Blog Archives: January 2007 — December 2007
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December 11, 2007
Simple GivingMerritt Johnston
This Christmas season, it's easy to see the picture of materialism that exists within America. We like stuff, and lots of it. We pass around our Christmas wish lists, and we anticipate the day when we can open all those packages under the tree. But this Christmas season, we have the opportunity to practice "Simplicity" in the way we give and the way we receive. As you consider the gifts you will give this year, why not write a poem or paint a picture to give those you care about? It's personal...it's poignant...and the only thing it costs ...
November 21, 2007
What Are You Thankful For?Merritt Johnston
As we get ready to stuff our faces with turkey and dressing, it's important for us to remember why we celebrate Thanksgiving. While we shouldn't have to set aside a day to be "thankful," it does help to have a day to remind us of the importance of gratitude. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV) says, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." When we take time to give thanks to God, it certainly alters our perspective. And I believe if we did that more often, we wouldn't have as much difficulty simplifying our lives. A ...
November 14, 2007
'Safe' SexMerritt Johnston
Seventeen Magazine's sex survey netted some disturbing statistics. One of the results listed on their website is as follows:
"38% of you feel comfortable having sex with a guy when you've both said, 'I love you.'"
That means at least one in three of the girls surveyed think sex is a "comfortable" step once three little words are uttered. In their minds, saying "I love you" green lights the most intense physical intimacy possible.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) says, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it ...
November 05, 2007
Having a BallMerritt Johnston
Based on a premise similar to the True Love Waits movement, a new wave of events has emerged known as Father/Daughter Purity Balls. Earlier this year Glamour magazine included an article outlining one reporter's experiences attending one of these events in Colorado Springs.
I encourage you to read the article in its entirety, but if time is an issue, let me share the writer's summation paragraph:
"I deeply wish that the lovely things I have seen tonight—the delighted young women, the caring, doting dads—might evolve into father-daughter ...
October 31, 2007
What's Love Got to Do With It?Leigh Carter
Do you remember learning about plants in elementary school? One of our class projects involved leaving a stalk of celery in a vase of colored water. As the celery soaked up water, we were able to see the color run up the stalk and into the leaves. 1 John 4:10 tells us that we are not changed because of ourselves, but because God has first loved us. Just as dyed water makes a plant change color, God’s love transforms us to be more like Himself. God’s demonstration of love is present in every day grace, but His ultimate sacrifice of His ...
October 29, 2007
Internet Mogul at SeventeenMerritt Johnston
According to various magazine articles, 17-year-old Ashley Qualls is now a millionaire thanks to ad revenues generated by her website, whateverlife.com. The stats say that her site generates more traffic than Oprah's, an impressive feat for a person not yet old enough to vote. Her site is geared toward teen girls, and with the millions who visit her site, what Ashley says is part of a cyber-gospel. Whether it's bands she likes or politicians she promotes, Ashley's got influence.
Want to find out what she's promoting? Check it out and see ...
October 28, 2007
Simply IntimacyHeather Dillard
It’s amazing to me how God can speak one word and bring life to areas that have caused years of trouble and pain. As much as we strive to figure it out, we can’t bring ourselves healing. But as soon as we come and ask Jesus to speak His truth, all He has to say is one thing, and we have peace. “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.” Psalm 27:4
October 22, 2007
Google It!Merritt Johnston
If you google "teenage girls," the first hit you will get is for a series of video blogs on YouTube about a fictional character named Bree.
The most popular entry entitled "My First Kiss" has been seen 1,621,814 times and counting. As you continue delving into the video series, you discover that Bree is involved in a "religion" that is conducting a special "ceremony." While preparing for the "ceremony," she is confronted by Daniel (the male party involved in the first kiss) about her involvement with this religion. Drama, tears, and ...
October 17, 2007
I'm Gonna Be FamousMerritt Johnston
Teen Research Unlimited has some interesting insights to share about teen culture and their buying power. This year teens in America will spend $179 billion dollars, a staggering figure that says a lot about the era of materialism we are living in.
However, the most interesting statistic for me within this study is the following: "1 out of every 5 teens think they will become famous."
It's understandable that girls would long for fame when celebrity is so celebrated within our culture, but what kind of delusions are we creating when 20% ...
October 12, 2007
Girls Gone ViolentMerritt Johnston
In the June 13th issue of their magazine, Newsweek included an alarming article about the rapid increase of violent behavior among teenage girls. In the article, the author shared the following statistic: the number of girls 10 to 17 arrested for aggravated assault has doubled over the last 20 years (from the FBI's Uniform Crime Report).
Scientists are beginning to investigate this upward trend, particularly the increase of girl-on-girl violence. No longer are words the only weapon wielded by an angry teen girl. Now she's coming out ...
October 04, 2007
Tell Me Something GoodThroughout the year, we have the privilege of meeting incredible people all over the world who are reaching out to today's teen girls. And everywhere we go, those people are crying out for help.
That's why we are launching this blog. We want to provide you with a place to network...to share ideas...to vent...to be encouraged.
We hope this blog will become a great resource for you in your calling to reach out to the girls in your church and community. Our prayer is that you will find "something good" every time you visit us online, and ...
September 30, 2007
The 30-Second RuleA Simplifying Tip from Nat: I like to call it "The 30-Second Rule." If I can do something in 30 seconds, I go ahead and do it. For example: getting dressed in the morning...try on a shirt...nope, don't like it...the 30-second rule says stop and hang it back up...this saves a whole 1 hour of hanging up clothes later on in the week. In alignment with the 30-second rule: I also have a rule that at night I take everything out of my car. This keeps my car clean of trash and clothes.
September 29, 2007
Simplicity Event - Lake Pointe ChurchCheck out a slideshow of our recent SAGE Event at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall!
September 29, 2007
Simplicity Isn't So SimpleMerritt Johnston
Pursuing the simple life sure doesn't seem very simple sometimes, does it? In our media-saturated, constant-contact world, it's hard to get past all the distractions. But that's exactly what we must do to experience freedom from the chaos. Whether you're hitting this site after attending one of our SAGE Simplicity events or you are just a girl looking to simplify, we look forward to hearing from you. So why not start sharing now? Give us your 2-cents on the following:
How is your life chaotic right now?
What steps are you taking to ...
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