The Parent link Monthly Parent Newsletter of Hudson UMC June 2013 Strength in Meekness One of the many qualities our culture encourages young people to develop is strength. Physically, academically, and socially, teenagers are urged to try to come out on top. Those who seem too meek or gentle are viewed as pushovers and told to stand up for themselves. Yet the Bible has a different message about strength—not only about how to show it but also where to find it. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Jesus spoke often about the blessings of gentleness and servanthood. In fact, Jesus himself “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, NIV). In our noisy, “me-first” world, meek people display peace, calmness, and caring. They don’t have an overinflated view of themselves but instead rely on God’s grace. In Live Large. Be Different. Shine Bright. (Simply Youth Ministry), Doug Fields and Joshua Griffin write that meek people are slow to speak, put other people first, and serve in small and large ways. Yet meekness shouldn’t be equated with weakness, they write. Instead, meek people accept their status before God and “realize that the beautiful, sensitive, humble quality of meekness comes from knowing that God has the power and love to make you his new creation.” In The Jesus Survey (Baker Books), Mike Nappa discovered that young Christians find strength through core beliefs: • 94% of Confident Christian Teens strongly agreed with this statement: “I’m 100% certain Jesus has answered one or more of my prayers—and I can prove it.” • 86% of Confident Christian Teens strongly agreed with this statement: “I’m 100% certain that the Holy Spirit is present and active in my life today—and I have proof that this is true.” In 99 Thoughts on Jesus -Centered Living (Simply Youth Ministry), Rick Lawrence offers strategies for living like—and for—Jesus: • Practice congruence. A congruent life means that what you say is who you are, in every environment. It’s evident from your choices and priorities. • Live “The Progression. ” Following this will change your life: Get to know Jesus well, because the more you know him , the more you’ll love him, and the more you love him, the more you’ll want to follow him, and the more you follow him, the more you’ll become like him, and the more you become like him, the more you become yourself. • Realize that nothing is beneath prayer. God wants to be involved in every aspect of your life, so don’t think anything is too small for his concern and consultation. • Offer ridiculous love for your enemies. Jesus said it’s basically a no-brainer to love the people Hayley shows some love to one of our who love you. The real evidence that you follow him graduates; Colleen! is that you love people who don’t particularly love All our love to our fabulous graduates you. as they move on and transition into • being college students! They will be in Practice extreme generosity. Give with no our thoughts and prayers! requirement that you receive anything in return. • Armor up! Find strength from God by suiting up in his armor. God offers you protection against harm. Every day, simply ask Jesus to “dress you” before you leave your bedroom for the day. BIBLE FOCUS “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I Some of our awesome SOPHOMORE am weak, then I am strong. class – Emma, Kristen and Jeffrey! You’re never too old for the monkey 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, NIV bars… Power Under Control Expert Insights for Parents of Teenagers 245-pound size, the boy couldn’t When I was asked to fill in and tackle. Joseph’s problem was okay, and apologizes if he preach during a “Fruit of the that he didn’t want to hurt hurts them. He is power under Spirit” sermon series, I was anyone. He never did get the control!” excited until I discovered my concept of tackling. topic was gentleness. As a guy That’s it right there: power who loves sports of all kinds— I moved away but then returned under control. All the power especially contact sports that four years later for Homecoming. that exists in the person of God require a certain level of I was amazed at the play of the is available to us, his children. aggression—I had a hard time left defensive end. He was about He wants us to learn to use it seeing how gentleness was 6' 8" and 290 pounds, quick as his way, not our way. I still going to apply in my own life, let lightning and extremely powerful. don’t have gentleness all alone be able to share it figured out, but God expects authentically with the audience. I asked a fan sitting next to me me to approach him for who that was. To my surprise, he guidance with this and every So I prayed that God would replied, “That’s Joseph. He’s area of life. help me understand gentleness gotten a tad better, hasn’t he?” by living it. Turns out I was Indeed. He was now a force to — By Brent Carl going at it all wrong. I thought of be reckoned with. The guy (YouthMinistry.com) meekness as weakness and of added, “You know what’s funny? gentleness as downright Joseph is the nicest guy in the wimpyness. world off the field, and even when he puts on the equipment, My mind went back to when I he doesn’t go out to hurt anyone coached an eighth-grade In fact, when he tackles football player named Joseph. someone, he picks them up, Despite his intimidating 6' 4", dusts them off, asks if they’re You’re Invited! Sr. High Bonfire & Cook-Out! th Sunday, June 30 7-10 p.m. (or until you want to go home!) th We hope to see you on June 30 for a backyard cook-out at Vic, Sarah & Terri’s house with all the traditional summer food and fixings! There will be corn-hole, frisbee, other games and time to just hang-out and be together! When the sun goes down we’ll start the bonfire and break out the stuff for s’mores! th Please text or call Sarah Emerick to RSVP by Friday, June 28 1820 Stoney Hill Drive (Hudson) – 330 – 770 – 7778 MEDIA SPOTLIGHT MAINSTREAM MUSIC CHR ISTIAN MUSIC MOVIES Movie: Man of Steel Genre: Action, Adventure Rating: PG-13 Synopsis: A young boy (Henry Cavill) finds out he’s from another planet. As he grows up, he must use his superpowers to save the earth. Our Take: More than any other KENNY CHESNEY SKILLET superhero, Superman has always embodied pure goodness. Although Background: Chesney, who’s been around Background: Although this rock this film was directed by Zach Snyder since 1994, is one of country music’s band has been around since 1996, (300, Watchmen ), it should be safe biggest names. Of his 15 albums, 14 have they’re still one of the most popular teenage fare. been certified gold or higher. He’s sort of Christian acts around. Because the Jimmy Buffett of country music, they’ve toured with big names in the touring each summer with themes of secular and Christian markets, Movie: World War Z having fun and hanging out on a beach. they’ve been ranked as one of the Chesney’s charity work includes cancer hardest-working bands. Skillet has Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller fundraising and Farm Aid. received two Grammy nominations, Rating: PG-13 and Awake went double-platinum. Albums: Life on a Rock (2013), Lucky Old Synopsis: A United Nations employee Sun (2008), No Shirt, No Shoes, No Albums: Rise (2013), Awake (2009), (Brad Pitt) is in a race against time to Problem s (2002) Collide (2003) stop a pandemic that’s changing people into zombie-like creatures. What Skillet Says: Lead singer John What Chesney Says: The song “Happy on Our Take: Despite the played-out Cooper, the only band member who’s the Hey Now” was inspired by a friend’s zombie theme, this film should be been around since the beginning, death. Chesney says death “has a way of very popular with teens this summer. stopping you in your tracks, grounding you says, “You’ve got to follow your in ways you didn’t see coming.” He adds, heart and do what you feel called to do. You can’t measure success by “It changed me. It made me realize I had to appreciate the experiences life has to offer. how many records you sell. You’ve Life doesn’t stand still.” got to measure it by if you’re doing what you’re called to do and giving it Explore: All of Chesney’s albums are everything you’ve got.” available on services such as Spotify, Pandora, and Last.fm. Explore: All of Skillet’s albums are available on services such as Spotify, Pandora, and Last.fm. VIDEO GAME S Remember Me —In a future where memories are bought, sold, and traded, a woman’s memories are wiped clean.