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{Heart4Teens.com}  *Be A Good One!*

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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:

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Visit our inspirational web site to 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

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Good morning Heart4Teens subscribers!

My apologies for not sending out a story since Christmas... we had some computer trouble but now have things all worked out.

From my family to yours,
Michael


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BE A GOOD ONE

Pablo Picasso, the great Spanish painter and sculptor, once said
this about his ability: "My mother said to me, 'If you become a
soldier, you'll be a general; if you become a monk, you'll end up
as Pope.' Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso."
No lack of confidence here!

But he would have agreed with Abraham Lincoln. "Whatever you
are," said Lincoln, "be a good one." He demonstrated the wisdom
of that advice with his own life. And in this present age, which
often seems to be contented with mediocrity, his words summon a
yearning for improvement and growth.

I think it helps to remember that excellence is not a place at
which we arrive so much as a way of traveling. To do and be our
best is a habit among those who hear and understand Lincoln's
admonition.

Viennese-born composer Frederick Loewe, whom we remember from his
musical scores that include "My Fair Lady," Gigi" and "Camelot,"
was not always famous. He studied piano with the great masters of
Europe and achieved huge success as a musician and composer in
his early years. But when he immigrated to the United States he
failed as a piano virtuoso. For a while he tried other types of
work including prospecting for gold and boxing. But he never gave
up his dream and continued to play piano and write music.

During those lean years, he could not always afford to make
payments on his piano. One day, bent over the keyboard, he
heard nothing but the music which he played with such rare
inspiration. When he finished and looked up, he was startled to
find that he had an audience -- three moving men who were seated
on the floor.

They said nothing and made no movement toward the piano. Instead,
they dug into their pockets, pooled together enough money for the
payment, placed it on the piano and walked out, empty handed.
Moved by the beauty of his music, these men recognized excellence
and responded to it.

Whatever you are, be a good one. If what you do is worth doing,
if you believe that who you are is of value, then you can't
afford to be content with mediocrity. When you choose the
path of excellence through this life, you will bring to it your
best and receive the best it can offer in return. And you will
know what it is to be satisfied.

by Steve Goodier
Steve@lifesupportsystem.com

Steve Goodier is a professional speaker and the author of numerous books about personal development, motivation, inspiration, and making needed life changes. He is also the founder and publisher of Your Life Support System, a daily e-mail newsletter. Visit his site at: http://www.LifeSupportSystem.com


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Thought For The Day:

"Isolation is the worst possible counselor." --Miguel de Unamuno


Verse for the Day:

"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety." --Proverbs 11:14


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"Good nature begets smiles, smiles begets friends, and friends are better than a fortune."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"My kids would never share anything of their own free will - except germs." --Bruce Lansky


Coach's Thought For The Day

"As a coach I need to be able to laugh at myself. When you're able to do that you usually end up laughing with someone, not at someone, and you build camaraderie."--Joe Broeker


Deep Thought For The Day:

"Why do people put the window down when they smoke in the car alone? Are they afraid of breathing the smoke?"




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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  January 16 -- Moral Boundaries Part2

Sunday January 23 -- Healthy Friendships
Sunday January 30 -- SnoBall Weekend!

Sunday Febuary 6 -- SuperBowl Party!
Sunday February 13 -- Wise Choices
Sunday February 20 -- Wise Choices Part 2
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