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.

Imitators

One of my favorite things to do is to attend live music performances. I honestly enjoy nearly every genre of music, and I especially enjoy watching artists perform on stage. I try to take every chance I get to go to live performances and I really like it when I have the opportunity to go to a venue and/or a type of performance that I have never been to before. Recently, I had this opportunity.

Christy and I, along with two other couples, went to Star Wars: In Concert at the BOK Center in Tulsa, OK. The show itself consisted of a symphony orchestra and choir performing selections from the original score of the Star Wars movies, an amazing light and effects show, and a gigantic digital screen that played movie clips corresponding with the music being played. All of this, obviously, was extremely well done and impressive.

But, Star Wars: In Concert was more than just a show. It was also a traveling "museum." Star Wars movie props and costumes were put on display throughout the arena. So, fans of the movies were given the opportunity to see things that they would normally only see on the big screen.

Obviously, with the type of following that Star Wars has, this type of an event brings out all kinds of fans. I'd like to specifically focus on one type of fan - the super fan. There were, in the crowd, many super fans. These are the people who are so into Star Wars that they came to the show dressed as their favorite character.

We are all familiar with people like this. We see them at them at the Renaissance Fair, dressed as knights, monks, or as inaccurate as it may be, elves and hobbits. We see them at ComiCon dressed as their favorite super hero. We see them at the Star Trek conventions, speaking Klingon or wearing Spock ears.

Countless sit-coms have spent time poking fun at this behavior. What comes to my mind immediately is one of my favorite TV shows, The Big Bang Theory. These are the types of characters you expect to be fans of this nature.

I started to think about this behavior after the Star Wars concert. These are adults who are so passionate about these movies that they find it necessary and enjoyable to publicly, and most likely privately, imitate their favorite characters. But then, a few questions popped into my mind.

Would these people imitate these characters anywhere besides an event like this? Sure, it's easy to dress up like a Jedi and walk around an event that is dedicated to the glorification of the Star Wars saga. But, would that same guy dress up like a Jedi at any other time? Maybe on Halloween. Maybe when going to the movie in the theater. But would he do it while shopping at Wal-Mart on a Tuesday? Would he do it at his job?

Actually, some people may be comfortable imitating these characters everywhere. But I would bet that most of these people only do it in situations where it is socially acceptable. Whether you imitate Renaissance people, Sci-fi characters, or superheros, I am sure that most would only do it in the "appropriate" settings. Doing so elsewhere would result in extreme ridicule from the rest of the world. It would result in an immediate "freak" label to be applied.

It's interesting how this translates to those of us who follow Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-2 reads, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

I would venture to say that many of us who claim to follow Jesus only really imitate God in locations and situations where it is acceptable. We're probably really good at imitating God at a church service, at a small group Bible study, around other Jesus followers. It's easy to do it there. It's acceptable. But do we imitate God while shopping at Wal-mart on Tuesday? Do we imitate God at our jobs?

Imitating God outside of the acceptable arenas of our life might result in ridicule from the rest of the world. It might result in the "freak" label to be applied.

I think we can learn a lesson from the guy who is willing to dress up like Obi-Wan and carry a toy light sabre despite the fact that it's not Halloween, he's not at a Star Wars event, and there is no apparent reason for it.

What a different place this world would be if followers of Jesus actually imitated God every second of every day.

Oklahom(e)a

Since arriving in Oklahoma last March, we have seen a lot of change. We’ve seen the weather change from a late Spring snow storm, to tornado warnings, to Summer heat, and now to a very slight taste of an upcoming Fall. We've also seen changes at The Voice Of The Martyrs as the organization has now fully moved into their brand new Operations Center.

And, there is another change that we are excited to share. It’s a change in our status as year-long volunteers with The Voice Of The Martyrs (VOM).

As most of you know, Christy and I had committed to serving here in Oklahoma for one year with VOM as volunteers. But recently, we have been offered positions on staff. Christy is now the full time Housing Manager/Assistant to the Facilities Director, and I am currently the part time Resource Assembly Assistant.

What this means for us is that Oklahoma has become "home."

We have been here nearly six months, and now that we know that we will be staying longer than one year, we will begin to settle in a more permanent fashion. It's time to begin switching license plates, drivers licenses, and insurance. It's also becoming increasingly more important that we sell our home in Ohio!

It's been an amazing journey over the past few month. We look forward to continuing to share our lives with all of you.

Four Months

"We have learned that suffering is not the worst thing in the world...disobedience is." - A Vietnamese pastor who was imprisoned for his faith.

I came across this quote in "Foxe - Voices Of The Martyrs" and I thought it would be good to share. It is easy to assume that nothing could be worse than extreme suffering...but for Christians who have been in the midst of that in other parts of the world, there is something worse. Time and time again, I hear about persecuted Christians remaining obedient to Christ even in moments of great suffering. This intense focus on the Savior and His will sustains these saints as they suffer because of His name. I believe that disobedience during suffering would not lead to comfort and peace, but instead would lead to an even greater torment.

If Christians in situations such as these can remain obedient to Christ, then why is it so hard for us?

I have found that the most fulfilling times in my life have come when I have been obedient to Christ. I believe that these first four months as a volunteer for The Voice Of The Martyrs is a testimony of that.

Christy is currently continuing in her role as Apartment Manager/Assistant To The Facilities Director. I am currently continuing in my roles at Bibles Unbound and Order Fulfillment. Both of us are glad to be serving in these roles.

Last month I mentioned that VOM was preparing for a big move from one facility to another. Well, the move has happened! We are in an amazing new facility that will surely enhance the effectiveness of this ministry. Please continue to pray for VOM as we adjust to new surroundings and procedures.

Due to Christy's position as Apartment Manager, we have recently had the opportunity to meet some really cool VOM staff people from other parts of the world. I have been blown away by the bond that exists between brothers and sisters in Christ who not only do not know each other, but who also live on separate continents.

We appreciate all the support we get from you! Here are a couple areas that you can continue to pray for us:

• Our home is still on the market in Mt. Orab, Ohio. We have been trying to sell it since last November.


• Christy and I have already started to pray and think about what God wants us to do when our year committment here with VOM comes to an end in March 2010. It seems weird to think about this already, since it seems like we just got here, but we believe it is necessary to begin to be aware of the different opportunities that are before us.

And, as always, please keep the persecuted church in your prayers. I really hope that all of you have subscribed to VOM's free monthly newsletter! If you haven't, go to http://www.persecution.com/ and sign up. Over 500,000 people are subscribed. Just imagine the difference that is being made by 500,000 people praying for specific brothers and sisters who are being persecuted. I hope that all of you would want to be a part of that!

Calling You Out

Are you sick of the continuing coverage of the death of MJ? Apparently, most of you are. I've heard it from Oklahomans. I've heard it from Facebook friends. I've heard and read comment after comment. I've heard jokes and "revised" song lyrics. I've seen apathy and annoyance, hatred and condemnation.

And most of this comes from people who follow Jesus Christ.

Look, I get it. You're annoyed at the constant news coverage. Fine. I don't have a problem with that (except for the fact that it's funny to me that so many of you are so surprised about how the media is reacting - where have you been?). But I do have a HUGE problem with the attitude.

Have you completely lost the ability to recognize that every single human being on this earth has a soul that is in danger of spending an eternity separated from God?

I do not know if MJ had a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's too late to change that now. But I wonder, was there anyone in his life that was concerned about that when he was alive? Were you concerned about it?

I'm not saying that you could have done anything about it (outside of praying) - even if by some stretch you were concerned. But therein lies the problem. YOU WEREN'T CONCERNED.

Many Christians are only concerned about the Heaven and Hell issue when it comes to themselves and people who are like them. They would never wish Hell or death upon loved ones or other human beings who lead similar lives as they do. They would never wish Hell upon a soldier or a person who is "good."

But when it comes to a "freak" in Hollywood - Let him burn!

Seriously?

Most of you reading this are Christians - and probably have been for quite some time. So I don't need to remind you about just how opposite that attitude is from the attitude of Jesus Christ.

Luke 19:41 reads, "As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, 'If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace...'"

That's how Jesus feels about lost people - all lost people.

If you stood and looked at Hollywood, would you weep over it? Or would you begin formulating catchy jokes about its inhabitants and make light of the fact that they lead spiritually hopeless lives as you sit back in the comfort of your own eternal security.

Remember that the next time you look at the masses. Please stop picking out of the crowd those who get your compassion and those who don't based on your own preferences. It should move you to tears every time you think about the fact that there are millions of people who are going to Hell.

There is a common theme that I've noticed in my short time here with The Voice Of The Martyrs. Nearly every time I hear a story about a persecuted Christian from another part of the world, I hear that the person being persecuted wants nothing more than for the people who are persecuting them to come to know Jesus Christ. I never hear that a persecuted person wishes death or hell upon their persecutor.

These people are often being tortured beyond imagination. Loved ones are being taken from them. They are enduring physical and mental pain that is beyond our understanding. But, they have so much compassion in their hearts for lost souls that they find the strength to share God's love with their torturers. Their attitude is that of Christ.

You may not like his music or his lifestyle. But, did MJ torture you? Did he persecute you? Did he do anything to you? If a persecuted believer can find compassion in their heart for their persecutor, can't you find compassion in your heart for lost people who have never harmed you? If you can't, then what would happen if you found yourself in a situation where you were mistreated?

My guess is that you wouldn't follow in the footsteps of Stephen when he said, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them," as he was being stoned to death.

What a different world this would be if American Christians wept over lost people and made all lost souls their number one concern.

Ancient Wisdom - Applicable Today

"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 2:10-11

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" - Matthew 16:26.