EXPOSURE

End of This Blog Site

2009-04-19T08:14:00.000-04:00

This blog site is being closed down in favor of other awesome websites that are doing a great job with bringing fun and important information to the youth.

Please see the links on this page to access some of those.

Understanding the Future: Knowing Who Holds It

2009-03-16T09:19:00.004-04:00

Video Feature: Awesome New Videos Added

2009-03-07T10:04:00.003-05:00

A new video playlist has been added to the Exposure blog for teens.

Come take a look and let your friends and family know about it, as well.

The videos are constantly being added to and updated, so check back often.

Battle of the Sexes Online - Examples Youth Ministries

2009-02-20T15:25:00.003-05:00

NEW DATE
Saturday, February 21st!!!!!!!

• How much do you think you know about the opposite gender?
• Do you have questions about Christian dating?
• What about teen dating? Does the Bible have anything to say about that?
• Is it OK for a Christian to date a non-Christian???

Find out answers to these questions and more on examplesyouth.org beginning February 14th!

Also, take part in our
Battle of the Sexes Contest!

How do I play?
• Click on the Battle of the Sexes link on our site
• Choose your gender
• Complete the gender quiz
• Submit your completed quiz!

That’s it! The person who submits the first highest score will win!
(Also, the gender with the highest average score will receive the bragging rights!!!)

The winner can choose one of the following prizes:
• Wii Game System
• Wii Rock Band
• iPod Touch
• PSP (+ 3 Games)
• NintendoDS (+ 3 Games)

All students are invited to participate! Youth Leaders, tell your youth groups! Parents, tell your students! Students, TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

See you online beginning February 21st!

In Love: Into Him or Into It With Him?

2009-02-19T09:40:00.011-05:00

Are you constantly thinking about your guy?

You know that he loves you, and you love him back.

You're really into him.

Are you also into it with him all the time?

Did he yank your head back by the hair while you were making out?

Did he bite you or spank you and tell you that you "better not" try to date anyone else?

Did he snap and hurt you badly, but sincerely apologize with gifts and lots of attention later?

Did he threaten to take you by force when you refused him, so you just gave in because you were tired of all the pressure, or scared he'd really hurt you badly this time?

Did he refuse to use protection because he wants to claim you as his, even though he knows you're smart and planning to get a college degree and aren't ready to be a mom, yet?

These are just some of the things that can happen in an abusive relationship.

There is help. Ask for help. Don't try to just handle things on your own.

Don't lie for him and make excuses. Don't let him steal your dreams.

Look below for a list of organizations that will link you up with real people who will talk with you and help you to learn how to stay safe; and how to choose and enjoy healthier relationships in your future.

Community Welcome House
http://www.communitywelcomehouse.org/

The Safe Space
http://www.safespaceonline.org/

The next list below includes blogs, books, and other resources that will help you grow and mature into the awesome woman of God that He's destined you to be. If you're taking the time to read this now, I know that God has quite a future in store for you.

A wise person has said that what and who you're reading, watching, listening to, and paying the most attention to now will determine the course of your life for the next 5 years. Put some godly-sweet stuff into yourself every day, all day long and watch God's sweetest blessings come out of your life. Choose good, godly friends and watch how God will use them in your life to bless you and help point you in the right direction.

http://realteenfaith.com/

http://examplesyouth.org/

http://www.understandjesus.org/

http://www.girlevolution.com/

This picture below shows the best Bible study tool that I've ever used. When I was younger, and had never really studied the Bible, this was the most helpful tool for me; and it's still the most helpful tool for me now.

http://astore.amazon.com/andlifemoreabundantly-20/detail/0887072038

Make God your constant partner and friend, and you'll never have another relationship that doesn't honor your worth and value as a person and a child of God. His angels will cover and protect you. His Holy Bible will give you wisdom. His Holy Spirit will help you to pick your friends more wisely. You can't lose with Him on your side.

Introducing: Girl Evolution

2009-02-03T12:00:00.001-05:00

The Lovely Girl-Lady Chrishawn is reaching out to girls online with her website GirlEvolution.com, where she shares insights and tips on everything from fashion and hygiene to inspiration and self-esteem. You can even join the Girl Evolution Facebook Group & share with other girls, too. Visit today and sign-up for a free copy of: The Girl Evolution Guide to Self-Balance

Biography:

Chrishawn Simpson-MacLeod is a Girls Life Specialist, Girl Mentor and
Girls Advocate who took her love of helping girls and her determination
to be a positive influence and role model to girls to develop her
company – Girl Evolution. She uses her gift of wisdom, knowledge and
insight; coupled with her life experiences and degree in Education
specializing in Child & Family Services to offer girls support,
love, wisdom, encouragement, positive guidance and down-to-earth advice
in their lives. Chrishawn offers girl life coaching, workshops, books,
teleseminars, workshops on CDs, chats, tips, articles, an online store
and so much more on her website www.GirlEvolution.com.

Mrs. Simpson-MacLeod is the author of 2 books: Her first book, Girl Wisdom:
Soul Affirmations 4 Girls, is a treasure of a book filled with
affirmations, quotes, poetry and scriptures to brighten your day and
increase your self-esteem. Her second book, Coloring Your World: How
to Use Color to Change Your Moods (JUST RELEASED!) is a book based on the psychology of
color and chromodynamics and how color can affect your moods. Mrs.
Simpson-MacLeod is busy working on her next books and always thinking
of ways to encourage girls, so stay tuned!

Need Advice? Check Out XYM

2009-02-02T23:59:00.000-05:00

Get some great advice and information from some wise and dedicated folks that understand youth and teens, as well as their parents and youth ministry leaders.

XYM (Examples Youth Ministries) has a seriously SWEET site at

http://examplesyouth.org/

There is info on topics for youth, teens, guys, girls, parents, and youth leaders.

Go scope it out right now.

Youth Ministry: Interview with Canton Jones & Rev. Andre Butler

2009-01-31T05:55:00.006-05:00

Coco Brother Live: The Spirit of Hip Hop & Exodus

2008-10-24T13:50:00.006-04:00

CoCo Brother is a much loved DJ and youth minister broadcasting out of Atlanta, Georgia USA with a worldwide and online syndicated radio show.

Click Here To Listen to his show live right now and anytime online.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month October 2008

2008-10-06T00:02:00.000-04:00

October 2008:

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

CLICK HERE FOR WALKATHON INFORMATION FROM
COMMUNITY WELCOME HOUSE

CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE
READ, LEARN, TEACH

(http://tinyurl.com/stoptheviolence)

FEATURED MUSICAL ARTIST: DOMINIQUE HOWARD

2008-09-17T00:41:00.004-04:00

INTRODUCING THE FEATURED MUSICAL ARTIST

DOMINIQUE HOWARD

Sample her smooth voice and inspiring lyrics on MySpace

http://www.myspace.com/dominiquestapleshoward

Get To Know Dominique Through Her Music:
"Keep on Keepin On"
A silky smooth neo-soul gospel tune.
Click here to Download Now!

Get To Know Dominique Through Her Story:

EXCERPT:

Shreveport, Louisiana born contemporary gospel neo soul singer and songwriter, Dominique Howard is described as a radical praise and worshipper by her peers. Being no stranger to hard times and struggles, Dominique sings from her soul about having a hard life and the true deliverance that she encountered from God. Since the age of 4, Dominique has been singing and entertaining her family with her strong raspy voice, and outgoing personality.
Dominique served in the United States Army for 8 years and even in the midst of serving her country...

To Read More Click Here.

A Teen's Story: New Novel-Based Film "Push" Stars Mo'nique & Helps Tell Two Girls' Stories

2008-09-14T10:34:00.007-04:00

The new novel-based film "Push", starring Mo'nique as the mom, helps tell two girls' stories, both the character in the movie and Monique's story from her childhood.

Mo'nique is starring as the mother in a film directed by Lee Daniel, "Push", which is based on Sapphire's (Ramona Lofton) hope-filled best seller about an abused, illiterate, obese teen.

Mo'nique shares her personal story of incest. She also discussed her bio and the film in another great article "Big Girls Don't Cry".

Other stars in this awesome film include: Rocker Lenny Kravitz, Paula Patton, and, as the teen, Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe

If you, or someone you know needs help with an abusive or unsafe situation, please get help now. See the links at the right of this page for advice, resources and contact information.

keywords:
director Lee Daniels, Push, independent, adaptation, bestselling novel, Sapphire Ramona Lofton, Rocker Lenny Kravitz, starring, debut, Mo'nique, Paula Patton, Gabourey Gabbie Sidibe, film, News, entertainment, Variety, newcomer

ANNOUNCEMENT: New Domain Name "exposure.andlifemoreabundantly.org"

2008-09-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

Announcing: a new domain name for
Exposure: Shining the Light in the Darkness

http://exposure.andlifemoreabundantly.org/

keywords:
new, domain, name, website, link, exposure.andlifemoreabundantly.org/, exposure.blogspot.com, exposure, shining, light, darkness

Tech Update: See The Sweetest Hottest New Gadgets & Tech Info

2008-09-12T22:50:00.006-04:00

CANCELLED: Web-Design-A-Thon Challenge for Domestic Violence Awareness

2008-09-10T23:04:00.019-04:00

CANCELLED
1st Annual
WEB-DESIGN-A-THON CHALLENGE FOR
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

Update your website or Create a new site to support
Domestic / Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV)
Awareness Month October 2008

I think my Exposure website is pretty Hot.
Can you out-do me? Can you take me? We will see.

How To Enter:
To show that you are participating in the challenge, you must
*submit your official entry no later than October 1, 2008
*to enter just post a comment with your link at the end of this article
(your email must be included in the right secure field,
not in the body of the comment post)
*have your site revisions complete by October 14, 2008 at 11:59PM
*All web-design-a-thon challengers must obtain a special challenge badge and
have it posted on your page after Octber 1 but before judging starts.
*Official Judging starts 12:00AM October 15, 2008

Pretty simple, right?

Want to volunteer?
What we need to make this Design-A-Thon a success:
*5 OFFICIAL impartial volunteer judges
*Tons of people visiting sites, leaving comments, and causing lots of site traffic
*5 or more website entries
*Contest Prize Contributions: Grand, 1st, 2nd, 3rd + consolation prizes

Tips for the Best D/IPV Awareness Sites:
*Include information on and links to articles and websites about D/IPVA
*Include great images, videos, &/or music
*Include personal testimony or your thoughts about the importance of DVA
*Find great ways to generate traffic because your
site traffic stats from Oct 15 - Oct 31 will be considered in the judging process
*All sites must be PG or G. No R-Rated or X-Rated sites.
*Inappropriate sites will be banned from competing.

A Dream Date Can Quickly Turn Into A Nightmare

2008-09-03T14:23:00.004-04:00

As a teen, I remember dreaming that one day I would get a chance to date, after reading all of my grandmother's near 100 Harlequin romance novels and watching the soap operas and various other shows and movies about love stories.

I dreamed that things would turn out for me like some of those stories.

And, then it happened, I began to date in my senior year. Wow, I had finally become "popular".

My Very First Alone Date

I was feeling so grown up and honored that a guy at my new school asked me out to celebrate my scholarship. I wasn't interested in him, but thought he was my friend, so I said okay. And my parents said that I could go. So, he picked me up at my house and met my parents.

He took me where he told my parents he was going to take me, to get some quick food and then to a movie, and then to dinner after. However, we never made it to the dinner after because he "needed" to drop by his house first to grab a comedy video that he thought I would want to see. Of course he couldn't find it and no one else was at his house, so he turned on the tv instead to see if he could find a good comedy show on cable. The next thing I knew he had dimmed the lights and was next to me trying to put his arm around me. I was too naive to understand what was happening. He set me up. Things progressed further and further and finally stopped when I told him "NO". He took me home, muttering something along the lines that if my parents weren't around he wouldn't have stopped.

I was very, very grateful to God that I was only unsuccessfully seduced that night and nothing further happened. I know a lot of girls' stories ended differently than that.

I am glad that my parents had met him, but what if they wouldn't let me go, and I snuck out? I would have been all alone with that creep for him to do as he pleased. And this happens to so many girls.

But, things didn't quite stop there. After we got back to school, I stayed away from him, of course. But then I was told that there was a rumor that he had gotten what he wanted. That hurt me more than what he actually did. That he would lie about it and give me a bad reputation. This happens to a lot of girls, too.

There are things that can be done to prevent all of these scenarios, if you will listen. No one told me how to handle these things when I was younger. However, with this series of blog posts, I will share my story and the wisdom that I have gained over time.

Also, if you know the Lord, learn how to follow his leading, and stay away from the wrong kinds of people.

I was not good with choosing my friends. I was the new girl and let friends choose me because I was lonely, having just recently moved there. As an adult, I now know better, but wish I'd known better then.

Conclusion

If you don't know the Lord, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior today. He wants to live in your heart so that He can guide you and lead you and be your protection. For more information on salvation, go to www.UnderstandJesus.org.

Also, if you want more wisdom on how to be safer, see the links on the right for more information, as well.

God bless you!

(This personal, private story has never been shared in a public forum before. However, it is shared openly here for the benefit of youth, especially for the girls; and it is dedicated to my two daughters and my niece.)

(http://tinyurl.com/safegirl)