Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sermon for Kids: The Emperor Moth

A man found a cocoon of the emperor moth and took it home to watch it emerge. One day a small opening appeared, and for several hours the moth struggled but couldn't seem to force its body past a certain point. Deciding something was wrong, the man took scissors and snipped the remaining bit of cocoon. The moth emerged easily, its body large and swollen, the wings small and shriveled. He expected that in a few hours the wings would spread out in their natural beauty, but they did not. Instead of developing into a creature free to fly, the moth spent its life dragging around a swollen body and shriveled wings. The constricting cocoon and the struggle necessary to pass through the tiny opening are God's way of forcing fluid from the body into the wings. The "merciful" snip was, in reality, cruel. Sometimes the struggle is exactly what we need.

Author: Beth Landers



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Sermons for Youth: Youth Ministry Must be RELATIONAL

If you want to make a difference in the lives of youth, it all starts with relationships. Youth don't care what you know until they know that you care. And as you spend time with youth you will discover that more is caught than taught. Christ always focused on the needs of the people rather than programs. Too often today I think we have flipped Christ's priorities upside down focusing more on programs than people.

We have programs for Bible Study, programs for church membership, programs for the elderly, programs for evangelism, missions programs and a program for worship. The list of programs goes on and on. Everything has a program. And programs are good when they help us to systematize the processes, knowledge and skills that make a difference in the lives of the youth we care for. But not everyone fits into a program. Not every need can be touched by a program. Not all knowledge is transfered through a program. People don't feel the love of God through a program. They experience the love of God when people care for them on a deeply personal level.

Programs can never replace a personal relationship. God set up a program of worship for the Israelites. Each tribe had a program and a role. He placed a system of laws to guide them and direct them. He created a program for people to repent and get right with God. The Israelites took his program and it became legalism. Pharisees followed the program. Worship followed the program. But God's intention was never the creation and maintenance of a program. His intention was a relationship. Forgiveness and Restoration. A day to day walk in intimacy with the Creator. Ultimately God revealed himself most fully not in a program, but in a person!

Jesus walked among us. He cried for us, hurt for us, poured himself out to us. His sole desire ---- a relationship. That we might be reconciled with the Father. That we might walk with Him. That we might experience the fullness of his love and his compassion.

Jesus called the masses, preached to them, healed them and walked and taught among them. But he focused on a few disciples.

Youth ministry is a primarily a relationship, not a programme. This applies to each aspect of youth ministry, such as Sunday School or Friday nights. They are not programmes - they are part of the strategy. The “programme” is to influence the lives of young people towards a relationship with Christ. Youth programmes must be designed to foster relationships between young people and their friends, the youth leaders, and other significant adults, who can have an input into their lives and help them toward the greatest relationship - that with God himself.



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Children's Sermons: Understanding Youth Needs

(in Order of Importance)

1. Physiological needs: These are the basic necessities of life.
2. Safety needs: These involve security, stability, protection, order, and freedom from fear.
3. Social needs: These involve the need to love and be loved, to feel accepted and to belong and to give and receive affection.
4. Esteem needs: These deal with confidence and competence, self-image, self-respect, and esteem from others.
5. Growth needs: Those needs dealing with potential and being all that one can be and become.

Some of youth’s greatest issues associated with these needs are those related to loneliness, poor self-esteem, and discovering self-identity. Other major issues include poor relationships with parents, school problems, prejudice and injustice, vocational decisions, and their desire to discover God’s will in their lives.



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Youth Sermons: Sermons for Youth: Stress Test for Youth

STRESS SCALE FOR YOUTH

PTS: STRESS EVENT
100: 1. Death of spouse, parent, boyfriend/girlfriend
065: 2. Divorce (of yourself or your parents)
065: 3. Puberty
065: 4. Pregnancy (or causing pregnancy)
060: 5. Marital separation or breakup with boyfriend/girlfriend
060: 6. Jail term or probation
060: 7. Death of other family member (other than spouse, parent or boyfriend/girlfriend)
055: 8. Broken engagement
050: 9. Engagement
045: 10. Serious personal injury or illness
045: 11. Marriage
045: 12. Entering college or beginning next level of school
045: 13. Change in independence or responsibility
045: 14. Any drug and/or alcoholic use
045: 15. Fired at work or expelled from school
045: 16. Change in alcohol or drug use
040: 17. Reconciliation with mate, family or boyfriend/girlfriend
040: 18. Trouble at school
040: 19. Serious health problem of a family member
035: 20. Working while attending school
035: 21. Working more than 40 hours per week
035: 22. Changing course of study
035: 23. Change in frequency of dating
035: 24. Sexual adjustment problems (confusion of sexual identity)
035: 25. Gain of new family member (new baby born or parent remarries)
035: 26. Change in work responsibilities
030: 27. Change in financial state
030: 28. Death of a close friend (not a family member)
030: 29. Change to a different kind of work
030: 30. Change in number or arguments with mate, family or friends
025: 31. Sleep less than 8 hours per night
025: 32. Trouble with in-laws or boyfriend's or girlfriend's family
025: 33. Outstanding personal achievement (awards, grades, etc.)
020: 34. Mate or parents start or stop working
020: 35. Begin or end school
020: 36. Change in living conditions (visitors in the home, change in roommates)
020: 37. Change in personal habits (start or stop a habit like smoking or dieting)
020: 38. Chronic allergies
020: 39. Trouble with the boss
015: 40. Change in work hours
015: 41. Change in residence
015: 42. Change to a new school (other than graduation)
015: 43. Presently in pre-menstrual period
015: 44. Change in religious activity
010: 45. Going in debt (you or your family)
010: 46. Change in frequency of family gatherings
010: 47. Vacation
010: 48. Presently in winter holiday season
005: 49. Minor violation of the law 5

TOTAL SCORE = ____________

If you have experienced total stress within the last twelve months of 250 or greater, even with normal stress tolerance, you may be overstressed. Persons with low stress tolerance may be overstressed at levels as low as 150.

Adapted from “How to Survive Unbearable Stress” by Steve Burns MD (USA: Pergamon Press.1989)



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Sermon 4 Kids: Planning Ideas for a Youth

Planning Ideas for a Youth - Children's Carnival as an alternative to Halloween Trick or Treat

Why Plan a Children's Carnival instead of the Traditional Halloween Trick-or-Treat?
As the holiday of Halloween rolls around, many schools, churches and children's organizations start planning their SAFE alternative options to the traditional "trick or treating" activity. This allows more control over what kids receive and also to avoid some of those members of society that might place unwanted items in candy or treats. It's also a lot safer than having kids roam the neighborhoods. Some places throw a holiday dance or get together where others opt for such things as a youth and children's carnival. This is a great way to show children a different way to celebrate and stay safe for the Halloween holiday or simply provide an alternative if you are opposed to the celebrations of halloween in the first place.

Tips for Planning Your Halloween Carnival or Harvest Festival Event.
If you are planning such a Halloween carnival or fall festival, you will want to plan a wide variety of games and activities to have at your children's carnival that will keep the kids entertained. Below are some of the most popular types of activity booths and games for this type of carnival celebration. It is best to have a variety of choices for kids of all ages so that they will have plenty to choose from. When you plan your carnival, think about both boys and girls and what they like to do. Include activities that are good for younger children, activities that are for older children and activities that might even be fun for their parents as well.

Carnival Games:

  • Baseball Strike Zone
    This is a game that can be adjusted for all ages. Strike zone games are generally set up for older kids but you can adapt it for the little ones. You can make a ball throwing game (It doesn't have to be baseballs) that stands up on its own using a cardboard box. You can often get large boxes from appliance and furniture stores. Simply cut holes in the cardboard and paint it to match your Halloween event theme. You can create a carved pumpkin image with a mouth and eyes as the strike zones, a full moon with different size craters, smiley faces, flowers and many other designs. The objective is to have the children throw the balls into the various holes. You can vary the size of the holes and the point awarded for each successful throw. Make your prize selection based on the amount of points the child gets with a total of 3 to 5 balls.
  • Fishing Games
    This is something that is great for the little ones. You can do this with a large tub of water and some play fishing poles. You can get about 15 to 20 floating ducks or boats at a dollar store and paint a mark on the bottom of some of them. To make the game really simple, you can attach magnets to both the floating toys and the end of the fishing poles so that the children simply have to get the fishing pole string into the water and they will always pull up something. Those who pull up a toy with a mark on it are the winners.
  • Golfing Area
    There are many discount stores that sell play golf sets. You can get a few of these and set up a mini golf course which is great fun for all ages. You can also have a putting area where golfers can test their luck at getting a hole in one. You can make the prizes based on where the person is standing when they get the ball in the hole.

Activity Booths
There are many activity booths for your carnival that you can make out of everyday items such as bottles, cans and fishbowls:

  • Set up cans in a row and give your players balls to throw at the cans to knock them over. Fill them with sand as full cans are more difficult to knock over than empty ones.Set up plastic bottles like bowling pins and use a small ball to let your players see how many "pins" they can knock over with one try. Again, bottles filled with water or sand will be more difficult to knock over. Base your prizes on the number of cans or bottles knocked over.
  • Use small fish bowls as a game by filling them each with a fish and water. Put paper plates on top of the fishbowls with a bull's-eye drawn on them and et the players toss coins onto the plates to try to win a fish. You can also use small balls and let the players try to throw a ball into a bowl to win a fish.
  • Use bottles and small rope rings as another game. Toss the ring over the bottle to win prizes.
  • Place a slip of paper inside a balloons with a prize written on it then let the older children toss darts and try to pop a balloon to get the prize written on the slip of paper inside.

Unlimited possibilities for your Halloween / Fall Carnival
These are just a few examples of the large number of different types of games and activity booths that you can plan for your carnival; you just need to be creative. You will find that if you plan right, your carnival will be a huge success. Just remember to have games that are good for all ages as well as games set for certain ages. Spread things out as well so it makes the carnival seem that much bigger. Add in some food booths and drinks and you have got the makings for a great carnival that is not only fun but also safe for all the participants.


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Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sermon for Kids: How teens can give their parents a heart attack

  1. Brag about your parents once in a while. Let them know you are proud of them and tell others about it.
  2. Say "Yes" when your parents ask you to do something with them. They will be elated to know you are not ashamed to be seen with them.
  3. Be grateful for your parents. Parents really respond when their children occasionally say, "Thank you." Give mom and dad credit for what they have done and are doing for you.
  4. Give your parents reason to be proud of the way you dress, how clean you keep your room, how consistently you practice your music lessons, and how you feel about God and your church.
  5. Be understanding if your parents are impatient. When they can't buy you something you need right away, or when they worry about you more than you feel is necessary, try to see it their way.
  6. Give your parents a hug and say, "I love you" and show that you mean it.

If you follow these simple steps you'll give your mom and dad a "heart attack" of new appreciation of restored communication and of love refreshed!

Try it!



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Sermons for Youth: Developing Youth As Leaders

If students are to develop to their fullest potential as leaders, we must be willing to take five basic steps to help them grow into leaders:

  1. Hear them out. Listen to student needs and discover those areas where they need to be stretched and challenged.
  2. Try Them Out. Give youth responsibilities to learn from experience!
  3. Point strengths Out. Students are much more likely to continue to serve (and to recover from failures) when they have affirmation and encouragement.
  4. Shout it Out. The best way to recruit more student leaders is to let those who have served as leaders tell others about how they have grown through the experience of leadership.
  5. Help Them Out. When students start to lead on their own, our jobs will change to being a facilitator.


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Children's Sermons: 7 Key Questions Youth Ministers Should Ask Everyday

  • Why?
    Key: Discover the root cause.

    Life is cause and effect. Actions give you your results. This applies to not only what we do, but to what others do as well. It applies in church, in youth ministry, in your job, and in your personal life. Try to see things through the eyes of the Bible, through the eyes of God, through the eyes of another person to discover the root causes. And remember Isaiah 55:8 - Sometimes we simply don't know. But ti still never hurts to ask why and you might discover some missing piece, a small change, a different perspective that can change your outcomes.
  • What did I learn?
    Key to progress

    What can you learn about God, about yourself, about others, about your church, about your youth ministry, about the youth as indiciduals. Life is full of lessons about God, about human nature, regarding our own self-knowledge. Mistakes are made, misunderstandings occur, plans fail, but at the same time, success can be repeated, opportunities can be discovered, possibilities can be explored if we can find a lesson to grow from.
  • How can I help you?
    Focus on the needs of others

    It's easy to get distracted from the real reason we are in youth ministry and focus on events, results, rules, traditions and ourselves rather than focus on the needs of other people. Our ministry is not just to our youth, but to our families, to the church, to church leaders, to our colleagues, to parents, and to our volunteer workers. When we focus on the needs of others and that they are special creations of God, created with a purpose it can make a world of difference. Sometimes we have to see people not for what they are now, but for what they can be through the grace of God and playing whatever part God give to us to nurture that growth in Christ.
  • What if?
    Free your creativity, new possibilities

    A small change in perspective can make a big difference. Many of the conveniences of todays world came about because someone asked "What if?" Instead of looking at impossibilities, explore the possibilities. With God anything is possible. Instead of seeing difficulties, look for opportunities. Instead of seeing struggles, see opportunities for growth. Focus on solutions and you will find them.
  • How can this be improved?
    Take your results to a new level

    Even success can be tweaked for greater success. Contentment is often the precursor to failure. You will only grow as big as your dreams. When you trust God with things that are bigger than you, you'll find that he is bigger than any success or failure. Step out in faith for even bigger things the next time around!
  • How can I show my gratitude?
    Thankfulness is key to long-term happiness

    We know that all good things come from God. There is a light at the end of every tunnel. There is an opportunity in every difficulty. When everything is great, it is because God has blessed. Give thanks in all things. Whatever we focus on grows bigger in our thoughts. Success is getting what you hoped for, but happiness is found in being thankful to God for what you have.
  • What is the best use of my time now?
    Refocus on what's most important,

    There are never enough hours in a day to do what needs to be done in your youth ministry or church. But God doesn't call us to be solely responsible. Each member of the youth group, of the church is a part of the Body of Christ and God divides the work among us. God gives every one of his children a piece of the load of ministry to carry. Just pick up your piece and trust God to deliver the rest.
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  • Friday, February 24, 2012

    Youth Leadership Lessons: The Bible in a Word

    An old Christian woman whose age began to tell on her had once known much of the bible off by heart. Eventually only one precious bit stayed with her, 'I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day' (2 Tim. 1:12). By and by, part of that slipped its hold and she would quietly repeat, "That which I have committed unto Him.' At last, as she hovered on the borderline between this world and heaven, her loved ones noticed her lips moving. They bent down to see if she needed anything. She was repeating over and over again to herself the one word of the text, 'Him, Him, Him.'

    She had lost the whole Bible but one word. But she had the whole Bible in that one word.



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    Youth Ideas: Small Expectations

    A fisherman sat on a dock with a ruler and a basket beside him. He caught a fish and measured it. The fish was six inches long. He threw the fish in the basket. He got another bite and pulled in a nine inch fish. In the basket it went.

    A little later he felt a violent jerk on the line. He pulled in a twenty inch fish. That fish he threw back in the water!

    A little girl had been watching this procedure. She asked him, "Why did you throw back the big fish and keep the little ones?" The fisherman replied, "Because my frying pan is only ten inches across!"

    Too often, we receive tiny yields from our efforts because our expectations were too small! There is something to be said for the 'power of positive thinking'; if we do not expect God to fill our cups as we surrender ourselves to Him, then we should not be surprised when we receive less-than-spectacular returns on our spiritual investments.



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    Youth Leadership Lessons: Rules of the Game

    I am giving you the ball son, and naming you the quarterback for your team in the game of life. I am your coach, so I'll tell you straight.

    There is only one schedule to play. It lasts all your life, but consists of only one game. It is long, with no time out and no substitutions. you play the whole game - all your life.

    You'll have a great backfield. .You are calling all the signals, but the other three guys in the backfield with you have great reputations. They are named Faith, Hope and Charity.

    You'll work behind a truly powerful line. End to end it consists of Honesty, Loyalty, Devotion to duty, Self Respect, Sturdy Cleanliness, Good behavior, and Courage.

    The goal posts are the Gates of Heaven.

    God is the referee and sole official. He makes all the rules and there is no appeal from them.

    There are ten rules. You know them as the Ten Commandments and you play them strictly in accordance with your own religion.

    There is also an important ground rule. It is "do unto others as you would have done to you".

    Here is the ball. It is your immortal soul! Hold on to it. Now, son, get in there and let's see what you can do with it!



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    Youth Ideas: Prayer for Nation

    Pastor Joe Wright of Kansas was asked to lead the Kansas State Senate in prayer.

    They were expecting the usual formal prayer to open the session but that is not what happened. The pastor used the moment as a confessional and prophetic opportunity. As he prayed there were some senators who got up and walked out but Paul Harvey got a hold of the prayer and read it on his program; he got more requests for copies of it than any other thing he had ever done. Here¹s what he prayed:

    "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask Your forgiveness and to seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that: We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism. We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism. We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it a choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. We have abused power and called it political savvy. We have coveted our neighbor¹s possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the airwaves with profanity and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of Kansas, and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state. Grant them Your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your will... Amen."

    While not word for word accurate, this is a good transcript of the actual sermon delivered before the Kansas House of Representatives by Central Christian Church Pastor Joe Wright on January 23, 1996. It has circulated continuously on the Internet ever since.



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    Thursday, February 23, 2012

    Youth Ideas: Open Arms

    If you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, look at the people God used to change history. A ragbag of ne’er-do-wells and has-beens who found hope, not in their performance, but in God’s proverbially open arms.

    Abraham- God took what was good and forgave what was bad and used “old forked tongue” to start a nation. Moses- would you call upon a fugitive to carry the Ten Commandments? God did. David- his track record left little to be desired, but his repentant spirit was unquestionable. Jonah- God put him in a whale’s belly to bring him back to his senses. But even the whale couldn’t stomach this missionary for too long.

    On and on the stories go: Elijah, the prophet who pouted; Solomon, the king who knew too much; Jacob, the wheeler-dealer; Gomer, the prostitute; Sarah, the woman who giggled at God. One story after another of God using man’s best and overcoming man’s worst.

    The reassuring lesson is clear. God used (and uses!) people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars—he uses them all. And what they may lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.

    Jesus later summarized God’s stubborn love with a parable. He told about a teenager who decided that life at the farm was too slow for his tastes. So with pockets full of inheritance money, he set out to find the big time. What he found instead were hangovers, fair-weather friends, and long unemployment lines. When he had had just about as much of the pig’s life as he could take, he swallowed his pride, dug his hands deep into his empty pockets, and began the long walk home; all the while rehearsing a speech that he planned to give to his father.

    He never used it. Just when he got to the top of the hill, his father, who’d been waiting at the gate, saw him. The boy’s words of apology were quickly muffled by the father’s words of forgiveness. And the boy’s weary body fell into his father’s opened arms.

    The same open arms welcomed him that had welcomed Abraham, Moses, David, and Jonah. No wagging fingers. No clenched fists. No “I told you so!” slaps or “Where have you been?” interrogations. No crossed arms. No black eyes or fat lips. No. Only sweet, open arms. If you ever wonder how God can use you to make a difference in your world, just look at those he has already used and take heart. Look at the forgiveness found in those open arms and take courage.

    And, by the way, never were those arms opened so wide as they were on the Roman cross. One arm extending back into history and the other reaching into the future. An embrace of forgiveness offered for anyone who’ll come. A hen gathering her chicks. A father receiving his own. A redeemer redeeming the world.

    No wonder they call him the Savior.

    Source: No Wonder They Call Him the Savior © (W Publishing Group, 1986, 2004) Max Lucado



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    Youth Leadership Lessons: Mother's Translation

    Four preachers were discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible.

    • One liked the King James Version best because of its simple, beautiful English.
    • Another liked the American Revised Version best because it was closer to the original Hebrew and Greek.
    • Still another liked a contemporary version because of its up-to-date vocabulary.
    • The fourth minister was silent for a moment, then said, "I like my mother's translation best."

    Surprised, the other three men said they didn't know his mother had translated the Bible. "Yes," he replied. "She translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw."


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    Youth Ideas: Love Passed By

    "A small child waits with impatience the arrival home of a parent. She wishes to relate some sandbox experience. She is excited to share the thrill that she has known that day. The time comes; the parent arrives. Beaten down by the stresses of the workplace the parent often replies: “Not now, honey, I’m busy, go watch television.” The most often spoken words in the American household today are the words: go watch television. If not now, when? Later. But later never comes for many and the parent fails to communicate at the very earliest of ages. We give her designer clothes and computer toys, but we do not give her what she wants the most, which is our time. Now, she is fifteen and has a glassy look in her eyes. Honey, do we need to sit down and talk? Too late. Love has passed by."

    Author: Robert Keeshan, better known to America as Captain Kangaroo.



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    Wednesday, February 22, 2012

    Youth Leadership Lessons: Joseph's Tomb

    "WHY?" No doubt this was the questions Jesus' disciples asked when He was arrested, tried, and crucified. And it was probably the question Joseph of Arimathea asked himself as he approached Pilate and requested the Lord's body (v.58). It must have nagged at him as he wrapped the body in a linen cloth, carried it to his own freshly hewn tomb, and rolled the massive stone into its groove over the tomb's mouth. In the face of his grief, Joseph carried on. He did what he knew he had to do. None of Jesus' relatives were in a position to claim His body for burial, for they were all Galileans and none of them possessed a tomb in Jerusalem. The disciples weren't around to help either.But there was another reason for Joseph's act of love. In Isaiah 53:9, God directed the prophet to record an important detail about the death of His Messiah. The One who had no place to lay His head would be buried in a rich man's tomb. Joseph probably didn't realize that his act fulfilled prophecy. The full answer to the why of Jesus' death was also several days away for Joseph and the others. All he knew was that he was now a disciple of Jesus -- and that was enough to motivate his gift of love.

    Source: Today in the Word, April 18, 1992



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    Youth Ideas: Icebergs

    In the frigid waters around Greenland are countless icebergs, some little and some gigantic. If you'd observe them carefully, you'd notice that sometimes the small ice floes move in one direction while their massive counterparts flow in another. The explanation is simple. Surface winds drive the little ones, whereas the huge masses of ice are carried along by deep ocean currents.

    When we face trials and tragedies, it's helpful to see our lives as being subject to two forces--surface winds and ocean currents. The winds represent everything changeable, unpredictable, and distressing. But operating simultaneously with these gusts and gales is another force that's even more powerful. It is the sure movement of God's wise and sovereign purposes, the deep flow of His unchanging love.



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    Youth Leadership Lessons: Height of a Building

    A young boy was touted as the next Einstein. One of the world's greatest thinkers was brought in to test him to see how smart he really was... They set him down and gave him an exam. On the exam there was ONE question alone...

    "Using a barometer, how would you determine the height of a building?"

    The boy read the question, quickly wrote an answer and turned it in to the examiner. The examiner was quite surprised the young boy finished so quickly.. He read the answer.

    "I would tie a sting to the barometer, lower it until it touches the ground, and then measure the string to determine the height of the building."

    The examiner said, "While that would work, that is not the answer I am looking for. Please try again.."

    The boy went back to his desk.. He was troubled.. he was scratching his head and in such concentration that the examiner thought to ask him if he was OK... if he needed some help. Was he having difficulty coming up with an answer?

    The boy replied, "oh no... that's not my trouble... I have so many good answers I cannot decide which one to write down."

    Eventually the boy wrote down a formula involving barometric pressure to calculate the height above sea level and determine the building's height.

    The examiner was satisfied with the answer, but was also curious... "Do you mind telling me what some of your other answers were?"

    The boy replied:

    "I could measure the length of the barometer and then use it to mark the wall in the stairwell. When I reached the top I would multiply the marks on the wall by the length of the barometer and would be able to calculate the height of the building."

    "Or I could drop it from the top of the building and use a stop watch to time the fall. I could then use the formula for gravity and acceleration to determine the height of the building."

    "Or I could get up early and as the sun rises, measure the shadow cast by the barometer and the shadow cast by the building and using a simple ratio, determine the height of the building according to proportion."

    The boy continued with several more ideas.. Eventually the examiner asked him, "What was your favorite solution?"

    The boy replied, "I would go to the guardhouse and show the barometer to the guard. I would tell him how this was such a wonderful barometer and all the wonderful things it could do for him.. I would then tell him... If you will only tell me the height of this building I will give you this barometer for free"

    There are many solutions to a problem... Sometimes we are so intent on elaborate strategies and methods to solve a problem that we forget the simple things... Maybe we should just ask...

    Are you bringing your problems to God?



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    Youth Ideas: Give me back my bite

    There is an old eastern story about a snake that lived on a path on the way to a famous temple in India.

    Many people would walk along the path to worship, and the snake would often bite people with his poisonous bite.

    One time a swami was on his way to the temple and the snake jumped out to bite him, but before the snake could bite him the swami put the snake into a trance and ordered him to stop biting people.

    "It is not right to bite people with your poisonous bite," the swami told him. "From now on, you shall not bite anyone."

    A few months later the swami was passing that way again, and he notice the snake lying in the grass beside the path. The snake was all cut and bruised and was in an awful state.

    "Whatever has happened to you, my friend?" the swami asked. "Since you have put your spell on me," the snake explained, "I have been unable to defend myself. Give me back my bite."

    "You foolish snake," the swami answered. "I told you not to bite anyone. But I never said that you couldn't hiss!"

    This story contains an interesting truth. It seems today that many verses in the Bible are taken out of context to advocate or reject things the Bible never intended. Furthermore, sometimes in trying to avoid extremes we go too far and also avoid things that are perfectly ok or even right to do. "You shall not judge" does not mean we accept sin. "Forgive" does not mean we put ourselves back in an abusive situation. Sometimes it's not so easy to draw the line between good and bad in life. It's sometimes even more difficult to draw the line between good and best. There are some things that are clearly right and some things that are clearly wrong, but there are also some things that lie between. I am not advocating situational ethics but clearly "Not everything is beneficial" in life. And in those gray areas, God had has given us His Spirit in our hearts so that we can know the truth in any situation, if we will only seek God's will.



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    Youth Leadership Lessons: Every Moment is Precious

    To realise the value of ONE YEAR
    Ask a student who has failed his exam.

    To realise the value of ONE MONTH
    Ask a mother who has given birth to a pre-mature baby.

    To realise the value of ONE WEEK
    Ask an editor of a weekly.

    To realise the value of ONE DAY
    Ask a daily wage labour.

    To realise the value of ONE HOUR
    Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

    To realise the value of ONE MINUTE
    Ask a person who has missed the train.

    To realise the value of ONE SECOND
    Ask a person who has survived an accident.

    To realise the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND
    Ask the person who has won a silver medal in Olympics.



    Visit our page for more Youth Bible Studies at Youth Ideas