How to Talk to Teens Who Don’t Care About School

When your high-school junior or senior is on the verge of dropping out, what can you do?

David and his wife are struggling with their 17-year-old daughter. Her attitude is, "I don't care about school." She'd rather be hanging out with her friends.

Well, Dad, before exploding, I urge parents to look hard at the reasons behind the behavior. Maybe the child is over committed; maybe she's depressed or has a learning disorder. It could be some family situation that's distracting her—or a boyfriend. It could be substance abuse.

With David's daughter, it was a lack of interest. He decided to take away some of her privileges until she shows herself responsible enough to earn them back.

From there, a father has several options. One approach is to take responsibility for his child's education upon himself. That means checking with the school every day, calling teachers, driving her to and fro and sticking to his guns until she graduates. That's high-maintenance for you, dad, but it may the only way for her to get that diploma.

Or, you can put it completely on her shoulders, and introduce her to the real world.

Say something like this: "I love you, honey, and I want to provide for you. And I can provide for you because I do at least an average job at work. But since you're not doing at least an average job at school, it might be time for you to make your own way in the world. Or if you want to live here, you can get a job, pay room and board, and pay for your telephone, transportation and cable TV."

Often, this shot of reality will motivate a child to apply herself at school. If it doesn't, then you need to set that deadline for her to start paying her own way.

Whatever approach you take, dad, make sure you sit down with your teenager and talk. Talk about her needs and goals and your expectations. If you can, help her see into the future even just a year or two and she may realize that sticking it out will give her more options later on.

And stay calm, dad. Remember that your job is to be helpful and love her through this without being mean-spirited or imposing guilt.

Source: charismamag.com

How to Make a New Year's Resolution You'll Actually Keep

Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. - Psalm 37:5

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. - Proverbs 16:3

Don't set yourself up for failure in 2015. Learn how to make totally achievable goals in the New Year.

As 2015 approaches, you’re probably setting some self-improvement goals for the New Year.

Unfortunately, we all know these resolutions have a very high failure rate, with only eight percent of folks successfully achieving them.

The biggest reason resolutions and health goals fail is that we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves.

When goals are too ambitious, they can become overwhelming and we become easily discouraged.

If you want to lose 100 pounds in a year, but have only lost seven by Valentine’s Day, you may give up altogether because of the lack of motivation and progress.

Another obstacle to achieving success may be overly restrictive goals -- basically anything that includes always or never.

When we feel restricted, we are more tempted to cheat and eat for reasons other than hunger. Sure, it’s possible to totally avoid refined sugar, but without a replacement of some sort you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Tips for Setting Goals and Obtaining Them:

You may have heard of the SMART method of goal-setting, making goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-bound, but that is only the beginning.

Also remember to assess your starting point, put your goals in writing, make them positive and set milestones. Here’s how:

Specific:

Writing a book may be a realistic goal -- if you make it specific. Without any direction, you may get stuck before you begin or you may start and stop, changing course repeatedly. If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.

Measurable:

Goals that are measurable (or quantifiable) and achievable can be counted, seen, identified, etc.

If your goal is about "feeling better,” you will need to figure out a rating mechanism like the Outcome Rating Scale, which helps you evaluate your quality of life, to keep track and recognize progress.

Attainable:

If you aren't a regular runner already, running a marathon within a year may be extremely difficult. There is little benefit in setting a goal that will only frustrate or disappoint you.

You may need to focus on milestones within a larger goal instead, like running a mile, then a 5K, then a 10K, then a half marathon and finally a full one.

Relevant:

What goals are most meaningful to you? If exercise is encouraged by your doctor, but you are not personally motivated to exercise, you aren't likely to follow through. Make sure you prioritize your goals by what’s important to you.

Time-bound:

Professionally, goals are broken down into steps that need to be taken each quarterly.

Is your due date the end of the year or will you make it more immediate?

This “deadline” can help make or break your goal; again, it may be most advisable to break up a larger goal into smaller pieces with incremental due dates.

Assessed:

Now that you have a good idea of what your goal is, it’s important to assess your starting point. When people set out to achieve a goal, rarely do they start from scratch.

You’re likely to find something that you are already doing at least occasionally that is beneficial to your new goal. These things can be maximized as one of your first steps.

Written:

People tend to achieve 80 percent of the goals they write down. And even though writing it down doesn't make you more likely to stick to your resolution, it does make it more visible and not easily forgotten.

You may want to make a checklist, a vision board or a timeline to help you stay on task. Just don’t file it away; keep it in plain sight.

Positive:

Even if you don't believe in "the secret" of the law of attraction, positive language is encouraging, forward-focused and much more motivating than negative language.

Use "I will" rather than "I won't.” For example, rather than making your goal to "stop smoking," make it "to be smoke free by 2016.”

Milestones:

You’ll be more likely to stick with your resolutions if they are broken down into smaller tasks throughout the year.

For important and personal goals, I would suggest breaking the goal down into more noticeable milestones than quarterly steps.

If your goal is weight loss, the steps do not all have to be a specific number of pounds lost; instead, the goal may be learning healthier recipes.

The more milestones you include, the more positive reinforcement you’ll receive along the way that will encourage further action.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

You are blessed and highly favoured!

ORUKO OLORUN ( God's names in yoruba language)

Oluwa, (Lord)

Oluwa wa, (Our Lord)

Olorun, (God)
Olorun wa, (Our God)
Oluwa awon oluwa, (The Lord of Lords)
Olorun awon olorun,
Kabiyeesi, (The King)
Oba awon oba,( King of Kings)
Olodumare,( The Almighty)
Arugbo ojo,(Ancient of days)
Olorun agbalagba,( Ancient of days)
Adagba ma paaro oye,(Unchanging God)
Olorun ti o yipada, (Unchanging God)
Olorun kan lailai,( The only God)
Ikan lana,(Same yesterday)
Ikan loni, (Same today)
Ikan lola, (Same tomorrow)
Okan titi aye ainipekun, ( The same forever)
Oba ti mbe nibi gbogbo nigba gbogbo,( the ubiquitous God)
Metalokan,( The trinity)
Olorun Baba,(God the Father)
Olorun Omo,(God the son)
Olorun Emi Mimo, (God the Holy spirit)
Olorun Abrahamu, (God of Abraham)
Olorun Isaki, (God of Isaac)
Olorun Jakobu, (God of Jacob)
Olorun owu,(The jealous God)
Olorun ti kii s'enia ti yio paro, (God that is not man that could change)
Alewilese, (He that can Speak and Act)
Aleselewi, (He that can Act and Speak)
Owibee sebee, (He that Speaks and Acts)
Awimayehun, ( He who Speaks and does not change His words)
Asoromaye, (He who prophesize and comes to past)
Onimajemu,( Covenant keeping God)
Olulana,(The wonderful way maker)
Olorun oro (Word), (The God of spoken work)
Oba to ti o gbe oro Re ga ju Oruko Re lo, (The God who exalts his word more that his name)
Olutoju wa, (Our Keeper)
Onibuore,(God whose barn is full of blessing)
Afunni ma s’iregun,(The God who blesses without asking for reward)
Adanimagbagbe, (The creator who never forgets the created)
Oyigiyigi, (Great and Mighty)
Alakoso orun at’aye, (The God of heaven)
Atogbojule,(Dependable God)
Alagbawi eda,(Defender)
Alagbada ina, (He that covers Himself with fire branded robe)
Alawotele oorun,(He whose underwear is Sun)
Asorodayo,(The god who give joy)
Oba t'o mu 'banuje tan,(God who puts end to sorrow)
Ogbeja k'eru o ba onija,(God who fights for the defenseless)
Jagunjagun ode orun,(The great warrior of heaven)
Olowogbogboro,(God whose hand is long enough to reach at any length)
Olorun awon omo ogun,(The great warrior)
Aduro tini bi akoni eleru,(The faithful God)
Eru jeje l'eti okun pupa,( The Most powerful by the red sea)
Oba t'o mu iji dake roro,(God who commands the storm, peace be still)
Alaabo,(Our keeper)
Oluso,(Our guard)
Olupamo,(Our keeper)
Oludande,(Our deliverer)
Olugbala,(Our saviour)
Olutusile,(God of freedom)
Oludariji,(Our forgiver)
Oba t'o se'gun agbara ese, (God who delivers from hold of sin)
Oba t'o san gbogbo 'gbese wa,(God who pays the price for our sins)
Olorun ajinde,(The resurrected Lord)
Olutunu,(Our comforter)
Olufe okan wa,(My lover)
Oba t'o yan wa fe,(God who has predestined us)
Olusegun,(The conqueror)
Ajasegun, (The conqueror
Gbanigbani ni'jo ogun le,(Our defense in time of war)
Ogbagba ti ngb'ara adugbo,( The Protector)
Oba t'o pin okun pupa n'iya,( God who parted the red sea)
Olorun t'o mu Jodani sa niwaju awon omo Re, (God who parted the river Jordan)
Oba t'o bi odi Jeriko wo,(God who fell down the walls of Jericho)
Olorun t'o kolu Egipiti l'ara awon akobi re,(God who killed the first born of the Egyptians)
Oba t'o ju gbogbo orisa lo,(The almighty God)
Olorun t'o tobi ju gbogbo aye lo,(Greater than all the earth)
Oba t'o da monamona fun ojo, The God who created lightening for the rain)
Aimope ani oje,
Oba to j'ewe at'egbo lo,
Oba to ni owa t'owa,(The God who commands)
Oba t'oni olo, t'olo, (The God who commands)
Oba t'oni k'owa, t'owa, (The God who commands)
Oba t'oni k'omasi, ti o si si mo,(The God who can close a door and no man can open)
Oba t'ao ri, sugbon t'ari ise owo Re,(The unseen God but we can feel his impact)
Olorun t'o n gbo adura, (God who hears prayers)
Oba t'o n dahun adura, (Prayer answering God)
Olorun t'ape t'o n je,(The God that you can call and he will answer)
Oba t'o n dahun adura pelu ina,(God that answered by fire)
Eleda,(Creator)
Akoda aye,(The first among all things)
Aseda orun,(He established the heavens)
Oba t'o fi'di aye s'ole s'ori omi,( He who established the earth on waters)
Oba t'o mo wa (The Potter),
Oba t'o mo wa ( He that knoweth us),
Oba t'o mo ohun gbogbo,(The all knowing God)
Olorun t'o le se ohun gbogbo,(God who can do all things)
Oba ti ohun gbogbo nbe n'ikawo Re,(God who has the whole world in his hands)
Oba to joko soke orun to f'ile aye se itise Re,(He makes the heaven his seat and the earth his foot stool)
Oba ti ntu won ka nibi ti won nti da'na iro,(He who causes confusion in the camp of the enemy)
Atererekariaye,(He spreads out across the earth)
Eletigb'aroye,(The great hear that hears all over the world)
Alatilehin,(Our succor)
Alaanu,(Merciful God)
Oba ti aanu Re duro lailai,(God whose mercies endureth for ever)
Oba alade alafia,(The Prince of peace)
Oloore ofe,(The gracious god)
Olorun ife,(The God of Love)
Olorun ayo,(The God that gives Joy)
Olutunu,(Comforter)
Olubukun,(The blessed God)
Onise iyanu,(Miracle worker)
Onise ara,(Wonderful)
Onise nla,(Great God)
Mimo, Mimo, Mimo,(Holy! Holy! Holy)
Oba t'o ninu mimo,(Righteous God)
Oba alaya funfun,(Immaculate God)
Ologo meta, (The Trinity
Olotito,(The Truthful)
Olododo,(The Truthful)
Iye,(Resurrection)
Aduro gboingboin lehin asotito,(Defender of the Truthful)
Imole ninu okunkun aye,(The light in darkness)
Alagbara l'orun ati l'aye,(Mighty in heaven and on the earth)
Oba ti nyoni kuro ninu ofin aye,(God who rescues from the dungeon)
Atofarati,(Our defense)
Atogbokanle,(The trustworthy God)
Atofokante,(Our Confidant)
Adunbarin,(Worthy to walk with)
Adunbalo, (Worthy to follow)
Adunkepe,(God you can call on)
Apata ayeraye,(The rock of ages)
Atobiju,(The Almighty)
Atofarati bi oke,(Our support and defense)
Apata wa,(Our rock of Ages)
Odi wa,(Our shield)
Alabarin aye wa, (Our companion)
Olupese,(Our provider)
Olugbega,(The lifter of our head)
Oluranlowo,(Our help)
Ireti wa,(Our hope)
Olu aye,(God on earth)
Olu orun,(God in heaven)
Oba ti gbobo oba nt'owo Re gb'ase,(Kings from whom kings take directives)
Adakedajo, (He who Judges silently)
Adajo ma fi t'enikan se,(The just Judge)
Oba ti kii s'ojusaju,(The just God)
Oba t'enikan o le pe l'ejo,(The king that can not be judged)
Oba aseyiowu,(Unquestionable God)
Oba tii s'agan d'olomo,(The god who opens the womb of the barren)
Abiyamo ode orun,(The great mother of heaven)
Atorise,(God who can turn bad situation to good)
As'oloriburuku d'olorire,(God who can remove the inadequacies from ones life)
Arinu r'ode,(God who sees the visible an the invisible,)
Olumoranokan eda, (He who sees the intent of the heart of man)

Oludamoran (The Great adviser)
Baba wa,(Abba father)
Ore wa,(Our friend)
Ibi isadi wa,((Our refugee)
Aabo wa,(our protector)
Oluwosan,(the healer)
Asoku d'alaye,(He who brings the dead to life)
Olorun alaaye,(God of the living)
Oba ti n p'ojo iku da,(God who can change appointment with death)
Oba ti emi gbogbo enia wa l'owo Re,( He who has the keys to our existence)
Oba ti nti t'enikan o lesi,(He who shuts and no one can open)
Oba ti nsi t'enikan o leti,(He who opens and no one can close)
Awamaridi,(Unsearchable God)
Eleruniyin,
Abetilukara bi ajere,(God who is all ears)
Aiku,(Living God)
Aisa,(Faithful)
Oba ti ki sun, ti ki togbe (The king that neither sleeps nor slumbers)
Oba onise nla,(The great worker of good)
Onigbonwo wa, (Our sponsor)
Olorun pipe,(Perfect God)
Olorun rere,(Good God)
Akiri s'ore,(He who goes about doing good)
As'ore kiiri, ,(He who goes about doing good)
Gbongbo idile Jesse,(The root of the tribe of Jesse)
Oba t'o f'oro da ile aye,(He that created all things by his spoken word)
Oba to ti wa k'aye o towa,(He who was in existence before creation)
Oba ti o ma wa nigba t'aye o ni si mo,(He who will remain at the end of all things)
Oloruko nla,(The great name)
Ologojulo,(The glorious God)
Emi ni ti nje Emi ni,(I am the I am)
Oba t'oni gbogbo ope,(He who deserves all praise)
Olorun t'oni gbogbo iyin, ,(He who deserves all honour)
Oba ti ko ni pin ogo Re pel’enikankan,(God that does not share his glory with any man)
Oba t'o ti wa, t'o si wa, ti o si ma wa lailai, (The God that was, that is and that will remain for ever)
Ibere ati opin,(The Alpha and omega)
OBA AKIKITAN,(Eternity will not be enough to praise and honour you, O Lord) By Haykins

Recipe: Crispy Crunchy Apple Crumble

By popular demand a crumble appears at all of our big family dinners. The fruits can change with the seasons rhubarb and strawberries may appear in the spring, peaches and blueberries in the summer, pears and cranberries in fall or winter. The apple spans all seasons and it’s the one that’s requested most of all.

FOR THE FILLING
4 pounds apples (8 or 9, assorted varieties), peeled, cored, and cut into ½-inch slices
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca or all-purpose flour
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt 

FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 ¼ cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons (1 ½ sticks) unsalted cold butter, cut into small cubes

Set a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 375°F.

FOR THE FILLING
Place the apples in a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, tapioca, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and gently toss to combine. Spoon the filling into an ungreased 9-inch round, 2-inch-deep pie dish or an 11-inch oval, 2-inch-deep pie dish.

FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 ¼ cups flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Add the butter and, working with your fingertips, a fork, or a pastry blender, combine the mixture until the crumbs are pea-size.

Spoon the topping evenly, but thickly, over the fruit filling.

Place the baking pan on a baking sheet or sheet of foil (this will catch any spills) on the middle rack of the oven. Bake until the fruit is bubbling and the top is nicely browned, about 1 hour. To ensure even baking, rotate the baking dish halfway through. (If the top begins to get too brown, cover it with a sheet of foil.)

Serve warm.

Prayer For New Week and Happy New Month.

As the year moves to an end, this last month shall be your best  month. The glory of the latter is always greater. You will experience supernatural favour and unprecedented speed in Jesus name. As you step out this week, remember that God is not limited by your situation. 

Dare to trust Him, He will cause the lines to fall for you in pleasant places. It is your set time of favour in Jesus name. God will use you as a vessel for His glory. As you continue to fix your eyes on Jesus, His grace will be evident in every area of your life. Yes, The Lord will perfect all that concerns you in Jesus name.

Happy New Week/Month from us ASB-World. 

Recipe: Banana Caramel Cream Dessert

A layer of rich pastry cream, fresh bananas, whipped cream, caramel sauce, and a graham cracker crust.  Each element is pretty tasty on it’s own, but when layered together they create a pretty amazing dessert!

Banana Caramel Cream Dessert

Ingredients:

Vanilla Pastry Cream (recipe below)

Bananas (I used two bananas for 6 small dessert servings)

Good quality caramel sauce, or dulce de leche.

Fresh whipped cream (I used 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream and 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar)

Graham Cracker crumble (recipe below)

Vanilla Pastry Cream

2/3 cup sugar (can be reduced to 1/2 cup if you prefer desserts less sweet)

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups whole milk

2 eggs

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste)

Directions:

In a medium bowl,  beat eggs with a fork to combine.  Set aside.

Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan.  Gradually pour in milk, while whisking, to make a smooth mixture.  Cook over medium heat, stirring almost constantly, until the mixture thickens and boils.  Continue to cook and stir one minute.

Pour several tablespoons of the hot mixture into the bowl with the eggs and immediately stir well.  Pour warmed egg mixture into the pan with the rest of the hot milk mixture.  Return to a slow boil, and cook one minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.  Set aside to cool.  When the pan has cooled, place in the refrigerator to fully cool.  If desired, lay a piece of plastic wrap on the top surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming.

Graham Cracker Crumble

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sized crackers)

1/3 cup butter, melted

1 Tablespoon sugar

Directions:

Crush crackers in a large ziplock type bag.  Pour crumbs, sugar and melted butter into a bowl and , stir until fully combined.  Pour into a 9″x13″ casserole dish and press into a even layer.  Bake at 350*F for 10-12 minutes, until light brown.  Allow to cool.

Dessert assembly~

(pictured below as well)

1.  Spoon about 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumble into individual serving dishes.  Use a small glass to press the crumble into a firm layer (as pictured below).

2.  Add a layer of pastry cream into each dish.  For easy assembly, fill a large ziplock type bag with the pastry cream, snip off the end and fill the dishes from this bag.

3.  Add a few slices of banana.

4.  Top bananas with a layer of whipped cream.

5.  Add some graham cracker crumble and a drizzle of caramel (scoop caramel or dulce de leche into a small ziplock bag and snip off the end for easy application).

Repeat layers 2-5

Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 3 hours.  Top with a slice of fresh banana just before serving.

Note:  I used 6 small dessert dishes.   If you make 6 desserts, you will have pastry cream and graham cracker crumble left over.  If you want to make more desserts, or one large trifle dish, you will have enough pastry cream and graham cracker crumble for 10-12 individual desserts.  For a large trifle, or more than 6 individual desserts I would double the amount of whipped cream listed above.

Recipe Source- Final recipe by Glorious Treats.

Vanilla pastry cream recipe adjusted from class notes from a college cooking class I took in 1997.

Alterations:  The recipes posted above are what I used, if you’d like to experiment with substitutions, such as using prepared pudding mix in place of the pastry cream, or cool whip in place of the whipped cream, feel free, but I can not attest to the results.

Press graham cracker crumble into individual dishes.

Add a layer of pastry cream and bananas.

Top bananas with whipped cream, graham cracker crumble and caramel.  Repeat layers.

Enjoy! BY glorioustreats

PEACE IN A WORLD OF CONFLICT

"I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

In 1919, when the First World War came to an end, many people called it, "The war to end all wars."

Just after, an organization called the League of Nations was formed, and many thought there would never again be war in the world because all disputes would be handled within the League.

Well, just the opposite happened. Within 22 years, many of the League's members had left and World War 11 was underway.

The organization had failed in its objective to keep peace because it couldn't force goodwill upon its members.

And even though the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations, problems persist today.

Wars are being fought daily. Crime, poverty, and injustice are rampant all over the planet. So how could we ever have peace in such a violent and harsh world?

Peace is attainable, but not the kind the world is seeking for. God's peace comes from His presence in our lives. And you can have that peace in your soul even with so much conflict going on around you.

All you have to do is trust in Jesus. Because no matter what happens in this world, in Christ, you'll always be able to say, "It is well with my soul."

May the peace of God be with you.

Prayer: Lord, you are my peace in this troubled world.

Scriptural Reading: John 16:33