Money for College...It Doesn't Come for Free
While many of you High School Seniors are finishing up your college applications, it seems a good time to start hunting around for scholarship money. Since college tuition is increasing at a significantly higher rate than inflation, college isn't as inexpensive as it once was. The more you get in scholarship and grant money, the less you have to pay pack once you get out of school.
So, where do you go for scholarships? Well, many Christian teens have no idea where to look. There are plenty of websites that offer scholarship listings, but it also helps to talk to people at your church, local businesses, and even go to the library. Plus, you want to make sure you avoid scholarship scams that are only interested in taking your money rather than helping you pay for school.
Also, plan your free time wisely. Most scholarship applications take time and effort to fill out, so be sure you are able to give each one some good attention. The more effort you put into you scholarship and grant applications, the more successful you will be at raising money for college.
Scholarship and Grant Information:Building Your Faith on Solid Ground
Every Christian teens needs to understand the basics of their faith. Whether you've been a Christian almost your entire life or just recently found your faith, it is important to make sure your foundation is solid. Remember, Jesus said that a house built on sand will never last (Matthew 7:25-27), and your faith is no different.
So what are some things you can do to make sure your faith is built on solid ground? Well, first and foremost, you need to make sure you are right with God. Take some time to pray and have a good conversation with Him about the things going on in your life. Not sure what to say? Write it out, sing it, draw it. However you feel most comfortable talking to God, put it out there for Him to see, hear, or feel. He knows you, and He will be there in any way you choose to communicate.
Sometimes Christian teens get so caught up in what they need to do as a Christian rather than who they are in God's eyes. Sure, God asks us to follow the Commandments and live righteous lives, but it's hard to do that on your own. Only through a relationship with God can we be strong enough to live the way He wants us to live. Getting yourself closer to God by building a relationship with Him sets a strong foundation for all the things to come.
Suggested Reading:Giving Thanks for What You Have
What are you grateful for this year? Next week American's celebrate Thanksgiving, which is a time to remember all the good things in your life. For most of us, we are very lucky to have things like family, friends, and our faith for which we can give thanks. We are privileged to have a roof over our heads, a school to attend, clothes to wear, and people who care about us.
Yet not everyone has those things, and for some of us Thanksgiving is hard. So while you may be making your list of things to be grateful for, try to remember to pray for those who have very little. Join in some outreach or mission that can give those people living without food or safety a little bit of joy on this holiday.
Then, don't forget to pray for the things God has given you that offer you comfort and happiness.
Ephesians 5:20 - "always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (NIV)
Suggested Reading:Twilight is Coming to a Theater Near You
Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber
Teens, both Christian and non-Christian, are all a-twitter lately over the new Twilight movie being released on November 21, 2008. It is so anticipated that some theaters have already sold out for the opening night, and it is the number one movie on movie ticket websites. Now, some Christian teens won't read the books because of their concerns over its content, as it is about vampires and werewolves, so they won't see the movie. Yet others read the books, since they do demonstrate values like saving sex until after marriage and overcoming temptations. The Twilight series was also written by Stephanie Meyer, who is reportedly a devout Mormon and a graduate of Brigham Young University. She even avoids doing any promotional work or writing on Sundays, and refused to add pre-marital sex to the novels, despite her publisher's urging.
Yet, despite some of the more positive themes in the books, it doesn't necessarily mean those values will transfer onto the screen - even if Stephanie Meyer had a strong hand in approving the script. However, it might be nice to see, for once, a teen movie that didn't promote sex before marriage and showed teens trying to be responsible (even if those teens have been around for a for 70, 80, 90 years or so). Yet, the fact that it does use creatures that many people consider "evil" to demonstrate those values may also turn Christian teens off.
Share your views on the new Twilight movie in the comments below.
Suggested Reading:Take a Moment and Thank a Veteran
Veterans Day is this Tuesday. It's one of those days that always seems to bring about a debate over the current war in Iraq. Yet, the day is not necessarily about whether or not you agree with the war, but honoring those that served to protect your right to debate over that war.
Currently there are around 25 military veterans in the United States, of which 33 percent served in the Vietnam-era. Approximately 6 percent of veterans live in poverty and 6 million are disabled. While not all veterans are living in poverty, many are struggling financially. It is estimated that, of the one million veterans serving after the 9/11 attacks, 72,000 are paying more than half their incomes in rent. Still, other veterans are seeking treatment for depression, PTSD, and other psychological issues resulting from their time spent in service to the country.
It is a great sacrifice to serve in the military, and we cannot take for granted that there are those that are willing to fight to preserve our freedom and the freedom of others. Whether you agree with the current military policy in the U.S. or not, it is still important to honor those that protect our freedoms. This Veterans' Day, take some time to thank a veteran and to pray for their needs and blessings on their lives.
Let Your Voice be Heard: Cast Your Vote Right Here
While some of you may be old enough now to vote, many of you are not. Still, that doesn't mean you can't voice your opinion on the presidential election. While both men call themselves Christians, you may want to look closely at each candidate to decide who shares your values most. Then, take a minute to vote for the candidate of your choice.
And, by the way, if you are old enough to vote and you are registered, make sure you get to your polling place on Tuesday! Remember, "decisions are made by those who show up," so make sure you're part of the decision.
Poll: Who Do You Think Should Be President?To Celebrate, Or Not Celebrate, Halloween...
That is the question. Some think that celebrating Halloween goes completely against biblical principles, while others believe that Halloween is totally harmless. Yet, no matter what your views are, there will still be little ghosts, goblins, and even Hannah Montanas showing up at your door this October 31st to Trick or Treat. Will you be one of them? Will you be enjoying alternative Halloween programs or parties at your church? Or will you be staying home and avoiding Halloween altogether? Share your views in our poll or write a comment about your thoughts on Halloween.
Poll: Do You Celebrate Halloween?Suggested Reading:
Are You into Purgatory?
As teens you probably spend a lot of time on the Internet, surfing around for viral videos, podcasts, and other forms of entertainment. But have you seen Purgatory, USA? While the title may sound like some new horror movie, it's really a new show on the Internet made just for Christian teens.
The first webisode involves the main charater of Nikki being sent to stay with her cousin Babs (kind of a flaky, Barbie wanna-be) over the summer. Nikki has to confront her own preconceived notions about her cousin and the summer in "Purgatory."
Like most webisodes the film is low-budget and each one only runs about 15 minutes, but the episodes address some of the bias we all face when we are placed in situations with people who are different. While many shows and videos on the Internet deal with sex or violence, here is something to watch online that not only focuses on the things you deal with, but in a way that fits with your beliefs and values.
Try out Purgatory, USA and share what you think in the comments.
High School Musical 3: Senior Year...It's HERE!
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios
If you haven't seen the commercials for High School Musical 3: Senior Year, then you are either (a) not into the movies or (b) living in the dark. Advertising for the movie seems to be everywhere. The last of the High School Musical movies ends the series appropriately in the Senior year for some of your favorite characters. Yet this time, you won't see the movie on your television screen. Instead you'll be able to see the likes of Zach Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Monique Coleman, and KayCee Stroh on the big screen.
A lot of parents and teens will be sad to see the series end. So far the movies have been a cleaner answer to some of the more raunchy teen comedies that have graced movie theaters. While some critics find them overly saccharine and too simple, most Christian teens find the stories sweet and worth watching. Even KayCee Stroh stated in her interview with About.com that "the message from High School Musical is that it's great to be different and great to be myself." When most Christian teens struggle with their identity, that is an important message for a movie to send. Will you be heading out to the theaters to see the movie this weekend?
Suggested Reading:Making a Difference Every Single Day
A lot of Christian teens think that there is nothing they can do to help change the world they live in, but the truth is just the opposite. Not every act of change is going to come along the lines of Jesus feeding the five thousand in Matthew 14 or Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt in Exodus. Margaret Mead had a great saying about making a difference, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
What she was trying to say is that change doesn't always come from the big gestures or require large numbers of people. It is often small steps that make our world better. As Christians, we try to live every day looking to Christ for guidance. That guidance is why we have outreach programs, mission trips, and more. Those efforts help to change our world - not just spiritually but also intellectually and physically.
Yet change can also come from even smaller actions. Offering a kind word to a hurt friend, picking up a piece of garbage on the sidewalk, saying a prayer to bless people...these are all examples of what we usually think are everyday things that actually go a long way in making that difference.
In a time when the world is facing a lot of turmoil and big changes, you can look to your own life and make a difference in small ways. What ways can you think of to make your own difference today?