June 1, 2010 I published the last issue (at least for a while) of Girl Talk my teen girl magazine. Since this blog was originally designed for the purpose of publishing weekly devotions for the magazine and later the magazine itself I decided to create another blog that isn’t connected to Girl Talk.

I’ll probably still publish book reviews or other items here now and again but you’ll more often find me at Trusting Him with Today. I hope you’ll stop by



May 31, 2008

Eight Years of Girl Talk


























In case you wondered why Girl Talk's 7th year has only three issues, that was the year my mother died and I wasn't sure that I wanted to continue with Girl Talk. However, thanks to the encouragement of family and friends I decided not to stop.

May 26, 2008

Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Poor, poor, pitiful me?” Maybe you got up one morning and everything in your life had changed. Your parents were fighting, your best friend blabbed your innermost secret all over school and your teacher picked on you all day for seemingly no reason at all. Anyone of these things would seem like ample reason to go into the self pitying refrain, “Poor, poor, pitiful me.” “Why does bad things always happen to me?” “Why did God let this happen?”

Don’t feel bad though, you have lots of company. Most people, have moments when all goes wrong and are guilty of thinking, and yes sometimes saying, “poor, poor, pitiful me.” Some people however are capable of rolling with the punches and playing with whatever hand life deals them without sinking into despair.

During the summer I spent a lot of time with a family member who was paralyzed as a result of a serious car accident. The amazing thing is I never once heard him say, “Poor me” or “Why did this happen to me?” If he thought it I never knew it from his actions. Instead of sinking into self-pity and depression he continues to keep a positive mental attitude. In fact he made me rethink every time I thought to myself, “Poor me.”

The fact is the poor, poor, pitiful me routine serves no purpose at all. It doesn’t actually make situations any better. I read a quote somewhere that said, “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” So think good thoughts! In the midst of every problem you are faced with there is something that you can be thankful for.

So when you are having one of those horrible, terrible, no good very bad days and it seems like everyone is picking on "little ol' you" have a good cry then suck it up and begin to count your blessings. By the time you’re done you’ll be to much in awe of how blessed you are and how good God is to be thinking “Poor, poor, pitiful me.”

Girl Talk Sept/Nov '03

In looking through old issues of Girl Talk trying to pick some of my favorite articles I immediately picked this one. I didn't realize at the time that I'd be posting it on the birthday of the person I wrote it about. So "Handsome" if you happen across my blog today, you're still my inspiration, I love you and Happy Birthday.

May 23, 2008

Waiting for True Love

by Kristin Yarbrough

His hands moved up her back; his lips caressed her neck. True love waits. This isn't love, Alex thought, but it feels good. Yeah, true love waits, but waits for how long? How much? As long as she didn't go all the way, right? She broke away from him and glanced at her ring and whispered the inscription, "True love waits." I wonder if my true love is waiting for me...

Through various slogans and discussions, the female population has been taught to wait for true love. But wait for what? Wait to date? For a kiss? For sex? Well, I offer you this insight, as a college girl who has had her heart broken many a time and is currently waiting for true love.

Let's start with something "simple": dating. Personally, I think, girls shouldn't start dating until they're emotionally ready, which varies with the individual. Society creates too much hype about the importance of having a boyfriend. I swear we've got it all wrong. In junior high, a couple didn't actually go anywhere, but we called it "going out". In high school, two people like each other and then are considered an "item" and dating. But does anyone really date anymore? If you were to time warp to our parents generation, you'd find that dating meant taking more than one person out and then "go steady" with someone that you liked more than the restof the people you've dated. Today it seems like we have it backwards. Most of the people I've observed become a couple before actually dating. Sadly, this leaves young women lost in the world of men that actually want to date (more than one person at a time) without having a serious relationship.

My suggestion is this: get to know yourself first. You can't ever dump yourself! You'll always be there! Once you've taken care of yourself, get to know the people you're interested in. From there, take it easy. Be open with the person of your attention and be honest about your dating views.

Next, if you date, set boundaries. Here's one way to set boundaries (Read before actually trying it!) Close your eyes and picture the man you want to spend the rest of your life with. Don't give him a name or a face, just imagine his shadows. Imagine that it's your wedding night. He turns to you and smiles. He leans in close and whispers ever so gently, "Honey, after knowing you for ______ years, I've finally fallen in love with you and have promised to share the rest of my life with you. I've waited for you since I can remember. The only thing I've ever done is...." Is? I don't want an is! I want it to stop at "remember". Okay, highly unlikely, but hey, that's my fantasy! Here's your job: take what you filled in at the end. If you feel truly comfortable knowing that your potential mate has been that intimate with someone else, rather than waiting for you, then that is where your
boundary line lies. Just remember, you may be okay with his experience, but he may not be comfortable with yours.

Romance and love is special--make it special. Why waste all those glances, poems, smiles, and kisses on just anybody? Waiting for someone special, especially for true love, shows that you value the next person you date so much that you considered your relationship before you even met. What if a guy did that for you? Wouldn't that just make you get that "aw-gee" look on your face? So from me to you, dear reader, please remember, "True love waits… for marriage"; we're all worth waiting for!



This article appeared in the Dec '01/Feb 02 issue of Girl Talk. It was submitted by a college student that I've never met. This became one of my favorite articles because of the great advice she offered to other young ladies.

May 20, 2008

Girl Talk 8th Anniversary

June 1, 2008 will be the eighth anniversary of Girl Talk Magazine. As the years go by I’m always encouraged by the interest of a new set of young ladies and their parents to continue the work.

(Girl Talk's First Year)


(Preteen reader and helper)
















Twany, proofing and giving advice from a teen's point of view.







Some of the initial readers of Girl Talk have graduated from high school, college and are working in their chosen careers while others have also married their prince and started their own little families. It’s always great to meet up with some of them and hear their stories and I’m hoping that during Girl Talk’s ninth year that I’ll be able to do updates on some of them.

During the rest of this month I’ll once again be sharing some of my favorite articles as well as readers’ favorites.

May 19, 2008

Dealing With Difficult Times

I'm over here tomorrow (Tuesday)



Stop by and read my thoughts on dealing with difficult times.

May 5, 2008

A Heavenly Reminder

I'm over here today

Have you ever gotten a heavenly reminder about something you may have forgotten? I have.

Do drop Laced With Grace and read my post.

May 3, 2008

The Days of Youth




Remember your Creator in the days of your youth,…
Ecclesiastes 12:1


In spite of the fact that I’m no longer considered a youth I still think of myself as young, some days anyway. However, there are days (usually when I try to complete one hundred different tasks) when the reality hits me that I’m no longer a teenager. The level of energy and ability to go like the energizer bunny isn’t always there anymore,*big sigh* .

This is why Solomon encourages us to remember God and find him while we are yet young. When you are young you are in the prime of your life, full of energy and excitement. Why not use that for God? Instead of going your own way in your teens and early adult years why not go God’s way? Channel some of that excitement and energy that seem to be synonymous with youth into building God’s kingdom. Give God the best you have to offer, your heart, yourself, your youth…

I promise that if you will give these things to God now that you’ll find the rest of your life to be so much richer. You’ll never look book at your teen years and say I’m sorry I gave my life to God so soon. I wish I had waited and accepted him later in life. Most people I’ve encountered who gave their hearts to God whatever the age usually say, I wish I had done it sooner.

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