Kirkmont Youth Newsletter

YS STUDENT NEWSLETTER #330

February 25, 2008

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

YOU HAVE TO CHEW TO GET TO THE GOOD STUFF

Meditation essentially means to chew on something over and over again. This month long devotional provides you with the stuff to chew on that will take you deeper--to the really good stuff.

Learn more about "Chew on This" and purchase the book here.
https://shop.youthspecialties.com/store/product.php?productid=567

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

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

1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

*Download a FREE mp3 of this meditation and listen along as you read, for a different kind of devotional experience.

Meditation:
http://media.gospelcom.net/ys/store/freebies/chewonthis/talk_to_me_med.mp3

Scripture:
http://media.gospelcom.net/ys/store/freebies/chewonthis/talk_to_me_scr.mp3

TALK TO ME

Guided Meditation

It's a normal day like any other. You're busy doing what you do. But as you go about your daily routine, you sense someone wanting to spend time with you. He wants you to come to him. He wants you to be with him. You definitely recognize his voice, but it's been a while since you've spent any real time together. Doesn't he know how busy your life can be? After all, you've been busy doing what you do.

He sits there, hunkered down in the corner of your room waiting for you. He's certainly not pushing himself on you, but you can definitely tell he longs to spend some time with you. You tell him that you don't think you'll have time to meet with him today as you head out the door again.

When you get back from your day, he's there again, waiting for you. He smiles at you as you come in the door and asks you how your day has been. He invites you to sit down and rest for a while. You can tell he wants to hear about your day and everything else you've got going on in your life. He seems very proud of who you are becoming. He asks you about what seems to be pressing in on you and weighing you down. You can tell he genuinely cares about you. He wants what's best for you. So you finally decide to sit down for a few minutes to talk with him.

You start by telling him that you can't talk long because you still have a lot to do before bedtime. But after a few minutes of talking together, your whole world and all the worries of your day seem to simply melt away. You haven't felt this relaxed in a long time. You find yourself pouring your heart out to him. And then he looks you right in the eyes and tells you how proud he is of you. He tells you how much he loves you and enjoys spending time together.

At that moment you realize this friend who has been waiting to talk with you day after day is Jesus. He has never made you feel guilty about blowing him off day after day. He looks at you and smiles. It's at that moment that you can tell for the first time in your life that you have a true friend who cares about you for who you are. The time seems to fly by as you continue talking together late into the night.

Journal Entry [spend some time journaling your thoughts]

Scripture Guides Us

Would it surprise you to hear that Jesus enjoys spending time with you? He loves you like crazy and just enjoys being with you. But he'll never force himself upon you. He'll simply wait until you're ready to be with him. And somehow it always ends up being some of the best time of your entire day.

Take a few minutes to "chew on" the following Scripture verses, allowing God's Spirit to speak to you.

MATTHEW 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

PSALM 16:7-10
"I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay."

PSALM 32:6-7
"Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising mighty waters will not reach them. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

PSALM 62:1-2
"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."

1 THESSALONIANS 5:17
"Pray continually."

Questions for Reflection

1. What does it look like for you to spend time with Jesus? What do you enjoy most about your time with him? What are some of the obstacles that prevent you from spending time with him?
2. Think about some of the best times you've had connecting with God. What made them so special? How could you make that happen more often?
3. How does busy-ness and your schedule keep you from spending time with God? What things could you stop doing in order to spend some more time with him?
4. What does Matthew 11:28-30 say about the yoke Jesus offers us? What does it make you feel like to know that Jesus is carrying that yoke along with you?
5. What does it mean for God to be your hiding place? Where are some of your favorite places to spend time with him?
6. What do you think it means to pray continually? Is that even possible? And if it's not possible, why would God tell us to do it?

**

Taken from "Chew on This" by Dave Ambrose, copyright 2008, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
https://shop.youthspecialties.com/store/product.php?productid=567

**

2. SURF REPORT

~ Black History Month: Get all the Info
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhm1.html

~ Dodgeball at the Stride Gum Factory
http://www.stridegum.com/#Dodgeball

3. FORGETTABLE FACT

Kite flying is a professional sport in Thailand.

4. POTENT QUOTABLES

"I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history."
~Morgan Freeman

"Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face."
~Carol Moseley-Braun

5. PARTING SHOT

Seven days without a pun makes one weak.

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