Fasting 'N Things

Hello everyone!

First of all, thanks to those of you who came to the sleepover. I hear it only got better after I left (*cough* Frankie *cough*... or should I say "*snore*" ;)) I so appreciate your prayers for my health, I think the sinus infection is finally on the downhill... in time for my exams, yay!

If you have NOT met with a leader, will you please text me so we can get that going?! I want y'all to have the experience of having to do conversation with someone older and wiser (=not me) and seeing that this older generation of ours cares for us way more than we give them credit for.

Finally, I'm going to let y'all read the e-mail Matt sent me on fasting and ask that you continue to consider what you might give up for *at least* one week beginning this Friday (or you could start once you come up with it...). Please spend some time thinking about this.

Question: "Christian fasting - what does the Bible say?"

Answer: Scripture does not command Christians to fast. God does not require or demand it of Christians. At the same time, the Bible presents fasting as something that is good, profitable, and beneficial. The book of Acts records believers fasting before they made important decisions (Acts 13:2; 14:23). Fasting and prayer are often linked together (Luke 2:37; 5:33). Too often, the focus of fasting is on the lack of food. Instead, the purpose of fasting should be to take your eyes off the things of this world to focus completely on God. Fasting is a way to demonstrate to God, and to ourselves, that we are serious about our relationship with Him. Fasting helps us gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God.

Although fasting in Scripture is almost always a fasting from food, there are other ways to fast. Anything given up temporarily in order to focus all our attention on God can be considered a fast (1 Corinthians 7:1-5). Fasting should be limited to a set time, especially when fasting from food. Extended periods of time without eating can be harmful to the body. Fasting is not intended to punish the flesh, but to redirect attention to God. Fasting should not be considered a “dieting method” either. The purpose of a biblical fast is not to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Anyone can fast, but some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example). Everyone can temporarily give up something in order to draw closer to God.

By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can more successfully turn our attention to Christ. Fasting is not a way to get God to do what we want. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is not a way to appear more spiritual than others. Fasting is to be done in a spirit of humility and a joyful attitude.Matthew 6:16-18 declares, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Dakota, do you have any information on that one day service project so we can begin trying to coordinate? Thanks!

Alrighty,everyone. I will see y'all Friday at 7:30 p.m. In the meantime, you have my prayers. and my heart.

I'm kidding.

Only kind of.

Just A Small Town Girl

"Living in a lonely world, took the midnight train going anywhere."

Where would you go? Like, seriously. Anywhere for you I can guarantee is different than from me.

We're all different and that's what I love about you guys. [And I'm listening to the Glee version of Don't Stop Believin'.]

Oh.
So, you know that question, why do men have nipples? It's because in the beginning all babies follow the female genetic path.

But!

Since God created Adam, and he wasn't actually born, did Adam have nipples?

This question has honestly been bugging me for a long time.

Intern sleep over at Matt's house Friday at eight. You in?

"But if I say, "I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,"
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot. " Jeremiah 20:9

Since today's Wednesday,

it's my day to postttttt. (:


Well, I'm reading this book that Sadie gave me called 'I Will Carry You' - Angie Smith.
It's the book from the movie of the baby we watched Sunday. It's getting really sad, because it's telling about how she had miscarriages before she had her twins, and then, it's talking about how she found out she was pregnant with Audry. It's getting really good though.


:D PROM'S COMING UP!
I hope everyone's going to go. Massaponax Prom is May 22, at 8pm at Riverside theater. I can't wait!

text meeee 540-419-0737

Erin Dillonnnnnn,

Hey everyone, (:
I really hope you all had a great spring break. I really didn't do anything, but it was still fun. (:

I stayed out at my aunts house for a few days, talked to some old friends, oh, and went on a break with my boyfriend. /:
but other than that it was good. (:

listen to this song, <3

Today Was A Patronus.

Hello there interns, Kori here.

Hopefully, by now, most of you know I'm kinda obsessed with Harry Potter. (Only kinda.)

So, for those of you who don't know Harry Potter. *ahem*Sadie*ahem* A patronus is a superbly good memory that someone uses to fight away dementors. (The soul sucking demontype things. They're not good. Fyi.)
Well, today I had Chipotle. Making today a very good day. Hence, the title. As well as I had breath in my lungs. My family around me. A house. A life.

I was pretty dandy today. And here's a pretty dandy song that I'm not sure many of you know.



So, have any of the rest of you lot kept up with your quiet time? Listening to your songs? Reading your bibles? I started out reading Luke two nights ago.

(It's quite good.)

But, one of the verses jumped out at me. Mainly because of our topic of discussion last 180. (So long ago...)

And that verse was Luke 6:37.

" ³⁷Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

We have to forgive to be forgiven.

Basically, I see it like this: We've all screwed up pretty badly at one point in time. Whether it's in our own eyes, the eyes of our friends, the eyes of our family. Or the eyes that matter most.

Gods eyes.

He is what matters most.

Psalm 73:26:
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

But, just because we've screwed up doesn't mean we shouldn't be forgiven. At least, in Gods eyes.

He offers forgiveness. We must remember to take it. Relish in the forgiveness and grace brought down on us.

John 1:16

¹⁶From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.

Can we do that? Can we relish in grace?

I'mma try. How about ya'll try with me?

Fail.

Hey, hey everybody!

Long time, no see. I miss y'all, crazily enough. :)

I do hope each of you had an awesome Easter heading into this break. Use it well, y'all. Get your rest.

(still don't know what I mean by that-- rest? Seriously there is a free coffee and an open mind ready to hear your thoughts and help you think it out. the ability to rest before God is absolutely crucial to you learning anything about what it means to be an effective leader. So let's talk if you need to!)

I have a couple of things for y'all to know--

a. we will be meeting this Sunday (the 11th) at 5

b. we will each be giving a 3-5 minute testimony this Sunday (the 11th) at 180. Yes, all of us. Including me. Including you. It will be crucial to Matt's message, so there is zero chance of him cancelling or postponing us. It doesn't have to be all you talking-- you might want to include a bit of video or song or pictures along with your -who I was -what God did -who I am today.

If you need help, see the above parentheses-- it is my job to offer it to you. So I guess I'd be open to talking. ;)

c. i need each of you to either leave a comment on this post (with your name in comment, as every one of us will show up as the same commenter), send me an e-mail or a text to let me know if you are on spring break this week AND what the results of your survey during our last meeting were (are you prophet, apostle, evangelist, pastor or teacher?) you know, just for my FYI. and once I have that information I will coordinate it. Since, you know, it is my job ;)

d. speaking of job, where are my posts, interns? Okay, it's really not that serious. Like at all. But. I would like to hear from you Eric and Frankie. Because I value your thoughts. That sounds scripted, but I mean it. In a "Frankie, I need your humor to be immortalized on this blog and Eric, I know you have some sort of deep word to share up on here" kind of way.

Kori, what day do you want this week?

e. We are planning the very first (annual? ;)) Matt's House Sleepover for April 16. Dunkin Donuts will be in order for very early Saturday morning and a great time will be had by all. So ALL better be there ;)

f. I go to a bible study on the UMW campus that meets every monday night at 7:30 and you are all cordially invited to see what Christianity on a secular campus looks like. Mike Dudley is the pastor and he is eager to meet y'all and act as a resource to you-- he knows all sorts of student pastors all over the country, and especially in Virginia. I am always willing to pick any or all of you up or have you meet at my apartment to walk on over to the study. I promise it is worth your time.

Speaking of worth your time, can I just say one more time how grateful I am for each of you being a part of this program. Do you feel like you're getting what you want/need from it or from me? Yes, no, maybe so, don't know? Tell me.

The program and I can only meet your expectations if you express them. And I'll have you know that you have a God who loves you enough to want to exceed your expectations. Let's get to know Him. Okay? He has uniquely gifted each of you-- don't be satisfied with so-so!

I am praying for each of you, today specifically, that God would speak to you somehow and that you would be ready to hear Him.

After all, our motto is What is God saying and what are you going to do about it?

You can't fail this internship, y'all.

But you'll feel like a failure in a lot of things if you don't focus on getting that down first. If you don't know God as your portion.

Feeling like a failure today? Not feeling much of anything today?

Don't.

Your life is much too precious for that. Don't believe me?

Go read the Easter story one more time.

Ryans Videos posting

Whats up Fellow Internal injuries and viewers. Okay so we all wonder when we hear or learn something in Church how can we compare in to something in life. Well luckily i did it for you here some videos of topics we have went over at 180.

To start off check out some videos on movements. some show oneperson making a difference others may just join in cuz others are doing it check them out. :)

1.



Ha who knew dancing was so fun!
now for number two

2.



See some times it takes many to get a point across like this one on its view on the attack o Iran.
Now number three my personal favorite

3.



Ha see when you do something trust me someone will believe it and join in!

Now lets get in on the topic of betrayal
are first video is about how a cat cheated on another cat...

1.



I know its harsh poor cat never saw it coming. now are second is when you may stand up a friend on dig a activity. Such as picking up Girls but your friend rather do something else!

2.



Now the next set of videos is my way of uplifting your day. so here they are enjoy.

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
2.


i hope you liked those now i will give two people video shout outs starting with........DRUM ROLL PLEASE............ FRANKIE here you go we talked about it during a meeting now here are your videos of the week

1.



2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4I2vA9tzsQ

Aha ha and of course i cant leave out Sadie here are two videos i knew you would love

1.



2.



3.



i hope yall liked them . I love yall its great to have multiple personalities under one roof see yall soon. :)

I want everyone to know, (:

That this program is the best thing to happen to me in a long time.

You guys are all so nice, and I feel totally comfortable around all of you. You guys treat me like family, almost, and it's so great to actually have you guys in my life.
My at home life isn't the greatest, so having people that care about me is a great feeling.

Matt Paxson- You have got to be the best youth group leader I have ever met. You teach me so much every sunday, but not only then, every time I talk to you. You have such a way with teenagers, and I really need someone like you in my life. Thank you so much for everything you do for me.
Sadie- you're one of the coolest people I have ever met. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this life changing intern program. You've really helped me with a lot of things at home, and with my mom. I want to thank you so much for giving me a spot in this program, because it really is something that will benefit me in the long run.
Kori- you make me laugh so much. You're such a great person, so never change.
Elizabeth- you're hilarious too, (: I love singing with you in the back of Sadie's car.
Frankie- you're an incredible person, and I hope you'll stay in my life after this internship.
Dakota- I've known you for so long, and I'm so glad we're becoming closer than before. I hope I never lose you.
Ryan- well, you're hardly ever at our meetings, but we forgive you. (: You're a really great person too, and I'm glad I'm finally getting to know you.
Eric- you sure are something special. You give THE best hugs, I have ever gotten, and I really hope that after this internship we stay close. I love being able to talk to you about anything that's on my mind, and you helping me whenever I need it. I'm glad I'm getting way closer to you, and getting to really know who you are.

EVERYONE- I love you guys more and more every day. Thank you all so much for everything you have done to help me.

-Erin Dillon <3