As you prepare for school next week, guys and gals (and even parents), take a second to give yourself a good, hard look in the mirror. Teens, I know you hate it when you hear someone say this, but I'VE BEEN THERE. I know what's about to happen. I am a public school kid, ok? Here are some things I wish I would have repeated to myself on a daily (or even hourly) basis:

-What you wear matters. You are the future church. You are a REPRESENTATIVE OF CHRIST! Don't let the hormones tell you your outfit isn't too bad inappropriate. If you feel you look hott in it? CHANGE. Change your outfit and your goal for going to school that day. Remember, you're not there to impress a guy or girl. You're there to get an education, and BE a Christ education.

 -What you post on facebook? Everyone sees. "Oh, it's no big deal. Me and my girlfriends were just playing around." Nope. That doesn't cut it, and I (and especially God) can see right through that load of crap. It may make you feel cute, loved or important because you make some guy fawn over you, but that kind of attitude is selfish because you are trying to find love and affection in the wrong place, and you're trying to hinder those boys that see you in pics like that. Don't be that girl who plays all innocent, but secretly wants all the boys to think she's sexy. YOU WERE CREATED FOR MORE THAN THAT!

-Your focus should be people. When you are working in groups together, (i.e., teams, labs, groups), think just as much or more about your relationships with these people as you do your high score. I am reminded of this famous movie where, the leading guy treated the leading girl like crap because she wasn't as good a dancer as her, and she had a miserable time. To this day, people think she was amazing, but she had the toughest experience of her life making that movie. Don't be so focused on goals that aren't as important to God as the person.

-Put on your armor. Even though your fellow Christian girls and guys SHOULD be clothing themselves with modesty as the bible COMMANDS us to, not everyone will, Christian or not. So you've gotta be prayed up every day before school. Put on your whole armor, and also pray a hedge of spiritual, mental and physical protection around you and all your family and friends. Pray for them by name. Your prayers are powerful, especially when coming from a repentant heart.

I am praying for you this week! Please email me (tk@2911theplan.com) or text me if you have specific prayers you need, my family and teens at Manley, LSB&D and Encore. I love you, and want you to succeed in the way that GOD wants you to, not the world!

Much love, TK

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