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{Heart4Teens.com}  *Running From the Truth*

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Running from the Truth


Here's a brief reflection on the song "Meant to Live" by Switchfoot:

"Fumbling his confidence
And wond'ring why the world has passed him by;
Hoping that he's bent for more than arguments."

I have met them, you probably have too. They are people who are running. They are running from the truth about this life. They are running from the truth about why they were created and who they were meant to be. They run, yet all the while they ask questions, constant questions.

Sometimes the questions get so absurd; they want to see signs and physical evidence of the existence of God. They want God to perform a miracle just for them, as if God were some trick pony or birthday party magician.

Jesus faced these same types when he walked on this earth.

"One day the Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus' claims by asking him to show them a miraculous sign from heaven. He replied, ‘You know the saying, "Red sky at night means fair weather tomorrow, red sky in the morning means foul weather all day." You are good at reading the weather signs in the sky, but you can't read the obvious signs of the times! Only an evil, faithless generation would ask for a miraculous sign, but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah.' Then Jesus left them and went away" (Matthew 16:1-4).

I think it is important to note that these were Pharisees and Sadducees, people who were trained in the Word of God. They should have recognized Jesus from the Scriptures they studied every day. But instead they wanted something beyond the Word of God. They wanted a supernatural sign.

But such signs never satisfy. In another place in the Word, when Jesus was healing people, the Pharisees and Sadducees accused him of doing so by the authority of Satan! Those who refuse the testimony of the Word of God will not accept the testimony of the supernatural.

Yet they know there must be more to life. They search for some meaning. In the song "Meant to Live," Switchfoot sings about these folks. They sing that these people fumble with their confidence. They are never fully certain of who they are and what life is all about. But Jesus clearly tells us what life is all about. It is about a relationship with God through his Son.

What can you do for those people? Live out the life that Christ died to give you. Hold forth the truth that you have embraced. Don't let their questions dissuade you. And pray--pray that their eyes will be opened to the truth, and they will understand the life they were meant to live.


From Daily Reflections from Solid Sounds, copyright 2004 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. (Solid Sounds). Used by permission. To read more visit: http://www.solidsounds.org


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Thought For The Day:

"The past should be a springboard, not a hammock." --Ivern Ball


Verse for the Day:

"Though your beginning was insignificant, yet your end will increase greatly." --Job 8:7


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"Once a word has been allowed to escape it cannot be recalled."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"When the phone rings, it's for your teenager. When the phone bill arrives, it's for you."--Bruce Lansky


Coach's Thought For The Day

"A decade after graduation, almost everyone will have forgotten when and where and what they played. But every time they speak, everyone will know whether they are educated."--Theodore Hesburgh


Deep Thought For The Day:

"When their numbers dwindled from 50 to 8, the other dwarves began to suspect Hungry."


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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 20 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.)

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


New Series!  "The Seven Checkpoints"
 
THIS WEEK:  Sunday November 7 -- Spiritual Disciplines


Sunday November 14 -- Spiritual Disciplines Part 2
Sunday November 21 -- Spiritual Disciplines Part 3
Sunday November 28 -- Give 'Til it Hurts!

Sunday December 5 -- Moral Boundaries 
Sunday December 12 -- Moral Boundaries Part 2
Sunday December 19 -- Moral Boundaries Part 3
Sunday December 26 -- Christmas Party!

Sunday January 2 -- Healthy Friendships
Sunday January 9 -- Healthy Friendships Part 2
Sunday January 16 -- Healthy Friendships Part 3
Sunday January 23 -- Wise Choices
Sunday January 30 -- SnoBall Weekend!

Sunday Febuary 6 -- SuperBowl Party!
Sunday February 13 -- Wise Choices Part 2
Sunday February 20 -- Wise Choices Part 3
Sunday February 27 -- Ultimate Authority

Sunday March 6 -- Ultimate Authority Part 2
Sunday March 13 -- Ultimate Authority Part 3
Sunday March 20 -- Others First
Sunday March 27 -- No Youth Group Easter Sunday

Sunday April 3 --  Others First Part 2
Sunday April 10 -- Others First Part 3


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Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights
 
Wednesday night community groups for teens. The 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 Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Join us as we do a Bible Study called "Life Together!"
 
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The Extreme Teens

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights  is on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM

"Extreme Teens" meet Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (September -May). 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.

Join us as we study the book "A Life God Rewards For Teens"

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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! 

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! Check out this link to find out more!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books

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