Speak Up

There's a day or a month for everything! Sure, there are all the classics like Mother's Day, Father's Day, and President's Day, but there are also the newer special days like Boss' Day, Administrative Professional's Day, and my personal least favorite, Sweetest Day. Sometimes entire months are dedicated to a cause. We have Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Black History Month, and Peanut Butter Lover's Month.

If we look at our calendar or check out a web site dedicated to making us aware of these special months or days, we will find all kinds of interesting things. Some special dates are noble and great, while others are just for fun (or just plain ridiculous). I often wonder who the people are who get to choose some of these dates.

Yes, there are all sorts of monthly causes and special days out there. Personally, I'm not very passionate about most of them. But, recently, I learned about a special month that I can truly get behind. It's this month, it's November, and it's called Orphan Awareness Month.

One of my best friends, Matt Mehaffey, who I have known for many years has just started working for an organization called World Orphans. This organization is amazing. World Orphans is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering the global church to rescue, care for, and prevent orphans around the world. World Orphans believes that the local church is the best way to care for orphans – to see children raised in a compassionate community of believers; to be cared for; to know, love, and share God’s love. Matt is serving as the southeast regional director and his ministry with World Orphans is 100% donor supported.

I understand that almost everyone reading this blog is already being generous with the finances that they've been blessed with. But, I just want you to consider helping my friend Matt raise the last bit of support he needs in order to get to the 100% mark.

Please read Matt's blog to find out more about him and his amazing family, which includes two awesome adopted sons! Check out the World Orphans web site to find out more about what exactly that ministry does to care for orphans around the world.

If you do nothing else...please watch this short video. I love the hope that is delivered through the message.

Once you have done these things, please prayerfully consider donating to Matt. Any amount would be appreciated.

I think what stands out to me the most...through everything...is what scripture clearly tells us in James 1:27 - "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..."

When was the last time you or I had a hand in looking after orphans? You can change that right now by supporting Matt and his ministry with World Orphans.

Copy and paste this link if you want to help Matt:

http://www.worldorphans.org/donate/frequency.php?donateType=staff&id=mehaffey

Or you can write and mail a check made out to World Orphans:

World Orphans

PO Box 1849

Castle Rock, CO 80104

Be sure to write "Support Mehaffey" on the memo line!

My Birthday List

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to deliver some thoughts before a time of communion at the church I attend. Whenever I get an opportunity to do something of that nature I like to talk about something that not only applies to the current situation, but also something that I'm currently finding interesting. So, because I have been thinking a lot about selfishness lately, I chose to speak about that.

Basically, I said this...

If I asked you to use one word to describe the most obvious negative characteristic of our culture, what would you say? I would say, "selfishness."

We want more money, a bigger home, a better car, another car, and more stuff in general. We may want popularity, fame, recognition, and things to go 'our way.'

We are selfish from the smallest to the largest details of our lives.

It's easy for me to see selfishness in other people. I look around and I think, "Are you serious? He did what? She said what? Who do they think they are?"

Then I stop and I look at myself. I think, "I did what? I said what? Who do I think I am?"

Selfishness is everywhere. It's in you, in me, outside the church, and inside the church.

The Bible says a lot about selfishness. James writes, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

Selfishness is like a gateway drug. It's a gateway sin. According to James, it leads to every evil practice.

We see a completely different characteristic in Jesus. In him, we see pure selflessness! From coming to walk among us, to spending immense amounts of time with 'the least' of society, to ultimately dying for all of us! It is Jesus who we are to imitate.

While it may be difficult to actually stop being a selfish person, I think it is really quite easy to identify one's selfishness and come up with action steps that move towards selflessness.

So, in an effort to do just that, I have identified selfishness within myself and I have decided to move towards selflessness by doing the simple task of giving up my 35th birthday in order to raise funds for an organization called Charity:Water.

You may have heard of Charity:Water. They have received a lot of press. I admit, though, I had not heard about them until I attended a Catalyst conference a few weeks ago in Dallas.

I love what Charity:Water does. Check out their page for all the info. The fact that 100% of donations go directly to the well digging projects is a really cool feature.

Here's the deal...for the few of you who were actually planning on getting me something or giving me money for my birthday, I would like you to instead go to my page on the Charity:Water website and a make a contribution for my campaign.

In reality, I know that most of you were not planning on sending me money or getting me a gift for my birthday. But, I would still like to encourage you to make a contribution to Charity:Water for my campaign. It's an unbelievable cause and it's tax deductible!

I believe this is a cause we can all get behind. No matter what you believe, where you are from, or what political party you align yourself with. And, above all, it's a chance for all of us to move a bit further from selfishness and a bit closer to selflessness...which is good for everyone!

Since June 13th, 2011 will be my 35th birthday, I have decided to use the number 35 as a "magic number." My goal of raising $700 will help about 35 people. Maybe you can give $35. But, even if you can't give that much, it's cool. Whatever you give will be so appreciated.

Thanks in advance, everyone! This will be a memorable birthday for me. Not because of what I have received, but because of what others receive.

Please check out the Charity:Water site and this link that will take you to my campaign.