Before we get to today's article I wanted to let all of you teens and
college students know that we will be having a special showing of the
new Ben Stein movie called "Expelled". Youth Pastor Ben Breit is
organizing this event and asked if we wanted to jump on board. We
will be renting out an entire theater at Movies 10 here in Janesville
on Wednesday night April 23. The movie starts at 7 pm and will be
done at 8:30 pm. Cost is only $5.

If you are not familiar with this controversial movie that hits theaters nation wide this
Friday, check it out online at: http://www.expelledthemovie.com

This is a great opportunity to invite your friends! Come early for a good seat!

From my family to yours,

Author Michael T. Powers

_________________________________

Guided Meditation


It's a normal day like any other. You're busy doing what you do. But as
you go about your daily routine, you sense someone wanting to spend
time with you. He wants you to come to him. He wants you to be with
him. You definitely recognize his voice, but it's been a while since you've
spent any real time together. Doesn't he know how busy your life can be?
After all, you've been busy doing what you do.

He sits there, hunkered down in the corner of your room waiting for you.
He's certainly not pushing himself on you, but you can definitely tell he
longs to spend some time with you. You tell him that you don't think you'll
have time to meet with him today as you head out the door again.

When you get back from your day, he's there again, waiting for you. He
smiles at you as you come in the door and asks you how your day has
been. He invites you to sit down and rest for a while. You can tell he wants
to hear about your day and everything else you've got going on in your life.
He seems very proud of who you are becoming. He asks you about what
seems to be pressing in on you and weighing you down. You can tell he
genuinely cares about you. He wants what's best for you. So you finally
decide to sit down for a few minutes to talk with him.

You start by telling him that you can't talk long because you still have a
lot to do before bedtime. But after a few minutes of talking together, your
whole world and all the worries of your day seem to simply melt away.
You haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. You find yourself pouring
your heart out to him. And then he looks you right in the eyes and tells
you how proud he is of you. He tells you how much he loves you and
enjoys spending time together.

At that moment you realize this friend who has been waiting to talk with
you day after day is Jesus. He has never made you feel guilty about
blowing him off day after day. He looks at you and smiles. It's at that
moment that you can tell for the first time in your life that you have a
true friend who cares about you for who you are. The time seems to fly
by as you continue talking together late into the night.


Scripture Guides Us

Would it surprise you to hear that Jesus enjoys spending time with
you? He loves you like crazy and just enjoys being with you. But he'll
never force himself upon you. He'll simply wait until you're ready to be
with him. And somehow it always ends up being some of the best
time of your entire day.

Take a few minutes to "chew on" the following Scripture verses,
allowing God's Spirit to speak to you.

MATTHEW 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my
yoke is easy and my burden is light."

PSALM 16:7-10
"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart
instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my
right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my
tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not
abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful
one see decay."

PSALM 32:6-7
"Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising mighty waters will not reach them. You are my