A Call to Action: Haiti

The smallest, the weakest, the quietest: these are the children living in the aftermath of the tragedy in Haiti. Compassion International works with over 65,000 children and their families in Haiti and over a third of them live in the hardest hit areas. Think about that for a minute: 65,000 children. That's a LOT of children being ministered to, cared for, and loved by people around the world who give of their energy and finances every month to reach these smallest of miracles.

In the wake of this earthquake, many sponsors will have to wait for long days to hear the fate of the children that they loved. Devastatingly, many children likely perished and their dear sponsors will only be able to hear and mourn from a distance. Yet this is a reflection of the bonds that Compassion nurtures, the incredible fact that around the world, over 65,000 people know the names of a child and pray for them and support them. Yes, there will be mourning and sorrow but there will also come hope and rejoicing and miracles of a God who hears and responds to our prayers and our willingness to give. Without Compassion, this tragedy could have remained sterile for many but now there are names and faces and forces joined in prayer and hope. Compassion loves children and allows for many to love them too. This is what Compassion does day in and day out but today there is a larger need for this one small country and we should not turn away from it.

Without a doubt, the children we serve in Haiti are in shock and face immediate needs for food, water, medical care, shelter and counseling. Compassion has teams prepared to respond, and they are deeply committed to helping each child. Compassion needs your help immediately. Please reach out in the name of Jesus to bring relief, comfort, love and restoration to precious children and families whose lives have been devastated by this crisis.

Here is a link that will allow you to donate to Compassion for their critical ministry following the Haiti earthquake. Read on for more information about your gift but please consider giving, it really will change a life.
https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/haitiearthquake.htm?referer=105120SocialSponsorshipBlitz


HOW DONATIONS WILL BE USED: All funds raised in response to the Haiti earthquake will be used immediately to provide for Compassion-assisted children and families affected by this crisis. Any funds raised in excess will be stewarded by Compassion for additional and future disaster relief efforts.
You can provide immediate relief today.
• $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week.
• $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks.
• $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain two families for two weeks.
• $210 gift helps care for two families' needs.
• $525 helps provide relief packs filled with enough food and water to sustain 10 families for two weeks.
• $1,050 gift helps care for 10 families' needs.
• $1,500 helps rebuild a home.
• $2,100 helps supply 20 families with the basics for three weeks.
Due to the high number of responses it may take longer than normal to process your transaction.

WHY GIVE TO COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

FINANCIAL INTEGRITY:
The FBI is warning of several Haiti charity scams that have popped up in the wake of this earthquake. They are suggesting that donations only be made to organizations monitored and rated by CharityNavigator.org and The American Institute of Philanthropy. Both organizations have given Compassion International their highest approval ranking. Compassion International is the only non-profit in it's category to receive eight consecutive years of four star rating from CharityNavigator.org.
Links regarding Compassion International's financial integrity:
http://www.compassion.com/about/financial/default.htm
FIRST RESPONDER:
In this disaster it is crucial that first responders receive support quickly. Because Compassion International ministers through local churches to meet the needs of that church's neighbors, and because these church partners are respected aid workers in their communities, Compassion is uniquely positioned to assess and meet the needs of it's sponsored children quickly. This is an advantage of our church-based model in practice for more than 50 years.
IN JESUS' NAME:
Compassion International does not accept government funds which could at times restrict our ability to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children in Jesus' name. Because of this Compassion International's primary financial support comes from individual donors.

For ongoing information:
Compassion on Facebook and the Crisis Update Page.

Hunger

There are people in the world so hungry,
that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.
~Mohandas Ghandi

Today, March 11, 2009, is Global Food Crisis Day.

I suspect that everyone who is reading this blog is doing so without feeling the effects of hunger. You're not worrying about whether your child will make it another day without food and you're not so very hungry that you can focus on nothing else. You've probably awoken today, had something for breakfast, and then began another day of work or whatever keeps you busy.

The life that you and I live is something that is completely foreign to many around the globe. In the time that it takes you to read this blog, 10 children in the world will draw their final breaths because of hunger-related issues. Tonight 1 in every 7 people will go to bed hungry.

This is truth. This is reality. This is life.

This is not your life but it is the life of those that you share this earth with. You might not be able to change the world but you can look for ways to change parts of it. Don't let today pass by without thinking of what difference you could make. Push yourself to connect with those who hunger. Acknowledge that they are husbands and wives and children and grandparents. They are very real people hurting in very real ways.

If you're looking for a way to make a difference, I encourage you to visit Compassion's Global Food Initiative website (or click the link on the right). They are actively engaged in reaching the least and loving them with the love of Christ by tangibly meeting their needs. You can join them in being Christ's hands and feet!

Remember the words of Jesus, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." (Luke 12:48b) We have been entrusted with much and we must not close our eyes to those who desperately need help!

Right Again

This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.
~ John 3:16-17 (The Message)

God did love the world 2,000 years ago.

God still loves the world today.

As we begin our times of celebration, let us also stop and realize that the Jesus who stepped out of eternity all those years ago did it because today, at the very end of 2008, He knew there would be people who are desperate for the hope that's found only in Him. He came because He is the ultimate solution to the pain that's captured our world. He came because He can redeem.

It's not all about a manger. It's not all about the wise men or the stable or the shepherds. It's about the love that God had for a people yet unknown. It's about the ability to restore that's held only by a sovereign, all-powerful, amazing God who has a love for such undeserving people as you and I.

The manger was just the beginning.

Don't leave it at that.

Tell the whole story. Not just what Christ did as He walked this ground but what He's done in your life.

Shine for Him in these days.

There's a world that needs to hear.

Grinch?

Those of you who know me well have probably heard me talk about my struggle with Christmas and gifts. This is a hard one to explain and sometimes I wonder if I'm not just being selfish or grinchy (if that can be a word) or scroogy (another made-up word, this must be a record).

The things is that it's not that I don't love the people in my life and thoroughly enjoy giving them things that I know will make them smile and bless them. If you're in my life, you've probably received random things from me throughout the course of any given year just because I'll see something and it will make me think of you and I'll buy it to share with you. That's what I love: to unexpectedly surprise people with small things that I know they'll love.

What I don't love is that Christmas has such a focus on gifts. I don't love that most of those who I buy things for could buy the same things for themselves. I don't love Christmas lists that tell me what you want because it makes me think that I don't know you well enough to find something that you would love. I don't like the pressure to find the perfect gift (or sometimes just any gift) to place under the tree on December 25th. I don't love that every year I find myself with more things that I don't really need because people feel the requirement to give.

What I want is to give (and receive) things that are meaningful. Let me buy you tickets to a concert we can go to together. Let me make you a picture frame full of cheerful moments captured on film. Let me take you to dinner or coffee or shopping or on a road trip. Let me invest in your life and not buy you more stuff. Or, if it is a tangible gift that I buy then I want it to be something that I know you'll love and you don't expect and it will bring a smile to your heart and you'll know I love you and really know you.That's what I think I really want the most.

I guess I just wonder: does Christmas have to be all about the stuff?

I don't think there's an easy answer to this and I feel like it's something I talk about every year because I still haven't figured it out. So, I'm trying yet again to find a way to combat the common solution to just buy everyone a gift off a list and call it a year. I've got 21 days to figure it out. Here's hoping.

I have to share this video too because I feel like it's very very very appropriate to the discussion that I've been having. Have you ever thought about these things? I'd love to hear any thoughts out there about this...I don't have answers, just thoughts.



PS: Just in case you're wondering, this is most definitely not a new question for me...it's just coincidental that I wrote about the overabundance of stuff in my life a while ago.

Veterans

God bless America, land that I love,
Stand beside her, and guide her,
Through the night, with the light from above,
From the mountains, to the prairies
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, my home sweet home,
God bless America! My Home Sweet Home!
~ Irving Berlin

Today marks the 90th anniversary of the culmination of World War I with the signing of the Armistice. Here in America, we note this date as Veterans Day but I suspect that the majority of us will not even pause during this twenty-four hour period to think of the brave men and women who have given up so much for us to have the opportunity today to live and work and worship in freedom. I have definitely missed this day more than once in my life.

As our nation faces new challenges and old threats it seems that we should be ever more mindful of the cost with which our nation's freedom has been bought. Today I want to be reminded of those I've known and the many more that I've never even thought of who have bravely faced down enemies both foreign and domestic to secure this nation's peace. I want to make sure that this day does not end without offering up a prayer for the safety of those currently serving and thankfulness for those who have done so through the years.

Agree or don't agree with the use of the military throughout history but do not do those who serve the dishonor of implying that they have placed themselves in harms way for anything less than a noble cause. At the very least, as Americans, that cause is you.

There are challenges ahead and while I rest secure in knowing that God is sovereign over all things, I also continually pray for this nation and those who lead it and remain indebted to those who have served and bled and died for the liberties on which this nation was founded. May I be found standing consistently faithful to the God I serve and the nation in which He has placed me.

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
~ Thomas Paine

Election Prayer

Normally I don't post twice in one day but I read this article by Albert Mohler and really wanted to make it available for you too. I think that he makes some really powerful points about how we should pray for this nation as believers. Be challenged.

A Prayer for America on Election Day

Authority

He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
~ Daniel 7:14

Election Day 2008.

So many are worried, so many fear, so many wonder at the future of this country and what is about to transpire at the culmination of this day.

From both sides of the political fence people stress about the economy and safety and the war and so many other things that appear critically important at this moment in time.

I understand the concern and I pray for this nation and the direction that it is headed and I have already cast my vote. I do think this is a critical juncture in history and we must be informed and wise in our decisions. However, my hope does not rest on the outcome of this election. I can worry and fret about who might be sitting in the Oval Office come January or I can step back and remember where real authority and power lies.

Go back to the verse at the top. God is the one who is given the ultimate authority. It's not the president of the United States or any other person placed in power in the world. Every last one of them and every one of us is subject to the authority of God. So instead of worrying over the outcome of this race I am going to support those who appear to more closely support those things that God cares about and then I'm going to remember that He is in control and there's nothing that's going to happen today or any other day to come that is a surprise to Him or that falls outside of His control.

So please, do vote. In doing so though, don't forget that God is ultimately in control and that He is at work regardless of how things may look from this perspective.

One final thing: pray for those elected. The tasks that lie before them are not easy and God has the best access to their hearts and minds so let's commit to being diligent in calling on Him to greatly impact their lives that they might serve Him and not man.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
~ 2 Chronicles 7:14-15

If you'd like to hear some excellent points, check out what John Piper has to say:

Compassion

Rescue the perishing; don't hesitate to step in and help. If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business," will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know - Someone not impressed with weak excuses.
~ Proverbs 24:11-12

We live in a land of abundance. Even if we're not rich by our own standards, we must see that we surrounded by affluence on every side and we're incredibly wealthy by most of the world's assessment. We live in a nation that provides opportunities for advancement and has a system that attempts to care for those who find themselves in tight spots. I would challenge that almost all, if not all, those who read this blog have never gone hungry because there was no food available or slept outdoors because there was no shelter. Most Americans have never watched someone die of a curable disease or lived with parasites because their only water came out of a dirty well. This is life in America.

This is not life in many other parts of the world. Walk with me down dusty roads in Kenya where the children scavenge for fruits and there's one well within three miles where water can be obtained. Sit with me in the streets of India where children are forced to beg for scraps from passersby and the only bathroom is the gutter on the side of the road. Journey around the globe and see lives torn apart by war and famine, disease and disability, the reality of poverty that's experienced by so very many who live out their lives in places we've only heard of.

Know that there is a light in the darkness though. For the children who go to bed hungry and watch their parents and friends suffer from disease there is help. There is One who watches and knows their needs and loves them ever so much. God sees. God loves. God calls all of us to care. God's heart for the downtrodden is reflected in the ministry of Compassion International. This ministry reaches out to those in desperate situations and gives them hope. From sickness to health, hopelessness to hope, hunger to satisfaction, and ultimately we pray for death to life as they're introduced to the Lord.

This ministry reaches across the globe to help those in need. The challenge is huge - millions of children are in need. Compassion seeks to stand in the gap. Yet they can't do it alone.

It takes us to make a difference. Compassion provides the vehicle but it's us who can actively change lives. For $32 a month you can sponsor a child in need. In our land of abundance it might not even seem that such an amount can make a difference but for the six children I've sponsored over the years, a difference has been made.

Don't shy away from this call. I'll be bold about asking you to consider helping a child. This is a ministry that changes the lives of those who we believers are called to care for and, in doing that, we too are changed! Seek God's heart on this and get involved in taking action for the least of this world!

Visit www.Compassion.com to find out more!