Introducing the summer 2014 covergirl!

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I cry aloud to the Lord;
    I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.
I pour out before him my complaint;
    before him I tell my trouble.

When my spirit grows faint within me,
    it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
    people have hidden a snare for me.
Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
    no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
    no one cares for my life.

I cry to you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my refuge,
    my portion in the land of the living.”

Listen to my cry,
    for I am in desperate need;
rescue me from those who pursue me,
    for they are too strong for me.
Set me free from my prison,
    that I may praise your name.
Then the righteous will gather about me
    because of your goodness to me.

           ~ Psalm 142

     Psalm 142 was written by David while he hid in a cave from people who were chasing after him because they wanted to kill him. What is interesting to me is how relevant it is for girls.

     This prayer – this psalm – is offered today in honor of our cover girl. For her story. For the challenges she faced and overcame.
     Her paths were hidden with snares…girls calling her names, pressuring her to do things she didn’t want to do and be who she wasn’t meant to be.
     She was taken off guard. She felt alone. She thought she could handle anything that came, but when it came, it was harder than she anticipated.
     But she sought God. She prayed, not just for herself but for her tormentors. She knew she couldn’t do it alone. 
     And God was faithful. He set her free from the prison, and she praises His name, even still, as the godly gather around her. She reaches and teaches other girls about the faith that got her through, that rescued her from the cave.
     I first met our cover girl when we had a fashion show over a year ago, and even though she wasn’t very familiar with Mighty Strong Girls, she eagerly grabbed a microphone at the event to share her thoughts on why the ministry is so important for all girls. She got it — the purpose, the vision, the NEED. She is truly an amazing Mighty Strong Girl.
     She is determined. She is intelligent. She is compassionate. She is courageous. She is strong – like really strong physically because she spends hours and hours training for the Olympics. She is Tyler Lackland. 
     CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SUMMER 2014 COVERGIRL, AND TO ALL THE INSPIRING GIRLS WHOSE STORIES, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND CREATIVITY HELPED SHAPED THIS ISSUE OF MIGHTY STRONG GIRLS! 
      The magazine is on sale now at http://www.mightystronggirls.com/the-magazine.html. Print copies are $7, and digital versions are $1.49. If you know a board member, see us for a copy if you don't want to pay for shipping. And if you'd like to buy the magazine in bulk copies for churches or organizations, they are $5 each. Just call us at 217.801.7464 for more information!

Bigger, better and more beautiful

Mighty Strong Girls is going through some transformations -- good ones! Our emphasis on the magazine, small groups and events remains. But each area has become more refined and beautiful. 

We have several new board members, and we are looking at hiring our first staff member to sell advertising for the magazine. The structure of the organization is going to change so that we can raise funding more easily and spread God's love even further. The magazine is getting 16 pages bigger and going from three issues a year to four issues, plus it's getting the infusion of a whole new focus that we plan to unveil in full when the summer issue is published. 

God is giving us direction for our events -- showing us to focus on one fundraiser and one service/discipleship event for girls and their moms. 

It is a very, very exciting time for this ministry. We are beside ourselves about all the announcements we can begin making soon on our website. 

So how did we get here? How do we know that bigger, better and more beautiful is the right move? 

We are focusing on our relationship with God, seeking to listen to Him and His purposes for the ministry. And He is speaking loud and clear! He is drawing us not only closer to Him but also to one another. The women-led board has been seeking Him, being authentic with one another and living out the same kind of advice we want to pass on to girls. 

We are asking God while we are asking others. We have invested in relationships with teen girls, who are beginning to give us their trust and telling us what they need, how they pray and what areas they crave spiritual guidance in. 

As we move forward in faith, we are asking anyone who has had Mighty Strong Girls in their prayers, thoughts or radar screen to pray. Not just about the organization....we always need those prayers. But right now we are praying for our 30 CHALLENGE. There are 30 days in April. This month, we want a new donor to sign up every day to give a minimum of $30 a month. This is sufficient for us to do what God is telling us to do at this moment and move a step closer to His plans for the future of Mighty Strong Girls. 

Will you pray with us? Will you pray for 30 families to step forward? Will you pray about any and all ways God wants you to partner with us? Will you pray that we (the leadership team of this ministry) would continue to seek God's direction, to put Him first, to do His will and to always draw close to Him? 

We are so thankful for the people who financially and prayerfully provide the pillars for the messages we are delivering to girls. May God bless each and every one of you! 

P.S. If God calls you to be one of the 30, what you need to do is simple. Click on this link (mightystronggirls.com/electronic-contribution-form.html) , print out the form and mail it to Ripe for Harvest, our accounting partner in ministry. If you have any trouble with the website, just email amydenney@mightystronggirls.com.

Yesterday I encountered the devil on Facebook

Yesterday I was ridiculously close to pulling the plug on my Facebook account. I was literally holding my finger above the button on my phone that says "deactivate account." 

I love reading and sharing encouragement on Facebook. It's where I get a lot of my news through various news outlets and through organizations that I support and love. 

But the drama yesterday was. Killing. Me. 

It wasn't even overt. It was subtle jabs and innuendos at ordinary unnamed people through posts, links, blogs and comments. Oddly enough, I was barely even on Facebook yesterday. I was super swamped and only checked in a few times for mere minutes on my phone. 

Before you get to thinking it was all my teen girl friends stirring up drama, think again! It was pretty much limited to grown ups on my friends list and many of them fellow Christians. 

Here's the killer part though. Because the meanness was so subtle, every time I saw or read something, I began to wonder what I'd done to tick off someone. Did I need to repent? Had I stumbled? 

I think that's OK. It's alright to allow these kinds of things to be used in such a way — to reflect and ask God to show you where you've fallen short. 

But I was obsessing for some reason. It was like a poison running through my veins, this thought that I had tainted my image somehow. Do you see my sin through this? Do you recognize it? 

Suddenly I was more concerned with how others viewed me than how God views me. 

I was actually relieved when I opened my Bible this morning to the assigned reading in my church's daily Bible reading plan and read these words: 

From Psalm 56:2-4
"My slanderers pursue me all day long; 
many are attacking me in their pride. 
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 
In God, whose word I praise, 
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. 
What can mortal man do to me?"

What an awesome reminder! Mortal man can do NOTHING to you! Mortal man holds no power over you. Satan may try to convince you otherwise. It's a lie, a trick. The devil doesn't need complicated schemes; he simply finds your weaknesses. In my case, he went straight for self doubt and pride. 

But the truth is this, from Psalm 56:13
"For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life." 

Jesus took my place on the cross so that I could hang up sin. What freedom! Satan has no power over me unless I am stumbling. Seeking Christ keeps me walking in the light! 

And even more importantly, our identities have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with how other people see us, even if someone is twisting your words, plotting against you and conspiring harm (from Psalm 56:5-6). 

Because, as you will read in Psalm 57:2, it's God who fulfills his purpose in us. Our identity is securely fixed in Him, and nobody can take that away when we are choosing Him daily. 

If you want a freedom like this, repent and seek Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the light! 

But to fully bathe in it, you need to seek Him continually. That's where He will meet you. He did this for me, today, reminding me of these important truths, and He will do it for you, too! 

Often, I'm asked how I know it's God speaking to me. It's easy to discern the Holy Spirit when there are too many coincidences to explain. The coincidences come from daily prayer and Bible reading, plus song and worship. That's where He speaks to me! How about you? When and how do you hear the voice of God? 

As for Facebook, I'm still there. I'm contemplating another fast from it. It's good to remind myself that I should seek God first! It was also a good reminder to watch my own posts, should they cause someone else to stumble. Just last week in frustration with someone (who is not a Facebook friend or even in my "network"), I posted elusively about a situation involving my daughter. God calls us to confront one another in love. Calling each other out through social media and Internet is NOT reflective of the love of Christ. I was wrong, and I apologize to my FB friends!

But what Satan intended for evil, God was capable of using to shape and mold me. Thanks, Father God, for a loving, teachable moment! 

Hugs, 
Amy

Not just a random act of kindness

by Morgan

     When you get to a point of feeling relaxed and comfortable in your walk with Christ, it becomes less and less fulfilling and less and less glorifying to God. 
     These past couples weeks, I’ve felt relaxed and comfortable with where I’m at. I started going through the motions instead of getting something out of what I was doing. To say the least, I started to feel alone in my walk. 
     A couple nights ago, my friends and I made plans to go out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings for a post-prom fundraiser. My friend Kayla and I felt obligated to go, since our parents were in charge of the whole thing. I also had been praying and asking God how much my limit was on going out, instead of staying in and building the relationships with my family, especially my little sister. I truly believe that I felt obligated to go because God was going to put something or someone in my path to turn me back to Him. 
     Before my friends and I ate, we prayed — as we always do. We prayed for continuous nourishment and strength with the essential tools God provides for us. We, too, prayed for the relationships He has given us and guidance in our everyday life. 
     We then ate our food and talked about random things that were going on in our lives and just caught up on things we don’t get to talk about as much anymore. 
      While we were waiting on our check, the waitress came up to us. She informed us that someone saw us praying before we ate and paid for our check. My reaction was just as you all would think. I got the chills and prayed. I then realized that God reminded me I’m not alone in my walk with Him, nor will I ever be. He reminded me that although storms and troubles may come, He will always be there to calm down the storm for me. He controls all things. He is in charge of all things. 
     We will have doubts along the way, and we will stumble, but God catches our fall. He has caught mine several times, and I know He is always right there with open arms, waiting to catch yours.
     "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen." – Philippines 4:19-20. 
     God will exceed all the needs we might have. If we’re feeling lonely, He will hang out with us. If we are feeling down, He will lift our spirits back up. If we think we are failing, He will help us succeed. God never fails. 

Day 31: Seek a new definition for wisdom!

Today's reading — Proverbs 19

Is the concept of wisdom, as defined by God, beginning to sink in with you in the reading of Proverbs? I think one of the biggest benefits of this book of the Bible is to see wisdom as God does, not as the world does. 

It's a MAJOR change in thinking! 

You see, our cultural view of wisdom is lots of academic degrees, scholastic awards, professional achievements and accolades. Our world would have you think wisdom is tightly connected to authority or maybe even directly related to someone's career or income. 

Someone who is wise never stumbles, ask questions or seems in doubt — at least according to our worldview of wisdom. 

I was reading an older book, "The Power of Believing in Your Child" by Miles McPherson before falling asleep last night. I decided to stop on this line so I would remember to share it this morning with my daughter who has never stopped asking questions since the day she could form complete sentences: 

Kids with leadership qualities are inquisitive. 

Whoa! The world says leaders don't need to ask questions. They already know it all, right? 

Good leaders are humble, compassionate, always learning and seeking wisdom, and embracing opportunities to serve. 

In Proverbs 19, verse 8 says: 

She who gets wisdom loves her own soul; she who cherishes understanding prospers. 

Girls, it doesn't say "she who is wise." You see, God has big, big plans for you. But you don't just get to have them. It's not a soup kitchen where He's pouring into every bowl equal servings. 

You, my precious girl, must ACT. Seek wisdom. Get wisdom. How do you do that? 

Ask questions. Learn. Read your Bible. Pray. And serve. 

Finally, don't ever stop. Nobody ever arrived at wisdom. They keep actively pursuing her, so they can become even more in tune with God's will for their lives! 

{chasing His wisdom}
Amy

Day 12: Put on your armor and prepare for BATTLE!

Today's reading — Ephesians 6:10-21

If Mighty Strong Girls had a theme song, it would be like verses 10-20 set to music! This is what it all boils down to girls. We have to be ready to fight this battle. There is a war "out there" for our very identities. We have to stand up for who we are in Christ — unique, beautiful creatures with a destiny that He planted within us to do His works. 

But we can't do it without truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, prayer and the word of God. 

When we held our kickoff party for Mighty Strong Girls, I referred to this passage. 

I'm going to share it again today, because even if you heard it, it's worth repeating!

Beauty is strength. Biblical strength. Over and over again, the magazine Mighty Strong Girls will remind you of true beauty and true strength. You should also know that Ephesians 6 gives you a blueprint for strength; it tells us how to stand against the powers of darkness. Please recognize that darkness isn't something intangible or ancient. Darkness is the powers that work against good, and in this case, darkness is this message — THIS LIE — that we aren't good enough. But of course, there is good news. Found in the blueprint. Paul lists all the weapons we can use to grow strong, described as the "armor of God." 

* Belt of truth

* Breastplate of righteousness

* Shield of faith

* Helmet of salvation

* Sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God

and finally and most importantly, 

* Prayer

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 9: Change You. Change Your World.

Today's reading — Ephesians 5:1-21

I think one of the biggest challenges in Christianity today is the confusion over salvation. The Old Testament is full of rules. Even the New Testament has parables from Jesus, letters from Paul and stories a plenty about how we should live. It's easy to understand why people are easily confused. 

These 21 verses are full of what looks like "rules." Stay away from these things, don't associate with those people, do not do this, speak ling this, always, never, be very careful. It's almost nauseating. 

Or is it? 

Are these guidelines really for you? For me? Who was Paul talking to? And why? Is this relevant today? 

When I read through this, it reminded me of the book of James. Very straight-forward, concise and condemning. But it's only condemning if I allow it to be. It's only condemning because I want the Holy Spirit to work through these issues in me. 

Here's how I see it. Come to the word of God committing to follow only two "rules," that you love God and love people. The word of God tells us Jesus came into the world to SAVE us, NOT to condemn us. How can you NOT love someone who is so selfless, who models for us the way to love our brothers and sisters? And if you can love Him and love others with an honest and pure heart, you will WANT to become a better person. 

Circle this in your passage from verse 10 (NIV): find out what pleases the Lord. 

You see, when you love someone, TRULY LOVE THEM, you want to submit to them. You want to serve them. And that's what verse 21 says...."submit to one another out of reverence of Christ." 

Here's my boiled down version of not rules, but guidelines, for how I can follow more closely in God's will for me: 

1. Imitate God as best I can. 
2. Do not be sexually immoral, impure, obscene, talk foolishly or be greedy. 
3. Expose your sins and ask for forgiveness. 
4. Live as if every day is your last, always seeking to further God's kingdom. 
5. Seek wisdom in all ways. 
6. Live by the Holy Spirit! 
7. Always give thanks to God. 

Because I love my Lord, I WANT to do these things. You see, Jesus always put relationships first. When you do that, it's not a chore to follow rules. We seek them to improve our relationships. 

Not only does that make me a changed a person, it changes my community and changes my world. And makes me a Mighty Strong Girl.

{Hugs}

Amy 

Day 6: Get wisdom, riches, love, power, knowledge and faith

Today's reading — Ephesians 3:14-21

I LOVE this section! It's a prayer — a beautiful, amazing prayer full of hope, love, power, knowledge, faith, fulfillment and riches. Can you imagine anything better? Paul covers everything in this prayer, and just reading it through once brought a smile to my face and joy to my heart.  

What would happen if we read this prayer every morning? Or memorized it and recited it in our minds on the way to school every day? Would it change your outlook? I'm willing to try it. God holds these as promises for you, as Paul says, He is able to do "immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (verse 20). How? Using power that's at work in us, verse 20. And we thank Him by giving him the glory, verse 21. 

Want to print it out? Here you go. May it bless you richly today and beyond! 

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 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.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

{Hugs}

Amy