Just because... :)

Nine O'clock

by Ellie Stangl

It's early in the morning,
As the sun begins to rise.
The thick fog is lifting
From Wolf Lake where it lies.

At the great lodge of Northwoods
Stays the cute team Green.
Seeking the Lord as they should,
The best team ever seen.

The green team is now stirring
Peeking from under covers.
Their tear puffed eyes are blinking
As they start their morning prayers.

"Be up and ready by nine"
Cheri, the leader, says to the rest.
Along with her saying so fine,
"No Bible means no breakfast."

The doors are starting to open
With sights and sounds galore.
Finished with their devotions
They share showers, sinks, and more.

Andrea uses bobby pins
While Gianna uses hairspray.
Their room is always spic and span
Must've cleaned it everyday.

Cheri and Sandy share a room.
What happens there, no one knows,
Besides the late night gory poems
And lining up hairspray, lotions, and bows.

From outside, Ellie will soon arrive
Exercised and causing commotion.
Her roommate is the best alive,
Karen sets every smile in motion.

Sleeping in, but not too late,
Joanna and Lily start to talk.
Getting ready super fast
Straight to the living room at a brisk walk.

Quiet and sweet at first glance
Angie and Hannah are quite a pair.
They sing and laugh at every chance,
Those long time friends so fair.

But listen now, it's nine o'clock
Every morning task must be complete.
In from staff meeting Cheri will walk
"Come hither little people and have a seat."

8 Reasons to NOT Run Away

Running Away can be a medicine or a poison depending on your view of God…If you are thinking about running away for any of the above reasons- unpack your bag and tell your self you are a very young person and have a lot to learn.

Bad Reasons to Run Away Learned the Hard Way

by: Cheri M. Anderson

1. Because you are tired of difficult situations

2. Because you do not want God to change your plans

3. Because your friends are rubbing you the wrong way OR You think you are hurting your friends.

4. Because you want to feel balanced again

5. Because you are in debt (and debt does not have to be money).

6. Because you have lost the ability to come up with good ideas in work or play

7. Because you cannot prove by prior experience what the world offers is not good

8. Just…Because. This one is the most dangerous, because every form of entertainment: Music, Movies, Books, and High School Hormones all tell us that this is “Adventure” or “Life!”

Let me ask you: what is more exciting: standing in a puddle or standing in the sand and letting the ocean waves hit you full on? Running away for this reason is the World’s shallow imitation of the adventurous life God has for you.

Some 'food' for thought...

Hey all!! I read this on another blog I follow, and really liked it. Let me know what you think!!

"Girls are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree. The boys don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy. So the apples at the top think there's something wrong with them when, in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right boy to come along... The one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree." And, just while we're on the subject... One of my favorite quotes... "A woman should be SO lost in God, that a man has to seek Him in order to find her" That's what I want to be... Completely and totally lost in my Jesus.

There's Room at the Cross for Cheri

My favorite church experience occurred in the Bible belt state of: Georgia.

We were obviously predestined to find this church because it was tiny. By tiny I mean the whole church was all of thirty die hard, fried chicken eaters, congregating on a basketball court. The magnolia trees out front basically hid the entire church.

We walked in and were instantly surrounded by- well- everyone. We received more literature in the first five minutes when most small town print shops see in a month. The men shook our arms off, and the ladies did their part in the asphyxiation through hugs and perfume. They (all) ushered us to our seats - in the very front row. It was memorable.

The pastor was a rather portly gent and when he and his white seersucker suit took the podium I realized we were about to experience some southern old-time religion. His first order of service was jumping off the stage and welcoming the newcomers of navy and white HEARTILY.

This church really wanted to get their money’s use out of their hymnals because we sang no less than 10 songs. My throat was bursting from the exertion but if I tried to stop singing I got the “look” from my mother. Then we prayed, we called out to God, we interceded and beseeched, we came to him with our supplications and then at last entreated His presence for the gathering of believers.

I glanced at the clock- two hours had passed. At last the pastor resumed the podium and began his message. From all sides your ears were attacked by a chorus of AMEN’s, YES’s, PREACH IT BROTHER!’s , and HALLELUJAH’s. The more encouragement the more fervently he preached until the whole place was roaring. Then the organist stood up and all off a sudden - our heads were bowed and our hands were folded...

Now coming from a large church, it is easy to fidget without really being noticed. Ho ho - How now brown cow.

As the pastor was pleading for our hearts, and while we were singing the 8th verse of Victory in Jesus (the one the author gave exclusively to this church) my nose started to itch.

Without thinking,

I scratched it.

“RIGHT THERE IN THE FRONT ROW - EVERYONE - WE HAVE A NEW SISTER IN CHRIST TODAY! AND ISN’T SHE A SWEET LITTLE ONE AT THAT “

Hallelujahs were coming from everywhere and it seemed as if he had seen the very gates of heaven open. I don’t think I have ever been so red, I also had a feeling like that of a baited fish being reeled in

At that moment I so wished I wasn’t saved- just so I could have committed my life right then at that church.

After the service the pastor came up to speak with me, about my new found faith and how I needed to live a life of character and he told me all about this guy called Bill Gothard (some of you may know him) and how meditating on Matthew 5 would be my best bet to begin with. Little did he know I could have quoted him Matthew 5. I just didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth - so I took the armful of literature, and said “God Bless you” and had a god laugh about it later

This story always reminds me of how careful we must be with our actions. So many people look at us to be encouraged in their walk with the Lord, to see if the Gospel is affecting our lives like it should. It is a grand responsibility- let us not take it lightly.

Be Good.

Go Green!

God knew who to put on my team to make it the (atleast in my opinion) best team! I'm so thankful for all the different ways each one of you challenged me in my walk with the Lord. I am praying for you ;)