GLZBCYouthNewsletter • volume 3 • March 2015 • price: Free VESSELS MONTHLY When Friendships Fail What to do when friendships fall apart 1 CONTENTS: 3 Let’s Talk From the Editor: Angelica Anderson VESSELSMONTHLY March, 2015 4 The Moody Foodie 5 Spotlight: Black History Presentation 6 CoverStory: When friendships fail 8 Girls Only: Staying Strong 9 Brother: On Blast: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 10Game Page: Poll 11 V-List 12 Moral of the Story Vessels Contributors 1 Angelica Anderson 3 Cecily Paterson Member of Greater Little Zion Baptist Church involved in Youth, This moth feature Cecily Paterson. Writer. Mother. Dance, and Girls’s Ministry. Passionate about coaching varsity Christian. Wife. Chauffeur. Cook. Cleaner. Thinker. Sorter. cheerleading, writing, reading and working with youth. Designer. Creator. Reader. Obsessive. Distracted. Friendly. Annoyed. Annoying. Wry. Generous. Thoughtful. Quiet. Bossy. Old and getting older. Just a person really. What I’m REALLY 2 Mea Anderson Member of GLZBC and is Vice President of the Youth Ministry. interested in is relating to people. The second part of the greatest commandment. ‘Love God’ seems clear enough. But Loves reading, running track and great food! This month Mea sometimes I struggle with ‘love your neighbor as yourself’. is reporting on weird foods that make delicious snacks. In her People annoy me. So I think about friendships. Fellowship. new column, “The Moody Foodie”, Mea will bring her picky Love and hate and in betweens. How it works. And how Jesus eating taste to Vessels every month with passionate opinions makes a visible, tangible difference to the way I relate to and reviews about food that she loves and hates! others. 2 VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 ...About Cyberbullying When you think of bullies, you may think of a kid larger than the rest of the kids who has spiky hair and tattoos. They may go the extra stereotypical mile of stuffing people in lockers, stealing lunch money or giving the occasional wedgie. But times have changed. The modern day bully doesn’t need a scary reputation or street cred. All they need these days is a computer, Facebook or Twitter account, or an iphone. Social media has changed the game, making bullies available in our everyday life, and at times nearly impossible to get away from. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that is constantly mutating. The majority of teens have the different social media accounts in their back pockets right now. These days, bullies threaten, harass, and intimidate people online. Here are a few ways to respond to cyberbullying: 1. Evaluate the severity of the threats Is this a genuine bully, or a friend having a bad day? Do you feel scared, or worry that the person will harm you physically? If you do, you need to report it to an older trustworthy adult ASAP. Save the messages, print them out and take it to your parents, or a teacher you trust. 2. Pray for the bully Sometimes, it's obvious the bully has some serious issues, and is in need of help. I'm sure you want them to get that help, or at the very least you want them to leave you alone. We know that God doesn't like bullies - just take a look at 2 Kings 2:23-24 23 3. Tune them out. Try not to obsess or focus too much on what these bullies say. Try your best to move on! The more you let this situation hinder your day to day life, the more you empower the bully. Delete them from your accounts. 4. Find opportunities to grow James 1:2-4, tells us to count everything as joy. Even our trials. It can be hard to consider bullying “all joy” but think about what you can learn: Conflict resolution,Value of words, Overcoming obstacle; Trust in Jesus. God will see you through! 3 VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 The Moody Foodie: Great Restaurants for Lent Season Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted...a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul...a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide...we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world. Serve many delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes! Several Locations. HOURS: Sunday 9:00 AM - 12:00 Midnight Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM - 12:00 Midnight Friday 8:00 AM - 1:00 AM Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 AM ENJOY GREAT FOOD FROM RESTAURANTS THAT SERVE, VEGAN, VEGETARIAN AND GLUTEN FREE MEALS! PERFECT FOR LENT! Chop’t Chop't Creative Salad Company is a chain of fast casual restaurants with locations in New York City and the Washington, DC area. The company was founded in 2001 and focuses on serving salads, although wraps are also available. Many locations in DMV Mon - Thur 10:30a - 8:15p Fri 10:30a to 8:30p Sat 11a to 8:30p Sun 11a - 7:45p Chipotle Chipotle Mexican Grill serves food with integrity. That means they serve the very best sustainably raised food possible with an eye to great taste, great nutrition and great value. Mon - Sun 11:00am - 10:00pm 4 BU S B OY S AND POETS EGYPTIAN FOOLE DIP THIS IS A DELICIOUS APPETIZER THAT IS AS GENEROUS AS A MEAL! IT IS A WARM FAVA BEAN DIP SERVED WITH TOMATOES, SCALLIONS, JALAPENOS, OLIVE OIL AND TOASTED, WHOLE WHEAT PITA BREAD! ONLY $7 CHOP’T VEGETARIAN POWERHOUSE SALAD EVERYTHING A HEALTHY BODY NEEDS: BROCCOLI, EDAMANE, CARROTS, SUNFLOWER SEEDS, WALNUTS, CRAISINS AND APPLES CHOP’T WITH SPINACH AND ROMAINE LETTUCE WITH BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE OR EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL. $7.99 CHIPOTLE VEGETARIAN BURRITO BOWL SERVED WITH A CHOICE OF BROWN RICE OR CILANTRO-LIME RICE, PINTO OR BLACK BEANS, CORN SALSA OR PICO DE GALLO, OR GUACAMOLE. CHIPOTLE ALWAYS GIVES A GENEROUS AMOUNT OF FOOD. SO THIS DISH IS VERY FILLING! VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 Spotlight: Black History Moment with Youthful Praise of Zion Youthful Praise of Zion puts on a powerful, Black Lives Matter, presentation BLA C K HIS TO R Y PRESE NTA TI ON Y O UT H FUL P R AI SE OF ZIO N Under the direction of Christian Davis, Dolores Claytor and president, Cayla Parson on the 2nd Sunday in February, the youth gave a memorable presentation highlighting the senseless deaths of unarmed African Americans by the hands of the police. MA R I A H P I TT S ME A A N D ER S ON V I C TO RI A P I TT S K EI T H W I LL I A MS 5 VESSELSMONTHLYMarch 2015 CoverStory: Putting God On The Witness Stand By Cecily Paterson If you flip through the first 15 chapters of the book of Acts, you see a tight partnership in Paul and Barnabas. They travel and preach together, they do miracles and get beaten up together. Their lives are pretty intertwined. You’d definitely say they are close friends. But in chapter 15:39, we see Paul and Barnabas disagree so strongly and sharply, they have to split up and head in different directions. Friendships fail and fade for a number of different reasons. In this article, I’ll look at a few of them. send friends in opposite directions. What can you do if it happens to you? Work out if it’s more important to stick by your opinion, or work with the relationship. If you and your friend agree to disagree, do it in a gracious and generous way. Don’t destroy your friend because they think differently. Natural changes As we grow up, our priorities shift. A typical teenage pattern is to have a best friend who you do everything with. If that person finds a girlfriend or boyfriend before you do, all of a sudden they might not have time for you anymore! And if Differences of opinion All through the book of Acts, Barnabas is known as the ‘encourager’. When it came to giving people second chances, he was always generous. Paul, on the other hand, found it harder to work with people who had already let him down. And when Barnabas wanted to include John Mark, who Paul didn’t think much of, Paul wasn’t able to agree. The two friends had such different ideas about it that they couldn’t work together. Different opinions don’t have to end a friendship, but sometimes they might 6 Proverbs 22:24-27 Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you? they get married, you can feel like you’ve lost your friend. It’s no-one’s fault. It’s a natural change that happens to everyone as they grow up. Of course, that doesn’t mean you might not feel it strongly. But if you can understand the process, and give your friends permission to shift, you’ll be happier. Personality differences When I met Becky at uni, we ‘clicked’ immediately. Our friendship was fantastic for about two years, and then things started to drop off. I felt like I was chasing to see her all the time and eventually, I just gave up. I think it came down to a personality difference. I value being on time, spending time and being available. She valued gifts and words of friendship. Her personality allowed her to really enjoy the people she was with at the time. Mine prefers loyalty to old friends and keeping commitments. If this happens to you, try to understand the differences and let it go. I expected Becky to be like me but she wasn’t. If it happens that we get back in touch, that would be nice, but in the meantime, there are so many other great people out there. VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 Just because In eighth grade at boarding school, I was friends with Grace. One day, she just took a huge dislike to me but never told me why. She refused to speak to me or look at me, ignoring me completely at meals, in our dorm room and in class. After a while, I decided that she could be as ridiculous as she liked, but that I would still be pleasant to her. So every time I passed her in the hall, I said ‘hi Grace’. I smiled at her pleasantly. I asked her to pass things at meals, and I was as conciliatory as I could be. She ignored me successfully for about two months. And then one afternoon, she found her way down to my piano practice room, knocked on the door and said, “I’m really sorry. I just decided I didn’t like you one day and I was unfair and mean to you. But you kept being nice to me, even when I was being horrible. And I feel bad and I need to apologize.” If it happens to you, keep being godly, generous and kind, even if you don’t feel like it. Even if you don’t see the results of your behavior, your friend will still see what kind of Christian person you are. People change 7 You hear people say a lot “real friends don’t judge. They are happy for whatever makes the other person happy.” That’s true – but only to a certain extent. Friends are friends because they have something in common. But if one person changes or follows a different route in life, it is hard for a friendship to continue in the same way. Maybe you know of friends who are changing and making decisions that you don’t think are right: sleeping around, drinking a whole lot, smoking pot or doing other drugs. Psalm 55:12-14 For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng. Of course, sometimes you do need to stick it out. A friend who goes through a Maybe you’re the one who is making trauma, or who has depression, or who different decisions. If you change, even in has long-standing emotional difficulties is good ways, you may expect your going to need a lot of long term support, friendships to change too. Young people even and especially if they do some who become Christians and start living unwise things that you don’t like. differently often find that their relationships are altered because of it. This is an area for wisdom and prayer. You can’t control your friends. You can’t make them do what you would do. However, try not to give up on people. If you really can’t continue in the friendship in the same way it may help to express why – honestly and with love - to your friend. Perhaps you could have a different type of friendship. VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it! Stylebizz Excerpts from chrisitianteens.com does not forget you. True faith is developed even when you don’t feel God. Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 2. Do a Daily Devotional Staying Strong 4 Ways to stay strong in God “To me, staying strong is really important. A lot of people have faith, have hope, but now what? How do you continue to be strong? It’s about doing things daily and taking care of yourself...” Demi Lovato said to USA Today about her book of daily affirmations, Staying Strong. The Disney Channel star and chart topping singer has had her share of trials. Struggles with depression, cutting, bullying and an eating disorder have plagued her life but she’s come out on the other sides. With the pressures of high school, cliques, cyberbullying and friendship angst, how do we as children of God cope when finding five minutes for God seems like just another chore. Here are some ways to keep your faith strong when you are going through your own trials and feel weak: 1. Remember that God is Always There Even in the driest times, when you just don’t feel God’s presence, you need to remember that God is always there. He “I’m nervous to share my story. But the last time I did people were really respectf ul.... 8 Developing long-term habits is important to maintaining your faith. A daily devotional will keep you in the Word and enhance your prayer life. It will also keep you closer to God even when you struggle in your faith. Philippians 2:12-13 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” 3. Get Involved Many people become apathetic over time, because they do not feel connected to a church body. Some churches do not offer ways to connect. Yet, there are a lot of activities on campuses and in the community. You can even look into other ministries. The more connected you are to the body of Christ, the more likely it is that you will maintain your faith. Romans 12:5 – “so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” 4. Talk to Someone If you feel separated from God or you find yourself backsliding, talk to someone. Try your old youth leader, a pastor, or even your parents. Talk through your issues and pray with them about your struggle. They can offer insight into how they have worked through their own struggles. Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God” VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 League of Extraordinary Gentlemen African American guys defying the odds to become successful Some excerpts from aboutreligion.com Akintunde Ahmad is from Oakland. The 17-year-old with his locs and laid back attitude might say that he’s just an ordinary dude from the city, but he’s actually out here doing amazing things. The amazing things include getting a 2100 on his SAT, sustaining a 5.0 GPA and recently being accepted to quite a few Ivy League schools, including Yale, Brown and Columbia. But Ahmad says like many black youths, he’s been judged for his appearance. However, if asked about his honor roll status and grades, Ahmad will show you his outstanding report card, which he keeps a screenshot of in his phone. Also an athlete excelling on the baseball field, Yale has approached Ahmad about attending and playing for the university. He says he’s now deciding between Yale and Brown, but whatever school he chooses will be quite lucky to have a young man like him strutting through the halls. He’s not the only one making his mark. 17-year-old Kwasi Enin of New York and Avery Coffey, from Washington, DC both have been in the news for their several top-tier, Ivy League school acceptances to include Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Brown and Dartmouth. So what does it take to achieve such goals? 9 1. Pray - Sometimes we think that God is only in the most spiritual parts of their lives, but God is in every aspect of your life. He wants you to succeed. 2. Lose the Excuses - It can be easy to put off studying until the last minute. The things going on around you can be tempting ways to procrastinate. You need to keep your focus. 3. Plan Ahead - You know that certain tests are coming up, so plan your study time wisely. Try and write down a study schedule so you know what you need to study and when you need to study it. 4. Find a Study Group - Whether you study with people in your church youth group or people at school, having a study group can be very supportive and helpful. insight into certain topics for one another. Just be sure your study group is actually focused on studying. 5. Prep For Your Exam How do you practice? Write your own exam. As you are studying, take some note cards and write down questions that you think may make it on the exam. Then compile your note cards and begin answering your questions. If you get stuck, just look up the answer. By taking the "practice test" you will be much more prepared for the real thing. SAT prep is an option for college admissions test. Yes, the road may be tough but it is achievable with God. We should all: “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 Vessels Game Page Vessels and Lent Giving God Your Best! 10 VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 Vessels Book Shelf Jesus is______. Reviewed by Jill Williamson The V-List Top 3 A list of new, great and relevant things that you need to stay in tune for and too! OScars The anthem from Selma – written by John Legend and Common — was the odds-on favorite to win, especially after it won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Legend told the Academy audience that “the struggle for justice is right now” citing the high number of black men incarcerated today. Congratulations! Fashion A New York Times Best-Seller! Jesus is ____. How would you finish that sentence? The subject is there, and so is the verb, but what comes next? Your answer could shed light on the path to becoming who you were made to be. In these pages, Judah Smith fills out that sentence again and again, each time further revealing the character of Jesus. He writes as if to a friend, illustrating the importance of Christ’s message to modern men and women. This is a book for new believers, for lifelong followers, and for the merely curious. Judah Smith shows us the Jesus that somber paintings and hymns fail to capture. With passion, humor, and conviction, he shows that Jesus is life. Jesus is grace. Jesus is your friend. Jesus is a new and better way to be human. Meet the Author Judah Smith and his wife, Chelsea, are the lead pastors of The City Church in Seattle, Washington. Judah is in high demand as a speaker, both in the United States and abroad. Judah and Chelsea have three children: Zion, Eliott, and Grace. ~ Amazon 11 A Pair of Moto Boots Motorcycle boots are definitely a wardrobe staple to invest in for the coming year. We love Chelsea boots, knee-highs, and booties, but there is nothing more seasonally transitional and sartorially diverse than a great pair of black leather moto boots. Entertainment “Fashion Police” host Giuliana Rancic issued a lengthy on-camera apology for disparaging comments she made about the dreadlocked hairstyle that Disney Channel star Zendaya sported on the Oscars red carpet. Rancic’s comments that Zendaya’s hair smelled like “patchouli oil . . . or weed” touched a nerve. The first to push back was Zendaya herself, who in a detailed rebuttal called out Rancic for leaning on lazy racial stereotypes that associate locs exclusively with marijuana smokers Zendaya accepted her apology with a letter that closed with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Good for her! VESSELSMONTHLY March 2015 Moral Of The Story Almighty Strength Man will dwell again in his shade. He will flourish like the grain. He will blossom like a vine, and fame will be like the wine from Lebanon. Hosea 14:7 4:6 If you are under a heavy burden or facing tough problems, you have someone in your corner -- the same God who freed his weary children from slavery, fed them in a barren desert and led them to promised peace. He’s the same God who rescued a drowning Jonah, nourished an exhausted Elijah, and sheltered Noah through the rain. God watches over each and every one of his children. Get close to the one who sees you, loves you and hears you. He will strengthen you. Your relationship with him will get you through any problem that worries you. VESSELSMONTHLY Angelica Anderson GLZBC Newsletter Please send all submissions to [email protected] Dear Lord, Let me draw near to you so I can unload all my anxiety. Guide me and strengthen me. I depend on you. Amen
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