World Vision Wednesday

Because clean water is a necessity of life, World Vision is planning to spend 500 million dollars over the next five years to provide water in places where there is little to none. For more information about the program and to learn how you can help, click the link. You don't have to have 40 million dollars either.

A Little Update

It's been an interesting year plus around here. In June of 2014, the journey took me down on of those side roads. My father-in-law fell and broke his hip. That same day, I left my job as a teaching assistant. By the end of that summer it became clear my father-in-law would not be returning to his home. I became his representative for his financial and healthcare affairs.

There have been a few ups and downs on the emotional rollercoaster, as his health worsened, only to be followed by a rally, followed by a downturn, followed by another rally.... You get the picture. He has been under hospice care for a few months, and is still hanging in there.

Most of the heavy lifting has been done regarding his estate, so I was freed up to look for a job. Three days ago I began a part time job driving a bus that picks up people and takes them to work, medical appointments, or school. It is part of a county agency for the aging so the fares are low or free. I think it's going to be good. Because it's part time, I'll be able to continue to do some of the things I have been doing as well as continuing to help my father-in-law. Because most of the folks I'll transport are on the lower end of the economic scale, I'm looking at it as a way of serving the least of these and loving my neighbor.

 It will be interesting to see where this back road takes me.

World Vision Wednesday

In developing countries, child marriage is still a common occurrence, with one out of every three girls facing marriage before age 18. For more information, check this out.

Weekend Wanderings

Another weekend is upon us. Football season has begun, baseball is winding down, and it won't be long before basketball starts up. For those of you who are not sports fans, it's pumpkin everything season. It seems there is a way to put pumpkin spice in just about anything. To each his own.

On to the links:

This is becoming a real problem.
A sobering essay.
This is coming.
Computers and reading.
So, "quality time" is not the key after all.

Missed opportunity.
John Frye is imagining.
Legalism, doctrine, and moody theologians.
Politically correct "Lord of the Flies."
Marilynne Robinson on fear.

Keith Giles on our biggest problem.
A Socratic dialogue.
Michael Spencer on theology.
Zack Hunt is heartbroken.
Good article from Donavon Riley.

Dan Edelen on wrestling with God.
Just stop.
I want one of these!
Evidently, today is Talk Like a Pirate Day.
Finally, on the anniversary of his passing, something from Rich Mullins.

World Vision Wednesday

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Syrian refugee crisis.

Weekend Wanderings

Well the last tropical storm to appear in the Atlantic didn't turn out to be anything to write home about. I kind of figured that, with a name like Fred, it would be a force to be reckoned with. Oh well. Not every thing or every one can live up to the name. Refugees continue to pour into Europe, trying to escape the horrors in the Middle East. The picture of the little boy on the beach was heartbreaking. Hopefully it will spur some action on behalf of the refugees and people will look beyond themselves and their biases.

On to the links:

Taking marriage seriously.
Great story.
Let's hear it for Iceland!
Revenge?
Good article from Jonathan Merritt.

Just follow.
Steve Brown on fear.
Peter Leithart on evangelical films.
A story from Daniel Emery Price.
The science of forgiveness.

Repentance.

Terry Pratchett quotes.
The Walmart stores' issues convinced me.
I guess getting everything you want isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Good post from Mike Erich.

Sacred tears.

Keith Giles on immigration.
Good post from John Frye.
Chaplain Mike on good works.
The Streak.

Have a blessed week!

Blast From the Past: "Come To Me, and I Will Give You..."

This was first posted on June 14, 2011.

Rest? I know that's what Jesus said, but how many of us really live like he has given us rest? How many of us have learned "the unforced rhythms of grace," as The Message puts it. For many of us, the first thing we learned when we became a Christian was that there were certain expectations that we were to live up to in order for God to bless us, or at least in order to stay in the good graces of the group. Some still live that way, and are burdened by a load as heavy as the one the Pharisees put on the Jews of Jesus' day. Others have broken away from that bondage but taken on another heavy burden, the burden of "proving" how free they are in Christ. Even if we are not burdened by Pharisaical rules or by a need to prove our Christian liberty, we may have a hard time simply resting in God's grace and mercy.

One of the things that the Father is teaching me is that he loves me, my family, and my friends dearly, and that his heart is good toward them. He takes care of his children. Even though I have seen the hand of God numerous times as he takes care of us, I am having to constantly be reminded by my Father that we are all in his arms, and that it is not my job to do what only he can do. I can only do what God has called me to do as a husband, father, and friend. I cannot change anyone's heart. I cannot make them do what I think they should do. I can't heal anyone. I can't provide jobs. Only the Creator of the universe can do that.

I am learning that the only thing I can do is love them, pray for them, and give them any help that I can. As I do those things, I have to rest in Abba's love and grace and trust him to do what is good. When I am able to do that, it brings a peace and contentment that is not there when I try to do God's job or worry about how he is carrying it out. As many times as I've seen that played out, you'd think I would have learned that lesson well. I am learning it, but I still have a ways to go.

World Vision Wednesday

Here is an inspiring story of a survivor of child trafficking in Cambodia.