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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 Heart4Teen.com readers around the world by sending a blank e-mail to: Heart4Teens-subscribe@myinjesus.com or visit: http://www.Heart4Teens.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! To subscribe send a blank email to: HeartTouchers-subscribe@myinjesus.com _________________________________________
by Tom Felten
A recent study at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health unveiled the not-so-surprising finding that the more teenagers a teen driver has in the car, the more likely he or she will be killed in an accident. A 16-year-old driving with three or more passengers is nearly three times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than a teen driving solo. Why does this happen? Two things come to mind: First, groupthink leads people to do things they normally would not (driving fast and recklessly, for example). And second, when you're in a group it's easy to get distracted. Distraction can lead to death. When groupthink dominates your life, it can also lead to spiritual death. One person who didn't follow the mob was Stephen. Read Acts 7:54-60.
It's not easy to stand out from the crowd. Sometimes it will hurt--I hope not as severely as the stoning of Stephen, but the words and actions of others can still be painful. So why leave the acceptance of the group? Why turn your back on people you value as friends? Here's why: The more you let others shape your values and the more you leave moral decisions to others, the less you walk with God. Stephen had it right. When he was about to die from the wounds inflicted by the mob, he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). He loved God enough to die for Him. He loved the crowd enough to stand up and tell them they were wrong. Do you? Here are some questions to ask yourself: ~ In what ways do I let others set my values and agenda? ~ What will help me reject the pressure of the crowd and do what God wants? Tom Felten
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! 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 _________________________________________
"Anger is a stone's throw at a wasp's nest."
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity." --Ephesians 5:15,16
"Character is what you are in the dark."
"The best inheritance a parent can give their children is a few hours of their time every day."
"The only people who make no mistakes are dead people. I saw a man who had not made a mistake for four thousand years. He was a mummy in the Egyptian Department of the British Museum." --H.L. Wayland
We have women in the military, but they don't put us in the front lines. They don't know if we can fight, if we can kill. I think we can. All the general has to do is walk over to the women and say, "You see the enemy over there? They say you look fat in those uniforms." --Elayne Boosler
--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 6:00-8:30 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerene 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.
Important Note: Both the Jr. High and Sr. High small groups will be meeting at the Powers house this week!
_______________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS
We will be attending the Michael W. Smith/Mercy Me concert in Milwaukee this Thursday, October 16, leaving at 5 PM from the Powers house. We will also be heading to the Dells (Treasure Island) on Friday night October 17th, leaving the Powers house at 6 PM, and then returning Saturday night October 18th around 9 PM. The only money you would need to bring would be for snacks and souvenirs if you wanted to buy them! ______________________
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. 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 is doing with our youth! _________________________________________ Author MICHAEL T. POWERS Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 15 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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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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