17 Oct, 2006
Heads up on media!
Which of these have you seen, heard, or played?
Movies Top Ten Video Game Rentals
GameFly - Week Ending: 10/9/2006 Top 10 Artists on MTV.com 9/18/06 - 9/24/06
Top Ten Songs (Radio Airplay) Top 40
Launch.com Top 10 Streaming Music Videos 10/11/2006
As Viewed on Launch: Music on Yahoo! 10/13/2006 - 10/15/2006
Source: Nielsen EDI | Top Ten TV Shows rank TV Program Audience (in millions) Grey's Anatomy(ABC) 22.8 2. CSI (CBS) 21.5 3. Desperate Housewives (ABC) 21 4. Lost (ABC) 18.8 5. Dancing With the Stars (ABC) 18.4 6. CSI: Miami (CBS) 17.9 7. Dancing With the Stars Results (ABC) 17.5 8. NCIS (CBS) 15.9 9. Survivor: Cook Islands (CBS) 15.8 10. Two and a Half Men (CBS) 15.8 Top Ten Albums
Billboard Magazine, Issue Date: 10/21/2006 Top Ten Song Downloads
Source: i-Tunes, Week of 10/16/2006 Yahoo! Buzz Index
Top Searches on Yahoo! |
hot lists courtesy cpyu.org, 10/13/06
Galatians 5:16-19
Walk by the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (ESV)
How does the scripture in today's God's Story connect to the media in today's culutre?
In today's passage, Paul gets real specific with sensual sins. OUCH!
Every one of us struggle with evil desires. We can't ignore them. Most of them won't be noticed by others, but we all know that deep down, there's some pretty ungodly stuff being tossed around.
Paul says that if we're not letting the Holy Spirit control every part of our lives, our sinful nature is going to produce some sinful desires and result in evil.
You may not be sexually active, but if you allow your mind to be continually filled with impure values, doesn't it seem logical that in time you could become eager for lustful pleasures? Will you then have the strength to say no to sexual immorality?
If you are struggling with sensual sin, do you see the connection between what you are putting into your mind with what you are doing?
If we allow the Holy Spirit to control our minds, we will experience God's power to make Godly choices about what goes into our minds and hearts. If we don't, would we want anyone to see our TOP TEN thoughts?
How can you connect today's God's Story with your own life?
- Start by being honest about the connection between the media going into your head and your attitude, thoughts and actions.
- Thank God for the power of His Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases Him. Confess your struggle with choosing to fill your thoughts with what is Godly and ungodly. Ask His Spirit to control your mind today, for an hour, or maybe just for the next minute! Thank Jesus that He promises you to be able to do with what is pleasing to your Heavenly Father when you abide in Him.
- Memorize Galatians 5:16.
- For one week, read today's scripture every day, slowly and aloud. Listen for some new thoughts and encouragement from Jesus.
- For two weeks, keep a written journal of what goes into your mind from the media...your choices in movies, TV shows, magazines, music, video games, the internet, and the Godly stuff....like time in His Word, prayer, worship, Bible studies at church or with friends at school or the work place, a Christain book, etc. At the end of the two weeks, evaluate which is having more impact on your mind? Make any needed adjustments.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?
- With friends and family who are followers of Jesus, look at the hot lists together and talk about the connection to Galatians 5:16-19.
- With friends and family who are not followers of Jesus, be careful not to preach at them or judge them for their media choices. Rather, be familiar with today's media, because this is part of knowing how to connect God's Story to their stories. You don't have to see all the movies or hear all the songs to know what's going on. Check out these resources: http://www.3story.org/start/ http://www.cpyu.org/Default.aspx http://www.planetwisdom.com/ http://www.dare2share.org/
- With the mind of Christ in you and a growing understanding of God's Story, you can listen to the media perspectives and experiences of those who need Jesus and find those moments to convey spiritual truth in a loving, thought-provoking way. This is part of connecting your story and God's Story to their stories.
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