Faith Tabernacle 1225 S. Center Rd. Burton, MI 48509 December 2007     "Protecting your teens from the pull of materialism is practically impossible, but it doesn't mean that parents should give up."   It is no secret that teens are bombarded with images, commercials, and messages selling the latest gadget or the next "must-have" item. It is not just a Christmas season issue. It is a year round issue. Protecting teens from the pull of materialism seems practically impossible, but it doesn't mean that parents should give up. Parents can combat materialism by helping teens understand the value of being thankful with what they have, instead of focusing on what they want. According to harrisinteractive.com, "Increasing materialism among youth does not immediately translate into less generous behavior; rather, gratitude plays an important role in influencing their level of generosity." Parents can teach and model the value of money itself. Money fuels the flame of materialism, and whether it is given to them by parents or whether they earn it themselves, teens will always have money to spend. Teens spend billions of dollars each year on "things". If parents can positively influence HOW and WHAT teens spend their money on, we can then begin to see the effects of materialism slow down. The fight to defeat materialism cannot be won without teens understanding the value of giving. Acts 20:35b reminds all of us that, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Giving takes the focus off of ourselves and allows us to put others first. Materialism is selfish, but giving is selfless. The ultimate selfless Gift was given to us in Jesus Christ. Let us all celebrate the way our Savior lived by sacrificing and giving this Christmas. BEN'S BLOG Parents! Our youth department has teamed up with “The Parent Link” to bring you this brand new monthly newsletter. Each newsletter is designed to inform, equip and encourage you as a parent. These newsletters will contain articles and statistics full of insights into your teenagers’ culture, struggles, temptations and interests. They will also contain a monthly calendar of our youth ministries events for your students and future events to put on your calendar. Also look for notes from myself Ben Markham and our Jr High directors Jim and Charlotte Mather. So read and enjoy this and if you misplace your newsletter each month it will be available on the internet at www.faithwired.com under the FTYD Youth link. One more thing, please take time to read Jim Mather’s letter about our great offer to you get a quality Bible into your students hands this Christmas! I can see students getting more excited each week about reading the Bible, we just need to put Bibles in their hands that they can understand and connect with. Keep Elevating Him, Ben Markham Harris Interactive conducted a very interesting study on teens' approaches to materialism and sharing. Here are some of the findings: Teens' response to materialism: 71% - I would be happier if I had more money to buy more things for myself. 68% - I really enjoy going shopping. 61% - I would love to be able to buy things that cost lots of money. 50% - I like to buy things my friends have. (harrisinteractive.com) Teens' response to sharing: 82% - I like to help raise money for needy people. 78% - I like to share my things with other people. 67% - I would give one of my favorite birthday presents to a person who has less than I do. 40% - Sometimes I get upset when someone wants to share my stuff. (harrisinteractive.com)

	You might know WHAT your teen wants for Christmas, but do you know WHY? These questions just might give you the insight needed for the best Christmas yet! Have your teen make a list of the top 5 presents they want to receive this Christmas. Then ask your teen the following questions: 1. What influenced you to rank your presents in this order (advertising, friends, preference, etc.)? 2. Do you think this present will be very important to you next year? Why or why not? 3. Do these presents have any eternal significance to your life or to another's life? Do you think that should matter? Why or why not? 4. If we had the option to give our Christmas budget for presents to a needy family, would you agree to give: a. all of it? b. half of it? c. some of it? d. none of it?		Pray that: 1. God will give your family a heart "to give" this Christmas season instead of a heart "to get." 2. God will allow your teen to find their identity in Christ and not in the "things of this world." 3. God will help your teen spend some of their own money and time on things that have eternal significance. 4. God will be glorified and lifted up and not get lost in all of the lights, reindeer, and Santa hats. Jim's Blog I’d like to introduce myself to those who do not know me, my name is Jim Mather and I have been married to Charlotte for fourteen years. Charlotte and I became the leaders of the Vertical Junior High ministry at the beginning of this school year. Char and I are very interested in the mind and soul of the Middle School & Junior High School student, mostly because, three of our four children currently are sixth, seventh, eighth graders. (Josh 6th, Emily 7th & Nick 8th) To help you be engaged in what your student is learning I want to pass along to you some of the topics we’ll be covering in the upcoming weeks. Some of the topics coming up are: responding to embarrassment, thankfulness, trusting in God in difficult situations. Each lesson is geared toward the Middle School, Junior High students. Lastly, put Feb 10th on your calendar. We’ll be doing a Vertical parents luncheon after church and we would love to see you there! Any questions? Anytime! 810-422-8739 or blackhat2035@comcast.net Seeking Him, Jim & Charlotte Mather
	Did you know... * In a recent national survey, 95% of adults say that children/teens are too focused on buying and consuming things, and almost 80% agree that limits should be placed on advertising to children/teens. (Journal of Consumer Research, December 2007) * A teen's intent to purchase a flat-panel TV within the next six months increased to 34 percent from 15 percent in the spring of 2006 and 11 percent year over year. (piperjaffray.com) * 82% of teens say they will spend more/same amount of money as they did in 2006. (alloymarketing.com)

	This page is designed to inform and educate parents and is not meant to endorse any product, music, or movie. Our prayer is that you will make informed decisions on what your student listens to, wears, and sees!
	Fighting Instinct is a trio from North Carolina. The band’s name represents a common reflection of mankind’s fight against its own sinful nature. The group was discovered by an industry veteran, Eddie DeGarmo, who quickly signed them to EMI which led to their Gotee Record release of their self titled debut album. “Fighting Instinct boasts a raw classic rock edge that isn't under-produced. The band offers rhythmic punch with some genuine guitar solos, and it doesn't hurt that Harris has a voice perfectly suited for hard rock and metal.” The group’s music style is said to be “a cross-section of metal, grunge, and Southern rock both classic and contemporary.” (wikipedia.com) trends When surveying teens on their favorite places to shop and their spending habits, here are the top places of preference: 1. Hollister 2. West Coast Brands (Volcom, Hurley, Billabong) 3. Abercormbie & Fitch 4. American Eagle 5. Urban Outfitters (piperjaffray.com)		musicspotlight Albums: "Avenged Sevenfold" - 2007 "City of Evil" - 2005 Background: Avenged Sevenfold, or A7X, is comprised of five best friends who have been together as a group since high school. The Orange County, California based group released their debut album in July 2001. Miles of van touring ensued while A7X built up its fan base. In 2005, Warner Brothers released A7X’s “City of Evil” which was "the turning point for the fearless, genre-bending quintet…that had finally advanced towards a milestone they had been seeking throughout their careers.” They became the only band to headline Warped Tour and Ozzfest while simultaneously hitting the number one spot on MTV’s TRL. Their self-titled newest album is said to be “in a word, eclectic.” Their name is actually from the Bible, and refers to “what goes around comes around”. The group is, however, very quick to denounce being a religious group. (avengedsevenfold.com) What Parents Should Know: Their album contains a parental advisory and is demonic in nature as well as visually. It contains extremely foul language and touches on relationships, suicide, and drugs. What they have to say: "We just kind of use the darker side of The Bible for our music you know. We’ve always kind of done that, I mean the name AVENGED SEVENFOLD in itself, is about murdering." Q: In what ways do you think the Bible is misinterpreted? Why do you think the Bible is misused so much?
	filmwatch Parents be aware of what is being marketing to your teens this holiday season. TITLE RATING RED FLAGS GENRE STARRING National Treasure: Book of Secrets PG For some violence and action Action Nicolas Cage, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street R For graphic bloody violence Horror Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Alan Rickman Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem R For violence, gore, and language Horror Reiko Aylesworth, Steven Pasquale, Gina Holden Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday             1   2 Velocity 9:00 am in Room 313 Axis 10:30 am in Room 205 3 Youth Office Closed 4   5 AJF Council 4:30 pm Band practice 5:30 pm Elevate & Vertical in Auditorium 7:00 pm 6   7   8   9 Velocity 9:00 am in Room 313 Axis 10:30 am in Room 205 10 Youth Office Closed 11   12 AJF Council 4:30 pm Band practice 5:30 pm Elevate & Vertical in Auditorium 7:00 pm 13   14   15   16 Velocity 9:00 am in Room 313 Axis 10:30 am in Room 205 Vertical & Elevate Staff Christmas Party 1:00 pm 17 Youth Office Closed 18   19 AJF Class 4:30 pm Band practice 5:30 pm Elevate & Vertical in Auditorium 7:00 pm 20   21   22   23 Velocity 9:00 am in Room 313 Axis 10:30 am in Room 205 24 Youth Office Closed Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 6 pm 25 Church Office Closed for Christmas 26 Church Office Closed AJF Class Cancelled No Service 27   28   29   30 Velocity 9:00 am in Room 313 Axis Cancelled 31 Youth Office Closed Encounter Service 7:00 pm           February 3, 2008 ~ Superbowl Party in Port Huron March 7-9, 2008 ~ Acquire The Fire for 7th & 8th graders April 11-13, 2008 ~ Chicago Trip (Dare2Share) for 9th - 12th graders