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Are you raising an encourager?

Did you know yesterday was National Day of Encouragement? In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the apostle Paul tells the church to “encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Encouragement was God’s idea! That’s why we ought to be instilling it in our children. Here’s how.

 

Point your kids to Jesus. Encouragement starts in the heart, and the only way to fill a heart with good things is by inviting Jesus to dwell within it.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

 

Teach them to think of others. It’s tough to encourage someone else if all you’re doing is thinking about yourself. Establish an environment of humility and generosity in your home. Serve others. Pray for others. Show your kids that caring about other people is important and fun. Then they will be primed to “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4).

 

Practice encouraging words. Compliments and kudos may not come naturally to every child. Make a habit of speaking encouraging words in your family so these types of conversations become ingrained in their character. For example, at dinner time, have everyone go around the table and say something nice about the person sitting on their left. Talk about the troubles or successes the kids are having in school and nudge siblings to voice their support.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24).

 

Be your child’s cheerleader. The best way to teach encouragement is by giving encouragement. Tweens in today’s world are up against a lot of discouraging voices and ideas. Be the safe place where your kids will hear truth—that God created them, values them, and loves them no matter what. And so do you.

 

“…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17–19).

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Back to School Bible Studies

Ah, the smell of crisp notebooks and newly sharpened pencils! Back-to-school brings a feeling of fresh starts, which makes it the perfect time to kick off a Bible study for your kids. But how? Here are a few ideas.

 

Family Bible Time—Set aside one evening a week for the entire family to do “Bible Time” together. Choose a devotional such as Real Girls of the Bible or a video series like JellyTelly’s Bible Notes with Cliff, or just read straight from the Faithgirlz Bible. Get the kids involved by inviting them to read aloud and asking them some probing questions. Invite them to choose a special snack or dessert to enjoy each week while you explore God’s Word together.

 

Small Group Fun—Invite another family or friends from the neighborhood to join you in a biweekly Bible study. This can be a great way to build relationships and gain new perspectives on God’s Word. Or, if you’re already part of an adult small group, consider inviting the kids along to host their own mini study. Teens and tweens can create lessons for the younger kids, which gives children of all ages an opportunity to dive into the Bible together.

 

Personal Reflection—Tweens are old enough to begin taking responsibility for their own personal Bible time. Arm your daughter with a Faithgirlz devotional journal and encourage her to set aside 20-30 minutes before school or bedtime to study the Word on her own. Check in from time to time and ask her what she’s learning. Invite her to ask you questions as well and to share what’s on her heart. Consider going through the same devotional in your own personal Bible time and meeting once a week to compare notes. This can strengthen your relationship with God and one another.

 

However you choose to make Bible study a part of your family life, be sure to check out the wealth of resources available in our Faithgirlz shop. We’re here to equip parents and daughters to grow in their faith together!

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What to Do When Friends Are Unkind

Girls. They’re smart and fun and creative and sweet.

 

And not so sweet—sometimes.

 

Ask any woman who’s been through middle school and she’ll tell you girls can be catty, critical and downright mean to each other at times. The tween years are a prime season for developing close friendships, but even the best of friends will sometimes stumble through spats or judgment slips.

 

So what’s a girl to do when friends are unkind? Here are some tips for guiding your daughter through rough patches.

 

  1. We all have bad days and grumpy moods. Encourage your daughter to give her friend the benefit of the doubt and always forgive an unkind word or action. Why? Because Jesus forgives us. And He commands us to do the same for others.

    “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

  2. One of the best ways to repair a rift in a friendship is to pray about it. Your daughter can ask God to instill more kindness, selflessness, patience and forgiveness in her own heart first, then also her friend’s. As a bonus, she may discover it’s harder to stay mad at someone she’s asking God to bless.

    “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28)

 

  1. Examine yourself. So your friend was unkind, but what part did you play (if any)? Did you do or say something to upset her? Have you been a good friend lately? Be careful not to suggest your daughter is to blame anytime someone is mean to her (that is NOT the lesson we’re going for here), but do encourage her to consider what Jesus says in Scripture:

    “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:4)

  2. Confront—kindly. Help your daughter muster the courage to address the problem directly with her friend. Not in anger or by playing the victim, but simply by explaining how the friend’s behavior made her feel. Sometimes girls don’t even realize what they said or did was hurtful. It’s much better to get it out in the open than to let hurt feelings fester.

    “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew 18:15)

 

Decide if this person is really a friend. Is her unkind behavior an occasional incident or a constant problem? True friends will love as Jesus loves. If your daughter has confronted her friend gently and honestly yet the mean streak continues or turns to bullying, encourage her to pray and forgive—but then let go. Her time and energy are better spent on friends who build her up, not tear her down.

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Preparing Your Child’s Heart for Back to School

Summer is fun but school can be, too. This time of year we need to help our kids transition from flip flops and popsicles to textbooks and alarm clocks. That process goes beyond just shopping for school supplies. It’s important to prepare their hearts, too.

 

Here are three ways to encourage your children as they get ready to go back to school.

 

  1. Pray. Each evening as a family, pray for your child’s teachers and classmates. Pray that the teachers would find the time and energy they need to prepare their curriculum and class materials. Pray that they would be filled with wisdom and compassion for their students and that God would bless their calling. Pray also for your child to be surrounded by kind and loving friends, and that she would have the courage to live out her faith this school year.
  2. Create a schedule. Work with your daughter to devise a reasonable schedule that includes time for personal Bible reading and devotions amid all those homework projects and extracurriculars. Encourage her to be intentional about carving out time for family and rest as well, “for God gives rest to his loved ones” (Psalm 127:2b, NLT).
  3. Go on a practice run. If you’ve got to go back to school, you might as well make it a party. Pick a morning the week school resumes and invite friends to join you on a test run. Set the alarms, get dressed and ready, then meet in the school parking lot for donuts. It’s a great opportunity to get excited about the year ahead!

 

Regardless of how you prepare, be sure to remind your daughter why school is part of God’s plan for her life. Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man,” she can do it, too.

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Hello Stars

Squeee! Are you ready for some exciting news? FaithGirlz is thrilled to announce an all-new fiction series for tween girls—Lena in the Spotlight! This fantastic story of faith, family and fame is written by Alena Pitts, tween blogger and star of the movie War Room, and her mom, author and blogger, Wynter Pitts. If you’re a Faithgirlz fiction fan, you’re going to love Hello Stars!

 

The first story in a two-book series, Hello Stars introduces us to Lena Daniels, a headstrong and determined young lady who knows what she wants in life. When she gets an unexpected chance to audition for a starring role—and wins it—Lena suddenly discovers that everything she thought she wanted isn’t quite so glamorous after all.

 

Join Lena, her little sisters, her best friends Savannah and Emma, and her mischievous pup Austin in this delightful tale of persevering through challenges. Will Lena’s faith keep her grounded in the spotlight? Will she make wise choices in the face of stardom? Find out—and be encouraged—in Hello Stars: Lena in the Spotlight.

 

Hello Stars releases April 25. Be among the first to read this amazing story—pre-order your copy today! When you pre-order, you will be given access to an exclusive online Q&A with Alena, Wynter, and Priscilla Shrier! Click here for details on redemption.

 

Also, you can click here and read chapter 1 of Hello Stars now!

 

Ready to order your copy? Find your favorite retailer here!

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Mom-Daughter Dates

In honor of Valentine’s Day we decided to compile a list of five of our favorite Mom-Daughter dates. What are some of your favorite Mom-Daughter dates? As long as you and your daughter are being intentional to create moments that allow you two to grow closer together, then there isn’t a wrong answer. Have fun!

Ice Cream

Taking some time to enjoy each other’s company while you enjoy some delicious ice cream is sure to be a memorable time.

Tea Time

Find a local hotel, tea house or restaurant who has a dedicated afternoon tea time. Get dressed up in very elegant attire and enjoy some afternoon tea and biscuits (or scones). Enjoy!

Cooking Class

Growing up I loved to bake with my mom. There is something about the preparation and expectation of the result that helped our relationship grow. Take that same idea out of your home kitchen and learn a few new recipes together in a class.

Spa Day

Mani. Pedi. Facial. Relaxing during a spa day is such a great way to slow down and connect with each other.

Volunteer

Serving together can leave such a lasting bond. Seek out an opportunity in an area of need that interests your daughter. A few ideas are serving at a food kitchen, doing yard work for an elderly neighbor, or shopping to restock a homeless shelter together.
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Twelve Days of Faithgirlz Giveaway!!

In case you missed it, we are holding a Twelve Days of Christmas with Faithgirlz Giveaway on both our Facebook and Instagram pages! We are giving away a Faithgirlz book each day for the first 12 days of December! Simply follow along with both Faithgirlz’ accounts for the book image posted each day. Once posted, you have 24 hours to comment on the image and you’re automatically entered! A winner will be randomly selected each day and one person who comments on all 12 images will have a chance to win all 12 books!

Merry Christmas!

For official rules please visit Facebook and Instagram.

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An Attitude of Gratitude

 

[God said,] What I want from you is your true thanks;

I want your promises fulfilled.

I want you to trust me in your times of trouble,

so I can rescue you and you and you can give me glory.

– Psalm 50:14 TLB 

  AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE                                        

         Whatever the circumstances, no matter what, we should always remember to have “Thank you, God” on our minds. After all, the Lord has given us our life, parents, our BFFs, pets, nature, health. We can see, hear, speak, smell, taste, and feel. (We could go on forever, but you get the picture.) Let’s just say, (and the Bible has) that “Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven.” (James 1:17 ). What’s more, on top of it all, God has given us the perfect gift: his Son.

Jesus continually thanked his Father for everything. That tells us how important an attitude of gratitude must be.

On the hill, in front of a hungry crowd he would feed with a few loaves and fish… “Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people who were sitting there.” (John 6:11).

Before he raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I’m grateful that you have listened to me.” (John 11:41 MSG).

Even at the last supper, when his thoughts must have been filled with the terror of what was to come, Jesus “gave thanks,” before he ate and drank with his disciples.” (Mark: 14: 22, 23)

Okay, but if we get a “F” on our finals, don’t make the cheerleading team, or our parents divorce, though, we certainly can’t think Gee, thanks, God for that.

Oh, but we can, and we should! The Bible says “give thanks in all circumstances,” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and that’s a good habit to form for some very good reasons:

It shows God we trust him—not just when things are going our way—but when the bad stuff comes along too. It proves we believe he’s a loving Father who has a plan for us, and though we might not understand what it’s all about, he does. It shows him we have faith that everything he sends, will, in the long run, be to our benefit.

See, what we’re trying to do is to get to the point where we’re thinking Thank You, God, not…. Oh my God….automatically, even when we can’t imagine what good can possibly come of a situation.

The Bible says, “all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.” (Romans 8:28 TLB)

And we just have one thing to say about that: “Thank You, God.”

P.S. Jesus healed ten lepers. But only one returned to thank him. When God does something spectacular in your life, do you say thank you?

 
From WHATEVER IS LOVELY: a 90-day Devotional Journal, from the FaithGirlz collection, written by Allia Zobel Nolan, and available December 9 @ e http://tinyurl.com/qetr75f. Zobel Nolan is the author of close to 200 titles. She writes mainly about God and cats. Visit her @ www.AlliaWrites.com.

whateverislovely

 

 

 

 

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Redo Your Room (Create a Homework Haven!)

RYR-BLOG

Welcome to the new school year, Mom!

Are you and your tween surviving this thing called “homework” again?

Yep… we’re all groaning a little!

But here’s a little distraction from homework for you both, which will also prove to be a homework enhancer! After all, everyone works better in a beautiful, peaceful environment, and your daughter probably does too.

The editors of Faithgirlz and Girl’s Life magazine have teamed up to bring you and your tween an awesome book, full of fun, affordable ways to brighten up your daughter’s room.

Redo Your Room

Redo Your Room

This is exactly what you need for some incentive or maybe a reward for those tough homework assignments. Plus you’ll get to enjoy some mom/daughter together time!

What to expect:

  • Simple projects that can refresh a tired space or a weary face.
  • Tips to brighten things up, organize, get crafty, and spruce up the things you already love.

What not to expect:

  • Over-the-top projects that break the bank.

Your girl has a long school year ahead of her, why not make her homework zone more of a haven?

And while you’re at it, remind her that the joy we find in beautifying our rooms and our homes is a great example of the delight our God takes in remodeling us!

He’s always eager to help us clean the house of our heart. He never stops working on us, shaping us, teaching us, helping us grow and learn.

And the end result is a life of inner beauty that inspires others.

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6b

Let God redo your heart and mind today!

And have fun as you redo your girl’s room too!

To learn more or order Redo Your Room Click Here!

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Celebrate Freedom!

4thofJuly

As we prepare for the 4th of July and get ready to celebrate our independence – it is important to remember what true FREEDOM looks like!

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

– Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

Challenge yourself this 4th of July to talk with your Faithgirl about what that looks like.

 

For FUN:
We enjoy great freedoms as American citizens – and should celebrate accordingly!

We’ve thrown some craft + recipe ideas together on a NEW Pinterest Board: A Faithgirlz 4th of July.

Pinterest-4thofJuly

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