______________________________________


{Heart4Teens.com} *Sleeping Through the Storm*

______________________________________

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 Heart4Teen.com readers around the world by sending a blank e-mail to:

Heart4Teens-subscribe@myinjesus.com


Visit our inspirational web site and 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
____________________________________________

Be sure to check out our other inspirational email list and web site!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com

To subscribe send a blank email to:

HeartTouchers-subscribe@myinjesus.com

_________________________________________

Reading Books, Changing Lives!

For those of you who love to read or love to give out books as gifts...

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! And best of all, every penny from the book sales are going to youth ministry to help pay for a life-changing winter retreat and a missions trip to Guatemala this summer!

If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Not only are you changing lives through supporting a youth ministry, but every book included on our website has the power to make a difference in the lives of those you give the books to. Check out this link to find out more!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books
__________________________________________


Sleeping Through the Storm

By Wayne Rice


     Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him.

"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.

Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.

Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!"

The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the old man's response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, and he returned to bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

Where to take it from here...

When you're prepared, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves firmly in the Word of God.

Wayne Rice
wayne@uyt.com

Write to Wayne and let him know your thoughts on his story!

*******

Edited from Still More Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice. Copyright1999 by Youth Specialties, Inc.

_________________________________________

LET'S GO SURFING DUDE!

I had the wrong link for this yesterday. The correct link is below!

~ The Invisible Battle
How much do Satan and his demons really influence us? What should we be doing about it? A well-known Christian expert offers his thoughts.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/cl/2002/001/9.50.html

_________________________________________

PARTING HUMOR

How Gullible Are We

A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide." And for plenty of good reasons, since:

1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting. 2. It is a major component in acid rain. 3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state. 4. Accidental inhalation can kill you. 5. It contributes to erosion. 6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes. 7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients.

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical.

Forty-three (43) said yes, six (6) were undecided, and the last one?

Well, only one (1) knew that the chemical, dihydrogen monoxide, was water
(H2O).

The title of his prize winning project : How Gullibe Are We?

_________________________________________

Thought For The Day:

"You must have long-range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-range failures."


Verse for the Day:

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."--Hebrews 12:2


Teen's Thought for the day:

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Attention Father's! Before you criticize another, look closely at your sister's brother."


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Never be boastful. Someone may come along who knew you as a child."


Deep Thought For The Day:

"If you only had one phone call to make before you die, who would you call? What would you say?

Why are you waiting?"

_________________________________________

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 Lucerene Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 4-5 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, 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.

_______________________________________________

Change Is Coming!


Starting this week lots of exciting changes are going to happen:

All-Stars will be extending its time to 6:00 - 8:30 PM on Sunday nights. 6:00 - 6:30 will be time for the youth to chat and discuss anything they want with the youth leaders or each other. 6:30 - 7:00 PM will be for games or fun activities and then 7:00 - 8:30 PM will be for the lesson and discussion time. Students are still welcome to "hang out" after 8:30 PM if they want, as the leaders are usually at the church until at least 10:00 PM, and some nights even later. (For the past couple of months the students have continually complained that we are running out of time before we get to really discuss the topics in full and asked if we could have longer teaching times... I know, most of you are probably now getting back up off the floor from the shock. We have been most encouraged that the teens have been wanting to stay longer to be able to discuss the lessons more fully.)

The Outlet: "Get plugged into Jesus Christ!" (Teen Cell Groups)

Wednesday night community groups for teens will also start this week. The groups will be limited to no more than ten teens and will be originally 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 Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

"The Extreme Teens" (formerly the Core Group) will be starting Sunday March 16 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. This group will be 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. (If your teen will also be attending All-Stars that night, they are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or snack to tide them over until 8:30.)

We are very excited at what God will be doing with our youth!

______________________________________

The Outlet:  Teen Small Group Study 6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights at Michael and Kristi Powers' house. (For those youth 6-12 grade, who want to dig deep into God's word, pray regularly, and be held accountable for their walk with God.)
 
This Week:  Tough Questions


UPCOMING EVENTS

February

2/16  Christianity 101 Class:  5:00 - 6:15 PM at church.


2/21 - 2/22 --  30 Hour Famine  (Students start fasting at 4 PM on Friday through 10 PM Saturday night.)

Students need to meet at the church at 8 PM on Friday evening. We will be staying overnight at the church and then ending our fast on Saturday evening. The entire 30 hours are scheduled out with lessons and activities as the teens learn about what other people go through each and every day.

2/23  Christianity 101 Class:  5:00 - 6:00 PM at church.

March

3/2  Christianity 101 Class:  5:00 - 6:00 PM at church.

3/7 - 3/9 -- Fort Wilderness Winter Retreat

(Cost: $94, which may go down as more fundraising is done, but we won?t know exactly until Sunday March 2. This price does not apply to those who helped with the Chili dinner. Your cost will be at the most $74.) Room and board is $78 per person with the extra $16 going to pay for van rentals and gas. Last year cost us over $800 just for van rentals and gas and we will be taking more people this year. Your teen?s $25 deposit is due Sunday February 23. Checks should be made out to "FCC Youth" and the balance is due on or before Wednesday March 5th. Teens will be meeting at the church at 4:30 PM on Friday March 7, departing for Fort Wilderness at 5 PM and returning to the church around 7 PM on Sunday evening.

Teens will have regular meeting times where God?s truths are taught by the Fort Wilderness staff members but will also have plenty of time for fun activities. Activities included in the price are: Horseback Riding, broomball, ice skating, cross country skiing, nature hikes, inner tubing, etc. All meals are paid for, however your teen will want to bring money for fast food on our trip up and back as we will be stopping for food during the five hour drive. Extra spending money is up to you and your teen for snacks or purchases at the "Canteen".

Teens need to bring their own bibles, towels, sleeping bags, and pillows, along with very warm clothes and winter gear. Warm hats or ski masks, gloves, boots, and layers of clothing are a must.

_________________________________________

Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

"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


___________________________________________

Would you like to see your story in Heart4Teens.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here:

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/guidelines/

___________________________________________

"I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!"

SUBSCRIBE:

To become a Heart4Teens.com Member send a blank e-mail to:

Heart4Teens-subscribe@myinjesus.com

Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best stories on the Internet!
__________________________________________

UNSUBSCRIBE:

Send a blank e-mail to:
Heart4Teens-unsubscribe@myinjesus.com

__________________________________________

Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?

http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm
__________________________________________

Author Michael T. Powers
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 14 other inspirational books. Check out his book: Straight From the Heart by visiting: http://www.HeartTouchers.com