Organic Christian

Holiday Gift Guide

2011-12-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

What do you get the person who seemingly has everything!? I used to struggle with this question every Christmas. The easy answer for me was just don't get them anything. But after wise council, it turns out that option is not a viable one. So here are two more thoughts on this: 1) Buy them something that helps someone else. This way, even if they have it, you have helped someone else who doesn't. 2) Buy someone else something they don't have in their name. This way you have at least given them the feeling that they care and are part of something bigger. Now I know you are thinking, "I love it! How do you do this sort of thing?" I have prepared this easy guide for you to help you out.

Option 2 (My Favorite Option)

Gift of Compassion - Your gift will help provide clean drinking water, medical treatment, disaster relief, food supplies and much more for Compassion-assisted children and their families. Meet real needs and bring real joy with a Gift of Compassion, then get family and friends involved by giving gifts in their honor.
World Vision Gift Catalog - Choose a gift to donate in honor of someone special. You can choose to have a card mailed to you, send an e-card, or download a beautiful card to print. Your gift will bring urgent help and lasting hope for a child in need.

Option 1

"Hope Gift Book" - 100% of the profit for items found in this catalog go toward funding for helping children at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Neem Products - JustNeem envisions a flourishing African continent. We believe that all human beings have the right to support themselves and their families through work. Therefore, we are partnering with like-minded NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that work with villagers in Mauritania, West Africa, to discover local resources and to establish economic opportunities for the local people.
Hammocks - Yellow Leaf aims to engineer a turnaround in which marginalized ethnic groups such as the Mlabri apply their artisan talents towards creating a micro-economy that will elevate them from their former state and maintain their cultural identity, with the added benefit of eradicating toxic farming methods within the communities they partner with.
Scarves - Your purchase of a fashionABLE scarf creates sustainable business for women in Africa. Our commitment as a non-profit is to the development of people — fashionABLE works with women who have been exploited due to the effects of poverty. So, when you purchase a scarf you are providing jobs, and then we send the profits back to holistically rehabilitate more women.
Soccer Balls - The One World Futbol is now available online at a price comparable to that of standard soccer balls. And for every ball you buy, another ball will be donated to a non-governmental organization working with deserving children, communities, recreation programs, or soccer teams.
Artisan Crafts - Chaka MarketBridge is a fair trade market for high-quality and unique gifts, home décor, and coffee that are handmade by undiscovered producers in the developing world.
T-Shirts - Tees at Risk distributes a portion of every t-shirt sale to a charity (often chosen by the young designer of that t-shirt), and every t-shirt design is accompanied by a description by its designer of the brief background and motivation of his or her design. Every shirt has a QR code, so anyone with a data-connected, QR-enabled device can easily find out the "story" behind your cool shirt.

In addition, I am willing to accept any of the above items for myself and would live to hear your feedback if you do use any of these resources this year.

Build A Kitchen in Lima, Peru

2011-12-07T16:30:00.000-05:00

Okay readers, here is another opportunity for you. My friends ar Clover are partnering with Skip1 to build a kitchen for an orphanage in Lima, Peru. They are going to match every dollar you give up to $15,000. The entire cost is $30,000 for the entire build.

Here is the situation: There's an orphanage large enough for 32 at-risk kids (that was once open), but has recently been closed by the city because their kitchen and dining room were inadequate for the orphanage. In order to open the orphanage back up and bring kids back into the orphanage, there needs to be an adequate kitchen and dining room built. Completing this small and absolutely attainable project will change the lives of these kids and bring hope to their entire community.

I know many of you get asked to give a ton right around this time of year, but I wanted to bring this need in front of you to see if you wanted to share with Clover in helping change these special kids' lives. You can use the links below to research about everything I have mentioned here.

Chilca Kitchen Project: Skip1 & Clover from Skip1 on Vimeo.

Compassion in the Phillipines

2011-12-06T17:00:00.000-05:00

You may have wondered why there has not been new posts to this blog for a while. I can't begin to finish processing my trip to Guatemala to see how Compassion works. I posted details about my trip on my personal blog but still have not attempted to even summarize the experience. Here is a video made by Missions In Action I hope you will enjoy. You can check out more of their videos using the link below.

MissionsInAction.tv

New Resource from Willow Creek

2011-09-29T17:00:00.000-04:00

Willow Creek has a new book out that is sure to change your church, at least according to the video. While not 100% sold on how to measure spiritual growth of someone else, Willow Creek has definitely had some influential ideas in the past that have obviously worked, I mean look at the size of their churches! :) Seriously though, you should check this resource out if this sort of thing interests you. I am sure a lot of churches will be using this terminology before the end of this year.

-- Ad --
In Move, you'll discover that it is possible to measure spiritual growth, why you can't always rely on "numbers," and the four, simple and reproducible practices common to all churches effectively moving their people toward Christ-centered living.

Re-Post: We Have Six Things to Say to Water.org

2011-08-16T06:32:00.000-04:00

We’re in the midst of a campaign to takeover the Water.org Twitter account.
Water.org’s 432,000 Twitter followers represent a whole new audience for us. An audience that may not know what we do, why we do it or who we do it for.
We’ve asked you to vote and to encourage others to vote. And it will provide at least one million gallons of clean drinking water, enough clean, safe drinking water for 68 people to drink 64 ounces a day for 80 years.

And we need you to keep doing that so we can tell nearly half a million people that:

Our Water of Life system is a simple, cost effective and proven solution for providing clean water to families in need.

The system effectively eliminates parasites and bacterial contaminants that cause cholera, typhoid, E. coli, amoebic dysentery and many other devastating diseases.
And it will provide at least one million gallons of clean drinking water, enough clean, safe drinking water for 68 people to drink 64 ounces a day for 80 years.

What makes us distinct from other organizations is we’re about Jesus and always will be. We are Christ centered. We “release children from poverty in Jesus’ name.”
Unlike other organizations which fight poverty in the developing world, we’re child focused. We develop children, who in turn develop their communities. We give children in poverty opportunities to succeed. Each child we serve is ministered to personally, spiritually, economically, socially and physically.
We do all of our work through the local church. The Church is the great hope for the world and is God’s instrument to advance His kingdom. We mobilize and connect the global Body of Christ to fulfill her mandate to care for the poor.
We are 100 percent donor supported. We do not take any funds from any government.
We are more than a child sponsorship organization. We are a child development organization. And we’re not just working for the children in our programs, we’re working for all children in poverty.

Our programs are personal, individualized and relational. They’re tailored to age, gender, health, culture and family situation.
Our commitment is long term because children have long term needs.
And our commitment is to eradicate extreme poverty from the face of the earth by 2035.

That’s what we’re fighting for. Thanks for your help in this.

Our Water of Life system is a simple, cost effective and proven solution for providing clean water to families in need.

We Have Six Things to Say to Water.org

RE-Post: Phenominal Presentation

2011-07-22T06:32:00.001-04:00

A good friend of mine posted this video on his blog a couple days ago. It is an awesome message. I thought I would share it with my readers as well. Enjoy!

Why No More Dreaded Mondays?

2011-06-17T11:59:00.003-04:00

This is my first attempt at a book review. I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. "No More Dreaded Mondays" by Dan Miller is about exactly what the title describes. The basic idea is to not dread Monday mornings anymore and how to like Mondays as well as Fridays.

In chapter one Mr. Miller tells you why you need to read his book and basically states the obvious about why you bought the book to begin with, you hate Mondays! He gives some background on his life because, well I don't know why, but he tells you about it anyway and it has nothing to do with Mondays but is interesting none the less. My favorite part about this chapter is the title, even though none of us can accomplish this: "Don't Be 'Stupid'."

The next chapters offer more of the same, stories about other people that have made career changes or changes at their workplace to help them feel "more" fulfilled along with random statements that you will find all the answers you need in this book. Maybe my review of this book is tainted since I wrote it on a Friday and not a Monday but in our time and our economy, making statements like, "No one needs to feel trapped in a dead-end-job -- there are too many choices available. It doesn't matter if you trained to be a plumber, an assembly-line worker, a physician, a dentist, or a schoolteacher. It's never too late to change careers or change things about your current career to make it a better fit." just offer false hope. This only works for some people in some areas with some levels of health and some level of ability to learn or comprehend.

Are there ideas I like? Yes. I like the idea of not blaming others including God for the things that happened to you in your life. I also like the fact that Mr. Miller seeks counsel in the Bible for making decisions and principles for living life. In fact, if you can't read any of this book at least glean the insight out of chapters 4 and 7. Readers would likely enjoy the standard "life coach" steps of identifying, planning, and doing stuff.

Finally, the real issue here is the entitlement being promoted. Do we really deserve to be happy all the time!? As people we need to realize and digest the fact that it is not about us. We are where we are because providence has placed us there. Why am I at a job I dread? My family needs to be taken care of so my happiness is a small price to pay for the joy one has in taking care of their home. Our hope is in Christ and living a Christian life requires a lot of suffering. Allowing your life to speak through the suffering a message of love is what will make others want to suffer along with you and partake of the joy you demonstrate. My recommendation, Don't quit your job to do what you want to do. Ever. You will thank me later.

5 Thing I Hope to do After Death

2011-05-23T09:34:00.013-04:00

A couple weeks ago the grandmother of a great friend passed away and went to be with Christ. This, plus all the talk about Heaven and Hell, got me to thinking about what I want to do when I go to meet Christ myself.

1. Eat Breakfast. My memories of Granny Davis are great ones. She was quick to keep my friend in line when needed and always concerned for my personal relationship with Christ. My friend actually was staying at her house in High School and I remember the first time I stayed there. She yelled up the stairs, "Do you want pancakes for breakfast!?" I said, "no mam, I am not hungry." She yelled back, without hesitation, "I will make them anyway!" You see, she knew I really did want breakfast but didn't want to trouble her, so about ten minutes later, my friend and I stumble down the stairs as the aroma of pancakes waft up my nostrils... but wait.. that doesn't smell like pancakes.. I get to the table and sit down.. WOW! We have a local diner that serves breakfast on a trash can lid because it is so big... Granny serves it on the entire table top. Sausage gravy, biscuits, toast, waffles, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, jellies, butter, bacon, sausage links, and of course, pancakes! What a way to start the day. Then as I begin to dig in, she asks, "Did you want your egg fried or can I get you anything else?" No granny, you are great. I hope to enjoy a breakfast like this with you again one day in Heaven.

2. Thank People. I imagine sitting around the table are at least four key people outside of my close friends. My granddad, great granddad, Mrs. Hoffman, and Mr. Mudge^[1]. We don't always see the impact we have on peoples lives in the future. These four people directly or indirectly are the reason I am a Christian today. I would live to share with them my experiences with Christ and how He has worked in my life after they were gone. Thank you great granddad for being the greatest theologian ever, thank you granddad for pointing me to someone higher than yourself, thank you Mrs. Hoffman for sharing the gospel with me and for the NT you gave me, and thank you Mr. Mudge for taking time to pour out some of your life and sacrificing some of your time with some high school boys.

3. Dance and Sing. I love to dance and sing but I can't really do either very well. Somehow, I don't think Christ will care if I suck at it since I will be dancing and singing because of the joy he has placed in my heart. I don't know for sure about this, he may change his mind about me at this point just to stop me, I doubt it.. he will probably invite everyone else to join in. Then, like in church, the larger the group of bad singers, the easier it is to blend in. Angels, help me out here!

4. Nap. Yeah, I know we will not grow weary but why not take a nap. I assume the day or rest means you can actually nap the day away and since time is eternal, it will be much easier to put things off till tomorrow, right? So I want to take a nap.

5. Help Prepare a Welcome^[2]. Probably my biggest prayer each morning and evening is that my children are better Christ followers than even I am. I hope they choose to follow him boldly and the doubts and confusion this world provides does not stop them in their faith tracks. So the 5th thing is to prepare a party for them and my beautiful wife when they arrive.

Obviously there are a lot of other things I hope to do but these are 5 of them in no particular order.

[1] depending on when I die, Mr. Mudge may have to join the table later.
[2] also with the assumption that I go first.
[Scripture] Psalm 23:4; 1 Corinthians 15:54-57; Romans 8:38-39; Revelation 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 14:13

The Facts of Life and Small Groups

2011-05-18T18:09:00.012-04:00

Sometimes I read something I really want to share and then I get an added bonus because several others have contributed to the same topic. Last week I read a newsletter article from the woman's ministry at my church. I know.. What in the world was I reading that for! But the article was about small groups and besides I know the women who wrote it very well. So I am going to share it with you and in addition check out the video below.

I am part of a great small group...but it isn't easy. There are weeks I feel tired & don't want another thing on my schedule...when its rainy & I’d rather stay home with my family. There are times when I feel like I have said the wrong thing & need to apologize...there are times when someone has made a remark & I have taken offense. We have had groups that just "click" so well & then maybe someone moves away or we split to make room for others...the transition can be rocky or awkward. I haven't always been sure if others would like me or if I would like them. But in the end, it is worth it. And, actually, we are better for staying committed when it isn't so fun. We realize together that we are all so imperfect, but that our vulnerability can be a virtue, not a vice.

There have been times when all the members of our group have been "slammed” by life's problems. Or when just one person or couple in the group experiences something so tough that it shakes everyone! Sometimes no one has an answer or an adequate way to help. Those are the times that it is also hard to be in a small group. It is hard to care about people so much that it hurts when they hurt. It would be easier to stay to ourselves, to conserve our mental and emotional energy & not get involved.

I believe that small groups become what the church is meant to be, when people stay committed through the rough times & work through the messy stuff together. When we are honest with one another & maintain relationships with one another, we can help hold each other accountable.

I have sometimes felt unnoticed or unloved by the church at large. I put a smile on my face & go through the Sunday morning motions. But there are people in my small groups who can see past my smile. They know when I am going through the motions. There are times when I am acting judgmental, dishonest, or otherwise acting sinfully. I know that members of my small group know me well & who I want to be. I give them permission to speak truth into my life, even if it hurts or makes me a little angry at first.

I read somewhere —people can only maintain a handful of key relationships at any one time— it varies slightly among different personalities, but not dramatically. That is why we need to submit & commit ourselves to a small group of people. A building full of a few hundred people is not the church. We, as individuals, coming together for a common purpose are the church. Like a chain, small groups link our hearts together in small circles, which are linked together to strengthen the body of the church as a whole.

Am I ever lonely or misunderstood? Do I feel slighted or irritated from time to time? Sure...I realize that the people around me are not always able to fulfill my every emotional need...If they could then why would I ever need God?
In the words of singer/songwriter Sara Groves;
"...Every burden I have carried, Every joy -- it's understood. Life with you [my small group] is half as hard, And twice as good..."

Some may have had bad experiences or feel they just don't have the right personality to feel comfortable in a small group. There are others who are in a phase of life that makes attending a small group seem impossible. Still some want to take part, but either don't know how or are afraid to take the first step. I would like to encourage you with the following suggestions:

1. Pray about your involvement in a small group.
Whether you are in one or five or none. Pray that God would help you prepare your heart to bond with a group of other Christians & create opportunities to make it happen. If you are in a group, pray for those in your group on a regular basis. Ask God to help you to love them purely.

2. Take action!
If you are not in a small group, take steps to make it happen. Maybe it won't be a traditional church-wide small group. Maybe it will just be two or three women getting together for Bible study over coffee. If you are in a small group, I encourage you to plug in. Keep your attendance consistent. Contact each other throughout the week. Follow up on prayer requests.

3. Be the small group member that YOU want others to be to YOU!
Don't gossip or share "prayer requests" about others outside of your group without permission. Don't let misunderstandings go. Keep your intentions & your feelings truthful & open. Let others "call you out" & be willing to speak the truth in love to others. Don't assume that another can or can't understand you & be willing to be vulnerable.

As we move into the summer, many small groups will be taking a break from their weekly meetings. But that doesn't mean that our small groups have to be on hiatus. The relationship is what matters, more than the structure or system in place.

For those of you who are old enough to remember Lisa Whelchel [The Facts of Life: And Other Lessons My Father Taught Me] as Blair Warner on the "Facts of Life" and not as an author, I leave you with this...
"You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life."

By: Jennifer Wilson

I thought this video came in good timing after reading this article.

5 Blogs I Read Everyday and Why!

2011-04-29T17:39:00.002-04:00

For me one of the greatest inventions was the RSS feed. I am able to get all my news and other information from one place in the same format and only the stuff I care about. One of the things I care about are the Blogs that offer great information to me on a daily basis. But I have found, just like your stocks, you need to diversify so you are not overloaded with the same information at the same time. So here are the 5 blogs I must read everyday and why I read them (in no particular order).

Compassion International HOPE. With all the bad news happening in our world everyday, I appreciate hearing the stories of hope offered by this blog. Stories that encourage people and demonstrate how doing your part can make a huge difference, not only in another persons life, but often in their entire community and/or country as well. I love what this organization is doing and hoe they work with the local churches in other countries to make things better for children. I can't wait to tell my sponsored child that I love him like I get to tell my kids every morning and night.
Tim Challies INSIGHT. I am just generally interested in theological topics and often Tim provides excellent insight into the things I care about. He also gives away free stuff each Friday which is another reason to go there. I have never met him in person but I imagine we would get along and consider him a great brother in Christ.
Decapolis COMEDIC INSIGHT. Also, a brother in Christ, Conrad. His style of humor mixed with biblical insight always makes me hungry for bacon. Of course, like Conrad, there are not many times I am not hungry for bacon. I also enjoy his quick witted comments that make me actually laugh out loud (LOL). Like, "God has called me to a web designer, a husband, a writer, a board member at a Christian school, a model, a ninja and a zombie killer" or "You might have ‘peace’ because your boyfriend bought you the 27 Dresses DVD and it doesn’t look like he’ll be leaving you." So check it out if you get a chance and if you don't enjoy it, add some bacon to your next Subway sandwich for a whole new taste.
Dilbert LAUGHTER. There are some times I need a bit of reality after laughing and getting insight from the previous blogs so I read Dilbert to remind me to laugh at myself as well.
Christian Personal Finance ADVICE. You can never learn too much about stewarding your finances. This blog offers the best advice from many different contributors and gives practical tips on how to manage and maintain you money. Even if there are things that I already know, I find it doesn't hurt to know you are on the right track or be encouraged to get off the wrong one.

These are all things I need in my life that help me through each day. You don't have to read the same ones but you should try to at least find a place to go for stories about these general categories each day. HOPE.COMEDY.INSIGHT.ADVICE. Are there other blogs I read? Yes! Most are personal from people I know and perhaps I will share the others with you another time.

A Day Without Sin

2011-04-11T17:24:00.009-04:00

What? Are you telling me it is possible to live without sin? During my college days, my wife and I had enjoyed dinner with an older couple. They were great people and were deeply grounded in the Wesleyan tradition^[1]. I was reminded of this when my wife brought it up at small group last week. The gentleman talked about theology and specifically the Wesleyan doctrine of entire sanctification or Christian perfection^[2]. He told me that he has gone for at least a year without sin in his life, that he had been sanctified entirely. At the time, as a college kid I thought, this guy is crazy! Knowing myself, and my peers, I could not imagine going a day without sin.

A couple years ago, eleven years after that discussion, while reading through my Bible, this concept hit me smack in the face. If I am in Christ and walk in the Spirit, I am free from the power of sin and death (Romans 8:2). I am a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Sin now becomes a conscious choice because we are children of God, heirs to His throne (Romans 8:17), and counted as righteous before God ( Isaiah 53:11; Romans 4:5). Why does this need to be possible? As Christ followers we strive to be like Christ (Philippians 3:10). That would be our Goal. If that goal is impossible, then why even try? If we can't reach perfection until death, isn't that what baptism is for (Romans 6:4). Die to sin and this world to rise up new in the Kingdom of God. I am curious what you think about this? Is it possible to go a day without sin? Leave me a comment below.

[1] Wesleyanism or Wesleyan theology is the system of Christian theology of Methodism taught by John Wesley. At its heart, the theology of John Wesley stressed the life of Christian holiness: to love God with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength and to love one’s neighbor as oneself.

[2] Perfection is the process of sanctification which is both an instantaneous and a progressive work of grace. It may also be called entire sanctification, in which the heart of the believer is cleansed from inbred sin by the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Christian perfection, according to Wesley, is “purity of intention, dedicating all the life to God” and “the mind which was in Christ, enabling us to walk as Christ walked.” It is "loving God with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves". It is “a restoration not only to the favor, but likewise to the image of God,” our “being filled with the fullness of God.”.

World Water Day

2011-03-22T17:08:00.006-04:00

I thought I would take some time to post about an important topic. Today is World Water Day! I know it is a weird event and odd how we have to name days, weeks, and months after the causes we support as if it is a holiday that you don't get off of work for. I always remember February is Black History Month from elementary school growing up. But whether it is an actual holiday or not, it is a real cause and a real concern. I have posted here about this issue in the past and today I thought I would provide you with another opportunity. This time, instead of being original, I am going to use another's post without permission. I can only hope she will forgive me:

Random Thoughts by Jennifer Wilson
When I was in Peru, our trip leaders were continually handing us bottled water every time we exited our bus or prepared to go on a home visit. The water there could have been our worst enemy, yet the kids there drink it everyday. It was weird to think that the clean water that my son snubs every day when I offer it to him is the very thing children his age are walking miles to get to in other countries. When it rains here, I find that I can no longer complain about it, because I think about the farmers in Africa who pray for enough rain to grow their meager crops, so they can survive.

Today is world water day. The Compassion blog today addresses the need for clean water across the globe in this post World Water Day 2011 — How Can Clean Water Make a Difference?

If you think that children should be able to go to school, instead of spend a great portion of their day transporting water, which is still often filled with contaminates, there is something that you can do. You can contribute a monetary donation to Healing Waters International, Sponsor a Child, or you can simply share the needs of those who are struggling with lack of substantial water with others.

Thanks for reading.

for whom the Bell tolls...

2011-03-09T17:59:00.022-05:00

I tried to resist posting about this but it seems everyone in my blog realm has given in. Given in the the temptation to act as judge and jury in place of God. That being said, if you have participated in this exercise, I am not attempting to judge you but to simply offer you a gentle nudge in order to get on with things and start focusing on the real mission and purpose of the Christian church.

What is that purpose you may ask? It is all summed up in Titus (enter sarcasm here)! Yeah that tiny little book called Titus that, to the detriment of the church, so many have too often forgotten.

According to Titus 1:9 - "He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong."

So there you have it, the entire church has the permission to judge one another and publicly discredit one another for the sake of wholesome Christian teaching. WOW! Please don't feel like I am discrediting Titus in this post, I am simply in disagreement of the exegetical methods some use to define this book.

Why am I feeling so aggravated about all of this?

1) The purpose of the church is defined in the great commission (Matthew 28:19-20) and the great commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). With that there are certain duties the elders of the church are to adhere to and maintain (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7) but the problem comes when elders exchange their duty for their purpose. This changes your target audience from seeking to share the Gospel with the lost to indignantly declaring the Gospel to oneself and thereby becoming a modern day Pharisee. So how do you do your duty of protecting your flock?

A) "Encourage others with wholesome teaching" - I was always told it is better to bring a solution than to simply point out a problem. If you are going to attack a un-wholesome or even false teaching, don't do it in a blatant statement, offer up the right or wholesome teaching first then condemn the false teaching. Do not condemn the person teaching it, that is not encouraging to me or anyone else.

B) "show those who oppose it where they are wrong." - the context here shows two things, one evident and one implied. It is evident that the target of this rebuke is the person who opposes the teaching and not the entire class and especially not the entire world. It is implied that the authority has been given to the elder by this person to perform such duties in their lives and does not extend beyond that authority. In my daily work I would call this scope creep. I am responsible for my flock, you are not, and God alone is responsible for me and the Elders above me to which God has given this authority. Would it be right for me to correct your kids and discipline them in public or even private? No. I don't have the authority over them; that authority was given to the parents by God.

2) Those "leaders" have only helped the cause they are trying to fight. Every time I walk down the mall I see stores like Aéropostale placing their logo on every shirt they sell and people where them around all the time. What a great model. I am going to charge you to advertise for me! Awesome! And it works. With all this hype over whether this pastor subscribes to Universalism and this book will be the answer to it all. I have seen so many blog posts and news articles displaying his promotional video, book cover, and even Amazon links to buy it. Good job! Adding controversy usually only makes people want it more. If you truly believe people should not want to read this book, please stop advertising it.

Note: For my readers who are not avid followers of happenings in the "Christian" media world, there is a pastor in Grand Rapids, Michigan that is in all the news lately and many other Christian "leaders" have chosen to "attack" him so as not to be associated with him themselves. I apologize for this behavior and pray it doesn't turn you off to the Gospel message that is the real center of the Christian Church.

The bottom line: We are all sinners saved by grace through faith in Christ. Salvation is a free gift given to you by God that you can do nothing by yourself to earn. You just have to accept it and allow Jesus to be Lord of your life. Because we are not perfect and can never earn salvation, our sin has been acquitted through Jesus' death on the cross. He took the penalty for our sin upon himself so that we may live with him eternally in Heaven. If you believe on Christ you are counted as righteous before God and can enter in. In the end, no matter what men may say or do, God's love will win out. Sin and death have already been defeated and God's glory will providentially be shown.

If you have questions about this last paragraph, please let me know. This is all that is really important.

40 Days!

2011-03-07T18:34:00.001-05:00

So today begins the Lenten season. The countdown of 40 days until Easter on the Christian liturgical calendar. Those who observe this season are choosing to go without something or sacrifice or fast. It is never very hard to figure out what you should sacrifice in order to reflect on the work God did at Easter but it is very hard to actually do it and not choose something else that would be easier. For instance, I drink entirely too much carbonated beverages each day. Not because I am thirsty, sometimes, but because I use it as something to occupy me while doing other things. I could choose to give it up for Lent, or I could choose something like fish. I hardly ever eat fish anyway and chances are within the forty days I may only be offered it once or twice and I don't really crave it at all, ever.

Are you going to observe Lent this season? If so, what are you giving up?

Reflection: Caiaphas Questions Jesus (Matthew 26:57-68)

¡Ándale! ¡Ándale! ¡Arriba! ¡Arriba!

2011-02-19T07:59:00.002-05:00

I remember when I was younger and my parents did not make a lot of money even for that time. I often had to borrow money from family or others to do things like field trips or even play sports. I never had the sports equipment the other kids had, mine was always a off brand or never fit properly. I realize, today, those things really did not matter. You had to have the right equipment for the right job but a truly skilled person could make the wrong equipment work. So a couple days ago I read a blog post about a girl that has the opportunity to compete in the 2011 Special Olympics. She earned this honor in 2009 by winning gold and silver medals in her country.

The problem is she lives in the Philippines and the government cannot financially support athletes competing in the Special Olympics and so help must come from elsewhere. This is where I hope you come in and help out. Emilda lost her chance to compete in one international competition because her family did not have the money and nobody backed her up.

The 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games are being held in Athens, Greece. For the geographically challenged that is about 5,986 miles. Although the student center and the church can shoulder Emilda’s local and national competition expenses (also a lot considering their income), it’s beyond their ability to help her compete internationally.

You should know by now that I enjoy providing you with opportunities to be part of something bigger. So today I want to simply let you know that Emilda's parents are unable to pay her way to Greece and neither is the Philippine government. Her need is $19,857.

You can help her out by clicking this link and giving a one time donation.

Think, Thank, Thunk...

2011-02-04T18:37:00.002-05:00

Belated Day 5: Education

All apologies on the lateness of this post. It turns out that on Day 5, I was taken with a fever and for the past few days unable use the computer outside of work hours due to the immense headache it would produce. I am in recovery mode now, still a bit of medicine head left but overall feeling like my body has won the fight against this virus.

So lets move on, education. Education is the one thing that no one can steal from you and you can never have enough of. I totally believe the more you know the better off you are, even if you can't think critically. So fill out a FAFSA and take some classes in anything or read lots of books and challenge yourself with new ideas. That is all I have to say about that one.

Conclusion. "Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." - Keri Russel

Hey you woodchucks! Quit chucking my wood!

2011-01-25T18:07:00.002-05:00

Day 4: Addiction

In order to adequately cover this topic, I could dedicate an entire blog to the subject. There are so many types of addiction, so many reasons for it, and a plethora of individual ways to escape it or fight it. This being said, I don't want to leave you high and dry and just let you off the hook there. My recommendation is to choose your addiction wisely. WHAT!? We are all addicted to something because that is how we were created. We are a passionate people and need something to make us feel that "High" feeling on occasion to help us along as a vice in our lives. By choosing your addiction, you put yourself in control of it and thereby remove it being in control of you.

In that sense, you are not an addict and have mastered your addiction. Confused? For example, I can choose to eat food when I am stressed or to pray. Assuming my prayers are legitimate, I believe you would be hard-pressed to find someone too addicted to prayer. It is your God given ability to choose that puts you in control of your addiction.

I fully understand there may be some that are already addicted to negative or even illegal things. It is a hard thing sometimes to change a lifestyle and habit that you have been accustomed to for years and years. I encourage you, if you are in that situation, to seek out professional help and even though you feel alone in it, there are groups and gobs of people that have made it through to the other side, most painfully, but have made it none the less. My recommendation for you is to seek accountability through others and also through Christ. It is generally the only way to resolve this issue completely (Titus 2:11-14).

Conclusion. "A wise man changes his mind, a fool never" - Spanish Proverb

Straighten up and fly...

2011-01-24T17:49:00.002-05:00

Day 3: Personal Organization

Organization is definitely one of my weaknesses. No one that knows me would tell you this though because I work so hard at being organized, most see me as super organized and neat all the time. This has been a learning experience and I can't say I have it down as of yet but I do have four recommendations to help in this new year.

One: To-Do Lists
Now this depends on what type of person you are, and not what type you want to be. I started a to-do list on my iPod since there were innumerable apps on there for free to do so and every time have fallen flat. It turns out, even though I use it for a lot, I don't check the to-do list. I want to, but I just don't. So I say trial and error on this but always keep one no matter what and be sure you can keep it in front of you. Here are some great products you can use or try out so take a look and see what is the right one for you.

On-Line

Google Task Lists - Found under your calendar and can also be displayed on your calendar.
Remember the Milk - Great syncing with all other to-do type apps.
Ta-da List - a simple strait forward easy to use tool.
The Online CEO - very unique and I love the scoring system.
Carbonfin Outliner - my personal favorite and is not a uni-tasker. I am generally not a fan of uni-tasking apps. Also, uses https for security.

Paper and Pen

Two: Reading
Read the book Making Ideas Happen and it will help you. Even after I thought I had figured out how processes work, this book had a lot to teach me about not only organization but how to get things done.

Three: Spare no Expense
Organizing your stuff is just as important as organizing tasks. One thing I have found in this area is to spare no expense. It is hard to put a price tag on increased productivity that comes from being organized. Sadly, you are not me and will most likely need different tools for this as well. Trial and error is the best effort here as well but don't keep the old tools around because they can actually add to you pain. My desk consists of three cups (dry erase,pens and pencils, and misc...), a phone, computer, a pad of paper, a 8.5x11 calendar, and a magnetic white board. That is it! Everything else is just mess for me. For you, this may be different so just keep working at it.

Four: Start at Work
Chances are you have a smaller area to control at work than at home. So this will help you start small. Just don't forget to get to your home eventually.

Conclusion. If you want different results in your life or your work, all you have to do is change your mind.

I Want Money, Lots and lots of money...

2011-01-20T17:51:00.005-05:00

Day 2: Money & Debt
Money. This has been a learn from experience matter in my life. As Paul once said, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty..." (Philippians 4:12). As a child I was so lucky to have soup beans for dinner seasoned with the ham bone given to us by the neighbor. Today, I can barely remember the last time I had soup beans. If you want to keep your resolution of better money management, here is what I recommend you do to get started. I have broken it down to 3 steps.

Step One. Take one week, perhaps this week and go without your daily pleasures.. Starbucks, any fast foods, any shopping at all except for products like milk, bread, and eggs. After the week is over, notice that you are still living and still have friends, family, and other important relationships in your life.

Step Two. Take a month (February is a short one) and write down everything you and your family spend on everything.I mean to the penny! If you don't have much money this should be an easy task. Then categorize your spending and see where your money is really going. It is one thing to make a statement like, "I need to spend less" but totally different to be specific like, "I need to only eat spend $5 for lunch each week."

Step Three. Have a friend help you create a budget. I know money is often personal and I also have no idea why but a close friend can add some accountability to the process. Your spouse would also work for this assuming one of you can be strong when it comes to reality. Include everything in your budget, even things you don't spend on every month. It is good to see just how far in the red you are. Then, realistically make it green, one thing at a time. What can you spend less on? What can you do without? Really! Removing dining out with friends because it is not a necessity doesn't make it a reality. If this is something you enjoy, maybe you could do with out 300+ channels instead, or monthly subscriptions of playing with fake friends on-line.

Debt. It is a common mis-belief that better money management means less debt. This is not the case! Money management and debt are totally different beasts. One does help with the other but their relationships are reciprocal. There are three common ideas when getting out of debt. Consolidation, Stacking, and Snow-balling.

Consolidation. Let me start by saying, NEVER consolidate debt, this often leads to higher debts and longer pay off times and in most cases a higher interest rate. It does not make sense to go into more debt to get out of debt!

Stacking. Stacking is acceptable, basically you take all of your non-mortgage debts, pick the one with the highest interest rate and pay as much as you can on that one while rounding up and paying the minimums on all the rest. Once that one is paid for, you take the money and extra you were paying on that one and start with the next.

Snow-balling. Let me start by saying, I know mathematically this is not the best option, I started off by stacking myself but don't knock it until you try it. This is basically the same concept of focusing on one debt at a time but instead of looking first to the higher interest, look to the smallest amount. You will be surprised how good it feels to get the victory over a debt payoff. It energizes you somehow to get rid of the rest as well.

Conclusion. If you continue to act as you have always acted, you will continue to get what you have always gotten. Check out this link: What does the Bible say about Money? Finally, there is much more to all of this and if you are sincere about doing better in this area, I would suggest subscribing to the Christian Personal Finance blog and take notes whether you are a Christian or not.

Let's Get Physical

2011-01-19T17:46:00.003-05:00

Day 1: Diet & Exercise
This is an area I struggle in daily, not just in January and late December.

Exercise. It turns out that exercise is a habitual lifestyle change and by just starting it dos not mean you will continue because it takes a long time to maneuver our busy schedules around this task and for most of us, there is not enough motivation. My recommendation here is to find a friend that already has the motivation and has incorporated this into their lives and ask them to help you along. You will be surprised how eager they usually are to have someone with them as well. I call this an "accountability in exercise."

Diet. Gluttony seems to be the acceptable sin in most churches. Don't get me wrong I love a good potluck with all the fixins and I have been to those with healthier dishes that no one really wants to eat. But I believe that may be the problem, I may love the food too much. The truth is, we need to train our bodies to know when we have had enough. The problem with that is our brains rarely know what enough really is. Diet plans for the most part may help you for a time but again, like exercise, it is a lifestyle change that you have to make. You need to change your mind about things and behaviors you have which can be easier said than done.

Conclusion. If you continue to believe as you have always believed, you will continue to act as you have always acted.

6 Days to Complete Resolve

2011-01-18T18:43:00.003-05:00

Yes, the new year has been here for 18 days now and people are still talking about resolutions and at this point breaking them. There is a chance that some of you have also jumped on this resolution band wagon and are about to break yourselves. I just want to make one thing clear before moving on; There is no such thing as "New Year Magic" that makes things happen on there own! Basically I am saying, as I have said before, if you know you are doing something that you really need to change (perhaps should not be doing), you don't have to wait for a new year to make a resolution or repent (to turn or change your mind about something).

Lets say you put a scratch across the hood of your friends new car. You then proceed to tell him, I will apologize when next year hits but for now I am going to add a few more scratches. No! Chances are you would apologize immediately. So, if you are doing bad things to yourself, don't wait, change Now! Anyway, here are the top 6 areas people generally resolve to change in the new year:

Diet & Exercise
Money & Debt
Personal Organization
Addictions
Education
Spiritual

My goal is to take the next five days and post a little about each area and try to help you out (assuming it isn't too late, there is no such thing as too late). So keep reading and over the next five days you will be a whole new person because the "New Years Magic" is still in effect until the end of the month, then you will most likely have to pay taxes on it. By the way, Barna Research agrees with me that these are the top areas (sort of) and if you haven't seen this article, you should read it now.

MISC JUNK

2011-01-03T18:22:00.001-05:00

In the weeks leading to Christmas a friend of mine posted about miscellaneous junk. I admittedly have problems at times with this issue. I don't know why I hoard things, but I do. The good thing is, I often get into the mood to get rid of things as well. That is a good time to get rid of everything I have hoarded, before sentiment enters back into the picture. Here is her post, I hope you find it as needed as I did at the time.

Well, I've been mulling around that phrase "miscellaneous junk" for over a week now. You see, last week during Bible study at church, I saw a box at the front of the room labeled "MISC JUNK." I leaned over to a friend and asked, "Did you see that box? Why are they keeping miscellaneous junk??!!" The idea seemed ludicrous.

At the top of my Bible study, I wrote, "MISC JUNK-Why keep it?" and have spent this week "blogging in my head" about how we all keep things that we just don't need - college textbooks that we barely even opened while we were IN college, a single sock just in case we ever find the other, broken items that we plan to fix "some day", empty cardboard boxes in case we ever have something to fill them with, fifty of the same pictures our kids drew-when one would suffice, junk mail that we "may go back to sometime"... You get it, the list can go on and on. I didn't even include all the "extras" that we keep around that we don't really need that could benefit others. I, like my mom, am a "thrower/giver awayer." I like neat and orderly spaces, shelves that are not too cluttered, and empty space on the closet floors. Junk stresses me out.

I don't think that Jesus intends for us to keep miscellaneous junk either. I'm sure he doesn't want us to hoard when we could be offering our "extras" to others. However, I also think he doesn't want us to carry around all the miscellaneous emotional junk that burdens us either - what someone years ago said about how you dress, how someone yelled at you and put you down, our regrets from the far past or even yesterday. He wants to clean us and carry our burdens. Why do we insist on carrying all our junk around instead of just laying it at his feet?

You know what? I think we like it. In a distorted and somewhat sick way, I think we like having some "pity me" things to fall back on. Things that we can use as excuses for not finishing a job or for saying/treating others unkindly or to reason our way out of serving others. Is that too harsh? I don't think so. Stop and think about it. What junk are you carrying around that you should have "donated to Jesus" a long time ago? Is your junk harming someone else? Could Jesus use you more if you weren't carrying around such a load? Probably so.

Jamie am the wife of a strong, intelligent, godly husband, and great friend of mine. She is the mom of a beautiful, courageous, and gentle-hearted daughter and a sweet, hilarious, energetic son. She is a teacher at heart who currently gets to live her dream to be a "stay-at-home-mom." She likes sweets, treasures her friends, and loves Jesus.

Buy a Soccer Ball for Me!?

2010-12-10T12:04:00.001-05:00

Back when I was getting paid to do youth ministry, I was tasked with having the students put on a play for Christmas. I could have chose to do something simple but instead, decided to use a Veggie Tales movie and have them perform, "The Toy that Saved Christmas." I had to adapt it for time and there are just some things a person cannot do compared to a computer animated vegetable . So I had to convert it into a screenplay for my students and what a process it was. But in the end, we actually had a pretty good production. What does this have to do with a soccer ball? Well, I remember there was a line that I insisted needed to be kept where the narrator stated, "Christmas isn't about the gettin', it is about the givin', and mostly about a little baby born in a manger who was the greatest gift of all, Jesus."

As you decide what to give this holiday season, please consider giving just one gift to someone you don't know but someone who will appreciate it most of all. Compassion has a catalog of gifts you can give to those who need it most and those whom you could be a real blessing this holiday season. So I ask you all to please buy at least a soccer ball for me and if you do let me know by commenting below. I guarentee your heart will have more joy this Christmas by buying one of these items than buying yet another game system or another video game that will sit on the shelf and gather dust after a couple months of use. Here are some more details about the catalog:

WHAT IS THE GIFTS OF COMPASSION CATALOG?
An on-line catalog of gift alternatives for friends, family and clients. No crowds, no lines, no stress - just a gift that will help make a difference in the life of a child living in one of the poorest communities of the world. These gifts help provide clean drinking water, medical treatment, disaster relief, food supplies and much, much more for Compassion-assisted children and their families. Meet real needs and bring real joy with a Gift of Compassion.

CTR: Wipee List

2010-12-09T13:51:00.000-05:00

I know I started using the "CTR" for church technology review, but this one is honestly for anyone. If you keep a to-do list or want to start and have a reason to be online most of the time, you need to try Wipee List.. This app is totally free and requires no users manual so check it out! You can even share and un-share your list with friends, co-workers, and family. Are they asking you what you want for Xmas? Tell them to check your Wipee List. You will be glad you did. You can use it to manage team projects and I am sure there are many other uses that even I can't think of right now. Happy Do-ing.

Check out my list.

Oh Country, My Country

2010-11-11T11:11:00.009-05:00

It was the year 1918 and the country was in the midst of a World War, the first to be recorded on the books. It was in this year on the 11th day of November that the war had come to an end. Today we celebrate in remembrance of this day in history as, at a close, 116,708 of the American Military gave their lives for our country, in order to terminate the "Central Powers" advance. We also take time on this day to share this sentiment with the rest of those who have given their lives, served our country, or are serving our country in the American military since that time through today.

Thank You.

It is no secret that our country is not perfect. We take more things for granted everyday. But America is more than just a country we love, it is an idea, that people can come together and be free and live in that freedom. From E1 to Officer, there are men, women, and even children joining our military because they believe in that idea and want to protect that freedom, protect that idea. I know some have joined under the pretense of a promise of paid education and last chance mentality, but even they are part of that team of people we call the U.S. Military. No matter what you think of war and the politics involved, take some time today and thank these soldiers. You can do it personally if you know one or in prayer, but be thankful as we approach the thanksgiving holiday for our veterans.

How often we fail to realize our good fortune in living in a country where happiness is more than a lack of tragedy. ~Paul Sweeney

Tell Us Your Story

2010-10-28T22:29:00.004-04:00

Wes Stafford of Compassion International has asked for people to tell them a story about a moment when an adult's words or actions shaped your life for the better. I thought instantly about all the people on the header image of this blog. The reason I put them there is because through either their writings, their words, or actions, my spiritual landscape and to some extent how I relate to God have been formed.

During the early 90's I had the opportunity to be part of a small group in the first church of which I was a member. I remember those evenings so well, as four high school boys sat on the floor of a dark room. Dimly lit by an oil burning lamp so that all you could see were the faces of one another and the background drifted off in the darkness. We would start with personal prayer, then at some point we would have to break out in praise choruses to God. Then as the Holy Spirit moved among us we would share how things were going in our lives, often with tears. When all would settle and everyone in the room felt the peace that only the Lord Jesus Christ can give, I clearly remember the words of a young Asbury Seminary graduate impart wisdom to all of our situations. Sometimes it was direct and sometimes just a hint of how we were to handle things through a story of someone else. No story ever came out of his mouth, that I remember, that was not purposeful or to make a point to us. Thank you Michael Mudge for that.

Although there were a lot of serious things said over our time in that group, I remember some funny ones as well that I often find myself repeating even today. I was inquiring over what I should do about a certain situation and the words that came back were, "It is always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission." This statement in many situations could be taken the wrong way but in the situation I was in, it was dead on. Over the years, especially working in project/program management, I have come to realize it is true more often than not, so long as you are not compromising your faith or integrity. It is how good ideas get turned into useful tools and reality.

Well, that is my story. Wes and I want to hear from you as well. There is a group of people that will be reading this post and will be looking at the comments to find out what you have to say so please take a few moments to share by adding a comment below. Thanks in advance for your stories.

Have another glass?

2010-10-15T05:25:00.005-04:00

I woke up this morning and hit the snooze on my iPod, went into the bathroom and, well you know what happens in there, brushed my teeth, went out to the kitchen, got some chocolate milk for the kids, then washed out their cups or refilled them so the milk residue don't spoil as it sits. Then I went in to get a shower, a hot one because it was a cold morning. This is pretty much my daily routine. The sad part about this to me is, I know that in the time it took to do all of those things, children have died because they didn't have the water it takes to do all of those things. Who will speak for them? Today, thousands of bloggers are focusing on the clean water problem, not only locally but globally. I talked about water not to long ago so I won't re-hash all those statistics because you can read that post here.

I want to change direction today. Most of you can look through my routine and say, yeah.. I do that stuff every day but not everything you did took water.. you would be wrong. You see, my iPod takes water because it uses energy and energy comes from water my friends.

"Plug your iPhone into the wall, and about half a liter of water must flow through kilometers of pipes, pumps, and the heat exchangers of a power plant.[1]"

To make it clear, no water equals no electric either. On top of that, remember the chocolate milk I got for my kids, it took water to make it and energy to do whatever they do to it to make it not taste like a cow udder. Maybe now you are curious at how much water you actually use, well check out this app for your iPhone/iPod Touch [2].

My intent is not to make you feel guilty, my intent is to help you realize how important water is and that a majority of the worlds population doesn't even have the most basic of elements available and/or accessible and together we can help eliminate this problem. Here are the action steps if you want to get on board:

Help Build Wells: opportunities for this are on my previous water post.
Conserve at Home: Not just water but energy as well.
Don't Pollute: By throwing stuff in the water and even on the ground where it eventually ends up in the water, it takes more energy to clean it and make it safe for use.

Here is a video showing what it would/could be like in New York City.

[1] The Coming Clash Between Water and Energy
[2] The Virtual Water Project

5 Things You Need to Know About Small Groups

2010-10-05T19:15:00.004-04:00

You may be in a healthy small group environment if...

1) ... you have 9 - 11 other people that will check on you, call you, email you, to make sure you are not giving in to the sin you continually commit that you expressed you needed help with just one time.
2) ... you can get 10 - 12 people to take care of one another when life happens by giving their time and other resources unselfishly and without expecting anything in return.
3) ... you have 9 - 11 other people to call and talk to if you are having a bad (crappy) day, even if they are having one too.
4) ... you can get 10 - 12 people in one room together that pray for one another as a group but are praying for each other when they are not together as well.
5) ... you can get 10 - 12 people in one room together from different places in life and have them truly be concerned for one another and what is happening in each others life.

Are you a part of a small group or would you like to be? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.

I Give Up!

2010-10-04T18:25:00.002-04:00

Yeah we all feel this way from time to time, some more often than not. This broken world has a lot of pain, suffering and unjust things that take place every day. Surly you have heard of Murphy's law, "If anything bad can happen, it will happen." The truth is that bad things will happen whether they are highly potential or not. Why? We live in a world where bad things happen. This world is broke and people and/or humans are trying to take control of every aspect they can. Selfishness is rewarded and often coveted by others when it pays off but we are all quick to lay blame and offer an "I told you so" when it doesn't all the while being just as selfish ourselves. What is the problem? We are trying to take control!

Perhaps you have a host of friends or even family (a foreign concept to some) going through tough times. It feels so lame to offer prayer when in your heart, you have already determined the end result. Nothing is left now but to worry about it all and be depressed over the impending doom and fate we will all and our children will some day suffer. What can we do? Stop trying to take control!

My wife has a t-shirt that she will not wear out of the house that reads, "There is a God and you are not Him." This message couldn't be anymore true but we constantly think we can handle things on our own. We work our fingers to the bone pursuing things that will be put on a shelf or be destroyed in future years. We, We, We, I, I, I, has become a way of life for most of us. What am I getting at with all of this? Nothing, not I but God is in control and until we learn to be the backup vocals and not the lead singer, our band will never sound good.

So don't wait till you get to the end of yourself. Give up now! I give up God, I will just take care of the background stuff and realize that you are in control of this world and there is nothing I can do about it but accept you are in control. I give up.

Glug, Glug, Glug..

2010-10-01T18:10:00.002-04:00

I forgot my water bottle again this morning. I have been attempting to decrease my intake of soft drinks like my favorite, Coca Cola, and replace it with some, "high quality H2O!" Some days I forget my water bottle, however; and I have nothing to drink, which leaves me thirsty and dehydrated.

The good news is, there is a water fountain right down the hallway and I have access to clean drinking water, even if it tastes like rusty pipes all of the time. This is something I honestly take for granted far too often.

“Water management is a key factor in the global battle to remove the scourge of extreme poverty and to build secure and prosperous lives for hundreds of millions of people in the developing world.” – World Health Organization, 2007

Safe drinking water is the ingredient to pulling more than a billion people out of poverty. Access to clean water is the foundation for other forms of development. Without easy access to water that is safe, countless hours are spent in water collection, household income is spent on purchasing water and medical treatment for water-related diseases. These factors contribute to keeping people trapped in poverty.

Elie Wiesel said: “We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”

Almost 90 percent of all diseases in the world are caused by unsafe drinking water, poor hygiene, and inadequate sanitation. Every year, there are 4 billion cases of diarrhea as a direct result of drinking contaminated water; this results in more than 2.2 million deaths each year. Not that talking about diarrhea is extremely exciting but the last time I had it, I wasn't worried about dying. Unsafe drinking water can contain and spread diseases and bacteria such as Salmonella, E.coli, Schistosoma (I had to look this one up), Hepatitis A, and even Cholera.

Every day water-related diseases claim the lives of 5000 children under the age of five simply because they are the weakest members of their community and can't get water unless it is brought to them. That’s about one every 15 seconds, so by the time you have read this post, 2+ children have died from something preventable.

As always, I intend to provide you with opportunity. Here are several sites you can go to and help out this cause if you so choose:

Can We End Poverty?

2010-09-21T17:13:00.002-04:00

To answer the question as to whether or not we can end poverty, we would have to define all the terms in the question. First of all, "We," I would define the "we" in this question as anybody reading this post and certainly anybody finding themselves in the position to want to battle or take a stance on ridding poverty from the world. Next we would need to define "end." In general this would mean be rid of or terminate the existence of something. Finally, we need to define the word "poverty." Wikipedia defines poverty as the condition of not having the means to afford basic human needs such as clean water, nutrition, health care,education, clothing and shelter. A better definition, however; is offered by Wes Stafford of Compassion International and states that poverty is simply "the lack of enough."

So to redefine the question:
Can those of us that would take opposition to the life condition of poverty ever terminate it forever by providing enough resources to those who live in this condition?

I would be curious to hear your answers to this question. Please leave your thoughts below in the comment area. What do you think!?

Where Do I Go From Here? Help?

2010-08-31T17:30:00.001-04:00

Okay, It is Tuesday and I have not posted in a while. Let me assure you it is not from a lack of writing. I have stayed as busy as humanly possible, while taking care of my two children, while my wife was out of town. The truth is, due to some positive critics of my blog, I need to make some changes if I wish to keep up with this one plus the three other blogs I maintain and I have simply been planning what and when to say things.

Now, I often would just go into my mind, chart out a plan, write it down, and go forth. I want to do something different this time. What would you, as a reader, like me to talk about on here? What post do you value more than others? Are there things you have been wondering about and I may be able to add some insight into? I understand that only 9% of blog readers actually comment on a blog post, but this one time, would you re-consider and let me know what you think? Just add a comment below. Please!? If you don't want to comment, would you please use the poll to the right to give me some guidance? Thanks in advance.

She Left Me

2010-08-23T22:32:00.028-04:00

Yes, it is true. My wife left me and for good reason to. She went to Peru with Compassion International on an advocates tour. Have I mentioned Compassion before on my blog? You know the child development organization I correspond with my child Jeremias through. Well she has went to visit her child in Peru and we couldn't be happier for the opportunity. Here is the update she has sent from her first day:

We visited our first child development sponsorship center today for church services. They greeted us so lovingly - singing, confetti, balloons, whistles, etc. - and the kids! Oh, I can´t tell you how many kisses on my cheeks I received today or how many genuine hugs. I got so emotional at how unworthy we were to receive such a grand reception. We sat through their youth service, which is completely lead by the high schoolers for the children, before they have Sunday school. They had singing, a sermon, human videos, dancing. The teenagers really touched my heart, because I see their lives in the lives of the teens we work with. Even though it is a different culture, we are all so the same. The little boys were joking with one another, the little girls were using their noisemakers and had to be quieted during the sermon.

My first young friend I made was Marco who was 8. I wish my Spanish was better. I get frustrated not being to communicate without a translator. The kids come up to me and just start talking a mile a minute! I must have said "No Entiendo" (I don´t understand) 25 times! But a smile and a hug goes a long way with my broken (very broken) Spanish. We left and were told that we had to stop waving because the kids would just keep running after the bus and it would not be safe. It has been an emotional day. I feel like I have to fight back tears even thinking of it now. It is a good thing that the Peruvians are very comfortable with hugs and other displays of affection, because that was the only way we could communicate and we all wanted to tell them just how much they all meant to us.

We also got to meet all the staff. They are all such dedicated workers and they were so loving as well. One of the advocates ended up sponsoring a boy there today, even though she has another child at another project she will meet later in the week. He was able to sit on her lap the rest of the morning and the sweetness of the moment with them matched permeated the group.

We then went and toured the city and the Catacombs and the St. Francis monastery and Basilica, ending at the "Garden of Love" on the Pacific Ocean and then a market place. We only had a half hour and I was freezing and between bartering and figuring out the exchange rate, etc., all I ended up getting was an Alpaca sweater. We are supposed to be able to go back to the market on another day... And we have eaten - way too much. Peruvians show love through food and we have felt much love. It is still tricky knowing what is okay and what is not. So far, none of us have gotten sick. There are so many other things I want to talk about, but we will soon meet to put gift packages together for the programs we will visit in the next few days. Please keep us in your prayers.

Perhaps one day I will visit Jeremias as well. Happy Monday.

Preparing for Ministry

2010-08-16T17:06:00.003-04:00

This summer my wife and I took a break from our high school small group with the rest of the small groups in the church. I hated to do it because I think consistency is more important to teens than most other things and even if we have one show up, that is an opportunity to focus better on that one. So for the summer months we would have no small groups at all. Wow, what will we do with all that time? Well, somehow we managed to fill it up with other stuff and I have to be honest, the break was great. I don't have to be happy about it but I have been able to re-focus my thoughts and mind back on how this ministry should run and less on keeping up to run it. I have been able to prepare for the spiritual battles and set up healthy boundaries in some areas. It has been a great summer thus far and I have one more month before things officially get started again, so how should I use this time?

Before I answer that, the back story to my approach on youth ministry comes from a friend of mine being let go from his position as a youth pastor because of a revelation given to him about how a youth ministry should be done. Later, this same idea was echoed by the people down south with the idea of thinking "Orange." Now whether you call it "Youth Ministry Redux" or "Re-Think" I don't care, I call it statistical logic and societal changes. Although it is weird to say it, youth ministry is about the parent more than the student. How do you reach a student and totally affect their lives? Reach the parent and show them how. So this summer, a parent of one of my core students said, "it is great how we can work together and raise our kids the right way as a team, because that is what it really is like you know. They need different people in their lives." I have thought about that statement for like days now. The fact is, this particular parent has more to offer me about parenting than I could ever imagine having to offer... ever!

OK. Stay with me here, fast forward back to this post, how do I use this time? Well with "family ministries" popping up everywhere all of a sudden, yes even my own church hopped on the wagon. Everyone is all of a sudden in love with this idea but no-body can actually tell you what it really means or more importantly what it looks like. So here is what I have envisioned for this next year of small group. I am going to use this time to get things ready for the parents, resources, avenues of communication, and ways to build relationships with them. I am going to figure out how to work together with them, in a healthy way, that will not impact the relationship with their students and assume the role of fellow guardian as they assume the same role with me and my children. Basically, I need to let everyone involved know, that this is not my show, we are all in this together and statistically I am just a commercial break in their students life. I will have to let you know how it goes in May.

Despicable Me

2010-08-04T06:02:00.009-04:00

Despite the fact I love the title because it is so fitting for pretty near everyone! This is the best animated movie of the summer in my opinion. Why, the minions are awesome, no really. Most movies made for kids are packed full of adult humor to try to get the adults to enjoy it along with their kids. Most of the jokes are over the kids heads but when the kids hear the adult laugh they are very confused. This movie limited that greatly and the majority of the jokes were things the kids (for which it was intended) can understand. Also, the ones they did not understand, I was not ashamed to explain to them why it was so humorous.

Another reason I loved this movie was because of the relationship factor. POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT! So you have this group of people that nobody wants and everyone overlooks. But because of their connections they can get you something you need. In an attempt to use them for your own good, they take an interest in your cause and you find allies in those you have written off. WOW! If I am honest, this is how I approached my first Compassion sponsored child.

You see, My wife and I chose to sponsor her but I was only doing it because I was being a "good steward" and helping the poor as I was commanded in the Bible to do because I wanted to, not that I had to. As the letters came in, and my wife and I went through many life transitions of our own, the child we were supposed to be supporting was continually praying for us, based on the letters, and quite often for specific things. Most of these prayers were answered and as she grew, we grew, and no matter how the situation ended up. That relationship was special and she was taking up our cause or at least taking an interest in it and in a sense we were the ones actually being supported. I think in most cases when sponsoring a child, this will tend to be true, you will gain more that you could ever give if you are open and honest about it.

Compassion has more than 1 million children in 26 countries that are in the situation where nobody is taking up their cause and they have little hope and not enough to sustain them to live even into adulthood. You can offer them hope and the opportunity to have enough as despicable as you are, as we are. Find out more by clicking the link to the right or the one below.

Sponsor A Child Today

Like Buying a Gun?!

2010-08-03T17:38:00.006-04:00

Last week I was engaged by a co-worker concerning the topic of the "Gift of Tongues." If you don't know what I mean by that statement, don't feel bad. It has been interpreted by many the Christian and other people to mean different things and besides, it is not the point I am trying to make with this post, I will reserve that one for a post all its own.

I understand a little of this persons background because I attended the church he grew up in for almost a decade. I simply told him, my definition of this gift and his were most likely different. I was a little floored by his answer. He said, "I don't know, doesn't the Bible talk about tongues a whole lot.. isn't it in Acts or something, I just know it is in there more than once?"

Why was this shocking/concerning/saddening?
1) I was not trying to discredit or saying I didn't believe in this gift.
2) He initiated the conversation knowing I have a Christian Ministries degree and am a youth pastor. Not that this makes me smart or wise but you can assume some knowledge of the Bible itself (well hopefully).
3) Why are we talking about this topic when there is so much more you need to start with (The reason for this post)?
4) This is most likely the same response most other "Christians" would give me. I know this from the Barna polls that say only 39% or Americans in his age group strongly agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all it teaches and an even lower percentage actually read it.

So in my mind I picture that scene from Indiana Jones where the ninja sword guy jumps out and flails around his steel and Indy simply reaches in his coat pulls out a revolver and shoots him dead. Then there is the old adage, "never bring a knife to a gun fight." Then I had to check myself at the door because the difference here is I don't want to shoot anyone dead but my hope is that I could simply encourage people to buy a gun. My response to him was simply this. Here is a list of places in the Bible that refer to tongues and/or other languages. Read them and compare them to your experiences.

With that advice, will he come to the same conclusion as me? I hope but I don't really know for sure.. and it really isn't important. What is important is simply taking time with God's word. Reading your Bible not because you have to but because you want to!

Back before guns, I assume the saying was, "never bring a fist to a sword fight." How do I know this: "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires" (Hebrews 4: 12).

What can I do to help you read Bible? This is important. You let me know.

Something to Blog About

2010-08-02T06:34:00.003-04:00

I know my blog has been quiet for a couple weeks. It seems I have had trouble finding something to blog about. It is not that nothing has happened over the past few weeks, just that I have been so busy and haven't had time to write it down. With that being said, I will attempt to catch you up over the course of this week. Let me begin fittingly with "Inception."

Inception is defined as - origin: an event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events or ideas.

It is also the title of what I would say is the best Movie out so far this summer not focused toward children. I love the concept and dare I say, loved the idea. I am sure if I watched it and analyzed it about 100 times I would find some holes in time continuum but hey.. why not just accept it and enjoy some great theatrical entertainment. If you haven't seen it, go see it. You will be glad you did. I have an idea, you could see it tonight.

"An idea is like a cancer, once it takes hold of you it grows and you cant get rid of it. An Idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules."

Here are a few ideas that changed the world for me, what about you?:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (Romans 3:23)
No one is righteous— not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies. Snake venom drips from their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace. They have no fear of God at all. (Romans 3:10–18)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13)
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1)
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38–39)

CTR: Google Apps

2010-07-08T21:42:00.002-04:00

Those who know me well can ascertain very quickly that I am a major Google fanboy. Yeah, guilty as charged, if Google builds it I will use it. This all started somewhere around the time I got my first Gmail invite and I have not turned back since. Yeah, I have several email addresses but you can rest assured they all end up in my Gmail inbox. So what is this Google Apps I am writing of? Basically it can be used for free up to 50 accounts and provide you email, calendar, chat, contacts, and individual wikis and sites using point and click (WYSIWYG) technology, all on your domain! If you think livn4him2day3456@yahoo.com (all apologies if this is an actual address) sounds better than bob@bestchurch.org; I am sorry for you, mostly because you are paying for a domain so why not use it for FREE.

Further Google Apps help you in the areas of cost, control, and reliability. Google's web-based messaging and collaboration apps require no hardware or software and need minimal administration, creating tremendous time and cost savings. Administrators can deeply customize Google Apps to meet their technical, branding and other requirements. While there is no guarantee for the free account to be available 99.9% of the time, I have not had a single occasion when it wasn't.

I wish I could say it was entirely simple to set up but it would help to have your web guy change your DNS info on your domain for you. Don't know what DNS info is, that is why you should heve them do it. But the rest is super easy and that change only takes about 5 minutes. Heck for $5 I would set it up for you and donate the earnings to my favorite charity. Here are what some others are saying about Google Apps.

Takami
Restaurant and food services
Hospitality, North America
"Google Apps lets us centralize and consolidate information, simplifying our company's internal communication process and giving us better control over our business."
Alejandra Cifuentes – IT Manager

Skinnycorp.com
Online community, parent company of Threadless Technology, North America
"We are able to give our IT challenges to Google, who handles the hard stuff, while we handle our business. Just do it."
Harper Reed – CTO

I hope this was helpful and look forward to sharing my Calendar with you.

Changing Times

2010-07-07T20:42:00.010-04:00

I woke up this morning with a song in my heart. This hasn't happened in a while so I decided to write it down.

Verse One:
I'll take time for you, Lord, I'll take time for you;
I'll seek your will, yes, I will seek your will for me.
Thank you for your grace you poured out in love.

Not sure how it got there in the wee early hours but I imagine it had something to do with the movie I watched before going to bed. The movie was called "Time Changer." I have no idea how to accurately describe the movie for you other than it was the best worst movie I have seen ever. I won't go into detail so as not to spoil it for any of you brave enough to watch it but the basic idea of the whole thing is: Good Values do not matter when taught apart from Christ Himself! It is the authority of Christ that is important when doing something righteous or right. This isn't a new idea, I have heard it from many great minds, and not so great ones like my own. Yet, this truth never ceases to frustrate me. I mean it is part (1/3) of the reason I began this blog to begin with. It is Christ who saves and Christ who has done the work and He needs to be in the center and verbalized as such in everything we teach.

Where does my frustration lie? With over 80% of Americans stating they are followers of Christ, myself included, I have to question by what criteria are we using? I can only hope it includes but is not limited to the following:

Our lives and our ministries must aspire to wholehearted devotion to God through worship, through prayer and through studying, memorizing, meditating upon, obeying, and teaching His Word
(Ezra 7:10).
All Christians are “priests,” according to 1 Peter 2:5-9, empowered through the Holy Spirit to worship God and be workers in the church and the world.

I believe these things mentioned above and even more that are not mentioned but I know I don't always live like it myself. I am a party to the dis-affected generations of today. I have grown up with and seen in life and in the media so many acts of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, not to mention, death and violent acts of hatred that even I have become "soft" meaning, I see it as normal in society and accepted and OK as long as I am not participating in it. Is it really OK? Really!? (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; Colossians 3:5)

When are we going to change the times? One of the biggest things I have witnessed in my and seemingly future generations is the lack of a backbone, the lack of authority over anything. Workers unions are dying out and new ones are not starting. Protesting means standing around for 20 hours with a sign and taking no real action to do anything. We all feel like it is not worth it because we can't change things anyway, we have no power. It is often just not worth the fight for fear of alienation of the masses and limited results and it is justified because the world is broken and we should not have expectations of others or anything else for that matter. We shouldn't tell people how they should to live.

Verse Two:
Take my time from me, Take my time from me;
bend me and break me help me to see your will for me.
Thank you for your grace, and for your mercy.

Yeah, your right fellow follower of Christ, I should not tell you how to live, in fact, it is not my business is it? I can barely get it right myself, but I know what I must strive for and I hope to do a better job of it. And I hope you don't take my word for it, I hope you take these words instead: 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right." God’s grace through Jesus Christ is our foundation for our salvation, our life in Christ and our ministry, both individually and as churches (2 Corinthians 9:8). Grace will lead to works, and result in fruit in people’s lives (Ephesians 2:8-10). There is a balance between God’s grace and man’s responsibility. Both the sovereign grace of God and the solemn responsibility of man to trust, obey and serve God as taught in the scripture. (Philippians 2:12-13). 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 - "Finally, dear brothers and sisters,a we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. For you remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. Never harm or cheat a Christian brother in this matter by violating his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you."

I know this is a strange post, this is just how my mind works sometimes. I also know it is long, but in my defense I have not posted in a while. Watch the movie and you will gain either understanding, more sleep, or gouge your eyes out while getting through it. That being said, I loved it. hehe.

I Am Not Asking

2010-07-03T13:04:00.002-04:00

Blogging is tough to keep up with at times as any blogger will tell you. The other day and person from work stopped by and said, "Hey, I saw your blog. That is cool that you are asking for money for that kid." I just said thanks but my mind was going crazy because I never looked at it as asking for money. Looking back through my posts, money seems to be requested quit often but let me assure you, "I am not asking!"

I write and post about the things that are dear to my heart and one of those things happens to be helping the majority of the world's population that live in poverty every day and specifically helping develop the children in those areas to be future leaders that can lead their countries out of poverty in the future.

So if you are reading this, trust me, I have not made a single penny on this blog and don't intend to. If I do receive a check for a referrer or affiliate account it will promptly be placed in the hands of one of the causes listed on this site. Further, I am not asking for money, I am providing you with an opportunity to help me fight poverty or whatever may be the need at the time. It is up to you to decide to give or not.

Now that the debate is settled, I want to give you an update and tell you THANK YOU! for taking advantage of the recent opportunity I provided. I wrote about a little boy named Achile that needed surgery. Generously. More money was raised than needed. I don’t have an official total number but it’s at least $26,000 that was raised/given and only $20,449 was requested for the surgery. The excess will go into Compassion’s medical assistance fund to heal other children in need. Thank you for giving!

Achile made the long trip from Brukina Faso in Western Africa to specialists in India and the surgery went off without a hitch. He’s doing great!

CTR: Website

2010-06-25T06:42:00.005-04:00

Needless to say, having a web site to both promote and inform your church or ideas is imperative. Nearly all households have access to the Internet, sometimes even on more than one computer. The great thing about the Internet is that it can reach the whole world, and not just your neighborhood. Thus, if you have anything to say (ie. a Gospel message), everyone can get to know about it.

Having a web site is not just a commodity for churches, but a must. The web site needs to be your profile and what's good about it is that there is limitless information you can put on it. Another good thing is that static content on your site can be changed very easily. Even better, you can opt to go for a dynamic site which will automatically change your content based on changes to your services, like times, events, ministries, staff information and more. Your web site is your identity, make sure you have one!

Perhaps it seems like a daunting task but there are easy and some free options available. I imagine the only thing stopping you is the resources to maintain it, the fear of new technology, or the cost associated.

First, Don't Be Afraid! Things are not set in stone. Second, this is also an opportunity for a lay leader/deacon or anyone really to get involved with your church. Put them in charge of it and see how much it increases their willingness to get behind your vision. So I have taken care of the fear and resource issues, all you have left is the technology. Let me make that easy for you as well. I have searched the web over, And thought I found true love. You met another and Phht! you were gone. Sorry, my brain took a tangent but I have searched the web over and I have identified three resources I can get behind and support.

AdvancedMinistry - AdvancedMinistry has all of the features you need to build and manage a website. lt uses simple, familiar web-based tools and no programming or HTML is needed. You can easily create pages using text, images, links, and even video*. Easily add features like Blogs*, calendars, file downloads*, and interactive photo galleries*. There are many more features available and the pricing is competitive. They are among the few to offer a FREE plan which provides a great quick start to your online presence. Very easily managed content by anyone without all the confusion of content management systems (CMS) like Joomla or its offshoots. It doesn't hurt to try it out for free! Find out more on their website. If you are not doing a church site, they offer a business edition as well. I have not used it yet but I am planning on at least trying it out. Here are my musings with AM.

Quick Mockup Site
(14-Day Free Trial, Created in about 15 minutes; expires on July 4th).
South Ridge Fairmont

Clover Sites - If that is not easy enough for you, you can also try this site. They allow you to try everything before you buy. The setup cost is higher but you really cannot get a more interactive CMS for your church and these sites look super professional. They offer completely visual editing and allow you to make all the changes you want, then publish them to your Live site later. Each site comes with several different layouts that you can use for any page. There are many other features offered and you can get a complete feature list from their site. The only downside to this is all sites are completely designed in Flash. Thus, If Safari is your main browser, you may not want to go this route.

Choolu! - This one is a new kid on the block but it has all the right ~~stuff~~ features and functions as church management software as well. It is rumored to be offered for FREE to anyone who signs up for testing and possibly to everyone! I look forward to the beta release by the end of the summer and I really feel this will be a happy medium between the two systems above. I will personally keep tabs on this one and let everyone know when it is ready. If you are not in a hurry, I would sign up for this offer. It could possibly be the best option available.

I really hope these posts are a help to you and encourage you to look back through the technology posts if you have missed them to see what other resources are available. July 9th: Google Apps!

How Is My Money Used Each Month?

2010-06-23T18:07:00.003-04:00

[Re-Post] How Is My Money Used Each Month?
Original By: Chris Giovagnoni

Thirty-eight dollars a month. That’s how much it costs to sponsor a child through Compassion, which is more than the price of sponsorship at other organizations. The difference sometimes leads to questions like these.

“When I first starting sponsoring it [the sponsorship rate] was $22 a month; that was 1989, or 1990 I forget, I’m getting old. During college I stopped sponsoring for a few years and then it was I think $26 or $28 a month . . . Other organizations have stayed about $22-24 a month . . . what extra services does Compassion offer for the extra money . . . what does Compassion provide that other organizations do not supply at $22-24 month?” — Dwight“

“I am getting a bit concerned with the cost to sponsor a child. Where is the money going that isn’t going to the children? I would hate to think it is for a glossier overedited over advertising or staff bloat to make sponsors feel better.” — Nancy White

Although these two questions may seem to be asking the same thing, they’re actually not. Dwight is asking, “What does my child get each month for $38?” (i.e., how are our programs run and what do we deliver?). Nancy is asking, “Where is the money going that isn’t going to the children?” (i.e., how do we spend your money?). They’re both important questions.

I’m not an expert on how other sponsorship programs are run, but what I do know is that some organizations don’t have Christ at the center of what they do. And some allow children to have multiple sponsors.
So two things that Compassion delivers is the Gospel and a one-to-one relationship with your child.
Some child sponsorship programs just focus on one or two areas of a child’s development, rather than being all-encompassing, and others organizations administer their programs on behalf of the community a child lives in, rather than focusing directly on a specific child.
Compassion delivers holistic child development that is child focused. These two posts help show what that means.

Additionally, some organizations receive government funding. We do not. We’re 100 percent sponsor and donor supported.
And finally, some programs are more localized and less global than our program is. We’re a global holistic child development ministry and we use a one-on-one sponsorship model that encourages you and your child to share your faith with each other. We’re Christ centered, child focused, church based and committed to integrity.
Some programs may have similarities to ours, but none are exactly the same. That’s what we deliver.
As for how we spend your money, no more than 20 percent pays for administration and fundraising. That’s our commitment to you. And for the past several years, we’ve been significantly below that 20 percent, usually two to four percentage points below.
In fiscal year 2009, approximately $31 of your $38 monthly payment paid for development center grants, program services and child advocacy (i.e., educating the Body of Christ about the biblical mandate to care for children and the poor), while a nickel shy of $7 was used for administration ($3.23) and fundraising ($3.72).
Because of how we manage your money we have received eight consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator. Only 1 percent of charities rated by Charity Navigator have been recognized in this way.
So, what does the $31 buy your sponsored child?
The money categorized as development center grants is delivered directly to our church partners to cover the costs of implementing our sponsorship program. The basic elements of these activities include:

regular Christian training
learning opportunities (e.g., funding school attendance and/or regular participation in extracurricular educational activities)
health treatment and training (e.g., regular physical exams, dental care, vaccinations, referral for advance medical care, instruction in physical and dental hygiene, exercise, nutrition and preventive health care)
socio-emotional development (e.g., learning basic social skills, teamwork, art, drama, dance, etc.)
materials and supplies including hygiene supplies (e.g., soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste), center supplies (e.g., paper, writing utensils, games, toys), fees or costs associated with field trips, camps, drama, art and dance activities, and snacks, food and supplemental nutrition each child may need
individualized care and attention (e.g., school progress reports, center attendance records, health records, home visits by social workers and adult supervision while at the development center)

Program services include activities undertaken by our staff to select, train, equip and oversee the church partners implementing our program, as well as programmatic research and evaluation. They also cover the costs of staff who direct and maintain the daily activities at the child development center.
More personally, this is where the money comes from for letter translation, postage, taking photos of your child, and updating you on your child’s well-being.
You can consider program services as the funding source for maintaining our program’s integrity and all the things that connect you and your child.
That about sums it up. I hope this explanation is useful to you. If you want additional information about our financial stewardship you can visit compassion.com and charitynavigator.com, as well as call us at (800) 336-7676.

Courtesy of Compassion International

Heart Matters

2010-06-22T06:36:00.027-04:00

It was dinner time and I had just got home from a long day at the office. I was out all last week and away from home and today all the duties and stress were piled upon me. After a long drive home in my un-air-conditioned car, I was a little grumpy for some reason. So I came into the house only to hear my daughter had picked up the habit of saying, "Oh My Gd!" when she was not actually praying to God. Now I know that this is not considered using the Lord's name in vain but to me it represents a dis-respect in the heart. So I sternly corrected her and walked out of the room. Yeah, sometimes my daddy skills need some work. About one second later, she starts crying even though I didn't touch her. I didn't need to because I hurt her where only her dad can, somewhere deep in her little heart. It then took about five minutes of telling her I love her and holding her and explaining in a calm voice why I was so upset, of course I don't know that she is even old enough to understand it. Ugh. How delicate the heart is emotionally.

Later, after dinner, the kids usually get snacks. My boy breaks out the Cheetos (oh yeah) and my daughter the fruit snacks. They decided to share each of them so they could each have some of the other item. I watched the transaction go down. About ten Cheetos is worth 4 Gummies. Then, after having just one Cheeto, my daughter says, "Here you can have all the fruit snacks left. She had only eaten three out of the bag. She really loves her brother sometimes and there are times that he does the same for her. This brings me joy and reminds me of how big the heart can be lovingly.

All this to say my kids are blessed with good hearts (most of the time). But this is not the case for a little 8-year old boy named Achile. You see, while his heart is emotionally and lovingly well, he has a congenital heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot. Because of Achile's heart condition, he has been in pain for five years and hasn't been able to attend school regularly and receive the full of benefit of sponsorships through Compassion International.

Compassion International has provided medical care for Achile for the last two years at the National Teaching Hospital Yalgado Ouedraogo in Burkina Faso in western Africa. However, doctors there now believe his condition requires urgent heart surgery, which is not available in Burkina Faso.

Achile will be transported to a specialized hospital in India for a lifesaving operation that will cost an estimated $20,449. If you are using a blog reader you can use this link to contribute toward helping Achile have a full heart and show him how big a heart you have in the process. If you are on my site, there is a link to your right with a picture of Achile.

Any funds raised in excess of the cost of Achile's surgery and transport will be rolled into Compassion's Medical Assistance Fund to aid children in need of medical help in the future.

And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.' -- Matthew 25:45

Omaha Review!

2010-06-21T18:13:00.000-04:00

OK, I am back from Nebraska, admittedly a state I never thought of visiting, and let me tell you I had to eat some crow and ice-cream. Before departing for Omaha, I could only imagine lots of cow pies and a lot of corn growing between the skyscrapers. I was totally wrong! The city was laid out in a nice grid with plenty of room between the blocks for pedestrians and vehicles to traverse allowing it to be less crowded feeling. The sidewalks and streets were very clean and most corners had large trash cans that had recycling on one side and trash on the other. What an awesome concept! I thought a lot of my wife as I was there because all the things I know she hates about the city life was really non-existent in Omaha. It was a city she could actually live in. Well, we are not moving anytime soon but if we do ever have to relocate, I hope it is to Omaha, Nebraska - a great compromise for the both of us.

Now let me tell you about the best thing there. An ice-cream place called Ted & Wally's in the historic downtown area. They have homemade ice-cream that is awesome. Made right there in front of you with many different signature flavors as well. They always kept about twelve flavors on hand and as you are standing in the line, some of the flavors may run out and is replaced with a different flavor. It is awesome! You can't even decide what you want till you get to the counter because they may be out of it. I am not even a big ice-cream eater but I would go here at least three times a day if I could, probably good I don't live there. Ahhh!

Now on to the stuff I know you really care about. The conference. It was a celebration of 40 years of the Great Commission Movement. Each night we traveled back through the beginnings of the movement from the 1960's to today. Four men from each decade took the stage and shared their stories. Many of the stories were told before but can you ever get tired of hearing a story? Especially stories of great faith and God's grace. Generation after generation of men who believed God wanted the Gospel of Christ to be told to the entire world on their generation. Among them you would find men with the character of Paul, John, Peter, and even Jonah at times.

The local church in Omaha was having a festival and we went door to door one evening inviting people out and offering to pray for them. There were some that were receptive and some that were not. Those who slammed doors in my face were prayed for whether they liked it or not, perhaps they didn't want to hear it from me but I pray that, before it is too late, they hear it from somebody. One lady exclaimed, as the door was closing, "I have been Irish Catholic since birth!," I pray that she finds out what it means to be Irish Catholic and starts living out her faith. The center of the Church of Ireland's teaching is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Among the basic teachings of the Irish Catholic Church include Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God in one person, He died and was resurrected from the dead, Jesus provides the way of eternal life for those who believe, The Old and New Testaments of the Bible ("God's Word written") were written by people "under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit." The Apocrypha are additional books that are to be read, but not to determine doctrine, and belief in Heaven, Hell, and Jesus's return in glory. You can compare this to my "Faith Statement" above.

Anyway, my take away was this: God is doing all of the work no matter what, when we step out and decide to cooperate with Him, whether it makes sense or not, it makes it much much easier on everyone and the Kingdom advances because He is in full control. And it is possible that we can reach everyone in this generation with the Gospel. Do your part!

GCC Pastor's Conference

2010-06-15T11:41:00.003-04:00

This week I have had the opportunity to attend a conference with some great men of God. The focus of the conference is lessons learned over the last 40 years. I didn't bring my laptop on purpose but I promise to catch you up next week on all that I gain. So far there are two questions that I have been challenged to think about:

Do I believe God wants to reach everyone in the world in this generation with the Gospel of Christ?
If I keep doing what I am doing, will that happen?

Some of you may wonder, What is GCC? Great Commission Churches is a church movement committed to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ through and for every generation. They emphasize discipleship and equipping people of every age to daily live out the Great Commission as seen in the New Testament. You can find out more on their website.

- Posted using BlogPress

CTR: Evernote

2010-06-11T17:44:00.006-04:00

Today I am going to tell you about another tool that can increase your productivity and save you some time. Hopefully you have taken advantage of Dropbox from my last post. I really can't say enough how that tool has made things easier. Now let me tell you about a tool called Evernote. The goal of Evernote is to help you remember, organize, and find things when you need them. What things you may ask, pretty much anything you want to remember for later. Keep notes from your meetings all in one place. You can create to-do lists, jot down random thoughts, or leave voice memos. Search for notes by keywords, titles, and tags. Evernote also makes printed and handwritten text inside your images searchable. Everything you "capture" is automatically made searchable. You can add tags or organize notes into different notebooks. Sounds great right!

Let me tell you how I use it and for a real life example. If you didn't know it, I lead a small group of youth for my church. Part of what I do is develop curriculum or a message to give each week. If you are like me, ideas don't necessarily come when you sit down to prepare the message. I often am in the middle of something else or listening to a sermon or other podcast when I get the idea. I pull out my iPod, open up the Evernote app and write it down (no Internet needed). Another way ideas come to me is through the reading of the Bible (actually this is the most common way). I am such a geek I read my Bible on my iPod as well, so I come across a verse or passage and I add a note right in my BibleReader app (still no Internet needed). Now, when I get home, or am in the presence of any other hot spot I commonly use, my iPod picks up that Internet signal and syncs my notes from both apps to my Evernote account. Now, when I go to prepare, I open up my Evernote account on-line or the desktop app they provide and my ideas are all there. I pick one and add more content to it.. occasionally clipping an image or something else right into the note and BAM! Mission completion.

"But Josh, I don't prepare messages every week." I encourage you to check all the other apps and services that work with Evernote. For instance, all those file folders you have in your basement filled with old school notes and other stuff you don't look at but insist you need. Would you really know where to find what you wanted even if you did want to refer to it again? Services like OfficeDrop and Shoeboxed make it easy to mail this stuff off and have it scanned and appear in your Evernote account. Guess what, it is searchable as well. Remember that term paper you wrote in college, I don't either, but if you have it scanned and placed in your Evernote account, when you search your stuff it may just pop up again.

Did I mention how such a service could be useful for your church or organization and that you can get a basic Evernote account for FREE! That is a hard price to beat. You have nothing to lose and a lot of organization and time to gain. By the way, this blog post was originally an idea placed in my Evernote account.

Survey Says!

2010-06-07T22:04:00.000-04:00

If you really want to make some money open up a gymnastics center.. I paid a monthly fee for her to train, paid another fee for my daughter to participate in the performance, and paid for a ticket to see the performance, but the best part about it all is, it was worth it! I would have paid 20 times as much to see what I saw. The things they did were the standard things I had seen before, back bends, trampoline jumps, bar flips, somersaults, cartwheels, etc... At the end of it all, they called each child up, gave them a medal, and let them wave or do whatever they wanted on top the winners stand.. child after child my hands were getting sore from the clapping.. I am thinking .. how many kids are in this thing? And I looked at the guy next to me and he smiled and verbalized what I was thinking.. then it happened.. they called her name, she stood up on the platform, then she looked out into the audience from left to right, she was looking for somebody and then she spotted me and in stead of clapping, I gave her the double thumbs up. Her face made an expression that only can come from a daughter looking for her fathers approval and my heart was joyous. Praise God I live in a country where these opportunities are possible.

The more I thought about this, it really demonstrates the need for the Father's approval. This is something we all seek whether we realize it or not. Every time we make the right decision or do a good thing, we tend to survey the spectators, looking for that one individual that is giving the thumbs up instead of clapping. That one that we have allowed to influence our lives and we trust in their opinion. I know at times it is hard to visualize but I can assure you, as you look from left to right, after making the wise choices in life, God is sitting there with a joyous heart holding two thumbs up. My prayer for you is that you are allowing Him to influence you and value His opinion.

CTR: Dropbox

2010-06-04T06:46:00.003-04:00

If your like me, and you may not be. You spend a lot of time on a computer doing a wide array of different things. You may spend a lot of time emailing things to yourself so you have it on the other computer you are going to be using later or perhaps you have something at work you want to take home with you so you pull out the thumb drive and forget it on your way to your house. You can either go back or just forget working on that one from home. Either way, I have found the need to have access to certain files on my iPod/iPhone, Home Computer, Home Laptop, Work Laptop.. etc.. and spend too much time zipping them, fiddling with thumb drives, and emailing files back and forth to myself. I know it is quit possible that the only email you get that is of remote importance comes from yourself but I have a solution to all of these problems and the good news is.. it is FREE, unless you have a lot of stuff.

Dropbox allows you to sync your files online and across your computers automatically. Sharing files is simple and can be done with only a few clicks. Dropbox backs up your files online without you having to think about it. A copy of your files are stored on Dropbox's secure servers. This lets you access them from any computer or mobile device. The free Dropbox application for iPhone, iPad, and Android lets you access your Dropbox on the go, view files from within the application, download files for offline viewing, share links to files in your Dropbox, export your files to other applications, sync downloaded files so they're up-to-date. This video helps to understand it all better.

You can get started today by signing up for your free account by clicking on this link: Dropbox

CTR: Metrics

2010-05-28T06:04:00.001-04:00

A metric is a measure for quantitatively assessing the degree to which an organization possesses a given attribute. As much as it pains church plants and even established churches, sometimes the numbers are important! It is not a contest as to how many members or attenders you have but at some point you may have to make decisions based on exactly that. It is not a bad thing to know how many people are attending a small group or Sunday school class and what percentage that is from your entire congregation. To make an informed decision is a great thing and to do so with the knowledge of how much money is coming in and going out and where it is all going can only add to the value. All of these things are measurements or metrics that are needed in your church for procurement (buying or getting stuff) and strategic planning (making wise decisions for the future).

Now that we have the what and why out of the way, we can focus on the how. Chances are you probably already track these things and if you are an established church, you already have a system. The accountant keeps some of the information and the administrative assistant keeps the rest and you pull it together in its raw form before each board meeting so you can show everybody why you can't or can do what is being proposed. I am guessing at least the first part is true, you see most churches and church board members or trustees rarely look at both pieces of this information before making most of their decisions. The big reason for this is they don't know what one has to do with the other or if they do, because it is in different locations, it is hard to pull together an accurate picture at any specific point in time. Honestly, raw digits are nice but a picture tells the whole story. The good news here is there is a product out there that happens to be FREE that can help.

Thanks to LifeChurch.tv you can track and get a snapshot of all of these things at any time from anywhere (including your board meetings). You can find this tool at churchmetrics.com take full advantage of all it has to offer. It has support for multiple users and multiple people, has built in reports that can be exported in Excel if you need the raw data. Best of all it offers a dashboard and charts so you can watch your growth or decline and make better decisions at any time. I am very impressed and the free price tag makes this the easiest decision of all. Go to http://www.churchmetrics.com/features to review all it has to offer.

Church Technology Review (CTR): Introduction

2010-05-21T21:09:00.001-04:00

I just thought I would give readers a break from my normal posting materials and each Friday address some questions I am often asked as a fellow user of technology and well, one of the resident geeks at my church (we are lucky to have many). I recognize not all my readers are interested in these posts but I promise to keep them few and far between. If you are a new reader and geek at your church and this is the reason you have found your way here, you can leave me additional questions any time and I will attempt to work them in. If your reading this and your church does not have a resident geek, I am not available but I do hope these posts help.

Decomposing: The Rest

2010-05-20T17:09:00.005-04:00

Tony Dungy (pre-taped interview)
Interesting. Not a lot of advice coming out of the interview and there were a lot of leading questions from his book so I guess I will have to read it some time.
Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life

Mark Sanborn
Great Material. Leadership is about affecting a persons story. The key is to not just tell another story but make the story better. To make the story better depends on where they are in the story. Here are the levels of the story and what action you can take to improve upon them.
Stuck

re-sell them on themselves
re-narrate their story in a positive way
re-organize their life giving them tools necessary

Struggle

Encourage

re-focus them to future hopes
re-define the failure

failure is something that happens to people, not something you are.

Shaped

look for the lessons
look at the effect your story has on others

Shapers

Catch the other persons story

slow down and listen
acceptance isn't approval

Respond to it
Ask questions

what do you aspire to?
what is your fear?

Feel

listen with your heart

Tell your story

the focus is on their story not your own.

Things that shape your story:

People
Ideas
Experiences

The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary

Jim Goodnight/Ed Bastian (interview)
This interview was done by Collins and Jim Goodnight had him on the edge with his unexpected answers. I was laughing a lot. One thing I learned, there is no problem you can't solve with a array of blade servers. I Agree!
SAS | Delta

John C. Maxwell
I hate to say this because I have respect for the man but he reminds me of the Joel Osteen of leadership.
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently

Steve Uzzell
Great Imagery. A picture often times speaks a thousand words. Picture are mostly given not taken and providence will generally follow persistence and analysis of any problem.
http://www.steveuzzell.com/

Ben Carson
Had to leave the conference early so I missed this one. :( I am positive he was excellent, I will be sure to share when the DVD comes out. I have watched the movie about his life, Gifted Hands, a must see if you haven't already. Be sure to watch the bonus features on the DVD of the movie.
Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

EMCEES

Sachi Koto- Great Anchor abilities and talent, keep up the good work.
Tripp Crosby- Very funny, I can't wait to fly on TNT Air.. I hear it is the bomb!

Finally, the greatest thing about the whole thing. A "NO PURCHASE NECESSARY" coupon for a FREE Spicy Chicken Sandwich when they debut on June 7, 2010!

UPDATE: You want one too? http://www.getspicychicken.com/

Decomposing: Jim Collins

2010-05-14T17:21:00.007-04:00

Jim Collins- Great Insight, I even took notes. All of his words are backed up by many years of data. It is hard to argue against things that really happened. What is the one characteristic that makes a company consistently great, A Humble Leader. Jim goes on to share some information from his book "How the Mighty Fall." He says a company goes from great to gone in five stages. The good news is it is a staged approach and you can recover from most of them and each stage of the fall is self inflicted. So here are the stages and what they mean:

Stages of the Fall

Hubris born of success -- Be humble, no one knows it all
Undisciplined pursuit of more -- Have discipline and a tested process
Denial of risk and peril -- Do risk and potential problem analysis
Grasping for salvation -- Don’t panic and constantly restructure
Capitulation to irrelevance or death -- Avoid stages 1-4 and don’t capitulate!

Something for New Companies

Focus on the 'Who' first and not the 'What' -- get the right people on the bus before you start it moving, don't decide on the destination and ask them to join in invite them in and let them help decide where you should go.
Many overnight success companies were about 20 years in the making.

He had a lot more to offer but I don't want to keep you reading all night.

Decomposing: Connie Podesta

2010-05-13T16:32:00.006-04:00

Connie Podesta - Hilarious! and great insight. Professional and Personal decisions can't be separated. The people you hang out with personally determines your leadership professionally. Material decisions are based on need and personal decisions are based on want. Four characteristics of a great leader or being "The One:"

Be Respectful
Work Hard
Be Selfless
Have Compassion

Decomposing: Intro

2010-05-12T17:22:00.002-04:00

Last Friday I attended the Chick-fil-A LeaderCast with a few great leaders and co-laborers for Christ. I had a great time and learned a lot from the speakers. The focus of the event was about being "The One." The statement was, "the world needs more leaders." Anytime you listen to the top leaders of a modern area all in one day, it sort of explodes your head. It takes time to wrap your mind around new concepts, ideologies, and theologies. I think I can decompose my opinion of the most memorable moment from each speaker.

Infinity Packs, Infinity Warm!

2010-05-06T17:02:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I don't know what that means either but my children seem to think I do. Every morning my kids drink chocolate milk that has been warmed up in the microwave in plastic cups. So far neither of them has a third eye, third teet, third leg, or third anything. The crazy part is that I get up and make it the same way every morning whether the ask for it and no matter what they say, I get it just the same every time. But that doesn't stop them from saying, "Daddy, Infinity Packs, Infinity Warm, put it in the oven and give it to me." EVERY MORNING! I used to think it was cute and sometimes I still do. Other times it gets a little repetitive and feels demanding but no matter what, I get it just the same. Did I mention EVERY MORNING!?

I think we do this to God sometimes.. no.. all the time. Over and over we are in a dilemma or situation and we want stuff. God just listens to us knowing the overall plan and knowing we are going to do the same things over and over again and make the same bad decision in every circumstance.. but He wants to hear it, He thinks it is cute (Psalm 141:2) but frustrating and painful and EVERY MORNING he provides for what we need regardless of what we ask for or demand (2 Corinthians 12:9). You know, like please don't let my grand-kids be born with a third anything.. or be able to count to twelve on their fingers and 16 on their toes.

Basic 13: Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24

Why Does Church Matter?

2010-04-27T17:00:00.001-04:00

Let me start with saying this topic deals with wise decision making. Often times I am asked what does the Bible say about going to church? There are a lot of things the Bible doesn't talk about and these things require us to make wise decisions when it comes to our own lives. I have heard it argued that the reason the Bible doesn't say much about the believers need for church is due to the fact it was assumed in their lives that they would be going. Not to mention the work of the apostles was to spread the gospel and they did so by going into an area and establishing a church or body of believers. I think that should add to the importance and emphasis even if Jesus didn't say to follow me you must go to church. That being said, Paul or Barnabas when writing to the Hebrews states, "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Heb. 10:25).

Now let me offer to you the top three reasons why I hope you are attending church somewhere.

First, reading your Bible takes discipline and although I know you understand the culture of the Greek and Hebrew worlds and their mindset at the estimated time period each book of the Old and New Testaments were written, and I am sure you knew the canon or rule of scripture is that there are 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New, and even though I am sure you know all the ins and outs of propitiation of sin and the hermeneutical gap, it never hurts to have someone else offer you some insight and help you apply it to your life (Heb. 4:12). Now where could a person go to have someone do that for them? Church!

Second, there is something I learned from the gang mentality in Baltimore as I was growing up. The bigger the gang the more "friends" you have to watch your back and when attacked, the more guns you have to shoot. Well I don't want you to do that but it is important to have friends that believe in the same things you do and to spend time with those friends and it just so happens there is a place you can do that each week (Eph. 6:12). I know most of you may want to get in check church off the list and go home to have a steak dinner or whatever you have in the old crock pot, but I encourage you to hang around and talk to people before or after the service times. If you find this difficult, find a church that has small groups and join one.

Finally, What is the best way to learn lessons about real life Christians and share in their hurts and successes? We need other people to be a part of our lives and cry with us and rejoice with us. My favorite poet of all time is John Donne. I have a book of his poems on my shelf but the one that most of us know speaks to this post directly and I would not, could not, do it any credit to summarize it, so enjoy:

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Thanks Dr. Brown for introducing me to this great poet and others while playing Simon and Garfunkel on your guitar.

To everyone else, find a church and go to it! Stop making excuses for why you can always get to your job or sports event on time but can't manage to wake up on a Sunday morning. Heck, my church has a second service that doesn't even start until 11AM and others have services on Saturday nights, not to mention those that have small groups going on throughout the week or Wednesday night services. Oh, I hear you whiners crying about someone at church hurt you and blah blah blah.. it happens to all of us and that is good if you were hurt because that means you were close enough to them for it to matter. Work it out! Do you think the same thing won't happen in your relationship with Christ or your spouse? You can't just run away, sometimes you have to face the problems. OK. I am done my rant.

Basic 12: Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13

To The Pain

2010-04-23T21:27:00.003-04:00

I am not sure if I had mentioned previously that my home group is studying the book of Ecclesiastes. It has been a great study so far and I am continually amazed at how much wisdom Solomon had and how much he shared that we far too often do not follow. One of the things I have reflected on the most because of personal and other circumstances not my own, is the problem of pain or existence of suffering in a world created and predetermined by an almighty God. I mean after all, "If God were good, He would make His creatures perfectly happy, and if He were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both."^[1]

So to this I say, "to the pain." You know what I mean? No? "I'll explain. And I'll use small words so that you'll be sure to understand, you wart-hog-faced buffoon." ^[2] God's goodness is often something I hate. It is the reason He had to give his "very good" creation freedom to operate on their own consent. Without this freedom, people would say that God is not good. For instance, if your parents told you what to do and how to act and followed you around and told you every decision to make and you had to do it without question. You would at some point begin to detest that situation. So it is up to God's creation to make wise decisions and do right and seek the will of their master. Where has this got us? Well.. in a world of rebellion because we are too stupid, stubborn, or ignorant to follow His will. With this said, pain is not in rebuttal of God's goodness and omnipotence, rather is a way for God to deal with or accommodate the freedom and our rebellion. To put it simple, we are good creatures inclined to do evil things because of our fallen nature. Our world is broken!

But Why God? Why the pain? The short answer is, pain hurts. Pain causes us to change our thinking and refines our faith. Pastor Tommy Nelson on the study we are doing asks the question, "Name two situations or circumstances that have changed your life and made you who you are today? All of you most likely refer to a painful situation that happened to you or a time when you were hurt by something or someone." This is an area where "Evangelical" Christians need to be careful. We must not candy coat the Gospel message to be understood that, once you are in Christ, all of your pain and suffering will go away. The reality is, that Christ asks us to take up our cross and the Christian life often means to suffer more. This is why religions with lases fair, every road leads to Heaven beliefs are possible and Christian churches are filled with people who do not know Christ or what the Bible says about anything. It is hard! It is another relationship with the Creator of the universe you now have to maintain and most of us can't even remember to feed our hermit crabs.

I like the way Lewis puts it in his book, "Pain hurts. That is what the word means. I am only trying to show that the old Christian doctrine of being made perfect through suffering is not incredible. To prove it palatable is beyond my design." ^[1] So what is the real problem of pain? The real problem comes with how we deal with it. It can shape you and make you rely upon God. It can shake you and empty your selfishness and stubbornness. Or, there is the possibility, the horrific possibility, that it could lead to refusal of God and unrepentant rebellion, thus send you straight to Hell.

What are we to make of all of this and how should we respond? We need to look at pain through the eternal lens that Heaven is our home. "Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you alone, because you were made for it." ^[1] My wife recently downloaded an album from the artist Steven Curtis Chapman. The entire album is basically a lament and observed grief in him dealing with the accidental death of his little daughter. The response to pretty much every song is that Heaven is our real home and one day we will all be there with our Father.

Jesus Will Meet You There ^[3]

When you think you've hit the bottom and the bottom gives way
And you fall into a darkness no words can explain
And you don't know how you make it out alive, Jesus will meet you there.

When the doctor says, "I'm sorry, we don't know what else to do."
And you're looking at your family wondering how they'll make it through...
Whatever road this life takes you down, Jesus will meet you there.

(Chorus)
He knows the way to wherever you are; He knows the way to the depths of your heart
He knows the way cuz he's already been; Where you're going; Jesus will meet you there.

When the jury says, "Guilty," and the prison doors close
When the one you love says nothing, just packs up and goes
When the sunlight comes and your world's still dark,
Jesus will meet you there.

When you've failed again and all your second chances have been used
And the heavy weight of guilt and shame is crushing down on you...
And all you have is one last cry for help Jesus will meet you there.

(Chorus)

When you realize the dreams you've had for your child won't come true
When the phone rings in the middle of the night with tragic news...
Whatever valley you must walk through, Jesus will meet you there.

He will meet you there. Jesus will meet you there...

This song speaks to so many things that are going on right now, the Ecclesiastes study, and the peoples lives around me. So I will leave you with a quote from my favorite cult classic, "That is what 'to the pain' means. It means I leave you in anguish, wallowing in freakish misery forever."^[2]

[1] C.S. Lewis: The Problem of Pain

[2] The Princess Bride

[3] Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics

Balance, A Dish Best Served Hot

2010-04-22T23:35:00.003-04:00

The test of time is a characteristic of a successful blog. I have had so many ideas for posts over this week but because life has began to live me instead of me living life, I have not even took the time to write them down. I am not surprised at the events that transpired because I knew all the schedule changes were eminent but that didn't stop them from whacking me over the head. Commute, Work, Soccer, Gymnastics, Ministry, Websites, Home Repairs, and other stuff have taken over and limit my amount of time and ability to get everything done while ensuring my relationships don't fall or fail in the frey.

Acknowledge
I had a professor in college that hated the word "balance" because the line can never be defined and maintained and the formula for each individual is different. Is there really such a thing? A balanced answer would be yes and no, so the answer itself does not even provide stability of conscience or mind. Philosophically that means balance is the epitome of confusion which makes it even more confusing. Are you confused yet? Good, that is the first step in achieving balance, knowing you have a problem.

Persevere
This isn't the first time this issue has arrived in my life so I fully intend to move on to step 2 at this point. This is probably the most difficult step of all of them, Persevere. You have to keep going regardless of how you feel or how busy you become. I know you are having to do things half way and are frustrated by it, well maybe that is just me, but something is better than nothing.

Prioritize
There are so many ways to do this, my only advice is to not let tools become part of the problem. A pen and paper work just as good as Google Tasks, Teux Duex, or whatever the popular thing is these days. The only rule of thumb in this area is to focus on relationships both with God and others that are necessary. It is not that they are all not important but my immediate family comes first then you just go out from there. This is the reason you have not had many posts this week, because playing gun battles with my son are much more important than the chance that anybody is actually reading this blog anyway.

Delete
I have so much trouble in this area but the idea is, if it is really unimportant, delete it from the list and apologize up front if necessary. I know it hurts to give up what may be a future dream or opportunity but the reality is, without relationships, there is nothing new under the sun and everything is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

Resume
I would like to say you are done and at this point you have reached balance but the truth is you have to start all over again every time. EVERY. TIME. There is also the fact now that you read all of this post you could have been catching up on something else and further, it may not work for you. It is quite possible it only works for me.

I Meant What I Said and I Said What I Meant

2010-04-14T22:32:00.000-04:00

OK. My post from yesterday was a little harsh and I was wrong for two reasons: 1) I posted strictly out of emotion, because it had been bothering my mind for a couple days and 2) there is a possibility that it could be misinterpreted that I personally dislike the woman and the fact she was taking her daughter with her. I also understand that the post may have been controversial since everyone doesn't believe the same things I do. That being said, perhaps I should take a more logical approach to this subject.

To begin with this blog is called "Organic Christian" so if you are not a Christian and are not grounded in the Bible, you may not agree with a lot of things that will be discussed on here. My intent is to help fellow Christians in their walk with Christ and simply state the basics as stated in God's word. I will not apologize for this because it is not just the gate to Heaven that is small but the path as well (Matthew 7:14).

I doubt any of my readers were offended by the post but, If you are a Jehovah's Witness, please understand that I am not against you as an individual. When I was 16, I studied with a Jehovah's Witness friend in high school for a couple of months, but felt that too much of the Bible was being interpreted for me by the Watchtower Magazine and all my questions could not be answered. I only wanted to study the Bible, since even he agreed that it was God's word (2 Timothy 3:16).

As a Jehovah's Witness you have been taught from the Bible and the Watchtower organization. You are convinced that what you believe is the truth. As an organic Christian, I believe in the Trinity as descibed in the creeds of the early church fathers, while you are taught the Trinity is a demonic doctrine and that Christendom is an apostate group preaching a false gospel. You have also been taught you are in "The Truth" and the Watchtower organization is the true channel of God’s revelation to His church on earth.

I admire your fervent study of the Bible and wish that all of Christendom had the same approach and studied as much as you and even had similar habit of allowing God's word to hold a high place in their faith development. This is what I enjoyed most about studying with my friend, he was passionate about faith development. The only problem was, he wasn't encouraged to dig deeper than what the Watchtower had provided. He only read their version of the Bible and used their resources. Reading of other versions was not banned or anything but not encouraged either. This is the sad part because I know that if my friend would have used additional historical resources and more accurate translations of scripture, he may have been able to abandon his membership card (yes, I saw the card) and see the reality that is the true Gospel or Good News that tells who Christ really is.

Quote from the Watchtower Magazine:
"Jehovah's channel of communication can help all who greatly desire to understand the wisdom of God in the Bible."

So here are my questions and I am sure I have more, but off the top of my head:
1) Why has "the channel of communication" found it neccesary to alter the translation of the Bible?
2) Have you checked the documentation from the Watchtower Magazine? Is it really "the truth" or something created by some guys in Brooklyn?
3) Why has it made false prophecies?

If a group claims to be the prophet of God, but takes verses out of context, makes false prophecies, misquotes authorities, and mistranslates the Bible, can it still be considered credible? Further, if I ever do any of these things on my own blog, I pray that some reader keeps me accountable and offers correction, especially with regard to scripture context. You know who you are and I am sure you won't have a problem with this. Thanks guys.

Finally, this religion is what I call a bait and switch religion. They do use the Bible and teach similar things that Christians also teach. They do have strong study and family beliefs. Overall they seek holiness just like I do. But once you are in, you come to find out that there are some basic Christian beliefs that they don't believe, even so they claim to be a Christian religion just like us. I really wasn't going to go into apologetics on here but perhaps their is a need. Hmmm. Click in next week as we explore another popular religion and find out why I don't believe it either. My hope is found in Christ alone (Galatians 6:12). Amen?

Basic 11: Jesus is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8

It Bothered Me More!

2010-04-13T22:55:00.000-04:00

A couple days ago, as I was running to get the kids ready go somewhere, my spouse is in blow-drying her hair, and the doorbell rings. We don't normally have a drop-by from our friends so I instantly know this is just going to add to the chaos. I go to open the door and their is a women standing their with her 2 or 3 year old child Abby. The mom has two booklets she wants me to read: 1) the Watchtower and 2) It Came from Nature. She said, "I sense this is a bad time for me to visit you, so would you please read these because, ..." then she starts reading a verse from 1 Timothy. At the same time, my children begin yelling for me to do this or that and I honestly don't even remember what verse it was.

In fact of the whole experience I only remember three things:
1) She said that "everything came from nature first" more than once (Not even a JW belief)
2) She read something from 1 Timothy and I remember internally wondering if she had even read the rest of that book, especially the false teachers part (1 Timothy 1:5-7).
3) The face of that little girl named Abby because my heart breaks for children that will be raised to not know the truth of the Gospel and will instead be hurt and blinded by false terminology.

I looked at the coffee table that evening where three Compassion child packets are sitting and realized how thankful I am to organizations like Compassion that work through local churches and do everything in the name of Jesus Christ. How much more hope can you offer a person really, than a Savior who loves you and longs to be in a relationship with you? The God that created all of nature, desires to know you and live inside of you. I am not sure why this lady is dragging her little girl around to strange houses but I imagine they have also adopted a family ministry approach to things. One thing I do know, it bothered me more because of it.

Also, if you are interested in sponsoring this child, let me know.


Meshark Thophil (Tanzania)

Zombie Finale

2010-04-09T23:44:00.003-04:00

Zombie Week: Glad it is Over

He Has Risen!!

The last real zombie I am going to post about is my favorite one of them all. There are many reasons He is my favorite but, given this most recent holiday and inspiration for this post, the fact that He is the only one that did not die again and won't be dying anytime soon is what makes Him awesome (well at least one thing). Yup, you guessed it, my zombie is none other than Jesus.

Now before you label me as ignorant and guilty of apostasy, please keep in mind I am not making light of the Easter holiday in any way unless you focus on the bunny, candy, and eggs. Please don't think I am just joking and have drifted from my core beliefs. This blog is about organic Christianity, basics are what I am all about. So here goes.

Jesus steps onto the scene and dies a gruesome death on the cross while bearing all of our sins on Himself (John 12:23). Three days after He died, as promised, we find a tomb open and Jesus not inside of it
(Matthew 27:63, 28:5-6). Death has been conquered in this final story for the last time and now we can all live forever (a mighty long time let me tell ya) as a free gift from our savior (2 Timothy 1:10). Zombie Jesus took some time to be with people before heading to sit at the right hand of the Father as an intercessor for us and our prayers and preparer of our homes in Heaven. Thank you Jesus for all of this.

The reason you got together with your family and had a ham dinner or opted for the Chinese buffet or ignored all your friend's invites and sat home alone wallowing in self pity or you were just too far from home and people where you live don't celebrate Easter the same way is because Jesus rose from the grave and now offers eternal life to us all (Revelation 22:2).So for all you zombie movie loving fans out there, I still think those zombies are cool but real zombies are even greater. "Argh.. BRAINS!" something you hear from a pirate zombie.

Basic 10: Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21

Dude What Reeks?

2010-04-07T17:16:00.003-04:00

Zombie Week: Part 3 Buddy Zombie (John 11:1-44)

I understand you may be tired of the real life zombie stories so rest assured I only have two more. Today we find ourselves with Jesus hearing the news that a friend of His had died and He was too busy and it was too dangerous to go to him. Jesus decides to use this opportunity to show the people and the disciples His real power and purpose. Four days after his buddy Lazarus had been buried, Jesus goes back to the town. Lazarus' sisters are quite upset that Jesus didn't come earlier because at this point the body was stinky and there was no returning. People, why do you insist on making Jesus angry?! So, Lazarus gets the privilege of not only being a real life zombie but a real life mummy as well. Jesus has them open up the tomb and says, "Lazarus come out!" Out walks a very stinky guy, which may have been normal for Lazarus, no wonder they kept so much perfume in the house (John 12:3). One last note, like the others, Lazarus was just like he was before, just a little more stinky and we can assume he died again someday to put that tomb to good use.

There is Something Dead about this Girl

2010-04-06T18:20:00.002-04:00

Zombie Week: Part 2 Zombie Girl
(Matthew 9:18-19, 23-25; Mark 5:22-24, 35-43; Luke 8:41-42, 49-56)

Today we find Jesus in the synagogue (in case you didn't know, Jesus was Jewish and followed all the customs) and the leader of the synagogue, Jairus, pleads with Jesus at His feet to please come to his house so his daughter can live. Jesus goes to his house and hears the funeral music playing, apparently the friends and family didn't have as much faith as Jairus. Jesus tells them all that the girls is just sleeping and they laugh at him. Jesus gets angry and sends the crowd away. Once they all leave, he takes the parents and his three disciple in and proceeds to tell the girl in her own language, "Talitha koum" or "get up girl." The girl immediately gets up and starts eating her parents brains... NOT! She does get up and start walking around like a normal 12 year old girl. Jesus told them all not to tell anyone, so it is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke... no wonder John was the disciple that Jesus loved... LOL. Sorry zombie fans, once again a real zombie is just like she was before she died the first time and once again she most likely would die again some day.

Find out more about Jewish customs:
Jewish Customs and Traditions: Festivals, the Synagogue and the Course of Life (Exhibition Guide)

Zombie Week: Part 1 Zombie Boy

2010-04-05T17:44:00.004-04:00

Yes, I am going to devote this entire week after Easter to zombies because I think they are that cool, and at least one is awesome.

Zombie Boy (Luke 7:11-17)
OK. When I say zombie most people, including myself, think of those movies I shouldn't have been watching when I was a kid like "Dawn of the Dead." Because of the Hollywood glamor we far too often don't recognize that zombies are real. WHAT! Yes, zombies are for real. One day Jesus is walking along the road and he sees a funeral procession. There is a widow with a dead son on his way to be buried. Jesus sees this widow and has compassion on her. Without regard to all the time, money, and resources that went into this funeral, Jesus touches the coffin and says, "Get up boy." The boy gets up and says, "BRAINS! ARR!" Well, not really, but he was talking about something, we are not told what. For the most part, contrary to our portrayal of zombies in the movies, zombies in real life are no different than they were when they were alive the first time. And I think it is safe to assume that real zombies eventually died again later in life.

What is so Great About the Bible?

2010-04-02T16:04:00.015-04:00

So last weekend while in the hotel room before bed, I ended up watching a crazy thriller type movie called The Vanishing¹ mostly because Kiefer Sutherland was in it and it attracted me because I always liked him as an actor.

=== SPOILER ALERT! ===
Anyway, the movie ends with the bad guy getting the same punishment as his victim did a few years ago when he murdered her. The male and female good guys are together again and live happily ever after. This is how Hollywood worked at one time, the endings of books and other screen plays were edited to have happy endings or the viewers did not enjoy it as much. We didn't want movies to be too much like real life and bad things happen to good guys. Incidentally, the original Vanishing had the bad guy getting away with it all.
=== END ALERT! ===

This makes me appreciate the Bible even more and one thing that makes it true in my eyes. The Bible does not have infallible heroes. All of the "Good Guys" did not so good things. The apostles abandoned Christ (Matthew 26:69-70), Paul persecuted (Acts 26:15), John the Baptist, Thomas, and Abraham doubted, Solomon is worshiping idols (1 Kings 11:7), Jacob is deceptive, Moses is angered, and David... David has adultery, lust, and murder in his list. Wow! Adam and Eve disobeying at the beginning (Genesis 3:6) and John is worshiping angels at the end (Revelation 22:8).

If someone asks one reason you believe the Bible, ask them to sit down and write a story about themselves. Read it out loud and highlight all the bad things they put in it they have done. Most likely the bad things will be left out. The Bible is honest and real and I love it!

[1] This movie does not necessarily represent the feelings or views of this blogger nor is this an endorsement in any way; however, I do endorse the Bible as the Holy Word of God and think it should be read instead of watching this movie late at night before bed.

Basic 9: The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Peter 1:21, 2 Tim. 3:16

A Great Meeting

2010-04-01T16:46:00.000-04:00

Let me tell you about the future President of Uganda. I met with him and shook his hand. He had a big smile and was filled with hope. He wasn't always like this though, when he was a young boy, he came home one day and found his father lying dead in his home after being murdered with a gun. His mother had watched it happen and suffered a heart attack and was now in the hospital. The boys aunt came over and attempted to comfort him, telling him to pray so his mom did not dies as well, but his anger and hurt caused him to just get out of there and lament. He knew things would be different, but how different?

About a week later and after mom was released from the hospital with failing health, their landlord gathered all seven of them up and told them they had to leave because he knew they would no longer be able to pay their next rent. They now would be sharing a 10x10 room that was extremely hot in the day and extremely cold at night. Each of them laying there hoping they would not attract malaria like their deceased friends from a mosquito bite. Now they would scavenge the trash dump for morsels of food and in desperate times risk stealing it.

Week after week of being able to provide minimal food and clothing for his sister and family, his hope was entirely taken. There seemed there would not be an end to such a circumstance. At the lowest point when he thought, "I don't think I can do this another day" and the violence and bitterness of his father's death still brewing inside. There was just nothing else he could physically or mentally do as a young boy that had already out-lived many of his friends. A 15 year old girl saw his picture on a table, picked it up and filled out a form to be his sponsor. He quickly went home to tell his family and in his words, "There was dancing of joy in the home."

She sent him a message and said things like, "I love you" and "I care for you." At first this was hard to believe but the more she wrote to him and said it over and over, his heart began to change. He would now be provided with schooling, clothing, and food. He told me, "My life was changed from that moment on."

At the project, they taught about Jesus and have an alter call every time. An one day he wanted to experience this relationship that had been talked about. He went forward and asked Christ to be the Lord of his life and he told me, "My life would never be the same." He forgave the person who had murdered his father and poured all he had into his studies. He excelled so much in character and academics that he was chosen to be part of a program that would pay for graduates to go to University.

At university he would do so well in accounting, after graduation, they asked if he would come back and teach other students. He would then become the pastor of his community. Feeling frustrated at his limited Bible knowledge, he would then become the recipient of free Bible training at Moody Bible Institute here in Chicago. An opportunity that very few receive. This is his last year at Moody and he plans to return to his country and bring change to his area. He is even exploring a new goal, possibly one day becoming president. Looking into his eyes, I believe he could make this dream a reality.

From hopelessness to big intentions over a period of a little over a decade and he attributes it all to one act. The act of someone far away selecting him and providing him with enough. Enough to make a difference in his life. A teenager making a choice that beyond her imagination would one day impact the landscape of an entire country. This is just a bit of the story of Mr. Richmond Wandera.

Good luck Richmond, I will be praying for you, your friends, your family, and your country.

Metamorphasis of Sorts

2010-03-31T14:33:00.000-04:00

I am changing jobs today. Researches say it is one of the most stressful of situations. I have to agree with them on that one. It is days like today though that I need to remember I am a child of God and claim His friendship. My identity is not found in where I work or live or what I drive. My identity is found in Christ alone.

Maybe you have been going through some stressful times lately. Maybe through all the turmoil you have forgotten who you are (1 John 5:1). There is some hope even if it is dim to your sight at times (Job 16:20). God made you special and He loves you very much! Thanks Bob and Larry.

Hey Church

2010-03-29T17:27:00.001-04:00

Pretty awesome conference this past weekend. This blog post is focused toward any readers out there in church leadership or planting mode. I want to introduce/offer you an opportunity to accomplish some goals I am assuming you have for your members, attendees, or partners... whatever you may call those people in your groups and pews.

I could be wrong, but I am guessing some of the goals you have for all of you are to be involved in ministries both inside and out of the church, be good stewards of their money and everything else they may have that belongs to God (1 Cor 9:11; Gal 6:6), go out and tell and demonstrate God's love to others by helping the lost, lonely, poor, orphans, and widows (Luke 12:33; Proverbs 19:17), and you may want them to make wise decisions while keeping Christ at the center of their lives (Luke 14:28-30).

I hope you want something like this and this is a fair assumption because I have some news for you. ¹Check out these stats:
In one Ohio church of 1200 family units, Compassion sponsors were found to be,

25% are more likely to serve in a ministry
25% are more likely to be part of a small group
30% are more likely to do both
60% are more likely to tithe
60% are more likely a % of income higher than national average.
45% less likely to be "token" givers (throw their change in the basket each week)

If you want to know more about partnering with Compassion or other ways to get involved, just let me know. I am more than willing to talk to you about it and "set us up the bomb."

[1] These statistics come directly from the executive pastor at the church in Ohio and are not released or endorsed by Compassion International.

Basic 7: God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24

WV/OH Advocate Conference

2010-03-26T08:04:00.001-04:00

I am taking a trip this weekend to meet up with fellow Compassion International advocates from my region. I even get to hear one of the people from this video speak. It is going to be a great time and I will be sure to share it with you when I return.

Read and find out more.

It's Your Birthday Shorty!

2010-03-25T17:19:00.007-04:00

I wished my son a happy birthday today. He has been with us now for six years. Amazing really how fast it went and how big he has grown. We took him out for lunch from school today to get some pizza at the best pizza place in West Virginia and possibly the world (I know not everyone agrees). Although there are a lot of things I love about my son, I am going to focus on six things for his sixth birthday.

His tender heart. He already holds relationships in high regard over unimportant stuff. His heart breaks easily at the loss of a friend or when others dis-approve of his other friends. He is able to genuinely care for others in a way I wish I could.
His thoughtfulness. He is regularly thoughtful of others and shows it. On a regular basis he is thinking of our Compassion International children and the child sponsored by his Sunday school class. He always wants to give them stuff and pray for them. I hope he always keeps this in his character.
His love for his sister. Well they fight a good bit too, but when the rubber hits the road he would do anything for her. I hope it always stays that way even through those years of competition and rebellion, I hope they always stay close through it all.
His music choices. Yeah he enjoys the rap and hip-hop music his dad listens to and a good hard rock band every now and then. We often can be found singing out loud and jamming on his way to school.
Imagination. Yeah, he can make up the craziest stories off the cuff. Dogs with super powers, merged super heros, swimming through swamps.. we have done it all. You have never had as much fun as being a cowboy with laser eyes and space weapons.
Pizza! Yup, our slogan since he was three has been pizza everyday. I am pretty sure, if we were allowed, that would be our three squares on a daily basis.

I love you son. I pray that you are a might man of God and that you accomplish great things in Jesus' name. That you would always seek His will and draw near to Him that he may draw near to you. -- Amen

Basic 6: Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26

Bathroom Humor?

2010-03-23T17:15:00.003-04:00

RETRACTION: After further research it turns out that the "Church" still rests upon the "American Standard." All apologies to any who were offended or implicated in this matter.

I have one more class to go before completing my Great Commission Leadership Institute training and it has been a great time spending each Friday morning with this group of men. One of the jokes commonly told around the beginning or near the end of a lesson was, "I need to go to church." This was generally followed by, "What service, first or second?" This actually doesn't sound funny until you know the "Church" is actually the company/manufacturer of the toilet seat in the bathroom. Well our last class will be held in the new office location, as they have moved in today two doors down from my favorite hotdog place (arteries cry out). Well, obviously I need to know just one thing and the answer is "American Standard." So I think it is safe to say that our entire church staff has officially moved from "Church" to the "American Standard" way of doing things.

I was going to use this as some form of Satire or make an analogy to offer you some in depth insight, but I couldn't stop laughing long enough. So I will leave you with this..

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1 John 2:15)

I Know What We're Going to do Today

2010-03-22T17:43:00.001-04:00

OK, Phineas and Ferb is by far the best thing Disney has going for it right now. I sometimes even watch it with my kids. Basically there are two boys and their sister and during the summer vacation, each day the boys build or do something huge as the sister attempts to get their mom to catch them. There is a lot more to it so those who have not seen it I apologize, ask a friend who didn't take the Disney ban as seriously as you did and they will explain. The show is filled with tag lines that are used in every episode and among my favorites is the first one on almost every episode. The day begins and things are happening and then they get an idea. Then Phineas states, "Ferb, I know what we are going to do today."

My mornings generally start out the same way, no matter how much future planning you do, you can only tackle what is on your plate each day. Each day may eventually contribute to a major future plan but each individual step along the way is only as important as what needs done on any given day. Generally for me around 10 AM is the hour I finally realize, I know what I am going to do today. God, in an effort to not have us worry, only provides what we need on a daily basis (Luke 12:29-32). This also help us rely on His strength and understanding rather than our own (Psalm 107:31, 40-43).

What are you going to do today? Aren't you a little young to be performing a pulmanary surgery?

I Don't Want to Hear It!

2010-03-18T17:35:00.032-04:00

If you have ever watched your sons heart broken as he cries uncontrollably, I can identify. This was not the first time this has happened to me and he is only six. It makes me as a father want to beat up this broken world and make it apologize for all the hurt and pain it causes. The reality is, this world is too big and too broken and we would lose the battle (John 15:19).

So my son has been talking a lot in school after a big break for the recent snow storms. I inquired as to why he was talking so much all of a sudden in class and he burst out into tears. He said, "when I sit next to my buddies they sometimes are doing their work wrong and I want to help them and sometimes I need help and have to ask my other friends because I just didn't know what I was supposed to do." Now, he is just about to turn six and he tends to tell the truth to a fault. Anytime he does something wrong, he tells on himself before anyone else can. So whatever he tells me, especially in tears, I am going to believe. So I asked him, if you need help, why don't you raise your hand and ask the teacher? His response was, "I did used to do that but the teacher would just tell me, 'I don't want to hear it,' because she says she doesn't want to hear tattling." My response was, if you need help, that is not tattling. He continued, "I know but she doesn't even let me finish, it is like, I need .. then she innarups (interrupts) me and just says ' I don't want to hear it!' so if I ask I get yelled at and I don't want to lose my recess (insert more tears here), and, well, there was one time I got to say, I need help and she just said, 'you can figure it out yourself' but I couldn't daddy, I really didn't know what to put." So, I hugged him and held him and told him, I am proud of him and I love him, and it will be OK.

Now don't go trying to get all the other details, my intent isn't to slam a teacher or mar a school with something. In fact, his teacher took her own time to call me because she was concerned about him so blaming the teacher isn't my point (trust me they have a tough job having to apologize for caring actions for fear of being sued or fired; John 8:7), rather my point is simply... isn't it great to have a Father who always wants the best for you, listens to you, and will help you? Yes! (Psalm 141:2) You never have to worry when bowing your head in prayer that God, who already knows what your going to say, will ever tell you, "I don't want to hear it!" I find myself often resting in His arms as He tells me, this too shall pass, it will be OK (Acts 10:4). This wonderful truth stands in opposition to the busyness of this world. My challenge to you is this: Don't get too busy to listen and help." Even though some of us have priorities in the right place, we let the busyness of life take them over and find ourselves working to achieve something that in the end is worth nothing when we could have been listening and helping the entire time (1 John 2:15; Romans 12:2).

There will never be an end to, The request upon your time
It's your place to stand up and tell the world, You've got to rest awhile
And everything is important, But everything is not
At the end of your life your relationships are all you've got
-- Sara Groves

Basic 5: God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions...

2010-03-15T17:22:00.008-04:00

Since my last post was on the topic of decision making and on Monday's I am incapable of most thought. I am going to take this opportunity to talk about a decision I made that changed lives. During my time in college, I attended chapel services three times a week, church service on Sundays, and a small group meeting during the week. It was a great time and I was always surrounded by good Christian company. One day at chapel a speaker came and talked about something I had always knew from scripture, but this time I had an "ah-ha" moment where it all finally clicked. Of course I am talking about what Jesus talked about most and that was stewardship and helping the poor (Luke 14:13; Galatians 2:10; James 2:5; Proverbs 28:27; 1 John 3:17-18).

So I am sitting there in chapel next to my wonderful wife, listening to a message about helping the poor and about how much of a minority in the world the people of the United States are. As much as I love math, it is just not adding up to me that, assuming everyone is doing something to help the poor, that they would not all be provided for by now. Now it is time for reality, I started to think about a few years back when my wife and I decided to give our first fruits to the Lord via our local church family and realizing only about 3% of people who regularly attend church are actually even doing that. At that moment I made a decision to so something more. You see you have your tithe or 10% to the local church and over and above that you have your offering. We were so blessed in the tithe but that is a story for another post, so why not give an offering as well.

There was a table [1] set up out in the hallway that had plastic packets sitting on it with the picture of children on them, not like the ones you see in the commercials that make the poor look all helpless and starving, but children that just looked and smiled at the camera and you could see in their eyes that they were capable of hope and of someday becoming leaders themselves. We both gravitated toward this little girl named Karla who lived in South America. Now I must admit, I was ready to give up the cash, but was not ready to write letters and work on another relationship so I let my wife do most of the work. But as a bystander, this little girl had a pretty big impact on our lives and we were able to have at least a small one on hers.

We watched as her handwriting changed over the years from block print to a beautiful cursive. We watched as her hopes and dreams changed over time. And then there was the time when she prayed for us to have a son at about year four of us trying and then year five finding out we were going to have a baby after all the doctors said we would have to have expensive treatments for it to even be possible. I will let you guess what gender the child was. As we bought our first house, I was reminded of Karla's prayers when reading back through her letters. If I believed in fate, I may say it was merely coincidence but, I Don't, I only believe in providence (Job 10:12 (NIV)).

Now let me talk about the faith aspect because what you may not realize is my wife and I were in college when we made this decision. We were both working at work study positions. By Americas standards, we were considered to be in the poverty class ourselves. On top of this, it was a commitment for more than just that year and we didn't have any idea if we would have jobs after graduation. Even in those circumstances we made the commitment that tithe and offering came before bills and eating. Now reflect back on the story above, years later, we were buying our first house and we never missed a single payment to Karla. God has blessed us greatly and you can contribute that to whatever you want but my experience has been.. the more we try to give in faith, the more we wre given to give. This may not always be the case, test it out for yourself and see (Malachi 3:10).

Today, Karla has exited the project and we no longer get to hear from her because she had to move to the city to work and help her family. I have a new little boy who has recently learned to write by himself and my wife has another little boy that she keeps in contact with. Here is a picture of Jeremias, he rocks! One day I may get down to Guatemala to see him. I will be sure to keep you up to date on this progress as time goes on. Jeremias is a great artist, he has drawn me picture of ducks, houses, cars, mountains and all kinds of other things. I have yet to draw something for him because my talents lie in the digital realm more than paper, but who knows.. maybe I will try.

In Summary:

Chapel was great.
Lives were changed.
Test God!
Jeremias rocks.
I'll keep you updated.
Do something (Esther 4:14).

Basic 4: God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16

[1] If you decide to take my advice, and test God, the organization I sponsored Karla and Jeremias through is Compassion International. There are a number of reasons I chose them and I am sure I will share those reasons in a future post. It begins with a child...

Stop Breaking the Law!

2010-03-12T17:23:00.006-05:00

I had to try it. I just had to do it. The peer pressure was too much. What did I do, you wonder? I tasted some hot sauce! Yup, as he pulled out the tiny vile of distilled peppers to their purist hotness. I felt as if this may be a bad idea but I was already there and already commited to those around me that I would indeed partake and endure the pain to come. Now, a day later, I still have some numbness on the back of my tongue. Why did I do it?

Transition to the Israelites in Exodus (Exodus 20:2–17), God gives the ten commandments, the Law, not as a list of does and don't but a list of bad ideas to do if you indeed are my follower. I mean come on. It just makes sense that you shouldn't kill people, you shouldn't lie, cheat, and steal. It makes sense when it is happening to you anyway. You generally don't like people lying to you or stealing from you. Let me submit that if the circumstance was right and you hardened your heart and became committed to the idea, you would lie, steal, and cheat others with little to no remorse. I know this from experience, I use to be a thief, I stole stuff I had plenty of money to buy for myself just to get away with it. Why did I do it?

Granted, tasting hot sauce and stealing are two different things but the concept and decision making that went into both were the same. 1) The idea presents itself (Proverbs 16:9). 2) We make a decision in our mind. 3) We act on the decision without further process of logic (assuming we act quickly, time breeds more logical analysis). This process in general if referred to as decision analysis. For most of us this process breaks down because our only priority is self, fun, now or in other words, "If I do it it will make me look cool and it will be fun for the moment" (1 Corinthians 10:23). Rarely do we take into account out past and our future. So here is my advice to you, STOP! We need to make wise decisions. I understand that for each individual there may be a different cognitive style but since every decision generally ends the same way, make it a wise decision.

Examine your past. Is there anything in your past that may be a bad behavior or habit that is influencing you? It may not be a good idea for you to do something based on a family history of abuse of it.. Don't drink alcohol if your parents were total alcoholics. Examine your future. How will this decision effect your future, it may not be a good idea to listen to loud music now if you want to be a pilot in the future. You may not want to take mom and dads car out without a license and speed down the road if you ever want to drive. A friend of mine told me that his mom always told him, "When in doubt, do without." I know this is hard advice, I don't like doing the wise thing most of the time, I am still a work in process, but I challenge you. Whether you hate this post or love it. Before you decide to do something, think about it! (Matthew 6:24)

Oh, if someone hands you a coffee stirrer with hot sauce on it that came from the tiniest bottle you ever saw and a bio-hazard label on it, go ahead and lick it clean, it is not hot at all. Be sure to get some video though, because I always enjoy a good laugh.

Basic 4: Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2

This is a great read if you make a lot of decisions.

A New Day to Mess Up!

2010-03-11T17:05:00.010-05:00

Woke up this morning like always and reflected on how great the sunshine was. I thought how awesome it is that I get one more day, how wonderful is God's grace. You see none of us deserve to live another day for the sins we have commited deserve nothing but punishment and death; but then there is the Gospel message, and most of the Bible letters begin with "grace and peace to you." By His grace alone we can be justified (Ephesians 2:5,8; Hebrews 13:9; Titus 3: 7) and that is such a great feeling, that the God who created the heavens and the universe cares that much for each of us.

Like anything good or bad we an find a way to abuse grace. Even in the first century this problem existed.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Romans 6:1-2

Without grace, salvation is impossible (Luke 17:10). Grace is from the Greek charis, which also means favor. In the absence of the provision of grace, man would be facing attempting to achieve justification simply by works (doing stuff) of flawless law keeping and such is not feasible (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5). Grace is a most powerful word and concept that introduces man to the goodness of God. If my first child would have been a girl, she would have been named Karis, because I love this definition so much.

My son has a calendar we write down all his milestones and accomplishments on. He asked me what it said because the picture of the manipulated cat is funny, when I told him he started laughing and wanted to tell his mom, "Smile, today is a whole new day to mess up!" It actually says, "another chance" but I liked his version better. Thank you God for your Grace (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 1:15).

"Well the thing I find most amazing; In amazing grace

Is the chance to give it out; Maybe that's what love is all about"

-- Brandon Heath - I'm Not Who I Was

Basic 3: All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12

Drop Kick to the Head

2010-03-10T17:07:00.001-05:00

It is appropriate for me to wish a very Happy Birthday to Mr. Chuck Norris who turned 70 today. Carlos has been a great influence and asset to the Christian church, despite all the Norrisology where boogeymen are afraid to look into their closets because Chuck Norris may be there. He actually has a good knowledge of God's word and uses his powers for good and not evil. He speaks out heavily in the political realm with his columns in WorldNet Daily. Here are just a couple to get you started:

We appreciate you Chuck, even though when you jump in a pool you don't get wet, the water gets Chuck Norissed. Check out his book as well, if you are interested in the real Chuck.

Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America

Basic 2: God knows all things - 1 John 3:20

Defining Organic

2010-03-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

Perhaps the confusion came in people knowing the actual definition of organic. The term actually has two definitions that were on my mind at the time of questioning.

(adj) constituent, constitutional, (constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup))
(adj) of or relating to foodstuff grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides or hormones

The first definition comes from an analysis of the gifts and talents given to us by our awesome Creator God. You see, I can do a lot of things but all of these things are just organic, in other words, they are just a constituent or part of something bigger.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT)

So scripture actually calls us to be organic in this sense. The ramifications of this are: 1) An organic Christian needs to know his/her gifts. 2) He/She must use these gifts to build up the church. It is important for everyone reading that considers yourself a "Christian" to know that no matter what gifts you have been given, even if they are not highly visible things, they are needed for the Kingdom to be built up and be what God desires it to become.

The second definition deals with spiritual growth during your Christian journey and the importance of a Biblical foundation. This is often "where the rubber meets the road" or the point of friction that makes the difference. Many denominations have had internal battles and many people have had their hearts broken or have been hurt because this foundation was not there and they relied upon tradition (fertilizer) or doctrine (hormones) entirely when drawing conclusions. So an organic Christian is one that uses the Bible as the decision maker in every issue that may arise and places high regard to knowing what it says.

Well, I have explained myself to all you doubter and criticizers, I can be done with this blog now but what would be the fun in that. Continue with me to explore organic Christianity, spiritual gifts, and spiritual growth. I will attempt to use as little pesticide as possible.

Basic 1: There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9

From There to Here

2010-03-08T20:24:00.000-05:00

So a few years ago when I started using Facebook (FB) more regularly, I decided to fill out the rest of my profile information. There was a section in there that asked about my "Religious Views." To most this may be an easy answer, but for the first time in my life I had found myself in a transition stage between two churches. The interesting part about this was, there was nothing wrong with the old one, and we were not leaving town. I was just getting involved with the new church and wasn't totally sure of anything but the core beliefs. Long story short, my "Religious Views" were not a cut and dry decision. So what should I put in there!? I thought about it for maybe a few seconds and typed: Christian - Organic. I had full intention on changing it eventually but it caused many of my friends to ask, What does that mean? I also had a couple comments, "it looks like you are part of a cult or something." So with much question and controversy over what seemed at the time a quick decision, I now am going to leave it there forever or until FB goes belly-up. I also decided just recently to start this blog to explain my split second decision. So I invite you, my soon to be readers, to hang on and take this journey of faith with me.

"It will be a hard life but in it you will find out who you are."

-- StarWars