Do Something Kind

By: Jake Schrimsher

I've always been taught that a small act of kindness can go a long way. So, tonight I decided to put that to the test. As I was driving home tonight, I saw a man on the side of the road who was holding a sign. I couldn't see what the sign said because he was facing away from me, but I knew what he essentially wanted, food or money. So, I drove over to McDonald's and got him some food. I left a note on the inside of the bag that listed our times of worship at Southaven, the Southaven church of Christ address, and a friendly note that invited him to worship.

The reason I bring this up is because we need to follow our Lord's example and help others. In John 6 we see where Jesus fed the multitude and then toward the end of the chapter in verse 35 we read that Jesus said, "I am the bread of life..." We should lead others to Christ, the bread of life, to fulfill their hunger. Many have a hunger, both spiritual and physical, and it's our duty to help fulfill them both. Whether it's buying them food or showing them the bread of life. There is a need for both. Let's all do our part.

Cocoa and Jesus

By: Paige Almond

Last week my cousin told me this sad story that happened to her dog. She has a cute chocolate lab named Cocoa. She loves to run around and be crazy. She barks at everything; squirrels, cars, people, you name it and she barks at it! Well my cousin has a neighbor and he is a grumpy pants. He is always complaining to her of how her dog is too disruptive and is driving him crazy. Lately he began threatening to shoot it if they didn't do something about the noise. So one day my cousin was out with her family and Cocoa was left home pinned up. She saw some squirrels and birds and just went crazy. My cousins neighbor walks outside and is so angry with her dog. So he has had enough and is going to quiet the dog himself. So he takes her and chains her up to a tree. He hits her in the head with a piece of wood and then starts whipping her with a twig. He beats her several times and then takes her and chains her up to the back of his truck. He then drags her along down the long gravel road. The rocks dig into cocoa's skin and cut her flesh while a trail of blood follows. Cocoa wails and hollers but my cousin's neighbor only goes faster causing her more pain. Soon Cocoa is about to pass out and near the point of death, she gives one more squeak as the neighbor hits the gas and that is the end of Cocoa. My cousin comes home to find her dead body in the yard and the trail of her blood on the road. Such a sad story.
Here's another one:

Mark 15:12-39 "Answering again Pilate said to them, 'Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?' They shouted back 'Crucify Him!' But Pilate said to them, 'Why what evil has He done?' But they shouted all the more 'Crucify Him!' Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas for them, and after having Jesus scourged, he handed Him over to be crucified. The soldiers took Him away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium), and they called together the whole Roman cohort. They dressed Him up in purple, and after twisting a crown of thorns, they put it on Him; and they began to acclaim to Him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' They kept beating His head with a reed, and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing before Him. After they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off Him and put His own garments on Him. And they led Him out to crucify Him. They pressed into service a passer-by coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), to bear His cross. Then they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it. And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take. It was the third hour when they crucified Him. The inscription of the charge against Him read, 'THE KING OF THE JEWS.' They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'And He was numbered with transgressors.'] Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, 'Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross! In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, 'He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!' Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. When the sixth hour came, darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice 'Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani?' which is translated, 'My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?' When some of the bystanders heard it, they began saying, 'Behold He is calling for Elijah.' Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink, saying, 'Let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down.' And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed His last. And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. When the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, 'Truly this man was the Son of God!'

Both of these are horrifying stories. However the difference between them is that the second one isn't just a story, it's a reality! Jesus died on the cross for us and it was REAL and continues to be real for those of us who have decided to give our lives to Him. If you felt more sad while reading the first story and began drifting off while reading the second one then WAKE UP!! That first story didn't even happen, I just made it all up. But Jesus' death on the cross DID happen! What will you do about it?

"Live Life To the Fullest"

By: Jake Schrimsher

"Live life to the fullest." That's what we have been told to do all of our lives, but what does it truly mean to "live life to the fullest"?

What I see this as is an opportunity to do something that not many people attempt to do. Many people are told "live your life to the fullest" and have no clue how to do that. I would like to tell you the best way possible to "live life to the fullest."

Put God first, others second, and self last.

God first.

If there is one verse that makes me want to strive my best to live my life for God it is John 3:16.

"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Putting God first requires a change of mind. How can I not put my self first in a decision? Think of how it will effect your relationship with God if you put yourself first in a decision and don't turn to God.

It could destroy it.

Others second.

I cannot stress enough how important this is. It is not easy to put someone else before you, especially if you do not even know the person. It is hard, but necessary.

This means that you have to think of others before you think of yourself.

Some people think, "if I don't get my way I'm gonna die." But you can't put yourself before others.

One of my most important goals in life is to learn how to put others before myself.

Self last.

This is probably the most difficult of all. How is it possible for me as my own person to put myself last?

Again, it is a mind set. If you tell yourself, I am going to put God and others before myself, you will follow through with it.

That is how it is with many things.

If you tell yourself at the beginning of the day that you are going to put yourself last and set continuous reminders throughout the day, you will be able to accomplish it.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the se things shall be added to you."

Matthew 22:39 says, "And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

God first. Others second. Self last.

Fitting In

By: Katie Long

What is something that almost every girl struggles with? How about popularity? Always trying to fit in and be liked by everyone. This is probably one of the main struggles because this is what brings us to wear the immodest clothing, give into peer pressure, say those words, etc..


As a Christian, are we supposed to fit in and be liked by everyone? I guess a better question would be CAN we be a faithful Christian and still be liked by everyone? The answer is NO. "And you will be hated by all for My names sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).


As Christians we are supposed to be different than the world (Romans 12:2).


If we wear the same clothes, speak the same way, etc. How are we any different?


As Christians we WILL be persecuted, and when we are, we shouldn’t be discouraged but encouraged. In Acts 5 the apostles were put in jail and beaten for preaching Jesus Christ, in verse 41 it says “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.” They were glad to suffer for Christ! When was the last time you were thrown in jail or beaten for being a Christian? 


Our persecutions are nothing compared to what the first century Christians went through! So, when someone talks about you or makes fun of you for not wearing what they wear or doing what they do, don’t be discouraged and more importantly don’t give in to their peer pressure, but be happy that you are suffering shame for His name. “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1 Peter 5:10).


If you are a faithful Christian you WILL be persecuted for Christ’s sake (2 Timothy 3:12). If you are not being persecuted, maybe you should take a look at your life and try to see why not. The struggles of a teen girl can be pretty tough, but we have to keep our mind set on Heaven and remember to take pride in our Christianity and not worry about the world persecuting us “But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).


Dealing with life’s struggles can be hard, but remember, if we keep pushing on and stay faithful then when Jesus comes back we can say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

Something Is Calling Me Away

By: Jake Schrimsher

God told Adam and Eve to not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but something called them away.

There are so many times in the bible where God tells his people to do one thing and they do another. Simply because the devil is calling them to do the opposite.

Christ tells us in Matthew 5:21, "You shall not murder" and what do we see on the news just about everyday?

Christ tells us in Matthew 5:27, "You shall not commit adultery" and what do we see happening all around us?

Christ tells us in Matthew 5:44, "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..." and what do we see people doing today?

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:1, "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them..." and what are people out doing?

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:14, "if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." and people are still holding grudges.

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:19, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal..." and what are people doing?

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters..." but what are men trying to do?

Christ tells us in Matthew 6:25, "do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" Yet, people are making such a big deal out of them.

Christ tells us in Matthew 7:1-6, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." Yet, again, people are doing this!

Christ tells us in Matthew 7:13, "Enter by the narrow gate..." Yet, people everyday are doing things that push themselves further and further away from it.

Christ tells us in Matthew 7:15, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Yet, we let our guards down.

Everyday we are faced with the decision, "Am I going to do what is right or what is wrong?"

I encourage you to do what is right. I encourage you to follow what the bible says, leaving nothing out. I encourage you to try your best in everything that you do, especially when something as important as your soul is at stake.

The devil is calling us away from our God. I encourage you to plug your ears. Do not listen to him. Do not follow him.

Follow God. Study his word. Live by his word. Be the Christian that he wants you to be.

I know that it is easier said than done, but we can do it. Together we can achieve eternal life.

Not As Strong As You Thought You Were

By: Jake Schrimsher

In every one of our lives there is always, at some point in time, a thought that goes through our minds that says, "I'm stronger than I've ever been." Yet, somehow most of the time when we think we are at our strongest point we are actually at our weakest.

"Well, I haven't sinned in a week or so. I'm doing pretty good." Right then is when our guards goes down! Sometimes it's not even a week. It may only be a day or two.

Life is difficult. If you think otherwise, you're wrong.

There are times when we just don't want to leave the house because we are so down. There are times when we feel like we can't get back up because we are so weak. There are times when we bottle everything up inside of us and we reach the point where we don't trust anyone, not even God.

Don't let this happen to you. The one thing that no one should ever do is give up on trusting in God.

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart..." Trust him with everything. Go to him and just let it all out.

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." God will give you strength.

Trust in God, lean on him for strength, and when you think you're at your strongest point, keep going.

Change Your Mind

By: Jake Schrimsher

Changing how you think is one of the hardest things that you can possibly do, but if you're a sinner it's necessary. Sin corrupts the mind and changes how someone should think.

In Psalm 51:10 David said to God, "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Because he was in sin, realized that he was in sin, and wanted to do something about it.

What do we need to do when we are in sin? Change our minds.

Sister Hazel has a song called "Change Your Mind" and in the chorus it says,

"If you want to be somebody else, If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself, If you want to be somebody else change your mind."

If you're trying to leave sin in it's tracks and never turn around and go back, change your mind.

Well, that's easy to say, but let's look at how we can change our minds.

1. We have to want to change our minds

If we aren't 100% dedicated, we can't do it.

This is so difficult. I've been striving to do this for a while now and it still seems impossible, but it's not.

I'm here to tell you, if we set our minds to something it can be accomplished.

How did you learn how to play the instrument you play, how to swim, or how to do anything that you do? You set your mind to it.

So, want to change your mind.

2. Get help.

There are a lot of things in this world that require help from another person and it just so happens that this is one of them.

How can someone else help you do this?

Ask them to text or call you on a regular basis to encourage you do continue striving. I recommend that it include a daily bible verse.

That will get you thinking. It will keep you focused on what's important and keep your mind where it needs to be.

3. Pray about it.

A persons most difficult problems can be solved by talking to their heavenly Father.

It's something that you can't live without. If you could live without it, I don't think that God would have made it possible, but he did!

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

Don't think that you can do it without God. Because you can't.

God is an essential part in changing your mind and if you don't include him, your mind will not be changed.

Pour out your whole mind to God. He wants you to tell him everything. He is all knowing, but he wants you to go to him with your problems.

4. Read God's word.

Open up your bible everyday and read at least one chapter.

Don't just read it, but think about what it means. If you can't figure out what it means ask one of your brothers or sisters in Christ.

1 Chronicles 16:11 says,

"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always."

Always seek him.

5. Get rid of things.

There are things everywhere that cause us to stumble and the best thing for us to do is try to get rid of all of them.

Anything that's holding you back from a strong relationship with God, get rid of it.

There's no reason to keep it in your life if it's holding you apart from God.

If you have a problem, CHANGE YOUR MIND!