November 13-14

The Fall Conference is quickly approaching...


If you are interested in...

1. wrapping paper
2. fir trees
3. thanking your great-aunt for yet another pair of boxers adorned with images of martial-arts trained terrapins
4. stockings over the fireplace
5. a sweetened dairy-based beverage made with milk, cream, sugar, beaten eggs (which gives it a frothy texture), and flavoured with ground cinnamon and nutmeg

...You don't need to come to our Fall Conference. You need tomorrow to be December 25th.






If you are interested in:

• What you can do for God
• The differences between teens and adults
  
• The purpose of your existence
• The lies of the teen culture
• How to overcome your spiritual drought
• Ways you can stand for your faith
  
• What it means to follow Christ
• The plans God has for you

...Christmas can wait.





Grow up...Face your Rubicon. Registration ends soon.

What's the Purpose?

Ahhh...

The teen years.

From the harsh displeasure of a middle-aged mom "forced" to listen to the "junk" we teens know as music, to the nursing home resident thinking wistfully of "Better Times", the time an individual spends within the age range of approximately 13-19 (Hence the title: "Teenager"...) holds a special meaning for each of us.

But what IS the purpose of these years?

Each second we have lasts just that long: for a second. Then it disappears, never to be regained. We use our time in many different ways. But how do we use the teen years? Why do we use them that way?

It seems many young people have their hearts set on partying away this time of their life. They gather in cliques, concern themselves with pleasure and amusements, and worship the so-called "Teen Image". This leads me to believe that those individuals do not consider these years as a time to prepare for adulthood. Rather, they hold this time as a "holiday", a short vacation, a time to enjoy being young. And that's good. We should take joy in our youth.

But, is that the PURPOSE of these years?

I've seen others, those who treat each minute as though it will never come again (which it won't). They study hard, work hard, live hard, and love hard. Yes, they make hard sacrifices. Yeah, it's probably so much easier to forget about your future, about the value of time.

...And yet, though these young adults give more of themselves than what seems possible, they seem to enjoy life MORE than the others!

You give time to what matters most to you. And in return, you receive the rewards of what you've given. Put time into something, you get something in return. So...

...What IS the purpose of the teen years?


I believe you need to decide for yourself.


However, heed the Bible's instructions for young adults:

• "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth..."

• "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."

The Definition of Rubicon

This November, BreaktheChains is holding a Fall Conference at the Eden Resort in Lancaster, PA.

Multiple speakers will be present, including teenage speakers. The purpose of the Conference is to start a Fire in the hearts of those attending. Over the weekend, the speakers will attack apathy and encourage leadership among teens and their generation. Both teens and adults will be challenged to return their life-focus to God, and put their Faith in action.




One of the points to be discussed, "Facing Your Rubicon", deals with taking the first step (which is often the hardest) to returning your attention to God. For teens, this action involves choosing to remain immature in your faith or else determining to "Grow up" and face discouraging fears head-on.

While the historical and modern uses of "Rubicon" will not be discussed in this post (Google "Rubicon River" or "Rubicon Trail"), our definition of Rubicon is presented below:




"The Rubicon represents the "point-of-no-return" that we all must face. The place where you must choose whether to conquer your fears or turn back forever. The Rubicon is a time to choose between staying "just a teenager" or developing into a Godly Young Adult. A point to rely on others to feed you moral relativism, or choose to own your Faith, taking action on your decision. Is there such a thing as Absolute Truth? Are there existing standards of Right and Wrong? Is there even a point to living?
Why are you alive? What will you do with the time given you?
Who will you live for?
Yourself, or something, Someone else?"



As this post serves as just a "teaser" for what's to come, keep in mind that the idea of the Rubicon will be delivered in much more detail at the Fall Conference. For more information on the Fall Conference, or for answers to questions of any kind, email BreaktheChains at breakthechainsforever@gmail.com.

In Him,


~Andrew Dawes