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*A "New" Hero is Born*

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A "New" Hero Is Born

By Michael T. Powers


This past Wednesday night a new superhero appeared in our house! As most of you know, my two little boys love superheroes, and I have written a couple stories about the exploits of my boys as Batman, etc.

Every Wednesday night we have the teenagers of our youth group over for a small group Bible study. Soon after the bible study was over, and while teenagers were still hanging in our living room talking to one another, I was surprised by a speeding blur that came down the hall! The tan colored flash of movement came to an abrupt halt in the middle of our crowded living room.

"I AM NAKED MAN!" shouted Connor, my five year old son, as he stood there in all of his natural glory.

Then with a whoosh he was heading back for the safety of his room.

Teenage laughter bellowed out along with an exasperated "CONNOR RICHARD POWERS!" in stereo sound as my wife and I both called out to him from opposite sides of the house.

As most of you parents know, I was faced with a dilemma. I was roaring with laughter inside at the sight of the new little superhero, but I also had to make sure that my five-year-old knew that public nudity was not an acceptable practice here in Wisconsin.

I made my way into the "Buff Cave" where Naked Man hung out in his spare time.

"Connor." I said in the most menacing parent voice I could muster.

"Yes, Daddy," replied Naked man as he tried to pretend he was sorry for what he just did, but the twinkle in his eye told me otherwise.

"Connor, you know better than to run out in the living room without your clothes on," I scolded him.

"I know... but that sure was pretty funny, huh, Daddy?"

I busted out laughing. Then Naked Man started laughing. Then I realized I was supposed to be teaching him a lesson here. I cut off my laughter in mid giggle.

"Yes, that was pretty funny, Connor, but you are never going to do that again, are you?

"I know Daddy," the UnCaped Crusader replied hanging his head.

"Now get some clothes on you little cutie patootie!"

I kissed his naked forehead and made my way out the door, all the while listening to Naked Man's giggles, and him saying to himself, "That sure was funny!" as he put his clothes back on....

Yes... a "Nude" hero was born.

I couldn't wait until all the students left, our two little boys went to bed, and it was just me and my wife alone in the house.

Connor had given me an idea...


Michael T. Powers, Copyright © 2004 HeartTouchers@aol.com

Write Michael and let him know your thoughts on his story!


Michael T. Powers, the founder of HeartTouchers.com and Heart4Teens.com, is the youth pastor at Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart Kristi and proud father of two rambunctious boys: Caleb & Connor. In his spare time he loves coaching the JV Lady Cougars basketball team in Clinton, Wisconsin.

He is also an author with stories in 19 inspirational books including many in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. To preview his books or to join the thousands of world wide readers on his inspirational e-mail lists, visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com

Most importantly, Michael believes that life is not about religion, but about a relationship -- a relationship with Jesus Christ.


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Thought For The Day:

"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses." --Alphonse Karr


Verse for the Day:

"Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving..."--Psalms 50:14


Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Whether you're in or out, you usually want to be the other."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Before I was married I had six theories about raising children. now I have six children and no theories." John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester


Coach's Thought For The Day

"When you are in any contest, you should work as if there were, to the very last second, a chance to lose it."


Deep Thought For The Day:

"When I was a little kid we had a sand box. It was a quicksand box. I was an only child...eventually." --Jack Handy



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MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.HeartTouchers.com

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

Dear Michael,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the beautiful video you made for me! It was so special to see both of my parents in tears as they watched their children grow up in pictures before their eyes! I loved the way you made Estania's part set aside from the rest--that was the part that really got them! The music was beautiful. My mom kept blubbering, "What song is that?" I don't know how you did such a beautiful job with the video in such a short time. I really appreciate your doing it so quickly. You have a wonderful gift, and I thank God that you are using it to create such sentimental memories. I hope that I can find my niche like that in an area that I love. Your video gave us one of our most lasting Christmas memories! I hope yours was filled with moments to be treasured forever! Love, Trisha Silverhill, AL

Let me make you a video from your photos! Check out my video production business by visiting: http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery


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Reading Books, Changing Lives!

For those of you who would like to purchase the books from the HeartTouchers.com bookstore via your credit card, you can now do so!

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! And best of all, every penny from the book sales are going to youth ministry!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books


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A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook is, since our book is being offered in both print and EBook versions. An EBook is a book that can be downloaded and read right on your computer. The advantage of ordering the EBook is that is costs less, $8.95 (No other charges), as compared to $14.95 + shipping and handling for the print book. Plus you can download the EBook and begin reading the stories in a few minutes! EBooks are read via Acrobat Reader, which is software that most of you already have on your computer. And if for some reason you don't, it can be downloaded free of charge at the web site. So for those of you who don't want to wait for the print book to be delivered, check out this web site to order the EBook version of Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life."

http://www.booklocker.com/bookpages/michaeltpowers01.html