Living With Purpose
Day after day we hear of troubled youth in the media and the indiscretions they commit. Bad news always travels faster than good news. But it’s refreshing to know that all youth are not beatniks. Let’s choose to promote the positive and highlight the good that our youth offer to society. I have encouraged my daughter, Anna Marie to become a guest columnist for Living With Purpose for some time now. It’s high time we come to understand this generation of teenagers and young adults. It’s high time their positive voice be heard so that we can learn what they’re thinking and how we can guide them into adulthood. Millennials are people born in the 1980s and 1990s. I know of many positive young people, but mostly I know my daughter and my son who were both born in the 1990s.
Anna Marie recently started a blog (notabasicgirl.blogspot.com). Through the use of the modern teen language, she seeks to express her feelings through words. After a brief introduction of herself she shares the purpose of her blog. I hope you and especially the teen generation are inspired to pursue positive living through her sharing. Ladies and gentleman, I proudly present my daughter, Anna Marie Dobson:
Never thought I would have ever made a blog, but hey, there is a first for everything.
Although I feel like I am talking to myself, let me introduce myself. My name is Anna Marie. I am a senior, c/o ’14. (ALMOST DONE!!) I play basketball, but baseball is my favorite sport. Atlanta Braves all the way. I am into graphic design and photography. Singing is something I enjoy. Starbucks and Chick-fil-a is where it is at. And blah blah. Enough about me.
I started this blog because I wanted a way to spread The Word. I don’t know everything there is to know, but I know that I want to share with others what I know and believe and help in any way that I can. In this post I will share my life verse and what it means to me. 1 Timothy 4:12 “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example for other believers in speech, faith, love, and purity.” I found this verse a few years back and it has stuck with me ever since. Basically it is saying just cause we are young, and not adults does not mean that’s a reason we can’t do something big and bold like share our faith with others. I want to set a example for other teenage girls struggling with issues such as insecurities, failing friendships, gossiping. We all go through it. Growing up in our world today is not an easy thing. We are faced by temptation every day. We see it at school, on TV, in the music we listen to. It’s everywhere, but that is why I am here to help. Each blog will have a few verses and a short message with it too. So help me out and share this blog with others (notabasicgirl.blogspot.com).
I have heard before that our tongue is the most power weapon we have. Do you agree?
I bet you have also heard the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt!” Let me just say, I surely beg to differ! We’ve all been there before in the heat of the moment when we say something out of anger that we really don’t mean only to later regret. Proverbs 13:3 (NLT) says “Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.”
I know what you are thinking. How on earth am I suppose to tame my tongue? What if I just say it in my head so the other person doesn’t technically hear it? Let me stop you right there. Maybe you didn’t say it out loud, but you still thought it and that is still just as hurtful believe it or not. There are plenty ways to tame your tongue that doesn’t involve having to literally bite your tongue to keep you from saying it although that can help. When in the heat of the moment, just stop. Take a deep breath. Exhale in. Exhale out. Feeling better yet? If not, that’s okay. Not every person is the same so that technique might not work for you, but everyone does have one thing that can calm them and help them relax. Perhaps a sport such as baseball, or basketball. It may even be running. *Fun fact* Running has actually been proven help release stress. Next time, you’re frustrated with someone or just anything in general lace up those shoes and go for a jog! Others may take hot showers to relax. Some even plug in their iPod and start a major jam session. Find what is best for YOU.
If music is what helps you relax, then be careful what you listen to. I remember talking to one my youth leaders and we started talking about the things we hear day to day begin to be things we think about. For example, the more we are around people who curse, the more we think about it making it easier for it to slip out of your own mouth or even THINK it.
Do you like music? Of course you do! Who doesn’t? 🙂 Do you listen to rap or country? How about worship songs? In today’s world, it is hard to find good music with positive and uplifting words. Some of my favorite Christian artist are Christy Nockels, Lecrae, Britt Nicole, Phillips Craig & Dean, Chris Tomlin, and the list could go on and on! Fill your ears with more artist like these to help prevent secular words or thoughts from slipping out when in the heat of the moment or just in general. Did you know that the band Building 429 actually got their band name from the verse below? How cool is that? Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” I absolutely LOVE this verse!
My goal for you over the next few days is to start taming your tongue and see what a difference that makes in your relationships with your family, and friends. Psalm 141:3 (NLT) “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.”
P.S. Be sure to follow the twitter account @NotABasicGirl_ and send in prayer requests or other topics you have. Or you can email me @ annamarie1521@gmail.com.
• This weekly column is written by Matt Dobson. A graduate of Florida State University, Univ. of West Florida, and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, he is Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Jay, Florida and a 1LT Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves. Matt can be reached by email: rmdobson@liberty.edu. He welcomes your thoughts concerning faith, belief, and Christian living. Visit the Living With Purpose website at www.living-with-purpose.org.
