I clean up throw up

I'm sure that people threw up in the ancient world. Surely Sarah or one of her servants undercooked the pork and caused Abe's food poisoning one night. (He was wishin' he had the Law that night.) I'm sure Moses picked up the stomach flu while on the wilderness trail. I'd bet throwing up was part of David's insanity act before Achish (or Abimelech?). And it's tough to see how that third captain didn't at least soil his shorts when required to "bring Elijah in", the burninator. Of course there's all those times as the king of Israel looked over the walls to see the invading army approaching. Definitely a yak moment. On the NT side, all those demons.... Surely that afforded for a bit of stomach acid.

When Jesus bends to wash the feet of the Passover guests, and the commentator's say it was a gross job, which only the lowest of the servants did, I have to think it wasn't physically pleasant. I'd bet those manual labor, backwoods zealots didn't pay much attention to the [literal] crap they stepped into that day. How much did they chagrin to see their Master begin this task? (By the way, can you imagine give Simon Peter, the former fishmonger, a sponge bath? You can understand why Jesus demurred at that task. ;-) ) But now, when I consider my own feet, this task doesn't even compare. It's only my 8 and 11/12ths year old son's feet that even come close and he's not even negotiating dog poop in our yard, though my precious wife often hollers when his shoes come off unexpectedly warm and odoriferous. But that's about our extent of foot grossdom.

I've heard tales of those volunteering to clean latrines/outhouse holes. I've seen the "dirty jobs" guy do some horrendous stuff. But none of those things are part of my normal life! That's why I clean up throw up. Though I'll find myself avoiding the direct fire and often even the "innocent victim" side swipe, I will almost always come to the rescue. You see, Christ cleaned very dirty feet that day. Honestly, that was a normal job in his day, but it doesn't directly translate to me. So, I go for the vomit. I imagine the smells I catch are almost as bad as those feet that day, especially if it's the stomach flu!

In terms of holiness, baptism and The Lord's Supper are set apart. But here's a command that could be a rite and eucharistic as well: "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet." (John 13:14)

So, when you are called forth on such an errand of mercy, consider Jesus, your Lord and Master, who did it first. You may want to ask Him to hold your nose for you.

1 > 0

One is Greater Than None
(Thanks to Mike Cope for this article.)

Eight junior high girls saw the Oprah show with my sister-in-law last year. You can read about the result here. They’re supposed to be interviewed on “The Today Show” tomorrow morning.

This is from their website:

For months, a group of 14 year-old girls talked about starting a charity. These eight girls were determined to make a difference in someone’s life, but never seemed to agree on “who, what, where or how”. They did however have the answer to the most important question. “Why?”...

One of the girls saw an Oprah episode “The Little Boy Oprah Couldn’t Forget” featuring children from Ghana, Africa, being sold for as little as $20 by their families, unknowingly, into a life of servitude. In April 2007, during a school break, the girls gathered to watch that Oprah episode. They were all heartbroken that something like this was actually happening in the world. Ghana was so far away but the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was making it possible for people to sponsor rescue missions that would save these trafficked children from a life of hard labor and abuse. They found out it would cost about $4300* to rescue one child. This would fund 2 ½ years of food, shelter, an education and love. Oprah urged everyone to reach inside themselves and find their potential to make even a small difference.

The girls were determined to save some of these children. One of the girls asked, “What if we only raise enough money to save one child?” The response was “Well, one is better than none.” And that is how “One is Greater than None” began. The girls decided to make bracelets and package them on cards that would educate people about what was going on in the fishing villages of Ghana. They designed a necklace with eight wooden beads, representing each girl, which surrounds a recycled glass bead made in Ghana. Tee shirts were made with their logo, (1>0), and their tag line “Be Part of the Equation.”

The girls wanted to raise money, but they were equally determined to raise social awareness. Do anything. Do something. It is such a simple premise, but how easily the world could change if everyone embraced that philosophy. On June 8th, the final bracelet cards were packaged. On June 16th the girls officially raised enough money to save their first child! So many great things have come from what the girls have started. The website was generously donated, which will make their goals even more attainable. Printing, legal consultation, photographers, tee shirts etc… have all been donated by people wanting to contribute in any way they can to help save the trafficked children in Ghana.

The International Organization for Migration have been wonderful. On July 31st, Eric Peasah, the gentleman who runs the rescue missions came to New York to meet the girls. They were excited and honored. WABC filmed the meeting and the response was amazing.

In August, the “1>0″ apparel line was successfully launched in NYC. An editor of Teen Vogue loved the clothing line but more important, the initiative the girls have taken to save these children. “One is Greater than None” was featured in their Dec/January issue. They have been featured on National Television and Bloomingdales will be carrying the 1>0 apparel line in February. For updates and store locations check out their website. In January the International Organization for Migration has a scheduled rescue mission. With the support of hundreds of people, the girls of “One is Greater than None” have raised enough money to sponsor eight of these children. They are working on sponsoring a full rescue mission of 25 children. Your support is invaluable so please spread the word. More children need to come home.

There are problems everywhere. In so many cases there are solutions. The girls are asking everyone to look around and then look inside. The answers are there. It’s time to ask how you can “Be part of the equation”. They are an inspiration to everyone, that anyone can make a difference no matter how limited their resources. These girls are full of love and hope. Who would have imagined what eight 14 year-old girls could accomplish in just 6 months? We should be in awe of how the universe has made it possible for the 1>0 girls to reach across the world, take a child’s hand and say, “You were not forgotten…”

Girl Scouts

Once upon a time, I was a girl scout. It didn't last long- my mother was my troop leader and we're pretty different, so I quit going (which was hard because the meetings were at my house!). Every time I see girl scouts selling cookies, I buy some. I currently have a CASE of Samoas (they're now reduced to 'Caramel DeLites!') and I made two little girls (and my dad, who got some cookies) really happy. 

Once upon a time, I led a group called PB&J. A group of girls From 7th grade to 12th grade, though we had a few 5th and 6th graders in there. I inherited the group from an older woman who didn't click with 'the girls', and since I was the oldest girl, I led. PB&J had always been at Starbucks, eventually, we moved to my house where we made cookies and had koolaide. Many of the girls tell me this was their favorite part, and the reason they opened up at all- it made them feel at home and like part of the group. And when they opened up, some of the stories they had were amazing. One time one of the girls suggested a mini-mission. We all like mission trips- going somewhere far away and doing something like building a school- but... a mini mission... just a day trip to somewhere nearby (usually in our city) to do some good for our own community. I knew of a nursing home for low-income elderly people. We painted many nails some wacky colors and heard many a story (and many, many horrible christmas carols banged out on the out-of-tune piano by a tiny lady who only sorta knew christmas carols...).  We painted houses for people who couldn't paint their own house. 

I challenge you: Do some random nice thing for someone. I don't mean hold a door for someone with their arms full- I know your momma taught you to do this anyways. It doesn't have to be painting a house, just go out of your way, out of your comfort zone, and DO SOMETHING. Anything. Bake cookies and meet your neighbors, volunteer at an animal shelter, buy the homeless guy on the corner a .99 cent hamburger, anything! The only thing you should get from it is good karma... no CAS hours!! Remember- if you make someone feel loved, and at home, and as part of the group, they will open up and it can benefit you BOTH in many ways.

If you guys want to do or know someone who needs a mini-mission, let me know and we'll see if we can't come up with something. 

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can." -- John Wesley

Pastor Kes

If you live in Austin and are on Facebook, then you are probably already "friends" with Kester Smith. He works at BookPeople and is a local pastor for a church called Immanuel. My point? He's got a great blog with really good insights: http://PastorKes.blogspot.com

Microloans

Yes, Micro-Loans. Not Micro-Brews!

A year ago or so, I watched a program on PBS about the concept of microloans. The idea is really very simple. For people who cannot afford to borrow money from traditional banks, which are typically the poor in developing countries, but have a good idea for a business and eager to implement it, a private lender loans them money to implement their idea. The "micro" part is 2 fold: the amount is fairly small, and the interest is very low. This idea has been not only been advocated but also personally tested by Mahammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Now, a fairly new corporation (Fall, 2005) has been started called Kiva. This lets you be personally involved. Check out the site for details, but it sounds really exciting!

The Bible's addresses the topic of money more than any other topic! Just a few points that stand out (or perhaps have been more emphasized) to me:

• "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Prov. 22:7)
• "If you lend to one who is needy, charge him no interest." (Ex. 22:25-27)
• "'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you." (Lev. 25:35-36, but view the whole chapter.)
• "He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor." (Prov. 28:8)
• Extortion through excessive interest is condemned beside other vile crimes (Ez. 18)
• "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matt. 6:24, but pay close attention to the context, the surrounding verses! POWERFUL!)
  

The pattern within this tapestry that I see woven is one of compassion and a high regard for life. It screams of how justice and mercy must work together, and how it strengthens each other. My first brusque glance of Kiva seems good to me. I will look further at it and be in prayer.
---
Credit to Mark Elrod's Lame-O Weblog (aka, M.E.) for "Kiva: Loans That Change Lives" and "Muhammad Yunus".

unChristian

I strongly encourage you to check out today's Breakpoint commentary by Chuck Colson: unChristian, What People Really Think of Us.

A constant re-examination of how we live and what we do must be part of who we are. I can think of probably a dozen ways to live in closer step with Christ right now without even trying hard. But the question to myself becomes, what am I going to do about it.

Jesus told a parable about 2 sons. The first rejected his father's request to do something, but then did it. The second agreeably accepted the request, but then failed to fulfill his promise. Though the first was brash, he is the one who loved his father. (Matt 12:28ff)

Full commentary: unChristian

Brave...Called

On Rio's mean streets, a rare credibility

Pentecostals' message of transformation is helping Brazil's drug dealers give up their guns for Jesus.

Rio de Janeiro - He felt weak physically. But spiritually, he had never felt stronger.

Alexandre dos Santos, a converted Pentecostal, fasted for two days in the favela, or slum, where he grew up, before getting on his knees to lead 18 others in prayer.

"God protect us," they chanted, before going to persuade a gang of drug traffickers in a violent struggle with the police to put down their arms and accept Jesus.

The group, named "Fishermen of the Night," had no idea what to expect that evening two years ago, Mr. dos Santos recalls. Since then, they have seen men killed. They have been threatened with death. But God has sent them as emissaries, they say, to stop the violence that is suffocating many of Brazil's poor communities....

(http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1218/p01s02-woam.html)