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! ____________________________________ Finally there is a great filter to block Internet pornography and other objectionable content! Kristi and I have used this filter for 6 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 _____________________________________
Michael's updated book Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter," for just $13.95. 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. Visit the link below to preview the book. http://www.Heart4Teens.com/books Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and then allow _________________________________ THE MEASURE OF A FRIEND
So far in this book, we've focused our attention on finding good friends. Remember though, friendships are mutual admiration societies. If we want to find good friends, we have to be good friends. The quality of a person's friendship is a reflection of his character. Below you'll find a list of questions to help you determine your FQ (Friend Quotient). Give yourself a score between 10 (You da best!) and 0 (You da worst!) for each statement. FRIEND QUOTIENT SURVEY ___ 1. I don't deal in gossip. I keep juicy things to myself. ___ 2. I'm a good listener. I maintain eye contact, and I ask follow-up questions. ___ 3. I'm even-tempered. I don't explode or withdraw when I am upset. ___ 4. I'm happy--not threatened--when other people succeed. ___ 5. I feel sad when other people fail. ___ 6. I have the confidence and skills to be really honest about things that bother me in a relationship. When I'm honest, the problem is usually resolved. ___ 7. I appreciate it when someone is painfully honest with me. I accept an honest opinion graciously. ___ 8. I take appropriate responsibility for my behavior. I'm neither a blame-thrower nor a blamesponge. ___ 9. One of my strengths is picking the right kinds of friends. ___ 10. I know how to stay away from foolish and wicked people without creating a scene. What's your total score? The higher the number, the better friend you are. Now ask your best friends to take the test and rank each statement about you. See if they agree with you about your friendship skills. ** Taken from "Wisdom On...Friends, Dating, and Relationships" by Mark Matlock, copyright 2008 Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=375 _________________________________ Creation Q & A Q: How Did Noah Fit All the "Species" on the Ark?
A: How could Noah fit millions of species in the ark? That would be simply impossible. And upon this common-sense observation, many make the next logical leap that the Bible is simply in error. But let's reexamine their premise. What is a species? Scientific American asked this same question in their June 2008 issue, showing a clear inability by even the scientific experts to quantify the label "species." Most commonly, a species is defined by its ability to interbreed with like creatures. But by this definition, millions of species populate our planet, and lugging them on board the ark would have been a logistical nightmare. The term "fire hazard" doesn't even begin to describe problems that would have existed on that ark. Such a situation is clearly unthinkable. But the Bible does not use the word "species." The Bible says that Noah was to bring on board every "kind." So rather than differentiating between twenty-seven different species of fox, perhaps Noah only took two foxes on board, which later produced the many species of fox we see today. Then again, perhaps he only took two of the dog-like kind aboard. There is certainly no reason to believe that the many varieties of dogs in the world (including the fox species, wolves, and coyotes) could not have come from just two of the dog kind. Evolutionists have often laughed at this idea, claiming that the 4,400 years between now and when we believe Noah left the ark simply do not allow enough time for such variation to take place within a kind. And yet they believe that in only a few million years, every plant and animal alive on the planet today was produced out of primordial mud. Evidence conclusively reveals that variation within a kind can take place in only a matter of decades. Dr. Dmitri Belyaev's work in breeding domesticated silver foxes that produced animals with dog-like characteristics in just forty years is a wonderful example of God's intelligent design in action. See, while evolution would tell us that animals gain new genetic information and evolve into entirely different kinds?even though this is not observed in nature?we do observe an amazing usage of the genetic information that is already present in the cell. In a world of such varying climes and habitats, the importance of the ability to adapt is paramount. And when God crafted the genetic material that would govern the growth of His creatures, the loving, all-knowing Creator also gave them the ability to adjust to their environments to ensure their survival. In this way, God's creatures continue to live their lives, and continue to be living testimonies to the intelligent Designer--God
Click on the Bible above or visit the web site listed below! ___________________________________________ __________________________________________ Author MICHAEL T. POWERS Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul and 26 other inspirational books. Over 145,000 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! "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 __________________________________________
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 come check us out! Jr. High meets on Sunday mornings from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. High School age meets on 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 Pontiac Convention Center.) 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. This Week: October 19 Jr. High -- 9:30 am - 10:30 am - "Why God Gave Us His Spirit" High School -- 6:30 - 8:00 pm - "Game Night!" Jr. High is also welcome! Visit our youth website to see our topics for the rest of 2008! http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/upcoming_topics __________________________________________ 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 on Sundays. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community. Jr. High and High School age meets at the Youth Room at church. Questions, call 757-1938 This Week October 22: What Difference Can a Single Youth Make? (King Josiah) For more info on our small groups, visit: http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/small_groups _____________________________________________________ Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? http://www.HeartTouchers.com/Life_Purpose |