Heart Touchers - How To Help Your Hurting Friend

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{Heart4Teens.com} *How to Help Your Hurting Friend*

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Over 84,000 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.HeartTouchers.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message!

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How to Help Your Hurting Friend

by Susie Shellenberger

Since Jesus isn't here in the flesh, He's depending on us to be His hands, feet, arms, ears. Are you using your hands, feet, arms and ears to bring glory to Him? What about the rest of you? Are your eyes seeing people as Jesus sees them? Does your mouth speak words of encouragement as Jesus would? Is your voice singing praises to His name? Are you going the extra mile for someone who needs you?

Jesus always loved. He calls you to do the same. When your friends are hurting, love them. When Juli battles an eating disorder, love her. When Brooke shares that she's been abused, love her. When Geoff confides that his parents are splitting, be Jesus to him. Austin tells you that his mother is dying of cancer. He doesn't need a bunch of philosophical words from you--He needs you to reflect the love of Jesus to him.

Sometimes Jesus loved with "tough love." In other words, He never made excuses for people's sin. He never said, "Well, that's okay. You didn't mean to." He allowed people to feel guilty for the disobedience in their lives, but He continued to love them.

You do the same. And when your friends are battling deep scars, don't allow them to make excuses. Love them like Jesus would. Sometimes that means giving a hug. Sometimes it means telling them something they don't want to hear, like: "I'll be here for you, but you've got to go ask him to forgive you." Or "I'll go with you, but you really need to see a counselor."

Being Jesus to your friends may not be easy, because Jesus didn't always do the popular thing--He always did the right thing. And sometimes doing what's right may cost you some friends.

Being Jesus means being willing to be a servant. Jesus told His disciples to serve--wash each other's feet. And to set the example, He knelt before them and washed their feet. Imagine! The creator of the universe washing feet! (See John 13:1-17 for the whole story.)

Washing feet can get stinky. It's uncomfortable. It's not easy. But it's right. I had taken a group of teens on a missions trip to South America. During the middle of the trip, I gave a devotion on how Jesus has called us to be servants. I called someone up front and knelt in front of him and washed his feet. Then we divided into small groups and began to wash each other's feet.

One group went left the room and went outside for more privacy. As they were washing each other's feet, a national military man walked by.Without hardly thinking, Jarod politely stopped him and motioned for the officer to sit on the ground with them.

A couple of teens from the group gently untied the man's shoes. One of the girls picked up his feet and placed them in the basin of water. Jarod began washing. Calvin grabbed the towel and tenderly dried the officer's feet.

One by one, they began sharing the difference Christ had made in their lives. When they had finished, the military officer was asking how he could know Jesus like they did. He prayed and surrendered his life to Jesus.

Why? Because a great evangelist had come to town? No. Because of a dazzling Christian concert with flashing lights and smoke machines? No. Simply because a group of teens were determined to reach out and be Jesus to him.

God isn't asking you to be flashy. He may or may not provide you with a stage or a microphone. But He is calling you to serve. To reach out. To be His hands to those around you. To be Him to a lost and dying world.

Will you do it? Even when it's tough? When you're wanting to help your friends come out on top of their problems, the very best thing you can do is to be Jesus to them.

Taken from "How to Help Your Hurting Friend" by Susie Shellenberger, copyright 2004, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/25308X

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Let's Go Surfing Dude!

Are You Battling Depression? - Depression is bearing down on you like a huge boulder. Where Do You Turn?

http://heart4teens.com/depression

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Thought For The Day:

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who
will never be able to repay you." -- John Wooden

Verse for the Day:

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such
sacrifices God is pleased." -- Hebrews 13:16

Teen's Thought For The Day:

"You are only as sick as your secrets. It is better to tell the ugly truth, than a beautiful lie." --Doug Fields

Parent's Thought For The Day:

"Parents can plant magic in a child's mind through certain words spoken
with some thrilling quality of voice, some uplift of the heart and spirit."
--Robert Macneil

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times
out of ten and be considered a good performer." --Ted Williams

Deep Thought For The Day:

"It's graduation time in New York City and many of the students here are honor students. Yes your honor, no your honor, not guilty your honor."-- David Letterman

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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 25 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

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ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th 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 The Skating Place.)

All-Stars: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights! Open to all youth grades 9-12.

The Outlet: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights in the Multi-Purpose Room! Open to all youth grades 6-8.

Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. 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.

Upcoming Topics:

New Series! Life Hurts, God Heals

Sunday June 11 -- Open Your Heart (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 2)

Sunday June 18 -- No All-Stars! It's Father's Day! Stay home and make your dad proud of you!

Sunday June 25 -- Depend on Christ (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 3)

Sunday July 2 -- All-Star Cookout at the church! Bring your friends!

Sunday July 9 -- Honestly Examine and Confess (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 4)

Sunday July 16 -- Embrace God's Way (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 5)

Sunday July 23 -- Ask For Forgiveness (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 6)

Sunday July 30 -- Fun Night! Invite Your Friends!

Sunday August 6 -- Live for God One Day at a Time (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 7)

Sunday August 13 -- No All-Stars! All Church Picnic at Rockport Pool!

Sunday August 20 -- Senior Sunday! Join us as we honor our departing seniors!

Sunday August 27 -- Share What You've Experienced (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 8)

Sunday September 3 -- Back to School Kick-Off!

Sunday September 10 -- Making the Most of Your School Year

Sunday September 17 -- No All-Stars due to the Fall Retreat!

The Truth Project is Coming! Stay tuned for more details!

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Guys Only and Gals Only Small Groups!
(June - August)

We are starting something new this summer! We will be having a Guys Only bible study and a Gals Only bible study!

Guys Only (Jr. High and Sr. High guys) Led by Pastor Michael
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (June through End of August)
Meet in the sanctuary at church

This Week: Your Outer Self: "How the World Defines You"

Gals Only (Jr. High and Sr. High) Led by Paula Marsden
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (June through the end of August)
Meet in the nursery at church to study the book "Authentic Beauty"

This Week: "Authentic Beauty"

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Teen Community Groups

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (September though May)

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 Kent and Rachel Martin's house: 1324 E. Racine St. (Call 373-0886 if you have any questions!)

High School age meets at Matt and Kristi Kauffman's house: 4339 Fox Hills (Call 758-1243 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!