Choose NOW Ministries

TTR: Are you a sucker for a big announcement?

Nicole — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:28:22 +0000

If you missed this show when it aired live, you can grab the podcast right here.

Then you won’t be disappointed when you tune in to Teen Talk Radio tonight! I have a big announcement to make. I should hold it for the end of the program so you have to listen to the whole thing, but I won’t do that to you. Tune in at 10pm EST at www.choicesradio.com and I’ll spill it right away!

Following the big announcement, tonight’s Teen Talk Radio guests include Renee Fisher, author of “Not Another Dating Book; Bonnie Sharon, Cellular Chloe, on the subject of Dating violence; and Courtney Walsh, author of Sweethaven Summer. We’ll chat about her book, memory making, and the importance of family and strong friendships.

Author, Renee Fisher

Renee Fisher had a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s Day for nearly a decade as a single woman in her twenties, and after trying and tiring of dating formulas and Christian clichés, Fisher turned to Scripture to rediscover God’s purpose for relationships. Instead of zeroing in on relationship status, Not Another Dating Book widens the lens to see the whole picture of the most important relationship as revealed in Scripture that will shape all others.

And that’s what we do. Christa Allan: On Teaching

Nicole — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:14:47 +0000

About Me:

I started teaching at the age of 21, three months after I graduated from college with a degree in English, Secondary Education. Clearly, I was too young to realize how young I was walking into classrooms where some of my students were merely three years (or fewer) younger than I.

That first year, I might have cried on the way home at least three out of five days most weeks. I considered doing almost anything except what I was doing. But I showed up the second year, and the third, and for two more years after that and then my first child was born. I didn’t return to the classroom again for twelve years. For a few years, I tried other professions…a sort of grown-up way of dragging clothes into a fitting room. Some of them fit, but none of them felt as right on me as teaching.

I earned my National Board Certification in 2007, an accomplishment of which I am proud. Especially so because all of the work I did for it was at a school in the city we evacuated to after Hurricane Katrina… as opposed to being able to do the work in the school I left, where I’d been for fifteen years.… continue reading

On Priorities

Nicole — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 06:26:02 +0000

This is a test post for the column by Karen Ehman, On Priorities. The first post in this column will go live on March 13 and then on the second Tuesday of every month.… continue reading

Rachel Hauck: On Worship and Warfare

Nicole — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:16:42 +0000

This is a test post. The first post in this column will go live on March 10th, and will post on the 2nd Saturday of each month. So be sure to check back!… continue reading

Jeannie Campbell: On Emotions

Nicole — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:04:35 +0000

This is a test post. The first post in this column will go live on March 2nd and will post the first Friday of each month.… continue reading

Don’t Forget to Ask Yourself: Is This Spiritual Warfare?

Nicole — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:31:13 +0000

Sometimes when we encounter behavioral problems in our kids, we start forming opinions:

It’s hormones.
It’s Junior High’s fault.
My child is walking through a selfish phase.
She is trying to spread her wings by asserting her independence.
She wants to rebel.

While many of these reasons could be in play for our kids’ recent tirades, remember that there can also be another reason: Spiritual Warfare.

If your child is stepping out in a new area of service, or standing against something painful at school, or choosing not to hang with disruptive friends, it could be that the recent drama in your house is spiritual warfare. Simply put: the enemy of our souls is hell-bent on our destruction. Remember, he came to steal, kill and destroy. He likes nothing better than to have our kids take money from our purses (stealing), drink to blaring excess (killing), or cut themselves (destroying).

Of course you’ll need to address the issues at hand with truth and grace. But also, don’t forget to fight on your knees for the sake of your children. Ask God to bring your child joy, discernment, and power. Pray with your child about what is bothering him/her, and pray with faith believing that Jesus will meet the deepest needs of your child.… continue reading

On Girl Talk: 3 ways to deflate the power of toxic friendships and online bullying

Nicole — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 13:15:24 +0000

Hey there, my name is Chloe, and I’m from South Africa. I have a problem here. I have a few friendships going with some people and feel that they are all wrong. Sure, they comfort me and help me when I’m down, but most of the time they make me feel sad or upset, for no real reason, something I can’t explain. It’s so bad that I can’t even use social networks anymore because they’re always on there teasing me and putting me down. What is happening to me?

Natalie said: I see a few things happening here. One thing that concerns me is cyber bullying. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, on social networks, first print out any proof of things that have been said to you, then avoid the setting completely. You aren’t required to check in on Facebook or anywhere else online, so if you don’t want to, don’t. Or, weed through your online friendships and make your corner of the cyber world a safe place for you to be by only surrounding yourself with people who will build you up, not tear you down.

The other concern I have is that you’re feeling down a lot.… continue reading

3 Must Haves for Creating Outside the Box

Nicole — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:41:44 +0000

By Shellie Neumeier, www.nextgenwriters.com

On Teen Writing

In no way do I claim to be an expert on creativity. In the words of my Pastor, “I’m just one beggar telling another beggar where to find food” (of course he was talking about salvation, but I think the analogy works here too). One place I’ve learned to find literary bacon is in discovering that new angle, creative twist, unique storyline that’s never been done before. How do you find that angle, that twist or plot line in a world where every story feels like something you’ve already read…different characters perhaps even a different setting, but nonetheless the same story? Doesn’t it drive you nuts when upon no large amount of thought, you can predict the outcome of a book precisely–much to every other reader within earshot’s dismay (I mean really…no one keeps those predictions silent which pretty much ruins the experience for everyone you tell:). I do this a lot. My kids have come to expect it and ooh do they love it when I’m wrong.

Honestly, so do I. Being wrong means the author beat me. They thought outside the box I’d placed them in. Their story surprised me, involved me, confused me, and simply entertained me.… continue reading

Parent Talk: I’ve made a huge mistake! Can I backtrack in my parenting decision?

Nicole — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:05:39 +0000

Sheila wrote: I’ve always been pretty sure about what I’d allow with my kids. I vowed never to allow my teenage daughter to have a cell phone until she could pay for it herself or until she was at least sixteen. I wasn’t going to put up with her texting and being on the phone all the time. A few months ago, for various reasons, I caved. I gave in and got her a cell phone. It doesn’t have an internet package, but it does have unlimited texting–and believe me, she uses it. Now I have exactly what I wanted to avoid: a daughter with her eyes glued to a cell phone display. I’d like to take it back and reverse my decision, but I don’t know if I can. It’s not her fault I caved on my position. Is it fair for me to penalize her for it?

Oh, man. I’m going through a very similar thing. I think all parents face this dilemma at one time or another. It’s unavoidable because we’re human beings. We make mistakes, and we learn from them. Ultimately, you have to be the best parent you can be. If that means you learn from a mistake and have to reverse a decision you made, so be it.… continue reading

TTR: Defying the Diva

Nicole — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:37:34 +0000

Haley Patterson is having a great year hanging out with her friends and making a name for herself as the only freshman reporter for her high school newspaper, The Raider Review. But when she reveals one too many details in a gossip column, superdiva Camilla Quinn turns Haley’s life upside down. Completely ostracized and abandoned by even her closest friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. A summer job at a mountain resort brings Haley a new set of friends, romance with two cute guys, and an unexpected confrontation with Camilla that forces her to choose whether to back down, or find the courage to stand her ground.

“ Skillfully captures the painful reality of teen bullying while also telling Haley’s humorous and sincere story of growing up.”Kirkus Reviews

“The love story is sweet, and readers will root for Haley to admit what’s been going on and finally give herself a chance to be happy.” Booklist

On why she wrote Defying the Diva, Dorothy said:

“I’m a bully because I enjoy pushing people around and making them do what I say. It’s my thing. If you mess with me, I will shove you into your locker, and it will hurt.” This unabashed admission from a fifteen year old girl led me to my novel about a high school student who finds herself the target of a popular and attractive classmate known for pushing people around and getting her own way.