February 13, 2006
1. 180 News
2. Poll of the Week
3. Something for Your Heart
4. Surf Report
5. Birthdays
6. Forgettable Fact
7. Potent Quotables
8. Parting Shot
1. 180 NEWS
30 Hour Famine
The Famine is only 11 days away! Are you ready? Are you ready to make a big difference in the lives of many needy people in our world? Dont let this incredible opportunity pass you by!
Kids just like you are seeing their friends and families die from hunger -
29,000 every day, gone for good. They’re counting on you to care. Do you
care? We know your own life is busy, but do you have room to care for
someone else as well? If so, you should Fast for Food.
If you have not yet picked up a pledge envelope and book, be sure to do so this week. We had previously run out but now have many more. We also have extra receipts if you are in need of more.
To learn more about the 30 Hour Famine please visit the official web site at
http://www.30hourfamine.org/.
See last year's famine here.
Recent exciting news...
We've just learned that World Vision has been awarded U.S. Government Food and Agriculture Grants for 2006. These grants will allow us to double our 30 Hour Famine funds! That means every dollar you raise will have twice the impact.
Now when you raise $360 to feed and care for one needy child for a year, two hungry children can be helped! If we reach our recently decided upon goal of $5,000 we will have raised $10,000 and fed nearly 28 children for a year!
Worship Resources
Hey all you music players, and those that love to worship God through music, the 180 worship team music archive has been updated. Songs just added include:
'Strong Tower' and 'We Fall Down' by Kutless
'Thank You for Hearing Me' and 'Here is Our King' by the David Crowder Band.
'Beautiful One' by Tim Hughes
Just head on over to the 180 worship team website found here.
News Is Spreading
Now that the 180 Newsletter is published each week on the web, word is spreading! Evidently all the way to Bombay!!
Check this out!
Keep reading the 180 Newsletter and spread the news!
2. POLL OF THE WEEK
Have you seen the weather forecast for this week? Now that we have enjoyed a few sunny days it seems that old man winter is poised for a come back! Are you ready for a little more winter, or are you already missing the sun?
Current Results
Free Web Polls
1. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
Everyone who is committed to sexual purity agrees that protecting the heart, the mind, and the body are absolutely necessary. The question is—how?
Each person struggles with different temptations. Person A's weakness might not be a problem at all for Person B. The plan and strategy that you follow will depend on your own areas of weakness. So the first thing you need to do is identify those areas, like we discussed in the section about protecting your mind. Then you need to avoid those situations—even if all your friends are there.
Beyond that, here are some suggestions that will be helpful as you begin thinking about how to actively pursue a life of sexual purity.
1. Write a personal commitment statement regarding sexual purity. List the reasons for your decision. List some action steps. Sign it. Date it. Have your parents sign it (and maybe include their own statement about supporting you in this pursuit). Make copies and give to a few people whom you can trust and who will help hold you accountable.
2. Take part in a sexual purity ceremony with your family. Write you own vows stating your decision and your commitment. Include a promise to your future spouse about your actions. Keep a copy so that someday you can show it to your husband or wife on your wedding day.
3. Check out some of the national abstinence programs (like True Love Waits) to see if they can offer you help and support.
4. Date in groups. Never get into a situation where you are alone with a guy or girl. That's right…never. If you're with other people at all times, you're less likely to do something you'll regret later on.
5. Set clear boundaries in every dating relationship. If the boundary is crossed even one time, call it quits.
6. NEVER DRINK (read Genesis 19:30-38 to see how drinking and sex can affect one another).
7. Never remain in a tempting situation (read II Samuel 11- 12 and see how staying in a tempting situation snowballs out of control).
8. When all else fails (you've averted your gaze, you've closed the magazine, you've turned off the TV, you've said no, etc.) RUN! (read Genesis 39 and see how running can be the best choice.)
9. Never indulge your fantasies. In other words, don't let your mind imagine and dwell on sexual thoughts (read II Samuel 13 and see what happens when someone lets sexual thoughts go unchecked).
10. Surround yourself with people who share your commitment to sexual purity. This doesn't mean that you can only talk to and associate with people who are virgins. This doesn't mean that you look down on or snub people who don't share your convictions. After all, you live in the world and most of the world doesn't buy into God's agenda. It does mean, however, that you'd better have some friends who will encourage, support, and walk alongside you.
11. Be sure to make God part of your plan. Proverbs 16:3 says, Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Based on what the entire Bible teaches, this means if you will commit to the Lord your plans and desires that are in agreement with His plans and desires, those plans and desires will succeed.
Since it's clear that God's plan is for sex to be contained inside a life-long marriage relationship, then your desire to be sexually pure can happen if you commit it to God and let him guide you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. All three parts of you are included in these verses—your heart, your mind (understanding), and the actions of your body (straight paths).
Trust God—believe that his plan is best.
Don't lean on your own understanding—admit that sometimes you don't know the difference between right and wrong (see Proverbs 16:25).
Acknowledge him always—don't exclude him from any areas of your life, especially sex.
That's the best plan you can have. Simple, sensible, and supernatural, all wrapped up into one.
Taken from "Sex Has a Price Tag" by Pam Stenzel, copyright 2003, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
4. SURF REPORT
~ Weird Mind Tricks
Be amazed!
~ pogo.com
Free games
5. BIRTHDAYS
We've got one birthday this week! We want to wish Robert Woltering a VERY happy birthday this week! Have a great one Robert!
6. FORGETTABLE FACT
Elwood Eldrige, an AOL employee, is the Voice of AOL that says "Hello," "You've got mail," and "Goodbye".
7. POTENT QUOTABLES
He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day. - John Bunyan
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love. - Mother Teresa
===========our|sponsor===========
SEX IS EXPENSIVE IN SO MANY WAYS
Sex is one of the greatest and most misunderstood of God gifts. In "Sex Has a Price Tag" Pam Stenzel looks at the hype, the truth, and the danger of premarital sex.
Order here.
Also available at your local Christian bookstore.
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8. PARTING SHOT
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
