Kirkmont Youth Newsletter

YS STUDENT NEWSLETTER #319

December 10, 2007

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

YOU CAN HELP MAKE YOUR FAMILY BETTER
Everything is changing. When you're in middle school, your body, your emotions, your school, and maybe even your friends are different, which can feel crazy at times. Now your parents and siblings are trying to figure out why you're different, and you wish they could understand you!

It's okay. This is normal! As you move towards becoming an adult, you and your parents will have to work together to make it smooth transition. In "My Family" you'll get all kinds of secrets and tips that will help you be a better son or daughter, brother or sister, and show you how you can help to make your family even better.

Learn more and purchase "My Family" here:
https://shop.youthspecialties.com/store/product.php?productid=324

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

Find a Christian bookstore near you:
http://www.youthspecialties.com/store/dealers/

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

JESUS AND HIS PARENTS

You've probably heard the story of Jesus, when he was just about your age, hanging out in the temple (the main place of worship for Jews in Jerusalem) and freaking out his parents. Just about everyone who reads or hears that story tightens up shoulder muscles and feels the pain of the situation. Parents feel the frustration of Jesus' parents, and teenagers feel Jesus' frustration, thinking, I would be in so much trouble if I did that!

Real quick, in case you're not familiar with the story: Jesus' family took this minor trek to Jerusalem for a big-time Jewish religious holiday (kind of like going to Grandma's house, two or three days away, for Easter)--except in this case, the location was the whole point. Jerusalem was considered the most holy place for all Jews--so much so that God actually lived in the part of the temple called "the holy of holies."

Anyhow, young Jesus was somewhere in the process of learning and growing, just like you are. It's not clear to us, but he was probably just starting to fully understand who he was--the Son of God and all that! The temple had some of the wisest and smartest Rabbis (Jewish teachers, kind of like our pastors and ministers). Jesus somehow wandered off from his parents and got into a multi-day conversation about God-stuff with a group of Rabbis. All this while his parents and their traveling companions were headed home, thinking Jesus was with them.

When his parents found out he wasn't with them, they rushed back to Jerusalem and found him. His mom laid into him: "Why would you do that to us?!" To which Jesus gave the answer that causes the flinch we talked about. He says, calmly, "Why would you be looking for me anywhere else? Didn't you know I would be in my Father's house?" Okay, so, yeah, God is his real Father and all. But, wow! Duuuude! Harsh!

Here's something we can learn from this: Even Jesus got frustrated with his parents! And even the parents of Jesus got frustrated with him! So, really, if the God of the universe (that would be Jesus) got frustrated with his parents, maybe it shouldn't surprise you that you will also. And if the earthly parents of Jesus got frustrated with him, well, of course your parents will with you.

Just remember: Keep talking, honor, respect, forgive.

**

Taken from "My Family" by Kurt Johnston and Mark Oestreicher, copyright 2007, Zondervan/Youth Specialties. Used by permission.

2. SURF REPORT

~ Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas: For those of you who are broke, but still want to be merry...
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/holiday_gifts_ms/

~ Simon Online Game: It's a throwback to the 80s, but it'll help improve your memory!
http://www.freegames.ws/games/kidsgames/simon/simon.htm

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

25 percent of your bones are located in your feet.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting...Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well."
- Mother Teresa

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."
- Henry Drummond

5. PARTING SHOT

The one who says it cannot be done should never interrupt the one who is doing it.

*All "surf report" internet links and "potent quotables" are provided for informational purposes, and do not imply endorsement by Youth Specialties.