 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 _________________________________ Time to Move Out of Smallville Did you admire Superman when you were a kid? It's sort of difficult not to look
up to one of the great superheroes of all time. For over 75 years the Man of teel has captivated and thrilled fans young and old as he fights for truth, justice, and the American way. But...it wasn't always that way. Before Clark Kent was Superman, he was
Smallville. At least that's what Lois Lane considered him to be. And what started as a nickname has become a modern retelling of the Superman mythology now in its eighth season. Viewers and critics alike seem to love the CW show Smallville. More than
just great effects and compelling storylines draw folks into the Clark Kent early years, though. I believe that there's just something about the idea of a person with superpowers gaining enough confidence and concern about the world around him to fulfill his destiny and become the hero that Metropolis so desperately needs. Wouldn't it be great to have superpowers? Flying, lifting cars like they were
a feather, and being bulletproof wouldn't be so bad, right? And what would you do with your powers? As many people have stated -
"with great power comes great responsibility." Maybe you consider yourself 'smallville.' Just an ordinary person with no
extraordinary abilities. But I have exciting news for you! God Himself has given you a 'superpower' called 'spiritual gifts' or 'spiritual abilities.' Here's how the Bible describes this concept: Now, dear brothers and sisters, regarding your question about the special
abilities the Spirit gives us. I don't want you to misunderstand this. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (1 Corinthians 12:1, 7). This spiritual gift is a God-given ability that you didn't have before you
trusted in Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation. According to the Bible, at the moment of salvation a spiritual 'superpower' was deposited into your life so you could help others and make a difference for eternity. Not only that, but your spiritual gift is something God uses as a weapon
in the fight against the forces of darkness. I'm really not kidding here, check out what Jesus Christ said:
I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it (Matthew 16:18b).
Jesus states plainly that it is His plan and purpose to mobilize an army
called the church to exchange blows with the 'powers of hell.' So what does all this look like? Well, don't picture some freaky sci-fi scene
that looks more like a scene from Hellboy 2 than real life. Using your gift to fight evil really does look like real life. The 'powers of hell' is the reason behind poverty, injustice, racism, prejudice, violence, and most of all the spiritual blindness that ultimately lands people in hell forever. And that's where we come in with our supernatural ability. We use our gifts
to help build up the church so that the church can go out and conquer the enemy. OK, so now you know you have this spiritual superpower, and like Superman,
you need to discover which one you have so you can fulfill your destiny! Fortunately, you don't have to guess on this one. The Bible contains several lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4) so you can read and pray through them, then get busy in the universal battle. The bottom line is that you have a super ability and you have a super critical
choice. There are many, many Christians who are distracted by their own little battles - so they sit themselves out of combat and let the powers of hell have victory in their corner of the world. Make the choice today to get out of spiritual 'smallville' and join the fight. In the words of Timo Cruz in the film Coach Carter:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that
we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our dark that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people don't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. Sir, I just wanna say thank you . . . You saved my life. May you overcome your many fears and save many lives.
Head: What you need to know about this truth
At the moment of salvation, each Christian is given a supernatural ability
to help others and build up the church so that the powers of hell can be defeated. Heart: What you need to feel about this truth
Feel like a superhero with superpowers, because in reality, you are. Hands: What you need to do about this truth
For a great web site that will help you discover your gifting and fulfill your destiny, visit:
Source: Dare2Share.org _________________________________ Creation Q & A Q: Many Christians believe that Darwin rejected his idea of evolution on his deathbed. Is that true? A: It's true that Darwin rejected a belief system at the time of his death--but it wasn't his evolutionary belief system--it was the truth of God's Word that Darwin turned his back on. Many Christians believe that Darwin changed his mind about evolution just before he died. A tract written by a certain Lady Hope has been widely distributed; she supposedly had such a conversation with Darwin while he was dying. But all investigation has shown that this tract has no factual basis. Actually, Darwin made statements shortly before he died which indicated he didn't believe there'd been any revelation from God. He also said that the Old Testament was to be no more trusted that the sacred books of the Hindus. Actually, Darwin admitted that the more he believed evolution, the more he rejected God. This should be a solemn warning for the church. The more Christians believe in evolution, the more they'll reject God's Word. Let's be careful.
Click on the Bible above or visit the web site listed below! ___________________________________________ What do our enemies say about us? An ACLU member says:
"For the past five years, I have closely followed creationist literature and have attended lectures and debates on related issues.... based solely on the scientific arguments pro and con, I have been forced to conclude that scientific creationism is not only a viable theory, but that it has achieved parity with (if not superiority over) the normative theory of biological evolution. That this should now be the case is somewhat surprising, particularly in view of what most of us were taught in primary and secondary school. In practical terms, the past decade of intense activity by scientific creationists has left most evolutionist professors unwilling to debate the creationist professors. Too many of the evolutionists have been publicly humiliated in such debates by their own lack of erudition and by the weaknesses of their theory." --Robert E. Smith, "Origins and Civil Liberties, in Creation Social Sciences and Humanities Quarterly, 3 (Winter 1980): 23-24. Writing Thought For the Day
"Writing is the hardest work in the world. I have been a bricklayer and a truck driver, and I tell you -- as if you haven't been told a million times already -- that writing is harder. Lonelier. And nobler and more enriching." --Harlan Ellison Deep Thought For The Day I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniuet!!!
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 Author MICHAEL T. POWERS Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul and 26 other inspirational books. Over 150,000 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 November 16 Jr. High -- 9:30 am - 10:30 am - "His Power is Our Power for Christlike Living"! High School -- 6:30 - 8:00 pm - "His Power is Our Power for Christlike Living"! Visit our youth website to see our topics up through the year 2010! 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 meets in the Youth Room at church. Questions, call 757-1938. High School meets at 1918 Liberty Lane. Questions, call 757-1938.
This Week November 19: Standing in the Furnace 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 |
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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