Check out our Creation News Section!
Weekly articles, daily Q & A, and a Creation Comic!
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 If you enjoy this free email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of teenagers everywhere! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, you can join Heart4Teens.com readers around the world by visiting: http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Heart4Teens
Stop by our web site to view past stories or to browse through the tons of resources we have there for teens!
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Michael's updated book Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter," is finally here! ($13.95)
Visit the link below to preview the book. Autographed copies are available at no extra charge and we will pay the shipping for you. An e-book is also available for $3.25.
http://www.Heart4Teens.com/books
Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send it on its way to you.Credit card, PayPal, Checks, and Money orders accepted! The book is also available through Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Booklocker.com
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Blessed Humiliation
Servants are people who care for others. True servants actively look for ways to help others by listening, watching, and paying attention. Servants are sensitive. They can tell when someone is hurting or in need. Servants know how to help others so that the one being helped does not feel demeaned or used. Serving is done for the benefit of others, not for the benefit of one's self. Servanthood is not a one-time experience; it's a way of life-one that takes a lifetime to learn. You don't become Mother Teresa in a week. True servanthood becomes more possible the more we hang out with Jesus, read about him, think about him, and talk about him. Jesus set the example. He not only washed the disciples' feet, he gave his life for them.
By the way, servanthood is also hard. And humiliating. And awkward. And difficult. But it's also blessed when you do it. Jesus said so.
Someone Just Like You:
The small-group leader had told Daryl he would really enjoy helping at the Special Olympics this year. Daryl thought, Oh, what the heck. I've never been around mentally challenged people before. I don't think I've even talked to someone with Down's Syndrome, so it might be cool. Daryl showed up for the Special Olympics and was introduced to Ellie, a young high school girl with Down's. Daryl took a liking to her immediately and took it upon himself to be her personal servant all day. Ellie had entered three races-the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard dashes. The first two went okay. Ellie didn't win either of them, but didn't seem to mind.
As the day wore on Daryl's experience with Ellie became more difficult and tiring. Daryl found it hard to understand Ellie when she talked-and she talked all the time. She became stubborn and uncooperative, even rude. To be honest, Ellie started to irritate Daryl, but he decided he could tough it out for one more hour, until Ellie's last race ended. Ellie was very tired and very irritable when the last race was announced. She alternated between refusing to move and crying. Daryl felt helpless and frustrated. He became short with her: "Ellie! Quit being a jerk and whining. You signed up for the race and you're going to honor your commitment." Ellie reluctantly agreed and did fine until about halfway through the 200-meter race. Suddenly she stopped running. The rest of the runners stopped, grabbed her hand, and tried to get her to run with them. Ellie refused. The rest of the runners finally went on.
Daryl was fed up with Ellie now. He walked over to her on the track and, without thinking, yelled at her, "Ellie, you are really acting selfish. Stop being so uncooperative!"
Ellie looked at him as tears slipped silently down her face. "I'm sworrrry, Daryl. I.I.don't feel so gwood." As Daryl turned back to her, she suddenly lunged forward and vomited all over the front of him.
Daryl couldn't believe how disgusting and awful this experience had turned out to be. Obviously angry, Daryl helped Ellie clean up, then he cleaned himself off and left as quickly as he could. He couldn't wait to get home and take a shower. The whole drive home he was thinking, Yeah, servanthood is great. You try to help people who don't want your help, won't cooperate and then throw up all over you. Fine, I did it once. Never again.
When Daryl got out of the shower his mother was standing at the door with the portable phone. "Phone call, Daryl. Says he is the father of Ellie, whoever that is."
Oh great, Daryl thought, now I'm going to get a lecture from him. Daryl grabbed the phone, "Hello?"
"Hello, Daryl, this is Don Sykes, Ellie's dad. She wants to talk to you."
Before Daryl could react, Ellie was on the phone. She was crying softly. "Uh, Dwaryl, I want to thank you for helping me today. Nobwody ever do that for me. I'm sworry I wasn't bery nice. I didn't feel gwood." Daryl wasn't feeling well himself. "But I guess you know I wasn't fweeling gwood. I throw up on you." Then she began to cry, "I sworry, Dwaryl."
Daryl was trying to hold back the tears himself. "It's okay, Ellie. I'm sorry for getting so mad at you."
"Oh, it's okay, Dwaryl," Ellie said. "I forgwive you. Lots of people get mad at me, but you didn't get mad like they do. Would . . . would you be my fwiend?"
Daryl was now very choked up. "Yes, Ellie, I would like to be your friend."
Suddenly Ellie began to squeal and laugh and clap. "Oh, goodie. You know what Dwaryl? I ownwy throw up on my fwiends."
Read It:
John13:2 4-5 12-17
See that guy on his knees washing the grime from between your toes? That's the Son of God
Life Hint
If being a servant was fun and easy everyone would be doing it. God chose you for a reason.
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Taken from "Devotion" by Mike Yaconelli, copyright 2004, Zondervan/Youth Specialties. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.YouthSpecialties.com/linker/index.php?id=6506
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Creation Q & A
Q: After all the miracles God did for the Israelites, why did they still rebel against Him?
A: The main reason for their rebellion is sin. But the Bible does give us some interesting specifics that should be a warning to every family. Moses and Joshua reminded the people over and over again of the laws God had taught them and of the miracles God had done for them. The fathers were commanded to teach their children these things.
In the book of Judges, we read that the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua. But sadly, then we read that when Joshua and his generation--who saw what God had done--died, the children of that new generation rebelled against the Lord.
You know the reason the Bible gives for this rebellion? It's because the fathers did not train their children as God had commanded. This should stand as a warning to all fathers today--that they need to train their children in the ways of the Lord. They must be the spiritual head of their house--just as it states when we get our answers from God's Word.
Source: AnswersinGenesis.org
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Creation News
Click on the Bible above or visit the web site listed below!
http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Creation_News
This new addition to our web site will give you an article on the leading news in the Creation/Evolution controversy each day.
This section also includes a rotating Question and Answer feature and a weekly Creation Comic strip from the people at AnswersInGenesis.org.
Be sure to come back and visit each day for an informative article that will help you keep up to date on the latest news in this controversial area!
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Thought For The Day
"Our grand business in life is no to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand." --Thomas Carlyle
Verse for the Day
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." Ecclesiastes 9:10
Teen's Thought For The Day
"When I went to college, my parents threw a going away party for me. At least that is what they told me in the letter I got in the mail." Parent's Thought For The Day
"I have found the best way to give advice to your children is to find out what they want and then advise them to do it." - Harry S. Truman
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." -John Wooden
Deep Thought For The Day
"My uncle had a rabbit's foot for thirty years. His other foot was quite normal."
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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul and 26 other inspirational books.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Over 110,000 people have listened to popular Chicken Soup Author Michael T. Powers' free inspirational message entitled: "Breathing Life into Others". If you aren't one of them just visit: http://www.Heart4Teens.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message!
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ALL-STAR Youth Ministry
--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI
If you are in 7-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of Menard's.)
Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, and Beloit Turner. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.
Starting a new 10-week series called: "No Stinkin' Way!"
This Week:
October 28: No Pee in This Pool! (NSW Part 3)
Upcoming Topics:
November 4: Movie Night! Movie Style Popcorn Popper Included!
November 11: Eternal Bleeding (NSW Part 4)
November 18: Is Your Bacon Possessed? (NSW Part 5)
November 25: Jesus and the Zombie (NSW Part 6)
December 2: Battle of the Sexes! Fun Night!
December 9: The Great Sand Doodler! (NSW Part 7)
December 16: All Up In My Kool-Aid! (NSW Part 8)
December 23: Wee Little Man (NSW Part 9)
December 30: Christmas Party!
January 6: In Love with the Darkness (NSW Part 10)
Visit our youth website to see our topics for 2008!
Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights -- These groups are limited to no more than ten teens and are split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Xtreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.
Jr. High age meets at the church and are led by Kent & Rachel Martin (Call 373-0886 if you have any questions!)
High School age are led by Tedi Knox: 2816 Blackbridge (Call 774-2592 if you have any questions!)
Xtreme Teens: Xtreme Teens meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM all year round at the Powers' house. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. Admission into Xtreme Teens is on a case by case basis. Contact Pastor Michael for more details!
This Week October 24: Give It Up (What part does sacrifice play in my relationship with Christ)
For more info on our small groups, visit: http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/small_groups
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
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