In The Dash- Life’s Moments
I remember the birth of my children, and I remember my kids learning to ride their bike and when they read their first book. I remember the joy on their face and I hope they know how proud of them I was.
I thought about dying and missing out on all of life’s moments, but also my kids missing out on my joy and words of encouragement. I would love to make a video time capsule where I celebrate the key moments in my kid’s lives. When they get their license, choose a college and graduate from it, marriage and the birth of their children.
Moments that I want to be alive to experience first hand but if I can’t I want them to be able to see my joy and hear my praise and know how very proud of them I truly am.
Action Steps:
◊ Create a time capsule of life moments.
Beat It
I’ve pushed someone before. I’ve belittled someone with my words. I’ve laughed at someone because of their deformity. I’ve teased someone because of how they’ve acted or reacted to a situation. I have been a bully. I’ve also been pushed by someone before. I’ve been belittled by someone with their words. I’ve been laughed at before. I’ve been teased because of how I’ve acted or reacted to a situation. I’ve been bullied.
One of the things I have learned is that hurt people, hurt people. I believe that the main reason people bully others is because they themselves have been bullied at some point and are hurt and don’t know how to properly handle their emotions. I also believe a main reason is because people feel the need to “fit in” or “impress” others by making themselves appear to be funny or more important at the expense of others.
How do we change this? It starts at home. It starts with us. This is an issue that we have to be ultra sensitive to. The old saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” doesn’t work and is not true. Truth is our words hurt and we need to be careful how we use them. I read this on Facebook today and had to post it.
The girl you just called fat, she is overdosing on diet pills.
The girl you just called ugly, she spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her.
The boy you just tripped, he is abused enough at home.
See that man with the ugly scars, he fought for our country.
That guy you just made fun of for crying, his mother is dying.
You never know what it is like to be someone else until you walk in their shoes.
Bullying is so important to me because I hated my childhood and teen years because of so many people in middle school and high school picking on, teasing me, bullying me and making me afraid to go to school. I hated my life and I wanted to die. I was so fearful to be at school and walk down the hall. I masked it with sarcasm but at the end of the day I thought through so many ways to end my life. To this day I still don’t know how I made it. I saw a backpack commercial today that sounds an alarm when a child is being bullied and it broke my heart that kids would have to even deal with this. Bullying has to end. Lives are being destroyed and generations are be affected. Those with a voice speak out, speak up and defend the powerless.
Charity Water Sept. 2011 Campaign
The 2011 September Campaign. Our 5-year-anniversary video from charity: water on Vimeo.
Feed The First State
The series Fringe Benefits has challenged all of us to live a life of selflessness and experience the unexpected value of helping someone else. That challenge is why we’ve begun Feed the First State. We don’t want to be all talk–we want to put feet on our words and we want to help provide food to people who are hungry. Here are the statistics:
-The Food Bank of Delaware provides emergency food for an estimated 241,600 different people annually.
-44% of the members of households served by The Food Bank of Delaware are children under 18 years old.
Through partnering with The Food Bank of Delaware, we’re going to help alleviate hunger in our community!
Here’s how you can be a part: If you’re in a Life Group, do all you can to make sure your party is a success! If you’re not in a Life Group, here’s how you can be a part:
- Go to this link to see when and where various Feed The First State parties will be happening in our community and drop off your cans of food.
- Stop by The Journey this Saturday (June 25th) anytime between 3-5pm to drop off your cans of food.
When we gather again on Sunday, we’ll celebrate how many cans we collected and how many people we’ll be able to feed as a result. Plus…we have a surprise.
“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. 10 It is the same with your grape crop-do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19)
On the journey with you,
Pastor Andrew
::Andrew Wilson is the Connecting Pastor of The Journey
People Of The Second Chance
Who hasn’t messed up and needed a second chance? If you just answered no, not me, you should probably start reading another blog. My life is filled with mistakes, poor choices and heart aches not only for me but for the ones I love. Chances are I will let you down and disappoint you as well. It’s always easy to talk about grace and second chances. It’s hard to accept grace and a second chances from others. It’s even harder to offer grace and second chances to others.
Grace may be one of the hardest things to teach on and live out. I have appreciated People Of The Second Chance because they are an organization that keeps it real and honest and shares it how it is.
People of the Second Chance gives voice to a scandalous movement of radical grace in life and leadership. We challenge the common misconceptions about failure and success and stand with those who have hit rock bottom in their personal and professional lives. We are a community that is committed to stretch ourselves in the areas of relational forgiveness, personal transparency, and advocate for mercy over judgment. We are not ashamed of our scars, wounds, or failures and leverage them as a source of strength and character development. People of the Second Chance have experienced a second chance so we actively support social justice organizations and advocate for the vulnerable, forgotten, and left behind. We are People of the Second Chance.
I love their core values. They are simple and practical. Give a second chance, receive a second chance and be a second chance.
Two of the most influential books I have ever read are Deadly Viper: Character Assassins and Gracenomics: Unleash The Power Of Second Chance Living written by Mike Foster and Jud Wilhite who started People of the Second Chance and it has shaped my life and my view of failure. Life is difficult. It’s even more difficult to feel like you are walking through it alone. The key to success in life is to have someone to walk through it with you. Someone who accepts you in your success and someone who accepts you in your failures. Someone who no matter what is there for you and walks with you and stands with you when it gets tough. I have that. I appreciate those in my life who show me grace. Are you a grace giver or receiver? My goal in life is to be both.
A21 Campaign
27 million is almost impossible to fathom…as long as there is one victim of human trafficking, thats all the motivation we need.
Most of us have seen the movie Taken and for most of us that is just a movie. Maybe we are moved. Maybe there is a part of us that wishes we could do something about it, but how? But where? A21 Campaign exists to abolish slavery in the 21st century, here some of their story here. They are actively working in Europe to accomplish 4 goals.
- PREVENT people from being trafficked.
- PROTECT and support those who have been trafficked.
- PROSECUTE traffickers, and strengthen legal responses to trafficking.
- PARTNER with law enforcement, service providers and community members to provide a comprehensive front against trafficking.
To be honest I had no idea this issue existed and I had no idea that there are organizations who are making a difference in this area. I tried to put myself in the shoes of some of these parents who have lost their daughters and sons to human trafficking. The helpless feeling they must feel and the questions of what they could have done differently must consume their thoughts. I am pretty sure if I ever came face to face with someone who hurt my child like that I would be writing any future blogs from cell block c.
I was unaware of the issue in the Northeast. The I95 corridor between Washington D.C. and New York City, including Baltimore and Philadelphia is notorious for human trafficking of girls age 9-14. It breaks my heart. This is a nation wide problem and a world-wide problem. Shaun King talked about his work in Haiti and how kids after the devastating earthquake were stolen and sold into slavery. People with voices need to step up and speak out for those without a voice.
So what can you do? As I have said before and will continue to say, half the battle is knowing what is out there, the other half is figuring out what you can do about it. Put your faith into action and do something about it. Look globally, locally and internally. There is poverty all around us if we are willing to look.
For some of you reading this it is the first time that you’ve heard there is an issue. Pray, give financially and share the news. You can make a difference. Several small steps can make a huge difference. Check out A21Campaign and what they are doing and see how you can help.
A21 Blog
Charity Water::
Charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations directly fund water projects.
I have watched this organization for years and am so impressed with Scott Harrison and his vision. I have heard Scott speak several times and the way this organization came to be is so much fun to hear. You can hear it here.
For me, charity is practical. It’s sometimes easy, more often inconvenient, but always necessary.
It’s the ability to use one’s position of influence, relative wealth and power to affect lives for the better.
Charity is singular and achievable.There’s a biblical parable about a man beaten near death by robbers.
He’s stripped naked and lying roadside. Most people pass him by, but one man stops.
He picks him up and bandages his wounds. He puts him on his horse and walks alongside until they reach an inn.
He checks him in and throws down his Amex. “Whatever he needs until he gets better.”
Because he could. The dictionary defines charity as simply the act of giving voluntarily to those in need.
It’s taken from the word “caritas,” or simply, love. In Colossians 3, the Bible instructs readers to “put on charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.” Although I’m still not sure what that means, I love the idea. To wear charity.
My kids love charity water and have tried to bring awareness of it to their schools as well as starting their own campaign. You can check it out here and give. They have done a yard sale and have donated Birthday and Christmas money. So proud of them and their heart for clean water and for those in need.
A couple years ago I was so self consumed I had no idea issues like this existed. I’m embarrassed to admit but if I was honest it didn’t affect me so I didn’t care. However just because I was ignorant or too proud to look outside my own walls doesn’t mean there wasn’t still an issue affecting millions. Chances are you won’t come up with a new organization that will change the lives of millions and the good news is you don’t have to, you can partner with one already existing.
Half the battle is knowing what is out there, the other half is figuring out what you can do about it. Put your faith into action and do something about it. Look globally, locally and internally. There is poverty all around us if we are willing to look. What can you do to make a difference?
What Can We Learn From Natural Disasters?
There have been so many natural disasters over the last year. I can’t remember another period in my life where I have experienced so much destruction.
I remember as a kid hearing about the great San Francisco earthquake and watching on TV. I remember seeing the forest fire that almost destroyed Yellowstone park. I remember hearing about issues all over the world but those were over there and I’m here so they didn’t affect me. I have seen only one tornado in my life and been through one hurricane. However I have friends all over the world who have been affected by one of the statistics below.
- There have been 21 major earthquakes not counting aftershocks.
- There have been over 200 reported tornadoes in 8 states that have killed hundreds of people and destroyed billions in possessions.
- There has been an volcanic eruption.
- A Tsunami.
- Massive flooding that promises to change the culture layout for generations to come.
- Multiple reports of birds falling from the sky, fish, crabs and frogs dying in crazy numbers.
To read all of this I know what your thinking…global warming. What else is there possibly to blame? Seeing all this is a mix between the Book of Exodus and the plagues and a really warped Steven King novel, however in all of these disasters there is a common bond. PAIN AND SUFFERING.
Every disaster brings its unique situations, issues, problems and opportunities. Opportunities? Yes, opportunities because the common theme among these disasters is there are people looking for hope. They are surrounded with pain, suffering and destruction but they are also surrounded with hope. Hope for a better tomorrow and hope that someone, somewhere will rise up to make a difference.
Some through these disasters will financially sacrifice a lot. Some will go and give of there time. Some will make others aware of the situation and what they can do.
A natural disaster has not hit the Northeast this year so many of us don’t know what to do. You can pray, you can send or you can go. Maybe God is tugging at your heart to do something. Do you know what it is yet?
What I am learning watching the aftermath of these natural disasters through the news and from twitter feeds is that people can do extraordinary things when given the opportunity to. People can reach across all barriers and surpass even their own expectations of themselves. People are given opportunities to share about a loving God like never before.
Natural disasters will continue to be a part of life but it is how people get back up and push forward in those disasters that will determine the character of a community.
The A21 Campaign and Human Trafficking
Anybody who knows me knows how passionate I have become about speaking out for social justice issues. It wasn’t until last year that I learned that all of these issues existed. I guess I can attribute that to a lack of caring and a product of my white, suburban, upper middle class surroundings. However becoming aware of an issue is only part of a solution because there are many more parts that can be done to make people aware and work towards an end. Today I am introducing you to an organization called The A21 Campaign. The A21 Campaign stands for abolishing injustice in the 21st century. Anyone can join – everyone can make a difference. Below are some thoughts, stats, ideas and opportunities taken from a recent brochure of theirs.
[def.] the movement of individuals, with the primary purpose of forced servitude or sexual slavery.
Today, an estimated 27 million people are held in slavery, with statistics estimating that 99% of these victims are never rescued. Trafficking in women is the second largest global organized crime, and in some cases girls are forced to service as many as 40 men a day.
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the issue of human trafficking and think that we cannot make a difference. But do not forget that each one of us has at our disposal the most powerful weapon of warfare – and that is prayer.
PRAY…
FOR THE VICTIMS
For their strength & salvation
For their protection, freedom and justice
For their hope and healing
FOR THE TRAFFICKERS
For conviction, repentance and salvation
For criminal networks to dismantle
For the oppressors to be arrested and prosecuted
FOR GOVERNMENTS
For corruption to cease
For the implementation of just legislation
For discernment in forming alliances
AGAINST ROOT CAUSES
Against poverty
Against greed
Against prejudice
FOR INCREASED GLOBAL AWARENESS
The reality of trafficking is unveiled
For strategies to raise awareness
For people to be stirred to action
THE CHURCH
For the church to prevail
For advocates and laborers to emerge
To unite against injustice
THE A21 CAMPAIGN
For divine favour
For divine wisdom
For divine provision
21 WAYS TO HELP
- Spread the word
- Use your talent
- Invest in freedom
- Lobby politicians
- Organize a fundraiser
- Support survivors
- Fast on the 21st
- Volunteer
- Start an awareness group
- Buy fair trade products
- Sponsor those at risk
- Intern for a summer
- Educate yourself
- Stay current
- Work the web
- Pray
- Motivate the media
- Stay alert
- Work for freedom
- Make connections
- Help victims escape
ALL THAT IS NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO TRIUMP IS FOR GOOD MEN TO DO NOTHING. -Edmund Burke
Charity:Water
The story of charity: water – The 2009 September Campaign Trailer from charity: water on Vimeo.
