Here I go again!

I'm back on this teenager

kick one more time!

But somehow I just can't

help myself! I mean, its just a big deal and that's all

there is to it.

Teenagers. They're just

so...uhhh... so wonderful! That's right. Wonderful.

I know the ear rings and

the gel and the bleached hair and the platform shoes,

etc. look a little funny to some. But, come on, many of

us went through bell bottoms, tie-dyes, hippie beads,

long-long hair, and Jesus sandals ourselves. So there

aren't many innocent ones who can righteously throw the

first stone.

Anyway, back to the kids

today.

Our community is so full of

good kids who make this a pretty nice place to live.

Again I say if you want to be blessed just go to a school

play or concert, or to a youth sports event (again -

ignore the occasional "childish behavior" of

some of the adults). This Friday go to your closest high

school football game and band performances. You'll see

talent and skills and the results of dedication and hard

work that will astound you. The football games are pretty

good, too. (That's a little joke from us "band

parents.")

There are so many great

kids! But these kids (teens) still need some things from

us. They still need our support and our encouragement.

They need our attention and our listening. They need

- and they will even admit it - they need our

guidance and direction on the important matters of life.

This is where our area

churches are of such value to our local teens. I'm bold

enough to declare that every church in this vicinity has

a heart for youth and their needs. Each church around

here hopes to serve youth and connect with youth in such

a way as to help these fine young people grow and mature

into the adults and leaders of tomorrow.

If you are a teen, please

know that we're here for you. We care about you. About

who you are. About what you feel. About what you think.

About what you need and want.

If you are a teen and part

of one of our local churches, stay close to the worship

life and learning opportunities of your church. (Yes, it

is YOUR church) Don't let your busy schedule crowd out

your pipeline to and from God.

If you are a teen without a

connection to a church, check it out with your friends

about their churches. See if you could go with them to

something their church does for youth. If none of your

friends goes to a church, check it out on your own to

find out what a nearby church is offering for youth. Then

ask a friend or friends to go with you when you find

something that's "cool." OK?

And those of us in church

leadership, let's rededicate ourselves to forming and

keeping relationships with youth - helping them to

grow in faith on this key leg of their life's journey.

Which brings me again to

the thankful celebration of the commitment the members

and friends of my church have made to youth ministry. As

one of the many churches in this community offering

ministry with and for youth, we have been so blessed to

have what we call the "God Squad" at Prince of

Peace.

The "God Squad"

is middle school and high school youth who meet late in

the afternoon every Sunday of the school year to prepare

a musical play (sometimes drama, sometimes nearly comedy)

for a "show" to be given about the time school

is out. What the youth learn about themselves and others

and life and God is outstanding. Then they turn around

and teach it to the rest of us. And not everyone is a

singing and dancing star. But there's always something

for everybody to contribute.

Mrs. Karen King is the

"God Squad's" director. She's great! She loves

the Lord and the kids. She knows each one and values each

one as precious individuals. She did this job for eight

years as a dedicated "volunteer" (we call these

people "disciples" because they're not really

volunteers). Finally, after all these years she now is on

our church staff serving youth and directing "God

Squad," which is such a blessing. I tell her she

"earns more than $100,000 a year... but we just

can't pay her near what she earns!"

Mrs. King and the teens are

always welcoming more and more kids into this fun and

productive group. Last year 55 of the wonderful youth of

this community (have you heard me say that before?) took

their "show on the road" to Texas. They were a

blessing everywhere they went. This year we hope to have

even more "wonderful youth" as part of this

blessing.

So, I lift up all the youth

and youth leaders and all the churches' youth ministries

once again. I have often said that we get our

"highest highs and our lowest lows" from youth

ministry. It takes extra special gifts from God to serve

in this capacity. So keep up the good work. It is so

important and such a necessary part of our community. You

are a great blessing to us all. Thanks! And we thank God

for you.

May God bless you all as

you begin a "new year" of activities.

You're the bomb!