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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

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http://www.hearttouchers.com/books

Michael's updated book Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith,
Love, and Laughter," for just $13.95. 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.

Visit the link below to preview the book.

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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Angels and Demons...Faith and Science

Just when you thought you were safe from creepy crazed albino priest assassins from the Da Vinci Code...along comes the second installment of top level conspiracies, whole lotta Catholic bashing, and meet the super secret Illuminati that I guess everyone now knows about.

Yep. I'm talking Angels and Demons the sequel (that I heard was a prequel?) to The Da Vinci Code. Only this time the film seems to have received two Vatican thumbs up - as their description is boiled down into the phrase 'harmless entertainment'.

Although I heard the Hindus might boycott Angels and Demons - but I assure you that no Hindus, Catholics, Baptists, Atheists, or albinos were harmed in the making of this film.

Oh - and no animals either...

The core plot line of Angels and Demons revolves around a fictional historical conflict between a purely scientific group (The Illuminati) and an obvious faith based group (the Catholic Church). Without diving head first into the multiple layers of the story, the bottom line is that there is sharp disagreement over what appears to be two contradicting worldviews: faith and science.

But this really isn't fictional, right? There are a whole lot of Illuminati-esque people who are convinced that a belief in God and a faith based approach to life began when the first con man met the first fool and convinced him/her that there is an invisible magic man in the sky.

Of course we all know, as well, that the Bible is just a dangerous book of myths with no 'proof' (scientific or otherwise) that might give people of faith a solid foundation to an apparently non-scientific belief.

Or...perhaps not. Let me ask you something. If you believe in the God who exists as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and you also believe the Bible and the Christian faith to be something as true as the law of gravity, do you have any solid evidence to back that up.

If not, you will never be able to enter into a meaningful and enlightening conversation with people who are under the false impression that Christianity is nothing more than a blind leap into religious nut job land, and that otherwise intelligent and rational folks must chuck their brains out the door when it comes to faith beliefs.

And if we have done a poor job of communicating why that isn't the case, who can blame them???

So rather than be a part of the problem that perpetuates the ongoing conflict between faith and science, what if we became part of the solution that helps people actually talk about the issues at stake, and not simply name call and hurl insults from oftentimes ignorant and unloving positions.

By contrast, here are the instructions for how to approach the 'Illuminati' type people:

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats. Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ (1 Peter 3:14-16) NLT.

Several key concepts here. First, just like 2000 years ago when this was written to Christians, you should expect opposition and attack for your faith in Jesus Christ - except back then the hostility came in the form of death threats! Yet even then, Peter instructs them and us to be ready to explain our 'Christian hope' - and to do it in a way that is 'gentle and respectful'.

This is not generally what I have seen - and most likely neither have you. So how about this...would you be willing to begin a movement of Christians who take this charge from God seriously and really make headway into building bridges with our skeptical friends and famil

If so, here's how to start. First, learn how to explain your beliefs in a way that shows how Christianity is truly a reasonable faith, and not a jump into craziness. Check out the Flashpoint section below for help on thi

Second, practice and pray for help with the 'gentleness and respect' method of debate. Ask yourself - "Am I harsh, judgmental, or prideful?" Also, develop a respect for those who value science and a purely rational/non-faith based approach to life. You don't have to agree with a worldview to respect it. As well, you are asking them for respect, so definitely apply the principle of 'do to others as you would have them do' (Matthew 7:12).

Finally, be confident in the fact that your faith in Jesus Christ is based on solid evidence and rational belief. It is not a leap in the dark, rather it is truly a step into the light...so let's let our light shine and illuminate the Illuminati folks of the world! 

The internet makes it possible for Christians to find solid evidence for our faith in a shorter amount of time than in the past. This week, take some time and research your explanation for why you believe in God and have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. Here are a few sources to get you started:

www.doesgodexist.org/

www.gotquestions.org/Does-God-exist.html

Also
, check out these books:

A Case for a Creator

A Case for Christ

A Case for Faith

All by the author Lee Strobel (www.leestrobel.com/)

As well, try to enter into conversations this week that could get the ball rolling with this subject and give you an opportunity to explain your faith in Jesus. 
 
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:6). We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children (1 Corinthians 4:12-14).

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:46-48). 
 
Source: Dare2Share.org

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Creation Q & A


Q: Evolutionists claim that they have found a missing link this week called "Ida". Is this true? 

The principles that inform creationists about Ida are some of the same that allow creationists to interpret fossil after fossil hailed as "transitional forms":

  1. Nothing about this fossil suggests it is anything other than an extinct, lemur-like creature. Its appearance is far from chimpanzee, let alone "apeman" or human.
  2. A fossil can never show evolution. Fossils are unchanging records of dead organisms. Evolution is an alleged process of change in live organisms. Fossils show "evolution" only if one presupposes evolution, then uses that presupposed belief to interpret the fossil.
  3. Similarities can never show evolution. If two organisms have similar structures, the only thing it proves is that the two have similar structures. One must presuppose evolution to say that the similarities are due to evolution rather than design. Furthermore, when it comes to "transitional forms," the slightest similarities often receive great attention while major differences are ignored.
  4. The remarkable preservation is a hallmark of rapid burial. Team member Jørn Hurum of the University of Oslo said, "This fossil is so complete. Everything's there. It's unheard of in the primate record at all. You have to get to human burial to see something that's this complete." Even the contents of Ida's stomach were preserved. While the researchers believe Ida sunk to the bottom of a lake and was buried, this preservation is more consistent with a catastrophic flood.4 Yet Ida was found with "hundreds of well-preserved specimens."5
  5. If evolution were true, there would be real transitional forms. Instead, the best "missing links" evolutionists can come up with are strikingly similar to organisms we see today, usually with the exception of minor, controversial, and inferred anatomical differences.
  6. Evolutionists only open up about the lack of fossil missing links once a new one is found. Sky News reports, "Researchers say proof of this transitional species finally confirms Charles Darwin's theory of evolution," while Attenborough commented that the missing link "is no longer missing." So are they admitting the evidence was missing until now (supposedly)?

So it's clear what Ida is not. As for our conclusion on what Ida is, we wrote in News to Note:

ecause the fossil is similar to a modern lemur (a small, tailed, tree-climbing primate), it's unlikely that creationists need any interpretation of the "missing link" other than that it was a small, tailed, probably tree-climbing, and now extinct primate—from a kind created on Day 6 of Creation Week.

Much of the excitement over Ida appears to stem from a well-coordinated public relations effort to promote an upcoming documentary and a new book titled The Link. The documentary will air on the History Channel in the U.S. (as The Link) on May 25 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. It will air on BBC One in the UK (as Uncovering Our Earliest Ancestor: The Link) on Tuesday May 26th at 9 p.m. Filmmaker Atlantic Productions even launched a website to promote the discovery, revealingthelink.com.

Yet as Hurum commented, "This fossil will probably be pictured in all the textbooks for the next 100 years." So while the media rush may at first be a bid to promote the documentary and book, the ultimate result is one more trumped-up "missing link" presented to future generations as evidence of evolution.

To read more about this visit:   http://answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/19/ida-missing-link

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.Heart4Teens.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

"You can always tell a real friend: When you've made a fool of yourself he
doesn't feel you've done a permanent job." --Lawrence J. Peter


Verse for the Day

"He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, but he who
repeats or harps on a matter separates even close friends." -- Proverbs 17:9 Amp


Teen's Thought For The Day

"We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong.
The amount of work is the same."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Any kid will run any errand for you if you ask at bedtime." --Red Skelton


Coach's Thought For The Day

"This department requires no physical fitness program. Everyone gets enough
exercise jumping to conclusions, flying off the handle, running down the
boss, knifing friends in the back, dodging responsibility, and pushing their luck."


Writer's Thought For the Day

"I get to stand up there and read to a bunch of adults who in many cases
nobody's read to in years, since they were about five. They just squat on the
floor. That's enormously enjoyable." -- Author, Neil Gaiman


Creation/Evolution Thought For The Day

"The irony is devastating. The main purpose of Darwinism was
to drive every last trace of an incredible God from biology. But
the theory replaces God with an even more incredible deity -
omnipotent chance." T. Rosazak, "Unfinished Animal", 1975, p. 101-102.


Deep Thought For The Day


"In elementary school, in case of fire you have to line up quietly in single-file
line from smallest to tallest. What is the logic? Do tall people burn slower?"
 



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http://www.heart4teens.com/

Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
Contributing Author to Chicken Soup for the Christian Teenage
Soul and 28 other inspirational books.

Over 175,000 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

 

http://www.faithcommunitychurch.net/Youth


ALL-STAR Youth Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

Check out our youth group! If you are in 7-12th grade and live in the southern
Wisconsin/northern Illinois area come check us out!  Jr. High meets on Sunday
mornings from 9:30 am - 10:30 am. High School age meets on
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 Pontiac Convention Center.)


Currently we have students from Edgerton, Fort Atkinson, Milton,
Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Marshall, Franklin, Edison, 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:  Sunday May 24

Jr. High -- 9:30 am - 10:30 am - "Breathing Life into Others Part 2"
High School -- 6:30 - 8:00 pm - "Cook-Out!"  Jr. High are also welcome!


Visit our youth website to see our topics up through the year 2010!
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 on Sundays. These cell groups will also
be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to
build community.

Jr. High meets at 2109 N. Pontiac. Questions, call 373-0886

High School meets at 1918 Liberty Lane. Questions, call 757-1938.


This Week May 20:

Jr. High: "Rebuking in Love"


High School: "The Summer is Coming!"


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

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