War is not something we like to think about, especially at the beginning of a new year. Typically, our focus is on resolutions, new beginnings, and hope for things to come. Yet warfare is alive and is graphically and instantaneously trumpeted to the world through forms of media made so easily available. And resolutions made, even with the best of intentions, can be unrealistic or fall by the wayside as the days and months of the new year pass by.

While the impact of physical warfare and the pitfalls of life are very hard and real, the true battle is not in what we "see" or "feel" as satan's lies would have us to believe. Absolutely and painfully so, satan will stop at nothing to creep in and

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in September 2015 — read the full version here — and Brother Chuck described what it was like to go back to school after having the summer to slow down and reconnect with God. We think the same goes for a long, luxurious winter break, too. If you need a little something extra as you're heading back to school or work, this one's for you.

September can be a month of forgetfulness. We can forget how we felt at camp. We can forget how we renewed our relationship with God throughout the past few months. We can forget to study the scriptures while we are up to our necks in school work. To combat this temporary amnesia, I have three life lessons we can apply to our lives to strengthen our relationship with ourselves, with each other, and, most importantly, with the Lord.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in July 2014. Click here to read the unabridged article.

I found out that I needed glasses when I was about 12 years old. I was at a large event, and someone pointed out one of the signs in the crowd. I tried, but I couldn’t read it. I couldn’t even make out the letters. They were completely blurry.

The thought came up, “Hey, maybe you need glasses?” I kind of doubted that, but I tried on my mom’s glasses, and the sign was clear. All the signs were clear! I had been missing out on so much because I simply thought that I was seeing as well as anyone else and nothing better was really possible. After I experienced the power of corrective lenses, a new world opened up to me.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in June 2014. Read the unabridged version here, where Sister Christine Martorana summarizes the story of Queen Esther and helps women apply principles from her story to their own lives.

“I’m a woman and I don’t know what I’m supposed to do in The Church. Women aren’t allowed to do as much as men; what is there for me to do?” I’ve heard this from women and girls in Church, and, to be honest, I’ve said these same words myself. The response? We can be Esthers.

Do you believe me when I say we can be Esthers? Being an Esther means…

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in December 2011. You can view the unabridged newsletter here.

Humility is a virtue that scripture commends and society criticizes. When was the last time someone praised humility in your classroom or on television? In fact, it is very rarely spoken of, except at church perhaps. Maybe part of the reason is because it’s misunderstood — even by followers of Christ.

We often view humility as a personality type, saying, “He is a humble person,” if someone is quiet, shy or timid. If someone else is loud or outspoken, we conclude that that person cannot possess humility. Does humility mean that you lie down in a fight or don’t stand up to injustice? What does humility look like?

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in October 2016. Click here to read the full newsletter.

Graduate high school: Check.
Graduate college: Check.
Find a job: Check
Get married:
… and the list of what comes next in our lives goes on and on, no matter what stage of life we’re at. As humans, we constantly want the next big thing in our lives. We are always searching for the latest iPhone, the next promotion at work, the latest, brand-new diet trends and so on. We are constantly in a state of want and are never just in a state of waiting without acting.

Let’s take a second to think of "The Lion King." Simba could just not wait to be king, he could not wait to be “free to run around all day” or to “do it all his way.”

He just could not wait.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in March 2013. Click here to read the full newsletter.

Nearly 100 years ago, George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Youth is wasted on the young.” While honoring your energy, enthusiasm, and beauty, he was also indicting you for lacking the wisdom that life experience brings.

Since Shaw, many have repeated these words, imagining how they would relive their earlier days knowing what they know now.

More than just beautiful and energetic, you are still moldable. Years ago, pop icon John Mellencamp sang, “We were young and we were improving.” Exactly!

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in July 2012. Click here to read the unabridged version.

Have you ever wondered why you bother going to Church?

Well, Hebrews 10:24-25 says, "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

The above statement was included in a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews about 2,000 years ago; however, it wouldn’t take much rewording to make it seem like it was written today. How about this?

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in April 2014 and is geared toward high-schoolers and college students. Read the unabridged article here.

As many of you travel off to college (or you're already there) your faith will be challenged to the core, as mine was, by scientific pundits. Can God and science exist together? Can we as Christians use science to defend our faith? Let’s use some real examples and start the dialogue.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in July 2015. Read the unabridged version here.

“I wonder if my hair looks alright. Wait, did he just look over at me? I should have worn my other skirt to the seminar today, how could I possibly have forgotten? Did he just glance over at me again!?”

I’m not sure about you all, but I will be the first to admit that in the past I have asked myself these questions during a church function. I glance over to see if I can make eye contact with my friends, when instead I should be paying attention to the sermon during conference. I look down to make sure my new heels are spotless, when instead I should be caring less about my appearance and more about what work needs to be done during this YIA tour.

We are constantly bombarded with distractions that redirect our focus from our true purpose during these spiritual ventures to things we selfishly worry about day in and day out.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in November 2012. Click here to read the unabridged newsletter.

We care about what people think of us. It’s as simple as that. Even if you’ve heard someone (maybe even yourself) say, “I don’t care what people think about me,” deep down, we know that’s not true. It’s human nature.

We don’t realize it, but we are taught by society from the time we are little kids that there are few things as important as our personal image — you know — how others view us.

It’s all about us!

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in November 2016. Click here to read the full newsletter.

When I was a little kid, my family had a Scooby-Doo themed cookie jar that almost always had some kind of delicious pastry in it; and let's just say that it was around this time that I learned to be very sneaky. I would wait until the TV volume was turned up, or sometimes make some other noise in the kitchen while trying to retrieve one (or more) of those mouthwatering baked goods.

Eventually, I got pretty confident until one day I was caught, and the Scooby-Doo cookie jar was no longer within my reach — literally.

Today's article was originally published by the Student Support Program in August 2017. Click here to read the full newsletter.

Today I want to share a bit of my experience with dealing with one of my own worst enemies: myself.
It sounds strange, to be at war with oneself, but it’s true. We are often the worst enemies of our soul when we let ourselves be discouraged or meander about our service to God and living in righteousness. Confused? You'll see what I mean.

I gave my life to Christ at age 16 and spent the next 10 years trying to change and become a different Cinthia. At this point, you may be thinking, are we not supposed to change when we come to Christ and become new creatures in Him?

Do you remember the name of your best friend in elementary school? I do…his name was Shawn. There are so many names that flood my mind when I think of my childhood friends. Shawn was my BEST friend. We were always together, and we talked about everything.

The neat thing about a best friend is you can only have one. Typically, you or I would protect that friendship, and it's not a sharing kinda thing. Shawn was my best friend, and I didn’t really share that friendship with anyone else. Over time, though, we began hanging out with different crowds and our “best” friendship slowly reduced to an acquaintance.

But, I’d love to tell you about my best friend since I was 15 years old, and I’m willing to share Him.

Have you ever had someone randomly pop into your head? Maybe it’s someone you haven’t seen in a while, or someone you haven’t even thought of in weeks, months, years. It could happen during your morning coffee or your bedtime prayers. Someone’s name comes to you, and you’re not sure why or what made you think of them.

It would be easy to brush it off and move on with your day, but what if there was a reason you thought of that person?