We Have Been Saved

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, -Ephesians 2:8
In the Bible, God says that we have been saved through faith. But what does this mean? To answer that, we have to know what FAITH really means. According to Merriam-Webster, faith is: "Belief and trust in and loyalty to God: belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion." So, to have faith is to trust in and have loyalty. So how is that different from Belief? According to Merriam-Webster, belief is: "A state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing." Key word here: habit. So we could believe there's a God, but, as the Bible says, "...Even the demons believe..." (James 2:19) But God says that by FAITH, not belief, we will be saved. So how can we have faith?
We have to follow the ABC's in a prayer.
A - Admit. You have to admit to God that you're a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
B - Believe. You have to believe that Jesus is God's son and God sent Jesus to pay for our penalty of sin. (John 14:6)
C - Confess. You must confess your faith to Jesus, and confess your sins and ask for forgiveness.
Once you've become a Christian, you must grow. I'll post on that soon.
If you have questions, please email me at: Christian.sisterhood@yahoo.com
Love,
Brooke
 Verse: All things work together for good for all who love God (Romans 8:28)

Song: Please Be My Strength

PLEASE BE MY STRENGTH by GUNGOR
I've tried to stand my ground
I've tried to understand
But I can't seem to find
My faith again

Like water on the sand
Or grasping at the wind
I keep on falling short

So please be my strength
Please be my strength
'Cause I don't have any more
I don't have any more

I'm looking for a place
Where I can plant my faith
One thing I know for sure

I cannot create it
And I cannot sustain it
It's Your love
That's keeping me

Please be my strength
Please be my strength
I don't have any more
I don't have any more

And at my final breath
I hope that I can say
I fought the good fight
Of faith

I pray your glory shines
This doubting heart of mine
And all would know that You

You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
You keep bringing me back home

Oh, You are my strength
You are my strength
You and You alone
Keep bringing me back home

It's You and You alone
Bringing me back home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VI0pkRBPZw
This is a beautiful song, completely reflecting a human struggling to keep their faith. I really love it! Not to mention the melodies/harmonies and instrumentals are really pretty and sound great. I highly recommend this song!

Love,
Brooke

Verse: They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) 

"Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"

This is a really tough verse. I mean, there are a LOT of annoying people out there! There's those girls in class that gossip and talk bad about their moms during break, and that grumpy dude across the street who yells at you whenever you get even close to his grass. Not to mention how hard it is to love your siblings sometimes. So how come God wants us to love everybody as much as we love ourselves? Okay. Think of it this way. God loves us. A whole ton. I mean, imagine telling your son to go and die! I mean, that's CRAZY! But think. God asks us to do some specific things, but we sin, and hurt God horribly. And yet He still loves us! That's true love. The awesome thing is, even though we do this to God, he still loves us. So loving those annoying people is showing them God's love through yourself.
So now we know why, but how? How can you possibly put up with these guys, not to mention love them? Sometimes we can just think before we speak. Some people do stuff that can be annoying or mean just for attention. So maybe just a simple compliment. "Hey Ann, nice skirt!" or "I like that hairstyle on you." Can be enough to get their attention. Sometimes, people simply won't be loved. In those cases, pray for them. And ignoring them is sometimes necessary. It's tough, but biting your tongue and not retaliating is what God wants. We are to show His love through loving those people. Here is a story I think can encourage you:
Once there was a bus driver. He hated his job, he was a horrid grump. Every morning a woman would get on his bus, smile and wish him a good morning. The man was puzzled. No matter how grouchy he was, she was always smiling. He began to realize he wanted that. He noticed that she always carried a book with her with Holy Bible written on it. So he went out and bought one for himself. By reading that Bible, he was later led to Christ.
You see? You radiating God's love can show others Him! We are God's workers, working to bring more people to him.
XOXO,
Brooke
P.S. Please be praying for me as I put up with some tough people in my own life!
VERSE: A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. -Proverbs 15:13-14

How to Study Your Bible

You will need: A pen, a Bible, and a notebook

©       So first, choose a book of the Bible to read through. Anything will do. I would recommend starting in John, but, like I said, any book is fine.

©       Every night, (or day, or whenever you have a ten minute window) read one chapter. Just one. You could, if you wanted, just split it in half! Or read two! It doesn’t need to be a huge amount, but it can if you want to read that much

©       As you go, underline verses or phrases you like. Write what you like about them in the margins.

©       When you’re finished, stop, and just sit for a bit.

©       Pray! We’ve gone over prayer a bit so speak to God for however long you need. Then stop and listen for a while.

©       Finally, I like to finish my quiet time off by singing a hymn, it can be quietly, or listening to a praise song.

©       SMILE!

God is like our sustenance. We can’t live without Him. Literally. Our life on Earth is short compared to our life in Heaven, so yes, we can’t live without Him. Well, that’s all, my loves!

Jesus loves you,

Brooke

Verse: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. 

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

So Why are You a Christian?

“...So, why are you a Christian?”

In 1 Peter 3:15, it says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) So let’s break this down.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have...” This is basically a really fancy way of saying, ‘Know you Bible stuff so when people ask why you believe what you believe, you won’t go, “um, uh, ah, ummm...”. That is the WRONG thing to say. My basic answer to someone who asks me that is, “Well, in the Bible, God tells us that ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ I believe that, so I’ve put my faith in God.” When they ask me why I’ve picked Christianity when there’s Judaism, Islam, Catholicism, Buddhism, and sooo many other religions. I say, “*Jesus was the only person (who claimed to be God) who actually followed His own teaching 100%. Most of the other ‘leaders’ didn’t even follow their own laws that they set! And another reason – Jesus was the ONLY one who defeated death.”

“But do this with gentleness and respect.” This means, “YOU STUPID PERSON IF YOU AREN’T A CHRISTIAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HEAVEN AND YOU’RE A HORRIBLE PERSON!” Is the WRONG thing to say. Gentleness and respect is veeery important. I don’t know about you guys, but someone telling me something like that would really repulse me. Here’s a RANDOM example. Let’s say there’s a religion, let’s just call it, S’moresism, that believes that my pet dog S’mores is really a rainbow unicorn that will save the World if you believe in her. So if someone gets all up in my face and screams at me for not believing that my dog is really a rainbow unicorn, I’m going to be a bit repulsed. (And never look at my dog the same way again.)

SO. When you put this together, it’s basically saying, “Share your faith nicely.” Which is a good idea, because as we go through life, school, all that jazz, there are people who don’t accept Christians, but there’s always a chance of a turn-around. Think of Paul, who started of as Saul, the Christian-Killing Machine! Then, God blinds him right there on the streets. Of course, Saul who is re-named Paul regains his sight, and then goes on the Greatest Missionary EVER. In fact he almost dies countless times, and wrote most of the New Testament. Anyway.

We’re going to encounter people in our lives who aren’t Christians. And we need to study up on our Bibles, so we can give those important answers. I’ve found that reading my Bible daily is tough. When I go to bed, I’m just like, “Dude, I’m behind in history, I reeeaaaaaaally want to read the next chapter in this highly exciting book, I don’t want to read my Bible! Eh, God won’t care if I miss ONE night...right?” But then, one night turns, to two, which turns to three, etc. However, when I read my Bible one night, that turns to two nights, which turns to three, etc. I’ll be writing, “How to Study Your Bible’ soon. But now, I reeeeeeeeeaaaaaally need to do school J

Much Love,

Brooke

Verse of the update: Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 2:1
*My arguments here were from, "But Don't All Religions Lead to God?" by Michael Green

Trust in the Lord

So, we’re all teenage girls, so, well, let’s not deny it, we get upset easily (some of us more than others). So where do we find our comfort? So, here’s what my guess is on the statistics – 30% in friends or family, 20% in God, 50% in anger-full tweets, facebook posts, and other ways of social networking.

Well, as for myself, I’d fall into the Friends/Family category, because I don’t have social networking. Yet. Anyway, but why is it that people find all these internet friends or even real flesh-and-blood friends better than their creator? Easy answer – You can verbally hear responses and advice (or, in the case of the internet, you can see the advice J) Well, sure, usually we don’t hear God literally speak to us, but what about the Bible? Isn’t it the Word of God? He’s got some pretty cool stuff in there. But then, there’s also praying, right? Well, I know what you’re thinking, “But God doesn’t respond, He never talks back to me!” Haha, funny, because think about it – Do you actually give Him the chance to respond? Something that I suggest is this, after praying, just stop – don’t think about anything, don’t do anything, just sit, and listen for His words. Of course, you don’t always hear His literal voice, but He speaks through our conscience. Yeah, that little voice? It’s God’s way of speaking to you. Just pouring out your anger to God then getting up and going on is, well, like a little kid screaming at his mom and then slamming the door without her being able to respond.

Trust in the Lord guys, as it says in the Bible, “All things work together for those who love God”. He’s got the ultimate plan! Maybe it’s not exactly what you want, but as it says in the Bible “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death” and “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” And, “For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper, and not to hurt you.”

So, ladies, when you’re feeling bad, it’s DEFINITELY not bad to talk to friends and family, THAT’S NOT AT ALL WHAT I’M SAYING. It’s great, especially your mom. But take your main solace in the Lord.

God has a plan,

Brooke  

Verse of the Update: I am confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. ~Psalm 27: 13-14

(Hope it helps, my friends)

Book Report: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS, BOOK 1

THE LIGHTNING THIEF, BY RICK RIORDAN

Percy Jackson has been to five different schools in five years, expelled from all of them. But in his sixth grade year, he was sure to be good. Of course that only lasted until he accidently vaporized his pre-algebra teacher with a pen. Long story. Along with the problem of about to get kicked out of boarding school., apparently the Greek 'Mythological' gods are real, and Zeus' Master Bolt has been stolen. The big news? Percy is the prime suspect. 

Percy, along with his friends Grover and Annabeth travel across the US, encountering Greek mythological monsters along the way, running favors for gods, and and almost dying plenty of times in the process.

The book is well written, and I've really gotten to know Greek mythology from reading it. Rick Riordan really catches you and holds tight, and you can hardly put the book down. The book is superb, and I really have enjoyed it. No bad language except for the occasional use of 'oh my gods' and 'butt'. This is the first book in a series of seven (eighty is on the way). I recommend the book. Very much so. Happy reading,

Brooke the Bookworm

Rating of Book - 5/5

Friends of Refugees

Clarkston, Georgia. Every Tuesday, I get in the car with my brother, and we drive past an Elementary school, a grocery store, a shopping center, a Target department store, CVS, and other establishments. But then, we cross over the bridge. On the other side, there’s a whole different world.

                It’s kind of funny – as soon as you cross over, you see women in their saris and traditional dress, often carrying baskets on their heads. You see groups of kids carrying backpacks, which they call their ‘book bags’. You see men on bicycles, walking, teenage girls giggling as they walk in their groups of friends. But one odd thing is, they are not the typical people you see.

                Clarkston used to be just a regular area of Georgia. However, it eventually began to be a place where a lot of refuges came, fleeing their war-torn countries. Some weren’t allowed to worship their own God, some were hearing gunshots all night, huddled in makeshift houses, praying for their lives. And now, they’re settled in Clarkston, which is now a predominately refuge community.

                What my brother and I, along with other people, do on Tuesday afternoons (however, volunteers come in on Monday through Thursday afternoons every week), is drive to Kristopher Apartments, and go to the community center and children come in, lugging back packs which are just as big as their tiny bodies. They sit down by grade, kindergarten through second grade at my table, third through fourth at my brothers, and fifth grade at Carissa’s. Mrs. Pitts, our wonderful leader, helps wherever she’s needed, sometimes explaining things to parents who speak hardly any English, reading books to kids, and helping with homework where we’re running behind.

                We have kids from Burma, Iraq, Uganda, and teeny little tribes in Africa that we had to Google just to know what the kids kept trying to tell us. We have kids from China, Korea, and countries from all over the world. It’s sad, though sometimes, to see their little faces smile, at the same time they’re covered in scars and scratches. Or the woman who comes in every week to translate for her five year old daughter who speaks no English – she’s so sweet and gentle with her daughter, and yet her cheeks are completely covered in horrible looking scars. Yet she smiles, and patiently listens to Mrs. Pitts’ instructions.

                The kids work really hard, but the coolest thing is the love they show, even though they care for their younger siblings, cook dinner, and sleep alone at night because their parents are working. But still, they show up each week, often lugging along a sibling, and come in and say in their sweet heavily accented voice “Can you help me?” Or when one girl, a sweet girl from Iraq, smiles shyly and says, “Can we be cousins?” Or when sweet Zaly, from Burma, slipped her hand in mine and asked “Will you walk me home?” she was in fifth grade, and there were still kids who needed my help.

                “Why do you need me?” I asked, “You’re a big girl!” She looked at her shoes, which, like most of the kids’ are falling apart.

This is Halima hard at work!

                “I’m scared,” she confessed. So, I walked with her. I found out why she was scared. Every day, she had to walk through a group of teenage boys, who would yell at her and ask her questions. I felt Zaly squeeze my hand tighter. Then we caught sight of her mother. She squealed, and dashed to her mom and little sister and they beamed and hugged her. I smiled and waved, and they waved back, and I headed towards the center. There are so many kids that just make me smile: Halima, Mohammed (even if he can’t concentrate for more than one minute at a time) Ali, Omanye, Sanu, Kela, Zaly, Thint, Anne, Partigya, Sequir, and so many more. And one thing that is really the whopper – I’ve never heard them complain about their too small clothes, falling apart shoes, or anything. They just tackle us and smile. And even though a lot of them are not Christians, I can really feel God there, just loving them. 

Meet Brooke

Meet Brooke! I'm the creator of Sisters in Christ, and I write for various things here.
Anywho, I'm in eight grade,  I like to write books, act in musicals, play piano, dance around, laugh, be crazy, and such. I tutor refugee kids in Clarkston, Georgia, and help out in a refugee Bible study. I've been a Christian since I was nine. I was reached by my family, who are also Christians, and baptized along with my sister and one of my brothers. However, I didn't actually live my faith, something that the Bible calls us to do. In other words, I wasn't actually applying my Christianity to my life. If someone looked at me, I don't think they would've  really thought - 'Hey, I bet that girl's a Christian'. When I was twelve, I went to a summer camp with a very Christian focus. There, I was really moved, and one day, after climbing the fifty foot rock wall (it was reeeaaallly hard) I realized something. Life is like a really difficult rock wall. It's tricky, and some spots are insecure. At any moment you can fall, and sometimes its hard to find your way up. But when you get to the top, it's amazing! You can look around, and it's a feeling you don't get often. It was really eye-opening to me. There I re-committed my life to the Lord. I continue to struggle, though, since I have an extremely bad temper, not to mention I can be pretty prideful. But I know God can continue to work with me and mold me. God can help you too!
One of my favorite things to do, however, is SMILE. Smiling is my favorite thing, because it is just, well, AWESOMENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Okay, you've met me! God bless, my darlings!!!
Smiles,
Brooke!

Welcome!

Hey hey!!!!! Brooke here! I hope this site really encourages you, and that our sistership in Christ will be a fun, encouraging and AWESOME! If you would like to be a contributor (adding posts and such) please contact me and I'll set you up! Spread the word, and may God bless you!

Psalm 94:17-19

Brooke!