Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13

Favorite Family Activity: Nightly prayer

Thoughts on staying faithful . . .
Staying faithful is difficult to do when the media tells girls a completely different story from the Bible’s, when the media are more accepted by society and peers than the Bible. When a girl lives in a sinful world, it’s easy to say, “At least I’m not doing what she’s doing."

The reason we must reject the media and our peers’ opinions on how we should act and be is because the Lord tells us to compare ourselves only with Him. To compare each other amongst our sinful selves is unwise (2 Corinthians 10:12). The way we need to overcome the difficulties in staying faithful is to surround ourselves with Christlike influences, reject negative media and read the Bible consistently. A teen who plants her faith in a godly environment is sure to watch it grow.

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: I soak up every devotional and bit of advice this magazine has provided me, and now I’m ready to give back. I’m passionate about Christ and loving the fact that I’m a girl with a purpose.

Mikayla Chien, 17, Meadville, Pa.

Favorite Scripture: Job 1:21-22

Favorite Family Activity: Eating dinner and having conversation

Thoughts on making decisions . . .
What’s important for us to remember in making decisions is to talk to God. God’s got the whole picture from beginning to end and knows exactly what the right choice is for us to make. We see but a small portion of life at once and are swayed so easily by feelings and peer pressure to make wrong choices, choices that don’t glorify Him.

So how do we make godly decisions day to day? By seeking God’s will through His Word, praying and listening to Him. Ask God what He wants you to do in your life, and He’ll never steer you wrong.

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: God has blessed me with the spiritual gifts of encouragement, administration, teaching and giving. He has given me a passion for the lost and for girls my age. Being the Brio Girl would be an amazing opportunity to reach out.

Courtney Browning, 17, Seymour, Texas

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 91:4

Favorite Family Activity: A late night shopping spree

Thoughts on living boldly . . .
In her book Sister Freaks, Rebecca St. James tells us that a popular pastime in her country [Australia] is afternoon tea. It’s a sedate and quiet affair, and she says that sometimes it seems as if everyone is satisfied with “tea-time faith.” Although nothing is wrong with a mild lifestyle, she often wonders if we’re accomplishing anything for His kingdom.

When I read this, I was heavily convicted. So many of us are afraid to make waves or boldly live for Christ. We have grown far too comfortable in our boxes and are satisfied with bland faith. That statement from the book stirred within me a thirst for more than just a cup-of-tea lifestyle. Bold faith makes people uncomfortable, and I’m ready to step out of the gray for an extreme passion for Christ.

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: Being the Brio Girl would allow me to use the gifts God has given me and touch many people. Brio Girl is so much more than a title; it’s a lifestyle, and it’s a heart-style.

Emily Cummins, 16, Davie, Fla.

Favorite Scripture: Romans 12:2

Favorite Family Activity: Sitting on the beach and pouring out my heart to my family

Thoughts on waiting to date . . .
I want to save myself completely for my future husband. I’m choosing not to date in high school, because I don’t want to go through the pain of not waiting for God’s best. I’ve also decided to save my first kiss for my wedding day.

I’m writing letters to my future husband, and I save them in a special box. I want him to realize the importance of what I’ve saved for him—all of my love. I’m also praying for his purity as well as for mine.

I heard a great quote once: “What God is doing in you while you wait is just as important as what you’re waiting for.” Wait. You’ll be glad you did!

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: I think girls want to hear from someone who’s been there and knows what they’re going through. I’ve been through highs and lows, but the one constant factor through it all has been Jesus Christ.

Rachel Dahl, 17, Polo, Ill.

Favorite Scripture: Revelation

Favorite Family Activity: Performing in community-theater productions

Thoughts on the mind of a guy . . .
A guy’s mind is like a digital camera. He can recall images at any time with startling accuracy. It doesn’t matter how long ago these pictures were captured. They’re still as clear and precise as the second they were first recorded.

How do you want to be on the “memory card” of a guy’s mind? Do you want to be the image he calls up when he’s thinking lustful thoughts? Or would you rather he see you as the girl dressed in cool yet modest clothing and letting her inner beauty shine through?

Modesty isn’t just how you dress. It’s in the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you act and the way you treat others.

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: Brio readers look up to the Brio Girl for guidance and leadership. I understand their feelings of rejection, pain and bitterness. I want to make a difference in the hearts of all the girls who read Brio .

Lacey Gaustad, 18, Dawson, Minn.

Favorite Scripture: Psalm 27:4

Favorite Family Activity: Traveling to faraway places by car

Thoughts on modesty and God . . .
Modesty. Many girls get caught up in the way the world dresses and confuse it with the way God wants them to dress. OK, I admit, a lot of cute outfits out there God would not be happy with, nor would the wives of all the men looking at you. I think we need to be obedient in this situation.

God. We can get distracted by the latest romantic comedy and seek something temporary and not eternal. We begin to turn to things that don’t satisfy. God is a jealous God, and He wants our love. He wants to be our bridegroom! He doesn’t want us to try to get satisfied by things of this world when He has infinitely more to bless us with. All we have to do is ask!

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: Looking at the things I’ve been through and where I stand today are two entirely different dimensions. It’s not only forgiving those who’ve hurt me that qualifies me for 2008 Brio Girl but my resiliency as well.

Becky Marras, 17, Medina, Ohio

Favorite Scripture: Galatians 1:10

Favorite Family Activity: Sit and talk at the dinner table

Thoughts on reflecting Christ . . .
Being on the junior varsity soccer team has given me the opportunity to stand up for my faith several times. Once before a game, some girls asked me why I don’t swear. My choice of words became an open door to share the Gospel. I said how I want to honor God with my words and that I’m trying to live by glorifying Him.

Also, they thought that going to church was pleasing enough for God. They thought their lives outside of church didn’t matter. I explained to them that I choose to be the person I am because I want to be a constant reflection of Christ and that the lives we live outside of church really do matter; God is watching all the time and wants to see that we’re living for Him.

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: I’m passionate about servanthood, glorifying Christ, encouraging others and showing the joy the Lord gives me. Being Brio Girl would be a great opportunity to share my passion with my sisters in Christ.

Esther Wu, 16, Cincinnati, Ohio

Favorite Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13

Favorite Family Activity: Dance Dance Revolution

Thoughts on lyrics . . .
Studies have shown that teens who said they weren’t listening could still write the lyrics of all top 10 secular songs. So why pollute your mind? Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. How can we think about things that are pure when we are taking in impure lyrics?

There are clean secular music CDs. Music that doesn’t have cuss words, doesn’t have improper ideas about sex, violence and drugs. But how can you decipher whether that music is clean?

Try imagining Jesus listening with you. If you wouldn’t want Him listening, you shouldn’t be either. And pray about it. The Holy Spirit lives within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). We’re commanded to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) and to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Choose artists whose behavior and thus lyrics don’t contradict yours!

Why I would like to be Brio Girl: I care about all those hurting, and I wish I could somehow reach out to them, if not by physical touch, then by my words and actions as Brio Girl.

So what happens next?
All eight semifinalists complete an additional questionnaire and produce a DVD that allows the judges to get to know them even better. From this information (and lots of prayer) the top four semifinalists are selected. You get to meet them next month!

Top 8 Prizes
• All the Lovely Losers, Jason Gray
• How Can We Be Silent, BarlowGirl
• The Altar and the Door, Casting Crowns
• Even Heroes Need a Parachute, This Beautiful Republic
• Comatose, Skillet
• Beauty from Pain 1.1, Superchic[k]
• Passion ‘06
• The Reckoning, Pillar
• Don’t Get Comfortable, Brandon Heath
• Chronology Volume One, Third Day
• Girl Talk with God by Susie Shellenberger
• Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado

Top 20 Prizes
• Rush of Fools , Rush of Fools
• Waking Up, Bethany Dillon
• 33 Miles, 33 Miles
• aLIVE in Florida, Rebecca St. James
• Article One , Article One
• Say It, Britt Nicole
• C2W (Choose 2 Wait) T-shirt
• Softlips lip gloss
• Glamour Girls by Andrea Stephens
• One Year Devo for Teens by Susie Shellenberger