The 180 Blog

Contents
1. 180 News
2. Something for Your Heart
3. Surf Report
4. Picture In Need of A Caption
5. (Un)Forgettable Fact
6. Potent Quotables
7. Parting Shot

1. 180 NEWS

Junior High RIOT

We survived yet another RIOT! With the exception of a few minor injuries we all made it back in one piece and had a great time!

Go here to see see all the pictures!



The Link
If you are in high school and have been with us on Wednesday nights you know of the good times we are having! Want to see for yourself? Click here to see pictures of last Wednesday night!


The Danger Zone
Good times are happening on Thursday night as well. Them Middle Schoolers are a crazy bunch and boy do they know how to have a good time! Check out all the action form last Thursday night right here!


Unclaimed Chocolate



Last week's prize of two big Hersey bars is still unclaimed! Want them? All you've got to do is read last week's newsletter real carefully and they can be yours!








Letter From Jonathan


In case you were not able to be with us on Sunday. Here is the most recent letter we have received from Jonathan Lopez Toledo, one of our Compassion Children. Read more about him in last week's post.

Dear Sponsors: Hello, I hope that when you receive my letter you are well. Thanks to God I am very well. I am doing well at school. I know how to read and I am learning to do additions. I thank you for the two presents you sent to me. With it I bought a nice backpack that I needed and my sport's uniform that I needed for my P.E. class at school. May God bless you. I say goodbye with much love. Jonathan





2. SOMETHING FOR YOUR HEART

Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Isaiah 6:8

Here's a situation that may seem familiar to you: In class, your teacher asks a question about something you forgot to study. Then she starts looking around the room for someone to answer it. You slink down in your seat, trying to make yourself invisible--praying that she won't pick you. Ever had an experience like that?

Unfortunately, many believers react the same way when it comes time to serve God. When they see a need or a service opportunity, they do everything they can to make themselves invisible, hoping that God will pick someone else to get involved.

And that's a mistake.

You see, Christian service isn't just about helping others. It's about pleasing God and drawing closer to him. The best way to strengthen your bond with your heavenly Father is through obedient acts of service. If you decline the opportunities he gives you to serve him, you're the one who will lose in the long run.

The good news is that God gives second chances. Right now, he may be looking for someone to explain forgiveness to a student at school who's struggling with guilt. He may be looking for someone to start a winter coat collection for the homeless people in your community. He may be looking for someone to share his love by hanging out with the guy at church who no one can stand.

Will you be that person? Will you step up to the plate like Isaiah did and say, "Here am I--send me"? Don't let excuses like busyness or inexperience stand in your way. Few people have enough free time to get involved in service projects. People who are serious about service make time. And most people who volunteer for service work have no idea what they're doing. However, they learn very quickly that when God calls someone, he also equips that person. He will not let a small matter such as lack of experience stand in the way of his work being done.

So what are you waiting for? It's time to volunteer!

Read more on Isaiah's assignment from God in Isaiah 6:1-13.

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Taken from "Revolution Devotional" by Livingstone Corporation, copyright 2006, Youth Specialties/Zondervan. Used by permission. Order the book here.

3. SURF REPORT

~ Volunteer Match
Where volunteering begins

~ The Amazing Change
A campaign to carry on Wilberforce's vision of mercy and justice

4. PICTURE IN NEED OF A CAPTION
This crazy shot of your fearless leaders was captured at the Junior High RIOT this last weekend. It is screaming for a good caption! Get your brains a thinkin' and your fingers a typin' and leave us your thoughts in the Comment section of this week's newsletter.

See more of the weekend's pictures here.

5. (UN)FORGETTABLE FACT

27 million people are in modern-day slavery across the world

6. POTENT QUOTABLES

"When the story of these times gets written, we want it to say that we did all we could, and it was more than anyone could have imagined."
- Bono

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can."
- John Wesley

"Many people don't have the freedoms you and I do. They don't own their time, money, food, or water--they don't even own themselves! These people can't come and go as they please. They are slaves. I'm not just talking about sweatshop labor here, I'm talking about slavery that is every bit as sick and ugly as it was in our country two hundred years ago. Some people might say that it's not their business just because these slaves are an ocean away, or have a different skin color. But we had better make it our business because: 'What if it were you?'"
- Zach Hunter

===========our|sponsor===========

BECOME A MAN OF GOD
Learn the lessons of what it means to become a man of God through the Revolution Devotional. Each day's entry contains a Bible verse, a devotional thought, further Scripture reading, and a fun list. It makes spending time in the Word a little easier to do.

Learn more or purchase "Revolution Devotional" here:

Also available in your local Christian bookstore.

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7. PARTING SHOT

Character is what you are. Reputation is what people think you are.