Soul Surfer

Yesterday, Tilly and I and some of our other friends went to the movies to see Soul Surfer. This movie is in two words, amazingly inspired. This movie is based on the true story of Bethany Hamilton. Bethany lived in Hawaii with a passion for surfing. On October 31, 2003, Bethany, her friend Alana Blanchard, and Alana's father and brother went out to surf at on the beach in Kauai. After a while of surfing, the girls rested on their surf boards. Bethany had her left arm in the water and a shark came and attacked her. Though the water around her began tot urn red with blood, Bethany had a sense of peace. Her friends pulled her to shore and rushed her to the hospital. Her father was there to have knee surgery, but he was moved into another room so that his daughter could have emergency care. Her arm was taken off just below the shoulder. At the time of this tragedy, Bethany was only thirteen years old. The moving shows Bethany's road to recovery and her struggle to get back up on her board. Now, Bethany is twenty one years old and is in the top 25 female surfers in the world.
In the movie, Bethany is played by AnnaSophia Robb as Bethany. Robb does an excellent job in the film and it is a very touching piece. The best thing about the movie is the fact that they did not downplay the Christian aspect of the Hamilton family. There were Bible verses shared and some even took place in a church service and on a missions trip with world vision.
This is an excellent story of our Christian faith and how to see what God has planned for our lives!

Rejoice!!!

I just had one of my family members die of brain cancer. I'm sure many of you have as well. It hurts, I was at the hospital all day yesterday, waiting. Just waiting, and comforting other family members. There were some points I thought I lost her, but we prayed. We prayed for her, and we spoke LIFE into her spirit. You can't just give up when something like that happens! You don't sit in the waiting room saying," Poor poor Aunt. Well, she'll be gone any moment now. We need to say good-bye and let go..." NO! We need to take action! We need to pray and fight in the spirit for her, because she can't do it on her own! Her heart may have been failing but her SPIRIT was alive and listening to what you said to her. We stood there watching her sleep, telling her we did NOT come to say good-bye, but to help her through it! We told her, "We heard you say you were the healed! DO NOT LEAVE US! You have so much more in life!" Yes, she died. Not because we weren't there. I don't know why but I DO know it wasn't because we weren't speaking to her spirit. She just went, and she is in a better place! She believed in Christ. She said the sinners prayer, and she is in heaven at this very moment!!! I rejoice in that! I get a peace in remembering that. And I hope you do too.

All My Love~~~ Tilly

Share Your Thoughts...

Hey everyone. Someone contacted Tilly and I for help and she was able to assist them. I really hope you will feel confident enough in your walk with Christ, but no one can be strong alone. We need good friends to help us through hard times. And that is why Tilly and I are here. Please contact us with any worry or doubt, and we will encourage you through your difficulty!
~Aria

Share Your Thoughts

A friend of mine texted me the other day and asked for some help on a subject. Here's what she said:

'A girl goes to my Bible Study now. I knew her very well, but now we don't talk to each other. At my Bible Study I could always feel like I could say whatever I wanted without worrying what other people would think. I don't feel like that anymore.' That is tough. Now look at what I told her:

' I understand how that feels. But I also know that it doesn't matter who is listening to what you say. Because if they don't like what you say it is their problem. I know that it is hard to remember that, in fact it took me a while to get that in my head. But if something your about to say might effect her, under your breath say a little prayer for strength. I still have to do that. It isn't a strength you can get on your own. It's an inner strength that comes from our Lord.'

I know how hard it is to remember that it doesn't matter what others think or say. But I also know that if you used to feel comfortable around everyone and could say whatever, then when someone comes and makes you uncomfortable it is still okay to say what you want. If you are still trying to say it but can't get the nerve to. Say a prayer under your breath. I say a prayer all the time. It helps me know that I can call upon my God whenever is needed. It brings me comfort to know he is listening, and will bring me strength. A person that makes you feel uncomfortable is no reason to have to limit what you say. In fact, it should make you want to express how you feel. So you can tell the whole class your feelings. And if the feelings had to do with something that made you feel uncomfortable around her, tell them! Maybe you can become friends again. And just through a little action that showed how you felt. :)

~~~~~~ Tilly Ocean

new pages!

Hey Everyone! Be sure to check out our new pages up on the pages tab. We are now running a Scripture reading and a Bible Study course. The study will be updated weekly and gives you the opportunity to email in your thoughts. Please check out the pages and reply with your answers. We would love to see you actively participating in our studies!
~Aria

What to do...

For Lent, most people give something up, but there are classic what not to do's:

1. Instead of giving something hard like candy, give up something easy, like vegetables or liver and onions.

2. Don't fast, but instead, eat faster.

3. Instead of getting up early to do a devotion, devote your mornings to extra sleep.

4. Helping others is over-rated, you will help them ore by letting them do it themselves.

All of these things are wrong, backwards. God wants us to devote ourselves to Him and what He wants us to do, not our own selfish game. This season of Lent, I challenge you to dig down inside and examine yourselves and your life and see where you are failing to meet the standards which God has set for you. Find where you can improve, and then take away whatever is preventing you from getting there. Make this your personal goal, and you will improve you Spiritual walk and your life.

-Aria

Season of Lent

Guess what time it is! It is the season of lent, the six weeks leading up tot Easter. A lot of times for lent, people give something up and try to pray whenever they miss the thing they give up. Sometimes, people have trouble giving something up or sticking with your commitment. So, I am going to tell you how I am doing with my goals, offer encouragement, and give suggestions.
I am giving up candy and trying to fast during the day on Wednesdays. I have done okay so far, but it has only been a week and I have already made exceptions. I am still trying to stick with it though, so I hope you will too.
~Aria

Philippians 1:26- FINAL VERSE

Philipians 1:26- FINAL VERSE

' 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.'

Okay, so this verse says that he stayed with his "Baby-Christians", so to say, and mentored them. He taught them the Word, and showed them how to be a good missionary.

We all need to do that. When you lead someone to Christ, don't just leave them and say, "Okay go out and preach to others what you have found." No! They don't have a church to go to, they don't have a Bible, they do not have any knowledge of God exept that He saved them from their sins. So show them a church, give them a Bible, show them the Word. Show them how to Love like Jesus did. ( L.L.J.D. Love Like Jesus Did ) Then their joy in Jesus will overflow. Why? Because they understand and know how to learn more about Jesus.

Well, thanks for waiting patiently all week for Philippians. I hope you read more about Philippians. It is one of my favorite books. :) I will have a new Bible study verse ready soon. So please be patient. :) Thank you! And remember to L.L.J.D. :)

~~~~~~~ Tilly Ocean

Philippians 1:24-25

 Philippians 1:24-25

' 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.'

This is so true. It is much more necessary to stay here. It also takes God in us to say, "You know what, I am going to give up my pleasure in being with God. To be here with you teaching you, and leading others to Christ." It's a very selfless act. Now let's read verse 25:

' 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will reamain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.'

So after saying it is necessary to stay, we are finally convinced. Because knowing and doing are two different things. In verse 24 we said we knew what we had to do. So we knew, but haven't yet done it yet. But in verse 25 we say we will stay. And we do this with Gods help. He always wants us to aske him for help. Why? Because he loves us. And people willl want to help you because they love you. So God is all powerful so he wants to fix things right up. He is so good.

~~~~~~ Tilly Ocean

I like this photo because it describes,
what we believe in. What we stand for,
and love. :)

St. Patty's Day:

Now, of course Aria and I do not believe in luck. But I do have a lot of fun with Green Day. :) You get to wear green, and if you can, talk with an Irish accent. :) So for the time being I thought having a St. Patty's Day background would be nice. Also, for spring and summer I was thinking of doing something bright and cheery. :)  So, pretend it's said with an Irish accent, : "Hope ya' have a good little ole' St. Patty's Day Celebration!" 

Philippians 1:21-22 AND 23 :)

   

Hello everyone! So sorry I haven't written Philippians 1:22-23 yet, I have been very busy today. Well here it is: '22 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!'
      This is as it should be for every Christian. To live is to worship Christ, and to die is to gain heaven. We all want to live on earth and teach others the Good News, but also want to leave and be in heaven with Jesus. These are desires we all have. We want both. BUT if we take a peek at verse 23---
'23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;'
      We all understand that feeling. And of course it is BY FAR better to be with Jesus. But we have a duty to the people of this earth. We must show them the Gift God has given. We have to go out and  evangelize. It's OUR duty. The Christian's. Not the Muslim, or Islam, or Buddhist. Ours. So go out there. And do what we as Christians, Children of God, are called to do. :)

--- Tilly

Family Church

Going to church is always important for many reasons. As the body of Christ, we need to gather together with fellow believer, worship the Lord, and learn all we can about Him. Then we will be well equip to tell others or bring them to church. But, there are those days when we get lazy or sick and cannot make it to church. There is still a way to have church. Have it at home with your family. We do this whenever we miss church, or sometime in addition to church. It is easy too. You can sing a few songs, someone can share a verse or two, and then you can read a devotion or Bible story. Even check online for sermons posted by your church or another. This is a great way to bond with family and be able to share your spiritual thoughts.
Try this sometime, maybe you'll like it!
-Aria

Ways to Worship

Praising God is important for Christians today. It is a way to stay connected with God and other Christians. We all come together to worship our King. This is a good way to help uphold you personal relationship with Him. Some people though, have a hard time finding ways to worship, so I made a list:

1. Pray. Prayer is worship because you are talking to God which shows your relationship.

2. Bible Reading. Reading the Word of God connects you with His plan for your life and can give you hope and assurance in times when you doubt.

3. Sing. God loves to hear you sing praises to Him ans shout His name. It is like saying "I appreciate and love you" to the Lord.

4. Dance or Play Instruments. God gives everyone talents and He wants you to use them for His glory.

5. Write or do Art. This is another way to express your love for Him.

6. Kindness. Acting kindly toward others, even when it is hard, brings a smile to our Lord's face.

7. Share. Share the Word of God. This is great because the more saved, the better.

Now no one has an excuse to not worship.
-Aria

The Coolness Factor

Have you ever done something because you thought it was cool? Or, have you ever refused something or hidden something because you feared it was not cool enough? Well, believe it or not we all have. If you have crazy dress days at school, but instead of dressing crazily, you wear a brand new outfit, or dress differently to match your friends and make everyone else feel uncool. What about coffee, do all of your friends drink coffee except you? Do you bring your wear or hot chocolate out paces in a coffee cup? Or another could be grades. Are you the braniac flunking to fit in? Or, do you struggle with grades and lie about having to go to tutoring or seek outside help? Most of us have either experienced theses situations or one of the many others that are possible. This is all because of what I call the coolness factor. Everyone wants to fit in and be liked, especially by those who the world claims as "popular" and "cool". No one enjoys feeling left out or looked down upon. But, there is away to feel good about who you are without having to feel "cool". If you are a follower of Christ, you should want to stand out. What the world says is in, God probably looks at with a disappointed face. He doesn't want us to conform to what the world wants. God wants us to be like Him, and He does not blend in. So stand out and be the beautifully talented person God designed you to be! And here is a tip; a loop hole to the coolness factor. This probably will go against everything those in the "in" crowd are all about. If you stand out for Christ, you won't have to worry about being liked because you will be outstanding. That's right. Do not look like everyone else, or blend in with the crowd. Stand out, to be outstanding!!!

-Aria

LUCK???

Have you ever had something happen to you and had a friend say, "Wow, you had good luck!" Well, everything that happens, to you and everyone else, is from God. Nothing happens by chance, everything is from His plan. i have heard it said that if you believe in luck so strong that can do something with a slim chance of happening, you might as well just believe that God did it. So many people say that their was this really strong luck that did something unbelievable that is very rare. But, wouldn't it just be easier to say that God did it. I do not believe in luck because I believe that God can do anything, so why would we even need luck. If God can and does everything that happens, then why even bother to say that it was by chance!
Remember, when you think you are lucky, think again and know that you are blessed, not lucky.
-Aria

Prayer Requests

Ok everyone, listen close. We, as Christians, need to pray for others. I have decided to make a prayer list. You can email us at tmgwcblog@gmail.com and send us prayer requests or stories in your life. If you would like, we could even share your request on the blog. We will only share it if you specify and we will email you, confirming if what you tell us is private or can be publically talked about. And, don't worry, we will not share your name; you do not even need to tell us your real name. We want to pray for you to have God bless your life and the lives of others around you, even if we do not know you.
Please keep on praying!
-Aria

sickness

This is the time of year when no one feels well. My mother just got over sickness. My teacher and classmates aren't feeling their best. Coughs and sniffles are everywhere. this is the time of year when all you want to do is curl up in your pajamas by the fire and watch television.
But, even through all the cold and sickness, we are God's messengers. Instead of shying away when you see people coughing and sniffling, you to them and use it as a teaching opportunity. God can help those who are sick and heal them. When they are home by themselves because they feel a little under the weather, they can come to know God as their friend that will always be with them, even through sickness.

Personalized Prayer

Lord I pray today that you would be with everyone and help them with what they are struggling with. Lord, I struggle with patience and I know others do as well. So, I ask that you give the world patience and help everyone. I ask that everyone's struggles could be submitted to you and that you would help them with all they need help with.
In Jesus' name we pray,
Amen.

Patience

There is always a good quality that you just don't have. Mine is patience. Just ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I am not patient. Sometimes I am, but sometimes I am not. I really need help in that field. Patience is a good quality to have. So, tomorrow, I am going to pray for patience in the daily prayer, but you don't have to. If you struggle with something else, pray for that. My prayers are just designed to give you an idea. Remember, the praying is what matters!
-Aria