Hard Facts
Good morning! (:
Here in America teens go through a lot. Sex, drugs, smoking, alcohol, transmitted disaese, young pregnancies, violence, drinking and driving, drop outs and many more. I know it may be hard to read some of these, as it was for me; but here are some real statistics on teens in America.
In the U.S., 7 in 10 women who had sex before age 14, and 6 in 10 of those who had sex before age 15 report having sex involuntarily.
Approxmently 4 in 10 young women in the U.S become pregnant at least once before turning 20 years old. Close to 2,800 teens get pregnant each day.
Teens 16 to 19 were three and one-half times more likely then the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. According to Justice Department, one in two rape victims is under age 18; one in six is under age 12.
In the U.S., 1 in 4 sexually active teens become infected with an STD.
Approximately 80% of adult smokers started smoking before the age of 18. Every day, nearly 3,000 young people under the age of 18 become regular smokers.
More than half (56%) of youths age 12-17 reported that marijuana was easily to obtained.
More then 40% of teens who admitted drinking said they drink when they are upset; 31% said they drink alone; 25% said they drink when they are bored; and 25% said they drink to “get high”. Each year, students spend $5.5 billion on alcohol.
Eight young people a day die in alcohol related crashes.
To see more of these statistics at www.soundvision.com/Info/teens/stat.asp
These statistics can be changed. If you’ve done any of those, you are forgiven. God forgives you. In the Bible it says “Ask and you shall recieve.” If you ask for forgiveness you are going to recieve forgiveness. Once you’re forgiven… it’s like you’ve never sinned. You’re a new canves now.
I’m not doing this to bring you or anything. I’m doing this to show how you’re forgiven no matter what you do in life. And I’m doing this to show how us teens can make a difference in our city. It only takes one. Can you be that one? And are you ready to be indifferent? I challenge you to go against the flow.
Luke 1: 37 …
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Hebrews 8:12 …
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.
2 Coranithians 5:17 …
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Be Blessed!
<3Cortney
Add a comment March 4, 2008
Tags: America, Bible, Flow, Forgiven, Indifferent, Statistics, Teens
Are you in a religion with God or a relationship with Him?
I was watching the news this morning and they were talking about religion and God, and the be completely honest it made me a little upset because they’re kinda trying to “lable” God. I know for a fact and I hope that you know too, that God is not labeled.
Being with God doesn’t mean that you are religious. It is have a one-on-one relationship with Him. And have a relationship with your Heavenly Father is like having a head on collision with Him. It’s totally awesome!
I looked up in the webster dictionary what religion ment, and it said this;
Religion- 1. a) the state of religious 1. b) the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment of devotion to religious faith or observance 2.) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. 3.) archaic: scrupulous conformity: Conscientiousness 4.) a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
Ok, now lets look at relationship in the webster dictionary.
Relationship- 1.) the state of being related or interrelated. 2.) the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship. (a) : Kinship. (b) : a specific instance of kinship. 3.) (a) : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings. (b) : a romantic or passionate attachment.
I don’t know about you but I would rather have a relationship with God instead of being in a religion with Him. What about you? Which would you rather choose?
Here are some scriptures about love. God’s love is unfailing, gracious, caring, and overall glorious. I hope and pray you are encouraged by some of these.
Psalms 136: 26 …
Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.
Romans 8:28 …
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
2 Timothy 1:7 …
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
1 John 4:7 …
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves had been born of God and knows God.
Jude 1: 21 …
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be Blessed,
<3Cortney
Add a comment February 26, 2008
Tags: God, Label, Love, Relationship, Religion
Who is God?
Happy Friday everyone!
Well, two nights ago was my youth group’s meeting. It was a good one. I just wish more people would “get into” praise and worship. Maybe I should do something radical? Make a move? I know it shouldn’t stop me from praising God but it’s definitely more enjoyable when you’re around other teens who like to do the samething as you; and you know it would be glorifying to God.
The messege that one of the youth leader’s brought was really good! It like made you think. It was called “Who is God?” That’s a pretty broad subject. God to me is my everything. He is my rock, my salvation, my Father, my teacher, my provider, my creator, and he is the love of my life. Michelle (the leader who taught) said that she could go on forever talking about who God is. There isn’t just one word you could some up for God. When she asked that question I was pretty speechless because you don’t hear that question on a daily basis.
I found a really good website that sorta talks more and more about it. www.carm.org/seek/God.htm I really do encourage you do read the whole thing! (:
Here is a good verse about being victorious in Christ. That is the most amazing feeling ever, is to be victorious in your Father.
Deuteronomy 20:4 …
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enimies to give you victory.”
Be Blessed,
<3 Cortney
1 comment February 22, 2008
Tags: Father, God, praise, provider, rock, salvation, speechless, teacher, worship
A little about me!
I kinda like this site a lot more then xanga! lol.
Well, my name is Cortney and I’m 17. And I go to Dare2Believe youth group. I’ve grown up as a Christian, but my mom and dad really didn’t attend church too often. My grandma was definitely one of my “rocks” in life and she still is now too. I also went to a small private Christian school and that pretty much set my faith, plus got we were I am now.
It’s been rough and kind of tough not having parents in the church with me. I would experience different things in church and come home telling my parents and they really don’t get it because they haven’t experienced it for themselves. For an example, a couple weeks ago my church had a “Healing and Holy Ghost Meeting” and it was like from 6pm-9pm and we definitely didn’t get home until 10:30ish and my mom said “Wow! I can’t believe you’ve been gone that long. What have you done all this time?” I wanted and tried to explain to her but I knew she wouldn’t understand. So I told her that it was just an amazing time with God.
I would’ve loved for her to have been there and experienced the same thing with me. Yes, my mom does go to church sometimes, when she wants but it seems as if she’s going to church to make my grandma (her mom) happy. And that’s definitely what it’s not about. But all I can do is pray for my mom and dad, and pray that one day God will open up their eyes and heart and show them what He is really about.
So that’s just a little about me and my background. I’ve probably chatted you’re ear off a little to much. LOL!
But I do want to leave you with some verses in Pslams ::
Pslams 5:12 …
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Pslams 40:16 …
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say “The Lord be exalted!”
Pslams 121: 7 & 8 …
The Lord will keep you from all harm– he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
And lastly, one of my faovrite books in Pslams!
Pslams 150 …
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his might heavens. Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet; praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with the resounding cymbals. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Be Blessed!
<3Cortney
Add a comment February 13, 2008
Tags: Christian, Chuch, Dare2Believe, Experienced, God, Grandma, Praises, Pslams
Hello world!
Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!
Add a comment February 13, 2008
