Christian Teen Girls

Some thoughts for girls on modesty/clothing

2025-10-27T07:36:00.002+13:00

Recently I taught a devotion to some girls about clothing/modesty. I thought I might as well make a video and share it online as well. This is about principles and questions to think about, not rules on what you should or shouldn't wear.

Lighter than Air

2024-07-11T15:03:00.002+12:00

A few days ago, a beautiful yellow air balloon randomly floated over our house.

Hot air balloons fly because they are lighter than air. They are filled with a light gas that rises above the heavier air around it. When you have enough light gas, the air balloon is lifted up and floats in the air.

Sadness, discouragement, complaining and grumpiness are like the heavy air. They make us feel down. Heavy air doesn’t rise.

The light gas is like prayer, praise and thankfulness. When we pray to God and pour out all that makes us feel sad and troubled, our load is lightened. He carries it for us and fills us with peace.

When we praise God and thank Him for His goodness, our spirits are lifted. Our hearts feel lighter, and we feel much happier. It is as if we are rising up in a beautiful hot air balloon.

When the burners are turned on inside the balloon, the balloon rises up. When the burners are off, the balloon gradually goes back down as the air inside it cools. To make the balloon fall more quickly, the pilot opens a hole and lets out some of the hot air.

To keep our spirits up, in a sad and sin-filled world, we need to stay close to God and pray every day. We need to continually thank and praise God, other wise to keep our spirits up. That’s exactly what these three verses tell us to do.

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.—1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Beautiful Snowflakes

2024-07-03T21:00:00.007+12:00

This morning at preschool, I taught the children how to make simple paper snowflakes. They enjoyed it very much, and I loved seeing them enjoy it!

To make a snowflake, you need to fold a square piece of paper a few times. Then all you need to do is cut out small shapes. When you have finished, you open up the paper, and you have a beautiful snowflake.

Thinking about it this evening, I realized that our lives are like that square of folded paper. We also get "cut." Trials are like scissors that snip pieces out of our lives. Any kind of loss that we experience is like a painful snip.

What we don't always realize is that the snips are necessary to being a beautiful and useful person. Without them, we'd be like a plain piece of paper.

What matters is that our lives have been put in the hands of the One who cuts out of love. If our lives are not in His hands, we may simply become a square of paper that is snipped to pieces.

If our lives are submitted to God, He won't allow any more snips than necessary.

Each one of the children's snowflakes was different and beautiful. And so, in our lives, we all have a different mixture of trials to make us into a unique person.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.--Romans 5:3-5

When All You Have is God

2024-06-13T21:53:00.000+12:00

The Red Sea is in front of you, and cruel soldiers are chasing you from behind. There is a quote that says, "Sometimes the only way out is through." But sometimes there is no way through. Sometimes you are trapped. You can't move forward, you can't stay still, and you can't go back. It's hopeless!

The Israelites came into this hopeless situation by following God's lead.

The Israelites had no boats, no ferries, no bridges, and no airplanes. All they had was God. All they had was the One who made the sea. The One who can make a way where there is no way. The One with whom nothing is impossible.

All they had was all they needed. It was nothing for God to make a path through the sea just for them! It was nothing for God to bring the waters back down on the Egyptian soldiers so they would never bother them again.

Do you feel trapped sometimes? Do you panic like the Israelites did? Is all you have God? Our God is the One who can easily make a way through our Red Seas. It is nothing for Him.

But are you following Him? Or are you your own boss and guide? When we are following Him, we can have full assurance that when He leads us into a trap, He will also lead us through. We can know for certain that He has a good reason for this.

Look to the One who made the Red Sea. The One who makes a way where there is no way. Have full confidence in Him that He will get you through this for His glory.

Hidden Treasure

2024-06-13T13:54:00.006+12:00

God has treasures in store for His children. Not earthly treasures that don't last, but the real treasure that comes from knowing God. The treasures of peace, joy and nearness to Him. The treasure of being satisfied and content. The treasure of God revealing truths from His Word. The treasure of growing in a personal relationship with the Creator and feeling His love.

But those treasures are often found in the hard times and in the secret place of our quiet time alone with God.

How to Survive

2024-05-23T21:21:00.002+12:00

How do we survive hard times? How do we not get depressed when the world around us is so depressing? How do we not get discouraged, when there is little to encourage us?

God's Word is the answer. God is the Source of all comfort, joy, peace and hope. And we have His own Words to read which give us hope and encouragement. Is it your delight? Your go-to? Is it what you meditate on?

"O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day." Psalm 119:97

The Way to Do a Great Deal

2024-05-18T22:58:00.002+12:00

Do you ever get overwhelmed with how much there is to do and know? The only way mountains get climbed is by taking little steps forward. The way to get where God wants you is to keep taking the next step. The way to know God more is to keep taking steps by reading His Word, meditating on it, and putting it into practice in your life. Don't stop taking little steps.

How Do You Do That?

2024-05-01T21:05:00.000+12:00

I watched two little girls playing on a climbing frame. One of them was like a little monkey, moving along easily and quickly. The other one moved inch by inch. For her to reach the other end took huge effort. She said to the other girl, “How do you do that?” The other girl had no answer. She just does it!

What a picture of the different talents God has given us. There are some things we do effortlessly and naturally. Someone else looks at us and says, “How do you do that?” We don’t know, we just do.

We look at someone else who can do something so well that we struggle to do. “How do you do that?” They don’t know, they just do.

It’s easy for discontentment to creep in when we look at what others do. It’s easy to forget that others look at us and think, “How do you do that?”

We need to appreciate the gifts that God has given us, and the gifts God has given others. Instead of being discontent with the gifts we don’t have, we can still learn to get better at the things we can’t do well.

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us. Romans 12:6

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10

God's Will for Us

2024-04-28T13:37:00.005+12:00

Psalm 100 shows us how to live. We are to have joy in God. And this is why we can be joyful even when things in our life are not...

For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100:5

God's goodness, mercy and truth never change. So, we always have reason to rejoice!

The Sweetness of Finding Wisdom

2024-04-26T07:58:00.001+12:00

Solomon compared finding wisdom to the sweetness of honey. It is so true! There is a sweetness, a delight, a joy, and a reward in knowing God and all that He has to personally teach us. Nothing else satisfies us like that. And yet it takes effort, time and prayer to dig in God's Word and meditate on it. But the sweetness and satisfaction are worth it!

My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:

So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.--Proverbs 24:13-14

Easter Hope

2024-04-01T07:49:00.006+13:00

What's your favorite part of the Easter story this year? I have a few. The ripped veil giving us access to God. The loving words of Jesus on the cross.

But I needed to teach the story of Mary Magdalene at school. Preparing the lesson the night before was the very last thing I felt like doing. But afterwards I felt like I had been there and gotten a glimpse of how Mary would have felt! She went from having a broken heart to having a bursting heart. All because she had been in the presence of the One she loved. She had heard His voice and seen Him.

That joy can still be ours today because Jesus is alive, very real, personal and still gives hope today.

I love the song, I Talked to Him Today.

But I talked to Him today, and my cares all fell away

He made me feel like life had just begun
He said all of my trials can be turned into triumph
Through the victory that He's already won
And I talked to him today, and the comfort that He gave
Filled me with desire to tell the world, yet on Calvary he died
But right now He is alive, I know because I talked to him today

Testing Times

2022-10-28T06:33:00.005+13:00

There are times when God feels so close and the verses in the Bible feel like they were written personally for you. You see God answering your prayers. It's exciting!

But then there are the times when it feels like God has forgotten about you. You pray and pray and see no sign of your prayer being answered. Nothing particular in the Bible stands out. God seems to be silent.

In those times I like to remember this thought...
When you are going through something hard and wonder where God is, remember that the teacher is always quiet during a test.

In those moments of feeling like God is far away, maybe you are going through a test. When students are taking a test, the teacher is quiet. The teacher doesn't answer questions like they usually would. But there is a good reason.

When teachers give a test, they prepare their students first. First they learn about something, then their knowledge is tested. The student has to remember what they've already learned. Although they may not be able to remember everything, they have already learned everything they need for the test. And when we go through testing times, we can take comfort in the fact that we have been prepared for this. (That is, if we are learning from our Teacher) We need to remember what God has already taught us and it will help us through this test.

Teachers do not forget about the student during a test. Being silent doesn't mean that they don't care or that they're not there. And when you are walking with God and He seems far away, don't presume He's not there or that He doesn't care. A name for God I recently learned is Jehovah Shammah which means "The Lord is there." God is always there even when He seems silent. So don't stop praying and reading the Bible when God is silent, because He is always there and He does care. He is no less close than at other times. Tests don't last forever. They always pass.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

God's Plan For My Life

2022-08-05T21:36:00.001+12:00

Too Late

2022-06-27T21:11:00.001+12:00

"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazerus.
When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was." John 11:5-6

I have been thinking on this story, and these are some things I have noticed. (Read John 11 for the whole story.)

*Sometimes we doubt God's love and care when we are waiting for Him to answer. And yet it may because of his love and care that He is waiting.

*Waiting times do end. Jesus did come.

*What God has in mind is always bigger and better than what we have in mind.

*With God, there is always hope.

*Jesus is not heartless. He cares about our pain and the fact that we don't understand.

*Mary and Martha both went to Jesus when they heard that He had come. They took their pain and questions to Him. They didn't avoid and stay away from Him because they didn't understand. We need to take our pain and questions to Him, too. Then He will help us.

*We need to follow God's instructions and obey His promptings even when they make no sense to us. (Take away the stone from the grave!)

*Sometimes we object at the way God wants to answer. (Lord, by this time he stinketh)

*God always hears our prayers and knows our needs. Just because He hasn't answered yet doesn't mean He's forgotten about you.

*With God, all things are possible. He's limitless!

*God's timing is different than ours. What we think is "too late" to God is "right on time!" We need to trust God's timing.

Only Jesus

2022-05-20T21:21:00.003+12:00

Only Jesus

Only Jesus, precious Jesus,

Can our every sorrow know;

He alone can truly help us

Through life’s journey here below.

Only Jesus, precious Jesus,

When life’s thorns have pierced the heart,

Can relieve the wounded spirit,

Needful help and grace impart.

Only Jesus, precious Jesus,

When temptation’s billows roll,

Can command the angry tempest,

Strengthen, soothe the trembling soul.

Only Jesus, precious Jesus,

He alone in life and death,

Can support me and I’ll trust Him,

Till my life’s last fleeting breath.

Other friends may bless and comfort,

Speak a kind and cheering word;

But the balm to heal the heartache

Only Jesus can afford.

-Daniel O. Teasley

Living While You're Waiting

2022-04-27T06:58:00.003+12:00

Waiting is never easy! And yet most of the time we are waiting for something. So it's important to be thankful for everything we do have right now and learn patience and contentment while waiting. Also, we should not stop living while we are waiting. I like these closing words from a devotional.

...Make sure you keep living while you're waiting.
It takes courage to wait patiently and yet get out there and embrace life. But you can do it. Lean on God and courage will never be in short supply. Joni Eareckson Tada from Glorious Intruder

Jacob's Prayer

2022-04-19T10:56:00.000+12:00

Jacob is on his way back to his homeland. He has just gotten news that his brother Esau (who had wanted to kill him years back) is coming towards him with four hundred men. Jacob is terrified and worried.

This is when he prays this prayer. I see 6 things from his prayer than we can learn from (Genesis 32).

1. He's obedient.

He's coming to God in prayer after obeying Him. God had told him to return to his homeland. We can't expect God to answer our prayers when we're not obedient to His will. But if we are obeying Him, then we can have confidence that He will answer us.

2. He's humble.

He knows and admits that he deserves nothing. Neither do we.

3. He's thankful.

He acknowledges all that God has already done for him. When we pray, we should remember to thank God for all He's already done for us.

4. He's specific.

He tells God exactly what his problem is. He asks very specifically for safety. We can also be very specific with God, if we want to see specific answers.

5. He's honest.

He is honest and tells God exactly how he feels and that he is scared that Esau will come and kill him and his family. We don't need to be afraid to be honest and tell God our feelings and fears. He knows them already.

6. He reminds God of His own Word.

He pleads God's promise to make his seed as the sand of the sea. We can also plead God's promises when we pray. How can God deny what He has promised?

Learning to Soar

2022-04-07T06:33:00.006+12:00

I was reading my children a devotional story (Keys for Kids) at breakfast time. It was about having wings as eagles.

"The eagle is a unique bird... When there's a storm, other birds try to avoid it, but the eagle flies straight into it and uses the storm's own winds to lift him above the clouds."

"With God's strength, you can be like an eagle and fly straight into the storms of life, instead of running away from them. Then you can use those hurts or troubles...to grow as a Christian."

These words struck me. I don't know about you, but it is in my nature to run from anything hard or uncomfortable. There are MANY times I would have escaped my problems/challenges if it had of been possible. I thank God that I couldn't! Because those problems forced me to depend on God and His strength. As a result, I was able to rise above and fly like an eagle.

What about you? Do you run from anything that is outside your comfort zone or difficult?

You can run from those things or you can let those difficult things push you up to God. You can learn to soar!

Come to Me

2022-03-13T21:43:00.000+13:00

What a difference it makes when we bring every care, question, worry, burden etc. to the Lord! This song was written to remind us of that.

Come to me when you are weary

Come to me when you are tired

Come to me when you are dreary

When you’re sad and want to cry

Come to me when you are burdened

Come to me when you are stressed

Come to me when you are anxious

And I will give you rest.

chorus

I have the answer to every question

The solution to every problem

New grace for every trial

And strength for every mile

I have hope for your despair

And joy to bring you cheer

I have peace for every stress

And help in every test.

I’m your hope, I am your counsellor

I’m your Saviour and Friend

I’m your strength and your provider

You’re broken heart I’ll mend.

I’m your father and your mother

I’m your joy and your song

I’m your guide and your protector

Come to me where you belong.

~Emily van Rijn

Walking With God

2022-02-27T14:04:00.005+13:00

If your life was summed up in one sentence, what would it be?

There is a man in the Bible whose life is summed up with the words "Enoch walked with God."

If you put your name in Enoch's place, would it be true? Do you walk with God? What does it even mean to walk with God?

Here are some thoughts to think about. Let's compare walking with God to going for a walk with a person.

Who do you go for walks with? A friend or a stranger? Usually we only go for walks with someone we love and know--a friend or family member. If you walked up to a random person on the street and asked them to go for a walk with you, they would think you were strange! Walking with God means you know and love Him.

Since God is light, then walking with God means walking in the light. Confessing and forsaking sin, not hiding your sin or putting the blame on others.

Imagine walking with a friend in complete silence! When you go for a walk, you also talk. But you don't chatter none stop and give your friend no chance to talk. Walking with a friend requires both talking and listening. Walking with God involves both talking to God (prayer) and listening to Him (reading the Bible).

Imagine asking a friend to go for a walk with you, but you are in one town and they are in another town. Would that work? No, you have to be in the same place to walk together. You have to be close! Walking with God means being close to God.

Walking with a friend means that you are not walking with others. So that might mean being different. People may laugh or mock you. But it's better to walk with God and be laughed at than be the ones who are not walking with God.

If your friend invites you to go for a walk with them, you need to go where they are going. And so walking with God means that we must obey Him and go where He leads.

Would you go for a walk with someone you don't trust? I sure wouldn't! And walking with God requires trust and faith in Him.

Would you walk with a friend while worrying how to please someone that you are not with? Walking with God means living to please God, not other people.

Walking with a friend also involves keeping in step with, not lagging behind or running ahead.

Enoch never died, God just took him to heaven (Heb 11:5) While those who walk with God will still have to die, they have no need to fear death. They will finally see in person the one they have been walking with on earth!

Limiting God

2022-02-14T14:53:00.002+13:00

This week I have been reading the story of Creation. If God can create an entire incredible universe and everything on it, what is too hard for Him? Do you limit God?

“Our God has boundless resources. The only limit is in us. Our asking, our thinking, our praying are too small. Our expectations are too limited.” A.B.Simson

“Do not limit the limitless God! With Him, face the future unafraid because you are never alone.”~Lettie Cowman

Scripture Song || Psalm 18:2

2022-02-05T13:58:00.005+13:00

Scripture song for Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

When Christ is All You Have

2022-01-31T14:14:00.000+13:00

Teach Me to Trust

2022-01-27T15:35:00.001+13:00

Teach me to trust when there is cause to fear,

When trials come and tempests sore appear;

Help me to know that Thou, O God, art near--

Teach me to trust, Teach me to trust.

Teach me to trust when skies are shining bright,

Or when I grope alone in sorrow's night;

Thy love provides whatever's best and right--

Teach me to trust, teach me to trust.

Teach me to trust 'mid all life's tangled ways,

In all its disappointments and delays;

Give me a song-- a sacrifice of praise!

Teach me to trust, Teach me to trust.

Teach me to trust when weary, worn and frail,

When sickness, pain and other ills assail;

Thy grace sustains, Thy promise will not fail--

Teach me to trust, Teach me to trust.

~John W. Peterson

One Step at a Time

2022-01-04T21:42:00.004+13:00

The New Year begins a new journey,

One step at a time we may see;

But looking to Jesus for guidance,

The way will be opened for thee.

One step at a time, simply trusting

The One who is holding thy hand,

The One who with infinite wisdom,

Each step of thy pathway has planned.

The Shepherd has marked out thy pathway,

The end from beginning He knows;

But light He will give “As thou goest” -

One step at a time Jesus shows.

One step, but one step is sufficient, -

Faith trusts in the Father above,

Who worketh all things for our blessing,

Whose dealings are ever in love.

Faith rests in the One who is guiding,

And trusts Him who goeth before;

Whose love cheers and brightens the journey,

Whose presence gives joy evermore.

(I'm not sure who wrote this. I got it from here)