Volume 2 Issue 4

ISSN 2166-8019

Volume 2, Issue 4 June/July 2012

DebĂş magazine

First Love idols of the heart: music Love Them?!?!

Relentless Pursuit Interview with Superchick

Our mission is to inspire teenage girls to surrender their entire lives to Christ and live radically for Him.

Table of C 4 42 22

18

58 11

6 28

50 32 46

Contents Letter from the Editor Kendel Garcia - page 4

First Love

Siblings: Love Them?!?!

Grace Rohlin - page 32

Serendipity

Sierra Brewer - page 6

Khloe Williams - page 42

Idols of the Heart: Evaluating Music

Having a Faith Like Disneyland

Melanie Joy - page 11

You Are Special

Nela Holmes - page 18

Becoming His Handmaiden Sierra Brewer - page 22

Interview with Superchick Kendel Garcia - page 28

Kendel Garcia - page 46

Teaching 101 : How To See

Christian Polk - page 50

Relentless Pursuit

Annika Nrothrop - page 58

A Letter from the Editor ~ Dear Debu Sisters,

Well, the school year is over (dancing erupts around the room)!

Now it’s on to summer. Summer is filled with church camps, youth outings, service projects, missions trips, and training seminars. I always love summer, especially when I sit on the beach listening to the crashing waves and think about God’s amazing power.

But when summer ends, fall begins and then I always feel in the dumps. We often complain about the “spiritual high” that comes with summer and all the Jesus lovin’ that goes on. It is my encouragement to you to start new habits this summer —new habits that will carry you through this season and into the next. Do not be content to have a high summer followed by a low and spiritually dry fall.

Determine to make this summer the best ever, and continue on in the year.

Also, congratulations to all our Debu sisters out there who graduated this year! We are so proud of you all and are praying that God uses each of you in fabulous and marvelous ways in this next season of your lives.

Lots of Love,

Kendel Garcia

Editor in Chief of Debu Magazine

First Love

by Sierra Brewer Several years ago, I fell in love. He was perfect: kind, generous, loving, and always there to talk to me whenever I needed Him. I, on the other hand, was quite the opposite: sure, I reflected kindness in my life, but never like Him, who by a single touch could remove all the terrible things from a day. Sure, I reflected generosity, but never, no matter how hard I tried, could I divide a loaf of bread and some fish like He could. And of course I was loving—to my friends.

Those who had hurt me? Well, not so much. I don’t even want to talk about the last one; I had trouble hearing someone tell me to do something that I didn’t want to do; but even when He wasn’t in the room He heard

every word spoken, and every upset sigh of regret or distress.

He was there.

However, this was only at the beginning of our relationship.

As I spent more and more time with my First Love, I became more and more like Him.

When I was down, He would pick me up, dust me off, and I found I could conquer anything immediately with my King in shining armor by my side. But though I grew more in

love with Him by the minute, it was fairly easy to be distracted by other things.

through me, I’d feel so ashamed.

“You know me,” I’d tell Him, “teach me where we’ll go today.”

I might see something that planted a seed in my mind, which though crowded with His thoughts, would not be pushed out no matter what I did.

“That looks interesting,” I might say, “How ‘bout you take me this way?” Sometimes, He’d say yes, and then oh! How blessed I’d feel. But other times, He’d say no. And that would bother me.

“This is where,” He’d say, pointing to some new, uncharted, rather scary-looking territory.

“But I’ve never been there!

Maybe it’s too much! Will we able to handle it?”

“I’ve been there,” He’d reassure me, “and My power is made perfect in your weakness.”

“What if I just did this?”

“My dear, you really don’t want to do that…”

“But—I want to go there!” my heart would cry.

“Darling, am I not I enough for you? Can’t you trust Me to know what’s best?”

Most times I would submit, but at other times, I’d be frustrated. However, when I would submit and come back to sit at His feet, though joy flowed

Right now, He’s in the process of equipping me to go there. I'm more in love with Him than ever. I’m still a little afraid,

and maybe just a bit worried. But when the time comes, He’ll take my hand, and we’ll go on our adventure. And when I feel I can’t take it anymore? He’ll carry me.

My First Love.

“Father, let me be weak that I might lose my clutch on everything temporal. My life, my reputation, my possessions, Lord, let me lose the tension of a grasping hand... Rather, open my hand to receive the nail of Calvary -as Christ’s was openthat I, releasing all might be released, unleashed from all that binds me here.”

- Jim Elliot

My Jesus, may we delight in You, so that You will author the desires of our hearts. May we never take any distractions over You. And may we look upon You as our First Love; knowing that the source of all joy and contentment comes from submission to You, and sitting at Your feet.

Resting in His arms, Sierra

IDOLS of the Heart: evaluating music

By Melanie Joy A note to the readers: We realize that everyone has different tastes, preferences, and convictions when it comes to entertainment and music. Our goal in offering this article is not to condemn any specific music style but to encourage you to look at music in a Christ honoring way. To evaluate music based on Scripture and to create your own set of convictions based upon Scripture and prayer.

-Kendel Garcia Editor in Chief To begin this article correctly (if there is really a “right way” to begin this article?), I have to share that I am an avid lover of music. I love listening to, singing/worshipping with, and 1

composing songs.1 I’ve grown up in a home where music is a staple in our daily lives and I can name a lot of songs with their artists. But one thing I can’t do is name secular songs with their artists. Why? Because I’ve never been drawn to listen to secular music, and most of the time when I’m listening to music it’s either to listen to His truths put to notes, or to worship. Though I do know the chorus to some secular songs (frankly, because one can’t avoid hearing Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” or Justin Bieber’s “Baby” in the clothing stores where I live) the music I purposefully choose to listen to I want to be governed by the Lord’s standards.

Singing out loud when I’m by myself or walking around the house is such a natural thing for me. So much so, that once when I was visiting my Nana’s house and she sweetly asked if I could just take a break from singing for a little while, I literally ended up putting tape on my mouth because I kept forgetting.

Christ calls us to have single hearts. He calls us to seek and to love Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths (Luke 10:27).

One of the things I am learning this to mean is that we are to constantly be dwelling on

whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8). “

These are the kinds of things we are to be thinking of. Yet not only are we to be thinking on true, pure things that glorify our heavenly Father, but we are also

to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This means we need to evaluate what we are allowing to enter our minds or allowing our minds to dwell upon by the standards Jesus has laid out for us in Scripture.

Hollywood’s icons are hard to miss in today’s world when they are labeled and pasted all around you even when you go grocery shopping. Clothing and posters send messages of what our culture is drawn to…and popular music icons are often printed on the front of t-shirts. I know many Christians choose to listen to Taylor Swift or Adelle or Justin Bieber and with this in mind, in this issue of Idols of the Heart, I’d like to lovingly encourage each of you to personally evaluate the music you choose to listen to by our Abba’s standards.

In this article I’d simply like to break down the lyrics to what I think has become Taylor Swift’s most popular song: Love Story.

“We were both young, when I first saw you...I close my eyes and the flashback starts: I’m

standing there, on a balcony in summer air”

The lyrics begin by floating us into the average love story that is generally accepted as cute. I mean, what isn’t sweeter than two people meeting when they are young and “desperately” falling in love (as Anne from Green Gables might term it *smile)? But let’s break down the lyrics a bit.

“Little did I know….that you were Romeo: you were throwing pebbles, and my Daddy said ‘Stay away from Juliet’ and I was crying on the stair case begging you ‘please don’t go.’”

Even here a quiet flag should arise in our hearts.

Though doing it under the pretense of the story of Romeo and Juliet, here Taylor (for the sake of this article, we’re going to assume Taylor Swift is the girl in the story) is alluding to a disrespect for her father and a specific, blatant disregard towards his wishes as she asks ‘Romeo’ to stay when her father asked him to go.

But Taylor does not stop here. She continues in the second verse:

“I sneak out to the garden to see you; we keep quiet cause we’re dead if they knew, so close your eyes…escape this town for a little while.

Cause you were Romeo, I was a scarlet letter…and my daddy said stay away from Juliet, but you were everything to me…I was begging you please don’t go.”

As I was stating above, for us, as young Christian women, it is our duty to honor our parents.

What subtle messages are we allowing our hearts to listen to through songs like this one?

Though we may not agree with Taylor’s attitude and may personally be actively seeking to honor our parents, why are we allowing ourselves to listen to something that teaches dishonor to authority? Especially when it is authority Christ has specifically commanded us to honor? Taylor Swift’s song advocates not only dishonor

towards her parents, but also deceitfulness. Phrases like “we’re dead if they knew” and “all that’s left to do is run” advocate a heart that is hiding things that should not be hidden.

About a year ago I did a post about this on my blog. I would like to quote a part I wrote here: “Let's break down those lyrics...

1) ‘Run...’ Run? Run from what? Because her dad was being careful they're supposed to run?

2)‘We're dead if they knew...’

Friends...this is advocating that deceit is acceptable. But Jesus says that

‘These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren’ (Proverbs 6:16-19).

‘You destroy those who tell lies.

The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest’ (Psalm 5:6).

Taylor is advocating deceitfulness in this song and making it sound romantic. The Bible, on the other hand, tells us to ‘Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart’ (2 Timothy 2:22).”

This couple is being far from honorable or glorifying to the Lord.

Some people may brush those points off saying it does

not affect how they honor their parents—that it’s just a song.

But there is one last big point I would like to make.

In this song, Taylor refers to herself as a "scarlet letter." Do you all know what this is alluding to? In Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Scarlet Letter, the main character (Hester Prynne) wears a scarlet letter "A" on her chest because she is an adulteress.

Whether Taylor is just making a reference of them "making out" (or worse) or just simply "being together"...either way the meaning implied here goes extremely against God's wishes for us to flee youthful lusts and seek purity. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

Psalm 24:3-6 says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.”

If we are truly pursuing growing to know and love Him more, then will we talk and sing about

dishonor, deceitfulness, and impurity as if they are okay?

Some may say the story is redeemed in the last verse when the young man tells Taylor he talked to her dad and they’re “good to go.” But I want to just share for a moment.

Recently, a friend of mine entered a relatively serious relationship with a young man.

One of the things she has told me repeatedly is how blessed she has been in her parent’s guidance

—the wisdom they have had to offer— even when she hasn’t understood.

As she has begun walking into this season of her life, she has shared with me how the Lord had to teach her to trust her parent’s wisdom even when she did not agree with what they were saying. God has faithfully shown her, as she has chosen to submit and honor their loving wisdom and guidance (I’d like to clarify here, as sometimes this objection comes up—they are

not keeping her from making her own decisions. Rather, they are seeking to guide her through prayer and the wisdom that comes with them being significantly older than her) how they have been right. She has seen how valuable their guidance was/is, and is now rejoicing in that guidance, rather than spurning it.

Taylor Swift is advocating an independence of heart in this song that corresponds to the message our society preaches to young men and women. “You’re old enough to make your own decisions” and “follow your heart” are the constant themes we hear and see in music and media. Children are beginning to see parent’s authority as repulsive, rather than as a blessing.

Music is a wonderful, beautiful thing.

But the world has taken something that can be used in glorifying our Maker, and has used it to deceive and capture many young people. Messages are preached through music lyrics.

In this article, I’ve broken down some of the messages this song conveys. But there is one last thought I would like to leave with you. I am not saying if someone listens to this song, or song’s by Justin Bieber or Adelle, that they are not Christians—oh goodness—far from it. But what I am asking you to do is realize what you are promoting in listening to this music. Though you may be able to listen to the song without feeling a check in your heart, what about those who hear you listening to, or singing it? We, as Christians, are called to be setapart before the Lord.

Christianity spread in its early stages because the world saw the radical difference between Christians and the rest of the earth. In our world today, many Christians are beginning to blend so well with the world that we are becoming of it, rather than simple being in it, shining as radiant lights.

I want to leave you with an exhortation given by Paul to a young man many years ago. I’m not going to break down the Scripture, or expound upon it, because I think it speaks for itself.

My friends, as we walk as His daughters…“let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine…

Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16).

May we ever and always seek His honor above all—in our quiet, personal lives, and in how we conduct ourselves and interact with others. May He help us as we seek to know His heart… *I’m laughing as I realized I deviated a bit from actually talking about how music can become an idol in our hearts.

But the message in this article is one I did want to share…and I’m praying that it blesses your hearts all the same. In His love….

“ I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

Psalm 34:1-3

You Are Special

by Nela Holmes

Everyone is different.

In some way or another we each have traits, looks, quirks, talents, and interests that make us unique in this world.

“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith...”(Romans 12:6).

Now sometimes...I don't appreciate the things the Lord has given me. One in particular is having the characteristics of an introvert. The words that should be coming to my head when I speak...don't. So I'm left speechless as others talk all around me. And I hate it with a passion! Sometimes, I can't help but feel inferior if I don't talk at all. So I try to speak up whenever I can, but it's hard sometimes. I once read in a book that there are times to speak, and times to be silent.

Sometimes, I wonder what my life would've been like if I had been born with a completely different personality. But yet deep down, I know that's not how the Lord wanted it to be.

God created me for a purpose and He also made me different

and unique. And when I do something that brings Him glory, I feel His pleasure.

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

He made me to love and appreciate reading and writing.

He made me to learn and adore the art of cooking and baking.

He inspired me to love taking and editing photos.

He gave me the passion and energy to exercise and do martial arts.

But He also gave me eternal life, through the shedding of Christ's blood on the Cross, and what's better is that He picked me since from the beginning of time.

"You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit —fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you” (John 15:16).

What more could I ask for?

What talents and special gifts do you have?

I would love to know. :)

trust in the Lord, and

do

Good

;

dwell in the land and

befriend faithfulness.

Delight Lord yourself in the

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit

your way to the Lord;

trust him, and

will

he act

~Psalm 37:3-5

{ HIS } becoming handmaiden

by Sierra Brewer

In the Bible, God offers ‘beauty’ advice to young ladies and women alike (1 Peter 3).

Beauty He created—beauty that will truly be an ornament and an asset. Let me make this clear now: God, no matter what anyone says, does not create flaws. We know that the Lord looks at our hearts; the advice He gives us throughout His Word creates that wonderful, pure beauty not often noticed in today’s culture…the beauty that is truly precious in His eyes.

God created us to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives; we are to “be holy, for {He} is holy.” He wants us to reflect His glory and beauty even in how we dress and how we care for our bodies as young ladies. Yes— braided hair, jewelry, and

beautiful garments can reflect our submissive and respectful spirits before God, our parents, and our (future) husbands; however, God warns us to not put our focus on these particular areas. Jesus accused the Pharisees in Matthew 23:27 of being “whitewashed tombs,” which, indeed, “appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” A beautiful woman can be a “whitewashed tomb”: attractive on the outside, but disgusting on the inside.

True, lovely beauty, is an attitude of the heart, which is reflected in our actions. May we put our focus onto becoming servants of Him…as His precious children, willing to go anywhere and face anything, knowing that it is for Him, and that He is with us.

In this article, I want to focus on purpose. Sisters, God has created us for the purpose of loving, glorifying Him as our Abba – as our Father, our First Love, our Savior, Redeemer, Friend, Provider, Healer—all that He is. Our God is sovereign, meaning that He is completely independent. He did not need to create us; He does not need us for anything. And I have spoken with a couple of people who, based on this, have come to the conclusion that we are not important to God, and have no purpose. By His grace, the conclusions arrived upon by the persons above are not the end of the story. Because God tells us in Scripture that we were created to glorify Him, and the fact that He knows us means that we were personally thought about and created with a purpose in life.

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment. About Hadassah (Esther). About Ruth.

About Sarah. We don’t know much about when they were children. However, we know enough to see that they trusted God in His perfect will, and though they were unsure at times, they were in pre-ordained places and times for a reason.

Hadassah knew that any moment might be her last. But she lived it anyway. When I studied her, I asked myself these questions and journaled my concluding thoughts on the study:

What can I learn from Hadassah? How did she respond to authority? I'm noticing the repeated use of the word, "if" in her appeals…how did she react to a life-threatening situation versus how I would react? How did she decide what to do? What wisdom did she show in her plans?

Hadassah submitted. She knew in her heart, that though man might be above her, God was the one in control of her life.

She understood the uncertainty of life. She reacted to her situation by oh, so much prayer! So much time on her

knees. by fasting... a wise thing to learn. Always going to kneel at the foot of the cross with a trouble... knowing.. no matter what happens, my Savior will sustain me, unworthy as I am. How can I emulate her patience? Her understanding of other’s characters, and discretion? Esther was a woman of God's... she was after His heart, whether she saw it at the time or not. And what I love about this is that God's sovereign hand was always apparent, even though He is not "specifically" mentioned. His control is obvious, from the very beginning.

From when He caused Hadassah to be the one called "queen"; when He softened Xerxes' heart towards her plea; and made the king stay awake to remember Mordecai.

“If it falls your lot to be a street-sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, sweep streets like Beethoven composed music, sweep streets like Leontyne Price sings before the Metropolitan Opera! Sweep streets—like Shakespeare wrote poetry. Sweep streets so well so that all the hosts of heaven and

earth will have to pause, and say: ‘Here lived a great streetsweeper—who swept his job well'" (~Martin Luther King, Jr.).

I really, really like this quote- because it's so, so easy to forget that everything we do should be a testimony to how much we love God... even the "dull, everyday, mundane" tasks. And really, we should ask ourselves, is there really a “dull everyday” moment that doesn’t count for something? Washing dishes is a way of showing obedience and submissiveness to our parents. It can be a way to serve others… not just our families. It’s also preparing us for our future homes, where, yes, we will someday be doing dishes. If we volunteer at a rescue mission and they assign us dish duty, are we to do it with grumbling hearts or the knowledge that God wants us doing that task at the time?

Keeping an “open heart” is most important.

We may not be ministering to the people of the mission themselves, but we know He is

using us for His glory.

And not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as servants of the Most-High God.

Spring has been beaming its lovely little face around here for a while now…and I think that just as in the seasons of our lives, different seasons of the year each bring their unique blessings and unique difficulties alike, which He most graciously bestows upon us to refine.

Beauty, as much as I wish it did, does not solely come by joy alone...the pathway is also rough. He fashions what pleases Him from silken threads and rougher materials. And yet…it is enough that His hand brings them all in infinite love.

To think... I am but a weak thread in the Weaver's tapestry.

A sliver of glass in His mosaic.

Going across the loom... a thread of sorrow. A thread of pain. Of grief.

And yet...it shines as gold among the darkness.

His grace is limitless. And all is grace.

There is nothing, nothing, that a thread of sorrow and

difficulty can limit.

It is yet... intricate.

Exquisite.

We are His workmanship.

In His thoughts before the world was created.

And His greater will shall be accomplished. read,

In 1 Corinthians 10:31 we

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Whether it be sweeping streets.

Washing dishes. Being an amazing artist…

Let us know, in our hearts —that we can serve Him in everything we do... that what may seem tough now is only part of the refinement process which makes all things beautiful.

Psalm 23:3—God will guide all who are His. There are three voices: my voice, the accuser's voice, and the voice of the Holy

Spirit. He's already there... so am I hearing Him? G-d didn't give me a part of Him—He gave me all of Him!

How can we give Him any less? May it all be an offering of

worship. Praying He will captivate your heart beyond words... and instill His abiding peace within your soul... {much love} Sierra

Interview with Superchick

Our editor in chief Kendel Garcia had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Dally, the lead bassist and vocalist of the inspiring Christian band Superchic[k].

Kendel: So what is the one thing that you would like those listening to your music to get?

What is the focal message of your music?

Matt: The one thing is that people should use their gifts and abilities to change the world.

Society has made it hard, especially for women, to change the world and to live radically.

We are hoping to provide

encouragement to the world changers.

Kendel: Your music focuses a lot on body image, what is the message behind that?

Matt: A lot of people deal with feeling inadequate. Society tells us we have to have a sixpack or be a size 0 to be beautiful, but the truth is that God created us beautiful in His image. Size and shape don’t affect that.

Kendel: So what can we expect to see from Superchic[k] in the future?

* Please note that all pictures featured in this article were taken directly from superchickonline.com

Matt: Well, we have a new record coming out after our tour is over and Trisha (lead vocalist) and Dave (lead guitarist) are having their first baby.

Kendel: Wow, that all sounds very exciting; we look forward to continuing to enjoy your music and your message.

* Please note that all pictures featured in this article were taken directly from superchickonline.com

in the

path of

righteousness is life,, and in its pathway there is no death.

Proverbs 12:28

Keep hold of instruction ; do not let go; guard her, for life she is your Proverbs 4:13

Siblings Love Them?!?!

by Grace Rohlin

“Siblings?!” you may think.

“Wait, you mean those things that follow me around, take my stuff without asking, interrupt me and my friends, and annoy me?”

with each one. As a disclaimer, these ideas aren’t my own. They are either things directly from the Lord, or something He allowed me to hear or read somewhere.

So maybe this isn’t your first response when you hear the word “sibling,” but whatever it is, I want you to take a step back and reevaluate your siblings.

Pretend for a moment that you don’t even know them— rediscover who they are. They are wonderful Masterpieces created by God with talents, feelings, hopes, dreams, and fears that you happen to have the privilege of living with. That’s what a sibling is.

Whether you have older or younger siblings (or both), you have been given a powerful opportunity to influence and shape lives. Let’s look at a few ways we can use this influence to its full capacity, and help shape them into the image of Christ.

What makes me such an expert? Nothing really. But I do have seven incredible siblings of my own, and by the grace of God, have a thriving relationship

1- Yield Your Rights The first step to becoming a good sibling is yielding your rights. This is laying your rights on the altar, stepping back, and leaving the rest entirely to God. Say you have a sister that annoys you because she

borrows your clothes without asking, and then leaves them for you to find crumpled and dirty on the floor—all the time! She could at least hang them up when she’s done or ask you to borrow them first, right? Well, this is where yielding your rights to God comes in.

We are in a sense transferring our right of ownership to God. God is very good at taking care of the things He owns. If He owns your clothes, don’t worry about what your sister does with them. They belong to the Lord and He will take care of them. This applies in every area of your life (time, health, reputation, etc), not just possessions.

Yielding your rights can be an extremely humbling thing. It can mean yielding your right to win an argument (even though you’re always right…;) ), or being the first to ask forgiveness.

Is it worth it if you win an argument, but loose your sibling’s heart? You don’t have to be right all the time; just let go of that. And another thing, when you go ask forgiveness don’t point out what they did to make you feel better. For example,

don’t say: “Would you forgive me for getting angry and yelling at you, because you left my clothes dirty and crumpled on the floor?”

Don’t transfer the guilt, but earnestly seek their forgiveness immediately for what you did. *I just thought you should know, this does not in any way reflect my sisters usage of my clothes—they’re awesome.

2- The Power of Words Words are powerful.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Think about it—you have great power over your siblings just by what you say to them; they care greatly about what you think. You can literally crush the life out of your sibling’s spirit with your words.

What are your siblings hearing from you? Is all or most of the things you say to them criticism, scolding, and ripping them apart or do they hear you praising, affirming, encouraging, and blessing them?

Develop a habit that for every one negative thing you say (even if it is needed correction), you praise and encourage them

ten times. This is hard at first, and it will make you think twice before you speak. If something can be left unsaid that could tear them down, then leave it unsaid.

Verbally bless your siblings with the character qualities they lack. And instead of criticizing or trying to correct them, become who you want your sibling to be.

cheering for your sibling, of course).

Watch your siblings and rediscover who they are. Show genuine enthusiasm and interest in what they do and what they’re interested in. Ask them questions about it—and listen to their answers.

Turn to God. He is the only one that can help you tame your tongue. Pray as David did in Psalm 141:3, and ask the Lord to set a watch over the door of your lips.

3- Become a Fan of Your Siblings Webster’s Dictionary defines fan as the following: 1. an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator 2. an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit) Get out the pom-poms, tshirt, and popcorn—become a fan of your siblings! Really, this can be loads better than going to a ball game (unless you’re

When one of your siblings is sharing something that happened to them, something they are passionate about, or something they are working on, get interested and ask questions. They’re sharing their life with you…don’t just nod and phase out—even if it’s something you don’t care about.

This will let them know that you think they are worth your time.

It’ll also give you more of an idea on how to praise them.

My little brother, Arthur, loves to sword fight, play with airsoft guns, and wrestle with his friends. He loves relaying each battle to me in full detail; it’s easy to phase out sometimes instead of truly listening and sharing in his adventures. When your sibling is going on and on about something you couldn’t care less about, take it as a compliment—they are sharing their life with you.

Delight in every talent and skill you see—don’t be envious of it, but enjoy others for who they are.

Often, we take for granted that we know those we live with and stop actively getting to know them. I heard an illustration once that goes something like, “People are like a mountain of dirt. Anyone can find the dirt, but not everyone finds the treasure.”

Dig. Explore. You’ll find a treasure chest full of gems.

4- Love Pray for love and learn to love them unconditionally. Love is a choice; choose to respond in love to whatever they do.

Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13 daily. Verses 4-7 lay out a list of what love is; it is helpful to take out the word “love” or “charity” and replace it with your name (e.g. “Grace is patient, Grace is kind...”). Which statements are true? Which ones do you need to work on?

Another aspect of love is to find their love language and show them love through that. The five love languages are Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Physical Touch, and Gifts. These will look different for each person.

For example, my older brother Richard will walk up to me and tickle me, choke me, push me into a wall, bump into me, etc… This is just his way of saying “I love you;” it’s kind of a rough form of love, but I adore

my big brother for it. My little sister, Christiana, on the other hand, is always drawing me a new picture or giving me kisses.

Get creative. Do things out of the norm just to say “I love you.” I’ve done some pretty crazy things…You will be blessed as you begin to pour love into your siblings’ lives. It will change them and you.

5- Become a Safe Place What is a “Safe Place?” It’s a place you can go where you don’t feel threatened. You feel comfortable, secure, and well… safe. You trust in a Safe Place and know that “Safe Place person” won’t go blabbing your heart to everyone.

tenderhearted, your siblings will soon recognize you as a Safe Place. They will share with you what’s on their hearts and share their problems with you. When they do this, listen intently, give support, and share encouragement. Don’t criticize or try to “fix” them. Pray with them.

I am so blessed to be seen as a safe place to my siblings.

Often one of the younger ones comes to my room and just says “Grace, can we talk?” Many nights my brother Arthur and I stay up late talking about the Lord, sharing hopes and dreams, or what the Lord is doing in his heart. I have been given such an incredible opportunity to disciple and edify my siblings, and wouldn’t trade being a sister for the world.

6- Make the first move

If you have an atmosphere around you that is loving and

If you’re waiting around for them to change, then most likely nothing will happen. Start becoming the person you want them to be today. Build up your siblings whenever you can, and show them you love them.

Pray and ask God for guidance and help; you can’t be the sibling you need to be without Him. Having a good

relationship with your brothers and sisters—or any relationship for that matter—starts with your relationship with God. Study His Word and spend time in prayer daily, while seeking to become more like Christ. ~ These things really work for any relationship in life, not just sibling relationships. This isn’t

meant to be a complete guide— there is so much more that I haven’t even learned yet. This is just to get you going or encourage you along the way.

Wherever you are, whether your relationship is thriving or crumbling, my prayer is that you would always be growing and changing into the image of Christ.

The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose. ~Garrison Keillor Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face. ~St Francis of Assisi Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply... ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814 I don't believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at. ~Maya Angelou It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea. ~Dylan Thomas Our siblings. They resemble us just enough to make all their differences confusing, and no matter what we choose to make of this, we are cast in relation to them our whole lives long. ~Susan Scarf Merrell

Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way. ~Pamela Dugdale It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea. ~Dylan Thomas The highlight of my childhood was making my brother laugh so hard that food came out his nose. ~Garrison Keillor

~ When the years go by ~

Serendipity

by Khloe Williams I’m now receiving submissions from our readers to be featured in the Serendipity column! Send your ideas, recipes, photos, crafts and other fun stuff to khloe.debu@gmail.com!

Don’t be shy now! I can’t wait to see what you all create!

d.i.y. Projects notebooks

We all have thoughts, dreams, wishes, quotes, songs, sketches and doodles that we wish to store somewhere. Sometimes technology will suffice as our medium for storage, but there’s something about having a pencil and paper in your hand that brings classic inspiration to the brain. These notebooks can be made very cheaply. The notebooks themselves were purchased at Michael’s Craft Stores for $1. I used a silver Sharpie marker, a pencil and an eraser. Yep, thats all it takes! The Sharpie is a little more expensive out front, but it lasts for a very long time as long as you store it with the lid on and marker tip down.

Get creative with your minds, my dears! Don’t be afraid to draw something crazy! Sketch with a pencil on the cover before you use the Sharpie. That way, if you want to make a change, you can use the eraser. Go for it! Be bold, brave and beautiful! Just make sure you share with your siblings :) Make them their own just like yours... they’d like that!

Favorites music and books Music Audrey Assad Barlow Girl

Britt Nicole

Chris Tomlin Casting Crowns Francesca Battistelli Hillsong

Jars of Clay

Jeremy Camp Matthew West

Meredith Andrews Michael W. Smith MercyMe Natalie Grant Rebecca St. James Sara Groves Sidewalk Prophets Starfield Steven Curtis Chapman Third Day

Books Do Hard Things - Alex & Brett Harris Start Here - Alex & Brett Harris Dug Down Deep - Josh Harris I Kissed Dating Goodbye - Josh Harris Stepping Heavenward - Elizabeth Prentiss Passion and Purity - Elisabeth Elliot Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte Little Women - Louisa May Alcott Love Comes Softly Series - Janette Oke The Little House on the Prairie - Laura Ingalls Wilder Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Photography Tips and Tricks If you are taking a picture of small objects like these rings, place them on an object that sticks out. Be creative... hold a flower upside down, find a hole to stick them in, lay them on an interesting rock. Don’t be afraid to make it look natural.

Find natural lines and layers in your subjects. Make lines appear as a natural frame, colors create layers, and textures to bring out the real feeling of your pictures.

Reflections with random rugged objects are cool.... ‘nough said! :)

When doing portrait photography, don’t always stay close to your subject. Back of and get context shots... they can be visually intriguing! :)

Having a Faith Like Disneyland

by Kendel Garcia A few days ago I was at Disneyland—the happiest place on Earth. As I walked through crowds of hundreds of thousands of people, something struck me as amazing and beautiful. Everywhere I saw a different race, a different culture, a different language, and a different religion. In a world where people fight over everything, how are thousands of people with so many different viewpoints gathered together in one place, enjoying themselves, feeling free to be themselves and accepting those around them?

There is no judgment at Disneyland. As I watched this anomaly take place all around me, I was struck by how the Christian Church at large is so opposite. We look down on people who are

different than us. We are not as free to accept people as they are as Disneyland is. For a minute, while I sat in line for a ride, I thought about what the Church would look like if we were a little more like Disneyland and a little less like we are now.

We would celebrate what we have in common instead of dwelling on what makes us different.

Sometimes, people think that in order to be a good Follower of Christ we must be carbon copies

of each other. We judge based on how people dress and talk, what they do and what they don’t do.

Sometimes we forget that we are all created for the same purpose. We are all created to

Love God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.

Sometimes we forget that everyone is in a specific place, with a specific opportunity to witness to a certain group of people. And because everyone is put into a specific spot to reach a certain group of people, their outward appearance and convictions may be different than yours. We all have the same purpose as Paul says in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Instead of tearing people down because they are different than us, we should celebrate how we are using God’s calling and purpose for our lives to live differently so

that we can reach different people.

When we celebrate the differences, we have unity as a body of believers. I love how it is put in Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” We should see each other as children of God and offer others the grace and love that we would like to be given.

We would offer grace instead of judgment.

We would seek to love instead of judge. We would learn to celebrate that we are all children of God. Instead of throwing stones we would pour out love and grace. We would seek to

evaluate ourselves more than we would seek to show others what they are doing wrong. Jesus says it perfectly (as He always does) in John 8:7b and Matthew 7:1-3, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her … Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to

you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?”.

Disneyland brings people together for the love of Mickey Mouse ™, cotton candy, and rollercoasters. Why can’t we bring people together for the love of the God of the Universe?

If you do not stand firm in your faith you do not stand at all.

-Isaiah 7:9b

Teach me your w

way, O Lord,

TEACHING IOI: how to see

by Christina Polk

I come to a room with “Mrs. Watts” spelled with a flourish on the board on my first day of 10th grade English in Garland, TX. My high school is as seemingly ordinary as a high school in the United States can be on the outside, but this room inside the fairly normal building enclosing it defies normalcy with a bang. The walls are hot pink, strings of white lights like the ones used to decorate Christmas trees adorn the posters on the wall, and the posters on the wall are of Marilyn Monroe in about a million different poses. A laminated caricature of Uncle Sam decorates the door with the face cut out, replaced by a stern face taped in of Mrs. Watts herself with a finger pointing at the unfortunate student who has come unprepared, saying “I want YOU to do your homework!” The first thought echoing inside my mind is saints above. Then, Mrs. Watts walks in with a smile that

would put darkness to shame in a corner and a sparkly shirt that would dazzle a person silly, she tells us absolutely everything we would ever want to know about our sophomore year English adventures. One could hear a pin drop; the room was dropdead silent, because we as students had never had someone talk to us like we were human beings before in this building. It is always “you-willdo-this” or “you-will-do-that” or “are we clear on that, young lady?” We are about to faint dead away on the floor when she drops the bomb.

“So, in this class we are going to

write with passion, with voice, and with a personality that is all your own,

because I want to get to know you, the person inside with the great ideas and plans to be carried out and thoughts that haven’t been voiced yet but can be written about.” And with that, she asks if we understand. I nod vigorously, perhaps to deter myself from falling out of my chair. No one ever asks to me to be up close and personal in high school, because people walk around with invisible walls encasing them, and if one bursts through the wall, the drama unfolds, and I just don’t mess with that. However, in this English class, I choose to write about absolutely everything— a persuasive paper about how passionate I am about running, a research paper in which I describe my dream to go to Abilene Christian University and someday become a missionary to the people living in Kenya, and a thanksgiving letter giving thanks to God for His many blessings. And Mrs. Watts encourages it, this voice that is stepping out inside me, blinding, joyful light flooding through me every time I put my hands on the keyboard and pound away at my stories, tearing down the shy-girl image and replacing it with a mysterious substance that I choose to label “tentative

confidence.” When I am writing in the room with the hot pink walls, I become the characters in the stories that we are reading; I become Hester with her burning Scarlet Letter; and then I am the girl getting the hysterics in the Crucible during the Salem Witch Trials; I am Pi, the man who got

shipwrecked and is wandering around in the ocean desperate to find a home in which to land that does not throw him into the barren wasteland of loneliness and emptiness. And I see that everyone is in the midst of their own story, the plot thickening and twisting, curving and winding.

There are mountaintop experiences in everyone’s life, where the road seems to ascend straight to heaven right then and there, and then life seems to go steady for a while, with a contented pace that plods along, seeming to unknowingly crash to the depths of despair without a proper warning at all. I am in the midst of writing my own stories when the thought comes to me that now I write with “voice,” a personal quality, that I was told during my early years of elementary school of practice scribbling for the TAKS test, would never be in my writing.

Such unpromising words that I have never forgotten and that have etched themselves into the deepest parts of my childhood memories.

Criticism scars deep, and the wounds of words spoken without thought sometimes sear deepest. My 5th grade teacher had once told me to give up on my dream of writing because my

personality did not shine through my words. That teacher taught me something, but not what I needed and yearned to hear. She did not teach me to write well; she taught me to give up at the first sign of difficulty and to take the easy way out, to quit on something I enjoyed doing. Even scarier, I believed her, for so many years of my life which could have been spent improving a skill I delighted in. It is only in tenth grade that a teacher begins to draw me from my shell for the first time and help me to write what is on the walls of my heart. I do write about myself personally, sharing things that I would never have shared face-to-face. My dreams seem to hang in balance on the page, dreams of ministering to others in the future while being a missionary. I write of grass huts and open skies and mountains looming in the distance…how I want to make the light burn in another’s eyes all the way across the world when they figure out how to passionately involve themselves in their own world as I have been taught during this year of the tenth grade. I feel like dancing because this year, I have learned. I have learned what it is to live, not only to receive grades and to know what

an allusion is vs. a hyperbole or an oxymoron, but how to make my way in the world, and it occurs to me that this must be how God delights over His children.

As I am becoming alight in the freedom that Christ is giving me daily in the gift of writing, it occurs to me that this feeling of euphoria must be what God feels when everything finally clicks in our minds, when we finally begin to understand the promises that emerge through pain and suffering and we see that yes, it is worth it to follow Christ to the ends of the earth, because only in following Him do we find ourselves. I have found a piece of myself and I fly with it, running, stretching my abilities and the wings that have been previously clipped by my own doing. I carve deeper into my own life on my private time, writing of things that wrench my heart apart. I uncover deep wounds, writing about how divorce has ripped my heart out and how I long for the other half of my family on days in which I let the melancholy reach inside my bubble that has finally burst.

I write about how I worry about getting into college, and what to pursue a degree in, how my

friends have decided to grow up all in a matter of two weeks and are leaving me behind in the in the wake of dust, me clinging to rusty memories while the present moves forward at a ridiculously relentless pace. I find that the uncovering of myself is healing me, uncovering gaping scars that have never recovered properly, and God is tending to those parts of my heart that I thought were burned right through, leaving behind a sense

of peace because I have given over my poor, paper-thin and ripped heart over to Father of all things good.

I am finding my way still in this world, maze that it forever will be, but aren’t we all on the journey together? It’s long and hard and dusty, but the miracle is that we are alive in it – we are alive, and each day is a gift, and we are given a chance for every day to be an offering to the One

who made it. In the throwing-upthe-hands moments and in the times in which we would just as soon God come down to Earth that very instant, God is there. In the times in which the tears come so fast that they blind and where the memories ache and pull and suffocate happiness just for spite, God is there. God is there in the suffering because He knows.

He knows how we suffer, but we forget that it is He that knows the ultimate sweetness and closeness of a relationship that has been refined by fire.

We are allowed to pass through suffering because God knows we need to see Him come through the flames and the floods and the storms for us, His people, His children, just to rescue us. He realizes that we

need the reassurance that He is willing and He is able to drag us out from the pit we have dug or that has been dug for us, and that He loves us, with a love so blinding and so bright that sometimes it is a wonder we miss it at all.

It took a tenth grade English teacher to teach me that life is worth living, to see how the small add up to create the large, to uncover the idea that God gives gifts to be given, to bless others with. And so, I write still, uncovering what God has for my future, pleading with Him through my questions, praising Him through my thanks and the wonderment I cannot contain at His creation. It is always ordinary people that are passionately following the Father that are the ones who create ripples of change in the hearts of those that they serve. Often, they never know of the change that they set in motion, the ripples that have sent tremors down to the ocean floor to make the waves that do indeed change the world. And yet, for these people, it is not about changing the world. In the following of the Father’s footsteps, our hearts are constantly being changed, and perhaps it is in the sharing

through our ordinary lives the extraordinary changes God is working through us that God changes the hearts of others.

The radiance of heaven shining through on Earth is meant to be intentionally blinding, and Jesus allows miracles to come through ordinary people with their

T-Shirts and jeans and tennis shoes. They are humble people, these servants of Jesus, but their hearts are brilliant and they always tend to notice the second set of footprints in the sand and look above to Him who gives life as grace.

Teach me your way, O Lord,that may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.

Psalm 86:11

Relentless Pursuit

by Annika Northrop

O

h, girls! He is gorgeous.

A tall frame contradicts his Mexican heritage, and fierce, dark looks and deep brown eyes make me just about die every time he looks at me. It doesn’t take much for him to make me laugh. Every day he fills my thoughts, and whenever I’m not with him, I miss him. The best part is that he feels the same way about me. We are so in love.

Sounds amazing, right?

Wrong! Well yes, it is amazing.

There is no experience in the world that matches deeply caring for someone. But as with every relationship, there comes complications. My parents don’t want me in a relationship this young, and I completely agree with them. I need to keep myself

pure and focused on God, my family, and school at this point in my life. I am too young to be so seriously involved with a guy. But that is easier said than done.

My parents set guidelines, and I try to follow them. But right now, in this moment, I want him more than anything else, and I am willing to destroy my future to be happy at this instant. Isn’t that terrible? So after a while, I break those guidelines, justifying my actions with crafty arguments. Has this ever happened to you? It doesn’t have to be a guy, although I’m sure many of you girls struggle with problems concerning the alien male gender just as I do.

We do this with any bad habit – watching or reading things we shouldn’t, telling lies, gossiping,

or even obsessing about our looks. They can be things larger than these examples, or they can be habits that don’t seem to be a big problem. Whatever our habit is, we all make excuses for them.

We say “I only watched it for a little while”; “I wasn’t really gossiping, I was merely informing”; “It was only a small lie or a little kiss. My parents technically didn’t say I couldn’t do it.” I constantly do this, and I’m sure you do it too. It’s part of our sinful nature.

You see, there are things that we, as humans, cannot do.

Satan has warped, twisted, and destroyed us. What we really want to do, sometimes, we fail to do. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Paul says in Romans 7:14-16, “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it.

Instead, I do what I hate.” I do the same thing that this great man did. I fail over and over again. I don’t do what I want to do. I do what I hate. And I feel as if God can’t possibly forgive me.

Of course, I know this to be false. I have been taught, ever

since I was tiny, that God takes any sinner no matter what they have done. I have been told of His incredible love for me and His hunger for my friendship, even if I am not perfect. But at that moment of guilt, right at the time when I mess up, I feel horrible. I keep dwelling on my imperfection, and I question whether or not God really does

forgive me unconditionally. After all, I keep making the same mistakes. I don’t deserve His love or forgiveness. I am a hopeless sinner. And Satan wants me to think these thoughts.

One of the reasons, I think, that the Bible is so powerful, is because it is not a book of perfect, happy people following God always. It is a book of imperfect, broken sinners who blunder along, making a

countless number of mistakes. It is filled with people who hurt, who cry, and who sometimes question God and His ways.

Peter back. This disciple went on to be one of the most powerful and influential members of the early church.

Let’s talk about Mary Magdalene, for instance.

Tradition says that the woman who had seven demons cast out of her, who was a prostitute, and who washed the feet of Jesus was Mary Magdalene. If this is true, and I believe it is, then we have a wonderful example of a sinner coming back to God. David was a murderer and an adulterer, and yet at the end of his life, God called him a man after His own heart. Peter was one of the twelve disciples and yet at Jesus’ death, Peter denied his Master. He swore that he had never even seen Jesus. But

Just look at these people.

They were complete and utter sinners, and yet they became some of the greatest men and women for God in the Bible. God took each and every one of them back, even though they kept messing up.

Peter was sorry. He wept bitterly, asking for forgiveness, and Jesus forgave Him. He took

One particular time after I had made a mistake, I was feeling guilty and miserable. I was wondering if God could possibly forgive me. I absolutely love it when God makes Himself visible to me. I’m talking about when He really talks to you, when you know without a shadow of a doubt that it was Him and that He is there. As I searched through my Bible, feeling terrible, all these verses started popping out at me.

Psalm 86:5 says, “Oh Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” “…

Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). And this is the one that really blows

me away. Isaiah 44:22 reads, “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist.

Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

He has paid the price to set us free! He loves us more than anything we can ever imagine!

He wants us back, no matter how many times we stumble!

Isn’t that wonderful? Not only that, but He also promises to rescue us when we need aid—to strengthen us when we are weak. He can give us the victory.

He can help us conquer the struggles we have in our lives or the bad habits we possess. And

He will do it for us if we ask Him. Isn’t this a marvelous God we serve? Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” So join me in returning to Him who can give us life, love, and happiness. Join me in going back to the only One who loves us perfectly and who forgives us unconditionally. Let us never feel as if He won’t receive us again, for He is our ultimate Lover, our relentless Pursuer.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Pslam 61:4

who to thanks those made this possible issue The Editors::

The Photographers::

Kendel Garcia - Editor in Cheif Khloe Williams - Creative Director Kylie Ramos - Managing Editor Melanie Knapp - Executive Editor

Melanie Knapp Khloe Williams Stephanie Bowling Katie McGihon of Max and Poppy

The Authors:: Sierra Brewer Annika Northrop Melanie Knapp Khloe Williams Kendel Garcia Nela Holmes Grace Rohlin Christina Polk

The Models:: Neeley Moore Melanie Lewis Blaise Cornell Shelby Reynolds Julie Beaton Khloe Williams Melanie Knapp Kendel Garcia Abigail Williams

Karah Shouse Tiffani Hockings Hannah Seals Hannah Ruzicka Sierra Brewer Emma Williams Julia Brandt Cody Knapp Jalynn Baker

Debu Magazine Volume 2 Issue 4 June/July 2012 ISSN 2166-8019 All for His Glory!!