Constructive Or Destructive

I got angry this morning.  I know those of you who know me are extremely surprised but guess what I got angry yesterday as well.  Most likely you got angry within the last two days.  Sometimes our anger is justified and sometimes it is silly and stupid.  I think for me yesterday it was justified when a rock hit my windshield and cracked it because it can’t be repaired.  So there was anger that I would have to spend more money to take care of a vehicle.  Today it was because the Mercedes parked right in front of Starbucks and the lady that parked there couldn’t walk ten more feet and park in a spot.  That anger or frustration or pet-peeve was not constructive.

There are times when our anger is justified and sometimes needed but we have to be careful that we don’t take our anger too far.  I get angry when I see natural disasters take out a population because they don’t deserve that and most of the time I can’t do anything about it.  I get angry when I see social justice issues.  I get angry when I see people being hurt or taken advantage of and they can’t stand up for themselves.  I believe those are constructive angers because hopefully it will compel me to do something.  It evokes a passion in me to do something.  Our anger can be destructive when we use it to hurt others or to tear down.  When our anger gets out of control or when it is over things that are silly that don’t really make a difference.

So the question for you today: Is your anger constructive or destructive.  Does your anger improve the situation or make it worse?

One Day’s Wages

I am really impressed with this concept. Do you ever see or hear something and go, why didn’t I think of that?  It’s so simple and yet it is life changing and revolutionizing.  I love passing on the ideas of others.  Passing on their dream and vision.  One day you or I may have a God sized vision and who will pass it on for us?  One Day’s Wages has blown me away with what they are able to accomplish.  Here is what they are about:

In one word: Movement.

In two words: Compassionate Justice.

In a phrase: A Movement of People, Stories and Actions of Compassionate Justice to Fight Extreme Global Poverty.

In one paragraph: One Day’s Wages (ODW) is an international grassroots movement dedicated to ending extreme global poverty. ODW promotes awareness, invites giving, and supports sustainable relief through partnerships, especially with smaller organizations in developing regions.

Our vision is to change global issues of injustice affecting millions of people, regardless of race, culture, sex, age, or religion.

Our vision is to inspire people around the world to simply donate one day’s wages and to renew that pledge monthly, quarterly or yearly on their birthdays to the cause of ending extreme global poverty.

If your wages for a single day cannot save the world, they can dramatically impact another person’s life; consider, then, what millions of you giving your daily wages and renewing the gift at least annually on your birthdays will accomplish!

One Day’s Wages is you, me, us, them: giving, dreaming, and working together to end extreme global poverty. Join the movement.

What an incredible concept.  This is not meant to get you to jump all over this but become aware of issues and causes and those who are working to make a difference.

Dark History

I watched this on Outside The Lines this morning on ESPN and I was blown away.  I had never heard of this before.  I love history, I study history and I even taught history for two years and never have I seen this in a text book. I have no idea how I could have missed this but I am so glad I was able to watch this and know a little bit more about American history.

In 1942, in the midst of World War II, nearly 20,000 Japanese-Americans were taken to Santa Anita Park and held there as threats to American security because of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  The West Coast was thought to be a potential target or battle area.

It amazes me that this happened and it amazes me that throughout the world things like this still happen and products and freedoms of some are built on the backs of others.  Awareness of Social Justice is crucial, but it is not enough to just know about something it is our responsibility to do something about them.

Radiohead-All I Need Anti Trafficking

Charity Water

charity: water promo featuring “Time Bomb” by Beck from charity: water on Vimeo.

The A21 Campaign

Poverty Revolution

There is poverty all around us.  It affects us whether we realize it or not because sooner or later we are going to choose to do something about it or ignore it and that very action affects us.  Social Justice causes have been on my heart more and more which is ironic because I have never really had a heart of compassion.  If you get hurt, get up and quit whining.  I know this though, I’m not alone, several of you are the same way.  In fact if something bad happened in the world, it is easier to throw money at it than to roll up the sleeves and do something about it.

Are you aware of such issues such as, human trafficking, sex trafficking, clean water acts, homelessness, hunger, poverty and fair trade? 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.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

In case you didn’t know, January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.  To be honest with you a year ago I had no clue this existed.  I watched the movie Taken where Liam Neeson beat everyone down [I'm convinced he even took Jack Bauer over his knee in that movie] because his daughter was taken and sold into sex slavery in Europe.  I watched and something happened in me where I wondered if that really went on.  Over the last year I have heard more and more about it and God has really turned my heart towards these social justice causes.  Really God has opened my eyes up to many social justice issues such as: poverty, homelessness, slavery, clean water, free/fair trade products, all things that I didn’t even know were issues a year ago.

Today I want to focus on this Human Trafficking and want you to check out a 3 minute video to simply make you aware of the issue and cause you to ask yourself the question, what can I do?  The reality is this is a huge issue in the United States and affects so many woman and children.

Disclaimer:  This video is edgy and may be offensive to some and this video does not reflect Fellowship Church and anybody affiliated with Fellowship Church.  This is simply my attempt as an individual to get you thinking. This video is taken from the site Sexandmoneyfilm.com, which is one of several sites that brings to light the issues of Human Trafficking.

What are your thoughts?  Did you know this was an issue?  What are your thoughts on social justice issues?

Here is a link to a PDF, 11 Practical Ideas to Combat Slavery.

PDF was taken from Charles Lee blog that was promoted through Catalyst.