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10 Things Teen Boys DO Want You to Know

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Following is a post I recently wrote on Project Inspired:

Ladies, do you and your friends ever wonder what boys think about girls? Are you or one of your friends crushing on a guy and trying to get his attention?

At the end of last year, I gave you a list of 10 Things Teen Boys Don’t Want You To Know! Well, this week I’m giving you a list of 10 things they do want you to know, but that they may not come out and say directly. I hope this will give you some interesting insights into how boys think.

Before you delve into this list, however, know that no two guys, whether they’re non-Christian or Christian, are the same. And not all boys fall into all of these scenarios. So here goes:

    1. Friendships are important to guys (just like they’re important to you!), and they often will put their friends before girls and dating.
    2. Flirting is confusing. Guys just don’t understand flirting! Some girls flirt for attention, while others flirt only with guys they like, but guys aren’t privy to the ambiguity behind flirting….so it confuses them!
    3. Girls who curse and smoke are not cool. Guys may not care if some girls they know smoke or curse, but most would rather the girls they’re interested in keep their language clean and not smell like ashtrays!
    4. They’re not into drama or backstabbing best friends. When girls gossip or talk negatively about their pals, guys are not impressed. In fact, guys respect girls with integrity.
    5. They can’t just be friends if they like you. Don’t tell a guy you just want to be friends if he likes you. Consider the flip side! How easy is it for you to hang out with a guy you’re crushing on when he just wants to be friends? It’s no fun!
    6. They prefer girls they can talk to. Some guys are baited by a pretty face, but beauty fades in the eyes of the beholder if you have a mean streak and no personality. The same goes for guys, right?
    7. The less makeup, the better. Many guys really like more of a natural look. Too much makeup gives the assumption that you have something to hide!
    8. Some girls are too boy crazy. While teen guys are interested in girls, many kind of wish girls would tone it down when it comes to boys! Oh, and they just hate the giggling and whispering behind cupped hands!
    9. They are more comfortable with modesty. They want to look into your eyes when they talk to you and not be distracted by tight or revealing clothes. Guys really don’t like immodesty, and if they do, it’s usually for the wrong reasons.
    10. Phone calls and text messages are not a commitment. When a guy calls or texts a girl, he may or may not be interested in getting to know her more, but either way, he doesn’t want her to think communication necessarily means commitment.

Ladies, this list is not meant to change you, but rather, give you some insight about the things teen boys wish you knew. However, it will also inform you of two important things. One is that all the things that guys don’t like are negative traits anyway, right? Like gossiping and smoking and being boy crazy. And two, nixing these negative qualities will only help you become more of a Godly girl…which is what your focus should be anyway!

Teen boys are complicated, that’s for sure, but guess what? They think teen girls are too. And the truth is, your teen years are complicated in general. Which is why I continue to urge you to spend your teen years focusing on God, rather than a complicated relationship, that in most cases will end in heartache!

Ladies, what do you think about the above list? Share your story…we love to hear from you!  

Check out more of my posts on Project Inspired

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“Freeing Tanner Rose” Featured on Project Inspired – Check it out!

Top 10 Favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

7 Things That Make It Tough to Be a Christian Girl Today

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“Freeing Tanner Rose” Featured on Project Inspired – Check it out!

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Get the Scoop on Our Blogger T.M.’s NEW Novel
and Enter to Win a Signed Copy!

PI Girls, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be famous? 14-year-old Tanner Rose, the title character in our blogger T.M. Gaouette’s latest novel, Freeing Tanner Rose, didn’t have to wonder…she’d made it big in Hollywood and was the toast of the young “It” crowd. But when her partying and addictions spiral out of control, Tanner suddenly finds herself forced to live in the countryside with only her mom’s college roommate and 16-year-old son, Gabriel, for company.

Right away, Tanner and Gabriel butt heads. To Tanner, Gabriel is just a boring Christian without a life, while Gabriel finds Tanner superficial and rude. Will his faith help her get her life back on track, or will Tanner’s wild lifestyle start to tempt Gabriel down the wrong path?

If you’re looking for a great book about temptation, friendship and God, you’ve got to check out Freeing Tanner Rose. It’s full of beautiful descriptions, intriguing characters and the reminder that loving God is a way of life. We asked T.M. for more details about her book and writing process…read on to learn more!

PI:  What was your inspiration behind Freeing Tanner Rose?

T.M: “Faith & Kung Fu” is not only the name of the book series, but also its motivations. Freeing Tanner Rose itself was inspired by 1 Corinthians 10:13, because so many people struggle with temptation. This story is directed toward teens and young adults. However, since the story of Tanner and Gabriel began in 2009, it’s evolved in so many ways. Certain parts of the story and the direction in which it has gone have been motivated by different circumstances that have arisen as the story’s progressed throughout the years.

PI: What do you hope readers take away from the story once they’ve finished?

T.M.: That we live in a world full of temptation. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and we can’t always avoid it, but if we look to God and keep our focus on Him, we can resist anything that comes our way.

PI:  Modesty is a big theme in Freeing Tanner Rose. Why did you think it an important one to focus on?

T.M.: Modesty is just one of the main elements of the overall theme, which is temptation. And it’s one that both Tanner and Gabriel struggle with, in their own personal ways. But modesty is not just reflected in the way a person dresses, it’s reflected in attitude and character and the way a person lives. And in all these aspects, it represents restraint and self-worth and self-confidence. When Gabriel tells Tanner that she’s the “epitome of all that is tempting to someone who lacks control,” immodesty is just one part of that. So, modesty has a deeper meaning throughout the book. Other elements of temptation within this novel include addiction and purity.

PI: What was the hardest part of writing Freeing Tanner Rose?

T.M.: Letting it go! I always have a hard time letting a story go.

PI: Do you think you’ll ever come back to Tanner Rose and Gabriel in a future book?

T.M.: Freeing Tanner Rose is the first of a four part series, so it’s likely that Tanner and Gabriel will be back.

Visit Project Inspired and find out how you can win a free signed copy! And don’t forget to “Like” my author page for quick book and PI news on Facebook! (“like” box in sidebar:)

Top 10 Favorite Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes

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Following is a post I recently wrote on Project Inspired:

Ladies, Martin Luther King, Jr. was an amazing man and an awesome speaker. He recognized the meaning of civil rights and he knew how to inspire millions of people of all walks of life.

In remembrance of this great leader, and in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. day on Monday, I wanted to highlight some of my favorite quotes of his. I could be here quoting him all day (it was tough to narrow down my list–I know later I will remember yet another quote I love and kick myself for forgetting it!), so I chose 10 of his quotes on 10 different and very important themes. Enjoy!

  1. Work ethic.“If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”
  2. Service. “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
  3. Struggles. “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
  4. Love. “Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, ‘Love your enemies.’ It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies.”
  5. Equality. ”I want to be the white man’s brother, not his brother-in-law.”
  6. Faith. “Faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.”
  7. Integrity. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
  8. Do right. “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.”
  9. Justice. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
  10. Forgiveness. “Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.”

Ladies, which of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words have inspired you? Share them below; we so love to hear from you!

Check out more of my posts on Project Inspired

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10 Things Every Christian Should Know About Jesus

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Following is a post I recently wrote on Project Inspired:

Ladies, to love Jesus is to know as much about Him as possible. But what does that mean? Knowing about Jesus means more than just knowing that He is the son of God and that He is God.

Once you, as a Christian, know about Jesus, you can truly have a relationship with Him, because in doing so, you have a better understanding about Him and what is expected of you. The following is a list of 10 things every Christian should know about Jesus. Of course, they’re not the only things you should know about Him, but they’re a good start for building a relationship with Him. And they should also prompt you to learn more!

  1. He loves you unconditionally. No matter who you are or what you have done, good or bad, He loves you. And that love is never-ending. No one will ever love you more than He does!
  2. He died for you. I know that most Christians know this, but to really know it is to understand the sacrifices that went into this amazing act. God sacrificing His son. Jesus sacrificing Himself. Not to mention the pain that He felt. All to carry the burdens of your sins.
  3. He wants the best for you. God has good intentions when He creates each and every one of us. He plans for our welfare and our righteousness. It’s usually our free will that takes us in a different direction.
  4. He wants to be a part of your life. He wants you to take Him with you on your journey through life. Not just when things are good, but also when they are bad. He wants you to take Him with you through prayer, praise and glorification, in everything that you say and do.
  5. He wants to be #1. Above everything else! Nothing should be more important than Him. Nothing and no one should come before Him.
  6. He has high expectations of you. Jesus often referred to keeping His and His Father’s commandments. So He does expect that you behave a certain way. What is right and what is wrong have been laid out in scripture, and we do have a responsibility to follow those commandments! But it’s not easy. Jesus knows it’s not easy…without Him. Jesus wants you to rely on Him to help you keep those commandments, hence #4, above. He needs to be a part of your life always.
  7. He wants you to do good. Scripture reveals many examples of good deeds, from the good Samaritan to the poor widow’s offering. Good deeds alone aren’t going to get you to heaven, but they were obviously important enough for Jesus to continually point them out!
  8. He’s not a pushover. Do you remember Jesus turning tables over in the temple courts? Or when Jesus became angry when His disciples were afraid of the storm? Jesus is compassionate and loving, but He wants you to take Him seriously. What does that mean? To believe in Him.
  9. He can’t make you follow Him. We were created with free will. And even though everything is possible with God, He won’t make you follow Him. His arms are open; it’s up to you whether you choose Him or not.
  10. Life is easier with Him in it. Life is not going to be easy. But scripture tells us over and over that with Jesus in it, we are stronger.

Ladies, did you know these things about Jesus? What do you think of this list?


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12 Things Every Teen Girl Needs to Know

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Following is a post I recently wrote on Project Inspired:

Ladies, as you journey through life, your experiences will guide you through. But if you could have a few tips to make that journey a tad easier, would you take them? Well, I’d like to offer up a few…12, to be exact. I’m sure there are more that will come to mind later, but consider these for now.

Check them out!

  1. Beauty resonates from the heart. A person can be physically beautiful, but if she doesn’t have a beautiful heart, then her physical beauty will fade pretty quickly in the eyes of the beholder. So focus on beautifying your character, because compassion, kindness and generosity make more of a difference than a pretty face!
  2. Purity is a gift. You were bought with a price, and if God thinks you’re special, so should you. Prove this worth and save yourself for your future husband. He’s worth it also, don’t you think?
  3. Boys can be a distraction. When all your friends have boyfriends and you’re crushing on a cute guy, it’s hard to agree with this. But boys only distract you from important things like school, friends, goals and glorifying God. If you’re not looking for marriage, why look for love?
  4. Bullies are weak. You’ve probably already heard this, but if you’re being bullied, it’s not easy to believe. Usually a person who bullies is insecure about herself or being bullied by someone else. Whatever the reason, she is probably not a happy person. Bullies are also strengthened by those they surround themselves with. Look to God for your strength!
  5. Popularity is just a fad. Once you leave school, no one cares. You have your whole life to succeed based on your merits, not because others think you’re pretty or you wear expensive clothes. Focus on your worth.
  6. Modesty is respected. Really, it is! How awesome it is to be fashionable and modest, especially when you get noticed for your personality and great fashion sense, rather than how much of your body you’re willing to reveal. And both boys and girls extend more respect for modesty than immodesty.
  7. Social media can be dangerous. Not only can social media be dangerous for the most obvious reasons, but it distracts you from the world and creates false realities. Also, your self-worth should not be determined by how many followers or likes you have.
  8. Who you are begins now. Ladies, being a teen is fun, and sure, it’s a time when you shouldn’t have to take yourself completely seriously. But there are things that you should take seriously—like the kind of person you want to be and how you want to be perceived. Do you want to be seen as a person of integrity? If you expect good qualities in others, then expect them of yourself also. If it becomes habit, then it becomes who you are.
  9. Your parents might just be right. I know that sometimes you don’t want to hear what they have to say, but your parents’ advice is likely based on their experience. So hear them out!
  10. God adores you and you need Him! How amazing is that? And with so much love encompassing you, how can you ever feel lonely in your life? Never forget that you are God’s girl and He will always be there for you. Let’s face it—you can’t do it alone. No one can. With God on your side, you will have a great life, but there will be low times, and this is especially why you need God and His love. With Him, you will find true strength to get through all the hard times. So keep Him in your heart always!
  11. There’s a plan for you. You may not know what it is, but know that you have a purpose. When I think of this truth, I get so excited about what God has in store for me. You should be excited also.
  12. Look to the Good Book for everything in your life! The Bible has the answer for every stage of your life, from purity to marriage, from repentance to salvation. Whenever you’re looking for an answer, check the Good Book! 

With life comes many challenges. I pray that the above list helps you steer through the craziness of the teenage years with as much sanity, confidence, love and truth as you can possibly attain! God bless!

Ladies, what do you think about the above list? Share your story…we love to hear from you!

Check out more of my posts on Project Inspired

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10 Things Teen Boys Don’t Want You to Know

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10 Things Teen Boys Don’t Want You to Know

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boy and girl
Following is a post I recently wrote on Project Inspired:

Boys can be hard to understand, right? And for Christian girls growing up in a highly sexual world, it’s imperative to learn how they tick!

But guys aren’t just going to up and give away their secrets…yes, they have secrets, just like you! So I’m going to let you in on a few.

Before you delve into this list, however, know that no two guys, whether they’re non-Christian or Christian, are the same. And not all boys fall into all of these scenarios. But even the best Christian guy falls into at least a few!!!

So here goes:

  1. Being a guy is tough. There are a lot of expectations and peer pressure from other guys. In that sense, they’re not much different from you!
  2. Teen boys struggle as much as you.They’re also going through an awkward stage. Physically and emotionally, they’re experiencing new things. They’re crossing over from child to adult, and in many ways, it ain’t pretty!
  3. Boys can be insecure, and fear rejection and failure. They don’t know how to act in front of girls, as much as you don’t know how to act around them. So they may put on a tough persona to hide their insecurities.
  4. They may be saying what they need to say to get what they want. I’m sorry to include this, but I’ve actually heard teen boys say this–usually in the event that they want to be intimate. It’s basically a means to an end that they’d rather deal with later!
  5. Many aren’t interested in long-term relationships…at least, not right now! They just want to have fun, fit in and not be left out. Sound familiar?
  6. They may be looking to trade up. Eeek! I’ve heard this directly also. Boys like to compete, and at this point in their lives, they’re usually not looking for the girl who would make the best wife.
  7. They’re very visual. Many boys lust quickly and it doesn’t take much for their minds to hit the gutter. Sure, checking out girls is cool among friends, but many guys struggle with immodesty. It’s often distracting and confusing, and since they’re likely going through hormonal changes, it’s embarrassing. Even Christian guys struggle!
  8. They may be easily tempted. Again, lots of guys struggle with immodesty. Many are too immature to avert their eyes when a “hot” girl walks by or flirts with him.
  9. Guys are physically attracted to immodesty and emotionally attracted to modesty. And this isn’t just in relation to clothes, but also to behavior. I can’t say this enough…boys respect modesty!
  10. They’re not going to change for you. Really! Even if they say they will, most likely they’re just saying it to get what they want…refer back to number 4.

Ladies, this post is not meant to denigrate boys, or give them excuses for their behavior. The truth is that teenage boys are just as complicated as you are. They’re going through a physical and emotional change in their lives, and it’s a challenge.

But the truth is that the many idiosyncrasies that come with being a teen boy are the same reasons why getting emotionally involved usually ends up with a broken heart for you. But more than that, relationships can distract you from God. I know that I’ve written it before, but unless you’re looking for marriage, you probably shouldn’t be looking for love!

Ladies, what do you think about the above list? Share your story…we love to hear from you!

Check out more of my posts on Project Inspired

If you loved this, then you’re sure to like…

7 Things That Make It Tough to Be a Christian Girl Today

I Want to Write a Novel, But Where Do I Start?

 Why People-Watching Enhances Characterization in Fiction Writing

Check Out My Posts at Project Inspired

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Project Inspired is a busy place to be these days. Not just because of the many awesome posts to inspire young Christian girls, but also because of the many young girls that visit.

There’s so much to discuss, from fashion to natural beauty and Christian teaching to pop culture. If you haven’t checked it out, you should. That’s where I’ve been spending much of my time these days.

Check out some of my posts there! 

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My Cures for Defeating Writers Block

Busy With “Tanner Rose” and Project Inspired

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Friends, I wanted to let you all know that I’ve been consumed with both my upcoming novel, Freeing Tanner Rose and my other home online, Project Inspired. If you’re interested in a fun site where Christian teen girls hang out and discuss pop culture, beauty, style, and relationships, visit me at Project Inspired. I’m there daily! Just don’t forget to come back and check up on Tanner Rose. God bless!