Today's blog comes from Ali Claxton. She has served on the LifeWay Student Events Team for six years and is currently an Event Coordinator and Recreation Specialist. She has been involved in student ministry for over 15 years and is passionate about seeing teenagers discover their identity in Christ. Ali is a free-lance writer, small group leader, girls ministry mentor and avid coffee drinker.

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For one of our FUGE team devotions, we tried a little experiment using empty coffee cups. We talked about how the circumstances of life can empty us of our passion, our patience, our determination and our joy if we choose to dwell on the very things that drain us. OR we can opt for gratitude and acknowledge the goodness of God and all the benefits that come as the result of a personal relationship with the Giver of Hope.

The experiment: with colorful strips of paper and crayons on the table in front of us, we were given the opportunity to fill our coffee cup with written reminders of God’s blessing. Imagine pink and green strips of paper with words like:

REDEMPTION
GRACE
PEACE
JOY
WORD OF GOD
PRESENCE OF GOD
TANGIBLE EVIDENCE OF GOD’S FAVOR
GOD’S PROVISION
RELATIONSHIPS
FAMILY THAT MODELS FAITH
HEALTH
A SOUND MIND
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
A JOB I LOVE
LAUGHTER
TALENTS
ICED COFFEE FROM STARBUCKS (…don’t judge me)
A PLACE TO LIVE THAT FEELS LIKE HOME
STUDENTS I LOVE AND AM HONORED TO WALK ALONGSIDE
MY CHURCH

You get the picture. It didn’t take long for us to polish off all the little strips of paper and look up to find our cups just shy of overflowing. I carried my little object lesson to my desk and continued to fill it the rest of the day. As I walked out the door at the end of the day, I took one quick glance at the cup and smiled at the way God reminds us of His faithfulness.

I recommend this experiment for anyone in need of a little perspective…may your cup overflow.

Today's guest blog comes from Amy Pierson. Amy was girls' minister at Prestonwood Baptist Church for several years before God called her husband and her to work with international college students from unreached countries. And they are expecting their first child! To see stories and more of their daily journey check out: www.teampierson.com

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I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 John 1:4)
 

Last year, I loved walking with several 8th graders I could see God changing and growing weekly. One Sunday I asked if they wanted to go to the football game together. One said, “No way, that’s when we go to the Chinese church’s youth group.” Let me back up to say none of these girls are Chinese or speak Chinese. Then, they proceeded to tell me that two of them had been going every Friday to the Chinese church’s youth group to help them with Bible study. One was even teaching herself drums, so she could start a praise band!

My jaw dropped as they reminded me of something I shared: international missions can happen in your hometown, because many immigrants are only here for 2-3 years then return to their unreached countries. I was thrilled that they remembered and were listening. But, there was a much deeper joy, because I heard about how they were walking in truth and living it!

A few weeks ago, a former student tweeted he lead someone to Christ in a prison outreach my husband initiated. We heard via twitter- What joy! A former student I discipled in high school is now in college. She came to visit me for a few days in NYC and was telling me about all the girls she is discipling in college and in her local church. And, I watched her pour into one of my 7^th graders here. What joy!

I could tell many stories about students bringing me much joy from following and serving Christ without my prodding. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t have any joy stories yet. There were many years of digging hard soil before I did. Pray, be hopeful, and call them to bigger things. Don’t grow weary in doing good, because there is a deeper joy when you hear about a way they are being obedient to something the Lord has shown them.

To see someone grow is a blessing! But, I agree with John…to hear they are walking in truth and making disciples… when they aren't with you... There really is no greater joy!

Today's blog comes from Brittney Mc Cook. Brittney has had the joy of serving the Lord in student ministry as a Bible teacher, small group leader, event planner, T-shirt folder, and coffee shop psychologist for over 6 years and wouldn’t change it for the world. She currently serves as one of the Bible Study Teacher for Pillars Girls Ministry at First Baptist Canton in Canton, Ga & is the Founder of Radiant Girl Ministries. Check out their blog at www.radiantgirlministries.blogspot.com.

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Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” Ps 86:11

The other day I met with a good friend of mine for some lunch and some good old’ fashioned girl talk. As we were sharing with each other all the exciting things God was doing in our lives, she informed me that she would be heading to Iran in April for 5 months to teach English. I knew it had taken her a long time to be okay with leaving everything here in the States to go where God was calling and leading her...so I was more excited than sad.

As blessed as we both were to have grown up in the same student ministry, and even had the same mentor when we were in our late teens/early twenties, no one ever told us what do you do between 16 and the wedding day.We both so deeply longed for a earthly romance, and thought surely by 25 it would have happened by now! We felt we were groomed to live for "that day" and that life only began when you met “the one.” No one every told us that marriage was a gift not a goal. For so many years we both struggled with this whole being single thing. It took us both a long time to learn the beauty of this season and gift of time that God has given us. 

I wish someone would have told me before I set my foot into high school and especially college to not chase a relationship but to instead to chase Jesus. Learn to love the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind. Instead of wishing away this season embrace it as the gift it is; that until you have a good grasp on you're identity in Christ, fall head over heels in love with Jesus, and are satisfied in Christ alone...a relationship is the last thing you need to be worried about. 

It wasn't  until I was about 22 or 23 that my heart finally caught up with my head that there really was a reason for this season. God began to cultivate a desire in my heart to be a lady of dilegence and maximize all this spare time I had for His glory. I have time now that I may not have one day to serve, invest, teach, travel, and most importantly to spend with Jesus. By all means; dream, desire, but don’t wish this season away. There is a reason for it.

That's something we need to communicate to teen girls as well.

In case you're still undecided about coming to the LifeWay Girls' Conference, here are 10 reasons that should make you stop right now, click this link---GIRLS CONFERENCE---and register.

10. You get to see inside the corporate headquarters of LifeWay. Of course, we'll have to blindfold you, take away all recording devices, and then make you cross-your-heart, hope-to-die that you won't tell anyone about it.

9. You have the opportunity to experience downtown Nashville. You haven't seen your fill of cowboy hats, rattlesnake belts, and wanna-be country singers until you've strolled down Broadway at dinnertime on a Friday night. You can call it a "cultural encounter" if you choose to bring teen girls.

8. Chic-Fil-A. Enough said.

7. You might just meet your new best friend. The uniqueness of this conference is this: where else can you meet other women who are passionate about reaching this generation? Who else would understand the frustration when girls flake out on an event? Who else would get why you're tired of conversations about Jacob, Bella, and Edward? I have never experienced such fellowship and unity and energy in any other venue. You just have to experience it to understand what I'm talking about.

6. You get to drink from a fire hydrant. The breakout sessions that we've compiled will give you loads of information, tips, encouragement, and more questions. It'll feel like you've spent the day trying to drink from a fire hydrant. I learn more in that 24 hours than a month looking at articles online.

5. Erin Davis will make you laugh—a lot. She's one of those unique sorts of people who can use the English language to weave stories and truths together in a way that will leave you laughing one minute and convicted the next. She's a rare combination of humble, witty, compelling, and vulnerable. You don't want to miss what she has to say.

4 3/4. Amazing worship with Jaime Jamgochian...without worrying about your Bible study lesson. For me, my worship is often distracted by what I have up ahead--teaching and leading people. But for this one block of time, for these worship sets, you get to be you. Not the leader of girls. So let your worship be free and profound.

4 1/2. Hayley DiMarco is in the house! Haven't heard of her? I bet your girls know her...and have read her books. She's the author of a gazillion books for young adults. And the books are good. Really good. But her voice and her message are even better.

4. You get to meet a real Miss Black USA. Most beauty queens don't make me stop and listen. Most don't have a message that I want to hear. But Ocelia Gibson is different...because she's a passionate follower of Jesus and she cares about the lives of young black women. That's reason enough to punch your ticket and get aboard this train.

3. You get a sneak-peek, private premiere of OctoberBABY. Haven't heard about this movie yet? Check out their website. We'll be offering a late-night opportunity to watch the film after the main session on Friday night. Just bring your kleenexes. Trust me on that one. (And get ready...in April, we're launching a Bible study to go with it!)

2. You can choose to be still. While this weekend has more options than a McDonald's value menu, you have the chance to ignore all of it and be still. We'll have our prayer chapel open all weekend, so if you feel like getting away for a couple of hours, our house of prayer is your house of prayer.

1. God wants to minister to your soul. Let Him use this weekend to refresh you, to wash over you with His love and His grace, and to renew your spirit for this crazy, upside-down, make-you-want-to-pull-your-hair-out thing call girls' ministry.

I get it. The economy is tough. Your schedule already has no margin for breathing. Childcare is a nightmare. I'm with you in that boat. But having been a part of this conference since its birth, I can tell you emphatically that if you feel the desire begin to bubble within you, GO. God will provide the money. Your schedule can change. Your kids can spend time getting spoiled at Granny's house. Take time for yourself and your heart and your ministry. You won't be disappointed. And you might just buy yourself a set of cowboy boots.

Today's guest blog comes from Paul Turner, Student Ministry Specialist at LifeWay. Here's how he describes himself: " I am a dad twice over. My wife and I have somewhat successfully reared two daughters and are investing in a 16-year-old international student from China. It makes us absolutely experts on NOTHING! You can find me on the road encouraging parents, students and their leaders." You can check out his personal blog anytime.

When our daughters were much younger (they are 21 and almost 20 now), they had the habit of saying, “Dad” followed up a nanosecond later by one or two more “Dad!”. No way could anyone short of Evelyn Wood (you know, the speed reader? I am assuming she can hear and answer quickly too) could answer between the first “Dad” and the multitude of “Dads” to follow. It used to irritate the fire out of me. I had almost forgotten this until they both returned home from college last week. Safe to say, they have not lost the ability to repeatedly say my name, “Dad” before I could ever answer.

And then it dawned on me, I miss them saying my name, and I miss them. We really are blessed to have two daughters who love God and love others. My wife and I intentionally decided before we even knew that we would have kids, that we would pray for them daily, and do our best to help them love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength- Deut 6

They are not perfect and I know that full well because I know their parents and I, in particular, know their dad way too well. He is a knuckle head. Thank God that the girls take after their mother on most things.

Be intentional with your girls. Be thankful for them. Pray for them. Say each of your girl’s names in rapid fire so they know what it sounds like. Don’t get angry about it. Grab onto them, hold them close, tell them you love them and show them the love of God in how you treat your spouse, your family, and each one of them.

Today's guest blog comes from Joe Hicks, a dad of three daughters, so he knows a lot about girl world.He works at LifeWay Christian Resources as Team Leader for Fuge Camps. Before coming to Nashville he was the program director at Jenness Park, a camp in northern California, and before that he was a campus minister at Palm Beach Atlantic College. He and his wife, Michelle (one of the regular bloggers on Inside Girls' Ministry) have three children—Karis (17), Kali (15), and Kaia (11). 

A few years ago several dads from my church (who only had daughters) read the book “How to Interview Your Daughter’s Date”. When we finished, we all agreed that the principles laid out in the book were guidelines we wanted to put into practice with our girls. Basically, it said dads should take the time to invite any young man wanting to date their daughter over for dinner with the family and conversation with Dad. I can’t speak for the other dads, but I let my daughters know right away that Dinner and Conversation was going to be a cornerstone in our family. I‘m not sure my girls were excited about it (the book said they wouldn’t be) but then again, I’m not sure they thought I was serious.

As my oldest daughter came of age to date, I reminded her of our Dinner and Conversation plan. She wanted to go with this guy to a concert but was quick to say it was not a date. I asked, “Is he paying?” She said, “Yes.” I asked, “Are you meeting there?” She said, “No, his parents are driving and picking me up.”  I said, “Then it sounds like a date to me.”

In getting ready for the first Dinner and Conversation, I had several people ask me, “Are you going to ask what his intentions are?” I would reply, “No, I know what teenage boys' intentions are. I’m going to make sure he understands my intentions, or he is not going to date my daughter.” After some great advice from a close friend who had already raised two great girls, I had the ground work laid out. I was going to have him over for a great meal and allow the family to keep the dinner conversation light. After dinner I would go to a separate room and ask a few simple questions, “Tell me a little about yourself” “Tell me about your family” “Tell me about your relationship with Christ” stuff like that. (Notice that these are not yes-no questions.) Then I get to the good part. I let the boy know that God has put me in a special place as the leader of this family and father of my daughters. In the role I have a few goals:

1. To lead my family to an understanding of who God is and how He wants to have a close relationship with them.

2. To help them mature in their relationship with God.

3. To have a close relationship as a family.

4. To help my daughters understand the importance of going into marriage as a pure vessel.

Then I would ask him, “Can you help me accomplish these goals, because I don’t need my daughters going out with people who are not headed in the same direction.” The first time this happened, the guy had a great answer; it was not just “Yes” but he also began to talk about how our youth minister was teaching the guys in our church how to treat girls with respect. As you can imagine, I was impressed.

Over the past few years I have had the privilege to have Dinner and Conversation with 3 guys, each of them passing the test. You might be asking, “But does it really make a difference?” Great question, I am not sure. At some point, my wife and I have to trust that our daughters will make great decisions based on how we have raised them. But I can tell you this: Dinner and Coversation gets the relationship started in the right direction and it weeds out the guys who aren't ready. Your average teenage guy isn’t up for the challenge.

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This blog would be a great way to help equip the parents of girls. Feel free to pass it along!

Today's blog comes from James Jackson, who is the editor of Life Truths, a Sunday School curriculum for parents. He is the father of two boys, so he feels like he's crashing a slumber party when he writes for the Girls Ministry Blog. But he married a godly woman, he prays every day that his boys will eventually do the same thing, and he knows it is impossible to overestimate the importance of girls' ministry. Find out more about Life Truths Bible Study here.

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When my carpool buddy picked me up this morning, I noticed that he was more than the usual bit bleary-eyed. As we typically do, we debriefed our weekends, and I soon found out the reason for the red-eye. Two words: Black Friday. See, my friend is the father of two teenaged daughters, and they convinced their dad that the ONLY way to find what they were shopping for IN THEIR SIZE was to be in line at the mall at the stroke of midnight the day after Thanksgiving. Which, for sane people, means Thanksgiving night. 

You should know that this is the same friend who, when there was an opportunity for his daughters to be in the background of a Justin Bieber video that was shot in our town loaded them up and stayed up with them until the wee hours of the morning so they could catch a glimpse of him. 

This isn’t the world I live in. I have boys. The only time I’ve stood in line to buy something for my teenager was when the last Call of Duty game came out. I’ve never been down the pink aisle at Toys R Us. When we go to Disney World, we don’t have breakfast with the princesses.

But here is what I know about my friend. My friend knows that fathers of daughters have only a few precious years in which their daughters are chasing their dads to spend time with them. And when those years are up, fathers will spend the rest of their lives chasing them. So for my friend, Black Friday wasn’t really about finding the last size small of the cute sweater. And the Bieber video shoot wasn’t really about Justin Bieber. At least not for him. I hope. This morning in carpool, he said, “I don’t get to use the hash tag ‘bonding with my daughters’ very often. So I want to make the most of the times when I can.”

If you are a dad reading this blog, you have my props, because there probably aren’t many of you. But if you are a girl’s ministry volunteer or professional, would you consider passing this along to the dads in their ministry? Let them know their opportunities to use that particular hash tag are limited. Pray for them today, that they will make the most of them.