[reallifenewsletter] FCC - YS Student E-mail Newsletter #139

We are less than a week from the summer trip and most of the major
plans have been set and the questions of who is going are more or
less settled. Just talked to Debbie last night and she was changing
the schedule slightly to have an activity on Monday during the day...

Anyhow the list of people I know going:
David Althausen
Chris Althausen
Hillary Althausen (These three will be there for just the first part)
Hannah Erikson
Justin Powlison
Jennifer Althausen
Tessa Cirincione
Becky Althausen
Jonathan Althausen
Chad Johnston
David Bentley

Plus of course me, Emmy, our kids and Debbie.
There is also a chance that Pastor Norm will
be going for part of the trip but that is not
fully confirmed yet.

-Nathanael

YS STUDENT E-MAIL NEWSLETTER #139
June 28, 2004

Contents
1. Something for Your Heart
2. Surf Report
3. Forgettable Fact
4. Potent Quotables
5. Parting Shot


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=================================


1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

"You're not the boss of me!"

In recent years, this has become a popular phrase. Perhaps you've heard a
defiant sibling direct this statement at you, or possibly at your parents.
Maybe you've even muttered the statement yourself on occasion.

And when you think about it, surely some variation of this phrase must have
been used by the American colonists way back in the 1770s. After sailing all
the way across the Atlantic on rickety boats to secure a bit of freedom for
themselves, they quickly grew tired of England's imposed taxes, rules, and
expectations. So in between the lines of all the eloquent statements in the
Declaration of Independence, the simple message it sent King George III was,
"You're no longer the boss of us."

Yet as soon as the Revolutionary War was over and the newly created United
States had won its freedom, the leadership started writing the Constitution,
electing a President, and making rules to live by. Why ruin all that
wonderful fresh freedom by imposing a bunch of rules?

What some people fail to realize is that genuine freedom does indeed require
rules, as well as someone to enforce them. Certain restrictions must be
imposed. What would happen, for instance, if someone wanted to exercise
freedom by running his SUV through a red light while you're peddling your
Schwinn through the intersection? The "stop at a red light" rule exists to
protect both of you.

Therefore, freedom is achieved not by doing away with rules altogether, but
by exchanging one leader and set of rules for another. The American
colonists exchanged King George III and the English monarchy for a
democratic republic with elected leaders. What the U.N. is hoping to do in
Iraq is replace the tyrannical regime of Saddam Hussein with a fresh and
liberating system of government for the Iraqis. Both systems have leaders
and rules, but one set is oppressive while the other is liberating.

Similarly, on a personal level, exhilarating freedom is found by giving up a
selfish or worldly perspective and determining to follow the rules that God
has established. Some people feel that the very fact that they are expected
to follow rules diminishes their independence. But anyone who has committed
to following his or her own desires and whims for very long will tell you
that experiences of peace and freedom are few and fleeting.

Only the unconditional love and unshakable strength of Jesus allows us to
experience genuine freedom. Your commitment to receive the salvation and
redemption he offers is immediately followed by his declaration of your
freedom from sin. From then on, he is the leader in your life and you agree
to abide by his rules. But it's the most liberating option you'll ever find.

Jesus taught, "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love
the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other" (Matthew 6:24).

So consider your level of satisfaction with your personal, spiritual freedom
this Independence Day. Then ask yourself, "Who IS the boss of me?"

On your own ...

The Book of Galatians deals with the theme of Christian freedom. It's not a
long book. When you have a few minutes, read straight through it and then go
back and think about the portions that strike you as most important.

2. SURF REPORT

~ A Life of Service
Do you live a Christian life, or do you live a few Christian days here and
there? Discover what it means to be a 24-7 follower of Christ.
http://www.passageway.org/default.asp?page=etc.asp?loadpage=etcetera/lifeser
vice.asp

~ Find Thirty Books of the Bible
The names of thirty books of Scripture are hidden in one paragraph. Can you
find them?
http://www.nccogop.org/30_books_of_the_bible.htm

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

Technically speaking, there are only 46 states in the U.S. Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia are commonwealths.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

The purpose of life is not to find your freedom, but your master.
- P.T. Forsyth

The cause of freedom is the cause of God.
- W.L. Bowles

A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a
Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone.
- Martin Luther

5. PARTING SHOT

If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

Copyright 2004 Youth Specialties








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