Thanks, Mark. I kinda think that one goes w/o saying ... at least not as a first example! :) Thanks for the prayers.
 

I purchased a book called "Saints Behaving Badly" by Thomas Craughwell. It's about really bad people who became Saints. Are you familiar with it? There are many inspiring stories in it. Contact me if you'd like me to send it to you. I'm certain you could find something there.
 

Great idea. I am not sure if it's the same one, but I read one kinda like this a few years ago. I'll have to hunt it up. Thanks for the offer to send your copy ... that's UNCONDITIOAL! :)
 

something from Theology of the Body might work, if you explain it to them
 

It's a 20 minute talk, and this is ONE part of the outline. I dont' think I"d do it justice. Thanks for the idea, though.
 

This is the best example yet... thanks. And of course I'll pray for them, and you! :)
 

This maybe kind of screwy but here it goes: a dog is a great example of unconditional love. It maybe something that teens can relate to. No matter what kind of mood your in or how badly you talk to a dog, if you yell at them, tell them to get lost, snarl at them or whatever, they always will come back to you, they will always want to be your friend. Maybe people should be a litte more like dogs! So like I said, kind of screwy but maybe kids will relate to it.
 

It might be a springboard ... who knows? Thanks!
 

You know what's sad...I have been sitting here for over 20 mins trying to think of an example of true unconditional love that I myself have witnessed. I can not think of one. If you are trying to give a comparison to the love of Christ that a teen can emotionally identify with, good luck! Although I can not think of any great story, I can say that I have witnessed it in small acts. Like when a child is sick, and her Mother willingly, and without complaint, nurses her and prepares her favorite foods, and fluffs her pillow. There are so many examples when you examine the sacrifice of a Mother for her child. It's not big, and it doesn't make anyone cry, but it is constant. I can honestly say that there is nothing my children could ever do, even murder, which would change my love for them. Do I think a teen can identify with that? Probably not. My teens would only grudgingly admit that I love them at all! Ha Ha!

Anna
 

I have used this as a basis for a talk before.

Half Saint and Half Sinner

It's strange how I'm made, half sinner and half saint;
My eyes upon the stars, my feet deep in the dirt.
One moment I'm lying and the next I'm searching for truth.
One moment I'm generous, understanding and loyal;
The next I’m indifferent and cruel.
It's odd how a person can be made up like that` part sinner and part saint.

I have a heart full of good intentions
But overpowering pride and worldly concerns distract me from my worthy purpose.
Yet, at other times, when I thought I felt indifferent, suddenly something within me leaps up like a flame, and fills my heart with a burning strength,
And for those moments, I feel tall and clean and strong.

I once felt useless, my life overwhelmed by my weaknesses
It was so easy to blame God for making me the way I am.
I wondered: was life…was I worth anything if so full of flaws?
Could I really be strong, yet weak? Philosopher and fool?
I once believed that I was not worth anything if I were not perfect; I felt hopeless and alienated from God.
But I now know that flawed lives are good, and have a place in God's world.
I now understand that from our weaknesses and flaws, true strength and real goodness are created:
For only those who have lied can feel a liar's shame;
Only cowards know the bitter sadness that cowards must face;
And only those who have failed can understand the fear of defeat.

So, through my weaknesses, I possess the key
To every heart that is sad, shamed or soiled.
Through my blunders, I have found tolerance and pity in the place of my lost pride.

So I thank God that he has made me as I am – half sinner half saint, philosopher and fool,
With my eyes upon the stars, my feet deep in the dirt.
I have learned that flawed lives serve a purpose,
I have found that both the stars and dirt are perfect in God’s creation
And that I am perfect, half sinner half saint,
Because God loves me the way I am.
 

Dear sister.
Unconditional love is very much against human nature..but we can see it in the love of a mother or of parents for their children...although even here sometime nature err
we can see it also many time when people die to save other people in specialcirconstances like accidents or fires...
I believe it is a good opportunity to think about the help christians can find in their faith to develop their ability for love.
We can see exemple of people..priests ..who offered their life for others in Hitler's camps..
Sorry if my explanations are not very clear my english vocabulary is limited.
Blessings.