February 27, 2006
Contents
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot
1. 180 NEWS
30 Hour Famime
This last weekend was our 30 Hour Famine and it was an amazing weekend of great spiritual significance. Real and genuine worship of our God truly took place.
To date we have raised approximately $3,500! If you still have money to turn in please do so in the next week. The sooner our money is sent in to World Vision the sooner it will go to work making a difference in the lives of so many that need it.
The pictures tell much of our story.
Worship at the Portland area rally.
Candle Experience. We gathered for a time of quiet reflective worship on Friday night in which we had 300 candles lit. We then began extinguishing them one at a time at a rate of one every three seconds. It created a stunning visual of how many children die in a period of 15 minutes from malnutrition and preventable diseases due to poverty.
Prayer stations. On Saturday afternoon we spent about 40 minutes in silent prayer. During the time we circulated around to 10 different prayer stations and prayed for things like the Compassion children we sponsor, child trafficking in Thailand, our Mexico ministry, along with a confession station, a silence station in which we simply listened to God, and a station to offer our thanks to God, among others.
Break-fast. We broke our fast with an incredible third world type meal consisting of cury chicken, rice, pot stikers, bread and fruit. It was a feast, and man were we thankful! As always, Jim and Charlene did an incredible job of cooking!
You may view all of our pictures here. We are thankful for what God did and continues to do in our hearts.
Mexico Outreach
It's only February but it's already time to begin thinking about our mission trip to Mexico! The application packets are not out!
The dates of this year's outreach are July 28-August 7. All applications and $100 deposit are due by April 2.
Begin praying now to ask God if He would have you be a part of this strategic ministry this summer.
All the information along with complete application downloads are also available at our new Mexico Outreach web site! Get everything you need to know at this new site. There is also a link to the site on the sidebar of this blog.
Compassion Letters
This last we received two more letters from our sponsored children, Oscar Silvestre of Bolivia and Karla Santiz of Mexico!
Here they are...
October 24, 2005
Dear Friends, I feel happy to greet to you. may God bless you always. We are so grateful to get your gift. With it I will buy tennis shoes and pants. In my counttry soon will begin vacation. I will enjoy my free time, and will study for the neew course. Next week I will enjy the outing organized in this Student Center. I close with love. May God care you. Oscar
November 14, 2005
Dear godfather. I am Karla's teacher, I am writing to you with Karla's parents' approval, because they can't write, and she can't do it very well either. Karla says hello and she hopes you are hearlthy, she is very happy to know you are writing to her again. She is in 1st grade, she says she likes school and she is working really hard. She also helps her parents sell bread as much as she can, since her father is a baker. She likes to go to the project, because she and her sister can learn things that help her have a good education. She likes to play with her dolls very much. Karla wants you to send a photo of you so she can know how you are like. She also wants to know a little about your family. By the time you receive this letter Christmas will be close. She wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. She asks you to remember her in that day, and she asks you to pray for her and her family, that God may always guard her. She says goodbye sending her love, looking forward to your reply. So long. God bless you. Karla Lopez Santiz PS Pray for the people that have been affected by the hurricane.
Please continue to pray for both Oscar and Karla. If you would like to personally write either or both of them please email you letter to Pastor Brian and he will be happy to forward it on to them! For letter writing tips please read this.
Spring Calendar
Be sure to join us this week to pick up your copy of our new Spring calendar! We've got a lot of exciting things planned. The only thing that will make them better is you being with us!
2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
There's nothing like the embarrassment when, during a conversation, the other person says, "What do you think?" and you realize you haven't heard a word he said. Ouch! Listening is something we all take for granted. Very seldom do we really work at it, giving it our full time and attention. When was the last time you thought about your listening skills? Did you know that when people are surveyed about what they consider the most important leadership qualities, "good listener" is always at the very top of the list? People want--actually need--to be listened to. When people know someone is really listening to what they are saying, they feel respected, honored, and accepted.
My little brother was a chronic talker. He never shut up from the moment of his birth. We begged my mom to make him be quiet. One of our favorite childhood stories is about the time we were driving home from a family vacation in my parents' brand-new car. My brother was in the back seat with my sister and me, and he was blabbing on and on as usual. Out of necessity we'd developed the ability to be in the same space with him and not hear a single thing he was saying. But this time he must have been looking for some feedback from us because suddenly he yelled, "Hey, no one is listening to me! You guys need to listen to me!" We all just kept on doing whatever we were doing. I kept reading, my sister kept dozing, and my parents continued their conversation in the front seat.
"Hey, you guys need to listen to me!" he insisted. "If you don't listen to me, I'm gonna throw up!" No one even looked at him. He repeated the threat--louder this time. And of course we all continued to ignore him.
When he saw no one was listening to him still, he let it rip--all over the back seat and floor of my dad's new car. Now he had our attention. I laughed my head off , my sister screamed, and my parents fumed. Steve smiled and said, "Are you going to listen to me now? I want to know when we're going to stop for lunch!"
Thankfully, we all laugh now when we tell that story. Can't you feel how desperately he wanted someone to listen to him? That desperation is true of everyone. We all long to have someone listen to us.
Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning." In the last chapter we explored the importance of being a lifelong learner. Wise leaders add to their learning by listening. No one has "enough" wisdom and understanding that they can't learn something by listening to someone else. We always have something else to learn--actually, in most cases we still have a whole lot to learn.
In a sense being a poor listener is a form of pride. If a leader doesn't deliberately work to develop her listening skills, she is displaying an arrogant belief in herself. Learning to listen well can be a secret weapon. The best leaders are constantly listening and learning. Have you ever stopped to think that every person you will ever meet knows something you don't know? One of the ways a leader can lead with an integrated heart is to make it a priority to constantly grow and learn by listening.
Taken from "Leadership 101" by Denise VanEck, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
3. SURF REPORT
~ Bridges
Create a line--sounds easy, but it isn't!
~ The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Making Your Own Pizza
4. BIRTHDAYS
We've got one birthday wish this week, and it goes out to Cameron Kennedy! Hope your week is great and your birthday even better! Happy birthday Cameron!
5. FORGETTABLE FACT
The yoctosecond is the smallest unit of time.
6. POTENT QUOTABLES
I choose peace... I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
- Max Lucado
Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
- Oswald Chambers
===========our|sponsor===========
A POIGNANT LEADERSHIP MANUAL FOR STUDENTS
This interactive guide, written specifically for you, encourages you to learn and apply leadership skills as well as journey deep into the soul of leadership. Complete with exercises and journaling opportunities, "Leadership 101" is practical and poignant.
Order here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
7. PARTING SHOT
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot
1. 180 NEWS
30 Hour Famime
This last weekend was our 30 Hour Famine and it was an amazing weekend of great spiritual significance. Real and genuine worship of our God truly took place.
To date we have raised approximately $3,500! If you still have money to turn in please do so in the next week. The sooner our money is sent in to World Vision the sooner it will go to work making a difference in the lives of so many that need it.
The pictures tell much of our story.
Worship at the Portland area rally.
Candle Experience. We gathered for a time of quiet reflective worship on Friday night in which we had 300 candles lit. We then began extinguishing them one at a time at a rate of one every three seconds. It created a stunning visual of how many children die in a period of 15 minutes from malnutrition and preventable diseases due to poverty.
Prayer stations. On Saturday afternoon we spent about 40 minutes in silent prayer. During the time we circulated around to 10 different prayer stations and prayed for things like the Compassion children we sponsor, child trafficking in Thailand, our Mexico ministry, along with a confession station, a silence station in which we simply listened to God, and a station to offer our thanks to God, among others.
Break-fast. We broke our fast with an incredible third world type meal consisting of cury chicken, rice, pot stikers, bread and fruit. It was a feast, and man were we thankful! As always, Jim and Charlene did an incredible job of cooking!You may view all of our pictures here. We are thankful for what God did and continues to do in our hearts.
Mexico OutreachIt's only February but it's already time to begin thinking about our mission trip to Mexico! The application packets are not out!
The dates of this year's outreach are July 28-August 7. All applications and $100 deposit are due by April 2.
Begin praying now to ask God if He would have you be a part of this strategic ministry this summer.
All the information along with complete application downloads are also available at our new Mexico Outreach web site! Get everything you need to know at this new site. There is also a link to the site on the sidebar of this blog.
Compassion Letters
This last we received two more letters from our sponsored children, Oscar Silvestre of Bolivia and Karla Santiz of Mexico!
Here they are...
October 24, 2005
Dear Friends, I feel happy to greet to you. may God bless you always. We are so grateful to get your gift. With it I will buy tennis shoes and pants. In my counttry soon will begin vacation. I will enjoy my free time, and will study for the neew course. Next week I will enjy the outing organized in this Student Center. I close with love. May God care you. Oscar
November 14, 2005Dear godfather. I am Karla's teacher, I am writing to you with Karla's parents' approval, because they can't write, and she can't do it very well either. Karla says hello and she hopes you are hearlthy, she is very happy to know you are writing to her again. She is in 1st grade, she says she likes school and she is working really hard. She also helps her parents sell bread as much as she can, since her father is a baker. She likes to go to the project, because she and her sister can learn things that help her have a good education. She likes to play with her dolls very much. Karla wants you to send a photo of you so she can know how you are like. She also wants to know a little about your family. By the time you receive this letter Christmas will be close. She wishes you a Merry Christmas and a happy new year. She asks you to remember her in that day, and she asks you to pray for her and her family, that God may always guard her. She says goodbye sending her love, looking forward to your reply. So long. God bless you. Karla Lopez Santiz PS Pray for the people that have been affected by the hurricane.
Please continue to pray for both Oscar and Karla. If you would like to personally write either or both of them please email you letter to Pastor Brian and he will be happy to forward it on to them! For letter writing tips please read this.
Spring Calendar
Be sure to join us this week to pick up your copy of our new Spring calendar! We've got a lot of exciting things planned. The only thing that will make them better is you being with us!
2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
There's nothing like the embarrassment when, during a conversation, the other person says, "What do you think?" and you realize you haven't heard a word he said. Ouch! Listening is something we all take for granted. Very seldom do we really work at it, giving it our full time and attention. When was the last time you thought about your listening skills? Did you know that when people are surveyed about what they consider the most important leadership qualities, "good listener" is always at the very top of the list? People want--actually need--to be listened to. When people know someone is really listening to what they are saying, they feel respected, honored, and accepted.
My little brother was a chronic talker. He never shut up from the moment of his birth. We begged my mom to make him be quiet. One of our favorite childhood stories is about the time we were driving home from a family vacation in my parents' brand-new car. My brother was in the back seat with my sister and me, and he was blabbing on and on as usual. Out of necessity we'd developed the ability to be in the same space with him and not hear a single thing he was saying. But this time he must have been looking for some feedback from us because suddenly he yelled, "Hey, no one is listening to me! You guys need to listen to me!" We all just kept on doing whatever we were doing. I kept reading, my sister kept dozing, and my parents continued their conversation in the front seat.
"Hey, you guys need to listen to me!" he insisted. "If you don't listen to me, I'm gonna throw up!" No one even looked at him. He repeated the threat--louder this time. And of course we all continued to ignore him.
When he saw no one was listening to him still, he let it rip--all over the back seat and floor of my dad's new car. Now he had our attention. I laughed my head off , my sister screamed, and my parents fumed. Steve smiled and said, "Are you going to listen to me now? I want to know when we're going to stop for lunch!"
Thankfully, we all laugh now when we tell that story. Can't you feel how desperately he wanted someone to listen to him? That desperation is true of everyone. We all long to have someone listen to us.
Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning." In the last chapter we explored the importance of being a lifelong learner. Wise leaders add to their learning by listening. No one has "enough" wisdom and understanding that they can't learn something by listening to someone else. We always have something else to learn--actually, in most cases we still have a whole lot to learn.
In a sense being a poor listener is a form of pride. If a leader doesn't deliberately work to develop her listening skills, she is displaying an arrogant belief in herself. Learning to listen well can be a secret weapon. The best leaders are constantly listening and learning. Have you ever stopped to think that every person you will ever meet knows something you don't know? One of the ways a leader can lead with an integrated heart is to make it a priority to constantly grow and learn by listening.
Taken from "Leadership 101" by Denise VanEck, copyright 2005, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
3. SURF REPORT
~ Bridges
Create a line--sounds easy, but it isn't!
~ The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Making Your Own Pizza
4. BIRTHDAYS
We've got one birthday wish this week, and it goes out to Cameron Kennedy! Hope your week is great and your birthday even better! Happy birthday Cameron!
5. FORGETTABLE FACT
The yoctosecond is the smallest unit of time.
6. POTENT QUOTABLES
I choose peace... I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
- Max Lucado
Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him.
- Oswald Chambers
===========our|sponsor===========
A POIGNANT LEADERSHIP MANUAL FOR STUDENTS
This interactive guide, written specifically for you, encourages you to learn and apply leadership skills as well as journey deep into the soul of leadership. Complete with exercises and journaling opportunities, "Leadership 101" is practical and poignant.
Order here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
7. PARTING SHOT
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
February 21, 2006
Contents
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot
1. 180 NEWS
30 Hour Famine
This is the week! The Great Famine of '06 begins at 12 noon this Friday! You have 3 days left to get as many sponsors as you can. Will we reach our $5,000 goal? We will not know by Friday night!
Here are some important things to remember:
• Make lunch on Friday your last meal.
• Meet at the church at 7:00 PM - We will conclude at 7:00 PM on Saturday.
• Please make sure you have a completed 2006 Release Form on file, or bring one with you. If needed you may download one here.
• Bring with you a sleeping bag/pillow, change of clothes, personal items.
• Bring juice to drink (Please no carbonated beverages.)
• Bring donation envelope with all money collected and accounted for.
• Bring Bible
• Please leave all electronic devices (except cameras) at home.
Mexico Outreach 2006
It's only February but it's already time to begin thinking about our mission trip to Mexico! The application packets will be officially released along with all the details this weekend at the 30 Hour Famine, but you the reader of the 180 Newsletter get a headstart!
All the information along with complete application downloads are now available at our new Mexico Outreach web site! Get everything you need to know at this new site. There is also a link to the site on the sidebar of this blog.
Reality Unlimited
High Schoolers you want to be sure to be with us this Wednesday night for a special presentation given by Reality Unlimited.
Over the past 4 weeks we have been discussing some pretty big and important issues such as the effects of alcohol, partying, drug use, and sex. This week we have the priviledge of having a special speaker come to us from Reality Unlimited, a group sponsored by Pregnancy Resouce Centers of Portland, and is committed to communicating to teens in a very entertaining and fun way, the dangers of sex outside of God's plan for it.
Please plan to come early as we plan to kick things off right at 7:00 PM.
Letter From Oscar
This last week we received a letter from Oscar, one of our Compassion Children in Boliva. Here is what he said...
Dear Friends: I greet you with the peace and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank you a lot for the gift of Christmas. Every day I thank to God to have you, because with your help I can have foods in the CDI, materials to study and the most important thing is that I learn much of the word of God. I and my family wish you a Merry Christmas and that next year be of may blessings. I say goodbye praying for you and with all my love. Oscar
Click here to learn more about our Compassion Children, and the difference our sponsorship makes in their lives.
2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [1 Samuel 3:10]
Sometimes a good friend doesn't have to say anything and you know exactly what they're thinking. Have you ever seen friends who are hurting and you think, "I should have listened better and been more attuned to what they were going through?" God wants to know us in this way. Our friendships develop because we listen to each other. Why can we not apply this same listening skill to God? We can hurt our relationships with our best friends simply by hearing, but not listening. We can do the same to our relationship with God. When He speaks, we need to do more than hear-we need to listen. By listening, we will begin to hear God, like a true friend, and do what he wants without having to be told over and over again.
OZ (Oswald Chambers) says: What hinders me from hearing is that I am taken up with other things. It is not that I will not hear God, but I am not devoted in the right place. I am devoted to things, to service, to convictions, and God may say what He likes, but I do not hear Him.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND GOD
Find that deeper friendship you seek with God-that in-tune, don't-even-have-to-say-it friendship. God has been waiting. He's been talking all this time. Pray that you can find the right channel and let it all in.
God is talking. Listen.
God is. Are you still listening?
Taken from "Everything Counts" by Steven Case , copyright 2003, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
3. SURF REPORT
~ Planarity
A game for smart people
~ MSN Games
Free online games from MSN
4. BIRTHDAYS
Not only are we celebrating the birthdays of our nation's presidents this week, but also Brittney Stevens and Zach Boyle! We wish you two the BEST! You are in good company!
5. FORGETTABLE FACT
In Italy, it is illegal to make coffins out of anything except nutshells or wood.
6. POTENT QUOTABLES
Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.
- Martin Luther
Testimony is showing your scars and telling how Jesus healed you.
- Warren Walden
===========our|sponsor===========
0% COMFORT, 100% HOPE
Devotions are comforting. A nice little thought in the morning, or something soothing just before sleep.
"Everything Counts" (adapted from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest") dumps the pleasantries of religion and leads you to real faith.
Order here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
7. PARTING SHOT
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Birthdays
5. Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot
1. 180 NEWS
30 Hour Famine
This is the week! The Great Famine of '06 begins at 12 noon this Friday! You have 3 days left to get as many sponsors as you can. Will we reach our $5,000 goal? We will not know by Friday night!
Here are some important things to remember:
• Make lunch on Friday your last meal.
• Meet at the church at 7:00 PM - We will conclude at 7:00 PM on Saturday.
• Please make sure you have a completed 2006 Release Form on file, or bring one with you. If needed you may download one here.
• Bring with you a sleeping bag/pillow, change of clothes, personal items.
• Bring juice to drink (Please no carbonated beverages.)
• Bring donation envelope with all money collected and accounted for.
• Bring Bible
• Please leave all electronic devices (except cameras) at home.
Shots from last year
Mexico Outreach 2006
It's only February but it's already time to begin thinking about our mission trip to Mexico! The application packets will be officially released along with all the details this weekend at the 30 Hour Famine, but you the reader of the 180 Newsletter get a headstart!
All the information along with complete application downloads are now available at our new Mexico Outreach web site! Get everything you need to know at this new site. There is also a link to the site on the sidebar of this blog.
Reality Unlimited
High Schoolers you want to be sure to be with us this Wednesday night for a special presentation given by Reality Unlimited.
Over the past 4 weeks we have been discussing some pretty big and important issues such as the effects of alcohol, partying, drug use, and sex. This week we have the priviledge of having a special speaker come to us from Reality Unlimited, a group sponsored by Pregnancy Resouce Centers of Portland, and is committed to communicating to teens in a very entertaining and fun way, the dangers of sex outside of God's plan for it.
Please plan to come early as we plan to kick things off right at 7:00 PM.
Letter From Oscar
This last week we received a letter from Oscar, one of our Compassion Children in Boliva. Here is what he said...
Dear Friends: I greet you with the peace and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. I thank you a lot for the gift of Christmas. Every day I thank to God to have you, because with your help I can have foods in the CDI, materials to study and the most important thing is that I learn much of the word of God. I and my family wish you a Merry Christmas and that next year be of may blessings. I say goodbye praying for you and with all my love. Oscar
Click here to learn more about our Compassion Children, and the difference our sponsorship makes in their lives.
2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening." [1 Samuel 3:10]
Sometimes a good friend doesn't have to say anything and you know exactly what they're thinking. Have you ever seen friends who are hurting and you think, "I should have listened better and been more attuned to what they were going through?" God wants to know us in this way. Our friendships develop because we listen to each other. Why can we not apply this same listening skill to God? We can hurt our relationships with our best friends simply by hearing, but not listening. We can do the same to our relationship with God. When He speaks, we need to do more than hear-we need to listen. By listening, we will begin to hear God, like a true friend, and do what he wants without having to be told over and over again.
OZ (Oswald Chambers) says: What hinders me from hearing is that I am taken up with other things. It is not that I will not hear God, but I am not devoted in the right place. I am devoted to things, to service, to convictions, and God may say what He likes, but I do not hear Him.
JUST BETWEEN YOU AND GOD
Find that deeper friendship you seek with God-that in-tune, don't-even-have-to-say-it friendship. God has been waiting. He's been talking all this time. Pray that you can find the right channel and let it all in.
God is talking. Listen.
God is. Are you still listening?
Taken from "Everything Counts" by Steven Case , copyright 2003, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
3. SURF REPORT
~ Planarity
A game for smart people
~ MSN Games
Free online games from MSN
4. BIRTHDAYS
Not only are we celebrating the birthdays of our nation's presidents this week, but also Brittney Stevens and Zach Boyle! We wish you two the BEST! You are in good company!
5. FORGETTABLE FACT
In Italy, it is illegal to make coffins out of anything except nutshells or wood.
6. POTENT QUOTABLES
Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.
- Martin Luther
Testimony is showing your scars and telling how Jesus healed you.
- Warren Walden
===========our|sponsor===========
0% COMFORT, 100% HOPE
Devotions are comforting. A nice little thought in the morning, or something soothing just before sleep.
"Everything Counts" (adapted from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest") dumps the pleasantries of religion and leads you to real faith.
Order here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
7. PARTING SHOT
When tempted to fight fire with fire, remember that the Fire Department usually uses water.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
Presidents Day
Due to the holiday on Monday, February 20, the Newsletter will be delayed one day.Enjoy your day off and we'll see you on Tuesday.
In the meantime, do you know the history of Presidents Day? If not check here!
February 13, 2006
Contents
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?
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!
Here are some shots from last 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.
=================================
8. PARTING SHOT
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
February 6, 2006
Contents
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
Are you ready to FAST for FOOD?
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.
We plan to Fast for Food on February 24-25. The 30 Hour Famine is a combined MS and HS event.
We currently are all out of Famine fund raising books and envelopes. More will be available shortly!
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.
This just in....
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 they raise $360 to feed and care for one needy child for a year, two hungry children can be helped! With your hard work and the matching funds grants, the 2006 Famine could be the most impactful ever!
New Blog
A new blog has been added to our 180 Bloggers list. Heather Wilson is checking in from Amsterdam! Read her blog here.
Do you have a blog? Would you like it added to our list? Let us know!
Movie Night
Join us this Saturday night with the rest of the church for the showing of "Beyond the Gates of Splendor." about the martyrdom of 5 young missionaries and the tribal group that came to Christ as a result of their sacrifice. The movie tells the story of the Waodani tribe before the missionaries came.
The very same men who killed the five missionaries in 1956 now share their incredible story of how their lives - and the lives of their people - have been changed forever.
This movie is the story behind the recent release of "End of the Spear."
Join us in the Ministry Center at 6:00 PM this Saturday.
2. Poll of the Week
How well do you know your staff? How well do you know what your staff looks like? Can you name the nose of this staff member?
Name The Nose
Current Results
Free Web Polls
The correct answer will be revealed in a few days in the comment section of this week's newsletter.
3. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
I know a therapist who has a folder in her office that she keeps pictures in. The pictures range from humans to nature to animals to colors, mostly pulled out of modern magazines. When her younger, less talkative clients, come to their session, she brings out the folder. She asks them to choose a picture of the day and a picture of the week. After they've made their selections she'll say something along the lines of, "hmmmmm… that's an interesting choice. (While nodding her head and furrowing her brow) Now tell me, why did you pick that one?" And with that, therapy has begun.
By listening and considering carefully their picture choices, she opens them up to talk about their feelings before they even realize they're doing it. Conversation is easier when you can talk about someone's feelings towards "something" instead of talking about their feelings about themselves.
One day a client left a Teen People magazine in her office. The therapist, in her mid-fifties, was not an avid Teen People reader, and decided to throw it in the trash. Then she remembered her picture folder, sat down and began to flip through the pages looking for pictures. After looking at every single page in the entire magazine, (cover to cover!), she closed it without pulling a single picture.
There was nothing even remotely appropriate to put in her file. Every shot of a woman was borderline pornographic. Either the women had cleavage hanging out of their blouse, a skirt so short you couldn't wear it in public, or pants so tight and pulled so low you could almost see pubic hair.
Every shot of a man and woman together was sexual, either in suggestion or actuality. She was shocked. For the first time in a long time she was faced with the realities that young people are faced with every day. She remarked to me, "There is so much pressure on young girls to be sexy!" I looked back at her, momentarily stunned silent at this incredible grasp of the obvious and brilliantly replied, "no-duh!"
Next she asked me a strange question (that's what they're licensed to do. Ask strange questions with apparently no obvious meaning and arrive at an obscure conclusion that makes you cry most of the time!)
She asked, "Do you know what a frog would do if you put it into a pot of boiling water?"
"Ummm…. Jump out?" I said with a stupid, antagonizing smile on my face.
"Exactly! (She was not deterred from making her point by my inability to be serious) because it's hot and it will kill him if he stays in it. Having been just dropped into the pot he recognizes it's potential to cook him!"
"Its like his natural instinct." I added.
"Yes," she said. "But if you took that same frog, even with all his natural instinct, and put him in a pot of cold water on a stove top that was slowly heating up, he wouldn't realize the temperature was rising, and therefore would never jump out. Even when it starts to boil!"
"Bummer…" I said sounding like Keanu Reeves in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." I'll admit, it was not my finest or most poetic conversation ever.
As I thought about this sad little analogy of the boiled frog, I realized what she was trying to get me to see. Most times I'll get out of a situation immediately when I feel uncomfortable immediately. The situations that slowly heat up are the ones that burn us!
This therapist did not grow up watching Britney Spears strip tease on MTV in the morning over a bowl of CHEERIOS before heading out to school. She didn't have friends who wore their jeans so low on purpose so that guys could see their g-string underwear. She didn't have school shootings. She didn't have a 50% (or whatever it is) divorce rate. She didn't know the meaning of anorexia or bulimia. She didn't have porn websites at the touch of a button. And so she, like the first frog, looks through the Teen People magazine and says to herself, "Ouch! This is hot! Get out or you're gonna die!"
Our generation is like the second frog. We've been in the water as long as we can remember. It's getting hotter and we can't tell. We were born in this pot, and maybe that gives new meaning to the words of Jesus when he says, "I assure you that unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Maybe he sees that we are immersed in a culture that is set up to destroy our self-esteem, bent on keeping us from living out God's purpose for our lives, turning our attention from committing our lives to God and living out his love to keeping up superficial appearances and envying what others have. If we stay in this heating water it will eventually, ever so slowly and without warning…kill us spiritually. Jesus offers us a new life. I never thought I could learn so much from a therapist and a frog!
Taken from "Mirror, Mirror" by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne , copyright 2003, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
4. SURF REPORT
~ freevibe.com
Brought to you by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
~ fd's Flicker Toys
Make your own magazine cover, add comic book style captions to your digital photographs, and more
5. BIRTHDAYS
We've got one person to wish a most happy birthday to this week, and that would be.....Amanda Roberts! We wish you the best Amanda!
6. FORGETTABLE FACT
The football huddle originated at Gallaudet University -- the world's only accredited four-year liberal arts college for the deaf -- in the 19th century when the football team found that opposing teams were reading their signed messages and intercepting plays.
7. POTENT QUOTABLES
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--they must be felt with the heart."
- Helen Keller
"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you."
- C.S. Lewis
===========oursponsor===========
REAL BEAUTY, INSIDE AND OUT
Self-care and soul-care blend, giving students a God's-eye view on make-up, dieting, sex, friends, guys, and more. Experts, rock stars, and students discuss creating your best reflection, inside and out.
Available here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
8. PARTING SHOT
Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
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
Are you ready to FAST for FOOD?
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.
We plan to Fast for Food on February 24-25. The 30 Hour Famine is a combined MS and HS event.
We currently are all out of Famine fund raising books and envelopes. More will be available shortly!
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.
This just in....
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 they raise $360 to feed and care for one needy child for a year, two hungry children can be helped! With your hard work and the matching funds grants, the 2006 Famine could be the most impactful ever!
New Blog
A new blog has been added to our 180 Bloggers list. Heather Wilson is checking in from Amsterdam! Read her blog here.
Do you have a blog? Would you like it added to our list? Let us know!
Movie Night
Join us this Saturday night with the rest of the church for the showing of "Beyond the Gates of Splendor." about the martyrdom of 5 young missionaries and the tribal group that came to Christ as a result of their sacrifice. The movie tells the story of the Waodani tribe before the missionaries came.The very same men who killed the five missionaries in 1956 now share their incredible story of how their lives - and the lives of their people - have been changed forever.
This movie is the story behind the recent release of "End of the Spear."
Join us in the Ministry Center at 6:00 PM this Saturday.
2. Poll of the Week
How well do you know your staff? How well do you know what your staff looks like? Can you name the nose of this staff member?
Name The Nose
Current Results
Free Web Polls
The correct answer will be revealed in a few days in the comment section of this week's newsletter.
3. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART
I know a therapist who has a folder in her office that she keeps pictures in. The pictures range from humans to nature to animals to colors, mostly pulled out of modern magazines. When her younger, less talkative clients, come to their session, she brings out the folder. She asks them to choose a picture of the day and a picture of the week. After they've made their selections she'll say something along the lines of, "hmmmmm… that's an interesting choice. (While nodding her head and furrowing her brow) Now tell me, why did you pick that one?" And with that, therapy has begun.
By listening and considering carefully their picture choices, she opens them up to talk about their feelings before they even realize they're doing it. Conversation is easier when you can talk about someone's feelings towards "something" instead of talking about their feelings about themselves.
One day a client left a Teen People magazine in her office. The therapist, in her mid-fifties, was not an avid Teen People reader, and decided to throw it in the trash. Then she remembered her picture folder, sat down and began to flip through the pages looking for pictures. After looking at every single page in the entire magazine, (cover to cover!), she closed it without pulling a single picture.
There was nothing even remotely appropriate to put in her file. Every shot of a woman was borderline pornographic. Either the women had cleavage hanging out of their blouse, a skirt so short you couldn't wear it in public, or pants so tight and pulled so low you could almost see pubic hair.
Every shot of a man and woman together was sexual, either in suggestion or actuality. She was shocked. For the first time in a long time she was faced with the realities that young people are faced with every day. She remarked to me, "There is so much pressure on young girls to be sexy!" I looked back at her, momentarily stunned silent at this incredible grasp of the obvious and brilliantly replied, "no-duh!"
Next she asked me a strange question (that's what they're licensed to do. Ask strange questions with apparently no obvious meaning and arrive at an obscure conclusion that makes you cry most of the time!)
She asked, "Do you know what a frog would do if you put it into a pot of boiling water?"
"Ummm…. Jump out?" I said with a stupid, antagonizing smile on my face.
"Exactly! (She was not deterred from making her point by my inability to be serious) because it's hot and it will kill him if he stays in it. Having been just dropped into the pot he recognizes it's potential to cook him!"
"Its like his natural instinct." I added.
"Yes," she said. "But if you took that same frog, even with all his natural instinct, and put him in a pot of cold water on a stove top that was slowly heating up, he wouldn't realize the temperature was rising, and therefore would never jump out. Even when it starts to boil!"
"Bummer…" I said sounding like Keanu Reeves in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." I'll admit, it was not my finest or most poetic conversation ever.
As I thought about this sad little analogy of the boiled frog, I realized what she was trying to get me to see. Most times I'll get out of a situation immediately when I feel uncomfortable immediately. The situations that slowly heat up are the ones that burn us!
This therapist did not grow up watching Britney Spears strip tease on MTV in the morning over a bowl of CHEERIOS before heading out to school. She didn't have friends who wore their jeans so low on purpose so that guys could see their g-string underwear. She didn't have school shootings. She didn't have a 50% (or whatever it is) divorce rate. She didn't know the meaning of anorexia or bulimia. She didn't have porn websites at the touch of a button. And so she, like the first frog, looks through the Teen People magazine and says to herself, "Ouch! This is hot! Get out or you're gonna die!"
Our generation is like the second frog. We've been in the water as long as we can remember. It's getting hotter and we can't tell. We were born in this pot, and maybe that gives new meaning to the words of Jesus when he says, "I assure you that unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Maybe he sees that we are immersed in a culture that is set up to destroy our self-esteem, bent on keeping us from living out God's purpose for our lives, turning our attention from committing our lives to God and living out his love to keeping up superficial appearances and envying what others have. If we stay in this heating water it will eventually, ever so slowly and without warning…kill us spiritually. Jesus offers us a new life. I never thought I could learn so much from a therapist and a frog!
Taken from "Mirror, Mirror" by Kara Powell and Kendall Payne , copyright 2003, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.
4. SURF REPORT
~ freevibe.com
Brought to you by the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign
~ fd's Flicker Toys
Make your own magazine cover, add comic book style captions to your digital photographs, and more
5. BIRTHDAYS
We've got one person to wish a most happy birthday to this week, and that would be.....Amanda Roberts! We wish you the best Amanda!
6. FORGETTABLE FACT
The football huddle originated at Gallaudet University -- the world's only accredited four-year liberal arts college for the deaf -- in the 19th century when the football team found that opposing teams were reading their signed messages and intercepting plays.
7. POTENT QUOTABLES
"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched--they must be felt with the heart."
- Helen Keller
"You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life or death to you."
- C.S. Lewis
===========oursponsor===========
REAL BEAUTY, INSIDE AND OUT
Self-care and soul-care blend, giving students a God's-eye view on make-up, dieting, sex, friends, guys, and more. Experts, rock stars, and students discuss creating your best reflection, inside and out.
Available here.
Also available in your local Christian bookstore.
=================================
8. PARTING SHOT
Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.
copyright 2006 :: Youth Specialties
