journey with our Creator. When our best friends need help, we readily give it to them. Eventually, we realize the enormous amount of time we have invested in them, and we begin to expect something in return. We adorn the mindset, "Surely after all I have done for them, they will give back to me, right?" Unfortunately, the reality of their oblivion to our expectations leaves us second-guessing the past contributions to their well-being. We wonder why, after so much effort, we receive nothing in return.

God pours His Spirit into us just as a restaurant server pours water into a cup. Frequently, we pour out this gift into the cups around us. Pretty soon, surrounding cups fill with water while we stand empty. Thinking about the water we recently poured out, we wait and wait for the other cups to return our gift. This is where we go wrong. We can't expect these cups/friends to do anything for us; they are not the source of life and truth. The pitcher where our water originally came from, God, will administer the true gifts that we may need. James 1:17 tells us, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning" (NKJV)

Throughout this season of giving, ask God to show you your motives behind your generosity, and make the necessary changes in order to seek out His presence versus the gifts of others.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

"Mom, do I have to go to Sunday School? I don't wanna!" As a younger girl, Sunday school never appealed to me. The teachers contantly changed. When I walked in the door, the adult standing at the front of the room often surprised me. Sometimes I didn't even know the person.


It seemed as though adults taught after seeing the ad in the bulletin rather than excitedly volunteering. Yes, some adults cared, but as a young child, I expected to understand this affection through fun classroom environments. Plus, the Bible stories seemed to run together. I promise you I learned the stories of Jonah, Moses and Daniel every year from the ages of 2 to 13. Don't get me wrong, these stories are important in our faith, but no teacher ever made learning fun. We sat in a desk, just like school, and learned the Bible. Other than one 5th grade Sunday School teacher, we played no games -- nothing.


Now, obviously Sunday School was not as bad as I make it sound, but this was what I saw as a little kid. Everything was magnified. What one word describes my childhood feelings towards Sunday School? Disappointment.


Now, as a 15-year-old high school student, I teach a 3rd- and 4th-grade Sunday School class. The kids make me laugh, and I enjoy every moment with them. I remember what it feels like as an 8-year-old kid whose parents force her to attend Sunday school; I'll never forget it, either. All children deserve a fun, loving environment where worries leave as Jesus takes over. God has called all members of the church to love these kids as our own for "such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14, NKJV).


Godly lifestyle begins to form during childhood. According to Barna Research, 43 percent of believers accept Jesus as their Saviour before the age of 13. This time of a child's life is critical to his/her spiritual health. The values established now will often last forever. As you live your everyday life, allow God to give you the eyes of a child. Let Him work through you as you impact the children around you.


"Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever recieves one little child like this in My name recieves me" (Matthew 18:4-5, NKJV).

The Wheels on the Bus

As I sit here on the school bus, several types of people surround me. The avid book lovers and academic scholars read books and finish homework (myself included). Others sit quitely, patiently awaiting the moment they can run home, kick off their schoes and watch a good T.V. show. Starkly contrasted with these quiet bus riders, many loud teenagers blast innapropriate music, attempting to prove their popularity through cussing and not-so-nice jokes. I listen to cat fights, threats and unending gossip as I wonder about these people.

Every single person has a story, many of which I will never know. Because my parents have raised me with a strong sense of right from wrong, this behaviour puzzles me; I do not understand it. Nevertheless, I dare not judge them. Only God knows who they truly are, and only God can judge their lifestyle.

Paul explains in Romans 2:16 that God will judge the secrets of men. God has not given us the responsibility to determine the motives of other peoples' actions. They may not have a background full of church services and Sunday school lessons. When we take this responsiblity into our own hands, we eliminate God from our lives, telling Him that we posses the ablity to handle everything without Him. Matthew 7:2 tells us, "For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you " (NKJV). That does not sound pleasant, considering my condescending tendancies. I guess everything boils down to love. When we love others with the same love God shows us, we will never judge, look down upon or talk hurtfully about our peers without knowing that the same measure we use will be passed right back to us. Rather, we will compassionately reach out, showing the world the true meaning of Christianity.

Who will you love?