This past Thursday and Friday, I traveled with a group of adults from my church to a small town in the southernmost part of West Virginia. We went to a small town called, War. Our mission was to encourage someone from our church who has gone down there as a school teacher, with the purpose of bringing hope to those that need it most. Although she is a teacher at an elementary school, Amanda's real desire is to be the aroma of Christ to anyone she encounters.
Amanda invited a group from our church to come and help her out with an "I Admire You" dinner. Her strategy was simple. Every student in her fourth grade class was to bring the person that they admired most to a special dinner held in their honor. On this special night, we ate together, laughed together, and some even cried. Students shared stories about how they admired the person that they had invited. It was a sweet experience.
I've been to War before. In 2003, I took a group of junior high students on a mission's trip to War for a week. It was there that I saw the poverty, the drugs, the broken families and the extreme hoplessness. The city of War is in McDowell County which is one of the poorest counties in the United States. So, the things I saw this past week, I had seen before. But, my heart was still broken.
My heart broke for the people that walked aimlessly in the streets of War. Most of the students come from broken homes. These homes are filled with drug abuse, alcoholism, abuse, and neglect. Students crave attention. The high school dropout rate is alarming. Unemployment is common. Drugs are rampant. It's a hopeless area.
It reminded me of why our world needs to experience true hope that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. The people of War, although lonely and desperate are beautiful people. They are a people made with great potential and born in the image of their Creator God. Only God can bring hope to people, and it's this hope often comes through the obedience of His children.
Although War is discouraging, depressing and it's a dark area, the people need real Christ-followers who will step up and be willing to be LIGHT and bring HOPE to the area. The people of War need people like Amanda who are willing to selflessly serve the poor and the hurting. The people of War need people who will risk and care for kids, care for the poor and the needy. This is ministry. This is the heart of God. This is the will of God.
Lord, don't let me forget the people of War...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Other Side of the Tracks...
Sometimes, I hop in my car and I drive to the other side of the tracks. In the city where I live, we have some railroad tracks that go right through the downtown area. On one side of the tracks is middle class and pockets of extreme wealth. On the other side of the tracks, their is much hopelessness characterized by boarded up homes, drugs, prostitution and crime. I drive there so that I don't forget how a lot of our world lives. I can't foget.
So, the other day, I hopped in my car and I just drove. I turned the radio off, and drove down some streets that most evangelicals would simply avoid. I choose not to go with the flow. Some would question why I would drive into an area of the city that is crime riddled. I don't have much of an answer other than Jesus had me do it. Jesus had me do it, because I have to go to the other side of the tracks. If I don't, I get stagnate and fall into a life that is uncaring. If I don't go to the other side of the tracks, I don't allow God to move my heart for the poor, the hopeless and hurting. If I don't go to the other side of the tracks, I slowly get drawn into the American dream and get addicted to self. So, this is why I drive. I drive because I want to go and drive where Jesus would be.
As I drove up and down the streets, there were countless homes that were boarded up. This grieved me. I watched a people just wandering aimlessly up and down the streets. My mind was brought back to the loving God that died for people on both side of the tracks. My heart was touched once again by a passionate God who pursues ALL mankind with His relentless love. When I drove on the other side of the tracks, I realized that I'm really not that much different. I, too am in need of forgiveness, hope and healing---that only Jesus can offer.
I will return to the other side of the tracks. Going to the other side of the tracks keeps my heart tender, my eyes moist and my mind bent towards the heart of God.
God, lead me to the people that burden your heart. Draw me to people that are hopeless and helpless. These are the ones I desire to pursue.
What about you?
"The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment."
John MacArthur
So, the other day, I hopped in my car and I just drove. I turned the radio off, and drove down some streets that most evangelicals would simply avoid. I choose not to go with the flow. Some would question why I would drive into an area of the city that is crime riddled. I don't have much of an answer other than Jesus had me do it. Jesus had me do it, because I have to go to the other side of the tracks. If I don't, I get stagnate and fall into a life that is uncaring. If I don't go to the other side of the tracks, I don't allow God to move my heart for the poor, the hopeless and hurting. If I don't go to the other side of the tracks, I slowly get drawn into the American dream and get addicted to self. So, this is why I drive. I drive because I want to go and drive where Jesus would be.
As I drove up and down the streets, there were countless homes that were boarded up. This grieved me. I watched a people just wandering aimlessly up and down the streets. My mind was brought back to the loving God that died for people on both side of the tracks. My heart was touched once again by a passionate God who pursues ALL mankind with His relentless love. When I drove on the other side of the tracks, I realized that I'm really not that much different. I, too am in need of forgiveness, hope and healing---that only Jesus can offer.
I will return to the other side of the tracks. Going to the other side of the tracks keeps my heart tender, my eyes moist and my mind bent towards the heart of God.
God, lead me to the people that burden your heart. Draw me to people that are hopeless and helpless. These are the ones I desire to pursue.
What about you?
"The true gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment."
John MacArthur
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What does Compassion look like?
I ask myself this question often: "What does Compassion look like?" What does it really mean for me to become a compassionate person who cares deeply about the world that I live in? Let's face it, life moves quick. It's easy for me to get consumed with my job, my marriage, my children, my success, my money, my interests, my dreams, my passions...my life. It's so easy to get caught up with the stuff that revolves around me. But what does it really look like to be a compassionate, other-oriented person?
Being compassionate takes time. Its takes time to leave my world and enter the lives of others. It takes time to find people who need hope and care and then enter their world. It take time to demonstrate love and care to others around me. One organization that shows compassion really well is Compassion. Compassion International (http://www.compassion.com/) is an organization focusing on child sponsorship in some of the world's poorest countries. For $38 a month a regular person (like me) can sponsor a child and give them food, clothing, shelter and a true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ. Compassion's work in these countries is not only compassionate and caring but timely. Compassion meets the needs of some of the world's most vulnerable and hurting children. Compassion gives children opportunity and hope...all as a result of one person giving $38 a month. Compassion does a great job at giving children the basic human necessities, which it turn means HOPE. To me, this is worth it! Sponsorship is worth it!
This Sunday, my church is having a Compassion Sunday. We'll be highlighting the mission of Compassion and then giving people an opportunity for others to sponsor a child. As I was thinking about this Sunday, my mind goes to my own sponsored child, Minoungou who lives in Burkina Faso. Our family has sponsored Minoungou since 2006 and he's been a joy to watch develop and grow.
In the summer of 2006, I had the opportunity to visit Minoungou at his home in Burkina Faso. I visited him again in 2008 and will see him once again this next summer. I love visiting him. I remember that first visit in 2006 like it was yesterday. I was driven by a Compassion representative into Minoungou's village and eventually arrived at his home. His mother and little sister greeted us. They were each shy and apprehensive. The gifts (bubbles, crayons, bubble gum, clothing) helped "break the ice". It was surreal as I sat on a broken down chair and watched as Minoungou opened gifts, smiled and interacted with me (through our interpreter). This visit rocked my world and my life! I've never been the same. For the first time in my life, I saw with my own eyes what the power of child sponsorship can look like. I saw what a simple sacrifice on my behalf could do in a life like Minoungou's. I vowed to never forget what I saw and always be an advocate for children who need hope and ultimately sponsorship. This interaction with my family's sponsored child marked my life, and I never want to forget this interaction.
This all leads me back to my question, "What does Compassion look like?" It looks like Compassion. Being compassionate means going after ONE. Being compassionate means pursuing ONE. Being compassionate means rescuing ONE. It's all about the ONE. It's not about the masses...it's just about being an agent of love and grace towards the ONE.
Lord, continue to make me into a compassionate man.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The NEW idolatry
Idolatry has always existed. Humans have historically gravitated towards idols. We make them, allow them, erect them and then worship them. God forbid idolatry in Exodus 20 and the bible is laced with passages that warn people from putting anything or anyone (an idol) before the one, true God. Idolatry was never and never will be tolerated by the Eternal One, who calls Himself Jealous in Exodus 20:5.
Idolatry looks different now that it did in Old Testament times. In 1 Kings, God repeatedly told the people to forsake their idol Baal, and instead cling to the Lord. In Isaiah 47, the scriptures say, "I am, and there is none besides me". God has identified Him as the only one worthy of our worship and affection. Today, there are idols all around us. We don't call them idols but they are. Wikipedia says that an idol "is a man-made object that is worshiped in some way". Man makes it. Man likes it. Man worships it.
Technology can easily be an idol. Video games can be an idol. Facebook can be an idol. Tweeting can be an idol. Blogging can be an idol :). Cell phones can be an idol...that's right, cell phones can easily be an idol. It's amazing to see how fast our world is moving and its technological advances. A high school student can take a picture in a classroom in Warren, Ohio and upload that same pic and it can be seen by a total stranger on the opposite side of the world. I've seen how cell phones can be helpful for families in keeping in touch with each other. On the other hand, I've seen how cell phones can easily become an idol.
Remember an idol is something that we can't live without. An idol is something that we wake up thinking about...and go to bed having on our mind. People go to school with their phone, go to work with their phone, eat with their phone, go to bed with their phone, go out on dates with their phone...and often it seems unfathomable to some to actually live and function without that phone. When one becomes so dependent on a piece of technology, in this case a cell phone, a case could be made that it has become an idol in one's life.
I recently heard a high school student say that "they can't live without their phone". I don't know how to get around the fact that this is sin...this is idolatry. This student has determined that in their life that there time and what they do will be centered around this phone. The phone becomes the focus. The phone becomes the object one can't live without. This forces our fierce and loving God to be Jealous. The simple phone that was designed to be a tool is now an addiction, an obstacle and an idol that is preventing one from being dependent on God Himself.
Now, is it wrong to have a cell phone? Absolutely not. I have one and use it everyday. However, I know that I can function without my phone. I know that my life will go on without my phone. The world won't fall apart and my friends lives won't fall apart if I have to go without my phone for a period of time. Life will go on. The world will still function. However, there are people who are so addicted to their phone, that it has become an idol. Instead of using it as a tool and mastering the phone, the phone now masters them. They can't put it down. They can't function without texting. They have to have it. It's become an idol.
Lord, keep my heart soft. Keep me pliable so that I don't allow any idol to be present in my life...including my cell phone.
Idolatry looks different now that it did in Old Testament times. In 1 Kings, God repeatedly told the people to forsake their idol Baal, and instead cling to the Lord. In Isaiah 47, the scriptures say, "I am, and there is none besides me". God has identified Him as the only one worthy of our worship and affection. Today, there are idols all around us. We don't call them idols but they are. Wikipedia says that an idol "is a man-made object that is worshiped in some way". Man makes it. Man likes it. Man worships it.
Technology can easily be an idol. Video games can be an idol. Facebook can be an idol. Tweeting can be an idol. Blogging can be an idol :). Cell phones can be an idol...that's right, cell phones can easily be an idol. It's amazing to see how fast our world is moving and its technological advances. A high school student can take a picture in a classroom in Warren, Ohio and upload that same pic and it can be seen by a total stranger on the opposite side of the world. I've seen how cell phones can be helpful for families in keeping in touch with each other. On the other hand, I've seen how cell phones can easily become an idol.
Remember an idol is something that we can't live without. An idol is something that we wake up thinking about...and go to bed having on our mind. People go to school with their phone, go to work with their phone, eat with their phone, go to bed with their phone, go out on dates with their phone...and often it seems unfathomable to some to actually live and function without that phone. When one becomes so dependent on a piece of technology, in this case a cell phone, a case could be made that it has become an idol in one's life.
I recently heard a high school student say that "they can't live without their phone". I don't know how to get around the fact that this is sin...this is idolatry. This student has determined that in their life that there time and what they do will be centered around this phone. The phone becomes the focus. The phone becomes the object one can't live without. This forces our fierce and loving God to be Jealous. The simple phone that was designed to be a tool is now an addiction, an obstacle and an idol that is preventing one from being dependent on God Himself.
Now, is it wrong to have a cell phone? Absolutely not. I have one and use it everyday. However, I know that I can function without my phone. I know that my life will go on without my phone. The world won't fall apart and my friends lives won't fall apart if I have to go without my phone for a period of time. Life will go on. The world will still function. However, there are people who are so addicted to their phone, that it has become an idol. Instead of using it as a tool and mastering the phone, the phone now masters them. They can't put it down. They can't function without texting. They have to have it. It's become an idol.
Lord, keep my heart soft. Keep me pliable so that I don't allow any idol to be present in my life...including my cell phone.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Never Thought I'd be a Money Lender
I love dreaming. I mean, I love trusting God to do big stuff...things that I can't really pull off on my own power. Two years ago, I started reading and studying micro-credit in third-world countries (you can see some of my previous posts). I was intrigued and then I became challenged. I became challenged and convinced that God wanted me to step out and do the very thing that I was reading about---lending money to some of the world's poorest people. I started to network with people who were involved in micro-lending and I started to ask questions. Through a friend, I was put in touch with a young man in Burkina Faso who desires to be involved in micro-lending. So, to make a long story short...here is what happened.
After 8 months of dialoguing with my new friend in Burkina Faso, writing up a job description and then drawing up loan guidelines, the time came to send the money. Make no mistake about it...a lot of thought, prayer and dialogue went into it (a lot of details)...but eventually I had to leap. I had to risk and trust God. So, a friend of mine and Mandy and I decided to invest some money and lend it to some poor people in Burkina Faso. We've invested our monies in a small village 28 miles outside the capital city of Ouagadougou. Twenty-nine different women received small loans of money to be put towards their small businesses. These loans will in turn empower these women and hopefully lift them out of poverty. They are given 9 months to re-pay the loans. If they re-pay the loans with a small interest rate attached, they will qualify for a second loan.
So, right now, the money that was sent is on the other side of the world in the hands of twenty-nine different women who I have never met. It's cool to see God do what I was unable to pull off on my own strength. I have so many limitations. God has no limitations. He's eternal and Creator of all. Trusting Him leaves me (and you) in good hands.
My prayer is that these monies would be used to lift many out of the grip of poverty and give them a hope. Here's another cool part. Every person who receives these monies will hear about this God who created them and loves them with an undying love. My friend (who is doing all the legwork for me) has been tasked with sharing the gospel of Jesus with these precious people. So, it's not just about lending them money, rather I want to see people place their faith in the Jesus who can change circumstances and one's eternal destiny.
More to come on my micro-lending venture. I'm excited. I love to talk about it and share how God is using these monies to help the poor and needy on the other side of the planet.
If this intrigues you, I'd love to share more with you. If you want to give, I invite you to prayerfully consider. It's exciting how a small amount of money can change the trajectory of one's life. Feel free to email me with any questions or comments. I'm all ears.
Stay tuned...more to come on micro-lending and how we can care for the poor in our world.
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord" Proverbs 19:17
After 8 months of dialoguing with my new friend in Burkina Faso, writing up a job description and then drawing up loan guidelines, the time came to send the money. Make no mistake about it...a lot of thought, prayer and dialogue went into it (a lot of details)...but eventually I had to leap. I had to risk and trust God. So, a friend of mine and Mandy and I decided to invest some money and lend it to some poor people in Burkina Faso. We've invested our monies in a small village 28 miles outside the capital city of Ouagadougou. Twenty-nine different women received small loans of money to be put towards their small businesses. These loans will in turn empower these women and hopefully lift them out of poverty. They are given 9 months to re-pay the loans. If they re-pay the loans with a small interest rate attached, they will qualify for a second loan.
So, right now, the money that was sent is on the other side of the world in the hands of twenty-nine different women who I have never met. It's cool to see God do what I was unable to pull off on my own strength. I have so many limitations. God has no limitations. He's eternal and Creator of all. Trusting Him leaves me (and you) in good hands.
My prayer is that these monies would be used to lift many out of the grip of poverty and give them a hope. Here's another cool part. Every person who receives these monies will hear about this God who created them and loves them with an undying love. My friend (who is doing all the legwork for me) has been tasked with sharing the gospel of Jesus with these precious people. So, it's not just about lending them money, rather I want to see people place their faith in the Jesus who can change circumstances and one's eternal destiny.
More to come on my micro-lending venture. I'm excited. I love to talk about it and share how God is using these monies to help the poor and needy on the other side of the planet.
If this intrigues you, I'd love to share more with you. If you want to give, I invite you to prayerfully consider. It's exciting how a small amount of money can change the trajectory of one's life. Feel free to email me with any questions or comments. I'm all ears.
Stay tuned...more to come on micro-lending and how we can care for the poor in our world.
"He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord" Proverbs 19:17
Thursday, May 27, 2010
It's Been 8 Months
I know...I know, it's been 8 months since I last blogged. I know some may have written me off, but for the faithful few that are stickin' by my side, I'm starting back to the blog world once again. Not only has it been 8 months since I last blogged, but it's been 8 months since we brought Levi home from Ethiopia. He's been such a joy, and our love for him continues to increase. He's adjusted well to our family and every day I look into his eyes and consider him a blessing. Although the adoption journey has not been easy (lots of waiting), God has been so good. When I look at him playing in our back yard, I immediately thank our Lord for bringing Levi into our lives. My heart is full!!!
Stay tuned...I'll be blogging more. Keep checking back for more thoughts on Culture / Spirituality and Social Justice.
Stay tuned...I'll be blogging more. Keep checking back for more thoughts on Culture / Spirituality and Social Justice.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
My Dream...actually God's Dream!
Have you ever felt like you've moved ahead of God? Have you ever had a dream that you were so passionate about, that you forgot to include God in the dream? I know I have. So many times, I've pursued the dream, instead of the Dream Giver (God). God becomes Someone that is placed on a shelf instead of driving, moving and refining the dream (which He is an expert at).
Last year, I wrote on my blog about a dream that I had pertaining to helping the world's poorest people. I shared how I felt God had given me a dream to be an instrument of hope in the lives of the poor and hopeless in Africa. Through the means of micro-credit, God has led me (and developing a similar heart in others) to share a portion of our wealth to help bring hope and a sustainable income to some of the world's poorest people.
Micro-credit (or micro-finance) can help create a world in which the poor have fair access to economic opportunities and the hope to move beyond poverty. Most people in the poorest areas of our world are bright and intelligent but simply lack the access to adequate capital to pursue their dreams which will in turn create a sustainable income. So, instead of escaping the grip of poverty, they remain stuck in poverty due to a lack of capital. They simply need a chance. This is where micro-credit can help serve the poor.
I began to read on the work of micro-credit that is being pursued by evangelicals and other concerned people, and I realized that God was birthing something inside my heart. In 2006, God crushed me as I was exposed to the poor, malnourished and broken in Burkina Faso, Africa. I felt like their was an assignment that God had for me. I was crushed and I was slowly developing a love for the people of Africa and a desire to see God bring hope and solutions to the poorest of the poor. As I read and researched more on the work of micro-credit in an impoverished area, I realized that this was something that I could take part in. I had the dream (or should I say, God gave me the dream), but I knew nothing of the mechanics or the direction and steps that I needed to take.
I knew that this was way bigger than me and my feeble abilities. I prayed. Then, I started to seek out the advice from others who had worked in the micro-credit arena. The last thing I wanted to do was abandon the very God who birthed the dream in me. Instead, I've tried to yield myself and "the dream" to the Dream Giver. I don't want to get ahead of God, rather I want Him to lead, inspire and ultimately bring this dream to reality...and I think He's doing it.
Recently, I've been given some clarity on the direction of the dream. I've also been surrounded by people that have a desire to contribute to giving micro-credit and others that are willing to help in the structure of the organization. Things are coming together. God is building the dream. So, once again, here's the dream: I'd like to see people have the opportunity to contribute money that would be use to issue small loans in the amount of $25 - $250. These small loans would be used for business development, education and extreme medical circumstances. Loans will be given to those that are in the most need. Borrowers repay the loans over a period of time. To qualify for a second loan, the borrower must repay there first loan. An interest rate is given and if payments are made in a timely manner, the borrower will receive all of their interest back, once the principle has been paid off. This creates an incentive for the borrower to pay off their loan in an expedient manner. Screening will take place by someone that is godly, lives a life of integrity and has a heart for the poor. God has already led the way and allowed me to connect me with a young man in West Africa who has a heart for this ministry. I'm currently dialoging with him and refining parts of the vision and how it will potentially be fleshed out.
I gotta' tell ya...I'm really excited as to what God is doing. He's doing the building, the connecting, and the inspiring. He's filling in the blanks. God may very well kill this dream, and if He does, I trust Him fully, because it's His dream in the first place. I have a strong feeling though that God is developing something and calling people together to be a part of something that will help the poorest of the poor. This is what I want to be a part of. I want the justice of God to flow through me and others to those that are in desperate need. I want to see redemption come to those that need rescued...both physically and spiritually.
Stay tuned to my blog for more info. I'll be updating and sharing how this develops as God connects the dots. By the way, if this is something that you've connected with, and you desire to help the poor and hurting in Africa by providing micro-credit, please email me at parmitage@northmarchurch.com. Eventually, I envision a need to have numerous people helping in a variety of ways...so if God is moving you, let me know.
Thanks for allowing me to share God's dream...let's stay in touch!!!
P.S. If you want to check out some other reputable organizations who are offering micro-credit, check out www.opportunity.org or www.hopeinternational.com
Last year, I wrote on my blog about a dream that I had pertaining to helping the world's poorest people. I shared how I felt God had given me a dream to be an instrument of hope in the lives of the poor and hopeless in Africa. Through the means of micro-credit, God has led me (and developing a similar heart in others) to share a portion of our wealth to help bring hope and a sustainable income to some of the world's poorest people.
Micro-credit (or micro-finance) can help create a world in which the poor have fair access to economic opportunities and the hope to move beyond poverty. Most people in the poorest areas of our world are bright and intelligent but simply lack the access to adequate capital to pursue their dreams which will in turn create a sustainable income. So, instead of escaping the grip of poverty, they remain stuck in poverty due to a lack of capital. They simply need a chance. This is where micro-credit can help serve the poor.
I began to read on the work of micro-credit that is being pursued by evangelicals and other concerned people, and I realized that God was birthing something inside my heart. In 2006, God crushed me as I was exposed to the poor, malnourished and broken in Burkina Faso, Africa. I felt like their was an assignment that God had for me. I was crushed and I was slowly developing a love for the people of Africa and a desire to see God bring hope and solutions to the poorest of the poor. As I read and researched more on the work of micro-credit in an impoverished area, I realized that this was something that I could take part in. I had the dream (or should I say, God gave me the dream), but I knew nothing of the mechanics or the direction and steps that I needed to take.
I knew that this was way bigger than me and my feeble abilities. I prayed. Then, I started to seek out the advice from others who had worked in the micro-credit arena. The last thing I wanted to do was abandon the very God who birthed the dream in me. Instead, I've tried to yield myself and "the dream" to the Dream Giver. I don't want to get ahead of God, rather I want Him to lead, inspire and ultimately bring this dream to reality...and I think He's doing it.
Recently, I've been given some clarity on the direction of the dream. I've also been surrounded by people that have a desire to contribute to giving micro-credit and others that are willing to help in the structure of the organization. Things are coming together. God is building the dream. So, once again, here's the dream: I'd like to see people have the opportunity to contribute money that would be use to issue small loans in the amount of $25 - $250. These small loans would be used for business development, education and extreme medical circumstances. Loans will be given to those that are in the most need. Borrowers repay the loans over a period of time. To qualify for a second loan, the borrower must repay there first loan. An interest rate is given and if payments are made in a timely manner, the borrower will receive all of their interest back, once the principle has been paid off. This creates an incentive for the borrower to pay off their loan in an expedient manner. Screening will take place by someone that is godly, lives a life of integrity and has a heart for the poor. God has already led the way and allowed me to connect me with a young man in West Africa who has a heart for this ministry. I'm currently dialoging with him and refining parts of the vision and how it will potentially be fleshed out.
I gotta' tell ya...I'm really excited as to what God is doing. He's doing the building, the connecting, and the inspiring. He's filling in the blanks. God may very well kill this dream, and if He does, I trust Him fully, because it's His dream in the first place. I have a strong feeling though that God is developing something and calling people together to be a part of something that will help the poorest of the poor. This is what I want to be a part of. I want the justice of God to flow through me and others to those that are in desperate need. I want to see redemption come to those that need rescued...both physically and spiritually.
Stay tuned to my blog for more info. I'll be updating and sharing how this develops as God connects the dots. By the way, if this is something that you've connected with, and you desire to help the poor and hurting in Africa by providing micro-credit, please email me at parmitage@northmarchurch.com. Eventually, I envision a need to have numerous people helping in a variety of ways...so if God is moving you, let me know.
Thanks for allowing me to share God's dream...let's stay in touch!!!
P.S. If you want to check out some other reputable organizations who are offering micro-credit, check out www.opportunity.org or www.hopeinternational.com
Monday, November 30, 2009
Puttin' My Thanks On...52 Different Ways!
I have to tell you, I'm one thankful man. God is so good to me (and my family). I continue to be amazed at why God lavishes His love and affection on me as I continue to figure what it truly means to follow Him. As I stumble and fall and continue to strive to follow Him with my life, He extends so much love and blessings into my life. So, in light of Thanksgiving just passing us and really thinking through all that I have in Him and through Him, I've decided to make a list of 52 things that I'm thankful for. Here they are:
1. My Rescuer and Redeemer, Jesus Christ
2. Mandy Armitage (she gently shows me who #1 is)
3. My savings account
4. My back yard
5. My parents, Norm and Priscilla (they the bomb)
6. Meat
7. Ethiopia
8. North-Mar Church
9. My home
10. Logan, Landon and Levi (love spending time with those crazies)
11. A pair of shoes that I purchased from Target for $6.00
12. Our mini-van
13. John, Jeff and Kevin---my 3 friends who keep me accountable.
14. The book of Romans
15. Furniture in my house
16. Mandy's parents, Don and Betty
17. Chicken Wings (especially the garlic ones from Cleats)
18. Gulf Shores, Alabama
19. My small group
20. The men and women that I work with
21. United States
22. My Bible (that was recently re-bound)
23. My shed (or mini-barn)
24. The Junky Car Club (www.junkycarclub.com)
25. Missionaries
26. My family (bro, sis, their families, bro-in-law and sis-in law)
27. Canada (proud to be a Canadian citizen)
28. My fire pit in my back yard
29. The men and women who serve overseas
30. The students in my youth group (they make me laugh)
31. My farm
32. Minoungou (our sponsored child in Burkina Faso)
33. The Holy Spirit (real, powerful and ever so convincing)
34. Romans 8:28
35. Indoor Soccer
36. Trees that show God's creativity
37. Peamale bacon
38. Compassion International (www.compassion.com)
39. Internet
40. Computers
41. Amish people (they teach me that simple living is attainable)
42. College students that are preparing for full-time ministry (they have my prayers and admiration)
43. Subway $5 subs
44. Politicians (the ones that are actually honest)
45. Dangerous Wonder (a great book)
46. A Church that takes care of me and my family
47. Levi's birth mother (that she cared enough to give him over to an orphanage)
48. Hot Chocolate
49. Bon Jovi (the stuff from the 80's)
50. America's Funniest Home Videos
51. Vacations
52. Heaven
1. My Rescuer and Redeemer, Jesus Christ
2. Mandy Armitage (she gently shows me who #1 is)
3. My savings account
4. My back yard
5. My parents, Norm and Priscilla (they the bomb)
6. Meat
7. Ethiopia
8. North-Mar Church
9. My home
10. Logan, Landon and Levi (love spending time with those crazies)
11. A pair of shoes that I purchased from Target for $6.00
12. Our mini-van
13. John, Jeff and Kevin---my 3 friends who keep me accountable.
14. The book of Romans
15. Furniture in my house
16. Mandy's parents, Don and Betty
17. Chicken Wings (especially the garlic ones from Cleats)
18. Gulf Shores, Alabama
19. My small group
20. The men and women that I work with
21. United States
22. My Bible (that was recently re-bound)
23. My shed (or mini-barn)
24. The Junky Car Club (www.junkycarclub.com)
25. Missionaries
26. My family (bro, sis, their families, bro-in-law and sis-in law)
27. Canada (proud to be a Canadian citizen)
28. My fire pit in my back yard
29. The men and women who serve overseas
30. The students in my youth group (they make me laugh)
31. My farm
32. Minoungou (our sponsored child in Burkina Faso)
33. The Holy Spirit (real, powerful and ever so convincing)
34. Romans 8:28
35. Indoor Soccer
36. Trees that show God's creativity
37. Peamale bacon
38. Compassion International (www.compassion.com)
39. Internet
40. Computers
41. Amish people (they teach me that simple living is attainable)
42. College students that are preparing for full-time ministry (they have my prayers and admiration)
43. Subway $5 subs
44. Politicians (the ones that are actually honest)
45. Dangerous Wonder (a great book)
46. A Church that takes care of me and my family
47. Levi's birth mother (that she cared enough to give him over to an orphanage)
48. Hot Chocolate
49. Bon Jovi (the stuff from the 80's)
50. America's Funniest Home Videos
51. Vacations
52. Heaven
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