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It's All About Me

by Suzie Cross

"In humility consider others better than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)


Suppose I asked you to search for someone who is completely self-absorbed. Talk about an easy assignment. Just watch TV for a minute, get the dirt on the latest sports celebrity, or read about the politician who accepted contributions under the table. Then there's the infamous Miss Piggy. I can almost hear her singing, "Me, me, me, meeee."

Now suppose I suggest that the disease of "me-ism" may be more widespread than you think. In fact, this highly contagious virus is lurking everywhere. And, well, uh--I'll just say it: "Is it possible that *you* are infected?"

Chances are, you ask a lot of "me" questions throughout the day. Does my hair look okay? How does this outfit look on me? What does he think of me? What would make me more popular?

I've often wondered if it's really wrong to ask these questions. After all, I'm pretty sure it's a good idea to keep my hair looking nice. It can't be wrong to want to look good and feel accepted. I want people to like and admire me. So sue me.

But I'm getting too defensive. I'd better take the time to find out what the Bible has to say about looking out for myself. What I found in the pages of Scripture makes me think harder about my heart. It's not about how great I look or who likes me. God says that He looks at something no one else can see--my motives.

He spells it out loud and clear in Philippians 2:3. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Is it really possible to put the disease of "me-ism" behind me? Not on my own. But suppose I seek to be like Jesus? What if I allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through me? What if I pray and trust that God will enable me to become more and more like Christ?

If we do our part to get rid of "me-ism" in our hearts, God has already promised that He'll do the rest.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

~ How often do I put the needs of others before my own?

~ Do I know someone who consistently serves others?

~ What is one thing I can do today to put someone else first?

When it's "all about me," it ain't about much.

From Campus Journal, copyright 2001 RBC Ministries Grand Rapids, Michigan. Used with permission. To receive CJ via e-mail, read it online, or get a copy delivered to your home, go to:
http://www.getcj.com 


Let's Go Surfing Dude!

~ Questions + Answers
This site offers a thought-provoking answer to the question, "Does it make God mad when you don't attend church?"
http://www.passageway.org/

~ Christian Answers!
Are your friends asking you questions you can't answer and you can't get a hold of your busy youth leaders?  Surf on over to ChristianAnswers.net and find the answers to the tough questions! There is a whole section on this website devoted to teens!
http://www.ChristianAnswers.net


3. FORGETTABLE FACT

Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at
least 6 feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles
resulting from the flush. (You could have gone all day
without having to think about that huh?)


4. Thoughts for the Day!

One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control ... without the need to understand why He does what he does.
- Charles Swindoll

If you wait for God to do Big Stuff in your life, you may be waiting until Jesus comes. He simply does not operate like that. He wants you to be willing to be hidden and unknown, unappreciated, unheralded, and unthanked--if necessary--in order to do what He wants you to do.
- Charles Stanley


Verse for the Day:

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."
James 1:22


Coach's Thought For The Day

"We must have long range goals to keep us from being frustrated with short-range failures."


Deep Thought For the Day:

"I think that someone must have surveillance equipment set up in my living room, because every once in a while, someone on the TV will tell me what channel I'm watching. That really freaks me out, you know?"


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5. PARTING HUMOR

Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.

"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie - talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked. "Well, no, Mom. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

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

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  _
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\  /    www.HeartTouchers.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
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UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN ALL-STARS MINISTRY
at Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

September

29  Touch Football and Pizza!  5-8 PM at Church.


October

14  Skating Place  7-9 PM  ($3.50)

20  Team Building High Ropes Course at Timber-Lee in East Troy.  1-7:30 PM

25-26  Mall of America Shopping Trip (Girls only, leaving church at 9 am on Friday, back late Saturday night.  All Wisconsin schools have that Friday off!)

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

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