Emmanuel Alliance Church of Ottawa 4 Thorncliff Place, Nepean, ON 613-820-6774

THEPARENTLINK Website: www.eaco.ca February 2012 FOR PARENTS OF TEENS Contact: Sue Ho ([email protected]) EXPLORE THE JOYS OF TRIALS THE VIEW

Pain and suffering are unavoidable on this earth, and the Bible warns Group Magazine asked more than Christians they’ll face extra hardships for their faith. Yet Scripture adds that 20,000 Christian teenagers what we should “consider it pure joy” when we “face trials of many kinds” (James they’d like to do more of in their 1:2, NIV). So how can you—and your teenagers—make the leap from youth ministry. The top answer was struggling with trials to embracing them as an important part of your faith “learn more about Jesus” (91%), but journey? these other top vote-getters show young people’s desire for guidance Counselor and avid outdoorsman Steve Merritt says when you’re lost in the as they face hardships and struggles: woods, there’s incredible relief at finding a trail, even though you still have a ways to go. “Life sometimes provides times when we know we aren’t home  Get help dealing with tough issues yet, but we know we’re on the way,” he writes. “God has us in his strong arms, in my life (79%) and there’s a solid faith that the struggle, doubt, loneliness, or whatever befalls us here will someday be a faint, distant dream. I desperately need to remember  Pursue tough questions in the times I’ve found the way—or maybe when the way has found me.” Bible (78%)

Merritt recommends helping teenagers build “places of memory,” as the  Receive counseling for tough Israelites did in the Old Testament. “Help them drive a stake in the ground, things I’m going through (70%) where the fog of life’s fears, worries, and troubles lifts, and God’s presence

and character shine through. Tell kids stories of when this has happened in  Receive mentoring (54%) your life and how you’ve chosen to remember those times—giving you hope for the times when the trail is hard to find.”

TIPS >>> PONDER THIS

In his new book Sifted (David C.  God prays for us amid our trials.  What types of trials or Cook), Group Magazine editor God promises to pray for us and, roadblocks have you faced in Rick Lawrence explores the most importantly, for our faith, your walk with Christ? heavenly purpose of earthly trials: which is the “vehicle that will  How have those experiences led propel us through our sifting.”  Perseverance is the “produce” to eventual joy or to a closer of suffering. For Christians,  Trials lead us to turn back to relationship with God? persevering through hardships is God. “Until we have lost what  What message would you like to the “organic harvest that we’ve taken for granted,” Lawrence share with your teenagers about transforms our souls from a writes, “we can’t really see its true persevering through life’s famine to a feast,” Lawrence value.” Peter’s denials of Jesus, struggles? writes. The apostle Paul although painful, led him back to addresses this cause-effect intimacy with his Savior. relationship in Romans 5:3-4.  Trials offer us the privilege of  God’s “sifting” reveals to us strengthening other people. Just as who he really is. When God Jesus told a restored Peter to “feed allowed Satan to sift Peter like my sheep,” Jesus allows us to wheat (Luke 22:31-32), the minister to friends and family process revealed God’s love, members undergoing their own “colossal goodness,” and difficulties. Through our attachment purpose for Peter, the church’s to Jesus, we receive the courage to future leader. reach out and help others.

ON THE JOURNEY Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers

By Mike Howerton

At SimplyYouthMinistry.com, unpredictable, beautiful, toward progress and potential. Like Seattle youth pastor Mike exhilarating, exhausting, wild, any journey, exciting times co-exist Howerton, author of Miles to personal journey of faith. God with difficult times. Like any Cross, shares thoughts about is infinitely bigger than we give journey, it’s always nice to know traveling our faith path: him credit for, working long roughly where you are and where

before we think to thank him. you’re headed. I’ve always loved heading out on new roads, enjoying the At times I’ve been amazed at God longs to walk with you on this process of travel and my the privilege of knowing God journey, to be with you in times of traveling companions almost as and living in communion with progress and in times of “stuckness.” much as the destination. him. Other times, I’ve been He wants to walk with you every step There’s a faith connection here, frustrated with my noticeable of the way. That’s the relationship although it’s become cliché. lack of spiritual progress and your heart longs for: to know and be We’re on a spiritual journey. distracted by my own known, to love and be loved. That’s

disposition toward selfishness. the relationship God provides. I pray Faith isn’t a happy hop to that you will know God’s love and heaven. It isn’t checking a box Faith isn’t linear, an ever- experience the joy he provides along on a card. Those are only steps ascending bar graph from your unique path and journey with in a long line of steps along the frustration and disappointment him.

RESOURCE

In Ten Tough Things (Group), Rick BIBLE FOCUS Lawrence explores 10 challenges that God gives Christians, as well as the ways The Lord will guide you continually, giving you he equips us to carry them out. These water when you are dry and restoring your Bible studies show that the “tough things” strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, of the Christian life are actually the joys of like an ever-flowing spring. the Christian life. Isaiah 58:11

MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

MAINSTREAM MUSIC CHRISTIAN MUSIC MOVIES

Movie: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

Genre: Action Adventure Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, and language) Synopsis: Nicolas Cage returns as the devil’s bounty hunter. He must THE BLACK KEYS embrace his new role to save a young boy from Satan.

Background: This rock band produces big Background: This crossover rock Our Take: The first movie was sounds despite being only a duo; they band started when three members met terribly written and terribly acted but combine blues licks and modern rock to while leading worship at their made tons of money—so here’s the great effect. They formed in Ohio 10 years Christian school in Denver. Epic sequel! The film will likely offer ago and remained barely known for Records eventually signed them. The muddled, inaccurate theology hiding years—although their songs were optioned Fray’s debut went double-platinum, in over-the-top action. for films, TV, and commercials. Their and they were #84 on Billboard’s

2010 album Brothers vaulted The Black Artists of the Decade list. Many of Keys into the mainstream and earned them their songs have been on TV shows Movie: Gone three Grammy Awards, including best and in movies. alternative album. Genre: Thriller (for violence and terror, some sexual material, brief Albums: Scars and Stories (2011), language and drug references) Albums: El Camino (2011), Brothers The Fray (2009), (2010), Attack & Release (2008) (2005) Rating: PG-13

Synopsis: Jill, who escaped a What The Black Keys Says: In response What The Fray Says: Of the new kidnapper a year ago, comes home to to being called sellouts, the band says album’s title, singer Isaac Slade says, find her sister gone. She sets out to they’ll license fewer songs on the new “We’ve been through a lot of stuff rescue her sister and bring down the album. Drummer Patrick Carney says, personally, and as band we’re still man who’s responsible. “Once you start selling records, you can’t together…. We like the idea of really justify having two songs in Cadillac scars…because they’re healed. … Our Take: Many books and movies commercials. It looks greedy. And it is.” They’re still kind of a road map of now feature empowered girls who where [you’ve] been, and sometimes kick butt. This film may whet people’s Explore: The band’s offbeat humor is kinda point to where you want to go.” appetite before Hunger Games hits evident in the “Lonely Boy” video— theaters in March. www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_426RiwST Explore: You can listen to their For more media discussions and ideas, 8. The Black Keys don’t stream music on albums on Spotify and can download go to www.MinistryandMedia.com. sites such as Spotify. “Heartbeat” at www.thefray.com.

VIDEO GAMES

SSX—EA reboots its hugely popular snowboard franchise this month. Players will tackle some of the craziest mountains in the world with big tricks, helicopter drops, and avalanches to outrun. This game will be full of family-friendly fun. (PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360)

Mario Party 9—Speaking of family fun, Mario Party 9 provides a bunch of different games to play together— some competitive and some cooperative. This game will also work great in a youth ministry setting. (Wii)

FEBRUARY 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 JH/SH - SG

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Mandarin JH/SH – VAULT @ MET Ping Pong Merivale Tournament Bowling Centre – 5:30 Super Bowl

College Ready 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Getaway Mtg – JH/SH - SG Promo/Reg @ OCAC Valentine’s Day College Ready

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 College Ready Family Day JH/SH – P&P Ski Day w/ “Savior” OCAC @ Mont Ash Cascades Wednesday

26 27 28 29 AGM

College Ready Leap Day

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, March 4/12 – YM Parent Mtg

March Break – March 12-16, 2012

Getaway – SH Retreat – Friday, March 16 – Sunday, March 18, 2012