May/June 2009
A Laugh a Day -- Check out Today's ReverendFun cartoon, or spend some time chuckling through the archives. Go ahead and laugh out loud!
Be a Mentor -- You don't have to be an adult to be a mentor. Discover how you can make a difference in a child's life by being a Big Brother or Big Sister.
Brandon's Challenge -- What if we . . .? When it comes to making a difference in the world, we often don't know where to start. Singer/songwriter Brandon Heath suggests checking out organizations such as Blood:Water Mission. "The great thing about Blood:Water is their goal to build 1,000 wells to bring clean, healthy water to people in Africa. The program is based on the statistic that one dollar can provide one African with clean water for a year. Most young people can afford a dollar; many could probably afford ten dollars," says Brandon. "Also [child] sponsorship is one of the most effective ways of making a difference in a kid's life, and organizations such as Compassion International and World Vision do that well." Take Brandon's challenge and ask your friends or youth group, "What if we ______?" Maybe Brandon's YouTube Video "WHAT IF WE Bought Somebody's Lunch" might be a place to start.
Confrontation Skills -- How do you respond to conflict? Instead of avoiding the issue or fighting back, follow these tips and practice these confrontation skills to resolve conflict and improve your relationships.
Dealing with Anger -- When you are mad at the world, try inviting God into your anger. If you tend to explode when you're angry, know that there is hope for "volcano people."
Good Books -- See how your Top Ten classics compare to Amazon's list. Then find out how many of the books you have read -- or want to read -- are on the Ultimate Teen Reading List.
How to Draw Cartoons -- Follow these simple step-by-step lessons to learn how to draw cartoons or to improve your drawing technique. Need some inspiration? Check out these Cartoons by Christians.
How to Pray with the Sick -- Learn more about how to pray with someone who is sick and about what good these prayers can do.
Lewis and Tolkien -- Learn everything you ever wanted to know and more about C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien, two close friends and literary geniuses who have encouraged the faith and imagination of people around the world.
More about I-messages -- Learn more about using I-messages so that the person you are trying to communicate with becomes open rather than defensive. If your I-messages don't work, explore some possible reasons why.
More about Sandra and NF -- Read more of Sandra's story, and learn more about Neurofibromatosis. Then get together with friends and think of ways you might raise money for the Children's Tumor Foundation.
No One Cries Alone -- When you face the illness or death of someone you love, remember that God is with you. If you need help understanding the feelings of grief you are experiencing, check out the online preview of The Grieving Teen by Helen Fitzgerald.
Parental Anger -- Do you fight a lot with a parent? Learn how to disagree without disrespect and how to tame your temper as well.
Pray Throughout the Day -- If your days seem too busy or hectic, try an ancient prayer practice of Praying the Hours to make your day holy and to give all your activities to God. Or pray the hours online each day with others in your time zone.
Read Animal Farm -- If this book doesn't show up on your required reading list for school, read it anyway -- perhaps online.
Read The Martyr's Song -- Check out this video, and you'll put this powerful story at the top of your reading list.
Read The Screwtape Letters -- Check out a preview or these study helps, and we're sure you'll be heading to the library for a copy of the book!
Read Tom Brown's School Days -- Download the free eBook!
Sickle Cell Anemia -- Learn more about this serious blood disorder, its signs and symptoms, and what young people with this disease can do to stay healthy.
St. John of the Cross -- Explore the story of this Carmelite monk, who learned through a life of poverty and suffering to find true joy in God. If you'd like to dig a little deeper, preview his book Dark Night of the Soul.
Teen Depression -- Learn the warning signs of depression, which affects many people in their teen years; and discover why young people get depressed and how to get help.
The Last Lecture -- This book, the legacy of popular college professor Randy Pausch, teaches us how to really live life. Check out an excerpt, watch the YouTube video of his last lecture, or curl up and read the book.
The Year of Jubilee -- This Jewish celebration happens only once every 50 years, but it teaches us to seek justice rather than greed and oppression.
Watch a YouTube Video -- Check out one youth group's interpretation of righteous anger. Then imagine how you would create a YouTube video to explain anger that is justified, such as Jesus' reaction in the Temple in John 2:13-22.
Watch Freaky Friday -- Watch the movie with your parents; then talk about what it might be like to switch places with them for a day and what you might learn about each other. Or take the Mild to Wild quiz to see if you are rockin' wild or uptight and mild!
What Is Shabbat? -- Learn more about the history of this important weekly Jewish ritual commanded by God in The Ten Commandments.
Who Mentors You? -- OK, so it's not exactly Thank Your Mentor Day; but any day is a good time to say thank you to the people who have modeled for you the way of Christ. Try one of these ideas for honoring your mentor.
Yole Africa -- Learn more about this organization in Uganda that helps young people use artistic expression to overcome the trauma they have experienced and to restore hope.
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