Spotlight!

Above is a picture of Ashley, Alaysha, and Rouselba (left to right) They are 3 of 11 teens who represent the social justice group for Bullying. This was the teams first time ever performing their skit to a large audience! As a group they presented a scenario of what bullying looks like for them every day. After the performance the teens and their coach were able to have time for discussion about different forms of bullying, the affects bullying may have on a person, and why being a voice and not a bystander is very important! The audience was a group of teens at The Navigators bible study! The Bullying team did a great job, and will have more opportunities to perform their skit!

spotlight!

Spotlight!

An Interview with Katie Novakowski

Recently GRIL had the opportunity to catch up with former GRIL graduate Katie Novakowski. Here's what she had to say about her expirience with GRIL!

GRIL: Hey Katie! Wow, it's been a while how are you? Ok, jumping right in, what was the greatest memory that you’ve had at GRIL U?

Katie: Wow! That was fast, and I'm doing very well! I would have to say that the greatest memory that I've had at GRIL was when we took the Colorado trip, and painted bridges. It was really fun because I got to connect with GRIL and my peers. Even though it was at the end, it was amazing. And also riding in the back of trucks was a truly unique experience.

GRIL: What was one or two of your 'ah hah' moments? Or take-away moments that you learned at GRIL?

Katie: I would have to say finding out and knowing that
God has a bigger plan for me than I realized myself. Also the time management class that we took really helped shape me for me who I am.

GRIL: Have you been able to maintain those “ah hahs” or take aways?

 Katie: Staying in contact with people is the big key to it all and I've been able to do that! Also going back to the time management skills I learned, it's important to surround myself with positive people.

GRIL:
What do you think GRIL has prepared you best for?

Katie: It overall has made me a better leader and has equipped me towards a sucessful future!

GRIL: Thanks for the time Katie! Blessings on you!

Katie: Thanks, and I'll see you soon!!!

Spotlight!

An Interview with Katie Novakowski

Recently GRIL had the opportunity to catch up with former GRIL graduate Katie Novakowski. Here's what she had to say about her expirience with GRIL!

GRIL: Hey Katie! Wow, it's been a while how are you? Ok, jumping right in, what was the greatest memory that you’ve had at GRIL U?

Katie: Wow! That was fast, and I'm doing very well! I would have to say that the greatest memory that I've had at GRIL was when we took the Colorado trip, and painted bridges. It was really fun because I got to connect with GRIL and my peers. Even though it was at the end, it was amazing. And also riding in the back of trucks was a truly unique experience.

GRIL: What was one or two of your 'ah hah' moments? Or take-away moments that you learned at GRIL?

Katie: I would have to say finding out and knowing that
God has a bigger plan for me than I realized myself. Also the time management class that we took really helped shape me for me who I am.

GRIL: Have you been able to maintain those “ah hahs” or take aways?

 Katie: Staying in contact with people is the big key to it all and I've been able to do that! Also going back to the time management skills I learned, it's important to surround myself with positive people.

GRIL:
What do you think GRIL has prepared you best for?

Katie: It overall has made me a better leader and has equipped me towards a sucessful future!

GRIL: Thanks for the time Katie! Blessings on you!

Katie: Thanks, and I'll see you soon!!!

Spotlight: Patrick Pascal

Patrick Pascal (GRIL U Graduate, 2009)

Ministry: Navigators

If you were at the Where You At Conference for 2011, you may have noticed a young man in a sweatsuit walking around. This was the very one and only Patrick Pascal.

Role: Patrick currently is involved with the Navigators serving as an adult leader for their Sunday night bible study. He also is involved with GRIL U meetings as a helper/mentor to the teens involved.

Takeaways: Patrick’s experience with GRIL U has strengthened his relationship with God and his peers. He is not afraid to talk about God publicly and reach out to help others in need.  Furthermore, his experience is something that he wants others to know about since it has equipped him to become a better leader and to be more involved in his community

Carena Shannon

SPOTLIGHT!!!!

Carena Shannon (GRIL U Graduate, 2006)

Ministry: Navigators

Carena Shannon is making a difference in several ministries that she is playing a role in. She serves as a bible study leader for a teen girls group that meets bi-weekly.  In addition to that, she also mentors teens who participate in GRIL U, with the help of the Navigator leaders. She has been working as a mentor for the past 3 yrs.

Takeaways: GRIL U has helped Carena gain a better awareness of herself. In making her mission statement "leading and teaching youth about her spirituality and relationships," Carena has applied that to her life and is now working towards gaining a degree in ministry, with an emphasis of business at North Park Theological Seminary. She has already obtained her bachelors in Social Work, and would like to work in ministry in a more societal focus rather than a church setting.

Forgiving Others

Jesus spent a great deal of time talking about the importance of forgiving others. He made it clear that forgiveness is to be a characteristic of his followers. So let’s explore what it means to forgive others, the benefits of forgiving and how to forgive. What It Means To Forgive
“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

To forgive means to not seek revenge on the one who has hurt you. It means letting go of the anger we harbor inside us and allowing God to deal with him or her as he, in His perfect wisdom, sees fit.

It doesn’t mean excusing a wrong or denying that it ever happened. It means we don’t allow ourselves to be consumed with anger towards the one who has done something to us. Instead of cursing the people who has wrong us, we pray for them. Here are three verses that reflect the attitude of the forgiving heart:

“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. (Matthew 5:44)
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.” (1 Peter 3:9)

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible. Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, ‘I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,’ says the Lord. Instead, do what the Scriptures say: ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you’. Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:17-21)

Why Forgive?
“And don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a mighty foothold to the Devil. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior” (Ephesians 4:26-27,31)
As the verses above tell us, anger gives Satan a foothold in our lives. Anger has a devastating effect on our relationship with God as well as with others. Over time we’ll take our anger out on those around us. It consumes us unless we deal with it. Jesus passionately taught us to forgive others, to let go, to let him handle it. He wants us to be at peace and for that to happen anger must be replaced with forgiveness.

A few years ago Christianity Today featured a cover story entitled, “The Forgiveness Factor: Social Scientist discover the power of a Christian virtue” (January 10,2000). In it, they discussed how researchers have discovered the importance of forgiveness. What was most interesting was that they had come to the conclusion that the one who does the forgiving is the one who benefited the most.

How To Forgive
“Without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
After Jesus taught the apostles about forgiveness (Luke 17:3-5) they said to him, “Give us more faith!” Forgiving is not easy. It takes the strength of God to truly be able to let go. It takes faith and much prayer to say to someone, “I will repay this evil with good. I will not hate you.”
“I say to you, 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.” (Matthew 5:44)
Jesus, who spoke these gentle words, has the power to heal the hurting soul. He can take your shattered life and piece it back together again.

Tips to help you forgive:
- Do not deny that you have been hurt. As we learned, forgiving is not denying.
- Make a decision to forgive others (Luke 17:3-5)
- Do not seek revenge or repay evil for evil. Let God handle it in his perfect way (1 Peter 3:9)
- Ask Jesus to help you release the anger inside you (Ephesians 4:26-27,31)
- Pray for a forgiving heart and read what the Bible says about the subject.
- Pray for those who have hurt you (Matthew 5:44)