*Smile!* Maggie's Photo Contest: my entries!

Hey Y'all! My friend, Maggie, over at Bliss, is having a photo contest! We are supposed to enter pictures of smile faces that we find. After you look at mine, hop over to her blog to read her post, and then grab your camera and get out there! Here are mine...

my littlest sister's coloring on the wall... lol.

an attempted clay bead...

Othello! (note: we didn't really do that...for if we did I'd be very impressed. lol)

stuffed bear...

I don't know what they're really called, but we call them "googally balls" lol. And Poppy put a smile and eyelashes on hers...

Yep. It stares at me all the time and I never saw it till now...*shaking head in disbelief*

Phone holder...this one has a nose too! But, it kinda looks more mad...or its peeking over the top???

Come on! I saw it! Can't you see it???

Because I'm nice to y'all...

My personal favorite! Isn't it cute? lol.

Okay, Maggie, there you go. :) If we can only enter one then...probably the last one. lol. Anyways, talk to y'all later! I've got to go finish my Biology lab homework...

Oh! And I found one other smilie but I couldn't take a picture of it! I opened the door of my camera to take out the memory card, and what is looking at me? The two (basically dead :P) AA batteries and the side of the memory card! lol.

In Christ alone,

Buttercup

Created for a Purpose

This is the latest poem I've written, I hope you enjoy it. :)

Why do anything kind,

Why do anything worthwhile,

If this life is all there is,

If we don't have anything after death?

If all we do shall be forgotten,

If we are never remembered,

Why do anything to be remembered by,

If it benefits you nothing?

Why do something to benefit others,

If they shall die someday, too?

Why live like we have a purpose,

If we have no purpose?

Why are we here?

What is our purpose?

Who should we worship?

Where are we going?

To worship God and enjoy Him.

To show the lost the Savior.

God and God alone.

To be with Him forever.

Life is full of questions,

Both that get answered,

And those that don't.

So we must trust Christ, for He knows all.

We were created for a Purpose!

By Buttercup

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) by Casting Crowns

First, I'm SO happy that you all like my poem! Your comments and emails made me feel so good! Thank you!!!

Okay, so I totally LOVE this song! This is a beautiful song by Casting Crowns in their new album "Until The Whole World Hears"! I tried to find a good YouTube movie of it (hoping for an official one...), but I couldn't find anything. So, you can go look if you want. :)

Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

One day when heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was a black as could be

Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin

Dwelt among men, my example is He

Word became flesh and the light shined among us

He glory revealed

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain

One day they nailed Him to die on a tree

Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He

Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree

And took the nails for me

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer

One day the stone rolled away from the door

Then He arose, over death He had conquered

Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore

Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him

From rising again

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming

One day the skies with His glories will shine

Wonderful Day, my Beloved One, bringing

My Savior, Jesus, is mind

Living, He loved me

Dying, He saved me

Buried, He carried my sins far away

Rising, He justified freely forever

One day He's coming

Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

Oh, glorious day

By Casting Crowns (Until the Whole World Hears)

Till next time!

In Christ,

Buttercup

Flowers that Never Die

This is my personal favorite poem of my own that I've ever written. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. :)

They grow slowly and steadily,

Some stronger than others,

Yet they never die.

Weeds like envy and Hate,

Come and try to kill them,

Yet they never die.

Storm clouds called Gossip,

Rain down Pain upon them,

Yet they never die.

Winds of Change come in,

And try to blow them away,

Yet they never die.

And when things turn bad,

The dew sprinkles forgiveness on them,

So they will stay strong.

Always and forever,

The Son shines His love upon them

So that they will stay strong.

This flower so strong

Is called the True Friendship,

And it never dies.

God placed these in creation

For us who believe in Him

And they shall never die.

So I tell you,

Thank God daily

For True Friendships.

By Buttercup

9/11/2001...

Most people, at least us Americans, should know this date all too well; even if, like me, you were too small to remember it exactly...

On September 11th, 2001, the Twin Towers were hit by terrorist planes....

so many died...

both people who were in the towers, and those who were trying to rescue those who were in the towers...

many didn't even have a chance to escape...

Yet because of many brave men and women, and through the great grace of God, some survived.

Many bad things can happen in this world of sin and death, but because of Jesus Christ we can have hope, both in life and in death.

This is a part of American history not easily forgotten.

So let us pray for those who lost friends and family on that horrible day, that they might be comforted, and lean on Christ, who is the only firm Rock.

And let us live our lives so as to glorify Him in all we do and say.

In Christ,

Buttercup

(Disclaimer: not my photographs, taken from Photobucket.com)

Interview: David Sitton - Part two

Here is the last half!

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Could you tell us about your favorite trip and why it was your favorite?

After 33 years doing mission, it’s hard to pick a favorite. But the times when I am able to make the first contact with people groups that have no gospel knowledge and I can gather the data and begin planting the gospel from ground zero where Christ is not known – Those are the most thrilling times for me. For example, during the last two years I have been able to travel by dugout canoe to the Black Water swamp region of New Guinea. We’ve now identified 9 villages, more than 5,000 people, where the gospel has never been established. And to now begin recruiting and training new missionaries to target these places. That’s one of the things I like most about pioneer mission.

If you could tell a teenager one thing about getting involved in missions, what would it be?

Go on as many cross-cultural, short-term mission trips as you can. But here’s my caution: Thousands of young believers in America become long-term short-term missionaries, meaning - They are content to go on a short-term trip every summer but most of the rest of the time they don’t live with any sense of heavy awareness and concern for unreached peoples. So, go on short-terms – But then try to go long-term. Ask the Lord if he will open the way for you to invest all of your life in the gospel among unreached peoples and then run through the first crack in the open door! Jesus already told us to GO! So try to go and see where the Lord takes you.

How about an adult?

It’s much the same. A lot of adults have told me over the years that they wish they had gone to the field when they were young. And I say – “What are you going to do about that? What is stopping you from going now?” Don’t tell me you wish you had gone when you were young, if you aren’t willing to get radical in your going now as an older adult. Don’t play games with God. Young person or adult – Organize your life around Jesus Christ and the gospel and getting that message to the nations. All of our effort and resources should be invested in the thing that God wants – And that is, to make his name great (famous) among all people groups (Mal 1:11). Here’s one way I like to put it: Either go to the nations as a martyr missionary or become a financial martyr that sends those missionaries to the front line. Whether you go or send, Christ expects all of us to give our lives for Christ. Anything less is a wasted life.

What are the best things a teen can do to prepare for possible future work on the mission field?

Go on short-term mission trips, read lots of missionary biographies (William Carey, David Brainerd, C.T. Studd, David Livingstone, Adoniram Judson, The Moravians, Jim Elliot and the Ecuador Five) – And then come to our missionary training school, the Center for Pioneer Church Planting (CPCP) to get prepared for the frontline!

Lastly, Mr. Sitton, why do you do what you do? Why do you put yourself in danger, and in difficult situations to tell people about Christ? Why don’t you just leave it to others?

I do it because I am compelled by Christ to do it. I go for the glory of God – And for the rescue of God’s lost sheep that are scattered among all the language and people groups. I can’t NOT do it. And why would I leave it to others when Jesus lets me do it? Others can do it too if they just will! But I don’t want to miss out this privilege! As for the danger, suffering and persecution that will come to us in frontline mission: Jesus is Worth It. I don’t know how else to say it. The gospel is worth every hardship that will come. Soldiers are willing to die for our country… why aren’t Christians willing to die for Christ and the gospel? Jim Elliot’s widow – Elisabeth Elliot said it best after her husband was slaughtered by the Auca Indians in Ecuador: “Not even a martyr’s death can be classified as extreme obedience when you’re following a Savior who died on a cross!”

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-Buttercup

P.S. Please do not use any part of this interview in anyway.

Interview: David Sitton - Part One

Hi Y'all! First of all, I want to say that I didn't interview him for my blog, but for Go Ye Therefore, the magazine that me and my team (Mission Minded Teens) put out.

I'm going to post half of it now, and half later. :) It's amazing! Thank you so much, Mr. Sitton!

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Why and when did you originally start getting involved in missions in Papua New Guinea?

I went to PNG for the first time in 1977, just one week after I turned 20 years old. My interest in PNG was a result of a traveling missionary that I heard speak – And he directly challenged me to join him in the work… And (8months later) I did it.

Was Papua New Guinea the first place you went?

I had never been out of the USA except on surfing trips to Mexico. PNG is the first place I ever went for the purpose of advancing the gospel.

Did you start “from scratch” or did you go first with an established missionary?

I worked with my experienced missionary friend for a year or two and then he started nudging (more like pushing) me out my own; challenging me to pioneer the gospel into new places myself, which I began to do still with his assistance, at first.

How do you approach people you don’t even know to share Jesus Christ with them?

One of the sayings in our ministry is that you have to “earn the right to be heard.” That means, among other things, learning the language and culture well enough to know how to present the gospel. For tribal peoples that have no prior knowledge about God and his dealings with man – We begin by over viewing the Old Testament stories and use those stories to give them enough basic theological information so that the actual “gospel” story will have context and meaning for them.

What do you think is the most important thing to think about while on a trip?

A short-term mission trip is completely different than going as a career missionary. On short-term missions the goal more often is to accomplish a particular project, such as the building of a house, painting a church building, providing a VBS or conducting medical and dental clinics. These are good and can demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways. But, in a long-term ministry where a missionary lives among the people, it is more a matter of developing intimate relationships and becoming part of the village community – And then, sharing Christ from that platform of earned friendship over a longer period of time.

What is your favorite passage of Scripture, and why?

2 Corinthians 4 is one of my favorites. It is stunning to me that God allows the treasure of the gospel to be carried into the world through people “earthen vessels” (verse 7). And the truth is that as we speak the gospel as Ambassadors of Christ – It is God himself speaking through us – Saying to the nations, “Be reconciled to God!” (Ch. 5:19-20). These are mind-blowing concepts and privileges that God gives to us.

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There it is. :) I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Now, all you have to do is await the next half. lol.

-Buttercup

P.S. please do not use any part of this interview in any way.

Randomness Friday! I've been tagged!

Thanks, Anna! Oki doki, heeeere we go!

8 Books I've read recently (or am reading)...

1. The Bible

2. The Broken Blade - William Durbin

3. Daring to Live on the Edge - Loren Cunningham

4. Story of the World, the Modern Age - Susan Wise Bauer

5. Don't Waste Your Life - John Piper

6. In the Hearts of Wild Men - Ernest Herndon

7. The Sky Phantom - Carolyn Keene

8. The Mystery of the Ivory Charm - Carolyn Keene (okay, yes, these last two I read a few months ago, but I can't think right now. lol)

8 Songs or Albums I listen to all the time...

1. Offerings - Third Day

2. To know that you're alive - Kutless

3. Hearts of the Innocent - Kutless

4. All that is within me - Mercy Me

5. Generous Mr. Lovewell - Mercy Me

6. Coming up to Breathe - Mercy Me

7. Spoken For - Mercy Me

8. Revelation - Third Day

8 Things I love...

1. my Savior

2. my family

3. my friends

4. my sleep (lol)

5. sleepovers

6. youth group

7. When little kids do weird things

8. laughing and smiling

8 Things I've learned (or am learning) this year...

1. to trust God

2. that I'm actually in High School (wow. that took awhile...)

3. that metal bowls don't go in the microwave

4. that my friends are growing up faster than I am (or so it seems)

5. that magazines/e-zines take a ton of work

6. more about Christ

7. that getting money is harder than it seems

8. that prayer is powerful

8 New Recipes I want to try and make by the end of the year...

um. not any really. sorry!

8 Favorite online hangouts...

1. Blogger

2. Email

3. Skype

4. and

5. that

6. is

7. it.

8. yep...

8 Projects I need to work on...

1. the afghan I started two years ago...

2. the September issue of Go Ye Therefore

3. country profiles for something at church

4. clean the fish tank (I don't want to kill them!)

5. my book report

6. and my book synopsis

7. a canvas bag I'm drawing on

8. Sign language

8 People I think should do this...

1. Poppy @ Mold Me Make Me

2. Chelsea @ Club Chea

3. Elizabeth @ Footprints in the Sand

4. Eldarwen @ the Faithful Elven Princess

5. Taylor @ Proverbs 31 in Training

6. Emily @ Ramblings of Emily Rose

7. Maggie @ Bliss

8. Jesus Freak Girl @ Jesus Freak Girl (lol. cute)

(yes, I'm cheating) 9. anyone else who comments on this post, who I haven't tagged already, and follows my blog!

Whatcha waitin' for? I can't wait to read yours!

I've gotta go, Poppy, Esther, Pooh Bear, and I are going to do a LOTR marathon tonight. :) Poppy will probably post about it later...depending on how long she stays awake. lol. ttyl!

In Christ,

Buttercup

*shaking head* naughty blogger...

Yeah, I know, no post in two weeks, pretty bad. Especially since I haven't been doing much! Well, maybe that's why...idk.

Anyways...I sent our issue five of Go Ye Therefore on the 31st! And personally, I think it's the best issue so far! If you didn't see my other post, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. David Sitton, president of To Every Tribe ministries! If you would like to subscribe, please shoot us an email at helpnm@embarqmail.com. :) Sorry, just had to remind y'all. lol.

So, I'm going to post the interview on here; and I'll start tomorrow. :) I really hope y'all like it, I love it! Also, please visit their new blog! It rocks!

I promise I will post a good post either tonight or tomorrow about an activity that me, Poppy, and my other siblings did today... :)

till then!

Buttercup