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GO DEEPER Archives

30 Hour Famine -- Learn more about World Vision's program for raising awareness of and money for people around the world who are starving. Then challenge your youth group to organize a "famine.

Adopt a Highway -- Learn how you and your family or youth group can adopt a stretch of highway in or near your hometown and work to make your little corner of the world a more beautiful place.

Adopt a Sea Turtle -- If Robin Hansel's meditation and sea turtle photos (page 50 in devozine) touched your heart, learn more about this endangered species and how you can help. You might consider "adopting" a sea turtle or simply choose to click the rescue site each day to help save all kinds of animals.

Alternate Ways to Fast -- If you are unable to fast from food and drink for health reasons, try an alternate form of fasting. For a little inspiration, read the story of a group of college students who were required to fast from all electronic devices for 24 hours to pass a course!

Amy Carmichael -- Learn more about this dedicated missionary, and read or listen to her beautiful songs of faith.

Cote d'Ivoire -- Learn more about the history, people, and culture of this African country ravaged by violence.

Find Peace -- When life becomes overwhelming, remember to keep your focus on Jesus and trust that all is well because he is the Prince of Peace.

Give God Your Anger -- If you often feel mad at the world, there is help for you.

Killings in the Philippines -- Our Filipino brothers and sisters live in dangerous times. Learn more about the extrajudicial killings and disappearances, as well as the efforts of the people to stop the killings and to restore justice.

L'Arche International -- Learn more about this amazing international organization, founded by Jean Varnier, in which persons with developmental disabilities are seen as blessings and are encouraged to share their gifts with the world.

Learn More about Fasting -- Discover how the discipline of fasting is rooted in scripture and history, as well as the basics of how to fast and what to expect when you do. Also, check out a review of the book Fasting, the "Food" chapter in the book Way to Live, the "Fasting" chapter in the Abingdon youth book Soul Tending, and the "Fasting" chapter from Richard Foster's classic book Celebration of Discipline.

Listen to "Lynda's Journey" -- Listen to this powerful song of faith written and recorded by FaithFive, one of the runner-up bands in devozine's SoulTunes Contest.

Listen to "Missing Piece" -- Listen to this song by Rachel Starr Thomson, and imagine what the adulterous woman from Luke 8:1-11 may have felt if she had stood at the foot of the cross.

Listen to "Ocean Floor" -- Watch and listen to Audio Adrenaline's final performance of "Ocean Floor" from their farewell concert in Hawaii. Let this song remind you that "your sins are forgotten" when you confess them to God.

Martin Luther King, Jr. -- Learn more about this Christian leader who inspired the civil rights movement in America, fighting oppression through civil disobedience rather than violent retaliation.

Movies and Faith -- Invite your family, friends, or youth group to begin with you a practice of watching religious and secular movies through the eyes of faith.

Need Help with Shakespeare? -- Don't feel bad; we all do! Check out the Who's Who of characters in the bard's history plays, as well as your very own Shakespeare classroom online.

Need Some Ideas? -- Challenge your youth group to be involved in Project Hero or to sponsor a child through World Vision or Compassion.

Play The Values Game -- This "game" helps you to name, prioritize, and define the most important values in your life. (Be sure to open the pop-up window for the rules!)

Prayers for Healing -- Invite your youth group to experience the power of prayer as you offer on behalf of others these prayers for healing or as you speak prayers of your own.

Sex Trafficking -- Learn more about sex trafficking and what various organizations are doing internationally to protect the rights of women and children and to combat sexual exploitation in all its forms. Dig a little deeper into this issue with your family or youth group by studying The Thoughtful Christian's resource on this topic, watching the movie Trading Women, or meditating on the International Justice Mission's flash site of images and stories.

Try Something New -- Find Christian artists who have the same musical style as your favorite secular artists, and give their music a try!

Try to Imagine -- A new art exhibit by Chris Jordan includes artistic representations of some of the things Americans consume and dispose of every day. He's taken numbers of things in the millions and broken them down into easier-to-handle amounts. They will shock you! Spend a few minutes understanding what our trash looks like; then commit to use less stuff.

Watch Happy Feet -- After you watch the movie, check out the flash site to learn more about the characters, to play some "cool" games and ringtones, and to discover how you can help protect marine habitats.

Ways You Can Help -- Expand your list of ways to care for the earth by exploring the Environmental Protection Agency's information about internships, scholarships, and careers for teens. Also, check out the list of organizations started by kids and teens, or start your own Kids Care Club.

You Can Prevent Violence -- Check out the information available to help teens prevent bullying, school violence, date abuse, and alcohol abuse. Also, if violence is a part of your life, keep these crisis hotline numbers handy.

January/February 2008