A Moment of Silence

13 years ago today I was teaching a JavaScript programming course at a local college. I remember some students coming up the hallway telling each class that a plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York. By the time I got to the television in the vending area of the hall, another plane hit the second tower on live television. I had so many emotions going through me at the time but the one I remember most is, though it may sound harsh, I am not going to let this promote fear in my life or those around me. I had all the students come back to class and with just a few more interruptions I went on and continued teaching. While I had that luxury, being far from the attack, my mind continually wandered with the remorse or sadness of all those effected directly and indirectly. Inside, my heart was breaking for all the people jumping, burning, and drowning in debris and smoke. Then there was a deeper hurt as I thought about all the children who no longer had parents and parents who no longer had children. At the time I had no idea how this event would even make a change to my life. Please take a moment of silence at some point today and be thankful for all the things you have.

The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? (Psalm 27:1)

Vehicle: Basic Emergency Kit

Last week I posted about a "Winter Vehicle Kit" and made reference to an "Basic Emergency Kit" (BEK) that you should keep in your vehicle at all times. I thought I would share with you what I plan to keep in my BEK to give you an idea of what you may decide to put in yours.

Just a quick note, if you received a Auto Kit for Christmas and you feel prepared because you threw it in your car, while some of them may have a few items that are useful, the majority DO NOT! I suggest you break it out and either add or take away from it to ensure it includes the things you may actually need and or know how to use.

Keep in mind these are just suggestions and what I feel work best for me, you may or may not have a need for some of these things but it is totally up to you. I just pray that you would at least prepare a little. Also, it may seem like all this stuff would be expensive but you don't need to add it in all at once, just start with what you may already have and slowly add from there. So lets get into the kit.

Basic Emergency Kit

• Glove Box
• Minor Medical Kit
• Band-Aid Assortment - (2 S, 2 L, 2 XL)
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Burn Gel
• Antiseptic Wipes - for cleaning your hands.
• Q-Tips
• Medications - (2) Ibuprofen, (2) Acetaminophen, (2) Aspirin
• 1/4 inch Medical Tape - for the gauze.
• Sterile Gauze - (2) 3"x3"
• Non-Adherent Dressing - (2) 3"x4"
• Nitrile Gloves
• CPR Sheild
  - Even if you don't know CPR, these are very small and cheap and you can be a resource to someone who does. 30:2 Rate
• Documents
• Insurance - make sure it is signed.
• Registration - make sure it is signed.
• In Case of Emergency (I.C.E.) Card
  - Name, Blood Type, Allergy Information, Emergency Contact Information
• Crash Exchange Form - download here.
• Cabin
• Tissues
• Emergency Hammer (I actually want to switch this out with a ResQMe Tool )
• Gauze
  - I keep these separate because they are better for nose bleeds which myself and son have often.
• Pen/Pencil
• Paper
• iPod Charger
• Phone Charger
• iPod (Non-Winter)
• Sun Glasses
• Hatch
• Hydraulic Jack
  - this is an extreme item because maybe your vehicle has a built in scissor jack. If it does, get it out and make sure it works. I keep this jack because I have changed a tire using both types and believe me, hydraulic is faster and easier.
• Duct Tape
• Jumper Cables - make sure they are long and heavy duty (not found in most kits).
• Gas Can (2 Gallon Unused)
• Tow Strap (make sure it can pull your vehicle weight)
• Wool Blanket (70% or better, keeps you warm even if wet.)
• Copper or PVC Pipe (2 ft. with diameter to fit over your socket handle: leverage) 
• Backpack
• Rain Suit
  - the poncho is great unless you have to walk over a distance in the rain because it doesn't protect your pants. I have heard that, "two is one and one is none."
• Gloves
• Road Flares (LED or Old School)
• Head Lamp (Flashlight) - remember the batteries.
• Knife
• Rope/Cordage
• Safety Vest
• Hand Warmers
• Poncho
• Large Trash Can Liner
• Tool Bag
• Wheel Chock - I received some small plastic ones for Christmas (Awesome!!)
• Liquid Siphon
• Mylar Blanket (1 for each regular traveler)
• Lug Wrench (Make sure it fits your lugs!)
• Linesman Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Mini Hammer
• Screw Driver(s) (Phillips, Flat, Torx, Hex)
• Socket Set (Metric or Standard based on your vehicle)
• Bungee Straps (Various Lengths)

Vehicle Preparedness: Emergency Kit

The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle for the winter season and knowing how to react if stranded, lost on the road, in an accident are the keys to safe winter driving. I was recently in an accident and it was about 19 - 20 degrees outside. I was cold to my core but had to remain outside the vehicle for the police and other parties involved. I was lucky enough that my vehicle could still safely run with the heat on. Basically, I wish I had been more prepared. So what can you do? It is as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Dress warmly and wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing so you can adjust with the temperatures and conditions.
2. When the weather turns cold, add these few extras to any "Basic Emergency Kit"* which should be in your car at all times:

WINTER VEHICLE KIT:

• Hand Warmers: instant heat packs - Carry 4 per person — it'll give you 8 hours of warmth if you're stuck
• An Snow-brush and Ice Scraper: Don't get a cheap one, make sure it is solid and durable.
• De-Icer Washer Fluid
• Blankets/Sleeping Bags: You can use an emergency bivvy as well.
• Snow boots: Assuming you are not wearing them that day.
• Extra Pairs of Wool Gloves
• A Hat and Scarf
• Food and Water: Carry a supply of high-energy snacks and a bottle of water just in case you get stuck.
• Sack of Sand, Cat Litter, or Snow Melt (Salt) - For traction.
• Small Snow Shovel

3. Keep your gas tank at no less than half a tank to avoid freezing the tank and fuel lines. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes if they don't already.

Okay, so maybe the last one was more than one thing but I think you all can manage.

* More on this topic later.

Every Day Carry (EDC): On Person

Yesterday a co-worker asked me why I carry a multi-tool around with me every day. I told him you would not be able to count the times having a cutting tool with me came in handy. From opening those awful blister packs for the kids at the mall to random small cutting tasks, especially around the Holidays, it has been so handy to be able to reach in my pocket and have it taken care of. Last night I was playing soccer and a team-mate had a splinter in his finger. When I said, "Why don't you take it out?" He said, "I have to wait till I get home to get some tweezers." I provided him with tweezers on the spot from right out of my pocket. BAM! Metal shard removed. I understand these things are not life threatening events but there is something to be said about comfort. His exact words to me were, "I never thought to ask anybody if they had tweezers."

So what should you carry on your person everyday? After much research and experience and in my current environment, here is what I came up with:

• Watch - Time and Navigation.
• Wallet - Identification, Cash, Emergency Information Card
• Keys - Auto/Home Access and Whistle
• Multi-Tool or Knife - My recommendation is the Gerber Dime for light duty tasks.
• Phone - Call Someone, Infinite App Solutions
• Protection - Optional depending on your area but never a bad idea.

These things are the minimum and really take about 5 seconds to put in your pocket each morning and chances are you already carry most of these every day anyway. Special mention to the "Urban Prepper" for being the most helpful and realistic in my research.

Wait, What does this have to do with the Bible? While it doesn't directly relate, the Bible certainly speaks a lot about being prepared for everything. Jesus was the King of Preparedness, in fact, I believe He is currently preparing a place at this very moment (John 14:3). Maybe I will dedicate a whole post to the the Greek word: παρασκευάζω | (par-ask-yoo-ad'-zo) - to prepare. Which is incidentally where the word parachute was derived.

-- δῷ τίς παρασκευάσεται εἰς πόλεμον (1 Corinthians 14:8)

We Need a Little Easter

Humility is the quality of being modest and respectful. Humility is widely seen as a virtue in many religious traditions, being connected with notions of selflessness. Notions such as submitting to God and legitimate authority, recognizing virtues and talents that others possess, particularly those greater than your own, and giving due honor and, when required, obedience.


Why am I posting about humility today?

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of a 46 day period of prayer and fasting commonly referred to as the period/season of Lent. That's right, you may have heard about Advent, the season leading up to Christmas, so here is another one for you, Lent, the season leading up to Easter.

Surely you have heard someone say, "I'm giving that up for Lent". What does this have to do with humility?

The whole point of the season is to humble yourself in preparation for Easter, not the bunny kind of Easter (although I do enjoy white chocolate bunnies and those delicious chocolaty eggs) but the Christ's resurrection from the dead kind of Easter! So in this post, I would like to challenge you to give something up this Lenten Season.

What should you give up? To answer that question we need to re-visit the idea of humility. Is there something in your life that is preventing you from being humble? Is there something your holding onto that is blocking your obedience to God and legitimate authority? The important thing to notice here is I am not asking if you are depending on something, rather than God. Most would say, I am giving up soft drinks or donuts, that is not the point, in fact I would argue you could easily take pride in the fact you skipped out on the Baconator Creme Filled Doughnut. But rather, is there something that doesn't benefit you that can be let go. Maybe take a look at the following areas:

• Finances - maybe God has been asking you to be obedient here, give to that charity, sponsor that child, be a better steward of what you have by not spending frivolously.
• Time - maybe you can read our Bible and Pray instead of watching that show tonight, or listen to God instead of music on the way into work.
• Thoughts - maybe make a conscious decision to think and focus on God instead of how cool it would be if you had a flat screen TV.
• Stuff - yes, stuff, maybe you can help out the least of these with stuff but instead of asking you to get rid of what you have, I'd say just get one of what ever it is and give it to someone else so they can enjoy it.
• Food/Beverage - again, I know this is a common area but instead of stopping it, share it with someone who doesn't have it.

Obviously, this is just food for thought. Let me know if you gave something up this season or plan to.

"As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you."
- C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

"True humility does not know that it is humble. If it did, it would be proud from the contemplation of so fine a virtue."
- Martin Luther

Advent: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve: December 24, 2012 - The "Christ Candle" (white center candle) is lit and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior.

Have whoever is lighting the candle read:

• "We light this candle in Christ; our pure Savior."

Read:

• Luke 2: 8-12

Ask:

• Why do you think the angels had to tell the shepherds to not be afraid?
• What are the things that make you the most afraid?
• What was the reason the angels gave for why the shepherds did not have to be afraid?

Activity:

• Have each family member open up a small gift and verbally express their thanks to Jesus as they open it.

Pray:

• "Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of Jesus that we celebrate this Christmas. Thank you that his coming to die for our sins and being raised from the dead means we have nothing in life or in eternity to fear. We Love you Lord Jesus. Amen."

Advent: Week 4

Fourth Sunday: December 23, 2012 - The "Angels Candle" (third purple candle) is lit and represents peace.

Have whoever is lighting the candle read:

• "We light this candle in peace; Jesus is our peace."

Ask:

• When you think of the word peace, what is the first thing that comes to mind?
• What would it mean for the world to have peace?
• Name one thing that disturbs your peace and why?

Read:

• 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Activity:
Make a Peace Dove Ornament
Supplies needed:

•     Stiff paper/Cardstock (1 piece)
•     Regular paper (1 piece)
•     Scissors
•     Pencil
•     String
•     Clear tape
•     Optional: markers, glue, glitter

Instructions:

• Draw the shape of a bird's body on stiff paper.
• Cut out the bird and cut two slits in the body (along the dotted lines).

• Cut a piece of paper in half.
• Fold each piece like an accordion.

• Insert the folded paper (wings and tail feathers) into the slits in the bird's body. Secure them to the body with clear tape. Tape the ends of the tail feathers together (making a fan shape).
• Draw eyes on the dove. Tape some string to the body of the dove (for hanging it up).
• Optional: decorate the dove with markers or glitter. 

Blow out the candles!

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy.
Then he becomes your partner. - Nelson Mandela 

Advent: Week 3

Third Sunday: December 16, 2012 - The "Shepherds Candle" (pink, or rose-colored candle) is lit and represents joy.

Have whoever is lighting the candle read:

• "We light this candle in great joy; Jesus is our joy!"

Ask:

• How can we experience joy when we worship God?
• How can we experience joy on regular days?
• Do others see joy in us even when we face disappointments?

Read:
John 15:10-11
 
Activity:

• Gather two glasses — one tall and narrow and the other short and wide. Pour equal amounts into each glass.
• Then, introduce your family to two wonderful Christian "ladies." Tell your family Miss A (the tall glass) won an Olympic gold medal in figure skating and lives in a mansion, while Miss B (the short glass), uses a cane to walk and lives in a little cottage. Tell them the water represents the joy the ladies have in their hearts, and ask your kids to guess which lady has more joy.
• Now place two identical empty glasses in the center of the table. Pour the water from Miss A into one and the water from Miss B into the other. This will demonstrate for your children that the amount of joy is the same for each lady regardless of her circumstances.

Blow out the candles!

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile
can be the source of your joy." - Thich Nhat Hanh

Advent: Week 2

Second Sunday: December 9, 2012 - The "Bethlehem Candle" (second purple candle) is lit. This candle typically represents love and symbolizes Christ's manger.

Have whoever is lighting the candle read:
"We light this candle in love because there was no room in the inn."
 
Read:

• Luke 2:1-20

Ask:

• Why did Joseph and Mary go from their home in Nazareth and walk all the way to Bethlehem?
• How do you think Joseph and Mary felt about spending the night where they kept animals?
• Jesus the savior of the whole world wasn't born in a beautiful palace like other kings? Why do you think that was?

Read:

• Luke 2:7

Activity:

• Use some building blocks (Lego, MegaBlok, etc..) or popsicle sticks and glue to build a manger scene.
• You can each take a character and work together on the building.
• Take a picture of your final creation and share it on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram or email it to a friend.

Blow out the candles!

Advent: Week 1

First Sunday: December 2, 2012 - The "Prophecy Candle" (first purple candle) in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ (Isaiah 11:10). This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Have whoever is lighting the candle read:

• "We light this candle in hope, the bright hope of Jesus Christ our Savior."

Ask:

• What does it mean to hope?
• What are some things that you hope for?

Read:

• Romans 15:12-13

Activity:

• Everyone write a "hope" statement on a piece of paper.
  (I hope for ________ because _____________________.)
• Exchange papers and have that person pray for what the other person wrote.

Blow Out the Candle! 

"Let us then continually persevere in our hope, and the earnest of our righteousness, which is Jesus Christ, 'who bore our sins in His own body on the tree,' 'who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth,' but endured all things for us, that we might live in Him. Let us then be imitators of His patience; and if we suffer for His name's sake, let us glorify Him. For He has set us this example in Himself, and we have believed that such is the case." —Polycarp (Turkey/69–155)

We Need a little Christmas

Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches as a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity or Birth of Jesus at Christmas. The term is an anglicized version of the Latin word "adventus", meaning "coming." The progression of the season may be marked with an Advent calendar, a practice introduced by German Lutherans. At least in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Moravian, Presbyterian and Methodist calendars, Advent starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25. For Christians, the season of Advent anticipates the coming of Christ from two different perspectives. The season offers the opportunity to share in the ancient longing for the coming of the Messiah, and to be alert for his Second Coming.

This year Advent begins on December 2nd (Two Days Away!). My hope is to provide you with a small devotional for each week. My family and I usually celebrate using a "home-made" Advent wreath. An evergreen wreath, 5 candle holders, 1 pink candle, 3 purple candles, and 1 white candle. Styles may vary and all items can commonly be found at your local dollar store. I guess you could buy one as well (see links below), but where is the fun in that?

What is the deal with the wreath? During the season of Advent one candle on the wreath is lit each Sunday as a part of the Advent celebration. The circle of evergreen in which the candles are placed represents everlasting life. Each candle represents an event that happened prior to the birth of Jesus.

• First Sunday: December 2, 2012 - The "Prophecy Candle" (first purple candle) in remembrance of the prophets, primarily Isaiah, who foretold the birth of Christ. This candle represents hope or expectation in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
• Second Sunday: December 9, 2012 - The "Bethlehem Candle" (second purple candle) is lit. This candle typically represents love and symbolizes Christ's manger.
• Third Sunday: December 16, 2012 - The "Shepherds Candle" (pink, or rose-colored candle) is lit and represents joy.
• Fourth Sunday: December 23, 2012 - The "Angels Candle" (third purple candle) is lit and represents peace.
• Christmas Eve: December 24, 2012 - The "Christ Candle" (white center candle) is lit and represents the life of Christ that has come into the world. The color white represents purity. Christ is the sinless, spotless, pure Savior.

If you can't find specific colored candles, you can use just red in place of the pink and purple. Children who are old enough can take turns lighting the candles and we usually let the one who did not light them blow them out after our devotion time.

Want to join in on our celebration? Get your wreath together and keep reading.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" 

(Luke 2:11, ESV).

Post Giving Tuesday Post

Happy Post #GivingTuesday - It has been said that giving is better than receiving. It has been my experience this statement is true. I want to let my readers know this season is about giving. #itsaboutgiving  I have never felt bad in giving something to someone else in need. There has been a new "faux" holiday added to the calendar, after black Friday, after Cyber Monday, there is a new day, Giving Tuesday. In the event that some of you missed out on the excitement yesterday, I will catch you up.

Yesterday charities, families, businesses and individuals came together to transform the way people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Most of the charities participating allow donations for any amount and each of the over 2000 charities or organizations is responsible for their own initiative, so go to the website and check them out, I doubt it is ever too late to give.

Don't have the time to look through the list? Not a problem! I have done the research for you by using third party organizations that ensure your money is going where it is supposed to go. Of the many legitimate and trustworthy participants, below are just my recommendations from the Giving Tuesday participants:

• Convoy of Hope - Provides help and hope to people in need in the United States and around world through our children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches, disaster response and partner resourcing.
• Opportunity International - Provides financial products and strategies to over four million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world. Clients in more than 20 countries can use these services to expand a business, provide for their families, create jobs for their neighbors and build a safety net for the future.
• Grassroot Soccer - Uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.

But Josh! I took time to read this post, so now I have less time! I encourage you to just give more to a charity you already support or my causes page is always there year round with a list of charities like Compassion International, Bite Back, Water of Life. That's great Josh, but I like to give gifts to people that I know. Your Welcome:

• 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.
• 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.

Based on all the gifts you bought in the past few days, I know you like to give. I challenge you to add a charity to your buying list this year and every year to come. Because after all, isn't this season really about giving? #itsaboutgiving

Happy Post Giving Tuesday!!

The Power of We

The theme for @blogactionday12 is "The Power of We" #powerofwe This year #BAD12, I am posting about soccer. Yup. Soccer.

When and where I grew up, soccer was a sport for the rich kids, consequently I didn't really get into it or play much. My junior and senior years of high school, I became indifferent about any sport. During college, there were some crazy sports fans for the local college basketball team and by shear peer acknowledgement my "sporting interest" started to grow. I realized that people with a common interest can develop a relationship faster and through that relationship I could talk more freely about my faith and Christ's role in my life, plus the basketball team rocked! Go Wildcats Basketball!

About seven years ago, I allowed myself to become a die-hard fan of #WVU College American football. Lets Go Mountaineers! A little later I discovered the long lost, to my life, sport of soccer. I became a closet watcher and follower. I studied the tactics, the players, the skills, the fans and that led to another realization. This sport like no other has a depth and width that goes beyond the sport itself, it is it's own language and provides a common interest to the entire world. What does this have to do with Blog Action Day!?

Others before me have realized the same thing about this sport, I want to highlight what people can do when they take their passion and use it to benefit the world. Organizations like Grass Roots Soccer and The SEGway Project are among many non-profits taking this concept to the next level.

The SEGway Project
The SEGway Project started by some athletes at the University of Notre Dame is taking the sport to developing areas like Nepal, Kenya, and Cambodia. An inspiring story about this project is that one of the co-founders actually gave up her position and scholarship on the team in her Senior year to make this project work. "The SEGway Project uses soccer to empower girls in the developing world, helping them to fulfill their potential both on and off the field. In our eyes, the soccer field is an extension of the classroom where a girl can learn to be competitive, gain self-confidence, and acquire the life skills needed to segway into the leader she was born to be." If you would like to help them out, send them an email.

Grassroot Soccer
Grassroot Soccer got started with funds from Survivor winner Ethan Zohn. "Grassroot Soccer uses the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV." With the development and use of a specialized curriculum, they use soccer itself to educate about HIV, a 100% preventable disease, which will hopefully one day be eradicated. Grassroot Soccer operates flagship sites in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, they have helped create other projects in Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Sudan, Tanzania, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic. They are rated high in Charity Navigator and if you want to help them out, there are many things you can do: http://www.grassrootsoccer.org/what-you-can-do/

These stories and many more show what "The Power of We" can do.

Holiday Gift Guide

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.

5 Blogs I Read Everyday and Why!

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.

for whom the Bell tolls...

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!

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)

Think, Thank, Thunk...

 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!

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...

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

• Moleskine
• Action Method

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.