Every Teenager’s Little Black Book (Review}

BOOK TITLE: Every Teenager’s Little Black Book

AUTHOR: Blaine Bartel

ISBN: 978-971-789-194-1

THEME: For Youth/ Teens

PUBLISHER: CLC Publications

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/5

PAGES: 244

Teens have lots of questions in life. I myself, a teen, have questions. Questions that are ought to be answered. A teen’s life is very colorful, full of energy and strength and full of traps as well. Teens are often times emotionally-driven and are full of curiosity that sometimes leads to dead ends. In this book you will discover how you can have spiritual direction, a life full of plan for your fantastic future.

Bartel urges each and every teens to live a life that is God-driven, life with direction & planning. He tackles topics on being ‘cool’, dating, managing finances, friendship, opposite sex attractions, relationship, job, career and much more; which will surely open your mind and give you new perspectives which are based on practical way and so much of sound biblical foundation.

This book is filled with humorous and straight forward truths & advises arranged in simple yet profound lists in bullet points that are easy to read, a very good help towards a successful life, a help on navigating through life’s challenges.

My Thoughts

The time I started to read this book, it really made a big impact in my life, as a teen and as a Christian. Lots have changed in my view of many things. The author’s thoughts and advises are really full of truths that will surely help you, as it is in me. Together with the Bible as our blueprint in life, this is a supplementary ‘handbook’ to any teen of confusion, questions and dreams – scripture-inspired points will answer your teen-life questions and prepare you for the bigger world.

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Other books by Blaine Bartel:

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on cash

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book for athletes

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on how to get along with your parents

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on God’s guarantees

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on reaching your dreams

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on cool

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book on sex and dating

Every Teenager’sLittle Black Book of hard to find informations

The Big Black Book for Parents

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“For You have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.” –Psalm 71:5 NIV

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Blaine Bartel is the founding youth pastor and one of the key strategists in the creation of Oneighty, which has become one of the most emulated youth ministries in the past decade He is one of the most sought after speakers of his field; more than one million people from over 40 countries have attendedBlaine Bartel’s live seminars or speaking engagements. He is a dedicated father to three children and a loving husband to his wife of more than 20 years, Cathy.

ABOUT THE CLC PUBLICATIONS

CLC Publications (formerly Christian Literature Crusade) is the English language publishing house for CLC Ministries International. Headquartered in Fort Washington, PA, CLC has published books for the Deeper Christian Life for over 50 years. Our focus has been to publish books by trusted authors with a clear and timeless message. Some of our better known authors from the past include Watchman Nee, Corrie ten Boom, Amy Carmichael, Andrew Murray and Roy Hession. Today we are also publishing books by well known authors like Warren Wiersbe and Michael Catt.

Many of our books are influenced by the message of the Keswick movement starting in 1875 in England and therefore some of our older authors have British origins or spoke on the Keswick stage at one time or another. While we do not limit our publishing to the theology of this movement, we are certainly excited to be able to convey the message of the Victorious Christian Life to a new generation.

As a part of CLC International, our books are sold and distributed in countries all over the world including but not limited to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, India, the West Indies, and the Philippines. We are committed to being a significant part of fulfilling CLC’s international purpose of making evangelical Christian literature available to all nations so that people may come to faith and maturity in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Disclosure: A review copy of this book is provided for review by CLCPhilippines

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LWP#1: Justine Paolo Gadiano Parcasio

Last week, I contacted a friend of mine, whom long ago I found because of the social networking site Facebook, isn't that great and awesome?

I selected him as the pilot/ first lead worshipper whose profile is to be featured here in my worship blog. Thank GOD, he responded so quickly!

His profile goes like this...

Name: Justine Paolo Gadiano Parcasio

Current City/Location: Baguio City, Philippines

Church: Grace Communion International - Baguio City/La Trinidad Church

Denomination: Grace Communion International

Years leading worship: 2 years

Active members: 60-70 members

Favorite Worship song: Our God by Chris Tomlin

Instrument(s) you play: Guitar

Favorite Worship song: Our God by Chris Tomlin

Instrument(s) you play: Guitar

Last two books read:“Hearing and Understanding the Voice of God” Compiled by Frank A, DeCenso Jr.

and “The Shack Revisited” by C. Baxter Kruger PH.D.

Q1: How would you describe the set up of your church?

-Our local church usually use the “ Blended Style” of worship where the songs are a combination of hymns and contemporary songs representing the different generations of the church family.

Q2: Please share your journey to becoming a lead worshipper.

-My journey as a worship leader started when I was a child, when my parents bring me to church regularly (this is what Proverbs 22:6 is all about). Since childhood, my parents encouraged me to render a “special music” at church with my sister or even with my whole family. And as I grew up, I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ on April 21, 2004 through my aunt Auey at the age of 9 and on December 26 on the same year, I got baptized. From then on, I started attending praise and worship concerts of Darlene Zschech live in Manila last 2010, Hillsong United Aftermath Tour last 2011 and other local Christian concerts. In our church, I started joining the worship team as a back-up singer until our senior pastor asked and encouraged me to lead worship. My first time to lead worship was during the Pastoral Team’s Conference on May, 2011, which was held at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City. The second time was last year, June 10, 2012 during our church’s 36^th Anniversary which was held in a resort on top of the mountain. Since then, I was continually assigned as a worship leader at least once a month. I am so excited for the things God has prepared for my future as a worship leader/lead worshipper.

Q3: I know you have a unique working relationship with your pastor, why is this important for pastors and lead worshipper to cultivate?

-It is very important for a worship leader to cultivate a good relationship because the pastor serves as the father and shepherd of the church. It is always right to consult and seek spiritual wisdom from the pastor every now and then about your worship line-ups like the songs and scriptures. 

Q4: What type of tech tools are you using in your church?

-Laptop, LCD projector, instruments and sound system.

Q5: What are some of your favorite worship resources?

-Our church’s hymnal (WCG/GCI Hymnal).

-GCI Manila’s Worship Lyrics Compilation (for power point slides, song chords and lyrics)

-Various Christian CDs and DVDs.

- www.gci.org

                                                         - www.trinitarianworship.blogspot.com

                                                         - www.worshiptogether.com

                                                         - www.darlenezschech.com

                                                         - www.youtube.com (for song searches)

                                                         - www.ibethel.tv

Q6: What is the biggest lesson you have learned in leading worship?

-The biggest lesson I’ve learned in leading worship is that for me not to focus on myself as a worship leader but to focus and depend on the ultimate and perfect worship leader who is the Lord Jesus Christ. When your focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ, all the worries, hindrances and imperfections will disappear and worship will be a genuine expression of our love for God.

Sample Praise and Worship set

CALL TO WORSHIP: Psalm 127

-We Praise Thee O God, Our Redeemer (Hymnal)

-Kay Buti Buti Mo Panginoon

-Give Us Clean Hands (Chris Tomlin)

-Great Thy Faithfulness

                MESSAGE/SERMON

                COMMUNION

                OFFERTORY SONG: (Special Music)

                                -Ang Dakilang Katapatan

                CONGRAGATIONAL PRAYER

                CLOSING SONGS:

                                -For You Alone (Don Harris)

                                -You are good (Israel Houghton)

                BENEDICTION

My final words and advices to aspiring and new lead worshippers

---For aspiring and new lead worshippers, it is very important to set a time solely devoted for you and God. This is the time where you seek God through prayer, reading His word and even singing the songs you have chosen for your worship set/line-up as a your personal worship. It is also important to have time for you as a worship team to practice at least once a week. In our church, our worship team meets regularly every Wednesday, the time used to practice the songs and take time to pray for each other. When you do this regularly, you allow the Holy Spirit to train, teach, equip, correct and soak you with His presence personally and the group as a worship team in your worship leading journey. . . amazing journey!!!

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