What is a 30-Day Secular Media Fast?

What if the noise of godless media is drowning out the voice of God? Not all media is bad... but maybe the distraction away from God is making harder to hear and see God at work.

This is a journey of a group of high school students who have committed to take 30 days to focus on God through God-centered media. This includes TV, movies, books, magazines, smart phone apps, and many social media outlets.

Here, you can follow their stories, their lives, and their challenges. Feel free to leave comments and encouragement.

Read
Relate
Respond

Friday, March 16, 2012

Halfway

Phew! halfway already?! these couple weeks have been really good, i was skimming through my bible the other day and found a passage in Isaiah 58 about true fasting. i read it outloud in our small group and it was really good :)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Not of This World

Day 14 already?!?!? This month has definitely gone by a lot faster than last year. We're almost halfway there guys keep it up! I'll be praying for you all!

Anyway, I've been reflecting on the past two weeks, and I've come to realize that I make myself feel "deprived" of the secular media that I'm not able to take part in. I feel as if I'm not "in the loop" anymore and that I'm getting left out because I'm unable to keep up to date with news and events that other people can easily just look up on Facebook, the Internet, apps, etc. But I thought about it more, I came to the conclusion that I'm not of this world! I was spending so much of my time and energy wallowing in self pity that I was unable to stay informed like all of my friends at school and most everyone around me. I didn't know the new movies coming out, the latest results in March Madness, and so on. But the bible tells us that we shouldn't store our treasures here on Earth. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) That was my 'Aha!' moment for the fast so far. I remembered those verses and thought it was an ideal facepalm moment for myself. I realized that I shouldn't be so concerned with these earthly things because I know I'll have it sooooo much better off in heaven. Yes, they help us stay connected and in the know, but will we need them in heaven? Nah. There are so many things that distract us in this day and age that we sometimes forget that we spend eternity with our Father, they won't be available to us anymore (although the thought of a Facebook for people in heaven is a pretty entertaining thought). That makes me even more thankful for the fast because it's a reminder of what we won't be having, because we'll be having a blast in heaven! So good luck everyone!

-Btw I'm looking forward to Saturday because I'll be having a movie day with two friends from school and Logan and we'll be watching Soul Surfer and some other Media Fast approved movie. It was really cool of my friends to be understanding of what I'm doing and still be willing to come over and have a relaxing afternoon. Yay for sharing about the fast opportunities!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

No thanks, I'm just looking.

That is typically the response we give to all those pesky salesman in the department stores. They don't ever seem to leave you alone, do they? I mean, we just want to look around at all the stuff we want, with absolutely no intention of purchasing a single item.
I think that's what I've been doing in this fast, regrettably. I just go by every day, reminding myself of the media that I CAN'T have (things we can't buy) and don't listen to my friends/youth leaders (salesclerks) who are there to remind me of things that I CAN have and do. I accepted the fact that I can't have secular media (purchase an item) but don't really focus on replacing it with stuff such as: reading the Bible, praying, journaling, etc. I don't know about you, but whenever I'm reminded of that, I just kind of brush it off.
"Yeah yeah, I can read the Bible and pray but lets get real--I want TV." I have no intention of "buying anything."
It may have to do with the fact that I've been ridiculously busy with school, pit orchestra, and more. But nevertheless, I should not be making excuses.
This years fast hasn't been a complete failure, however. We're only halfway through! I did find a little extra time to write a story based on Jeremiah 29:11 which says: "For I know that plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
This verse is always very encouraging to me. Even though we may feel like we're just going through the motions, know that God has a plan for you and will always be there. He isn't going to settle for: "I'm just looking."
Praying for you all and I hope this fast is going amazing for everyone! :)
-Maggie

halfway done

its been a pretty great month so far! I forgot to bring my ipod to gym one day so i was stuck singing david crowder songs to myself the whole time i was there -__- haha but other than that its goin swell!