Media Fast

Digging4Truth · #1 01-10-2011, 11:45 AM

So many people from so many different areas are going on a media fast I was wondering what the source is?

Is this a UPC announcement?

ILG · #2 01-10-2011, 12:00 PM

My media is pretty fast even though I live in the country and I'm not even in the UPC.

Digging4Truth · #3 01-10-2011, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILG

My media is pretty fast even though I live in the country and I'm not even in the UPC.

*groan*

"You tho funny"

MissBrattified · #4 01-10-2011, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

So many people from so many different areas are going on a media fast I was wondering what the source is?

Is this a UPC announcement?

I think it's a trend that has spread. My sister's church is ALJC and they've done a full month media fast for at least several years.

Digging4Truth · #5 01-10-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I think it's a trend that has spread. My sister's church is ALJC and they've done a full month media fast for at least several years.

Interesting. Because it's everywhere. Some a week. Some 2. Some a month.

My pastor hasn't mentioned it. But, then again, he's a media junkie... so he probably won't.

MissBrattified · #6 01-10-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Interesting. Because it's everywhere. Some a week. Some 2. Some a month.

My pastor hasn't mentioned it. But, then again, he's a media junkie... so he probably won't.

I have no idea whether it was passed down from the UPC headquarters or not, but either way, I think it's a good idea. People need to remind themselves and their brains that technology is a luxury, not a necessity. ...like a food fast reminds our bodies that we won't be ruled by our stomachs. Our church does a month long "fast" in March with each week of the month dedicated to a different kind of fasting. 1 week is a technology fast. Personally, I look forward to the week of no tv, video, video games, extraneous computer use, texting, etc.

I wish people would make Sundays technology-free days. IMO, families would benefit on several levels.

Digging4Truth · #7 01-10-2011, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I wish people would make Sundays technology-free days. IMO, families would benefit on several levels.

But... but... but... what about computer based lyrics projections on the screen?

ILG · #8 01-10-2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

*groan*

"You tho funny"

Yeah, I'm thinking about becoming a comedienne.

I'll practice on you. Har har

DAII · #9 01-10-2011, 01:00 PM

Digging,

Many churches in American Christendom have in the last few years started the new year with a time of fasting and prayer ... usually the fast of choice is the Danie'ls fast which was supposed to be a 3 week fast ... especially in charismatic and Pentecostal circles

I started one last week ... the church, Grace, starts there's this week ... and we will continue until Jan 30.

I think some have chosen to also add a media fast as well with their Daniel's fast.

Many teens and kids are encouraged to have a video game or media fast if they are not going to do the Daniel's fast.

More on the Daniel's fast here: http://danielfast.wordpress.com/daniel-fast-food-list/

MissBrattified · #10 01-10-2011, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

But... but... but... what about computer based lyrics projections on the screen?

Doesn't really count.

I recently read a book called Simplicity Parenting, which has led me to simplify several things in our schedule and limit access to media. One of the things we have done is to turn off all media (for the kids) after 7 pm. Phones are turned off, computers shut down, tv is turned off and gaming devices are off limits. If Jeff and I watch something, it's quietly in our bedroom, or maybe even using headphones. None of the media comes back on until the following day after schoolwork, reading and music is completed.

This one small change has remarkably improved the kids' ability to go to sleep at their regular bedtime, and they have all been more focused on music and reading. For some reason, these parameters have worked better than my previous one of "an hour a day." Usually the latter would be surrounded by arguments and pleading for more time on the computer, time to finish a tv show, etc. We told them initially that they shouldn't start any movies, shows or games that couldn't be turned off at 7, because everything would be turned off unapologetically even if they were in the middle of something. (And it has been.) We extended it to 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Bedtime now remains virtually the same on the weekends - 8:30 on school nights, 9:00 on Friday and Saturday.

My point is that this one simple reduction in media exposure has benefited our family in multiple ways. In our media-rich culture, people need to remind themselves that it really isn't needed. Technology is a luxury, and one that our family in particular appreciates, but it can also detract from family life in MANY ways. A yearly, monthly or weekly fast can only be beneficial in my estimation.