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{Heart4Teens.com} *The Lamb*

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Reading Books, Changing Lives!

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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!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books

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The Lamb

By Mike Boudreaux


One afternoon in the summer of 1996 Christopher, who is called Chris, was driving back to Porterville, California from Bakersfield where he worked as a California Highway Patrolman. But before I go on, I must back up and tell you about my grandson, Christian. Christian was born in January 1996, at birth he seemed to be a healthy bouncing baby boy with no problems, but at age three months it was discovered that he was born with only three chambers in his heart. The doctors advised of many major surgeries and the likelihood of him not living past his third birthday. At the time Chris was 26 years old and had been married for four years. Of course he was very worried about his son and it weighed heavily on his mind. Many hours were spent in prayer for Christian and Chris had ample prayer time as he commuted to work in Bakersfield from Porterville a 100 mile round trip each day.

One afternoon as Chris was driving home, north along Hwy. 65 he felt an urgency to pull over to the side of the road. Chris said that he felt that God was telling him to climb to the top of a small hill just off of the roadway. Chris stood there beside his car and looked at the hill, it was not a large hill, but it was hot and he decided that there was nothing he could see from the top of the hill that he could not see from where he stood. Chris looked around and saw nothing except a slow moving diesel truck which he had passed several miles back approaching from the south. Chris let the devil tell him that if he did not get back on the road soon, that he would have to again find a place to pass this approaching truck. So he quickly jumped back into his car and sped off towards home ahead of the diesel truck.

When he arrived in Porterville he stopped by our house for a visit and he told me of the incident. I could not believe that Chris had not obeyed what he felt was a word from God. I encouraged Chris to return to the hill and be obedient to what he felt God had told him. I gladly volunteered to go along to keep him company. So within a few minutes we were on the road headed back to that hill. When we arrived at the hill, Chris pulled to the side of the road, we got out of the car and looked at the hill. Chris said, "Now what?" I said, "Well, if God said to go to the top, then you had better go to the top." Chris then said, "Well, lets' go." "Oh no!", I replied, "God told you to go up that hill, He didn't tell me to go." Chris then crawled through a barbed wire fence and headed up to the top of the hill alone. I stayed by the car and prayed while Chris climbed to the top of the hill and then went over the crest out of my sight. In about twenty minutes he came back to the car and sat in the front seat without saying a word. We sat in the car for a few minutes and finally Chris said, "You know Dad, just over that hill is a large flock of sheep, maybe two or three hundred. I watched the sheep for a while and all was very peaceful and serene. As I watched those sheep I saw a little lamb stray away from the flock with it's head down grazing on the grass. And then I saw movement in the tall weeds near the flock and saw a big coyote stalking through the weeds, inching ever closer to the little lamb. There was a shepherd sitting on a small knoll watching the flock but he didn't seem to be watching the lamb which had strayed and was now in imminent danger. I called out and whistled trying to alert the shepherd to the danger but I was unable to get his attention. The coyote kept inching it's way closer and closer to the lamb and I had to watch helplessly knowing that the coyote would soon be upon the lamb. I was too far away and unable to do anything about the impending attack upon the lamb. I was so frustrated in my attempts to get the shepherd's attention and I knew that soon it would be too late. Suddenly the coyote ran out from the cover of the tall weeds and raced towards the defenseless lamb, rapidly closing the distance between them. Even if I managed to get the shepherd's attention he was too far from the lamb to be able to save it. All I could do was watch in horror. I was sure it would be over in seconds, but just then the shepherd raised his arm and pointed toward the lamb. I then saw two of the biggest dogs that I have ever seen burst forth out of the tall weeds and head straight for the coyote at full peed. The coyote slammed on the brakes at the sight of these two huge dogs bearing down on it. The coyote nearly lost it's footing as it turned and headed in the opposite direction as fast as it's legs could carry it. The last I saw of the coyote it was three hills over, still running at top speed with the two huge dogs nipping at it's heels. The little lamb never looked up, never saw either the coyote or the dogs and never knew how much danger it had been in. The shepherd then turned towards me, gave a little wave and then turned his attention back to the flock. In a few moments I saw the dogs trot back as they returned to lie back down in the tall weeds near the flock. All was again very peaceful and serene.

Chris then started the car and we headed back to Porterville. Neither of us said a word for about ten miles. I finally said, "Chris, your little lamb is going to be just fine. His shepherd has His eye on him and when the time comes He will raise His arm and the next thing you know the devil will be three hills over running at top speed with his tail between his legs, being chased by the biggest angels your ever saw. God may seem to be out of reach and too far away to do anything about little Christian but He is in control. Don't get frustrated when you think that God doesn't hear your prayers, He hears, and He sees all and He knows the situation. He's not going to let the devil snatch one of His little lambs.

By the way, Christian just celebrated his fifth birthday, to watch him run and play, you would never know that he has only three chambers in his heart. The doctors are amazed at his condition and say that the longer they can wait the stronger Christian will be and his chances at surviving the necessary operation will be much better. Please keep him in your prayers.

Mike Boudreaux
boodrow@sosinet.net

Send Mike an e-mail and let him know what you thought of his story!
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I am a retired law enforcement officer after thirty years of service with the Tulare County Sheriff's Office. I live in Porterville, California and have been happily married to my wife Portia for 38 years and have two sons. Both pups have followed in the old dog's tracks and have chosen law enforcement as their careers. Being retired I am able to devote more of my time to His service and serve on the board and as the men's minister at our church.

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Thought For The Day:

"Most men believe that it would benefit them if they could get a little from those who have more. How much more would it benefit them if they would learn a little from those who know more?" --William Boetcker


Verse for the Day:

"How much better to get wisdom than gold?" --Proverbs 16:16


Teen's Thought For The Day:

"The secret of sucess is to do the common things uncommonly well."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Virtually every issue that we deal with, be it education...be it human services or gang problems or drugs, we find STRONG FAMILIES the ultimate solution." --Governor Mike Leavitt


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Anyone can become angry. That is easy. But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way -- that is not easy." --Aristotle


Deep Thought For The Day:

"I read that for every mile you jog, you add one minute to your life. That enables you at age 85 to spend an additional six months in a nursing home at $5,000 a month."


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LET'S GO SURFING DUDE!

~ TVU Music News
If you take your Christian music seriously, this is the site for you. Among other things, you can watch your favorite Christian videos online. (Thanks to Al Fuller for the suggestion.) http://www.tvulive.com/


Christian Classics 101
What do "The Lord of the Rings," "A Wrinkle in Time," and "The Chronicles of Narnia" have in common? They were all written by amazing Christian writers. Learn more at this helpful site. http://www.passageway.org/default.asp?page=popculture/christianClassics.asp
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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 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.

THIS WEEK:

All-Stars: We will be watching the powerful WW II Drama entitled: "Embers of Hope" at the church!

The Outlet: We will be joining the congregation at church at 6:30 PM for a special worship service!

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Embers of Hope

Don't Miss this Powerful Drama

Coming to Faith Community Church 2931 Lucerne Dr.  Janesville, Wisconsin Saturday April 5th -- 6:30 PM Sunday April 6th -- 6:30 PM

-- Full length drama set in Munich and Amsterdam during the Second World War.  Brought to life by a cast and crew of twenty six actors, musicians, and technicians.

-- A German Captain, a refugee who lives only for revenge, and two Jewish children complicate the lives of the Boomstras and the musical group which meets in their home.

-- A story of moral courage and our hope in Christ! Suspenseful and heart-warming.

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"Generation Now" Youth Service!

Sunday April 6 at Faith Community Church. Come join us and encourage our youth as they play a major part in our two Sunday Morning Services!


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Nationally Known Comedian Ken Davis is coming to Janesville!

When: Saturday April 12th 7:00 PM Where: Janesville Craig High School, Janesville, Wisconsin. Cost: 4 pack $40.00, $12.50 in advance and $15.50 at the door. Tickets are available at Lighthouse Books & Gifts, Bible Book Center, Lemstone Books
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Coming to Faith Community Church:

Saturday, May 3 at  8:00 p.m.

New Rocketown Recording Artist

"Alathea"

Tickets: $3 Advance $5 Door

Tickets Available at Lighthouse Books & Gifts, Janesville WI, Bible Book Center, Beloit WI and Lemstone Books, Cherryvale Mall, Rockford IL
  
"Alathea exhibits strong talent" if you're ready for something fresh and invigorating instead of today's all-too-usual pop fare, then Alathea is definitely a group to check out. Gospelsite.net

"Indian Creek. It's got a cool Americana vibe with its acoustic instruments and her plaintive delivery. This trio sounds like a star-in-the-making to me." "Music Row magazine (Robert K. Oermann review)

"The sound could probably best be described as folk pop, very earthy with touches of country and bluegrass. While there is a very folksy country sound to the instrumentation of this album, it is tempered with a healthy dose of pop songwriting. The results are delightful." ChristianityToday.com
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Change Is Here!


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. The groups are 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) meets from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. 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. (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!

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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
http://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


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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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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/