No Compromise...
God made you beautiful .even when you don’t feel like it!
Sarong Style Summer fashion accessories you’ll love!
His Mercy Found Me
one girl’s story of how God turned her life around from drugs and abuse bringing her hope and a future
& MORE: Music Reviews: Testimonies: Advice: Beauty: Fahion:
free with the Methodist Recorder: PLease give this supplement to the teenage girls in your life they will be encouraged by it!
Inalishus You
You are the light of the world, a city on a hill which cannot be hidden
Sometimes life is tough, but God has made provision for us to keep standing and not fall, by fall I mean to make the wrong choices, to mess up or to give up on something God is leading us towards. How can you make sure you face the day with the full armour of God?
1 Peter 3:3-4 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewellery, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within… The world will try to tell us that what’s on the outside is all that counts, but God lives by a different standard – God looks at the heart! What would He find in yours? 1 Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? That means wherever you go – you are taking God with you! Is HE happy with the places you are taking Him too? Is He comfortable with what you are doing and who with?
Jeremiah 33:3 Ask Me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. God desires to talk with His children – just like any parent, He wants to listen to you, but also to reveal things to you. This is the right time to ask God to reveal to you His plans – both for your life – and for the life of the Church. Will you listen?
Psalm 139:14 I praise You because of the wonderful way You created me. Everything You do is marvellous! Of this I have no doubt Have you ever doubted why God made you the way He made you? Don’t you realise that when He finished creating you He looked upon you and declared that you were “good” someone He had made and is proud of! When you feel bad about yourself remember what God has spoken over you.
Romans 12:2 Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him. You may think your thoughts are not important – but guess what – to God they are – why? Because He knows exactly what you are thinking! If you think bad of someone God knows about it. If you are thinking or doing the wrong thing God knows about it. Why does it matter to Him – because God knows that our actions and our behaviour starts with a thought. Ask God to help you to think differently – then it’s easier to live differently! Philippians 4:8 keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. So how do you stop thinking the wrong thing? Change the focus of your thoughts and think on good things – find the good point in someone you don’t like. Think about good things you can do with your time. Think about your future and what you can do now to start to live out your dream… Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you your heart’s desires How can you find ways to delight in God? What are the things you would like to see Him do in your life? Maybe the two are related! Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights Ok, be honest… when your mum asks you to tidy your room – what do you do? Or when your dad asks you to wash-up after dinner, what happens? Or your sister wants to borrow your favourite jacket? Or your brother has been in your room – again! Jeremiah 32:27 I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for Me? Are you struggling with something? Is your family under pressure? Is one of your friends seriously ill? What would you like God to do in that situation? Do you believe He can? Ask Him – He is asking you TODAY “Is anything too difficult for Me?” Hebrews 12:14 Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord Someone has annoyed you right – what would Jesus do? He would make the first move. Sometimes if we are to let the light of Jesus shine through us we have to be the bigger person and make the first move – even when we are not at fault, even when it involves our family. Are you up for the challenge? Proverbs 20:19 A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers
No compromise on... the Word
Ephesians 6:13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
No compromise on... lifestyle
De-Lites
The Bible is a valuable resource in any young Christian’s life. Take one of the verses each week and think about it, work out how you can action it during the week and think about other verses that may relate to it.
Welcome to the first edition of Shine. Shine is brand new for teenage girls, with loads of information, advice tips, Testimonies – everything a young woman needs as she learns about who she is and becomes the woman God created her to be. We will be SHINE-ing at the change of the season over the next year – so watch out for the Autumn edition in September! We are here to reveal the light that is hidden in you - not by preaching, but by living it out! We are on this journey together for a while so we hope you will stick with us!!! We would love to hear about you and what you are doing - what you like about Shine and what has helped you (or not!!) so why not write to us via the Methodist Recorder. Our prayer is that you will be encouraged and challenged by what you see in the next few pages and you will learn what it means to live as one of God’s girls! So... SHINE this summer… no compromise! with love
The Shine Team! xxx
thebandwithnoname Dying To Be There (HIP-HOP) 10/10 I am convinced that ‘Dying To Be There’ is of a rare status. It may not sell millions or win cabinets full of awards but by any criteria I can use - performance, songwriting, production, even artwork, it is a pop music masterpiece. From the moment Zarc Porter’s gentle piano comes on as the ultimate quiet before the storm and a beat hard enough to make a sheet metal worker scurry for the earplugs, we are clearly in for a sonic feast. Whether it’s the crazed punk element that fuels “Misfit”, the raw beat and belching bass line of “Reach For The Mic” or the sublime worship on “Dying To Be There/Great Is Your Name”, these are tracks to listen to again and again - a classic CD.
BlushUK Ear Candy (POP) 8/10 This six-song EP from threesome BlushUK comes from the Manchester. It’s good, glossy pop, with shades of hip-hop and plenty of R&B. The harsh realism of teenage nights out (“So”) or the appalling squalor of a Haitian slum (“Not Alone”) is meshed against good-time pop melodies and rhythms in a way that serves to heighten the urgency of the subject matter. Stop to listen to the lyrics and you’ll have plenty to think about!
Group 1 Crew Group 1 Crew (R&B) 10/10 Every now and again a group emerges with a sound so fresh that listening to the album is like taking a cool shower on a hot day. This Florida trio are the most exciting new group we’ve heard in the last 12 months. They deserve to be huge and this debut album is packed with songs that melt together R&B, soul, hip-hop and Latin influences in an infectious, catchy fashion. They may well be labelled as Christian music’s answer to Black Eyed Peas. It’s hard to pick highlights but try “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” for starters! It’s four minutes of perfect pop with its insistent groove, fabulous horns and an uplifting message you’ll also love the flamenco feel of “Clap Your Hands” with its “bampa bampa bam” chant and crazy clapping. It’s catchy, clever and uplifting and you really should snap it up immediately.
supplied by Cross Rhythms, the UK’s leading Christian music voice. For for more than 15,000 music reviews, articles and news stories; for live music radio, great teachings, prayer rooms and much more, visit www.crossrhythms.co.uk
no compromise on... music
Acknowledgments: cover girl - ... editor - steph creative designer - sinead logo creator - annabelle music contribution - crossrhythms (www.crossrythmns.co.uk) testimony - courtesy of mercy ministries (www.mercyministries.co.uk)
Hey Girls!
Shine...2
Do not hide your light but let it SHINE in front of all your mates Let your feet do the talking Ok… so we all know the summer is here – no seriously it is - the sun will shine! And that means: “feet come out of your trainers” (by order of the editor!); It is a well known fact that those of us who wear open shoes do NOT have smelly feet!! Ok for some of us maybe that isn’t such a good idea – but you know what girls – even the most minging feet can look gorgeous, if you start to look after them from now! Build up a daily routine and see how gorgeous your feet can look in no time. Tips to shine: Soak your feet in warm water for about 7 to 10 minutes. Pat your feet dry with a clean towel. Don’t forget to dry between the toes also. To avoid in-growing toenails cut the nails straight across, they aren’t like fingernails so you do not need to round the edges! An emery board may be used to create a perfect finish but wait until the nails are completely dry. Gently use a pumice stone to remove the rough ‘material’ from your heels and soles, don’t scrub at your foot use gentle circular movements to remove the dry skin. Apply some lotion and massage into each foot. Remove any excess. To get the finished look, apply some nail polish if you wish. But remember to remove it regularly and go “bear” to allow the skin under the nail to breathe!
No compromise on... fashion Sarong Style Its one bit of material – but that one piece can really add some summer colour to any outfit! Accessorize with matching coloured bangles and necklaces – and you are set for the beach, the park, shopping in town… the world is yours!
Fold your sarong in half horizontally and wrap it around your waist. Fold each corner close to your body. Gather the material and tie into a knot.
Problem toes: Now is the time to start treatment on any problem areas on your feet! For more resistant problems, such as a fungal infection, bunions or an in-growing toenail, you may need to seek advice from you doctor. But for most problems such as verucca’s and athletes’ foot you can pick up a treatment over the counter at your local pharmacy. Don’t ignore it – deal with it!
Wrap the sarong around your back, over your chest. Twist the ends once and tie around your neck. Eliminate the twist and create another style.
Wrap the sarong around your waist. Gather the ends together and tie a knot in the front or on the side.
No compromise... on beauty
Wrap the sarong horizontally over your chest and tuck it in at the corner. To create another style, gather the ends and tie into a
knot.
I really want to go away with some of my friends in the summer, but my parents won’t let me just because it is a mixed group and they don’t know everyone. They believe that Christian girls shouldn’t be opening themselves up to any kind of opportunity for guys to get the wrong message, but does going on holiday really mean I’m giving out the wrong message? Please help me to talk them round! Lucy, 15
Dear Lucy, We can’t help you talk your parents round to your way of thinking, we believe it is important we all honour our parents, no matter how unfair their rules and regulations seem! Unfortunately, going on holiday can create an unnatural environment that opens you up to doing things you wouldn’t usually do, just because there are less restraints. Plus, there is the potential that you may look at the guys in your group in a different light, just because in the sun everything looks better! As an alternative, and so you can still enjoy time away with your friends, why not ask your parents about taking you and some of your female friends to one of the Christian festivals happening over the summer maybe for the day. Or if you’re part of a youth group at your church, you could suggest to the leaders for a trip or weekend away to go to a Christian festival? Use the summer to invest time into your future Lucy, enjoy time with your family as much as with your friends, and with God as much as with anyone!
Shine...3
Dear Shine... Dear Shine, I love the summer, and I especially love the fashion in the summer. But whenever I want to go out in the sun with my friends, my dad does his nut! He won’t let me out in my gorgeous summer dresses, he says they reveal too much of me. I can’t cover up – it’s too hot! What am I supposed to do? Justine, 14
Dear Justine, Unfortunately, your dad has a very good point! Guys see things in a completely different light, so what you see as a gorgeous summer dress, the boys are seeing arms, legs, thighs, chest and back! Us girls are seeing the fashion, guys are visual and are seeing the body in the dress. And this image they see time and time again, mixed with other images from the medias, films etc.. which cause problems for them. And your dad will be well aware of this! It’s not about dressing as if it is the winter, but it is about having an awareness of how much of your body you are revealing. For example: length of skirt – sit down in front of a mirror, how much can you see, cross your legs, uncross your legs and look at what is on show. Regarding a low top – again look in the mirror, lean over, how far down can you see? Cross your arms, how much does your top gape at the front? A good summer dress will not only feel great on you, but you will feel comfortable in it, and your dad will heartily approve. Your body is the temple of God, and it’s up to you to make sure you are treating it with the respect God deserves.
No compromise on... the truth
Dear Shine,
Let the good things you do SHINE out for everyone to see, so they can see that God is real in you
Inalishus You!
One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt is that security is not based on how I feel – it doesn’t matter if I feel secure or don’t feel secure, I am what I am because of who Jesus is!
That means I am secure – even when I don’t feel secure That means I am forgiven even when I don’t feel forgiven That means I am accepted even when I don’t feel accepted That means I am loved even when I don’t feel loved
That means I have a hope even when I don’t feel hopeful; That means I have a future even when I don’t feel as though life is worth living That means I am blessed even when I feel everything around me is falling apart That means I am part of a family even when I don’t feel like my family cares That means I am never without a friend even when I feel friendless That means I am beautiful because I am made in His image even when I feel ugly That means I am joyful even when I feel there’s nothing but hassle in my life
And more than that:
He’s given us a new wardrobe sister! ! ! ! Zechariah 3:1-5
Woohoo! A new outfit!! – clean, will never get dirty, no matter how much you roll around in the mud, and it comes with accessories!! What more does a girl need huh!!!
His Mercy Found Me... er 10 years my senior. He introduced me to the ‘benefits’ of getting high on cannabis and gradually he groomed and seduced me into a sexually abusive relationship with him.
February 14th 2001 is no ordinary date for me. To me, that date signifies the day my life began to turn around. My name is Debbie Harvie and 6 years ago, I walked through the doors of a place called Mercy Ministries in Nashville; a lost, broken and very angry girl who had run out of all other options. Born and raised in a Christian home, I was taught that God was my protector, my provider, my Father. I grew up listening to and learning about God. I knew the Bible stories and I believed that God was everything the Bible said about Him. But when I was 12 years old, it seemed that all I had been taught was a lie. I was manipulated into a full sexual relationship with a drug deal-
Everyday for three years was the same- hidden with the same lie that all was fine, but it wasn’t. I got into fights, began cutting myself and even tried to commit suicide, but it didn’t work. I felt I couldn’t tell anyone because I thought it was all my fault. I was caught in a spiral of helplessness and shame, and my anger burned against a God who should have protected me, who could have stopped it or told someone about the abuse I was suffering. I renounced God and vowed to live my life outside of Him. When I was 15 years old, I left home to live with my older sister. Eventually, I began going to church with my sister, and my life gradually began to change. But my drug dependency heightened as I moved onto higher dosages and stronger substances. I dabbled with ecstasy, cocaine and even heroin. I had no hope, no future, no peace, no Truth; just pain, despair, shame and the lies
of the enemy tormenting my mind constantly. The root causes of my pain were not being dealt with and I desperately needed help.
and now I have the chance to show others His mercy too…
Fashion victims eat your heart out – this is Designer with a capital D there is no other garment like it – and to top it all – you cannot just buy this outfit off the shelf, it has been exclusively designed and made just for you – it’s been made to measure and has your name on it! Wear it with pride – loose yourself of that old thing you had tucked away there for those “I don’t feel good days” and step out in style.
No compromise on... God’s promises
That means I am lovable even when I don’t feel lovable
Psalm 103 – Every sin we have committed God has forgiven and He has removed as far away from me as we can imagine – try to imagine something you really don’t like – imagine it flying away from you in one direction and you flying away from it in another direction – try to go as far to the east as it is from the west – there’s no end to the imagined distance right – and that is exactly what God has done with your sins, past mess-ups, past failings, current bad situations everything you think no-one knows about God knows it and has removed it.
I remembered a book my sister gave me about Mercy Ministries, and as I read it I knew there was hope; I knew there was a place that could help me. A few months later, I was on a plane to Nashville, Tennessee, hoping that this place I had read so much about could help me interpret the pain inside and get to the root cause of my anger, drug abuse, rebellion, and self harm. That day a new in my life began. Mercy Ministries has been established in America for over 20 years and has seen thousands of girls suffering from self-harming, eating disorders, depression, and multiple forms of abuse, set free from their tangled lives. I know more than most how important the work of Mercy Ministries is, as 6 years after my own graduation, I find myself the Assistant Programme Manager of the first UK Mercy Ministries’ house, which opened in September 2006. When I look back on all that has happened to me, I thank God that His mercy found me
No compromise on... who you are
Our Final Word to You God… I am sorry I am so, so sorry I don’t know what to do anymore. I don’t know why it keeps happening… Even when I don’t want it to happen… God… I failed You I have sinned against You. The One who lives inside this temple I have sinned against You. I don’t know what to say… I’m sorry I don’t know what to do How do I get to this place each time? I am not fit to be called Your princess I am not fit for anything God… You said you had plans for me To prosper me To give me a future … But I’ve thrown it away I’ve ruined the call you placed over me What good am I now? What am I fit for? God? Is there still hope for me? Is there still a future for me? Do you still have a workable plan for me? God? How do you see me? How do I see me? I thought I was a princess, But I don’t feel like one now I thought I was worth something But now, I’m not so sure I thought I was valuable… “My daughter My precious girl… You are… You are worth dying for I don’t stop being God When you sin or mess up I AM who I AM I AM faithful… Even when you aren’t My promises remain I cannot lie I cannot go back on My Word My thoughts toward you are good To give you a hope and a future And that, My princess, Will never, ever change”
Shine...4
© Steph Gutmann