Picking Up Where We Left Off...

So it's been quite some time since I've posted on this blog... I actually can't believe how long it's been... Over a year already... And I had barely gotten started...

I guess it just goes to show how easy it is to give up, especially when you continually put things off. I had every intention of posting regularly...When I started this blog, I can honestly say that I was really fired up about...well, everything! It was really exciting to finally start noticing God work in just about every area of my life. My failure to post this past year has not been due to the absence of that work, but rather my "busyness" and ultimately, procrastination (ironically, the subject of my last post).

To be honest, I told myself I would post something every 2 weeks, but I never really set a day or time to really sit down and just type. I kept getting caught up in other things and telling myself that I would get to it "later." As you can see, I eventually forgot about my blog...Thus, that old saying "failing to plan is planning to fail" proved to be true and I'm sorry for letting that happen. This is my last year as a high school IB student and I plan on keeping up with this site throughout the year for the benefit of myself and others who need the encouragement.

As the countdown to the first day of school begins, I keep thinking (and I'm sure you are too): it's going to be a rough year. I've heard stories about Senior year (especially as a 2nd science student) and they're less-than-comforting to say the least...But we've made it this far and there's no turning back now!

I wish I could go back in time and post every time I experienced God in a supernatural way this past year. Junior year has without a doubt been the BEST year of my life because of what I learned and how God used me and just how much FUN it was! ...I might have to do a little bit of back-tracking in future posts... No guarantees though! We'll see where He leads!

So in closing, enjoy what's left of the Summer, but if you haven't already: use this time to be productive! Prepare yourself for the coming year by knocking out that summer reading, getting a head start on applications, and accumulating those CAS hours. Most importantly though: establish that daily quiet-time with God. If you haven't already, now is the best time to get into the habit of spending time reading His word daily and praying to Him. I can't even begin to express how vital it is to your relationship with God... When I don't get that word from Him in the mornings (sometimes I do it in the evenings during school)... I feel like I'm missing something, but when I do... it's CRAZY how He uses those few verses to reveal things to you throughout the day, even over the course of the week! It truly makes life both in and out of school much more exciting.

One last thing: Since I haven't actually discussed an actual topic today, I'll leave you with this verse to think about for next time:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." -Jeremiah 29:11-13

Love & Prayers,

Sarah

Time Management (Post #2)

What We Must Accomplish...
Admittedly, when I first started IB (well, ok technically it's "Pre-IB"), I heard many former students and teachers tell me that managing your time wisely is the key to success in the IB program. It wasn't until later that I realized the truth of this statement... As many of us have come to find out, our teachers love to challenge us, especially in the area of time-consuming homework assignments (those of you who are juniors and seniors know this all too well). Sometimes we question if these teachers realize that 1) We have lives, 2) We happen to have other classes which require the completion of work outside the classroom setting, and 3) Most of us have after school activities (school related or not)... and if you're a Christian, 4 (which should be #1 for us)) God is the number one priority and we need to spend time with Him daily.

How We Can Accomplish This...
It really is all about time-management. Here are a few things that I've picked up:

The first thing (and in my opinion, the most difficult) is to avoid procrastination.

The word "procrastinate" comes from the Latin and literally means "to put off until tomorrow". It's usually done either due to sheer laziness or simply not caring about the task until it simply must be done. As long as we have the option, we tend to put things off...

In the Bible, God clearly condemns laziness and advocates hard work, especially in Proverbs, where much wisdom can be found.

"Diligent hands* will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor." -Proverbs 12:24

"The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the diligent are fully satisfied." -Proverbs 13:4

(notice the parallel structure in these verses, the repetition of the word "diligent," and the contrast between the two kinds of people.)

As IB kids, it's often difficult for us to force ourselves to get stuff done when we can. We tend to try to calculate the proximate time the assignment will take us then, not start it until there is exactly that amount of time left to complete it. We wait as long as we possibly can to start an assignment that we know we're going to absolutely dread. We must overcome this in order to be as successful as possible in our teenage lives and our lives as adults.

Instead of holding to procrastination, we should be embracing the idea of proactivity. We should prepare for the worst and do what we can to avoid setting ourselves up for failure... (or an all-nighter trying to finish that analytical essay due first period).

Another thing we can do is take advantage of "boring time" (as my very successful friend, Marc, calls it).

I've come to the realization that through-out my day, there are a significant number of instances during which I could be completing a task for the next day, or if I have every thing done, I can read my Bible (I carry around a very small military one which my Dad gave to me, it's been quite useful and is no where near as heavy as the one I use regularly).

I know it's tempting to just sit back and enjoy the bus ride home, or the moments in the car listening to music on the radio or an iPod, and it's certainly not necessarily a bad thing to do this. However, we must not succumb to procrastination. Utilizing this time allows for extra time later with which you can do more productive things and even get some much needed rest.

The final thing (and probably most significant to teens today) is to avoid distractions.

Today, the main distractions that people deal with on a daily basis have to do with technology. Myspace, Facebook, the Internet in general, texting, talking on the phone, watching TV, playing video games,watching movies, and listening to music on our various MP3 players are a few of the things that consume hour after hour of our lives.

My last piece of advice is that you cut back on your usage of such items, especially if you're some one like me who used to spend WAY too much time sitting at the computer, accomplishing nothing of any real significance.

Technology is not a bad thing in and of itself. It's actually quite helpful, but don't let it hinder your walk with God or cause you to put off school work. Train yourself to use technology wisely and for the glory of your Father in Heaven. (if you want ideas about how you can do this, feel free to message me and/or comment).

If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you set aside a certain time of day during which you can commit to spending some quality time with God talking to Him through prayer and reading His word. If you train yourself to do this daily, God WILL speak. Setting aside even 10 minutes a day can make each one so much more fulfilling. I admit that I am not perfect in this area. However, I can honestly say, that when I listen to Him, He completely blows my mind and reminds me of His presence in my life.

That's all I've got for this week, but I will leave you with a final verse to meditate upon:

"Whatever you do, work at it with ALL your heart, as though working for the Lord and not for men." -Colossians 3:23

Love and Prayers,
Sarah

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*Diligent hands- synechdoche (using a part of a person or object to refer to the whole). This emphasizes that it is the labor of a man (or woman)'s hands which allow him/her to prosper.

The Ongoing Struggle (Post #1)

A little about me...
My name is Sarah McIntyre. Some of my friends prefer "smac". I'm proud to say that I am a fully-devoted, firmly rooted follower of Jesus Christ. I'm 16 years old and currently a Sophomore in the International Baccalaureate Program.

The Issue...
Being in such a rigorous program is a lot of work and takes up a lot of time. So many times my Christians friends and I find ourselves pushing God aside in order to stay on top of school work and make it through the formidable teenage years... I recently began asking myself if it was really worth it... Is this ultimately just a huge distraction from my walk with My Father? a futile pursuit for earthly success? I almost gave up on the program. I began to think: "This is such a waste of time and effort"...

Well, over the past few weeks God has proven me dead wrong.

God's revealed to me that a lot of the things that the IB Program teaches and prepares students for can be practically applied to the Bible and our faith. No way, right? Try it.

Here's an example of something that I've learned:

Have your English teachers ever had you write an essay using textual analysis (looking for things like alliteration, consonance, assonance, repetition, metaphor, simile, anaphora, etc. which further emphasize the message or theme that the author is trying to convey)?

As you read the Bible, keep an eye out for these things and ask God to show you what He was trying to get across to His people by doing this.

This Blog...
I created this blog for teenagers who share my position, for those of us who desire to be successful in school, but ultimately just want to be as close to God as possible. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be sharing what's been on my heart and how God is working in my life to reveal things to me that I never noticed before, to grow me for His work, and use me in all areas of my life.

Please let me know what you think about this and I'd be happy to answer any questions. :)

Next week, I'll be focusing on time management skills. Check it out!

Forever Alive in Christ,
-Sarah

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Just to clarify, this blog is typically directed towards IB students, however, students in other rigorous high school problems can typically relate. If you're in AP, Honors, etc. please do not be discouraged by the site name/title. This is for you too!!