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It’s funny when I hear family and friends sing the jingles of commercials.

I never pay attention to commercials, but I remember from my childhood as clear as if I saw it today: “You’re in good hands with Allstate.”

Allstate Insurance Company has a brilliant, memorable slogan.  I’m sure “You’re in good hands with Allstate” attracted many customers.  Whether or not they keep them is up to the agents and customer service, but the marketing department got it right.

Wouldn’t you like to believe and trust God with that same confidence?  “You’re in good hands with God.”

Here are 13 wise suggestions from TreeHouse teens:

Ask questions, it will help you in the long run.
Be yourself, you will be more popular that way.
Check for toilet paper when you enter the stall.
Don’t procrastinate; there won’t be time later.
Get good sleep, each night, it makes school easier.
If you fall asleep in class, expect your teacher to embarrass you.
If you really have to fight someone there is no reason to do so on school grounds.
It doesn’t matter if you were trendy clothes even if people think it does.
Most of the time you can trust most of the teachers.
Remember you always have more growing up to do.
Someone will always think they’re better than you.
The more patient you are the better you’ll survive.
Girls: Keep a tampon or feminine pad in your locker.

A search of google took 0.35 seconds to come up with 34 results, some of which have nothing to do with June.

How could my hero be so anonymous?

Sometimes heroes are like that. Living their lives without the publicity.

Heroes Are Usually Uncommonly Common People

Growing up I wanted to be a hero, to be special, to feel special, to do something special. I read comic books and admired public figures.

It’s funny, and sad, that it took me years until I realized that when I was seven years old, while sitting in a rickety wooden chair in a children’s program called Whirlybirds, that I sat in the presence of a genuine American treasure!

Do you like surprises?

When was a time you were surprised? Really surprised?

If you asked me when I was a teen if someday I would want to read the Bible on purpose I would have said no. If you said later in life I would want to read it, read it everyday, and then want to help others to understand it I would REALLY have been surprised!

I read my Bible almost every day because when reading it:

TreeHouse alumni often tell me that they wish that they had relationships as adults like the ones that they had at TreeHouse.

Healthy relationships are hard work and many adults either don’t know how or don’t take the time to build truly lasting and meaningful friendships.

What’s it take to be a good friend?

Honesty, trust, respect, fun, unselfishness, humor, patience, commitment, integrity, and kindness form the foundation upon which healthy friendships stands strong.

Yes, friendships are hard work, but friendships are one of the few things in life that may last a lifetime.

Tyler Wood’s Funeral Service
September 24, 2009 @ Edinbrook Church

Hi. My name is Scott Volltrauer and I have the incredible privilege of leading this service. As I look around the room I see people who have known Tyler longer, known her more intimately and loved her more deeply than I could imagine. To each of you I ask you to be patient with me as we reflect together on Tyler’s life.

Tyler’s Life

Special Memories

We do not have an open mic today so let me share more than forty of the hundreds of notes I read online. I know these words speak the words many of you would say:

Tyler, I miss u with every ounce of me!
This is beyond too sad…
She was a wonder. Beautiful inside and out.
I miss her so much.
We miss you.
She is an amazing person and I will keep saying that forever and ever.

I loved you so much Tyler I will always remember you and you will live on in my heart forever and ever.

What Good, If Any, Can Come Out Of This Tragedy?

Tyler’s gone. Let yourself grieve. Grieve the way you want to. There are no rules.

Even Jesus – the Creator of the heavens and the Earth – cried when his friend died.

What good, if any, can come out of this tragedy?

We will each react differently. Some of you hurt deeply, some not, some recover quickly, some not. Some cry, others scream, still others stuff their feelings. To each of us I offer this simple advice I try to live: Say all your “I’m sorry”s, all your “thank you”s and all your “I love you”s every day.

Parting Words

I know Tyler left a great impression on us. Tyler was outgoing and popular and after looking around the room she loved many different kinds of people. Some of you are seeing old friends. Others of you are seeing people you don’t know, don’t like or may have been hurt deeply by. Some of us have deep and hurtful regrets of “what-if…”, “If only I had…” or “I so sorry I…”

Please leave them here. You cannot change what you have done!