I saw good news last night on TV. That was such a rarity I thought it needed to be blogged!! But before there is good news, there must be the bad.
• More than 5,000 children are dying every day as a result of water-borne disease.
• Millions of Africans lack access to clean water.
• The lack of clean, accessible drinking water is the second largest worldwide killer of children under five.
Our neighbors across the world are suffering. I heard someone recently ask “Why should we worry about people across the world when America has so many needs of its own?” I have two answers for that. One…because we CAN. God’s blessed us and we should give it away. Two… I had to answer the question with a question, “So exactly what are you doing to help with domestic needs?” No response, not surprising.
Okay, where is the good news in that? So glad you asked! Americans have exactly what it takes to bring clean water to our global neighbors…CASH and CREDIT. This week area businesses are helping us to Engage in this Reality. In simplistic, yet creative way you can help be the difference between life and death for children just by going out to eat. This week restaurants are asking patrons to pay $1 per glass of water as a donation to The Tap Project, an effort by UNICEF to bring clean drinking water to children in countries where a cup of safe water is often a luxury. How awesome is that!?! Even if you prefer tea or soda, which is usually $2 in restaurants, splurge a little (you are American, we are good at that) and buy yourself a nice cold, clean glass of water. A small action can go a long way. In this project, $1 provides one child with safe drinking water for 40 days!!
Bottled water in America is now a $4 billion a year business. And most of us are blessed to have clean tap water everyday. It is easy to take that for granted. We give thanks before we eat, but what about before we drink our single most bountiful resource.
So the next time you take a drink of water, thank God for it and pray for those without it. You can make a difference. Below are the restaurants in our area that are participating (I hope there will be many more next year!) and websites that give you more information on this issue.
Be aware and make a ripple!!
Christy
Greenville restaurants participating in the Tap Project (Sunday, March 16 – Saturday, March 22):
- Blue Fire Grill - The Blue Ridge Brewing Co. - Brown Street Club - Devereaux's
- Flat Rock Grille - High Cotton/Maverick Bar & Grill - The Lazy Goat - Midtown Deli
- Overlook Grill - Restaurant O - Rick Erwin's West End - Snapshot Café
- Soby On The Side - Soby's
http://www.tapproject.org/
http://www.bloodwatermission.com/ (if you don’t make it to a participating restaurant this week, you can make a $1 donation here anytime)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Just One More Fan
Every so often, maybe once or twice a year, I hear God calling me out. Of course, I believe He is constantly calling or speaking to me but somehow I miss his voice most of the time. When this happens, I get really passionate about Him and my life. I start reading books on apologetics, theology, Christian philosophy, and the Bible. I start seeing God in people, places and things I never saw Him in before. I become acutely aware of my sin and I marvel at His grace. How does He do that? How does He forgive me after all I do all the while ignoring Him. I start writing about Him, talking about Him, I even start to mean the songs I sing for and about Him. I start loving people I never even noticed before. I start thinking about tithing, serving, and sharing my faith with the world around me in some tangible/meaningful way. I start wondering what He really wants from my life. It’s a little overwhelming. I work myself into a fever. And then it happens, (you know what’s coming don’t you) nothing, nothing, that’s what happens. I crash and burn and turn into a big heaping pile of apathy. I lose it, the fire, the enthusiasm, the vim and the vigor. Why? Why? What about personal commitment? What about perseverance? What about “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”? Am I forever relegated to a life of spiritual ADD?
I think, for me, knowing Jesus has been largely an intellectual pursuit. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I have no emotional investment, I do, but I analyze and reason myself to Jesus more than I engage Him intimately. I am essentially a fan. Yeah, I am a fan of Jesus. I read His blog to see what He’s thinking about, I watch His segment on ET to find out what he has been wearing and what whether or not He’s been in rehab recently. I watch Him on the Barbara Walters special and wait with baited breath for that one deep, probing question. You know the one that’s going to bring Him to tears. I buy bumper stickers with His name or something cleverly lifted from scripture written on them. I buy one of those “fishy” symbols to put on my car. I buy books that reduce His words to a seven, ten, or twelve step program to “personal, spiritual, health and/or financial” fulfillment. I add Him to my Myspace page and watch the “Sermon on the Mount” on Youtube. I vote republican no matter what because everyone knows that Jesus is a republican. If I am feeling particularly “spirit-filled” I’ll boycott something, you know like the newest children’s book that’s not a sophisticated allegory for all things “christian”. I could go on and on with examples “Fan–atism” but I won’t. Where does this leave me? Why, with more questions of course.
What if, instead of learning more “about” Jesus, I actually spent more time “with” Him? What if I read His words and obeyed instead of searching for theological or philosophical insight? What if I became a disciple instead of a fan? What does that look like? What would this cost me?
Luke 14:25-35 (The Message)
Figure the Cost
25-27One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
28-30"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'
31-32"Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?
33"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.
34"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
Am I listening? Is this what Jesus has been trying to tell me all along?
I think I’ll take a walk and invite Jesus to come along. Wait, He has already sent the invitation to follow Him. I guess I should just do that.
Guest Blogger: Jeff Stamey
I think, for me, knowing Jesus has been largely an intellectual pursuit. That doesn’t necessarily mean that I have no emotional investment, I do, but I analyze and reason myself to Jesus more than I engage Him intimately. I am essentially a fan. Yeah, I am a fan of Jesus. I read His blog to see what He’s thinking about, I watch His segment on ET to find out what he has been wearing and what whether or not He’s been in rehab recently. I watch Him on the Barbara Walters special and wait with baited breath for that one deep, probing question. You know the one that’s going to bring Him to tears. I buy bumper stickers with His name or something cleverly lifted from scripture written on them. I buy one of those “fishy” symbols to put on my car. I buy books that reduce His words to a seven, ten, or twelve step program to “personal, spiritual, health and/or financial” fulfillment. I add Him to my Myspace page and watch the “Sermon on the Mount” on Youtube. I vote republican no matter what because everyone knows that Jesus is a republican. If I am feeling particularly “spirit-filled” I’ll boycott something, you know like the newest children’s book that’s not a sophisticated allegory for all things “christian”. I could go on and on with examples “Fan–atism” but I won’t. Where does this leave me? Why, with more questions of course.
What if, instead of learning more “about” Jesus, I actually spent more time “with” Him? What if I read His words and obeyed instead of searching for theological or philosophical insight? What if I became a disciple instead of a fan? What does that look like? What would this cost me?
Luke 14:25-35 (The Message)
Figure the Cost
25-27One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
28-30"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'
31-32"Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can't, won't he send an emissary and work out a truce?
33"Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple.
34"Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it's useless, good for nothing.
"Are you listening to this? Really listening?"
Am I listening? Is this what Jesus has been trying to tell me all along?
I think I’ll take a walk and invite Jesus to come along. Wait, He has already sent the invitation to follow Him. I guess I should just do that.
Guest Blogger: Jeff Stamey
Saturday, March 8, 2008
A Hero and Survivor
The story of teenager, Elizabeth Shoaf, was told on Dateline tonight. Her story speaks of the reality of pure evil in our world and the strength to overcome it. I am always moved to hear how others survive sexual assault. Each story in someway pushes me to advocate more. There is so much out there that often doesn't support them - our justice system, myths, stereotypes, media, even family and friends. I will blog more on this issue later, but for now I wanted to share with you a true survivor. Elizabeth proves the strength and resilience of kids - we adults can learn a lot from her.
This story happened in South Carolina. Elizabeth's story is not the norm. Statistics show that only 10% of abusers in child sexual abuse cases are strangers. 90% of children are sexually abused by people they know and trust.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23522127/ (Dateline Story- In to the Woods)
http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/06/739278.aspx (Elizabeth's Blog)
until next time...
Christy
This story happened in South Carolina. Elizabeth's story is not the norm. Statistics show that only 10% of abusers in child sexual abuse cases are strangers. 90% of children are sexually abused by people they know and trust.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23522127/ (Dateline Story- In to the Woods)
http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/06/739278.aspx (Elizabeth's Blog)
until next time...
Christy
Monday, March 3, 2008
Hold the Light
Remember back when you where a kid, and your dad or mom, or anybody working on something. Trying to fix the drain maybe? Or installing the newest appliance? All the tools would be there, everything needed for the job. Your job was to be the assistant, to hand the next part or tool when needed and of course ask lots of questions, some being about the task at hand even. Maybe now you’re the one with the tools trying to fix the drain. Now you have an assistant to hand you the parts and tools.
If you are anything like me, you will still try to do it yourself, hands full of parts and tools - things in your pockets, under your arms, even between your teeth. But now you can’t even ask for help with things between our teeth, all you can do is mumble. Then comes the hard part…it is dark. No light. How are you supposed to get at this problem if you can’t see? Then you think - my hands are full, and so are my pockets, maybe if I move this thing out from under my arm I can hold a flashlight there! Now there is some light but it’s not where you need it. You still can’t see it or get your hands on it. I know… hold the light between your teeth that has to work, right? Nope, still can’t see! Then frustration sets in - I can’t do this! How can anyone do this? It is too dark! This is impossible! I give up.
You lay the parts and tools down, the flashlight too. Your assistant is there still asking questions reaches down, and picks up the flashlight. Then boom! There is light! Now you see the problem, and you have both hands free. Now you can focus on what needs to be done.
The whole time all you needed was for someone to hold the light. It was dark; your hands where full and you just needed someone to hold the light. You had an assistant the whole time but you where trying so hard to do this alone that you didn’t ask for help; for them simply to hold the light.
Sometimes we are the assistant. We see people struggling, their hands full and in the dark. We ask questions, some even questions about the task at hand. But do we ever hold the light? Do we reach down, without being asked, pick the light up and point it where it needs to be? Not on the ground and not in their eyes, but on the task at hand, where the work is being done.
Matthew 5:16 (Today's New International Version)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Guest Blogger: Marcus
If you are anything like me, you will still try to do it yourself, hands full of parts and tools - things in your pockets, under your arms, even between your teeth. But now you can’t even ask for help with things between our teeth, all you can do is mumble. Then comes the hard part…it is dark. No light. How are you supposed to get at this problem if you can’t see? Then you think - my hands are full, and so are my pockets, maybe if I move this thing out from under my arm I can hold a flashlight there! Now there is some light but it’s not where you need it. You still can’t see it or get your hands on it. I know… hold the light between your teeth that has to work, right? Nope, still can’t see! Then frustration sets in - I can’t do this! How can anyone do this? It is too dark! This is impossible! I give up.
You lay the parts and tools down, the flashlight too. Your assistant is there still asking questions reaches down, and picks up the flashlight. Then boom! There is light! Now you see the problem, and you have both hands free. Now you can focus on what needs to be done.
The whole time all you needed was for someone to hold the light. It was dark; your hands where full and you just needed someone to hold the light. You had an assistant the whole time but you where trying so hard to do this alone that you didn’t ask for help; for them simply to hold the light.
Sometimes we are the assistant. We see people struggling, their hands full and in the dark. We ask questions, some even questions about the task at hand. But do we ever hold the light? Do we reach down, without being asked, pick the light up and point it where it needs to be? Not on the ground and not in their eyes, but on the task at hand, where the work is being done.
Matthew 5:16 (Today's New International Version)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Guest Blogger: Marcus
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