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Check out our Creation News Section!
Weekly articles, daily Q & A, and a Creation Comic!

http://www.heart4teens.com/

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: http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Heart4Teens

Stop by our web site to view past stories or to browse through the tons of resources we have there for teens!

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http://www.hearttouchers.com/filter

Finally there is a great filter to block Internet pornography and other objectionable content! Kristi and I have used this filter for 5 years now and want to recommend the Bsafe Online filter to you. We absolutely love it. To find out more and get your own FREE 10-Day Trial, just visit: http://www.Heart4Teens.com/filter


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http://www.hearttouchers.com/books

Michael's updated book Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter," is finally here! ($13.95)

Visit the link below to preview the book. Autographed copies are available at no extra charge and we will pay the shipping for you. An e-book is also available for $3.25.

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/books

Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send it on its way to you.Credit card, PayPal, Checks, and Money orders accepted! The book is also available through Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Booklocker.com

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What Games We Play


By Jaye Lewis


When I was in my teens, many years ago, I wanted more than anything, to be beautiful and popular.  While I may have had some beauty, popularity seemed to allude me.  I was too smart, often very shy, and I had no idea how to hold my peer's attention long enough to find my hands, much less hold their attention.  At least, not until that one night, long ago.

I was at a Friday gathering with other teens and budding twenty-somethings.  I was uncomfortable, out of place, and I wondered if there was still time to run home and catch the beginning of a Friday movie, with my mother.  I did not belong where I was.  I did not drink, nor smoke, and I simply hated the "party games" that everyone played.  At that moment, someone insisted that each of us tell a secret about ourselves - something we had never revealed to a single soul.  Well, I was pretty much an open book, and I could think of nothing interesting about myself, that everyone did not already know.   So, I waited until it became my turn.  I was sweating like horse, and I had hoped they would skip me.

"So, come on, Jaye, tell us your deepest, darkest secret."

"I - I don't have any secrets, I think."  Well, of course I was not believed.  With much pressure and persuasive words, I was cajoled to come up with something.  Right before the words came spilling out, I felt a godly pressure on my heart.  I ignored it.  Popularity beckoned, and I could not resist.

"I read palms!" The words blurted out from between my lips.

"Really!"

"How wonderful!"

"Read mine!"

"No, read mine!"

For the first time in my life, I felt important.  And as hand after hand reached out to me, I felt something truly scary:  I felt power.  Power over others.  Their desires.  Their hopes.  And their needs.

So, I began "reading" palms, and I continued this for several Fridays.  I was good at it.  Heck, I was great at it.  I saw the look of hope, in the eyes of another, as I told them exactly what they wanted to hear.  I did not see how much I was manipulating each of them, as the gatherings became larger and larger.  I was like Santa Claus, promising futures that I had no power to give.

I began to believe the lies that I was telling them.  I began to believe that I really did have power.  I began to believe that God had truly given me a "gift."  I could help people.  And when dollars were shoved into my hands, I thought, I could make money.  I feel shame to even remember, and I could not, nor would not take the money, using the excuse that "money would only weaken my powers."

You see, I knew it was wrong.  We always do, no matter what lie we tell ourselves.  We know, just as the Apostle Paul said we would know, in Romans 1:20:

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse..."

I was without excuse. So, I can honestly say, I knew; but the power of finally being popular, was heady to my young heart.  This might have gone on forever, except for one event, that changed this course in my life.  One day, one of my new "friends" came running up to me, in a store.  He was out of breath, and he urgently wanted my advice.  Oh, look at me!  I'm so popular, I thought. People want my advice!  Inside I smiled.  I thought I was happy.

"I love Loren!"  The words tumbled out of his mouth, like a torrent.  "Please tell me.  Should I marry her??!"

Oh, my gosh!  This was no game!  He was serious!  He had a kind of gleam in his eyes.  Almost like he was half-mad.  All of a sudden, I saw something evil in his eyes, and I realized that it was my reflection that I saw.  I felt incredible shame, and a terrible dread.

"I DON'T DO THIS!"  I shouted.

"Oh, I know," he said, grabbing my arm with tightly clenched fingers.  "It's your power!  You're magical power!"  The gleam in his eyes was terrifying.

"IT'S JUST A GAME!!!" I shouted, almost screaming.  I wrenched my arm free, and I ran, out of the store, and out of the lives of my new-found false friends.

At home, I fell to my knees, begging God's forgiveness; and I promised that I would never knowingly do such a thing again.  I have kept my promise.   Now, I want to tell you what all of this means.

Psychic powers.  It's a lie.  Yes, there are those, who can fool others,  Those who want easy answers are easily fooled.  It's evil.  It is evil because the devil is the manipulator, and he is the father of all lies.  There are those, who have a capacity to see what is subliminal (something unintentionally revealed) - a trick of the mind, and no more.  Outside of the Holy Scriptures, and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this is a very dangerous game.  It is very dangerous to a person's faith, and even an immortal soul.  If you think it would be fun to dabble, RUN!  If you think it is harmless, know that it is not.  It is a temptation to sin.  I know that television and movies seem to celebrate psychics and witchs; but look into their eyes and you will see their hollow, empty souls.

One man claims to pray before each "reading," yet he has said he doesn't believe in God.  Who is he praying to?  And why should he bother?  Another, rather hefty woman, claims to talk to the dead, for grieving parents, children, spouses, and sweethearts.  The only thing dead, that I have seen, are her eyes.  Look at their eyes, and you will see their empty souls.  This is no place for you to play.

I know it is hard to be a teen.  I was one, and it was very hard for me.  However, I began to understand, just what a relationship with Jesus means.  I began to understand just what "power" is, in Him.  Now, I am growing old, and my time is shorter; but I have never seen, nor experienced, anything that can compare to the warmth, affection, affirmation  and grace of our living God.  Nothing compares to Him.  I pray for you, in this world that has become more weary.

I wish that I had been blessed with Michael and Kristi Powers.  They have a special calling.  Remember that you are the sons and daughters of the One, and Only King.  Nothing on this earth will ever be greater than that.

With love,

Jaye Lewis
jayelewis@comcast.net

Jaye Lewis is a Christian writer, committed to Christ Jesus.  She is also a contributing author to Chicken  Soup for the Soul, Guideposts, and God Allows U-Turns.  She lives with her family in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.  Visit Jaye's website at www.entertainingangels.org

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Creation Q & A

Q: Since we now have the New Testament, why do we even bother with the Book of Genesis?

A: Ken Ham once spoke to a pastor who proudly proclaimed that his church was a New Testament church. He said that he didn't have to worry about the Old Testament.

Ken asked him, "Pastor, do you believe in marriage?" "Why yes," he replied. "Why do you believe in marriage?" Ken asked. "Because Paul talks about marriage in the New Testament," he said. "Well that's interesting," Ken said, "because when Paul talks about marriage, such as in Ephesians, he goes back to Genesis to give the foundation for marriage."

Then Ken asked, "Do you believe in original sin?" "Why yes," he said. "Well that's interesting," Ken went on. "In 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul is writing about the message of Jesus on the Cross and His death and Resurrection, he goes back to Genesis to justify why Jesus died on the cross." Ken continued, "It's all very well to be a New Testament church, but you must realize that all of the New Testament is based in the Old Testament, and ultimately all of this is founded in Genesis 1-11."

The first eleven chapters of the Bible are the key to understanding the rest of Scripture. This is how we can fully understand the meaning of New Testament doctrine!

Source: AnswersinGenesis.org


http://www.hearttouchers.com/Creation_News

Creation News

Click on the Bible above or visit the web site listed below!
http://www.HeartTouchers.com/Creation_News

This new addition to our web site will give you an article on the leading news in the Creation/Evolution controversy each day.

This section also includes a rotating Question and Answer feature and a weekly Creation Comic strip from the people at AnswersInGenesis.org.

Be sure to come back and visit each day for an informative article that will help you keep up to date on the latest news in this controversial area!


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Thought For The Day

"I am not interested in the past. I am interested
in the future, for that is where I plan on spending
the rest of my life."


Verse for the Day

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward
what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to
win the prize." -- Philippians 3:13, 14


Teen's Thought For The Day

Stop giving your unbelieving friends unsolicited advice
on what to do or how to live their lives. In other words,
quit giving out directions and just simply say: "Follow me."
-- Michael T. Powers


Parent's Thought For The Day

A wise schoolteacher sends this note to all
parents on the first day of school: "If you promise
not to believe everything your child says happens
at school, I'll promise not to believe everything he
says happens at home."


Coach's Thought For The Day

"Other people may not have had high expectations
for me... but I had high expectations for myself."
--Shannon Miller


Deep Thought For The Day

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone
call you could make, who would you call and what would
you say? And why are you waiting?



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 http://www.heart4teens.com/

Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage Soul and 26 other inspirational books.

Over 125,000 people have listened to popular Chicken Soup Author Michael T. Powers' free inspirational message entitled: "Breathing Life into Others". If you aren't one of them just visit: http://www.Heart4Teens.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message!

"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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http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/Youth

ALL-STAR Youth Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI
 
If you are in 7-12th 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 Menard's.)
 
Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, and Beloit Turner. 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: January 20: 5:30 - 9:30 pm.

"Packer Party!" Jr. High at 2109 N. Pontiac -- High School at 1918 Liberty Lane

Next Week: Starting a new series entitled: "Demolishing Strongholds"

January 27: War of the Worldviews - Part 1


Visit our youth website to see our topics for 2008!

http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/upcoming_topics


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http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/Small_Groups

Teen Community Groups

6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights -- These 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 Xtreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

Jr. High age meets at 2109 N. Pontiac and are led by Kent & Rachel Martin (Call 373-0886 if you have any questions!)

High School age are led by Tedi Knox: 1110 Nantucket Dr. (Call 774-2592 if you have any questions!)

Xtreme Teens: Xtreme Teens meet on Wednesday nights from 6:30 - 8:00 PM all year round at the Powers' house. 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. Admission into Xtreme Teens is on a case by case basis. Contact Pastor Michael for more details!

This Week January 16: The Deadly Decision

For more info on our small groups, visit: http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/small_groups

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