I Will Go~ A Music Review by Michelle Pell

I Will Go ~ Starfield

Starfield is a group based out of Canada, started in 2000, with multiple awards including Covenant Awards and Vibes (Canada's Dove Award).

I Will Go, the group's third album release, is full of songs with lyrics straight from Scripture.

They do many church songs with a twist to how they sound. When you're standing there singing along to their songs, you can really get into the words and what they mean, instead of just standing there singing.

My favorite songs on the CD are Reign In Us and I Will Go. Both are extremely inspirational and meaningful to me. One song asks God to come and take over my life, and the other is a sacrificial song promising "I Will Go.”

If you don't enjoy most contemporary christian music and are more of a worship girl, this album is perfect for you because of its solid lyrics. But this album is in the genre of Christian rock, so to you rock girls out there, you will be able to sing praises while ROCKING OUT!

Whenever you are feeling down and out, or in need of a pick-me-up this album, with it's scriptural songs and peppy beats, will lift you right up and remind you that God is FOREVERMORE.

Idols~ A Spiritual Article by Heather Young

Idols

When you hear the word “idol,” you might imagine a statue of some sort, with people bowing down to it.  Actually, anything can become an idol.  An idol doesn’t have to start out with something bad; it can start out being something good.  But a good thing that becomes a god-thing is a bad thing.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Exodus 20:3

“You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.”
Exodus 20:23

“You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.”
Exodus 23:24

            God made it clear that we are not supposed to worship anything other than Him.  Worshipping doesn’t necessarily mean bowing down to money, a person, a movie, or any other earthly object or being, but simply seeing it as higher than God.  Anger, fear, and the loss of a desire to live are three feelings you will most likely experience if you are deprived of your idol.  Your idol could be a person you’re trying to impress; you’re afraid that if you don’t live up to their standards, they will reject you.  Maybe your idol is possessions; you think that you just have to have the newest phone, latest clothes, or coolest car.  Whatever your idol is, you need to put it in its place under God and remember that He is the only person, place, or thing that can ever truly satisfy you and bring you true joy and love.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
Matthew 6:24

“For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is also to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.”
1 Chronicles 16:25-26

            We did not create God; God created us.  He is more perfect than anything we can ever imagine or see.  Man-made items are not even close to what God has created.  Why would we want to worship things other than God? Because the grass always seems greener on the other side.  We shouldn’t try to fill our lives with figures we think will fill our lives with happiness.  God is the one and only true God, and we need to truly believe that with all of our heart.  Don’t seek approval of others around you.  Seek the approval of God, and He will use you to fulfill the wonderful plans he has for your life.  Idols do not even begin to compare with what God has to offer you.

“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.  Amen.”
1 John 5:21

Keys~A Poem by Emily Ciszewski

Used.
Standing in defiance.
Stand higher.
Used.
Touched by greed’s own hands,
Obeying at the earth’s commands.
Used.
Put yourself,
In this place,
To bring glory - to your face.
Used.
Now your heart is screaming,
Shouting,
For you to break the chains abounding.
Used.
Soul and body -
Beg for more
You’re left waiting
At the door.
Used.
Always wanted better things,
Then this cheap world can bring.
Used.
Put yourself,
In this place,
Your very hands - shield the grace.
Used.
Your prison
It has curves and waves -
And humans cower and give it praise -
This temple
With it’s lusts, desires -
Will never - ever take you higher.
Hoping, searching, grasping at love
Hoping love will reach above.
By others
Cheering - jeering at your frame -
At least you have the best;
Fame. 

 

Used.
If only you would listen to the truth;
You hold the key - your heart - the enemy -
Has turned from it’s first love;
Savior, Christ, Purest Dove.
Look unto him,
Dear child of pain
Use the key -
Unlock his name.

Interview with Set Apart Blog and Pure Style Magazine

        

I, Haylie, had the privilege to interview Grace, the editor and designer of Set Apart Blog and Pure Style Magazine, and sponsor of LAT. I encourage you to read about these two great blogs and follow them!

1) Tell us a little bit about Set Apart.

 Set-Apart for Her King is a blog about fashion, godly relationships, book and movie reviews, and anything that helps teen girls grow closer to Jesus! I want to offer encouragement to other like-minded girls who long to live a set-apart life.

2) What inspired you to start this blog?

 First of all, I love writing, especially about ways to improve my relationship with God! Secondly, it discouraged me when I saw many Christian girls living a luke-warm Christian life (watching sexual movies, listening to raunchy music) and I really wanted to encourage them to live a poured out life for Christ. Now please understand, I'm guilty of living a luke-warm Christian life too! No one is perfect, but I'm striving, with my Saviors help, to life a selfless life for His glory.

3) Was it hard to get it going?

At first, yes. Sometimes I would put an hour or so into an inspiring post and no one would respond or comment. After a month of writing on my blog, I only had about 5 followers that was discouraging as well. Later, I found that commenting on other peoples blog posts and leaving a link to my blog helped advertise and get more followers.

4) Tell us about Pure Style.

I love dressing fashionably, it's just so much fun! About a year ago, I started frequently flipping through Seventeen Magazine at my library. I enjoyed the fashion columns and I'll admit, I also enjoyed the gossip columns. After I read Seventeen though, I felt like I had filled my brain with trash. God then showed me that being His princess meant fleeing from evil, not getting as close as you can without technically sinning. Skimming through Seventeen might not be a sin, but does it draw my heart closer to God? No, quite the opposite.
I still love to dress fashionably and modestly, but with all the skimpy styles out there, I really longed to give girls who wanted to dress the same way a wholesome fashion magazine. One that, instead of filling their brains with junk, would draw them closer to Jesus Christ! So here we have it, Pure Style! A Christian modest fashion magazine about modest fashion, make-up advice that enhances your God-given beauty and tips on relating to guys in a way that glorify God!

5) Was it hard finding writers for it?

Surprisingly, not as hard as I thought. I advertised on the Susie Online Sisterhood (susiemag.com) and got an overwhelming response from girls who wanted to help me write and photograph!

6) What do you have in store of Pure Style?

Hopefully in the future (possibly this spring!) I would love to partner with LAT and host a modest online fashion show!

7) What exciting things can we look forward to with Set Apart and Pure Style?

I've been so busy with Pure Style lately that I've been neglecting Set-Apart! The busy part of starting Pure Style (designing the website, interviewing for staff positions, etc.) is pretty much over, so I can now focus on actually writing! I'm hoping that girls will continue to subscribe to Pure Style (we have 30 subscribers and counting!) and that through this magazine, we will be able to glorify God! I'm praying that through both the blog and the magazine, that I can help girls discover the higher standard God has for them and how much of a blessing it is to truly be set-apart and not of this world!

8) What is the top thing on your Christmas list?

Ohhh that would probably be new camera! My camera broke last year and I've missed photography!

9) What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Every year my mom makes homemade cinnamon roles on Christmas morning! Mmm they're so good, haha!

10) If you could give every girl who reads this something for Christmas, what would it be?

Probably Authentic Beauty by Leslie Ludy. Out of all her books, Authentic Beauty was my favorite because Leslie is such a good example of how a poured out, selfless life, devoted to Christ should look like! She gives us practical ways to give our feminine heart true, everlasting fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Pure Style Magazine does not premiere until January 2011, but I encourage you to subscribe to it!

Thank you, Grace, for doing this interview with us! We can't wait to do an activity with you!