Heart Touchers - Living Out Leadership Today

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{Heart4Teens.com} *Living Out Leadership Today*

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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

Visit our inspirational web site to read all the past articles in our archives and view the tons of resources we have there for teens!

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories

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Finally there is a great filter to block Internet pornography and other objectionable content! Kristi and I have used this filter for 5 years now and want to recommend the Bsafe Online filter to you. We absolutely love it. To find out more and get your own FREE 10-Day Trial, just visit: http://www.Heart4Teens.com/filter

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Before we get to today's story I wanted to let you know about a new addition to our web site! I just added a new page called "Creation News" that will give you an article on the leading news in the Creation/Evolution controversy each day.

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Creation_News

This section also includes a rotating Question and Answer feature and a weekly Creation Comic strip from the people at AnswersInGenesis.org.

A very exciting article about Dinosaurs is also there!

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!

From my family to yours,
Michael

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LIVING OUT LEADERSHIP TODAY

Many of us think we'll make a difference "someday." It seems like we often live for "someday." We think things will be better next semester. Or, it'll be easier when we make it to the next grade. Or, we'll be happier if we just had more money or a nicer house. But I think God wants us to live for him today--not just wait for "someday."

Throughout history God has used kids to accomplish his purposes. Think about David--too young and too small for a job bigger and older men had turned down. Men would have passed him by, but God used him to slay a giant. Or what about Mary? She was just a teenager, but God chose her to be the mother of Jesus. God could have chosen Elizabeth?someone older and more experienced who really wanted to be a mother. Certainly, Elizabeth would have been more qualified by the local gossipers' standards. But Mary was God's choice. And what about the kid with the sack lunch? Instead of having the disciples go fishing or providing food for the massive crowd in another way, Jesus decided to share the lunch of a young boy with a crowd of 5,000.

I think God is still about using kids and proving to the world he is the one who decides the abilities and usefulness of people. Take my friend Leeland--a guy who started writing songs and leading his congregation in worship when he was just a kid. He's being used to lead a whole new generation in getting closer to God through worship and praise. God didn't check Leeland's ID to make sure he was old enough. God used him because Lee was willing, available, and passionate.

So if you're thinking God has to wait for "someday" to use you, think again. God wants to use you right now. You can be a leader in your sphere of influence. You can lead in your school by speaking up when someone's being mistreated, or remaining silent when you're tempted to say something derogatory or hurtful. You can lead by befriending kids who are having a tough time, or not becoming arrogant or creating a clique because of your popularity. You can lead by setting a good example of character and solid morals by abstaining from sex and substances that harm your body. The qualities of a good leader are discernment (knowing when enough is enough), wisdom (applying biblical truth to everyday situations), confidence (not cockiness), and determination (stick-to-itiveness).

The Bible doesn't say you need to be a certain age to be a leader. In fact, 1 Timothy 4:12 says, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Pretty amazing that God is saying young people should be the ones who set the example for others. It's important to know also that, as a leader, there is more expected from you. God actually judges leaders more harshly than he judges followers, because they have assumed positions as guides. There might be some junk in your life you need to clean up so you have credibility as a leader. It can help if you have someone older and more mature in your life who can help you deal with those rough spots. If you'll allow this person to be truthful with you about your flaws and weaknesses, and help you encounter God's grace for those areas, you'll grow closer to God in the process. Be willing to learn from those with more experience, so you'll !
be able to lead others in the right direction.

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Taken from "Be the Change," by Zach Hunter, copyright 2007, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/277566

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Q: What do creationists mean when they say dinosaurs were re-discovered?

A: Most people have the idea that we discovered dinosaurs when scientists found and examined their bones back in the 1800s. But when you think about it, this idea is really based on the evolutionary belief that dinosaurs never lived with people.

According to the Bible, all land animals--including dinosaurs--were made on Day 6 of Creation Week. So they actually lived alongside Adam and Eve. Therefore, when some scientists say that we first discovered dinosaurs in the 1800s, we say that, from a biblical perspective, they actually rediscovered them.

Furthermore, the many "dragon" legends from cultures around the world are most likely stories about the creatures we now call dinosaurs. Dragons are actually referred to a number of times in the Old Testament. (The King James version of the Bible was published in the 1600's while the word "dinosaur" wasn't coined until 1841. That is why the word dinosaur doesn't appear in the bible!)

When someone asks you, "When were dinosaurs discovered?" you can start from Genesis and reply, "They were first discovered about 6,000 years ago, when Adam saw the first dinosaurs!"

What does the Bible have to say about dinosaurs? Where did they come from? When did they live? What did they eat? Where did the fossils come from? What happened to them? For answers to these questions, please see our page on dinosaurs at: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/Dinosaurs

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Thought For The Day:

"I will study and prepare myself and then someday my chance will come." Abraham Lincoln

Verse for the Day:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Teen's Thought For The Day:

"You can accomplish more in one hour with God than a lifetime without Him."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"The reason you want your kids to pay attention in school is the fact that you have no clue how to help them with their homework!"

Coach's Thought For The Day

"It's easy to be a smart player. Just think of something stupid and do just the opposite."

Deep Thought For The Day:

"For centuries, people thought the moon was made of green cheese. Then the astronauts found that the moon is really a big hard rock. That's what happens to cheese when you leave it out."

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Over 100,000 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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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

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

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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 on Creation and the Authority of the Bible!

March 4: Dinosaurs & Noah's Ark
March 11: Noah's Ark Part 2
March 18: God's Incredible Design
March 25: God's Master Plan

April 1: Journey to the Cross. A Multi-Sensory Experience!
April 8: Easter Sunday! No All-Stars or Outlet. Stay home with your family!
April 15: Where Did Cain Get His Wife and Other Important Questions
April 22: Special Guest Speaker!
April 29: Only One Race

May 6: Lies in the Textbooks
May 13: Mother's Day! No All-Stars or Outlet. Stay home with your mom!

Visit our youth website to see our topics for all of 2007!
http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/youth

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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 the church and are led by Kent and Rachel Martin

High School age are led by Tedi Knox: 2816 Blackbridge (Call 305-0318 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!