Olivia began working her way down the hill and towards the looming dark forest. This forest covered the first part of Erup Trail and those who entered usually did not return. This was the first patch of forest they had ever experienced so many lost their resolve and direction and wandered away. But a very few were able to navigate the forest and ignore its tempting side trails. Olivia had resolved to be one of those few.

The wind whipped around her head as she entered the forest. It echoed against the trees and made an eerie whistle. She shivered and trudge into the trees.

Just then, she heard a growl.

Whipping around, she beheld the sight of a huge tiger. Its face was almost completely taken over by black stripes, to the point where almost no orange showed through. Its eyes were dark, bottomless slits.

The beast slunk toward her and brushed its tail against her arm. The hair on the back of Olivia’s neck stood on end.

A deep rasping growl escaped the beast’s mouth but it slowly began to form words. Olivia was astonished. What was this place?

“Where do you wish to go?” The beast asked in a sinister sort of way.

“Away.” Olivia replied carefully.

“Oh, but why dear girl? You had everything you needed back at the orphanage. Food, clothes, a house.” The tiger snickered. “What more do you need?”

Love. Friendship. Olivia thought. “Why should I tell you?” she said.

“You should tell me because I am the answer to all of your problems. I can help you. I can provide you with the love you so desire and with the friendships you so desperately seek. I can give you the world’s riches and pleasures. I am your answer.”

Olivia shook her head in disbelief. “How do you know all of that about me?” she said quietly.

The tiger let out a growl strangely similar to a laugh. “I know your mind and therefore your heart.”

“What I know and what I believe are two different things.” She countered. “And I don’t believe you. You seem, too good to be true. There’s something you aren’t telling me.”

The tiger beckoned her forward with his paw. “Come look down this side road. Do you see those lights? They are just ahead. They’re just around the bend. This path is clear and easy to take. You can be there in minutes; you can have it all. Now come and look at this path over here. This is the one that you were going to take yes?” Olivia nodded. “Look, you cannot see the end. You don’t know what you will face. It could be dangerous and it won’t be easy. It will take a very long time. Why would you put yourself through that?”

Olivia knew the doubt showed in her eyes. The tiger made sense. Why was she doing this crazy mission? She wasn’t even sure anymore.

“So what’s the catch?” She asked a little less suspiciously.

The tiger nodded, pleased.

“There is one test you must pass.”

“And what would that be?”

“Well part of the way down this road, you will find a little boy. He will be very hungry and will cry out to you to feed him. You will find ample food in your pocket but you must ignore him. He is your only road block to an easy life. Ignore this one person, and you will be happy.”

It sounded wrong but it also sounded simple. Slowly, almost as if she was fighting with herself, Olivia nodded. Keeping her eyes on the tiger, she took the detour. She could hear him laughing as she walked on.

As Olivia rounded the next corner, sure enough, a boy sat staring at the ground. Tears ran down his face and he looked up at her with renewed hope in his eyes.

“Please.” He choked out. “Please help me. All I need is a little food.”

Immediately, Olivia’s resolve crumbled. Without even thinking about it, she reached into her pocket and produced the food. She handed it to the boy.

Wide eyed, he stared at it. He looked up at her. “Thank you! I have been passed by five people today. None of them gave me food but you.” He thanked her again and ran down the road, away from the lights.

“Wait!” Olivia yelled after him.

The boy turned and looked back at her.

“Why are you headed away from the city?”

The boy shook his head and frowned. “You never want to go there. Everyone only cares about themselves. I’ve spent the last five months trying to leave. Now that you have freed me, I can continue on the main path! Thank you!” The boy skipped off again.

Olivia shook her head and new doubt clouded her mind about the city and the deceiving tiger.

There was a rustling in the bushes behind her. Olivia leaned in for a closer inspection. Suddenly, the tiger jumped from the brush and pinned her to the ground.

“You have gone against me. Now you must be punished.”

Unexpectedly, a huge, white lion bounded out of the forest.

With a booming voice, he said. “Get away from her! She has done right by evading your lies. How dare you tempt travelers in my forest! I am the king of this jungle. No matter how much influence you think you have, I will prevail!”

With that, the lion swept Olivia onto his back and bounded off into the darkness.

To be continued….by McKenzie Young, Boyfriend Bear Teen Board Member

-Corrie Ten Boom

Lately I have been struggling a lot with fear in regards to my future.  Watching all of the seniors as they prepare to move on to college has really probed me to thinking about my own future plans.  And now with junior year and college visits approaching I am fearful for my future.  Being the person that I am I like to have everything laid out in front of me.  I make lists and schedules to be sure that I keep up with my life.  But this is one area of my existence that I am scared to plan for.  What if I can’t decide what school to go to?  What if I cannot figure out what to major in?  What if I chose a school that puts financial strain on my family?  But the biggest question on my mind has been, what if God’s plan for my future is different than mine?

I have been reminded of three very important things in these last couple of weeks.  The first of which being that God’s timing is perfect.  He alone knows the course of my life and his will shall unfold with time.  If I cannot decide where to go or what to do, in time God will show me his perfect plan.  I shouldn’t be worrying about things years down the road, and I shouldn’t be upset with God for not answering my questions.  His timing is perfect, who am I to tell him to hurry up.

The second thing that I have learned is that I need to hold all that I have with open hands.  “My future” is really not mine, it is his and I have to be open to his plans for me.  He has given me gifts and abilities and he alone knows where I should use them.  Whether that be working with children in a foreign country or being a stay at home mom, wherever he leads me is where I must go.

The third thing that I discovered is that I do not have to be afraid of my future.  In the Bible the phrase, “Do not fear” is mentioned 365 times.  Talk about repetition to make a point!  Three hundred and sixty five times, God tells us that we don’t have to fear.  He has got our backs, so why be afraid?   I have no reason to fear an unknown future, and neither do you!

Love, Lauren

Boyfriend Bears Teen Board Member

“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”  Genesis 1:27 talks about how God has created each of us uniquely, but all in his own image.  We try to change ourselves to be more like the world, but why?  Why change ourselves when we are made in the image our perfect creator?

So next time you skip a meal to lose more weight, or try to be someone you aren’t, remember you are PERFECT and BEAUTIFUL in the eyes of our God.

With Love,

Kendra (Boyfriend Bears Teen Board Member)

One of the greatest things I was reminded of this weekend is that God uses ordinary people for extraordinary things.  None of the people up on that stage were born with anything more special than you or me.  They all had their own fair share of trials in their lives and none of them were perfect.  But that was what caught my attention.  If they had been completely put together, I would’ve had no reason to listen to them—no way to relate to them.  But instead, each testimony showed how God is our Healer and Redeemer.  He turns the broken into beautiful.

If you’re like me, you’ve had days when you felt pretty average.  You may have wondered how God could possibly use you.  Well, last weekend I saw proof that God picks the most unlikely people to do His work.  You only have to be willing to follow Him.  When we surrender ourselves to Him, He will do great things through us and I am absolutely stoked to see what He has in store for Boyfriend Bears, for my personal life, and for your life too.  Let’s go on this crazy adventure together!

Love, Jenah- Boyfriend Bears Teen Board Member

PS: At Revolve, we had the chance to meet the band Anthem Lights. We were amazed at their humility and hearts so passionately on fire for God.  They have incredible voices and awesome music that has inspired us and we hope you will love too! Check out what they’re all about at www.anthemlights.com.

RC Sproul

We are currently in the 4th month of being in the new year. Have you made resolutions that you haven’t kept up with? I have.  Americans tend to get very busy and forget the God who created them. Resolutions as wikipedia states, ‘is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit.’

As you plan out your schedule, remember the sovereignty of God. R.C. Sproul states that people, Christians, tend to “salute” Gods sovereignty but not believe in it. It can be true when we tend to do things without acknowledging God’s will and power of our lives. The scriptures tell how quick our lives are in James, chapter 14. ”Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”(14) Life goes by so quickly. We get so used to our surroundings, routines and patterns that we don’t see what is outside of our ‘little box’. We tend to stay in this routine and give recognition to those outside. In other words, we are aware that God is outside but don’t care because we are so caught up with those around us.

Everything we see desirable in the world, are not from God. If you disagree, I am truly sorry but that is what scripture says. For example, apparently there is a new iPhone…and everybody will want it. Either because it has new effects and bonus features that our previous ones didn’t supply. The needs we feel are of this world and all it does is created jealousy and envy. What are you getting from it?

Entertainment?… Pleasure?… Pride? NOW, I am not saying that iPhones are bad, cell phones are a genius way to do things in the 21st century.  But, is this object the center of YOUR life? Is it supposedly supplying you “happiness”? How about “security”? Well… someday we shall “vanish” and be gone but so will the world. As said in 1 John 2, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (15-17) With theses desires in our hearts, we forget the One who gave us life. The One who “abides forever”.

Now I ask you, What will you do with your schedule? Whatever you plan, pray that it is of God’s will…You may try to plan out every, single kink of your life, even so, “You don’t know what tomorrow will bring…” It’s sorta like a warning… YOU don’t even know if this blog is the last thing you read in your life. You don’t know. Everything secret belongs to the Lord, everything we don’t know or understand belongs to HIM! Yet what is revealed to us, belongs to us which is his Word.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Deuteronomy 29:29

Love, Daphnee

Boyfriend Bears Teen Board Member

Lately, I have been struggling with the concept of why God has put up such strict boundaries for us as his children. Let’s face it.  Sometimes the ways of the world look like a lot of fun. Why shouldn’t we be able to live according to how we see best? Is it worth it to follow God’s guidelines that he has established? This entry from Nancy Guthrie’s devotional Abundant Life helped me understand this concept in a new way.

 I Have Set Out Boundaries for Your Protection

My rules were not given to diminish your life but to add to it. They are a gift to you, an expression of my love toward you.

In my commands I have given you a light that points out what will hurt you, a set of boundaries that will keep you close to me, and a clear standard for judging your thinking and behavior.

The Ten Commandments are the most complete description of absolute good that has ever been given. Through them you learn that you must bend your life to conform to my goodness rather than redefine good to fit your crookedness. My law is like a mirror that shows you who you really are—a lawbreaker who needed a perfection you could not achieve on your own and a forgiveness you could not earn. And that is what you’ve been given in Christ Jesus.

I know this devotional really encouraged me as I hope it does for you!

Love,

Holly ~ 2012-2013 Teen Board Member

_______________

            As Dannah Gresh, a national purity author spoke, I sat moving my feet through the cold, green grass in the big white tent sitting in the middle of Quito. My arms were filled with goose bumps as the city air kissed my freckled arms. Without notice, my heart starting pumping, a fire was arising within my soul. Purity. Living a life full of freedom, making good choices, and being an encouraging role model to the younger set of eyes around me. At the age of 13, I don’t remember being told once that I could change the world at the age I was. It was more along the lines of make a difference, but after high school, college, and adult life…but something inside of me was telling me different. Something told me that my young self with rainbow braces and awkwardly grown hair could do something about the heartache in the world caused by premarital  sex.

I arrived home with a new glow upon my face and my heart beating to a different tune. How can I give this fire to others? How can I teach girls about purity without them thinking I was a complete freak? How can it be true, that God could make my dreams of making a different come true? How will he use me?

The idea came to me in the stillness of a small room filled with dusty smelling stuffed dogs. I had countless imaginary friends, and knew every name of my 53 labs, beagles, and every other breed of dog that could be. Even with my youth, I knew that girls can be and are consumed with boys. It’s all about pleasing man and filling self desires. This mold had to be broken. Looking back, there’s nothing more heart breaking than seeing a 6th grader wearing makeup and that v-neck shirt your mom never let you buy. If only I could escape this and help others as well. The idea a bear that could be hugged, held, and could hear my smallest whispers at the latest of hours came to my head. It would be my Boyfriend Bear, something to remind me of the passion I have for purity and to remember that I as worth the wait.

            To: Bridget, McKenzie, & Maddy

            From: Madison

As you know, I recently went on a mission trip to Ecuador. While I was there, God revealed to me to protect my body and save myself for my future husband. How cool would it be to have a special bear that we could have in our purity journey to give to our future husband on our wedding day? I was wondering if you wanted to go the mall and get bears together! Let me know!

A few days later, we were in the food court amazed at how passionate we all were about purity. These girls understood me. Smelling the fresh baked cinnamon rolls from the store a few steps back, we went home excited about spreading purity to others girls. This was the beginning of a non-profit organization that encourages girls to pursue purity and make good choices regarding sexual purity which continues to live on today.

Love, Madison

I think to myself…How can I not? ”Lord you have been so faithful since the very beginning of Boyfriend Bears ( 1 1/2 yrs now) and it is so evident that this seemingly small idea that you planted into my daughter Madison’s heart at the young age of 14 is not going to stay so small”.

I have been reminded that the Lord’s fingerprints are all over this ministry from the simple to the complex aspects of  it! With very little effort of my own  many details have fallen into place. Our logo design, curriculum (which is currently in the process of being published), 501 c(3) status, creation of our custom Boyfriend Bear, development of our amazing Teen Board and expertise of our Executive Board, opportunity to partner with Dannah Gresh/Pure Freedom this past Fall and Winter, encouragement and referral from Robin Jones Gunn and so much more.

I am so thankful that the Lord is so faithful and all He wants from me really…is my obedience and trust.  I have learned to surrender everyday and I encourage you to do the same.

This picture is of a wall in Madison’s bedroom, it is the first thing she sees as she wakes up every morning. The cool thing about it is that it was painted 2 summers before Boyfriend Bears began.

Please pray for Boyfriend Bears as we continue to grow! Blessings, Alesha Wiese

So we went to the mall and while we were eating lunch or something in the food court all the sudden we were just like, “What if we wrote a letter to our husbands and a list of accountability and put it in our bears before they sewed them up?” That’s exactly what happened and there we were with the first Boyfriend Bears.  I loved my bear but I did not think anymore than it was a one day, fun and cute thing to do.  Until a few weeks later when summer was coming to an end.  I was with Madison and her mom and we randomly ended up at Costco.  We were eating in the food court again, haha.  But this is when Mrs. Wiese told me that Boyfriend Bears was going to be a non-profit organization.  I am pretty sure I laughed at first.  I was so confused and I did not believe her.  But when I saw that she was serious I was speechless.  I had the craziest feeling ever.  I did not see that one coming!  But look at where it is now!

These stories are just a few of the early Boyfriend Bear days that most of you guys probably did not know before.  But the biggest thing is that this was not something that we organized or planned.  When we went to the mall we did not know what we were doing and when we started all we knew were that this is a message that every girl needs to hear.  When I think back on all these things I realize how crazy the whole thing is.  Daily we, the entire board, are reminded how everything that we do for Boyfriend Bears is not really our doing. None of us came into this as purity experts and we all agree that we’ve learned and changed so much though this.  I learn/realize something almost every time I am involved in a session. It is the doing of a perfect God, who has perfect timing, and a perfect plan that Boyfriend Bears came to be.  All of these things fell into place and they still are.

I also think that when God creates these experiences that change your life like wanting to be purer or something that God has placed in your heart you need to answer the call!  There’s so many things in this world that need to be different and if God gives you that desire or opportunity that is your chance to serve him and do something incredible.  If that is your friend then support them and back them up with whatever you got! Pray and keep your eyes open for an opportunity to do something amazing for God.  But take it seriously because I promise that this is something that you cannot do AND stay in your comfort zone.

Bridget ~ 2012-2013 Boyfriend Bears Teen Board Member

As she crested the hilltop, wind whipped her hair away from her head.

Soon. She thought. I’ll be there soon.

But as she finally laid her eyes on the path ahead, the girl’s heart dropped. The valley stretched on into the distance, a rugged path winding across it and disappearing into the dark forest.

Trudging forward the girl collapsed to the ground and curled up in a ball. For now, I must sleep. This journey can continue in the morning.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Waking to the bright rays and the rising sun, the girl stood and withdrew a notebook from her backpack. She began scrawling down details of the past two days.

This is the journal of Olivia Free. The past two days have been…unpredictable. No. They’ve been insane. I honestly don’t know where to begin but I guess I will try to relate the story as best I can.

It started at the Orphanage of Lost Ones. This was my home. My beginning. In this wretched place, I struggled day after day. I had no meaning, no purpose. No love. This was the case at least until two days ago.

On that fateful day, I received a note which said that in order to escape this monotonous existence, I must embark on a journey. The note said that this journey would be treacherous, full of danger but that it would be the most rewarding journey on which I ever departed.

Fear is a terrible companion.

“No” it said. “Don’t do it. Stay here. You have everything you need. You have no future. You deserve no love. You are noth—“

I am broken. I need this. The silent whispers of fear mean nothing to me. This journey was and is my only chance.

My only chance to live.

Because the truth of it is, I am dead inside.

So I left, in the night, with no note of goodbye. They probably have yet to notice my absence.

The instructions on the note said that my journey would begin at the head of the trail which has been named “Erup” No one knows why. There are many theories. No matter.

The point is that no one dares venture down Erup Trail. They say it is full of danger. They say no one ever returns once they embark upon its soil.

I took my chances.

To Be Continued………..Original Story: by McKenzie Young- 2013 Boyfriend Bears Teen Board