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blog, Fun 4 Girlz, Girlz in Action, Godly Girlz

Translate the Bible and WIN!

Jessica Lippe

If you are able to read this, then you are one of the people on Earth fortunate enough to also be able to read the Bible. But there are 350 MILLION people on this planet who can’t read the Bible at all. Why? The language the speak does not have a written alphabet, so they do not have a Bible.

Wycliffe is a ministry whose goal is to allow everyone in the world to be able to read a Bible in their own language. They are working towards this goal by sending missionaries to these unreached people to learn the language and create a written alphabet for their language. You can always help out Wycliffe by supporting their cause financially. But for the next several weeks, they are inviting you to do more.

Play the Wycliffe game “In Other Words” by clicking here.  This game allows you to answer Bible trivia. As you answer the questions correctly, you will translate a Bible verse. Earn points for answering the trivia, translating the verse, and doing other bonus activities. As you earn points, you can be eligible for some cool prizes, like bookmarks, bracelets, iPads, iPods, and even a trip to Florida! So what are you waiting for? Sign up and play every day!

blog, feature, Girlz in Action

Gracie Schram: The Passion, Purpose, and Drive of One Girl

Jessica Lippe

What do you do when you’ve been given a gift? When you’ve been given a passion? What happens when both are yours by the time you’re 13 years old? I recently had the chance to call Gracie and talk to her about what it took to get where she is now and to take a peek into her life. For Gracie Schram it was a matter of believing God, support from her parents, and believing in herself, and now she has a CD and has raised enough money to build – Wait! Let me stop right here. After all, this is Gracie’s story to tell!

It was my first time in “big-church” and my pastor had just come back from a mission trip. He showed videos of kids that had nothing and that were basically raising each other, but they were still happy. I felt a sort of connection and like God was calling me to help them. I knew I had to do something. So far, over $20,000 has been raised! We have built two fish ponds in Africa and teamed up with the Global Orphan Project to build an orphan home in Haiti where twelve boys now live.

Unfortunately I haven’t been to either Africa or Haiti, but plans are coming underway for me to go.

Even though I haven’t had the chance to go to either of these places, I have performed nationally. Last summer there was a concert at Purdue University with about 4,000 attendees. It was the best and my favorite place to perform. so far! I’ve also had the chance to meet Chasen and Zach Hunter. That was pretty awesome.

Before a concert, I pray with my mom. God gives me an amazing peace before each performance. I also practice lots so that always helps me feel prepared. As strange as this might sound, I don’t get nervous!

As for my fans, I appreciate them so much. It’s great to have people 100% behind you. I’ve had people take the time to email me and tell me how much my CD was a blessing for them or that they were healed when my CD was playing.

It sounds like you are having the time of your life right now! If you don’t mind, I want to back track a little bit and give our readers a chance to get to know you and learn some of the history of your music career.

I have one brother, one sister, and two very supportive parents. This isn’t just my project, but it’s our family mission project.  I have been writing songs since I was 7 years old and my first CD came out when I was 10. It’s a God given thing. I’ve also been taking voice lessons for 5 years. I also believe that if I keep singing, it will lead to a bigger platform to raise more money to help even more kids. Not only that though, it’s a way to express who I am. 

Check her out at gracieschram.com


-By Lily Garay
Photos by Becky Alfred

This article was originally published in the May/June 2012 issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine. If you would like to read more articles like this, you can get a yearlong subscription (4 issues) for free! Click on the “Subscribe to G4C Magazine.”
blog, Fun 4 Girlz

Girlz 4 Christ May/June 2012 Issue

Jessica Lippe

It’s about time for the May/June 2012 issue of Girlz 4 Christ! If you’re a subscriber, you’ll find it in your inbox within the next couple of days. If you’re not a subscriber, you can subscribe right now by clicking the button in the right-hand sidebar. (Or, you can take advantage of our special offer .)

This issue is loaded with lots of goodies. Here are just a few of the many things you’ll find:

-A one-week devotional that will equip you to take a stand a make a difference
-An interview with Gracie Schram, a teenage musician using her talents to help people in developing countries
-A closer look at Christian singer sensation Kari Jobe
-Health tips including recipes, water benefits, kitchen reviews, and the dangers of yo-yo dieting
-Modest fashion guides
-Recommendations for books to read

Tell us what you think about this issue. Leave a comment on this post!

blog, feature, Girlz in Action

Ellie’s Run for Africa

Jessica Lippe

Ellie Ambrose was featured in our cover story in the January/February 2012 issue of Girlz 4 Christ Magazine. Each year in May, Ellie hosts a run in Nashville, and the funds raised from this event go to help children in Africa.

This year, the Girlz 4 Christ editor, Jessica Lippe, has agreed to become a “Hero” sponsor of Ellie’s Run for Africa. This means that she’ll be promoting Ellie’s Run and raising money that will help African children get fed and educated as a way to break the cycle of poverty. Now, we’re inviting you to help us out! 
You can find out more about Jessica’s Hero Fundraiser by going here:  http://www.elliesrun.org/hero/jessica-lippe. Donating any amount will make a HUGE difference in the lives of children in Africa. We’ve already raised $29- enough to pay a teacher’s salary for one day in Africa. We think it would be really cool if all the Girlz 4 Christ readers could partner together and contribute at least $138 to this cause- that would be enough to feed one child in Africa for an entire school year! 
Make a difference in the lives of African children today- visit  http://www.elliesrun.org/hero/jessica-lippe  and click the “Donate Now” button!

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We Need Writers!

Jessica Lippe

Have you ever wanted to become a writer? Have you ever wanted to see your name printed on the pages of a magazine? Now’s your chance!

We are in an extreme need of writers for our upcoming issues, and we want to invite you to contribute! There is no age requirement, and you are welcome to write about anything that the Lord lays on your heart. If you need some ideas to help with your brainstorming, here are a few suggestions:

-Write a devotional that will help preteen or teenage girls in their daily life.
-Know a girl who’s done something inspirational? Write about her!
-Write about summer activities. From summer camp to summer jobs to summer mission trips, we want it all!
-Create a poem about your relationship with Christ.

Once you’ve written an article, send it to Girlz4Christ@yahoo.com. Pictures and illustrations are welcome as well.

For complete details on how to become a G4C writer, or for other ways you can contribute, visit http://www.girlz4christmagazine.org/p/become-sponsor.html.

blog, Godly Girlz

On This Day, Over 2000 Years Ago…

Jessica Lippe

Justice.
Mercy.
Forgiveness.
Freedom.
Life.

All these things were given to us the day Jesus died on the cross.

It’s hard to fathom exactly why Jesus came to Earth and why he died. Here’s an explanation from our teen intern, Lily Garay:

 You made, yet, another mistake. You feel guilt, shame, disgust. You feel as if it’s all over and you are just going to be making the same mistake over and over again. In your mind all you are thinking is how there’s no way God can forgive even if He did send Jesus to the cross to die for our sins.

What is the resurrection? Can I be forgiven?

God sent down His son Jesus to come to this earth. [see John 3:16]
God created you so the only way He could save you was to send a piece of Him. This was done through Jesus.

The resurrection isn’t about the bunny or the eggs. Those are just distractions created to take away from the real story.

The reason Jesus died for you was to forgive you. To read more about who Jesus is and His forgiveness read the books of Mark or John.

Jesus died on the cross for EVERYONE, so that EVERYONE could be free from their sins. God has given each one of us the gift of justice, mercy, forgiveness, freedom, and life. But, you have to accept this gift in order to receive its contents. 
If you have never accepted God’s gift, there is no time to do so like the present. All you have to do is ask. (This is often referred to as “praying”, but you can do this simply by saying whatever’s on your heart.) This weekend has been set aside to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us. Don’t let his ultimate sacrifice be wasted.
If you have any questions or comment about this article or anything related to Girlz 4 Christ, feel free to e-mail us at Girlz4Christ@yahoo.com.
blog, Godly Girlz

A Little Spring Inspiration

Jessica Lippe
Flowers blooming, children playing, mother’s gardening, father’s mowing that lawn. Yes! It’s spring.
Life starts blooming
 
Color returns to the world
The tiniest most precious moments bring joy
And we take time to remember the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The one who died on the cross for our sins to save us all.
His father, our father, the God in heaven created this divine destiny.
It’s His will that we enjoy these moments.
That we sit still in His peace in remembrance.
Because not only is spring here, but so is Jesus. Except He’s here forever.
G4C
*written by Lily Garay. Find out more at lilygaray.blogspot.com
blog, feature, Godly Girlz

New Life in Christ

Jessica Lippe
New Life in Christ


By Lauren Kostenberger


Spring is the season of new life. Everywhere you look, you see something new springing up – a flower, a tree, a baby animal…all these things tend to come in the spring. When we think of spring we think of budding flowers, new green leaves and the sun coming out after a long winter of cloudy skies.
But have you ever thought of the similarities between the new life that appears in the spring and our new life in Christ? I think God created the season of spring to show us how our life in Christ should look.
“…we died to sin, how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:2-4
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17
                In these verses, we see how our old sin nature died when we accepted Christ. Just as he died physically, our sin nature died spiritually when we trusted him to take away our sins. And in the same way that he rose again, appearing in bodily form to more than 500 people, we should rise in the newness of life Christ has given us.
Paul tells us in Romans 6:11 that we should “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Just as a seed is planted in the earth and dies so that a new plant can grow, just as a caterpillar crawls into its cocoon and dies to its old self so that it can emerge a beautiful butterfly, so we are supposed to die to ourselves and emerge glorious in our new life. God sees us in Christ now, and in his eyes we are perfect. Are you living in a way that shouts out to everyone the amazing new life you have in Christ?
Acts 5:20 relates how an angel of the Lord told the apostles, “Go, stand in the temple courts, and tell the people the full message of this new life.” As Christians, the whole reason we are here on this earth is to tell people about “this new life” we have in Christ. Are you telling your friends and family about the new life you have in Christ?
This spring, as you see the flowers blooming and the miracle of new life around you, think about the new life you have in Christ, and live it out!
blog, Healthy Girlz

You Were Made to Crave!

Jessica Lippe

We all know the basic rules of health: eat balanced meals, don’t overeat, and try to get some exercise. So why are eating disorders, obesity, and general laziness so common among teen girls today? The answer  is simple: temptation! We give into our cravings for temporary satisfaction, but in the long run, we end up unhappy and unfulfilled.

These cravings from temptation don’t just apply to physical health. Everyone has an unhealthy craving of some sort. Maybe you try to find comfort and satisfaction in having a boyfriend or getting noticed at school. Perhaps you feel empty inside unless you’re constantly shopping for new clothes, make-up, and other luxuries. Whatever physical, material, or emotional desire you have, trying to satisfy yourself with it can keep you from satisfying your desires with God!

A new book is coming out this month, title Made to Crave for Young Women, written by Lysa TerKeurst and Shaunti Feldhahn. In Made to Crave, these two ladies discuss typical unhealthy cravings that many girls tend to have. Using practical advice, life experiences, and scriptures, you can control these cravings by replacing them with cravings for God and the healthy lifestyle that he wants you to live. A great feature about this book is that it really calls you to action. At the end of each session, you can grab your journal and participate in some meaningful activities. This book is also set up so that you can choose to read it as a 21-day devotional, a six-week study, or you can just read it at your own pace.

Prayer, reading the Bible, and simply spending time with Jesus truly can help you make healthier choices that form lifelong habits. If you want a good starting point and guide to satisfying your cravings in a healthy, God-honoring way, go ahead and order yourself a copy of Made to Crave for Young Women.

Discussion Questions (leave your answers in a comment!)
-What craving are you trying to satisfy right now? Remember that food is just one of many cravings you can have!
-Do you plan on reading Made to Crave for Young Women? If so, what parts are you looking forward to? (When you do start reading this book, we’d love to hear about your progress!)

(Book and cover photo provided by Zondervan.)