Miracle time

There are 21 days left in our campaign to raise $5000 to build a well, and we currently have $2323 raised.

It is going to take a miracle to raise the rest of the money. And, honestly, that is just how I like it. From the beginning, this project has been about God, not me. So, why shouldn't it take an act of God to raise the $2677 left?

I have found that there really isn't much in life worth doing if it isn't going to be done for God's glory. And, I can't think of a better way to end this project than its success being because of a miracle, thus bringing glory to the only miracle maker.

I challenge you today to pray about whether God wants to use you in making this miracle a reality. Is He calling you to be part of something bigger than yourself? And, are you willing to listen?


Your ways, O God, are holy.
          What god is so great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
           you display your power among the peoples.
           - Psalm 77: 13-14

Thanksgiving

It's been a few weeks since I ended the rice and beans part of this project. I'm now back to eating and drinking whatever I want.

Every time I think about having a meal or snack, I get excited. The possibilities are endless, and there is so much I am hungry to taste again. Foods that I wouldn't normally get excited about are like brand new, and every taste of something not rice or beans is special.

Perhaps because of this excitement and what I learned during January, I also can't approach a meal now without feeing incredibly thankful. Each bite is a reason for joy and a reminder of the One who provided it for me. He has given me the means to indulge any food craving I may have, and He has also shown me what a gift I have been given in regard to my ability to eat whatever I want. I haven't looked at food the same way since January ended, and I hope I never do.

Now, I only spent a month limiting my diet. Can you imagine the excitement someone who had no option in their food choices their entire life would feel if all of a sudden they were given access to what I've been taking for granted my whole life? What joy! And, what thanksgiving!

What if they had never had clean water, and we built a well in their community? Think about it.


And, for those of you who have been wondering, here's what I ate February 1st:
Breakfast: A big glass of juice
            Christmas cookies (Thanks, Katie!)
            Zucchini bread
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwich
            Chips
            Donut
Dinner: Spaghetti and meatballs
            More Christmas cookies

Thank You!

One of my favorite parts of the Pauline epistles are the final verses of each letter where Paul addresses his supporters by name. I love this glimpse into Paul's life, which has always made him more of a real person to me.

While I would never claim to have reached Pauline heights of service, I would like to publicly acknowledge those who have played an integral role in my finishing this January project. Without their support and care, I would have faced a much more difficult 31 days.

Mary: You were there at the beginning. And, you wore the bracelet all month. You never wavered.

My spectacular prayer team and my posse: Amy, Belinda, Crystal, Katie H., Shannon, Mary, and Kim

Tracy: Before this water project was even close to being an idea in my head, you were teaching me how ordinary people can make a big difference. Thank you for clearing a path for me to follow.

Katie D. and Susan: Thank you for getting it.

Allyson, Elizabeth, and Ronda: Best coworkers ever. I forgive you for tempting me with donuts.

Seacoast Vineyard Church and Gateway Community Church: For prayers, support, and instruction.

Mom and Dad: You taught me to listen for the Spirit and to obey. Thank you for a firm foundation. And, thanks for Friday night rice and bean meals.

Peter: I couldn't ask for a better brother. Thanks for making me laugh.

Darcy: Thanks for being so cute. Best mascot ever.

And, thanks to all of you who have sent me encouraging emails directly or via my mom and friends. Your words have strengthened me and helped keep me motivated.

But above all and in the words of Paul,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
          - Ephesians 3:20-21

What now?

Maybe this water project didn't stir you. Maybe the problem of clean water isn't the issue that breaks your heart or makes you mad. Even so, I hope this month's project has woken up the vision within you to be part of the change that our world needs.

If so, here are other great organizations worth considering partnering with as you look to make a difference:

Compassion 
A child advocacy organization through which you can sponsor a child, providing for their physical, spiritual, economic, and social needs. All with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.

World Relief
With the mission of standing for the vulnerable, World Relief provides humanitarian aid and is involved in community and economic development.

Operation Christmas Child
It's so simple: a shoe box filled with gifts sent to a needy child who wouldn't otherwise get anything for Christmas. Love in action.

The Traveling Team
Sharing God's love of the world with college students and providing them with the resources they need to change that same world.

The A21 Campaign
Join the fight against human trafficking.

To Write Love on Her Arms
A nonprofit dedicated to helping those struggling with depression, suicide, self-injury, and addiction.

Women for Women International
Sponsor a woman who has survived war rebuild her life by providing financial and emotional support.

beremedy
Connects those with immediate needs with those who want to give via social media.

Kiva
A microfinance organization which connects people through lending to help end poverty.

Changing the world can be as simple as shopping at a different place. For those of you who wish to add value to the money you spend, here are some sites where your purchases mean more than just an exchange of goods:

Toms Shoes
For every pair of shoes purchased, a pair of shoes will be donated to a child in need. One for one.

WorldCrafts
A fair trade nonprofit which supports artisans around the world so that they can thus support their families.

Out of Print
Love classic literature? Love clothes? For every piece of clothing purchased, a book will be donated to a child in Africa. (My Pride and Prejudice shirt is delightful!) 

And, of course, if you want to contribute to our water project, visit: http://mycharitywater.org/waters-rising

Anger

Earlier this month I wrote a post revolving around the question of what breaks your heart. In the past few days, I've been thinking a lot about another question that forces me to look deeply into my own heart - what makes me angry? Just as the things that break our hearts reveal a lot about us and our God-given passions, so do the triggers for our anger.

Now, I am not talking about the day to day things that frustrate us like horrible drivers, long lines at the grocery store, or the ref making a bad call. I'm talking about a righteous anger that we should feel when faced with injustice, needless pain, our failings, and the hurt in this world. This is the kind of anger that David exhibited in the Psalms, Isaiah declared to his failing nation, and Jesus felt towards the money-changers.

I am learning this month that my heart breaks for the people in this world without access to clean water. But, I am angry about the lack of response from those of us who could make a difference. Bringing clean water to the world isn't an impossible goal. It's amazingly doable and so simple. The fact that we are doing precious little to achieve this goal is what maddens me.

Of course, maybe the water problem doesn't make you angry. Maybe it is orphaned children, or human trafficking, or homelessness, or AIDS victims, or some other injustice. Whatever it is, I challenge you to get mad enough about it that you do something to become part of the solution to the problem.

None of these problems are ever going to better until we decide we are going to make them better.

Listen

I made a bold statement in one of my first blog posts that God told me to pursue this water project. This statement was made with a great sense of awe for a few reasons. First, God wants to use me? And, second, knowing how to hear from God has always been a part of my faith walk that I have struggled with.

I have learned and finally accepted that hearing from God is not always about hearing an audible voice. That definitely was not how I heard from Him in Atlanta when He gave me this project to do. I have discovered that God speaks to everyone in different ways. And I am learning to trust that even though I may want to hear definitive words from his mouth, He feels this is not the best thing for me.

God speaks to everyone in different ways: an audible voice, scripture, nature, dreams, visions, creative activities, journaling, "coincidences," and more. None of these are intrinsically better than the other. Just as God loves each of us as the individual that we are, He also speaks to us individually. But, knowing how to listen is not quite so unique. With that in mind, here are some questions to think about as you wait on God's voice and leading.

What distracts you?
If I call you and in the background I can hear a TV, the clicking of your fingers on a keyboard, the interruptions you make to speak to someone else, and your chewing, I know that you are not really listening to me. My words aren't getting through. The same is true for the voice of God. If I spend my time in and fill my brain with things and people that cause Him grief and ignore His word and church, He knows I am not open to listening to Him. His words aren't getting through.

Who else are you listening to?
One of the most common ways that I have heard from God is through other people. My friends have at times said exactly the words of comfort I needed to hear or have affirmed a decision I was praying on. They have quoted scripture to me that has opened up new ways of thinking or deeply challenged me. Often, they do this with no prompting from me but out of their own relying on the Spirit. I have followed God's lead on who my closest friends are and when they speak to me, I listen. On the other hand, if I fill my life with people who don't know God, He can still speak to me through them. But, it will happen much less frequently and the influence they have over me would probably block a lot of His words from getting through, especially if they are actively against my faith.

Are you actively pursuing a relationship with God?
When we are in relationship, we talk, listen, invest time, love, and care about what the other person cares about. In any relationship, if we don't do the above, the relationship is going to slowly die. The same is true with God. If I am not actively pursuing a relationship with Him, He is not going to continue speaking to me. Am I spending time in prayer or having a conversation with God? Am I blatantly doing things that hurt God's heart? Do I show a lack of love for Him by being embarrassed to talk about Him?

Do you really want to hear from God?
Seriously. I think we often talk about how much we want to hear from God but then betray by our actions that we aren't really interested in what He would say. When I listen to God, I have the potential of hearing that He wants to completely change my life, that He wants to give me a task that scares me, that He wants to use me in some way. If I'm not willing to do what He may ask of me, why should I even ask Him to speak? I'm just going to reject His words anyway.

Play Offense

I grew up in a football watching family. Over my thirty years, I've seen way too many games, know way too much useless info, listened to way too much commentary, and been disappointed by UGA way too many times. One thing I can remember hearing over and over again from commentators is: Defense wins games, not offense.

The other day I was reading a book review at work for Scorecasting: The Hidden Influences Behind How Sports Are Played and Games Are Won by Tobias Moskowitz and L. Jon Wertheim. According to the authors' research, statistics prove the opposite of what all those commentators have been saying: Offense wins games more often than defense does.

For many years I have played defense with my life. I think out every possible scenario and try to prepare for each one. I'm hardly ever spontaneous, and I love my routines. I make a list for each day, and I follow it. I avoid things that hurt to the degree that situations where they might occur are also avoided. I pray for easy solutions and simple answers. I dream small.

But, I have found that this type of living leaves me unsatisfied. The things my heart was breaking over weren't getting fixed. The causes I was giving to financially weren't really touching my heart, just my wallet. Each day was the same, and the skills I found within me and desires I knew in my heart had no outlet. I didn't feel peace.

I decided it was time to play offense. I heard about an after school literacy program and instead of donating money, I donated time. I decreased the amount of time I spent gaining knowledge and increased the amount of time I spent helping people. I began looking for ways that God could use me, and I prayed the terrifying prayer of surrender to whatever and where ever His will.

I'm still pretty new at this. My introvert personality still balks at talking with people and sending these posts out into the void which is the internet. I still feel a minute of fear whenever I sit down with one of the kids I read with after school because my plans for our session may not last beyond the next minute. I don't know where I'll be living, what I'll be doing, or who I'll be with in the future. But, I feel more peace. My ability to deal with the annoyances and difficulties of every day life has increased, and I'm happy.

God calls us forward. He doesn't tell us to sit at home and wait for the world to come knocking on our door. He doesn't tell us to be known for what we're against, but to be known for what we are for. He commissions us to go out in the world and make it a better place. After all, He is the ultimate player of offense - He sent His only son into our world. Jesus' whole game plan was offense, and it didn't end when He sacrificed Himself for us. He is still pursuing each one of us. And, He calls us to continue His work.

I don't regret the decision to play offense with my life. My life now has purpose and is bigger than me. I'm sure I'll slide into defense mode every once and while. But, now that I've tasted what it means to truly live, I won't be staying there long.

So, are you willing to switch from defense to offense?

(Oh and if you happen to be a member of the UGA football team, please ignore this post. Playing some defense next year would be a huge improvement!)

Note: This post is indebted to Mark Batterson's In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day. I'm just passing his challenge along.