I heard on KMOX last week that the remaining fall football schedule for a team in North Dakota was cancelled for the team's protection! The coach feared for the physical health of his team and the school board agreed. Seems like the team not only lost the first four games of the season, but their lives were at stake as well. How many other schools across the nation need to do the same, but no one has the guts to admit it? What do you think?

Segue: If your life was similar to the football team in that you may be participating in behaviors which may be detrimental to your health both spiritually and physically, would you be able to stop? Some believe they can quit doing things whenever they choose. I have heard testimonies of people quitting smoking cold turkey. I have also heard the same from those who were into drugs and alcohol. Is this ability a demonstration of the inner strength mankind possesses or is there something more operating in the background? What do you think? Fire away!

With homecoming now being an event in the past, we have a few to ponder for the future.

H.S. Boys Weekend at Drew Pinkley's home-- Oct 13-14

Parent's Night Out-- Oct 21

Hayride @ Reichardt's home-- Oct 28

Paintball-- Nov 11

H.S. Dnow-- Nov 17 & 18; Guys at the Coker home, and girls at Katlynn's home. Topic: Church Discipline & Unity.

Christmas Party-- Dec 9

Service Projects
The Youth Council members are working to provide more opportunities for ministry oriented service projects. The Parent's Night Out is just the beginning of a monthly ministry. The next project will be connected with the H.S. Dnow, and we are in contact with the Hand'n Hand Pregnancy Center for a project. We are also discussing helping sort things at the Haitian ministry warehouse. If you have any ideas for service/ministry projects, email me.

I could not let this 'funny' alone. I hope you enjoy it.

today'sFUNNY=============================

TOP TEN SIGNS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IS STRUGGLING By Dave Tippett

10. Janitor Bob's 'upchuck powder concession' a big hit

9. Team mascot just a roadkill chipmunk nailed to a stick by the shop kids

8. Coach hands out inspirational quotes on an Etch-a-Sketch

7. Homecoming court due back in Juvenile Hall by midnight

6. Whole team is red-shirted for game

5. Quarterback starts getting sacked at pre-game meal

4. "White Hanky" promotion night

3. It's discovered that the coach is just the ventriloquist dummy of opposing coach

2. Cheerleaders form human pyramid, escape from stadium

1. Refs taunt your players

Well, it's been wild and crazy since our return from Tblisi! I'm in my usual Fall whirlwind at church which means I'm doing a whole lot behind the scene for many of our ministries which begin this week on their new schedules.

Today, Weston and I met with a few local youth ministers to plan our MidWinter Retreat (January 12-14), big time DNow with Thomas Young (March 9-11), and Theology Camp (June 11-15). Mark your calendars today!

If you know of any students who do not subscribe to my blog, please encourage them to join my little world! I'll be sending messages like this in addition to some serious stuff to brighten your week!

BTW- Don't forget the Fenton outreach project Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Fenton Park. And for all the Jr. High men and women, we meet this weekend for our annual Dnow at the Carpenter home.

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A DIETER'S PRAYER

Lord, grant me the strength that I may not fall Into the clutches of cholesterol.

At polyunsaturates, I'll never mutter,

For the road to Hell is paved with butter.

And cake is cursed and cream is awful

And Satan is hiding in every waffle.

Beelzebub is a chocolate drop

And Lucifer is a lollipop.

Teach me the evils of hollandaise,

Of pasta and globs of mayonnaise.

And crisp fried chicken from the South -- Lord, if you love me, shut my mouth.

today'sTHOT============================

The only perfect science is hindsight.

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today'sFUNNY=============================

It has been one month since my last post, but two mission trips have occupied my time. I'll post later about the trip to the Republic of Georgia. I'm still in the clutches of jet lag! I can now relate to Erin and Amanda in more than a sympathetic mode! I hope you enjoy this humorous post in the meanwhile.

CATS & TEENAGERS

For all of you with teenagers or who have had teenagers, you may want to know why they really have a lot in common with cats:

1. Neither teenagers nor cats turn their heads when you call them by name.

2. No matter what you do for them, it is not enough. Indeed, all humane efforts are barely adequate to compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot.

3. You rarely see a cat walking outside of the house with an adult human being, and it can be safely said that no teenager in his or her right mind wants to be seen in public with his or her parents.

4. Even if you tell jokes as well as Jay Leno, neither your cat nor your teen will ever crack a smile.

5. No cat or teenager shares your taste in music.

6. Cats and teenagers can lie on the living-room sofa for hours on end without moving, barely breathing.

7. Cats have nine lives. Teenagers live as if they did.

8. Cats and teenagers yawn in exactly the same manner, communicating that ultimate human ecstasy -- a sense of complete and utter boredom.

9. Cats and teenagers do not improve anyone's furniture.

10. Cats that are free to roam outside sometimes have been known to return in the middle of the night to deposit a dead animal in your bedroom. Teenagers are not above that sort of behavior.

Thus, if you must raise teenagers, the best sources of advice are not other parents, but veterinarians. It is also a good idea to keep a guidebook on cats at hand at all times. And remember, above all else, put out the food and do not make any sudden moves in their direction. When they make up their minds, they will finally come to you for some affection and comfort, and it will be a triumphant moment for all concerned.

[forwarded by Paul Fleischmann]

today'sTHOT============================

He who smiles in a crisis has found someone to blame.

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