Bright Lights And Schuyler

So I had a wonderful chance to "email interview" one of my dear friends from Michigan about Bright Lights. Some of you have probably heard of the program, but here's some insight from one of the lovely ladies who leads her own group. Please take a look at her responses and support her by following her links posted on the bottom of this page. Thank you!  

What is Bright Lights and how does it impact people? 

Bright Lights is a ministry that seeks to help teen girls to build solid character commitments. We call ourselves a discipleship ministry, and BRIGHT stands for Being Radiant in Godliness, Holiness, and Testimony. The goal of our ministry is to encourage girls in building good habits such as spending time in God's Word and cultivating biblical relationships with family and friends. Bright Lights helps girls navigate their teen years so they have a strong foundation for adulthood. Teen years don't have to be a pain, although they certainly are challenging. They can be a rich time of growing in and fellowship with Jesus.

Bright Lights was founded in 1996 by Sarah Mally. It has grown to include groups all around the US, as well as Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, and elsewhere. I lead one of the Midwest chapters. :) We meet twice a month for a time of teaching, singing, memorizing, and tea in real teacups!

How did you get interested in Bright Lights?

I was familiar with the Mally family through their book Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends.(We read that a lot when we were little.*smile*) Then, the summer I turned 12 we received a brochure in the mail for a Bright Lights girls' conference in the state where I lived. I loved it. Not only was it a special one-on-one trip with my mom, but I caught the vision for being a good influence on girls younger than me. The whole weekend was a time of conviction, encouragement, and making dear friends that I still know to this day. I loved the older girls on staff running the conference--they seemed so grown-up and wise to me. :) And I hoped that someday I could be a Bright Lights leader myself. Four years later that dream came true--and to date, I myself have helped out at Bright Lights conferences just like those other young ladies so long ago!

What topics/lessons do you teach on and which one is your favorite? If you have a favorite lesson/application, why?

There are so many topics we've covered--sets on fruits of the Spirit, basic Christian commitments, and removing polluting influences from your life. But I think my favorite topics were the last two we covered. We did a several-lesson set on wisdom, and I learned so much about how to gain wisdom--primarily by spending time in God's Word. Wisdom helps us receive rebukes from others, make wise comments, and grow in our knowledge of the Lord. Also, this latest set we just finished covered modesty and inner beauty. I was amazed by studying the Greek of 1 Peter 3:3-4 and learning just how much I've missed over the years with a superficial reading of that passage.

How long have you been teaching Bright Lights? And is this something that you would like to continue doing for many years to come? 

I have taught Bright Lights for 2 and 1/2 years, since June of 2012. It has been a blessing to impact the various girls that have come and gone, and I am committed for as long as the Lord wants us to keep going! I don't know how long that will be, but would imagine another couple of years at least. :)

Is Bright Lights for any certain age group or for girls from healthy homes?

Bright Lights is advertised as a group for girls from ages 10-14, but we have open hearts and willing homes for girls on both ends of that age spectrum. In my group I have invited even younger girls (especially if they have older sisters attending) and I have girls who have stayed long after they've left 14 behind. :)

While Bright Lights is primarily designed for discipleship (Christian growth) rather than evangelism (non-Christians) we certainly welcome girls from broken homes. If they are struggling at home, all the more reason that they should come here for some safe, loving fellowship! God doesn't require a perfect home to grow in Christ, and neither does Bright Lights. :) Especially if they are Christians, we would want them to get some biblical encouragement that they might not get otherwise. And if they are non-Christians and interested in coming, we would not turn them away! We want each girl to see the truth and mercy of Christ in each meeting. In fact, in the last few months I have made it a goal to tie every lesson in some way back to the basic gospel, so that the girls know why they should seek to build good character in the first place.

How have you, personally, been impacted in teaching the lessons? 

Well, as a leader my desire would be that I am a clean vessel, able to genuinely share what God has entrusted me with. Though I am not always perfect, nor do I embody each lesson, I learn a LOT with the girls. I have learned the importance of perseverance and discipline in planning lessons and keeping in touch with the group. I have been encouraged by the joy I see in the girl's faces, and the conviction, and the fact that the Holy Spirit is using the lessons to teach them about their relationship with Christ. I have seen the Lord provide inspiration and confidence for me time and time again when I was worried I didn't have everything together. And he has always blessed the meetings mightily.

I look forward to seeing what he will do in future, and pray that I will be found a faithful servant.

Schuyler McConkey is a novelist and Bright Lights ministry leader living with her parents and two siblings. She keeps busy with the last edits of a WW1 espionage novel, and critiquing various manuscripts for friends and writing partners. Schuyler also authors a blog, My Lady Bibliophile, where she writes book reviews and articles evaluating classic literature. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to Irish love songs, learning Gaelic, and reading too many Dickens novels.

You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Twitter.

God's Guidelines

(The following story is an excerpt from a devotional book that I am writing)

Eric Johnson was six years old when he learned a very important lesson almost the hard way; to be honest, what could have turned out to be quite tragic. His mother had set boundaries around their lawn that he could not cross over and this made Eric feel like he was being treated like a little child--even though he really was one. His mother warned him about the dangers that lay in the nearby street with fast cars that the bigger kids were driving with, but Eric wasn't listening. He wanted to prove that he could make it safely across the street without holding his mother's hand. He wanted to show the world that he was now a big boy and could take care of himself. And on one occasion, he had the perfect opportunity.
 Eric and his mother were sitting outside on the steps of their house playing with his trucks when the phone began to ring in the kitchen. His mother had been waiting for a very important phone call all morning long, so she told Eric to stay where he was and that she would be right back. Eric was not alone for more than a few seconds and he looked out at the empty street that lay just yards away from where he sat. He stood up and ran to the edge of the curb. He remembered seeing his older sister look both directions before crossing the street, so he knew that he should do so, too. However, he didn't understand that she really "looked" to see if there was oncoming traffic coming. It became evident that he did not. He quickly swung his head from one side to the other, as if his sister's head turning was nothing more than a ritual. He took a step down from the curb and found that he was soon standing with both feet on the actual road pavement.
 Eric was about to take another step when his ears heard something moving swiftly towards him. He lifted his head in the direction of the noise and found himself in the pathway of an approaching vehicle. He didn't move. His reflexes could do nothing. He just stared at the car drawing closer and closer to him. Then suddenly two strong hands grabbed him around the waist and both he and his rescuer landed on the grass in front of his house; just seconds before the car and its inattentive driver came rolling past the very spot that Eric had stood moments before. "Eric!" cried his mother, as she drew him closer to herself. "What were you doing?"
He started to sob and tried to explain his reasoning for crossing the street without any help from an adult.
His mother pulled him away and told him to look into her eyes for a minute. "You know I set boundaries for you not to cross, right?"
"Yes..." He responded, knowing that a lecture was soon to follow. But he didn't mind though, because he now realized he was very foolish to try such a stunt.
"I set those boundaries there for your safety," She started to explain in a calm manner. "You think that the list of rules for you to follow are made to make your life miserable. What do you think would have happened if you had obeyed me and not gone out into the street?"
Eric thought for a moment. "I would still be playing with my trucks on the porch?"
She nodded her head. "Why do you think I make rules for you to follow, Eric?"
He shrugged. Not really knowing and comprehending why parents do such things.
"I make rules because I care about you. A mother who didn't care about her children would not set boundaries. She wouldn't care what happened to her child; but I do about you. Not only could you have been hurt by that car, but you endangered my life as well. Your choices will not only effect yourself; but everyone around you as well. Do you understand what I am saying, Eric?"
Eric looked up and smiled at his mom, "Yes, mommy." Now fully understanding that his mother does "such things" out of love.


Much the same way, people are inclined to believe that God's Word is nothing more than a book of rules and regulations to follow. A book that has nothing more to say than "Don't do this..." and "Don't do that..." But it's God's way of giving us safety guidelines to follow. Because like Eric, we may think we can do things and we'll be okay. That we are grown up, mature enough to handle any situation we find ourselves in. We don't analyze the danger until we are met with it and then we wish we hadn't taken that route. God gives us instructions because he knows that we humans are frail in our own strength. We can easily fall into the camouflaged pits and the awful snares that Satan designs to make us sin. He tricks us into thinking that God just wants to make our lives miserable and that we really can do anything we want without God. But then when we do, we usually end up living with the regrets of "If only I had listened to God" or "If only I had followed His commandments instead of doing things my own way.

I think Eric's mom was intelligent in saying that "Your choices will not only effect yourself; but everyone around you as well". When a teenager decides to commit suicide or a father decides to leave his family, both situations effect more than the person making the decision. It hurts their friends, their spouses, their children. Even the small every day decisions effect those around us. How we react under pressure, what choice of words we use, what clothes we wear effect how our family and even strangers see us. We may be influencing everyone we meet today. If we are listening to God's voice and following His "guidelines", we will make the right choices that will influence others in a positive way.

Remember Eric's mom saying that "A mother who didn't care about her children would not set boundaries. She wouldn't care what happened to her child; but I do about you."? If God didn't care about you, He wouldn't set boundaries for you to follow either! It's because of His love for you, that He asks you to listen to His wisdom. God has and always will know more than we do. Wouldn't we all be much safer if we did follow His list of "Don't do that's..." than to live with the regrets? I earnestly believe so, my friend.

Intro to Health pt. 2

Last time, we discussed why we should care what we eat, that eating well along with exercise is essential, health concerns, and what the next step is. So.....what is the next step?

Again, the next step is to take action! Unless we take the first step in anything that we want to achieve, we will never finish. So if our goal is to live a healthy lifestyle, we need to focus on achieving the "result". I think a good look at an excellent source of vitamins is a great place to make our first step.

Vitamins are "an organic compound required by an organism as a vital nutrient in limited amounts." (Wikipedia).  So, we're going to look at a few of the vitamins and look over just some of the fruits and veggies to put on your next grocery list! Where's the best place to start? Let's go with Vitamin B12.


Vitamin B12: 


Vitamin B12 is also known as cobalamin, and is not only a notable source to aid in the formation of blood, but also plays a key role in our nervous systems and brain functions. The lack of B12 in our systems may result in depression, poor memory, and fatigue. It can also be linked to symptoms such as mania and psychosis. So what are some good sources of B12? Not in food or animals, which are both incapable of producing the vitamin. Instead, B12 is taken from archaea and bacteria, which are then made into tablet form. Local stores carry this product in pill form and I feel that this vitamin is a necessity.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C? Oh yeah, everyone's heard of that one. Isn't another name for that an orange? Well, though the orange is an excellent source to get your C's from, it is only ranked at #7, according to Health Alicious Ness website. There are ten sources of Vitamin C you need to consider. And I never would have guessed the first! 

 1. Yellow Bell Peppers
 2. Guavas
 3. Dark Green Leafy Veggies (like Kale)              
 4. Kiwi
 5. Broccoli
 6. Berries (like strawberries)
 7. Citrus (like oranges)
 8. Tomatoes
 9. Peas
10. Papaya    


Vitamin A:

This vitamin "is involved in immune function, vision, reproduction, and cellular communication. Vitamin A is critical for vision as an essential component of rhodopsin, a protein that absorbs light in the retinal receptors, and because it supports the normal differentiation and functioning of the conjunctival membranes and cornea. Vitamin A also supports cell growth and differentiation, playing a critical role in the normal formation and maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs." (according to http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/)

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A are found in:

1. Sweet Potatoes--213.5%

2. Carrots --113.2%

3. Spinach--104.8%

4. Kale--98.3%

5. Mustard Greens--96.2%

6. Collard Greens--80.2%

7. Turnip Greens--61%

8. Swiss Chard--59.5%

9. Winter Squash--59.4%

10. Romaine Lettuce--45.4% 

Vitamin E:

Deficiency with this vitamin is rare, but is known to cause conditions such as: neurological, neuromuscular, anemia, retinopathy, and impairment to immune response problems. Though a poor diet can never cause a deficiency in Vitamin E, this substance benefits your body in five ways: helps to prevent sunstroke and coronary artery disorder or heart disease; alleviates fatigue and aids in getting blood to the scalp; can help heal sunburn and just in general, protect your skin from the sun; has an anti-aging effect on your skin; and lastly, makes your skin and cuticles healthy and fresh.

You can find this vitamin in the following ten food items:

1. Tofu
2. Spinach
3. Nuts
4. Sunflower Seeds
5. Avocados
6. Shellfish
7. Fish (like rainbow trout)
8. Plant oils (like olive oil)
9. Broccoli
10. Squash, pumpkin, and butternut squash

(according to Health Aliciousness)

There you have it! A place to start on a healthy diet of fruits and veggies. I do recommend, however, that you continue to eat your lean meats. People who only eat plants (vegetarians) are at risk for problems down the road such as low cholesterol levels (may lead to early death), colorectal cancer, and "lower bone mineral density" (according to Mother Nature Network).

I again urge you to do research for yourself to find a multitude of other healthy treats that God has provided for us. He knew what He was doing when He packed them with so many nutritious goodies! I hope this helps you know what to start looking for at the grocery store and I pray that God blesses you if you decide to take a healthier view on food.

God bless,
Julianna

   

Intro to Health pt. 1

I know it seems rather odd for me to write about healthy living on Anna's Insights, but it's about time to discuss some other topics! When I think back on how much I used to keep active and ate more fruits and veggies, I keep wondering how I got so hooked on Twinkies and root beer. Perhaps, it was the snacks my Grandma would pack in her car for me whenever we would go on road trips. It was almost like keeping that part of the trip hidden from my Mother. I would hurry out to the car first and Grandma would tell me that the "little, black snack pack" was full of goodies. What a child's dream come true, right? I'd grab the bag, jump to the back seat in the van, and open up the delights that were inside. The bag had Velcro to keep the contents inside fresh, so I had to be very careful opening it if Mom was already in the car.  Yes, quite sneaky.

But I fondly remember those times...

And I'm not going to say that I don't have those sugary, delectable treats any more. I enjoy an occasional blueberry pie or raspberry doughnut. However, I also think there is a fine line between an appropriate amount and an excessive amount. Proverbs 25:27 starts by saying, "It is not good to eat much honey..." Honey is a natural sweet creation and even it is stated that one can have too much.  In our day now with stores like Wal-mart having at least one whole row dedicated to the candies of the rainbow, how much less should we be eating of them to not hit that red, excessive mark? So.......

Why care what I eat?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 is a good place to start:


"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 


As Christians, our body is not our own. God's Spirit lives in us. I doubt that if I remembered this at a fast food restaraunt, I'd want to graze on artificial sweeteners or chicken that's been drowned in trans fats. If the Holy Spirit lives inside of us, we need to watch what we feed our bodies. Our bodies are God's temple. Do I want to fill my stomach with junk food, or should I instead be eating the pure products that God has created for us to enjoy?

Again, an occasional snack does fill my mouth and I don't think it's going to kill you if you partake of them a couple of times a week. However, I believe that 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 answers the question as to why we should care what we eat.

"You are what you eat":

Probably a quote we remember hearing from time to time, right? Although I do believe that what we put into our bodies effects our health 75%, what we eat is not the answer in and of itself. So what makes up for the lacking 25%? Exercise.

Exercise is crucial in having a healthy body. Food that we take into our bodies helps to preserve our organs. Such as bananas that contain a high level of potassium which are excellent for the heart. But walking every day, jogging, bicycling, riding horse, swimming to name a few, are what we need to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.

As with all things, exercise should be done in moderation. Don't overdo it. Again, eating right is the biggest part of living healthy. I hope to discuss exercise further in the following blog post, but would like to stick to the "why's" of eating healthy for this post.

Health Concerns:

Many people I know stick to Gluten-free products or they may have certain allergies to certain food choices. And still others' stomachs may not be able to tolerate general kinds of foods (like hot and spicy). If you're seriously wanting to get away from the chemicalized foods in the grocery and convenience stores, you should first of all ask your doctor about a healthy diet plan. Remember, eating healthy isn't about losing weight. It's about living a healthy life. Of course, life is not pain or sick-free; but, when eating the way God has designed us to eat, we will be avoiding a lot of the diseases that may have been knocking at our door ten years down the road if we didn't correct our food habits today.

When I first started to seriously think about eating differently, I just wanted to lose weight. I went off on a couple of different tangents--even not eating at all--until I would get caught. People who quit eating entirely or throw up after eating have developed either one of these mental disorders: Anorexia or Bulimia. Compulsive Overeating disorders are just as damaging.

But that's not what eating healthy means. There was a reason mom put broccoli on our plate and milk on the table when we were kids. To build strong bones and again, stay healthy. God has designed our bodies to be healthy, not sick. So I believe that, "whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." [1 Corinthians 10:31]. Whether we're sleeping, exercising, reading books, or yes, even eating, all we do should be to the glory of God! 

Next step?

 The next step is to do something about it! Take action and make the change. It's hard to cut out sweets and I don't think a person should give up on them entirely. God has given us so many wonderful things to eat, that in comparison to the food man has processed and ruined to give things a "better" flavor, we need to turn back to the days before processed, artificial, and genetically modified food.

God knew exactly what vitamins and good proteins our bodies needed and continue to need after all generations of farmers. And with this being June Dairy month, let's take the time to not only thank farmers, but to enjoy the food that they harvest.


Next time, we'll be discussing different food choices that are some of the best sources of nutrition.

3 John 1:5 "Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."

Julianna  

Change Ahead

 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 have always been very dear verses to my heart and I'm so thankful that God knows what my future holds, and that He takes me by the hand and leads me.  And again, my life takes another turn that I honestly didn't think it would.

A new year can mean changes for individuals and this year, it will change for me, too. On March 8th of this year, my coaching hold ends.  This will also be the day that my coaching ends for a long time.  I am terminating my enrollment with CollegePlus.  I've been in CP since September of 2011 and it's been quite an eventful one.  But I haven't really been satisfied with the results these last couple years, and I believe that it's because this chapter in my life is closing; I'm not meant to continue this educational journey.  Especially in these last two years, I've been feeling led to get out and I believe I know why.  Since my Grandpa's death, I feel like God is telling me to lay college aside and get more involved with helping my family take care of my Grandma.  She is not 100% capable of leaving alone, so my Mom has devoted a lot of her time to taking care of her.

What will I be spending my time on now?

I will continue to work for both QualityTrack Int. and on the farm.  Because CollegePlus have raised their rates again, this also plays into my decision.  And at the moment, I need to earn money for a more reliable truck.  This past winter has proven to me that winter tires help, but a 2wd will never be as dependable as a 4wd. :P  I'm also hoping to advertise my services as a horse trainer and maybe go through some training and achieve a license to be a horse judge for shows.

I also want to spend extra time that I have preparing to take care of a house and a family of my own some day.  I haven't taken as much initiative as I should have in taking care of the house, but with Mom busy at Grandma's almost every day of the week, it gives me some time to help her with the housework and read the Christian books that I haven't indulged myself in. I'm looking forward to this! :)

But mainly, I've decided to return to my original idea of publishing books.  I've written many rough drafts of different book ideas over the years, but because college and investigative reporting seemed like that was the only way to earn a living, I laid those dreams aside.  Unfortunately, at local newspapers and even with a degree in Journalism, I would most likely end up setting type--as my Mom's friend's daughter ended up doing after four years to achieve her BA.  I started to edit a chapter last fall, but with this course through Brigham Young and the changes that accompanied Grandpa's death, I was barely able to get one chapter done.  My plan is to continue editing one book at a time, perhaps attend some writing conferences in Wisconsin, and start the publishing process by late this year or early 2015.

Being able to lay college aside has lifted a burden off my shoulders.  Though CollegePlus offers so much and I've learned a lot with CP friends, this chapter in my life is being closed.  Perhaps in the future, I will return to studying for CLEPs and earning three credits here and there; but I feel God is leading me to put my time and energy into more important things.  I believe that it was God's will for me to be a part of CP for these last few years, because I've learned some valuable lessons that I would not have learned had I not enrolled.

But we trust God and have assurance that he knows what is best for us.  We lean on His understanding and follow Him wherever He leads us.  For we will find rest only when we trust in His wisdom and not our own.

Blessings,
Anna

Letter From God

When the waves crash in around you.................
                                                            ......................look to Me.


When you don't know where or who to turn to..................
                                                                         ......................turn to Me.


When you've fallen and you can't get up......................
                                                                .................reach up to Me.


When you get lost and can't find your way home....................
                                                                            .......................read My Word.


When you need comfort, but everyone deserts you...................
                                                             .......................fall into My arms.


When you loose sight of what's most important......................
                                                              ..........................remember Who I am.


When you are swallowed up by your fears.....................
                                                        ................................cry out to Me.


When you feel alone or unimportant.......................
                                                         .........................think of Me.


When you are restless......................
                                       ............................rest in Me.


(Julianna 12/16/2013)