Halfway Point!

I've made it this far succesfully, and I hope all of you have too.  I still am grateful for what my sponsors have done for me, by encouraging me.  I realize that without so much media,  my mind isn't always thinking about it.  Even when I had other stuff to do, I would think about a movie, video game, or good book that I was reading.  Without it, I have time to think about stuff that I have to be happy about, all that God has given me, such as friends, family, pets, food, a house, and the privilege to talk to him whenever we want to, either through his word, or by having a conversation with him through prayer.  I pray that everyone will do well for the rest of the fast, and if you haven't, don't give up!  Whatever time we have left is perfect for letting yourself focus on God, and not letting the world have such a strong grip on us that it usually has.  Good job and good luck!

Halfway There

I'm practically half way there and I feel great! These past weeks were very stressful, but on Friday I finished up a lot of things at school, at home, etc. and I just felt so care free. Last night my family and I played a board game, I made dessert, and we all had a really good time which just set me up for a good morning. I want to give a huge thanks to my sponsors because they have been so extremely supportive, especially in this last week. Your prayer has been very prevalent in my life lately, 'How gracious the Lord will be when you cry for help. As soon as he hears, he will answer you' Isaiah 30:19. Having supporters who take the time out of there day to send me an email, write me a letter, or pray for me, is the thing that ignites this spark of joy that will keep me going up until Thursday nights or Sunday mornings. For all of those participating in the media fast with me, really take this time, free from media and outside distractions, to be an example of the faith for others. When someone is trying to show you something like a youtube video or music (or whatever else), take that opportunity to tell them why you're not going to watch it. Just like Matt was talking about on Thursday, sticking to your commitments and setting these standards for yourself and then following through with them can be very powerful. People these days aren't as persistent, and seeing you stick to and stand up for something because of your faith can have an impact on them. They might see that you have something different because of your faith that they are lacking- that might be the defining moment in which they are pulled closer to God. As we continue on with our next couple of weeks keep this verse in mind, 'In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven' Matthew 5:16. Stay strong guys, I'll be praying for you!

Two weeks left!

I have to say that this weekend is going to be the hardest for me since it my birthday and I all I usually do is text. And since I can't, it's going to be hard not being able to connect with people. This past two week have gone by very fast and have been fairly easy. I have been very busy with all of my school work and swim so I didn't have time to even think about my phone. I would love to thank all of my sponsors and say that I really appreciate all of the prayers. 

Thanks

I would like to thank all those who have sponsered me and who have encourged me through the begining of this fast. And to all the students, lets finish well and keep in the word and prayer

SECOND WEEK

The second week of March is already here, that means that the media fast is almost halfway over. It has been a very busy month for me because of my student government requirements, and i have been very distracted with that. My Bible reading is increasing, and i have started the habit of reading every night before I go to sleep. It helps me to wake up feeling more connected with God. If anyone could pray for me to have peace this week, it would be greatly appreciated because i have been very overwhelmed with everything going on! Media still finds a way to distract me, or vice versa. Thank you to everyone for the support!!

First Week of Fasting

  This first week has been... I would say very influential, God has shown up in my life in many various ways and I am very happy to feel my love for him grow and almost feeling his grow for me. I have hit many bumps in this past week, like temptations and other things and I have done my best to hold onto my commitment, but one thing is for sure and that is that I am growing and focusing more on Christ everyday. I'd like to thank everyone who is sponsoring not only me but everyone who is also doing the Media Fast, We really appreciate having the chance for being fully supported.

First Week

I've successfully survived my first week of media fasting. It wasn't too hard because I'm not one to be glued to my phone 24/7, but I still experienced a lot of the challenges. I personally didn't turn off my notifications, so I still know when people text me, but rather than looking at it, I call them to see what it's about, if it's important etc. I'm sure that more than enough of my friends have been kind of shocked seeing that I'm calling them rather than sending them a quick text. Getting through this first week doing things like that has been somewhat of an eye opener for me. So many people these days rely on texting and are almost uncomfortable hearing my voice over the phone. I just think it's a bit sad that this generation loses a sense of sincerity and personality when communicating. Along more personal lines, this past week and the upcoming week have been/will be extremely stessful school wise and I'm really relying on God to pull me through it. I'm currently working on a major project involving the community and plastic pollution, and because of all of the outside efforts being put in, it's a lot more time and energy consuming than anticipated. Thankfully, after much prayer, the Lord has been by my side, working with me through it. In this post I just want to emphasize prayer. It's so powerful and has been so vital in my life. In my times of need I've prayed to God, and no matter the measure, big or small, he has answered. In this I just want to remind those reading of two verses, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" 1 John 5:14 and "He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along" Psalm 40:2. Both verses have been a source of hope in my times of need. As we continue throughout the month, remember that you are not alone, you have your sponsors, your fellow high schoolers, and above all you have God walking along side you. Thank you so much for all of the support, love, and prayer; I look forward to keeping you up to date on how the Lord is working in my life. :) 

Most Played Songs this Week:                                      

Oceans (where feet may fail) by Hillsong United         

Come Thou Fount by Shane and Shane                             

Great I Am by Phillip, Craig, and Dean                          

Let There Be by Gungor                                                   

You Have Me by Gungor                                                  
Some of my Favorite Verses: 
Isaiah 40:31
Philippians 4:13
Psalm 139:16
Jeremiah 29:11
Psalm 40:2

Long Week

I finally got through the first week successfully, though I can't say it was really that much of a challenge for me. It has been a long week though. I have been so busy with school and other extracurricular activities, that I don't have time for much media. When I do though, I find myself very bored, and very tempted to listen to that one song, or watch a short movie clip, or play a video game.  I think that the Pause series has been the best one that we've had, since I find myself pausing, thinking that sure, my parents and sponsors might be dissapointed, but the person it would dissapoint the most is God, the one I love the most.  The media fast is a pladge between you and God to devote time specifically to him, in place of the things that controll our life the most.  Going back to the Remote series, I think that this is the perfect time to give the remote to God, and let him control your life, since media is often a huge controller.  

I wanted to thank my sponsors for talking to me, and praying for me to get through this month.  I hope that everyone else will be successful, and will learn alot spiritually from this challenge.  

Love in Christ,

        Brandon

One Down, Three To Go

As I said yesterday, I have survived the first week. It was not always easy, but I know that God helped me (and all of us) through it. Thank you to all of those who are sponsoring me and/or praying for me; I really appreciate it and it means a lot. Thank you to all of those participating in the media fast; it takes great trust in Him to fast from something that we are in constant bombardment of. I pray that all of you are seeing the good things this experience is bringing about, and I pray that we will be challenged and stretched in a way that helps us see God. As Pastor Craig said in the sermon today, we do not come up with the ideas or the "Oh, I get it's" of God and Jesus, but rather, the Holy Spirit gives these to us; it is the spotlight that shines a beacon on Jesus Christ. I think that this is definitely the time the Holy Spirit will be shining a spotlight on Jesus as we fast from our distractions and lift our eyes to heaven.