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http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories _________________________________________
(From Youth Specialties Student Newsletter)
* "He never seems to be around when I need him." Sometimes it seems as though Dad can't do anything right. If he devotes a lot of time and attention to his kids, we complain that he doesn't buy us enough stuff. And if he starts working extra hours to buy us what we ask for, we complain that he's not around. (Far too many teenagers have to deal with "deadbeat" dads, absent fathers, and other serious problems, but we're talking about typical nuclear families here.) As we're growing up, it's usually Mom we want around when we're sick, scared, or otherwise distressed. Dad never seems quite as sympathetic to our hurts and worries. When we're toddlers running through the yard and take an ungraceful tumble, Dad usually says something like, "Come here and I'll pick you up. Haw, haw, haw." Mom is the one who treats our barely noticeable scrapes with kisses and cartoon Band-Aids. Mom tends to be the one who cooks and cleans for us while Dad keeps harping on stuff like work and responsibility: "Mow the lawn"; "Get a job"; "Bring up your grades." When we talk about being "mothered," we refer to an ongoing attention we receive that we don't mind a bit. Yet when we talk about being "fathered," we refer to being born and that's it. Dads don't always seem to command a lot of respect. Yet when God wanted to communicate how he wants to relate to us, he used the image of a father. Jesus taught us to pray to our Father in heaven, and he encouraged us to refer to God as "Abba" (the equivalent of "daddy"). Yet do we treat our heavenly Father any better than our earthly ones? If we suffer a hard time and God doesn't immediately swoop down and "pick us up," don't we resent it a little--even if he is trying to help us grow stronger? When we see others with more than we have, don't we yearn for a bigger "allowance"? And when we're around certain people, aren't we occasionally embarrassed to be associated with God? On Father's Day this Sunday, let's cut dad a break. Give the old guy the benefit of the doubt that he has your best interests at heart. Thank him for being around as often as he is. While you're at it, remember to thank your heavenly Father as well. If you've been a bit distant lately, there's no better time to get a fresh start. God still invites you to call him "Daddy." And that's a priceless invitation none of us should ever turn down. On your own ... When have you felt most distant from your father? When have you have felt most distant from your heavenly Father? After you arrive at a specific response for each of these questions, read Luke 15:11-32. Is there anything you could do to improve communication with either your dad or your heavenly Father? If so, what's preventing you from initiating a closer relationship? Make it a goal to do SOMETHING to strengthen your father-child relationships by Father's Day.
What a father says to his children will not be heard by the world, but it will be heard by posterity. We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so.
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"It is the heart that is not yet sure of its God that is afraid to laugh in His presence." --George MacDonald
"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." --Hebrews 4:16
The two most important words: "Thank you."
"The Joy of Motherhood": What a woman experiences after she puts the last tyke to bed.
"...For years now, I have carried a little cross in my pocket. Few people, except my immediate family, are aware of it at all. It was clutched in my hand during all of the games I coached." --John Wooden, College Basketball's all time winningest coach
"As you make your way through this hectic world of ours, set aside a few minutes each day. At the end of the year, you'll have a couple of days saved up."
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 21 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.
July 6: Great America Trip! July 8-16: Guatemala Missions Trip! July 22-23: 30-Hour Famine (high school only) September 16-18: Annual Fall Retreat!
Join us as we do a Bible Study called "The Discipleship Experiment!" 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 (All Year Round) 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 this summer as we develop a Christian World View!
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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