Summer Reading List

Hey girls!
Here's a great start to your summer reading list, if you'd like to read some hip books that will lift you up in your faith and help you apply it to your everyday interactions. I've included many different genres and styles, and all books have been read and recommended by myself and many of my friends. :) Enjoy!

Revolve Devotional Bible

Of course, the Bible should be at the top of your reading list! I love this Bible (and many of my friends have the same one) because it's cute, it has commentary inside, and it has a great index where you can look up relevant topics. If you're in the market for a new Bible, I highly recommend it!

Just Ask by Melody Carlson

Fiction (series, book 1)

Kim, a teenager adopted from Korea, tries amidst tragedy to write an advice column for her school newspaper--while holding her own life and relationships together. Captivating and thought-provoking.
If you enjoyed this book, try John 3:16 by Nancy Moser.

More Beautiful You by Gwendolyn Diaz

Non-fiction (devotional)

Based off the song by Johnny Diaz, More Beautiful You looks through what the Bible says about worth, weight, popularity, appearance, boyfriends, and more. Written in a casual conversational style, with places for journaling and recommendations for further Bible passages to read.
If you enjoyed this book, try God Called a Girl: How Mary Changed Her World--And You Can Too by Shannon Primicerio.

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Non-fiction (autobiography)

Corrie ten Boom's well-known story of surviving a World War II German concentration camp is grippingly told in this autobiography. Packed with Corrie's insights into living out a Christian faith in hard situations.
If you enjoyed this book, try Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

For Young Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice

Non-fiction (advice)

The pages of this book are bursting with facts from an eye-opening survey conducted by the authors. The survey, which went in-depth with guys on a number of topics (including modesty, purity, dating, and others), can be summed up in one question: what are guys really thinking?
If you enjoyed this book, try For Young Men Only: A Guy's Guide to the Alien Gender by Jeff Feldhahn and Eric Rice. (no, really--it's just as eye-opening!)

I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris
Non-fiction (advice)

Joshua Harris looks at the modern dating game, showing how it causes more broken hearts than happily-ever-afters. But don't worry, you don't have to become a nun--dating, when done right, can be both God-honoring and fun.

If you enjoyed this book, try Boy Meets Girl: Say Hello to Courtship by Joshua Harris.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Fiction (historical romance)

One of Jane Austen's lesser-known novels, Persuasion is a short but moving book demonstrating the importance of staying true to yourself in the midst of tumultuous relationships and...dare we say it....cute guys.

If you enjoyed this book, try Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

Those are my favorites. What are yours?

Makeup from the Bible

To start:
"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:23-25, NIV)

Foundation:
"I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built." (Luke 6:47-48, NIV)

Eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara:
"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." (Proverbs 17:24, NIV)

Blush:
"[Your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4, NIV)

Lipstick:
"Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips." (Ecclesiates 10:12, NIV)

Dress to Communicate

The way we dress communicates a lot about what we think. Different people dress different ways for different reasons. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to fit in. Sometimes, we dress a certain way to stand out. Sometimes we dress a certain way because we don't know how else to handle something in our life. But we usually dress to communicate. "Accept me." "Love me." "Look at me." "Admire me." "Envy me." Help me."

Maybe you're one of those people who are looking for help, but you're confused. You try to communicate "help me" through the way you dress. Or maybe you're trying to tell people about something that's going on inside of you, like "I'm depressed" or "I'm upset." If you are one of those people, it's okay--everyone needs help sometimes.

I've put the following in prayer-format for you, but you don't have to pray it if you don't want to. Maybe not everything below applies to you; that's okay. Like I said above, different people dress differently for different reasons. I'm posting the prayer below for those who need it.

And please know that you're not judged. I know that life is tough. Maybe you're not ready for the prayer below, and that's okay too. As long as you're following God, He'll lead you to His heart in His timing--and that's where you want to be.

"Dear God,
I've been wanting help. I've been crying for help, wanting to tell people that something is wrong. Wanting to tell people that I don't have all the answers, and that I'm looking for someone to help me learn them. Wanting to let people know that I don't always make the right choices, and that I need someone to rescue me.

Thank You so much for loving me, for knowing me intimately, and for dying on the cross for me. I love You and I want to follow Your ways.

If anything, I can communicate that I don't have all the answers, but that I have some--and that I'm willing to follow what I've learned right now, not at some future date when I have life all figured out. After all, I won't have all the answers until I die and go to heaven. So, since I'm following You, even though I don't have all the answers in my life, I'll follow what You've told me for now and learn more every day. You know that I sometimes head down the wrong path in life. You know that everyone sometimes chooses the wrong things. That's why You died for everyone. In fact, everyone already knows I'm not perfect. But what You want me to tell people is not that I make some wrong choices every day, but that You have rescued me from my sin. Help me communicate that.

Thank You so much for loving me and caring about me, and please help me to follow You every moment of my life. I love you.
In Jesus' name, Amen."

READY: May 10, 2010

Today's Passage: Genesis 23, NIV

What ladies can learn: Abraham took care to find a place of respect and value to bury Sarah. Women in the Bible weren't discounted! I don't know if Sarah ever felt underappreciated, but I'm going to guess that she did at some point in her life. What can we learn? Often, people care more about us than we realize.

Highlighted characteristic of God: You might not see God in this passage at first glance. Look again. James 1:17 (NIV) says "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." I would call Sarah's tomb a good and perfect gift, wouldn't you? Not only that, God worked it out that Abraham received the tomb for free. How awesome is that? Just because we can't see God or hear an audible voice doesn't mean He isn't there.
In two words: God provides.

Highlighted characteristic for us: The Bible tells us that Abraham's witnesses were the Hittites. Now, if you believe that the Bible is the whole truth, then you'd believe that Hittites existed whether or not archeology proved their existence (since the Bible is true, accurate science can be trusted to support the Bible).
There was a time that no one believed Hittites existed. People thought that there was no evidence for the existence of the Hittites. Well, of course, I'm sure you know now that the Hittites have been proven to exist--we even study them in our history books! The Bible is always right, even if people haven't found "proof" for everything in it.
In three words: Trust God's word.

Learning to be Thankful, Joyful, & Content

(Hi! I'm Megan, one of the co-authors on Modern Christian Girls. Please be sure to read my profile, and feel free to visit my other blogs!)

 In theme w/ Mondays post, & what I have been learning this week, my first post on Modern Christian Girls will be on learning how to be thankful, joyful, & content in all circumstances, & becoming a  godly woman who honors God. Now, it is MUCH easier said than done; believe me! These are 3 traits that God has been sanctifying me in these past few months. (Along w/ patience)

I am in the middle of reading the book "Created to Be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearl. So far it is great!  The book is on learning to be a godly woman, & how to honor your husbands, & God. Now, I'm not married, but this book is great in helping to prepare young ladies & teach them how they can honor their future husbands, & God by honoring your father (or those who are in authority over you,) while you are still under his authority, & roof. It's not directed towards un-married women necessarily, (I'm only on chapter 9) but we can still learn from it so we are prepared for when that time comes!

The first several chapters are on learning to be thankful & joyful in ALL things! (Hebrews 3:15, Psalm 27:6, 1 Chronicles 16:8, 29:13, 2 Samuel 22:50, Psalm 33:1, Colossians 1:11-12 3:15 . That's just a few! Search on Bible Gateway, or in your Bible for more verses.) This really got me. Our present living situation isn't ideal, but God has us here for a reason, & I need to stop complaining, & instead, ask God to give me the patience to endure it, and to be thankful we are all together, healthy, & we have shelter!

" ¹⁵Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude(which is thankfulness) in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV - emphasis & definition mine)

Quotes book

I've always wanted to keep all my favorite Bible verses, quotes, and sayings somewhere convenient and easy-to-find.

I picked up this cute notebook several months ago (I love collecting notebooks with nice designs), and I started using it to keep all my favorite quotes in one place.

(the first page)

(a page spread--I write each quote in a different color)

I've been writing in this book for awhile, and I love it! So I thought I'd share the idea with y'all :)
God bless!

READY: April 18

Today's passage: 1 John 4, NIV, courtesy of BibleGateway.org.

Highlighted characteristic of God: Jesus is God. There are so many facets to that statement that we can't examine them all in one paragraph--Jesus gave us commandments, Jesus loves us enough to come to earth, Jesus lived a perfectly exemplary life, etc.--but the main point in this passage is that remembering Jesus' life (and following it) can help us stay strong in God. God wants us to have a relationship with Jesus, and He wants us to follow Him.
In two words: Jesus empowers.

Highlighted characteristic for us: Test your moods! Okay, the passage deals with spirits, but I think it's a point worth making...girls, we know we're moody, and as teens, it's pretty easy to be moody most of the time. So stay on your guard. What you perceive as "unfair" may or may not be worth your time arguing about. What you perceive as "defending your--and God's-- reputation" might actually be a flare-up of pride. Be careful. Ask yourself the WWJD question, remember Bible verses you've memorized about Jesus, and ask the Holy Spirit if your mood is from Him or from sin.
In three words: Strength through alertness.

READY: April 6, 2010

Today's passage: Mark 4, NCV, courtesy of BibleGateway.org

Highlighted characteristic of God: God is willing to share His love with those who will stay growing strong in Him (the subjects of His kingdom, if you will). God's kingdom is always growing, even if we don't always see it. God, like a true Divine regent, has power beyond what we could imagine--and He's willing to use that power to help us, if we ask and if it's His will.
In two words--God rules.

Highlighted characteristic for us: We can read the Bible all we want, but if the Holy Spirit isn't explaining it to us, we won't truly get the full meaning and the full benefits...but that's why it's important to ask God questions about what He means by His words and how He's working in our lives.
In three words--Listen to understand.

Mark 4 (New Century Version)

A Story About Planting Seed

¹ Again Jesus began teaching by the lake. A great crowd gathered around him, so he sat down in a boat near the shore. All the people stayed on the shore close to the water. ² Jesus taught them many things, using stories. He said, ³ "Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.⁴ While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it up.⁵ Some seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep.⁶ But when the sun rose, the plants dried up because they did not have deep roots.⁷ Some other seed fell among thorny weeds, which grew and choked the good plants. So those plants did not produce a crop. ⁸ Some other seed fell on good ground and began to grow. It got taller and produced a crop. Some plants made thirty times more, some made sixty times more, and some made a hundred times more."

⁹ Then Jesus said, "Let those with ears use them and listen!"

Jesus Tells Why He Used Stories

¹⁰ Later, when Jesus was alone, the twelve apostles and others around him asked him about the stories.

¹¹ Jesus said, "You can know the secret about the kingdom of God. But to other people I tell everything by using stories ¹² so that:
'They will look and look, but they will not learn.
They will listen and listen, but they will not understand.
If they did learn and understand,
they would come back to me and be forgiven.' " — Isaiah 6:9–10

Jesus Explains the Seed Story

¹³ Then Jesus said to his followers, "Don't you understand this story? If you don't, how will you understand any story? ¹⁴ The farmer is like a person who plants God's message in people.¹⁵ Sometimes the teaching falls on the road. This is like the people who hear the teaching of God, but Satan quickly comes and takes away the teaching that was planted in them.¹⁶ Others are like the seed planted on rocky ground. They hear the teaching and quickly accept it with joy.¹⁷ But since they don't allow the teaching to go deep into their lives, they keep it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching they accepted, they quickly give up.¹⁸ Others are like the seed planted among the thorny weeds. They hear the teaching,¹⁹ but the worries of this life, the temptation of wealth, and many other evil desires keep the teaching from growing and producing fruit in their lives. ²⁰ Others are like the seed planted in the good ground. They hear the teaching and accept it. Then they grow and produce fruit—sometimes thirty times more, sometimes sixty times more, and sometimes a hundred times more."

Use What You Have

²¹ Then Jesus said to them, "Do you hide a lamp under a bowl or under a bed? No! You put the lamp on a lampstand. ²² Everything that is hidden will be made clear and every secret thing will be made known. ²³ Let those with ears use them and listen!

²⁴ "Think carefully about what you hear. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more. ²⁵ Those who have understanding will be given more. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them."

Jesus Uses a Story About Seed

²⁶ Then Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is like someone who plants seed in the ground. ²⁷ Night and day, whether the person is asleep or awake, the seed still grows, but the person does not know how it grows.²⁸ By itself the earth produces grain. First the plant grows, then the head, and then all the grain in the head. ²⁹ When the grain is ready, the farmer cuts it, because this is the harvest time."

A Story About Mustard Seed

³⁰ Then Jesus said, "How can I show you what the kingdom of God is like? What story can I use to explain it? ³¹ The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the smallest seed you plant in the ground. ³² But when planted, this seed grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants. It produces large branches, and the wild birds can make nests in its shade."

³³ Jesus used many stories like these to teach the crowd God's message—as much as they could understand.³⁴ He always used stories to teach them. But when he and his followers were alone, Jesus explained everything to them.

Jesus Calms a Storm

³⁵ That evening, Jesus said to his followers, "Let's go across the lake." ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him in the boat just as he was. There were also other boats with them.³⁷ A very strong wind came up on the lake. The waves came over the sides and into the boat so that it was already full of water.³⁸ Jesus was at the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a cushion. His followers woke him and said, "Teacher, don't you care that we are drowning!"

³⁹ Jesus stood up and commanded the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind stopped, and it became completely calm.

⁴⁰ Jesus said to his followers, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

⁴¹ The followers were very afraid and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

Women or Wimps?

Today, I read Susan Brownmiller's essay Femininity in 100 Great Essays (edited by Robert Diyanni).
I'd like to point out a few of the points at which I believe she is incorrect (note that our definitions of femininity are different):

• False belief: Feminine women are not career-minded.
• Correction: Feminine women can be career-minded. I'm very thankful for all the female scientists, doctors, professors, authors, businesswomen, CEOs...it's possible for women to be in positions of leadership in the business and academic world without losing their femininity.
• False belief: Feminine women are men-worshipers and men-catchers
• Correction: Femininity has nothing to do with man-worshiping. It has more to do with worshiping God and the roles and desires He places in our hearts. One can be feminine, pure, and happily single.
• False belief: Feminine women are weak and sentimental.
• Correction: Weakness and sentimentality has nothing to do with feminism. If you're weak and sentimental, that's your problem. We should find our stability in Jesus, regardless of our views on feminism. Weakness and sentimentality is never the answer.

Being feminine is dressing like a lady and acting in a polite manner. Yes, femininity includes letting men initiate discussions, relationships, and not volunteering to lead a group if a man is available to volunteer (this is in casual settings, not so much in business settings). This is practicing Biblical male leadership - NOT TO BE MISTAKEN FOR MALE SUPERIORITY, which is not Biblical! I cannot stress that enough: leaders are equal with followers. In fact, without leaders there would be no followers, and without followers there would be no leaders. Simply because women should not lead in some situations does not mean they are inferior to men. It takes a certain strength to lead, and it takes another kind of strength to follow.

Questions for discussion:

• What is your definition of feminism? How do you feel about the three points presented above? Do you have a different opinion?
  
• What are your views on male/female leadership? In what situations is it appropriate for a woman to lead? In what situations is it appropriate for her to follow? When should a woman sit back and wait for a man to lead, even if he is not initiating?

What's this blog about?

Hi girls,
I started this blog for Christian girls who are trying to establish a balance between being culturally relevant and Biblically obedient. I want to follow Christ in all I do, which means following 1 Timothy 2:7-8 ("In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us").

In the same line of thinking, however, I believe the Bible does not call us to be completely isolated from the culture:

• In Acts 10:13, Jesus tells Peter to "Kill and eat," just like the Romans in Peter's culture did. This became a witnessing tool.
• Romans 14:20 NIV: "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." I don't think this verse applies to food alone.
• 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 NIV: "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." (emphasis mine)

The culture is trying to make girls look like men in the way they dress. They're trying to make girls act like men in the way they act. Nevertheless, God created men and women with equal but different roles, roles that are each beautiful in their own way. In this culture, we must find what it means to be a real, modern, feminine girl.
Besides, what would the world do without women? ;)
Questions for discussion:

• What do you think it means to be "culturally relevant"? Where do you draw the line between cultural connection and feminine living?
• What are the patterns in your life right now? Are you more feminine or more feminist? What are you doing to follow God? What are you doing that is cultural?
• Do you have any suggestions? (blog topics you'd like to see, ideas on how to be feminine yet relevant, etc).