Challenge your teen to dig deeper into anything they want to get behind.  With questions come answers, and potentially greater conviction about a topic.  Then help them to come up with a plan and TAKE ACTION!

Here's some of the research shared by one of the teens in our UnTwisted/RiseAbove Youth Group (so proud!):

10 Facts You Need to Know about the Kony campaign.

1. The footage of children in the streets are from 10 years ago and from a conflict that has long since subsided. Uganda is portrayed as a worn torn country... it is not. 
2. The man [Kony] hasn't been in the country, Uganda for over six years. His so called army operates in small groups of 2-3 soldiers spread across a wide area of northern Uganda. 
3. The LRA is estimated to be around 250-300 strong. Not the terrifying force they used to be. 
4. Only 31% of the funds raised by The Invisible Children Inc are actually spent of services the rest 69% goes to its founders to fund their film making and expensive lifestyles. The accounts suggest nearly 25% of its $8.8m income last year was spent on travel and film-making with only around 30% going toward programes on the ground. The great majority of the money raised has been spent in the US. $1.7 million went on US employee salaries, $357,000 in film costs, $850,000 in film production costs, $244,000 in "professional services" - thought to be Washington lobbyists - and $1.07 million in travel expenses . Nearly $400,000 was spent on office rent in San Diego. 
5. The Ugandan Army supported by Invisible Children Inc. has alongside the LRA been accused of abducting children into its ranks. 
6. Most of the people working for Invisible Children are media professionals not development professionals. 
7. The current situation in northern Uganda is that most children and women are sleeping at home. 
8. The video promotes outside intervention as the solution to the conflict, something that those currently in the region are opposed to. 
9. The video is a very slick marketing and fund-raising tool for their charity. 
10. The conflict between the LRA and the Ugandan Army is about land and resources, oil reserves a fact not mentioned in the film 

(Please know, this is written out of complete love in wanting you to THINK and PRAY THROUGH any social cause that you might get behind. I desire God's way.) 

Recently, a video was put out by the Invisible Children organization about a man named Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).  (If that sentence lost your attention, go check out the video, Kony 2012)   

The video has captured people's hearts and taken the online-world by storm, quickly covering Facebook walls, Twitter conversations and email inboxes.  The well-crafted film shows the rights of children in Uganda being violated by Joseph Kony (which, there are other men like him in the area), who has used thousands of child soldiers and displaced millions of people throughout Uganda and Africa for decades.  

After watching, most adults and youth alike, feel compelled to take action.  We feel that sense of justice and want Kony locked up or taken out!  And how encouraging that this next generation of youth has a strong desire for social causes and making a difference in this world.  So, when Invisible Children has a simple solution to "make Kony famous" by 1. sharing the emotional video (via social media) and 2. dedicating a day to plaster cities with posters from your "action kit" (raising "Kony 2012") ...it's easy for everyone to become an 'activist' (or promotional-ist).

Is this the right solution though?  As adults/leaders it is our responsibility to equip our next generation of leaders to be independent/accurate thinkers and truth seekers, before following the emotionally-driven crowd.  Did anyone ask questions after watching the video, or did everyone just decide to jump "in" to 'help'? 

I'm concerned that we are about to "miss the mark," regardless of good intentions. Adults are blindly getting behind their kids without questioning/discernment - allowing youngsters to act on emotion, without thinking LONG TERM.  

The farthest ahead most are thinking is April 20th. The date dedicated to rallying buddies together to hang up posters around the city.  (Did you know this is apparently Adolf Hitler's birthday too?).  Then, we make Kony famous, governments find and take him down (and millions of posters are blowing around the streets)...then what?  The children in Uganda will be happy, safe, well-fed, educated and full of hope, right?

Let me just leave you with questions below to PLEASE CONSIDER before taking action.  I will not stand in the way of people doing good...as I believe in rising up the next generation to do good. If you TRULY believe this is a worthy difference maker after researching, then by all means, go for it!  Or perhaps you'll discover another way to help the children in Uganda more directly?

It's absolutely the right heart to serve those in need (after all, true religion is helping widows and orphans).  Though, our hearts can be deceived.  It is CRUCIAL to know what and who's mission you're getting behind.  Please, LEARN MORE about the ISSUES & NEEDS in Uganda, the ORGANIZATION you want to support, and then TAKE ACTION.      

 I pray for you to have discernment and wisdom on this matter and all social causes/leaders in the future.   

PLEASE ASK THESE QUESTIONS:.
The discerning heart seeks knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. -Proverbs 15:14

• What are the needs in Uganda?  Hint to one.
• What is the complete picture of the situation in Uganda?
• What has already been done (overall)? Obama Orders U.S. Troops to Help Chase Down Kony
  
  
• How does Invisible Children spend the money raised?  (Yes, more goes to Awareness than Africa)
• What is Invisible Children's "plan" after awareness is raised? 
• What does Invisible Children believe?  Why is supporting the most corrupt/violent governments (Uganda) a good thing?  
• Why isn't there an African member on the board of directors for Invisible Children?
  
  
• How else could our money and time be better utilized to positively impact Ugandan children? 
• What would make a greater impact for the children in Uganda?
• How can one actively get involved in people's lives that need help, beyond "talking" and sharing about a problem or cause?  (Let's get real!  Do the work or financially support those who do!) 
  
  
• Why are we (Christ-followers) raising the name "Kony" instead of "Jesus?"
• What is God saying about this "campaign?"

"Don't let anyone deceive you in any way ..." - 2 Thessalonians 2:3 
Also check:
Ephesians 4:14-15
Romans 16:17-19

How does the world define love?  ...  How does God define Love?
That was the start of our discussion at Youth Group last night.  

It's intriguing and a little mind-blowing to hear what some of the junior highers see their peers get involved in.  The void that many pre-teens try to fill, or the insecurities they mask with behaviors that are slowly taking them away from their full potential. How important to have a firm foundation and know what you stand for!  

So how does God define love...  (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

This lead us to chat about how we can REACH OUT and let some of these lonely, lost, and sad teens know that they matter!  The students created some mini note cards with messages of encouragement to share with anyone at school who might need some love - and hear that they matter.  Our words have POWER!  Sooo awesome!  I'm looking forward to hearing the stories that everyone comes back with in a couple weeks!

We moved on to discuss the 5 Love Languages ... and wrapped up with some homework about how to keep their heart from becoming hardened by negativity and lies.  Pretty SWEET night if you ask me!  One of the best Valentine's Days ever!

                                            LOVE UNTWISTED WITH TRUTH.... #RISEABOVE

ALSO:  Below is a rap that Elijah came up with once he got home... such TALENT in this group!

Have you ever felt like no one noticed you?  Perhaps a little lonely and forgotten?

Well, most of us have had this feeling at some point or another.  When our hearts crave to hear that we matter.  Not long ago, my friend Stephanie and I were on our way to a meeting and happened to arrive 30 minutes early.  All for good reason, because when we pulled up, this man in the picture below immediately caught my eye.  And an inner voice quietly spoke, "he needs love."

So, acting on the inner nudge, we headed over to visit and introduce ourselves to 'Larry'.  Well, it wasn't long until he asked us how we knew each other...and looking at each other, the first answer that came to mind was "through Jesus."  

Now here's the good part.  Without hesitation, Larry said "Jesus gets all of the good girls!"  Haha!  What a character!  His BRIGHT BLUE eyes sparkled more and more as he felt noticed.  It turns out, that he blessed us with some laughs too.  

Get Real.  Rise Above. Reach Out.

Who will you bless and be blessed by the next time you reach out?  :)

Heather Heffernan i don't even know if i could pinpoint the one biggest...a big thing i get scared about is seeing kids around 12 year olds dressing very revealing, cussing, drinking, idk, its all scary! Solution, idk yet, i hope to raise my own children under Gods Law and continue to pray for them and hope they continue in what they were taught.
Josh Jelden not enough Tebow/more Tebow       
Bethany Spilde ‎@ Josh - more examples like Tebow...courageous in their faith. :)
Jeanean Mitchell Managing their wanting to grow up with appropriateness of doing so...wanting to experience everything however needing to do so in a timely manner. I would say the challenge is for the parents, for us as parents to be open for communication to cover those aspects that are uncomfortable unafraid. Kids keep you on your toes. It is important to listen even to those things that make you wanna scream and run from the room!
John-Wayne Brummer Obesity
Warren Wandling Childhood Obesity- Solution - habit change with the 90 day Challenge
Chris Milner face-to-face communication. If all you do is text, how will you ever learn to talk to an actual human being
Chris Milner Not sure what the solution is, sorry... but the proliferation of texting is concerning. Especially when you see a group of people out at a restaurant and they are all texting...
Tomas Hernandez Better leaders. That is why I started a foundation for youth.
Tomas Hernandez On reason at least
Angela Plutschak Nelson problem - born with sinful hearts. Solution - Jesus Christ.
Mike Vicious prob: TV, solution: turn off TV (or don't turn it on, especially first thing in the morning!)
Bruna Iacuzzi Parents giving the kids no freedom..children are going to do what they can't even more, and in their own ways..
Melissa Vander Velde People counting them off and believing they are just to far gone to be helped. People taking time to invest in life not just count them as another teen.
Ryan Scofield Being fully present in their (our) daily interactions. A sense of contextual appropriateness.
Bo Govea Distractions. This generation has way too many devices distracting their minds. We only had the TV to deal with when we were younger.
Doug Shada Absent dads, both emotionally and physically in their lives. More and more men need to accept the God given responsibility of fatherhood and not leave it to schools, church or other social organizations....
Bruce Carson A father is the catalyst to bring out the true potential in his sons/daughters. I have discovered that even without children I can father many. God wants to be revealed in all his people and he is Father of all. We can all do this male/female. This is our future now.
Tom Rodgers Today's youth need to be challenged to do "hard things" and act on those challenges with passion.

22 Reasons To Never Give Up.

1. As long as you are alive, anything is possible. The only valid excuse you have to give up is if you are dead. As long as you are alive (and healthy and free) you have the choice to keep trying until you finally succeed.
2. Be realistic.  The chance of mastering something the first time you do it is almost non-existent. Everything takes time to learn and you will make mistakes. Learn from them.
3. Michael Jordan.  Arguably the best basketball player of all time. He attributes his success to all his failures. He just never gave up even when he knew he had missed over 300 shots and had missed the winning shot of the game many times. Every time he got knocked down he got back up again.
4. Lance Armstrong.  Lance was diagnosed with serious cancer that had spread throughout his entire body. He had cancer cells the size of golf balls in his lungs. Despite all odds he overcame the cancer and set out to win the Tour de France 6 consecutive years in a row.
5. Muhammad Ali.  “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Muhammad Ali is one of the best boxers the world has ever known. He suffered only 5 losses while having 56 wins and was the first boxer to win the lineal heavyweight championship three times. This is a guy who literally knows how to get knocked down and get back up.
6. The man who created the marathon.  Very long ago, an Athenian herald was sent to Sparta to get help when the Persians landed in Greece. It was said that he ran 240km in 2 days and after that he ran 40km to announce the victory of the Greeks only to collapse and die on the spot from exhaustion. If you ever feel like things are difficult, imagine what it would be like to run 240km in 2 days. (Don’t try that because you might die from it, but use it as an inspiration.)
7. Chris Gardner - The Pursuit of Happiness.  Have you seen the movie The Pursuit of Happyness? It is based on the life story of Chris Gardener, a man who went for the lowest of the lows in an environment where most people would give up (no money, no job) to the highest of the highs (a millionaire with his own investment firm). If you ever think about giving up, watch this movie!
8. Kanye West.   I’m pretty sure you have heard of the rapper Kanye West. Read his story. He is a big inspiration and proves that you can go from having very little to being among the most famous and respected people in the world.
9. Nelson Mandela.  Campaigned for justice and freedom in his South Africa. Spent 20 years in jail for his opposition to apartheid. On release, he healed the wounds of apartheid by his magnanimous attitude toward his former political enemies.
10. You are strong.  You are stronger than you think. One little setback is not enough to stop you from achieving your goals. Neither are 10 or 100 or 1000 setbacks.
11. Prove yourself.  You don’t want to be known as someone that is weak and gives up. Go out there and prove yourself to the world and to yourself. You CAN and WILL achieve what you set out to do. The only time you fail is when you give up.
12. Has it been done before?  If someone else can do it then so can you. Even if it is only one other person in the world that has achieved what you have set out to achieve, that should be reason enough for you to never give up.
13. Believe in your dreams.  Don’t sell yourself short. In life there are going to be many people who will try to bring you down and tell you what you want to achieve is not possible.
14. Your family and friends.  Let the people you love and who mean the world to you be your inspiration to persist and persevere. Maybe you need to try a different angle, study more or practice more but don’t give up!
15. Because I tell you to.  Not that I am any sort of guru or Godly figure, but if you want to give up then don’t. Just because I’m telling you not to.
16. There are people worse-off.  Right now there are many people who are in a worse situation and environment than you are. Are you thinking about giving up running 5 miles a week? Think about the people who are unable to even walk and how much they would give to be able to run 5 miles every day.
17. Improve our world.  When you achieve whatever you set out to achieve you can use your success to make a difference to the world or other peoples lives.
18. Get rich or die trying.  Like 50 Cent says, “Get rich or die trying.” 50 Cent is rich — he made it (although he did get shot 9 times). Face your fears and don’t take the easy way out by giving up.
19. Let the haters hate.  There will always be haters. There will always be plenty of people who try to tear you down. Don’t pay attention to them and don’t take what they say to heart. Let the haters hate and keep believing in yourself.
20. You deserve to be happy. Don’t ever let anybody tell you otherwise. You deserve to be happy and you deserve to have success. Keep that mindset and never give up until you reach your destination!
21. Inspire others. Be an inspiration to others by refusing to give up. Who knows what someone else can achieve because you never gave up and in turn inspired them not to give up.
22. You are so close.  Often when you feel like you want to give up you are so close to making a huge breakthrough. You are just a heartbeat away from success.

#SpirtitualInspiration

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts…
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish…
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by…
God is waiting with you.
When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call…
God is by your side.
When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn…
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated…
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope…
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for…
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe…
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow…
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing…
GOD KNOWS…..


- Kelly D. Caron

Stop.  Whatever you are doing.  Stop.  This is “you” time right now.   Put aside any worries, stresses,  or to-do lists.  You are about to open your mind to the secret power that lies in an attitude of gratitude.

With Thanksgiving coming in a couple weeks, the topic seems appropriate.  But unlike most conversations,  we’re going to dive deeper into why gratitude is so important in your daily life, not just around select holidays. 

Maybe you have felt depressed, stressed, moody, jealous, frustrated or some type of negativity recently.  We’re all human and it is so easy to allow our negative emotions to control us and affect our mood.   And sure, you’re thinking that anyone who says to be thankful during those ’down’ times, is flat out eating too much candy corn and Snickers bars. 

However, think about this.  Some of the worst experiences have proven to be the greatest gifts.  Those challenging and dark times have been great teachers and something unbelievably wonderful typically comes out of it.  When I first moved to Kansas for a new job, I had a broken down car, broken heart and no friends of family.  It wasn't long before I had an adopted aunt, a best friend, different car, and a healed heart.  When I look back to 3 years ago, I'm blown away by how much good has come from such a "rough" time.  What I’m trying to say is: find the good in any situation and be thankful for it.' Embrace the changes of life.  (We serve a good God...who is ALWAYS good!)

Here’s why. 

We know that what we focus on we attract more of.  So where’s your focus - on what you have or what you don’t have?  Do you live in the future or the present? 

When you are grateful for what you currently have, you are actually living in the present moment.  You are then open for more to come (aware of more opportunities that arise).  So practice your gratitude attitude and start living in the moment.  Begin noticing the small blessings around you…maybe it’s a wonderfully prepared meal, the ability to read this newsletter, raking the fall leaves, the company of a friend when you’re broken-hearted, or the fact that you woke up this morning and could "hear" the alarm clock..."see" the time and "feel" the warmth of a blanket! 

Next, being thankful has the power to change your mood quickly from negative to positive.  (Good news if you agreed to feeling some  negativity a few paragraphs ago. ;-) ) Positive energy and good feelings come from acknowledging what you are grateful for, and good vibrations are then generated. 

Quantum physics even states that with positive thinking, the vibrations of your thoughts affect and modify the reality around you.  Did you know that the first 17 seconds of any thought is said to be the most powerful & can create enough energy to start attracting what you are thinking of into your life?  Pretty interesting.

Are you seeing the importance of being grateful?
So how do you get on the gratitude attitude track?  Well, here are some ideas:

• When you run into those negative situations, think about  how things could always be much worse or more difficult.  And even if you do feel negative, once you start looking at what you are grateful for, there is no way you will be able to hold that negative emotion for too long.
• Start the day with positive thinking.  Write a list of things you are thankful for at the end of each day so it’s on your mind when you go to bed (Gratitude Journal).  You will wake up with a gratitude attitude and an open heart.
• Be in the moment and look around you…you are alive and living in this world!
• AND GO SHARE WITH THE WORLD WHAT YOU’RE THANKFUL FOR…

Be blessed & be a blessing,
Bethany

This was a blog post I wrote on November 13, 2008...worthy of a re-post)
World Kindness Day…Today! :) WILL YOU COMMIT TO KINDNESS? 
Change your life & the world.
“Kindness is the bridge to peace.”

Today is “World Kindness Day.”  This is exciting.  The potential of EVERY human on Earth to help create world peace is pretty unbelievable.  Maybe I’m kind of an idealist/dreamer/peace-maker type, but still…I believe.  And it truly starts with you & me. 

First, let’s define kindness:

• the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
• forgivingness: tendency to be kind and forgiving
• the act or the state of charitable behavior to other people, a kind act

Today we are to make it our mission to look beyond ourselves, beyond the boundaries of our country, beyond our culture, our race, our religion, our past; and realize we are all citizens of the same world.  Yes, to let go of differences & past hurts, and learn to appreciate/understand others for who they are & where they are coming from….with a warm heart, sympathy & forgiveness. 

Wow, that sounds challenging doesn’t it?  To be kind…to everyone…all day long.  In your thoughts, words, AND actions.  Yikes!  Whether it’s a broken heart, broken promise, being lied to, or being disappointed by someone…we’ve all had past hurts that left us with hard feelings (could even be on a larger scale - the segregation/racism of past generations).  And it’s difficult as heck to forgive someone in those situations.  How can you be kind to these people?  Or how can you get over someone who lives their life with opposite morals/values than yours?

Well, that’s where you need to let go.  We can’t change the past (‘it is what it is’) and we cant change people…BUT can learn from the past & accept people today.    

You’ve heard the quote “what you think about, you bring about.”  So it is crucial to let go of your negative thoughts/energy and start thinking & doing things with a kind heart.  Focus on the good in people & in your life.  It will take persistence…but soon you will be living a more peaceful life…and creating more peace around you.  Oh and before too long you’ll be thanking God for those ‘challenging’ people & situations that came into your life. ;)

Here’s what you need to do:  Make a commitment to being kind (as silly as that sounds).  Ask yourself this question throughout the day: Is what I am involved in at this moment promoting ‘joining/peace’ or ‘separation/negativity’? 

Also, practice random acts of kindness…start by doing a small thing for someone (perhaps one of those ‘challenging’ people, aka old boyfriend, frustrated stranger) to show you care and appreciate them as a person (even if they don’t ‘deserve’ it).  Or if you want to do something on a bigger scale…volunteer at a local food drive or go on a missions trip.  Whatever you do…do it with a genuine heart and expect nothing in return.  It will brighten someone’s day…and you’ll be amazed at how alive it makes you feel too. 

This is what life is about…using our individual talents & differences to make the world an AWESOME place.  We can have a positive effect on world peace…when we bring order & peace into our lives first. 

BELIEVE