Take for example the other day, I was talking with a friend, I mean really pouring out my heart, only to realize they were downloading an app on their phone or checking a text message. I was instantly deflated and I just wanted to get out of there, I mean what’s the point? I felt totally unheard, unloved and insignificant. To me, this experience only underscores the importance of my own listening habits.

If I’m ever going to connect with people in my life  to Christ, I need to be an effective listener. I must be able to hear their concerns, their heart, and their questions in order to connect their story with God’s story, and I must demonstrate a quality of listening that communicates love, value, and respect. What’s your listening saying about you?

Related: Do you crave to be heard?
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But my story is real, and so it matters. So does yours. As we live out our stories together, whenever our stories overlap, it leaves a mark. If we’re willing, these marks can change us, and we can change the world. But it’s complicated because we don’t always know how to share our stories. Often we don’t know where they’re headed, or even how we got here.

The important thing is that you have a story, and your story matters, because the author of the story has been guiding it every step of the way, whether you realize it or not.

So, what’s your story?

Related: What do you crave most in your story?
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Are you willing to do whatever God asks you to do, even if it doesn’t make sense? If God has been calling you, explore volunteer and career opportunities today!

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In just a few weeks, thousands of young people will be stepping onto university campus’ for the first time. Over the course of 4 years, they will be faced with many new worldviews, and their beliefs will be challenged. The vast majority of students who arrive on campus have never been introduced to Jesus.

During the first week of September, Campus for Christ will be distributing thousands of Real Life Kits across Canada. Each kit includes Soul Cravings Prequel by Erwin McManus, a special edition of the New Testament, and a Knowing God Personally booklet that presents the Gospel in a succinct way.

This year we are more excited than ever for our Real Life Kits. We have created exciting new resources to further engage university students. When accepting a Real Life Kit, students are asked to fill out a contact form so one of our campus staff members can meet up with them. Student leaders share a new magazine created by Campus for Christ, which includes captivating stories and the message of Jesus. When one student shares the gospel with another, a chain reaction occurs resulting with hundreds being exposed to the Gospel! That is the math of evangelism at work!

Please partner with us today to make a great impact on young adults all across Canada. You can help change the world by partnering with Campus for Christ and equipping students to distribute Real Life Kits and have life-altering conversations with their peers.

Please send your gifts as soon as possible. We want to make sure that each university receives their kits in a timely manner.

Are you a “starving student living in rez? Check out Life in Residence on Facebook and see other students have to say about campus living.

Even on your student budget, you know a chunk of your budget will be spent on groceries. No secret in that! Here’s what you can do about it to make it cheaper:

1. Sound meal planning. Make your menu with grocery shopping in mind. Try to select recipes that use items that are already in your pantry. Remember what foods are in season. They’ll be cheaper. Always be on the lookout for recipes that ‘dress-up’ inexpensive cuts of meat (or don’t even require meat).

2. Have a definite list. Don’t impulse buy. If you find an item on sale that you know you’ll use later feel free to add it to your cart. But beware of pretty displays that can cause you to overspend your plan. Check the ads before you go to the store. Modify your meal plan and list to take advantage of sale items.

3. Larger supermarkets are generally cheaper. That’s due to volume discounts, but check the ads. You might find that it’s worthwhile doing part of your shopping at one store and finishing up at another. Nothing says that you have to use the same store week after week. It’s a good idea to scout out other stores periodically.

4. Look up and down. Stores will often put the most popular and expensive items from waist to shoulder level. The less expensive brands will often be on the upper or lower shelves. It’s worth the stretch.

5. Take along a calculator. You’ll want to be able to compare unit prices. A less expensive price on a larger size is only a savings if you’re going to use those extra ounces. If you’ll end up throwing them away, it’s not a bargain.

6. Avoid prepackaged and convenience foods. It’s tempting to convince yourself you’ll be alright living on a steady stream of frozen TV dinners. There are exceptions, but convenience foods are also often less nutritious, too.

7. Eat healthy. A healthy diet is less expensive than an unhealthy one. Rice, potatoes, fruit and vegetables are all less expensive than meat. Nothing says that you have to be a vegetarian, but it’s not healthy or frugal to fill up on meat. You might also save a bit on doctor bills later.

8. Comparison shop at the meat counter. Look for the less expensive cuts. Oftentimes your cooking skills can make a cheaper cut seem better than it is. Use chicken, turkey and fish. They’re less expensive and a great change from beef.

9. Use coupons only for items that you would buy anyway. If you’re used to buying the store brand for 79 cents, don’t buy the nationally advertised brand for $1.19 because you have a 20 cent off coupon. Rebates and coupons can be a big help. But think through the math before you ‘save’ all that money.

10. Stick to buying food. Don’t buy non-food items at the grocery store. Housewares, pharmacy items, greeting cards and holiday items can all be purchased for less elsewhere. Cleaning supplies can be a big part of the total at the checkout line. Wherever possible buy generic cleaners. Better still, learn how to make your own cleaners. You’ll be surprised at the savings.

11. Bring your lunch to work or school. You can make a great sandwich for the cost of a ‘Big Burger’ and fries. If you have a microwave available consider bringing some leftovers. You’ll find your lunch mates glancing longingly at last night’s meatloaf when they get a whiff of your lunch.

12 .Limit meals out. Most people enjoy an occasional meal out, especially when you do all your own cooking. But restaurants can be a real budget buster. Dinner is the most expensive meal to eat out. Why not go for breakfast or lunch? If you must go for dinner, be careful about appetizers, alcoholic beverages and desserts. They can bloat a bill in a heartbeat.

Gary Foreman is the founder of The Dollar Stretcher website and newsletters. Click here for more information on how a grocery price book could save you 15% on your grocery bill.

Often sex brings emptiness rather than the wholeness people seek through it. As one tv producer told me, “Frankly, I think the sexual revolution has backfired in our faces. It’s degrading to be treated like a piece of meat.”

The previous night her lover had justified his decision to sleep around by telling her, “There’s plenty of me for everyone.” What I suspect he meant was, “There’s plenty of everyone for me.” She felt betrayed and alone.

I explained to her and to her television audience that sexuality also involves the spiritual. One wise spiritual teacher understood our loneliness and longings for love. He recognized human emotional needs for esteem, acceptance and wholeness and offered a plan to meet them. He promises unconditional love to all who ask (John 3:16, 13:34-35, 17:20, 23, 26; 1 John 4:7-21, 5:14 -15).

Once we know we’re loved and accepted, we can have greater security to be vulnerable in relationships and new inner strength to make wise choices for safe living (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16-24; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

This teacher said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32 NASB). Millions attest to the safety and security he can provide in relationships. His name, of course, is Jesus of Nazareth. I placed my faith in him personally my freshman year in college. Though I had been a skeptic, he forgave all my flaws. He said his own death and resurrection — once I accepted his pardon — erased my guilt (Luke 24:44-47; Colossians 2:12-14). That was great news!

A marriage with Jesus as the foundation is like a triangle with God on the top and the two spouses at the bottom corners. As each partner grows closer to God, they also grow closer to each other. Life doesn’t become perfect, but God’s friendship can bring a vital dimension to any relationship.

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