Heart Touchers - We Told You So Dude

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{Heart4Teens.com} *We Told You So, Dude!*

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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 Heart4Teens.com readers around the world by visiting:

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Heart4Teens

Visit our inspirational web site to 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

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Over 84,000 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.HeartTouchers.com and click on the link to listen to the free streaming audio message!

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We Told You So, Dude!

by Jeff Kinley

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.

Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
(John 20:26-29)

Can you imagine the look on Thomas' face when Jesus suddenly appeared? Picture the other disciples nodding their heads as if to say, "We told you so, dude!" And though Jesus invited Thomas to touch him and be fully convinced he was real, there's no indication Thomas ever did so. Instead, Thomas believed and confessed Christ as his Lord and God (probably bowing before him). Betcha anything Thomas didn't miss church the next week.

So how can you experience the presence of God in your youth group and church--even when others don't?

Be there.
Show up at church faithfully. Make it your priority. There will always be something else you could be doing (homework, practice, TV, friends, work, etc.). But honor God with your faithfulness to him.

Be committed
Your brothers and sisters in Christ have something you need (and vice versa). Even if you feel you have little in common with them, concentrate on all that you share in Christ. Get involved in their lives.

Be expectant
When you hear God's Word taught, expect him to speak to you. As you worship, anticipate him filling the room along with your praises. Do this, and you'll experience the presence of the risen Christ.

If Thomas had stayed close to his spiritual family, he would have seen the risen Jesus with his own eyes. He wasn't there with the other disciples in the locked room. But that doesn't make him a life-long loser. It certainly doesn't mean he deserves to be "doubting Thomas" for eternity. He learned his lesson, so let's give him a break, okay?

Jesus is alive, friend. And he's there when those personally touched by him come together to honor him.

Hey, do you have a youth group? If so, do you believe you really need those teenagers at church? Are you faithful to that group? Or has your church filed a missing person's report on you?

Is church a safety net for you? A lifeline? Will you expect God to speak this week? Are you ready to conquer your doubts with Jesus' presence? Will you bow and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God"?

Taken from "Loser's Club" by Jeff Kinley , copyright 2006, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here: http://www.youthspecialties.com/product/262623

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Thought For The Day:

"Remember: The mightiest Oak was once a little nut that held its ground."

Verse for the Day:

"Though your beginning was insignificant, yet your end will increase greatly."
--Job 8:7

Teen's Thought For The Day:

"Fear does not make a person a coward, but what that person does with that fear is what makes him who he is."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

THOMAS EDISON'S MOTHER : "Of course I'm proud that you invented the
electric light bulb. Now turn it off and get to bed!"

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"It's not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game
even starts. -- Addison Walker

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Want to talk to God? Send Him some kneel-mail."

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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Teen's Soul on Love and Friendship and 25 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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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 Lucerne Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 3 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

All-Stars: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights! Open to all youth grades 9-12.

The Outlet: 6:30 - 8:00 PM Sunday nights in the Multi-Purpose Room! Open to all youth grades 6-8.

Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, 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.

Upcoming Topics:

Sunday May 28 -- Friendship Evangelism

New Series! Life Hurts, God Heals

Sunday June 4 -- Get Help and Admit I am not God (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 1)

Sunday June 11 -- Open Your Heart (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 2)

Sunday June 18 -- No All-Stars! It's Father's Day! Stay home and make your dad proud of you!

Sunday June 25 -- Depend on Christ (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 3)

Sunday July 2 -- All-Star Cookout at the church! Bring your friends!

Sunday July 9 -- Honestly Examine and Confess (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 4)

Sunday July 16 -- Embrace God's Way (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 5)

Sunday July 23 -- Ask For Forgiveness (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 6)

Sunday July 30 -- Fun Night! Invite Your Friends!

Sunday August 6 -- Live for God One Day at a Time (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 7)

Sunday August 13 -- No All-Stars! All Church Picnic at Rockport Pool!

Sunday August 20 -- Senior Sunday! Join us as we honor our departing seniors!

Sunday August 27 -- Share What You've Experienced (Life Hurts, God Heals Part 8)

Sunday September 3 -- Back to School Kick-Off!

Sunday September 10 -- Making the Most of Your School Year

Sunday September 17 -- No All-Stars due to the Fall Retreat!

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Teen Community Groups
6:30 - 8:00 PM Wednesday nights (September though May)

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 Kent and Rachel Martin's house: 1324 E. Racine St. (Call 373-0886 if you have any questions!)

High School age meets at Matt and Kristi Kauffman's house: 4339 Fox Hills (Call 758-1243 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!