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The Gift of God
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Gifts, Youth, Precious Moments, Family, Christ

The Gift of God

Christ for Youth International

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:23‬ ‭

God is a giver of good things, and He cheerfully gives gifts to His children. There is nothing you have today that you did not receive from God. However, we compare all the wonderful gifts God has given to us, the greatest is Himself. God offered Himself for us when we were without strength. In that, while we were yet sinners Christ Jesus died for us.

His life introduced to us eternal life and also brought us into the presence of God. The veil which separated us has been torn, and by His death on the cross and His resurrection, He became our righteousness. We live today justified before the Father because of the gift of righteousness that Christ Jesus gave to us.

As believers, it is our responsibility to fully accept the work of Christ and not be ignorant of what we have received. There are many believers who have been deceived by the enemy to think Christ is not enough for them. Many are looking for happiness and satisfaction in other places, oblivious of the fact that Christ is enough.

In this Christmas season, there is nothing better than to receive Christ and all His goodness in your heart. Do not allow ignorance or pride to withhold God’s blessings from you. Allow Christ to have His full work in your life so that you will be a blessing to others.

Thank You, Jesus, for offering Yourself for us. Help us to acknowledge Your goodness in our lives.

Further Reading: 1 Peter 1:3–4 / John 3:14–17

Prophetic Declaration: Psalm 91
Biological ageing can be reversed back to 25 years
By: Bigumbrella Magazine
Tags: Science, Ageing, Old Age, Youth

Biological ageing process of human being can be reversed back to 25 years. Image Courtesy — The Times of Israel

Scientists have made is possible that biological ageing process can be reversed back to 25 years. Research on the changes in biological ageing process is performed with Oxygen and artificially created special environment.

The research led by Prof. Shai Efrati, Professor in Tel Aviv University, and his team from Shamir Medical Center. The artificially created environment was called as ‘Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy’ (HBOT). It was created utilizing 100% Oxygen with higher environmental pressure than the absolute atmospheric pressure.

The pure Oxygen got dissolved in the body’s tissues and increased the length of ‘telomeres’ and reduced the number of ‘senescent cells’ by 37%. It was observed that this situation allowed new, healthy cells to develop and it replaced the old cells.

Volunteers over the age of 64 years were placed in the chamber and given 100% oxygen for 90 minutes a day, 5 days a week and for 3 months. The volunteers were instructed to remove their oxygen mask for 5 minutes to bring back their oxygen level into normal. During this time, free oxygen concentration was monitored. The interpretation of the fluctuations in the cells was like deficiency of oxygen rather than the absolute level of oxygen.

Prof. Shai Efrati explained that increased oxygen level is called hyperoxia and on the other hand decreased oxygen level is called hypoxia. The cellular mechanisms and mediators are induced by increased oxygen level and the intervals caused a shortage in oxygen level. This hyperoxic-hypoxic paradox developed a regeneration process in the cells.

The scientists observed that various activities like attention, processing of information speed and other executive functions of a human being generally decrease with ageing. This scientific process made a great change in their activities, and it was equivalently dependent on how the level of activities and functions were in the past, some 25 years earlier.

Prof. Shai Efrati has been researching on ageing process for a decade. He runs the Aviv Clinics in Florida. He mentioned his research as a proof that cellular basis ageing process can be reversed. He also mentioned his research as an example for new opening for the young scientists to target human ageing and a way in monitoring the length of telomere. It will help scientists and doctors to develop medications and control many diseases related to human ageing.

Click to read more at https://bigumbrellamagazine.com on December 26, 2020.
She Wrote Letters
By: Molly Martin
Tags: Foreign Policy, My Mother Florence Martin, Vietnam War, Government Corruption, Youth

Sadly, the box of letters, saved in my brother’s barn, contained none of my mother’s letters from the turbulent 1960s. Most are from the 1970s. Flo writes here about being moved to tears in a state of depression and despair. She felt the burden of American foreign policy personally and would often call me, weeping for its victims. She anguished about her children and a whole generation of young people losing faith in democracy.

“What kind of people are we that we allow an immoral, useless war to continue when a child of six can point out that the emperor has no clothes?”
Be Grateful Always. 24th DECEMBER 2020
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Family, Precious Moments, Grateful, Christ

Be Grateful Always

Christ for Youth International

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; [ Ephesians 5:20 KJV]

As the year comes to an end, what are the things you are grateful to God for? We can easily focus our attention on our many needs and forget the great things God has done for us. Have you spent time counting your blessings for the year 2021? Do this, and you will begin to realize how God has been really good to you this year.

We must be grateful to God for the gift of life. Being alive is an indication that our story is not over yet! Many people started the year with us but have passed on along the way. You are alive today because God has given you life. It is not because we took very good care of ourselves that we are alive, it is because He has watched over us. We have escaped various accidents and traps of the enemy.

We must be grateful to God for His presence in our lives. He said, He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). God with us is a guarantee that tomorrow is going to be better. We see a perfect example of this in Joseph’s life. Joseph faced many challenges on his way to fulfilling purpose. He went through hard times. He went through various disappointments and betrayals. But throughout his journey, it is recorded that “God was with Joseph.”

It is not about how tough your journey is. What matters is the one who is on the journey with you.

Maybe, you are going through very challenging times. Maybe this year was a downtime for you. We must however look beyond our various circumstances and fix our eyes on God who is with us. What God has done for us is an indication of what He is about to do! People who thank God are people of faith. They are those who know that the God who has brought them this far will bring them to an expected end.

Spend some time thanking God as the year is about to end. Show Him your gratitude for all He has done.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that there is plenty for me to be thankful for. I thank You for every big and small blessing alike. I am forever grateful for the gift of Your son, Jesus, Amen.

Further Reading: Isaiah 63:7

Prophetic Declaration: Psalm 91
God’s Promises Stand True
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Precious Moments, Christ, Family, Promises

God’s Promises Stand True

Christ for Youth International

For I know the purposes which I am purposing for you,’ says the LORD; ‘purposes of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. [Jeremiah 29:11 AFV]

People usually spend time assessing how the past year has been as the year comes to an end. This period tends to be a time of reflection for most people. You just need to ask people about how the year has been, and they will all have something to say.

As the year comes to an end, you might want to reflect on how it has been, for you. For you, perhaps this has been a very bad year. You may have lost your job, money or a loved one. Perhaps, you started a business which did not really go well. Yes, these things might be true and very painful. It may also seem as though you have failed at some of the things you set out to do during the year. However, God’s promises still stand true no matter what you have been through.

God’s Word is true no matter our past or current circumstances. His Word contains His promises to us (believers). We can find comfort in the Word of God as the year draws to a close. God’s promises for us still stand. For us as believers, we cannot lose our faith, and despite the many things we have been through our faith still stands. Perhaps a forecast into next year makes it difficult for you to see the next year in a positive light. We must always remember that we serve a great God.

As Abraham grew older, it might have crossed his mind as he waited for the promise that the situation was only becoming worse. But He continued to believe God. He hoped against all hope, likewise, we must continue to have faith in God because His promises still hold true.

Does it look like your life and current situation is so far from where you expect it to be? Remember that His promises still stand true.

Hence, no matter what the circumstances around us are, we must not focus on them. Instead, our focus should be on God and holding on to His Word with faith. Do not be downhearted or discouraged, He is still a Faithful God and His promises still stand true!

Thank You Heavenly Father, that through it all, Your promises still stand true.

Further Reading: Isaiah 55:8–12

Prophetic Declaration: Psalm 91
Families Can Be Restored
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Restore, Youth, Precious Moments, Family, Christ

Families Can Be Restored

Christ for Youth International

And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. [1 Peter 5:10 TPT]

We all have lost something in our lives, one way or the other. We’ve lost items, memories and even lost people close to our hearts. From things that we barely cared about to things that caused our heart pain, we’ve all been through that stage. I know it hurts, but here’s the interesting truth- God has been there too! He lost His Son, but this loss was a willing one. He gave up his son to save the world.

It doesn’t make sense in the world of Mathematics, to lose something but end up gaining more in the end. But that is how our God works. Romans 8:32 says: “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”

As a Christian, there are a lot of earthly pleasures you will have to give up and you may even lose some relationships so that you can stay on the path of righteousness.

God lost His first human son, Adam, to the devil in the garden of Eden. God’s family was broken and as a loving father, He was going to make sure He restored His family. To that end, He lost His only begotten son, Jesus, to death on the cross. Glory be to His name that the events didn’t end at His death. Jesus rose again!

Jesus rose again in glory and power, and by so doing, made it possible for all of humanity to be restored onto God the Father. Now, God has many children, sons and daughters, all over the surface of the earth.

God is letting us know that He sees our toil and that we will be restored. To restore means to bring something or someone to where they were before. Whatever we’ve lost, in Christ, can be given back to us in great measure.

You need to remember this; our God is a God of restoration and provision.

He will cater for our needs; we will not have any lack. He will not hold anything good back from us and when circumstances of the world take away the things that belong to us, He will restore us either in this world or the next.

Loving Father, I’m well aware that nothing takes You by surprise, so I rest in this truth today. Thank You for assuring me I’ve not missed out on what is meant for me. I bless Your name always, and also for the restoration coming.

Further Reading: Isaiah 61:7

Bible In One Year: Joshua [1–4]
How Being A People-Pleaser Made Me Lose Myself
By: Emma Tran
Tags: Identity, Passion, Finding Yourself, Youth, Self

Photo by Ben Blennerhassett on Unsplash

I have been a people-pleaser my entire life. From the moment I was born, my mom conditioned me to think that I have to strive to be like others, that I have to be that Asian kid who was at the top of her class, played the piano well, and be well-spoken and charismatic. Day and day, articles came piling in me and my sister’s phone about how some impoverished Vietnamese kid received a scholarship to Harvard or Stanford.

Day and day, we were told that we weren’t doing enough.

I observed that growing up, my sister always tends to copy her friends in the style of music that they listened to, their interest and hobbies and contemplated switching majors in college whenever she met someone who she clicked with. Suddenly, she wanted to change from physics to music, then from music to history, and finally (or is it?), from history to math. I always thought it was funny how naive she is, but ironically, I was also the same without realizing it.

As I scrolled Facebook and looked at my new crush’s films that he made, I suddenly had the urge to produce a film as well. I wanted to swipe up my camera, write a script, and emerge as some sort of impressive film-maker that would blow his mind away. Then I contemplated (for the first time ever) how ridiculous that idea was. I started noticing my fleeting hobbies in the past: how I created an art account for photography when I liked a guy who was a photographer, which died soon after I had another crush; how I played the piano because I wanted to become better than my sister and everything that she did; how I took the hardest math honors class to make my mom proud because she told me that math was the most important thing to have in life; how I took a college-level chemistry course because I wanted to make my grandparents and family proud, unlike my cousin who went into art.

I started questioning everything that I chose to do in the past, wondering, “Since when did I lose myself?”. I guess the better question would be “Did I even had a ‘self’ to begin with?”.

I feel vulnerable, like koinoburis — those Japanese windcatchers that just fly in whichever directions that the wind whispers into it, hollow and deprived of any resistance or will.

But I still have time; we all do as long as we are alive and breathing on this planet, our hearts still pumping and our minds still thinking (cliché, I know). So what I’m telling you right now, is if what I wrote matches how you feel, start looking for a change. Find that inner voice that has been buried within you for so long, or search for it if you don’t have it. Be aware of the motive behind your actions, and question them until you find an answer that is simply, “because I want to.” Life is WAY too short and insignificant, so don’t spend that time trying to make the other insignificant lives around you better, but make your own insignificant life somewhat significant to you at least! :)

tl;dr: don’t be koinoburies

With love,

Emma
The Creative Saviour — Arts and Mental Health
By: The Little Art
Tags: Healing, Arts Education, Mental Health, Youth, Stories

Contributed by Fatima Nasir

Photo by Maksim Goncharenok from Pexels

In this era, where technology rules everywhere, people are talking about the importance of mental health through different mediums. Today, where the whole world is caught by a pandemic, it is very necessary to maintain our mental health as it is equally important as our physical health. People are suffering from anxiety, stress, fear, isolation and through many other problems but they do not know how to get over these feelings. Art therapy is one of the best ways where they can find their mental peace. In this modern era, people are getting aware of mental health and how it plays an important role in our day to day life. If you are not mentally well, you are not able to do your basic chores and the worst thing is sometimes you cannot even figure out why you are feeling or acting in a certain way.

Art plays a valuable role in maintaining your mental health. Most of the individuals can resolve their issues by expressing themselves through art. It is undoubtedly a way to reduce stress, anxiety, loneliness and many other problems. Through art, you express your inner self. You get to know the real you and you become aware of yourself and your feelings. It takes you to your unconscious level and it amazes you by showing some part of your personality about which you had no idea before. Writing, drawing, painting, sketching, coloring, calligraphy all are powerful means to mental health. It helps people to meditate and to introspect them so that they can reflect on their own selves in order to better understand the situation.

Photo by Vegan Liftz from Pexels

Some people who have severe mental illness and who are unable to communicate, art is the best way for them to connect with others. It is not a pleasant experience always and it could be painful for many people. It is because sometimes it could be traumatic for them or they do not want to be aware of their inner self.

There are many benefits of art therapy such as self-discovery, introspection, emotional release, stress relief and the most important thing is it helps to increase one’s self esteem. Some studies suggested that through art therapy, dopamine releases in the body which in turn is the root cause of feeling happier. Art could prove very beneficial if you are suffering from anxiety or depression. As it helps you to connect with yourself, it also helps you to connect with others in a longer run. If you want to maintain your mental health, engage yourself in any art and help yourself to grow and heal in a better way.

— — — — —

Contributed by Fatima Nasir

Get in touch: www.thelittleart.org
Just Once More
By: Satyen Hombali
Tags: The Past, Memories, Poetry, Youth, Love

Just Once More

Just once more – I wish

The hands of the clock

Would spin magically backward

The pages of the calendar

Would fly away into the winds of time

And we would be young lovers

Again
Meet Isabelle
By: Center On Halsted
Tags: LGBTQ, Housing, Youth, Covid 19, Community

Family, friendship and community are at the core of our mission here at Center on Halsted. While Center on Halsted services have adapted into virtual, social-distancing, and ever-changing environments, our care has become more personal, and the Center on Halsted family continues to grow.

You’ve inspired us to be innovators at the most pivotal and challenging time in our lives, and we have the resources to provide hope to those who need us now. I’m particularly inspired by the courage of Isabelle, a youth housing resident.

In July, with extreme caution due to COVID-19, we welcomed Isabelle into our new Youth Housing in the South Shore neighborhood. At 22, a survivor of crime and violence and a frequent visitor at homeless shelters around the city, Isabelle was the first to occupy one of two apartments. She needed safety, stability, community, and home — all things many of us take for granted everyday. No matter what it took, her sole mission was to get through the day alive.

The past four months have been challenging for Isabelle, but her outlook on survival has changed. Knowing she has a consistent home base, a warm bed to sleep in at night, and on-site counselors has eased some of her anxieties. She and her three housemates are experiencing the complexities of living in community while actively reflecting on their strengths and weaknesses. She’s giving back to her community by working with the visually impaired — something she had never dreamed possible before moving in. Isabelle’s restorative justice journey is just beginning, and I’m humbled by her renewed hope for life. I look forward to sharing more about Isabelle’s progress in the months to come.

Youth Housing is just one of many holistic approaches to care Center on Halsted continues to invest in to meet the needs of Chicago’s LGBTQ community. Your generosity helps us provide additional access to programs, services and more.

I wish you the healthiest of holidays and hope we can gather at Center on Halsted in the year ahead.

In Community,

Modesto Tico Valle

CEO, Center on Halsted
Honour Your Parents
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Precious Moments, Parents, Family, Christ

Honour Your Parents

Christ for Youth International

Children, if you want to be wise, listen to your parents and do what they tell you, and the Lord will help you. 2 For the commandment, “Honour your father and your mother,” was the first of the Ten Commandments with a promise attached: 3 “You will prosper and live a long, full life if you honour your parents.” [Ephesians 6:1–3 TPT]

Our opening scripture is a verse most of us grew up reciting. Let us take some time off today to reflect and evaluate ourselves on how well we have been practically applying this scripture.

First of all, we do not get to choose our parents. The Amplified version, highlights the fact that our parents are God’s representatives on earth. That is to say that God has given them a mandate to discipline and guide us through life. We also have a godly responsibility of honouring and respecting them throughout our lives. In effect, honouring our parents is honouring God and dishonouring our parents is dishonouring God.

To honour our parents is to accept their God-given authority to nurture and guide us. As youth, we are oftentimes so set on our own ways and rebel against our parents. When we choose pride and fail to submit to the authority of our parents, we end up on the high road of destruction. Walking in humility as youth facilitates God’s work in our lives as we submit to our parents. It is also very important to show them our gratitude for their love and sacrifices. We must love, respect and obey our parents always in order as to attract God’s favour.

In our adult life, we must not shirk our responsibility of caring for our parents. Honouring them is not only supporting them with physical needs but being there for them emotionally. In their old age, parents become vulnerable to loneliness and we must ensure that we spend quality time with them.

God promises us a life of prosperity and long life when we honour and esteem our parents. May our love and respect for our parents be a laudable testament of how much we honour God Almighty.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the lives of my parents. Please help me to honour and respect them all the days of my life.

Further Reading: Mark 7:9–132

Bible In One Year: Deut [31–34]
Give Thanks
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Thanks, Precious Moments, Family, Christ

Give Thanks

Christ for Youth International

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His mercy endures forever. Psalm 136:1 [AFV]

It is human nature to be happy when things are going well and to be upset or lose hope when things start to become difficult. It is easy for us to acknowledge God’s goodness when things are going well in our lives. It is, however, a bit more difficult when we are having troubles. That should not be our attitude because we are not of the world. We should think according to the word of God. Our circumstances do not change the fact that God is good. His goodness endures forever; it sure will outlast all our problems.

The Devil uses a lot of tricks and plans to take our minds off God’s goodness in our lives. Just like Peter, once we take our eyes off God, we start to sink in our problems. We start to complain and become bitter, forgetting all that has been done and is still being done for us. Even when trials and temptations keep coming our way, we must keep our eyes on God.

Thanksgiving is one important thing that keeps our mind stayed on Him. No matter how bad your situation seems, there is always something you can be thankful for. Even though you may have lost many things, you still have the breath of life in you, and you still have faith and hope. Do not forget that our salvation is intact, and the promises we have in God’s word are still there for us.

Let us keep our eyes off the waves of the world and rather keep them on Jesus instead. Whenever you feel like complaining, count your blessings instead. Remember to give thanks in all circumstances because gratitude to God and even to man goes a long way and does more than bitterness and complaints can ever do.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being good to me in all things. Please help me to appreciate the truth that Your mercy and grace shall be my portion forever. Amen.

Further Reading: Jeremiah 33:11 / Luke 1:50

Bible In One Year: Deut [27–30]
文化青年志工培訓營Culture Youth Volunteer Training Camp
By: Emily Wu
Tags: Volunteering, Culture, Youth, Camp, Training

我熱愛國際事務，這裡是我分享旅遊、遊學、講座心得的空間。 A girl needs to wear two things to look great: confidence and smile.
Learn to Love Others.
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Precious Moments, Family, Love, Christ

Learn to Love Others.

Christ for Youth International

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT]

1st Corinthians 13 is one of the most recognizable passages on love from the bible. It emphasizes the importance of love and also describes for us how love ought to be. Many of us have quoted from this passage at one point or another.

However, before we read passages such as these and begin the process of learning how to love God’s way, our primary method of learning what love is comes from our family.

We observe how they treat us and how they act among themselves, consciously and unconsciously. We then begin to reciprocate in like manner. Knowing this, it is important to consciously observe what we have learnt from our families on love and be careful to appreciate that which is in line with God’s definition of love and discard what is not. The same is true for our family members also; they pick cues from us on what we view love as, even as we grow.

Family is an important stage from which we learn to preach the message of love in God’s own way. The love we demonstrate to our families should resemble the love described in 1st Corinthians 13. If we are able to learn how to do this within our various families, we will find that soon we would be influencing our communities and the world at large.

Father, thank You for showing me what it means to truly love. Help me go beyond quoting scripture to actually manifesting the love the way You want me to. In Jesus name, Amen.

Further Reading: John 13:35

Bible In One Year: Deut [23–26]
Vision Problems
By: Paul H. Harder Ii
Tags: Delight, Poetry, Wonder, Youth

I’m waiting for help at the optical shop;

getting on up there and can’t see so well.

A boy now runs in with a skip and a hop

and his grandma, who tries but just cannot quite quell

his boundless panache and his youthful delight.

He cries out, “Look here! It’s all so beautiful!”

Hundreds of eyeglasses, sparkling bright,

he spies as he twirls and inspects every wall.

All the opticians within this decor

Fail to notice his rapt admiration.

Now so inured to the sights in their store,

they’re no longer seeing their own decoration.

Sometimes the young can be better at seeing

than us with our glasses and wiser perspective.

Is that because they are better at being

amazed and surprised and a bit more receptive?

____________

Copyright ©2018, Paul H. Harder II

This poem is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 License.
To remain young as we age is a choice
By: Christine Mcdougall
Tags: Syntropic World, Age, Diversity, Youth, Propaganda

Life is participation, engagement, learning, dynamic. Integral engagement — physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, community, cultural.

Age often makes people more stubborn. More selfish. Wilful helplessness, rather than actually needing help.

It takes work to stay vital with life. With youth, with technology, with the insistence of gravity that our body moves closer to earth even as we are still walking around. To ensure our physical body is healthy, moving, fed nutritious food, not carrying the burden of gluttony.

It takes work to be surrounded with people who will not let us sink into some delusional place, lost in our own dreamy world.

It takes work to break entrenched habits and traditions. Like reading the same newspaper for decades, unaware that it has become one of the most efficient tabloids of propaganda.

It takes work to build in diversity, to constantly challenge our own assumptions, our own rigid thinking.

If we surround ourselves with people our own age, then we will lose our capacity to know novelty and innovation.

Age is a given. How we choose to engage with it is always a choice.

Photo taken December 20th 2020

#worldwithafuture #businessreimagined #syntropicworld #syntropicenterprise
YFU ile Lisede Bir Yılınızı Yurt Dışında Okuyun!
By: Ayca Zortuk
Tags: For, Understanding, Youth, Yfu, Exchange Program

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
The Beginning
By: Serene Chaos
Tags: Relatable, Young Adult Books, Blog, Humor, Youth

I suck at keeping a diary.

So, I thought I’d give writing a blog a try.

Let me formally welcome you – hi, welcome to Chili’s.

This blog is going to be as crazy as the Australian weather no doubt, but you’re welcome to tag along as I attempt to reconstruct the word-vomit bubbling in my mind into a readable format.

You have my apologies in advance, because this is going to be one hell of a journey.

But again, you’re welcome to join me.

If you do decide to stay, free snacks and drinks will be provided as well as a flat-screen TV featuring Hamilton in the virtual common room; the only catch is that you’ll need an imagination to access this.

Because this is my first post, I’ll keep it short and sweet.

If you do have any questions or suggestions for future topics, feel free to let me know so I can make this experience somewhat more interesting for you.

Until next time,

Serene Chaos
Subkultur Kaum Muda: Apakah Suatu Bentuk Penyimpangan?
By: Muhammad Harits
Tags: Subculture, Globalization, Kebudayaan, Culture, Youth

in Eudaimonia and Co
Not By Chance
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Youth, Precious Moments, Planned, Family, Christ

Not By Chance

Christ for Youth International

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations”. [Jeremiah 1:5 NLT]

Many times, situations arise that cause one to murmur, complain, wonder or even burst out in frustration! “Why was I born into this family? Of all the people I could have been brought into this world by, why these people? If I had been born into that other family, I would have been better off by now! If I had a more caring father or loving mother, I think I would have turned out way better!”

Here’s something amazing in God’s Word; before your parents dreamt or even imagined to have you or even if they didn’t intend to have you, you were part of God’s plan. He knew you and chose a particular womb to form you in. God knows the family He placed you in and the people He chose to birth you.

Your birth may have been unplanned by your earthly parents. But you are definitely not a mistake brought forth by chance. No one is.

Of the billion and one possibilities, it is certainly not by chance that you were the particular unique zygote that was formed at your conception. There’s a reason for this peculiar you.

Granted, sometimes circumstances surrounding one’s birth may be undesirable, but praise God who is Sovereign! Before the foundations of this world, He knew such situations would arise. For that matter, in His marvellous incomprehensible sovereignty, He took into account all human sins, errors and flaws and made them perfect in Him.

The Most High detailed the colour of your skin, the intricate designs of your eyes, the shape of your nose, the country and town you would be born in, etc. Most of all, He made provision for your coming as He has a specific purpose and plan for you on this earth.

King David knew this and said in Psalm 139:16–17, “You saw me before I was born. Everyday of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day passed. How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”

The excellent plans the Lord has for you will never be distorted by the family you were born into, no matter how ‘bad’ you think they are. As long as you seek the Lord and walk in His beautiful will for your life, you will see why He placed you where you are.

No matter what you’re experiencing with your family now, constantly remember, you were strategically placed in that home. It was not coincidental, and Jesus certainly knows you!

Dear Father, thank You for making me, with such uniqueness. Thank You for making me incredibly aware, today, of Your intentionality when it comes to me.

Further Reading: Psalm 139:15 / Psalm 138:8

Bible In One Year: Deut [19–22]
She Wasn’t Bad
By: Stephen Ray Brown
Tags: Music, Blue Insights, Poetry, Youth, Love

They met at a friend’s house.

Actually, it was a trailer.

She was so cute and full of life.

He was happy to have met her.

She knew a lot more than he did.

Hell, he didn’t know anything.

He’d only ever kissed one other girl.

But she still liked him anyway.

She was the first,

but not the last.

She wasn’t bad,

just not the best.

When she answered the telephone

she’d always say, “This is she.”

That really impressed him.

She was smarter than she had to be.

She had a poor reputation.

He found it out much later.

But he couldn’t blame her for that.

He had one too, for different reasons.

She was the first,

but not the last.

She wasn’t bad,

just not the best.

He didn’t care what people said.

They didn’t know her.

He’d follow her anywhere,

all the way to nowhere.

And one day she broke up with him,

and of course, it broke his heart.

No need to dwell on the specifics.

Someday he’ll write about that part.

He cried and smoked a lot of reefer.

He didn’t come out of his room.

A sad song by Black Sabbath

kept him company through the gloom.

She was the first,

but not the last.

She wasn’t bad,

just not the best.

She wasn’t bad.

No, she was good.

She wasn’t bad,

just not the best.

© 2020 Stephen Ray Brown

All rights reserved.
Five Vignettes from My Pendejo Youth
By: J. Cortes Rivera
Tags: Short Story, Barrio, Migrants, Youth, Mexican American

Rocking that Collar

Uno. In 1995, when I was six years old, dad gave me two dollars. I treasured those two baros so much I decided to get a wallet to store them. So, at Harbor College swap meet that Sunday, I secretly bought a cheap ass wallet which cost two dollars. When it came time to store my wealth, my pendejo ass was puzzled that I no longer had any money.

Dos. When I was eight years old, mom took my siblings and I to visit a relative. Living in the Wilmington barrio meant we lived among junkyards and talleres and all kinds of shit. When approaching one of those junkyards, mom said to avoid the gate and walk in the street as a group. My pendejo ass thought I was badass so I disobeyed. An enraged Doberman Pincher with pointy ears lunged at me and took a chuck out of my back. I was at hospital for some time.

Tres. When I was in fifth grade, my school — Wilmington Park Elementary — held a Thanksgiving food drive. I took it seriously. There were poor people in our community who needed help. So, I contributed some food and helped organize the gift boxes. A few days later, I arrived home after school only to find one of those boxes at our door step. My pendejo ass figured it was a mistake. Then I looked at my dirty, raggedy poor ass and realized it wasn’t.

Cuatro. In second grade, as part of April Fool’s, my teacher trashed our classroom while students were at recess. When we returned, all were in shock. She explained it might have been a leprechaun and secretly pointed a green laser at the ceiling, which she said was the manifestation of that leprechaun. My pendejo ass believed it all year and would take all my things home every day in case that little green goblin came back.

Cinco. At nine years old, I was at the obligatory Sunday morning mass. Bored out of my mind, I kept dozing off which was always followed by an excruciating Latino pinch to my side. At the end, the priest invited the congregation to come up for a blessing. As the aspergillum made its way towards me, I yelled “shoot me, Father”. My pendejo ass got a nice ass whopping that day.
This is really moving, Joshua. I relate to it in many ways, because so many of my own formative experiences as a young gay man happened in church with church people. You’ve captured so much conflict…
By: James Finn
Tags: LGBTQ, Christianity, Fiction, Youth, Sexuality

This is really moving, Joshua. I relate to it in many ways, because so many of my own formative experiences as a young gay man happened in church with church people. You’ve captured so much conflict and emotional struggle here that to me feels absolutely authentic.
Generation Z are going to take over the world. What makes them unique?
Tags: Generation Z, Youth, Nonfiction, Written Tales, Society

Generation Z are going to take over the world. What makes them unique?

Photo by Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

You might have come across this cool word ‘Gen Z' but do you know what Gen Z means?

They are the new kids in the block born between 1995 and 2012. This tech-savvy generation have overtaken the millennials as the most populous generation on earth. Generation Z were born directly into a digital world unlike millennials who got used to the digital world. Moreover, this post millennial generation haven’t seen a world without internet and definitely are not aware of many old techs.

Floppy disk ! Excuse me. What is it?

The world has progressed at a faster rate than any other previous centuries and these changes have moulded the generation Z to be a unique generation. GenZ may not have seen a floppy disk but take nothing away from them. They know much more. All thanks to the new digital world.

Generation Z have had the access to all type of information at their fingertips through their mobiles and computers. They are the generation that no longer had to depend on teachers and schools for acquiring knowledge. They found an alternative school.

Yes. The school of YouTube.

This visual generation have used platforms like YouTube to learn new skills and pursue their passion.

Generation Z are well-equipped with multiple skills, and they are making use of these skills for development of their career. Be it in the field of marketing, web design, writing,music industry or any other field. In a few years, this generation will be the majority in the workforce across the globe.

As I said earlier, the new world have programmed generation Z to be unique. Unlike any other previous generation, they can voice their opinion or share their ideas on a certain topic quite easily today. Just through a simple tweet.They can create art and exhibit it to the entire world just by a single click.That’s all it takes.

They can influence the world in a way we never dreamed before. Generation Z are the most connected generation ever.

It is not just their digital nature that makes them unique. Gen Z are more social, global,and most importantly they are a conscious generation towards society and nature. They can see through the shortcomings of the world and desires change.

Consider Greta Thunberg, a 13-year-old who managed to influence people and parliaments across the world regarding the need for environmental protection. She is a true representative of the Gen Z.

More Generation Z movements will surely happen in the coming years because this generation wants nothing but a better human life.

Yes, the Generation Z is here.
Forbear One Another
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Forbearance, Youth, Precious Moments, Family, Christ

Forbear One Another

Christ for Youth International

Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ. If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them. [Colossians 3:13 TPT]

The Oxford dictionary defines forbearing as an adjective which means being patient and restrained. That means we have to develop the ability to not only forgive people when they wrong us but also, to continue to forgive them and be tolerant even when they offend us.

Being ever-forgiving is a tall order to follow. It sounds like an impossible feat. But our verse for the day shows us a great example we can remind ourselves of which will help us to forgive others, and in some instances forgive ourselves.

Our standard, our example, our reason for forgiving and forbearing our neighbours is this: Christ forgave us all of our transgressions. We have received grace for all the sins and wrongs we have and will ever commit. And to reciprocate this demonstration of love from the Father, we forgive ourselves and others.

From today, let us pay heed to this line in the Lord’s prayer “forgive us our trespasses even as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Let go of the hurt; it is not your burden to carry. Even if they continue to wrong you, continue to forgive. Do not exchange your identity in Christ for something as vile and destructive as revenge and bitterness.

Heavenly Father, thank You for forgiving us when we go wrong. Help us, dear Father to forgive all those who have hurt us. Amen.

Further Reading: Ephesians 4:2 / Luke 17:3–4

Bible In One Year: Deut [15–18]
To Give is Real Love
By: Precious Moment
Tags: Give, Youth, Precious Moments, Family, Christ

To Give is Real Love

Christ for Youth International

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave His life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives for brothers and sisters.” [1 John 3:16 NLT]

Love is costly! As said in the main text, we know what real love is. We all do. How? It comes with physical evidence of losing something to complete the joy of another person. We can see when someone truly cares, based on what they are willing to let go of or part with for us. Jesus lost His very life, just so those He loves may gain eternal life, full of unfathomable joy and peace in God.

John 3:16 (AMP) says, “For God so (greatly) loved and dearly prized the world, that He (even) gave His (One and) only begotten Son…” Both verses point to one fact about love — it triggers a reaction of giving. God does not just tell us He loves us; He has shown it right from the beginning of time in all He has given and still gives. He gave us this beautiful planet and made available every provision necessary for us to live comfortably on it.

He gave us Jesus when He could have decided to completely wipe us all away so He could have His “peace of mind.” He gives us family and friends and every single thing we have (though we fail to acknowledge Him most of the time). He provides for us daily, protects us and guides us. What manner of love is this to such an undeserving people?! He loves us not just in words but in deeds and expects us to do the same.

It is important to note that God is not just doing all this for us to just be excited. He expects us to be a reflection of Him. The Lord expects us to give up our lives for our brethren. One of the things that makes us trust the Lord, is knowing from experience, that He will never withhold anything good from us. This is not in relation to money only, but also, good health, long life and family, among others.

We can never repay God for giving us Jesus — His only begotten son. Hence, in whatever we give, a reward or recompense should not be our aim; but rather, our aim must be to seek to express the love of God in our hearts.

Lord, help us to give freely and willingly to those You have given us and that come our way, even when they hurt us! Help us to do this, knowing that You first gave us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Reading: Mark 12:41–44

Bible In One Year: Deut [11–14]
General Distrust in Government: A Look at Romania’s MP Elections
By: Julia At
Tags: Elections, Government, Corruption, Politics, Youth

But what happened in Romania on December 6th, 2020?

There are quite a few of us who really want this country to get out of the dirt it’s been in for too many years.

But we’re tired. We are extremely demotivated by the endless fight to change our peoples’ mindset. This country is, in many ways, so conservative and old-fashioned — and the biggest hit is on the economy: the young era emigrating to better lives.

I’m still here. But I am going to make a confession:

I didn’t want to vote.

I was so anxious and frustrated. I felt like nothing is going to change anyway. We’re outnumbered. It was so hard to move. I feel so guilty.

And I did it anyway. And it was fantastic. I posted about it on Instagram and found out my friends felt the same. I even inspired some of them to go and vote.

But most of them didn’t. Only 31,4% of the eligible voters voted.

That’s what happened on the 6th: because of the distrust and low motivation, the people who could’ve voted the Social-Democrat Party out didn’t vote.

But guess who voted! The elders. The loyal voters of the party that’s ruining Romania got out there and expressed their choice. And they chose for those who didn’t, too.

Citizens under the age of 45 have all kinds of reasons or excuses to back up their decision to not vote. But there is one reason that is downright heartbreaking:

My vote doesn’t matter anyway.

That is the feeling that we are all battling as hard as we can. We feel like our voice doesn’t matter.

And thus begins the vicious circle in which Romania has been indulging for decades: people don’t vote, then the country’s leaders are incapable, then more people don’t vote because they feel like nothing will change anyway.
Essential Skills for Rural India
Tags: Rural Development, Youth Development, Rural India, Youth

We have come through a lot of advancements in metro cities. Where there is a huge number of mobile and internet users. They have guidance from their parents, suggestions from friends. The adoption of new products is very fast. They can have their judgment about the products and services. The risk of getting influenced by fake is quite lesser than rural youth.

Fake News and Ads in Rural India

In rural India, the ability to put their own rational judgment is quite vulnerable. They get easily influenced by the fake news on Whatsapp, Facebook. This seems to be affecting a large portion of village youth.

Remedy

I believe every youth should be empowered with some of the basic skills like

1. searching for authentic information in Google,

2. some basics of information security,

3. how to use freely available tools from the internet.
MTN Empowers 2000 Young People with ICT & Business Skills
Tags: Mtn Nigeria, Mtn, Ict, Youth, Business Skills

MTN Empowers 2000 Young People with ICT & Business Skills BHM ·Dec 15, 2020

The fourth phase of the MTN ICT & Business Skills Training, implemented by the MTN Foundation alongside its partners — Google, Cisco and Oracle — was wrapped up with a virtual closing ceremony on Friday, December 11, 2020.

The training which held virtually for four weeks brought together over 2,000 participants from across five states in Nigeria including Abia, Kaduna, Borno, Katsina and Akwa Ibom, who were taught by seasoned facilitators on entrepreneurship, cybersecurity and deploying data and insights to grow their businesses.

“The MTN ICT and Business Skills Training is an initiative formed under the Foundation’s youth development cause and it is aimed at building the capacity of young people between the ages of 18–35 years in the areas of ICT to contribute to their employability and entrepreneurial abilities.” The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma stated.