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http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories
By Michael Ross
In less than 24 hours I'll be standing in front of 6,000 winter-retreating teenagers. I'm here to co-host a glitzy New Year's Eve celebration with big names like Josh McDowell and dc Talk. (That is, if I make it.) Suddenly, my rental car hits a patch of ice and veers right, dangerously close to a dropoff. I twist the wheel into the slide, then turn left -- correcting the spinout and avoiding disaster. But just as my heart rate returns to normal, I discover that I'm separated from my friend. He's probably pulling into Gatlinburg right now, I tell myself. I've had enough of this ice-road craziness. Time to call it a night. I spot a sign for a roadside diner and decide to make a detour. A quick meal, directions to a motel, a good night's sleep -- my plan is set. Little do I realize God has another purpose for my unexpected pit stop. "You're smart for pulling in," a young waiter assures me as he slides a coffee across my table. "You'd never make it tonight -- the roads are bad." I nod and stir cream into my hot drink. The waiter pauses, then sits down at my booth. "Can I ask you a question?" he says with a serious tone. "Uh - sure," I respond. "I overhead you talking to another waiter," he says. "You mentioned that you're speaking at the youth event in Gatlinburg. It's a big deal every New Year's. It's always advertised on the radio." I nod my head again, taking a sip of coffee. "It's a Christian event," he continues, "so I assume you're a Christian." "Yes, I am." "Why?" he asks, looking me in the eyes. "I mean, I'm not religious -- and I don't plan to be. But I've got to know something. How has being a Christian changed your life?" Slightly shocked, slightly overjoyed, I nearly spit coffee on the table. I swallow hard, then clear my throat. "Well, uh -- do you have all night?!" I say. The young man smiles and folds his arms. I take another sip of coffee and begin. "First of all, I'm not religious, either. I have a relationship. A relationship with Jesus Christ. He's changed my life in lots of ways: He's given me hope, purpose -- eternity. He's forgiven me for all the stupid things I've ever done or thought. He's shown me what love -- real love -- is all about..." As I talk, and as this young waiter listens, I forget about the snow piling up outside - and tomorrow's big youth event. The only thing that seems to matter right now is this moment - and this person. I talk, he listens - it's as simple as that. I don't use big words or debate lofty doctrines or worry about impressing this guy. I merely tell my story and let him glimpse my heart. About 30 cups of coffee later, the waiter points to his watch. "It's getting late, and the weather looks pretty bad," he says. "I'll let you go so you can find a motel for the night. Thanks for talking with me. I've got a lot to think about." I smile and shake his hand. "You asked some good questions. Don't stop doing that." As I head out the door and trudge through the snow, hoping I said all the right things, I experience a kind of ice-road awakening. Lord, I get it. It's not just about "winning" someone's salvation. It's about genuinely loving my neighbors. It's about keeping my heart on fire for You, so You can work through me. It's especially about living in a way that points others to eternity. I believe God put me on that highway and in that snowstorm - and eventually in that restaurant - just so I could share my faith with that young man. And I believe He orchestrated that whole scene so I could learn three essential keys to being His witness: 1. Have compassion for others - instead of treating nonbelievers as a project. "Jesus replied: ' "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbor as yourself" ' " (Matthew 22:37-39). 2. Be prepared to speak up - instead of keeping quiet. "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). 3. Allow the Holy Spirit to touch the world through you - instead of blending into the crowd. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). And to be effective witnesses Christians need to KNOW what we believe and why by plugging into the Holy Bible daily. (We can't share with others what we don't know.) LIVE what we know and believe by consistently "practicing what we preach." (We can't say one thing, then live another way.)
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"A coincidence is a small miracle where God prefers to remain anonymous."
"Who can put into words and tell the mighty deeds of the Lord? Or who can show forth all the praise (that is due him)?" --Psalm 106:2 AMP
"Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish but you can only spend it once."
"It's amazing. One day you look at your phone bill and realize they're teenagers."--Milton Berle
"Nothing makes a player more productive than the last minute."--John Kessel
"Every 4 seconds a woman has a baby. Our problem is to find this woman and stop her."
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http://www.heart4teens.com/eating_disorders
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 _________________________________________
--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.
Sunday March 6 -- Karaoke Night Outreach Event! Sunday April 10 -- Others First
Saturday May 15: Annual Fireside Theater Trip! (Juniors and Seniors Only) April 29-31: Xtreme Teens Camping Trip! June 26: Senior Sunday! July 6: Great America Trip! July 22-23: 30-Hour Famine (high school only) September 16-18: Annual Fall Retreat! _______________________________________________ Teen Community Groups Join us as we do a Bible Study called "Life Together!" 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" _______________________________________________
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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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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