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	Rolling Hills Baptist 2005 Braselton Hwy Buford, GA 30519 July 2006

"In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined."

While the summer is a great time for students to rest and relax, boredom and restlessness quickly set in. One factor contributing to teens making poor choices is boredom mixed with unsupervised activities. Experimentation with alcohol, the number one drug of choice for young people, is just one common bad choice with which teens are often faced. In fact, teens use alcohol more frequently and heavily than all other illicit drugs combined. Because alcohol is so accessible, parents must take a proactive stance in talking to their teens about underage drinking. The first step to being proactive is to work hard to obtain and then maintain an open relationship with your teen. Research shows that teens are much more likely to delay drinking when they feel they have a close, supportive tie with a parent or guardian. Another step is to teach your teens to have respect for themselves. In a series of focus groups, teens reported that the best way to persuade them to avoid alcohol is to appeal to their self-respect by letting them know that they are too smart and have too much going for them to need the crutch of alcohol. (collegedrinkingprevention.com) Next, know where your teen is, what they are doing and with whom they are spending time. Teens are much less likely to make bad choices when they know a parent will ask all the details of their comings and goings. Accountability goes a long way in any relationship. The bottom line is that many Christian parents believe their teen would not make the decision to drink. Peer pressure, curiosity, inability to say “no”, boredom, and many other reasons can lead to giving in even among Christian teens. Parents must pray for, fight for, challenge, and encourage their teens in their walk with Christ which is reflected in all areas of their lives.

Here are some ideas to help your teen figure out what to say when asked these questions: "Hey, there's a great party tonight! Why don't you come with us?" It's OK to express appreciation for the invitation to the party or to hang out, but don't be afraid to tell them that you aren't really into the party scene. You can also invite them to an alternative activity. "Why aren't you into the party scene?" This is a great opportunity to share the real reasons you don't want to be a part of drinking. Let them know your security is found in God and you want all that you do to please Him. "What is wrong with having a little fun?" Explain to them that you love having fun, but in a way that is still honoring to God and in a way that wouldn't put your future at risk.		By looking at these polls, you can get an idea of the general attitude about underage drinking in our society. Do these findings surprise you? Should the legal drinking age change to 18 years old? 21% - Yes 79% - No (abcnews.com) How do you approach the subject of underage drinking with your kids? 6% - We don’t discuss it. They will definitely say “no” if offered. 24% - I am sure they will try a few beers – it’s a rite of passage. 17% - They know they are in big trouble if we catch them. 52% - We talk openly about the dangers of alcohol and limit our own drinking. (familyeducation.com)

To work on an open relationship with your teen, try asking some of these questions:

1. What are some of your favorite things about summer? What are some of your least favorite things about summer? Why?

2. What are some of the tougher choices you are faced with when it comes to your peers?

3. Do you know anyone your age who drinks or has had alcohol before? Have you ever been pressured to drink?

4. Is there anything I can do to help decrease any pressure you feel from your peers to do things that you don't want to do or that you might want to do, but know that you shouldn't?

Pray that:

1. God would give you discernment regarding the pressures to which your teen is exposed and temptations they may have.

2. You would develop and maintain a relationship that thrives on open communication and that you would be just as good at listening as you are at giving advice.

3. Your teen would choose to surround themselves with other teens who love God and who strive to make choices that would be pleasing to God.

4. God would get rid of any pride in you that would lead you to believe that your teen would "never" choose to drink.

---

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil." I Peter 3:15-17 (NIV)

Though these verses directly refer to defending our faith, this is a great exhortation for us to make an inner commitment to Christ. Once we know Jesus is the Lord of our lives, our choices should be based on what would please Him rather than what pleases us. Instead of teaching our teens what they should and shouldn't do, let us prayerfully teach them who Christ is and let who He is in their lives direct their choices. Teens model what they are taught. As we pray for our teens to "always be prepared to give an answer", let us be prepared as well!

Did you know...

* The percentage of students who said they drink alcoholic beverages fell significantly, from 51 percent in 1991 to 43 percent last year in 2005. (camy.org)

* Each year, approximately 5,000 young people under the age of 21 die from underage drinking; this includes about 1,900 deaths from motor vehicle crashes, 1,600 homicides, 300 suicides, and hundreds from injuries such as falls, burns, and drownings (1–5). (stopalcoholabuse.com)

* Individuals who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become alcohol dependent than those who begin drinking at age 21. (sadd.org)

* Four out of every five (80%) students have consumed alcohol (more than a few sips) by the end of high school. (sadd.org)

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!

Singer/songwriter, Jade Sholty, was born and raised in the Midwest, but her music has struck a chord with audiences from Ohio to Chicago. She shows humility in her lyrics, and this combined with the melodies "draws people to the music which ranges from upbeat tunes celebrating God's passion for us and His gift of family and life to poignant melodies" answering hard questions about sickness and death. Through her music, Jade hopes to "encourage us all to enter His intimate circle, where everyday life is 'alive' with God's purpose and love." jadesholty.com

The informal poll, conducted for Old Navy and Gap on Facebook, the social directory that enables people to share information, asked students across the country what was in their work wardrobe for summer. The winners? More than 31 percent of women said flip flops are the single “must have” item for work this summer, while 38 percent of male students put board shorts atop their list.

(gapinc.com)

Albums: "Taking the Long Way" - 5/06 "Top of the World Tour: Live" - 11/03 "Home" - 8/02

Background: The Dixie Chicks are the biggest-selling female band in history as well as being multi-platinum in North America, Europe, and Australia. The three-member group formed in Dallas, Texas in 1989, but Natalie Maines joined the group as lead singer "prompting a new direction for the band." The release of their first and second major label albums led to "diamond" status (sales over 10 million copies each) and seven Grammy Awards. Their careers seemed threatened after the outspoken Maines made negative comments during war time about President Bush during a London concert. Boycotts and death threats followed and lead to their most recent album in which they "come out swinging". dixiechicks.com

What Parents Should Know: Their newest album is "defiant" at times and uses some foul language. Most of the songs, however, attempt to "get real with issues" such as infertility and dealing with family members with Alzheimer's. Maines says this album was "total therapy."

Parent/Teen Q&A: "I learned I was ready to put my career on the line for something I believed in." Martie Maguire Q: Is there anything that you believe strongly enough in to give up what is important to you?

Will you think it is funny for your teen to see these comedies this summer? Know what is showing!

TITLE		RATING		RED FLAGS	GENRE	STARRING
Little Man	PG-13	For crude and sexual humor, language and brief drug references	Comedy	Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Kerry Washington, Tracy Morgan
John Tucker Must Die	PG-13	For sexual content and language	Comedy	Jesse Metcalfe, Ashanti, Brittany Snow, Sophia Bush
Lady in the Water	PG-13	For some frightening sequences	Animation	Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1
2 Small Group Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God	3 6:30 Band Practice	4 Independance Day	5 6:30 Reality Check Juarez Sharing Service	6	7	8
9 Small Group Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God	10 6:30 Band Practice	11	12 6:30 Reality Check Q30 - What about people who have never heard the Gospel?	13	14 Step 1 - Lock In Food - Fun - Games Come join us as we pray to kick off 40 days of Purpose	15 40 Days of Purpose Kick - off
16 40 days of Purpose - Begins Small Group Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God	17 6:30 Band Practice	18	19 6:30 Reality Check Goulash - “What On Earth Am I Here For?”	20	21	22
23 Small Group Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God	24 6:30 Band Practice	25	26 6:30 Reality Check Seek Week - “You Were Planned for God’s Pleasure” (Worship)	27	28 Iron Sharpen's Iron Back to School Rally	29 Iron Sharpen's Iron Back to School Rally
30 Small Group Bible Study 5:00 p.m. Experiencing God	31 6:30 Band Practice

Check out our new Website www.rockstudentministry.net

Recognizing that every individual is precious to God and is created for a unique purpose, THE ROCK Student Ministry exists to REACH non-believing students, to CONNECT them with other Christians, to help students GROW in their faith, and to provide opportunities for them to SERVE others, so that their lives will HONOR God.

Feel free to contact any of us at anytime with questions, concerns or comments.
Terry Taphouse
h: 770-277-0377 c: 678-357-6064 e: terrytaphouse@rollinghillsbaptist.net

Juarez Mission Trip Article

Our Junior/Senior Juarez trip this year was again a great trip. We arrived in El Paso, Texas on Saturday, June 24^th. Once our entire group arrived, 32 people total, we boarded vans and drove into Mexico and to our host church, Centro Verde. We unloaded, got settled into our bunks and began a week that changed many lives. That night we split into our small groups and played some games to start the relationship building for the week.

Sunday we started the day with breakfast then our 30 minute quiet time to get us focused on what was ahead. Worship was awesome, and we received a message that challenged us to live in love no matter where we are. The service ended at 1:20 and that was 20 minutes earlier than we had expected. The rest of the day was spent acclimating to the culture and climate.

As for the rest of our work days, Monday through Friday the schedule was as follows: Wake up call was at 6:15, breakfast at 7:00, quiet time at 7:30, leave for the park at 8:00 and return at 1:00. Our work time was spent shoveling dirt to make room for a second soccer field for the little kids. The afternoons were spent in siesta on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday we went to the Market, and Thursday we went to the grocery store and bought food for the Colonia. We had $5 to spend and bought the following: rice, beans, an onion, soup (broth really), a bar of soap, cooking oil, a tomato, toilet paper, and a couple more things that I can’t remember. 5 dollars was the amount used because that is what these people have to live on for a week. On Friday, we had a refreshing afternoon in a water park.

Saturday we came back across the boarder, getting stopped at the border to unload and be inspected. The crossing took about 80 minutes. We arrived back at the airport in El Paso, checked in, and made our annual walk to an American Restaurant. This year it was Chili’s. After arriving back in Atlanta, we continued a couple more traditions, the first being singing silly songs as we left the airport followed by an early morning stop (1 am this year) at Waffle House. Everyone was home by 2:00 am.

A special thanks to the VBS kids who furnished the 70 soccer balls for us to take and give to Ramon to use in his ministry. Our work this year was all spent on building “Football Rapido” (Speed Ball in America) fields. That is soccer played on a hockey type field with recessed goals at each end. With the walls built of concrete blocks the soccer balls will wear out quickly. So the balls you sent will be a great tool for Ramon to reach out to the community and the kids there. Your support has made a difference in children’s lives that are your own age. Thanks again, and as Ramon said “Thank You, we really needed these.”

Thanks for your support and prayers while we were gone and please start praying for next year’s trip. We will be moving to a different location in Juarez as Ramon has now completed the park and is looking for a new location to start a new ministry.