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Special Episode with Kylie and Egan

For His Glory: Ainsley Newcomb

For His Glory: Megan Sweeney

For His Glory: Chayse Burgess

Recent Episodes Recap

Season 2

Special: Coffee Versus Tea with Deshi Kruger

Closing off our mini debates series (found only on Youtube) host, Victoria Julieann debates with guest, Deshi Kruger on which is better; coffee, or tea? This special debate can be found on both Youtube and Spotify.

Special: Countering Low Expectations with Kylie and Egan

In this special episode, Victoria brings Christian writers Kylie and Egan on to discuss the low expectations society has for teenagers today. Join us as Kylie and Egan state their opinions on the subject and share practical ways young people can counter these stereotypes.

For His Glory: Ainsley Newcomb – Episode 3

Ainsley is a soccer player who has faced numerous surgeries and physical hardships in her athletic journey. She speaks on how God has used seemingly life-changing circumstances and hardships for her good and for His glory, and the impact her journey has had on her identity.

For His Glory: Megan Sweeney – Episode 4

Anneliese Fellows interviews Megan Sweeney in this episode about dealing with insecurity and navigating friendships with faith and God's Word as a teenager.

For His Glory – Chayse Burgess – Episode 5

Victoria and Averie interview Chayse Burgess in this episode. Chayse, who lost her father as a high school sophomore, speaks about dealing with loss as a young person with faith and family, and learning to live life to the fullest again even while carrying grief.

The Counter Culture Teen and Ignited Pennings Present...

A Formula For Success: Taking Self-Responsibility

by Victoria Julieann

“There are two kinds of people in this world: reactive and proactive.

The difference between reactive people and proactive people is literally the difference between day and night.

Reactive people are driven by feelings. They make choices based on what is happening to them, not based on what they should do.

Reactive people blame their circumstances, environment, conditions, other people for the problems they have. They are influenced largely, if not solely, by external circumstances.

They say things like:

"It's their fault I am like this." and shift the blame to the other person.

"I did this because it made me." and let circumstances control them solely.

"I won't _______ today, because I'm not motivated." and neglect habits of personal growth and stay in their comfort zone because it 'feels good'.

They put the blame on other people and things. They lack personal responsibility; they lack a firm foundation. They make excuses. They make choices based on what other people think about them, the way they feel, or the situation they're in.

Proactive people are driven by internal values.

They know that each man and woman is responsible for their own lives.

They say, "I am the person I am today because of the choices I made yesterday." and can say, "I choose otherwise."

They say, "It's not important what happens to me; it's my response to what happens to me that matters."

And when the situation is out of their control, they don't let their losses dictate their actions going forward.

They are the ones that truly understand Eleanor Roosevelt's words, "No one can hurt you without your consent."

Yes, they are influenced by emotions and outer circumstances like any other human being; but they respond differently.”

You want to know the secret to tackling any problem you come across?

Be proactive.

What does that entail?

Don’t let your emotions control you. Realize that you have control in any situation, any time, any place, anywhere; if only you’ll realize that, you’d never have to complain like the reactive person does. In any situation, you always have two things you can use to your advantage: your resourcefulness and your initiative. What you can control, and your ability to carry that out. Some days, that’s changing your reaction or habits. Other days, it’s merely changing your attitude. Proactive people don’t let the weather define their mood; they carry their own weather with them.

So, what’s my number one advice relating to this, you ask?

Show up. Consistently.

Don’t give up.

Don’t wait for motivation to come to you; show up and create motivation. We are the primary creative force in our lives, and no one other than God cares about that we do as much as we do.

WAKE UP CALL: No one is going to make you do what you need to do all your life! Even God gave us free will to choose, or not to choose. So, take responsibility; admit your shortcomings and mistakes. And choose to be different. Not tomorrow. Not in a week. Not in a year. Now.

I highly recommend reading Stephen R. Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, as much of this article's inspiration came from it's topic. I would put it in the hands of every young person if I could.

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Ignited Pennings

Words on FIRE for the Lord

Looking for courageous conviction and powerful biblical messages? I'm Victoria, and I write for Ignited Pennings; a newsletter that seeks to set the hearts of Christians on fire for the Lord. Sign up to get my free short story, "Where Allegiances Lie", monthly to bi-monthly emails with faith-filled, Christ centered content for all ages.