NYWC on the Blogs
Theology For Our Times.Tash McGill
from Tash McGillWreckedpattigibbons.com
from patti
The Bible reads "HURT" via Adam McLane on flickr
I want to go to Haiti. I believe God wants me, and a whole lot of other people, to go and be his physical presence doing all sorts of tasks. From the moment I learned of the devastation in Port-au-Prince, I was wrecked.
The people of Haiti lived a largely subsistence-level life before this earthquake took most of their material goods, housing and ability to earn any living. Millions of people were instantly dependent upon the good graces and provision of the rest of the world. As with many previous disasters, like Hurricane Katrina and the Tsumani that hit Sumatra, people poured out emotions, financial assistance, and in many cases, practical help for a long time. I, myself, have participated in a number of relief trips hands-on or as an organizer.
The news coverage of Haiti is mostly ended now. It’s likely we’ll only hear about crimes, corruption, and the occasional update on some milestone of progress. We won’t see the daily ordeal of getting food for a family. We won’t see the danger to vulnerable children and girls that comes from human traffickers. We won’t see the mud and mire that will engulf the nation as the rainy season begins and people continue to live in makeshift ’shelters’ made of bedsheets, tarps, and debris from fallen buildings. We definitely won’t see the spiritual revival taking place among Haiti’s people on our evening news.
I have a group of friends who spent a week in Haiti to serve, to raise awareness of the situation on the ground through social media, and to investigate partnerships for serving alongside the local church now and into the future. They went nervous they’d all want to adopt an orphan, desiring to help however they could, and with sore arms from the copious vaccinations they received in preparation for their short notice adventure. They served, they observed, and they were wrecked by the experience. Changed forever. I’m so proud of the way they let God use them. I’m so awed at how God used them. I’m wrecked each and every time I read or hear them speak about their experiences. I’m going to link to some of their blogs, photos, facebook and videos. Go and see.
Adam McLane – photos – blog posts here, here, here, here, here and here
Jeremy Zach – blog
Ian Roberson – blog
Lars Rood – blog
Mark Oestreicher – blog
Anne Jackson – blog
Youth Ministry Advance Team: Haiti – facebook
It’s a lot, I know. It’s all worth it. God is calling. I’m wrecked. When? Where? To do? I don’t know yet. But I’m listening. Are you?
E hara taku toa, I te toa takitahi ēngari he toa taku tini (MyTash McGill
from Tash McGillWord of Promise, NTNotes along the Way
from North Shore HermitThis is an excellent Audio Bible. If you've purchased previous dramatized versions of the Bible, you understand the great depth of character and personality that comes from having multiple readers, sound effects, appropriate music, and good production quality. This series has them all. Stellar cast, breathtaking music, and very well produced. The words are written by someone who's infallible, so it's hard to really overlook the writer, but it's also kind of silly to put too much about that here. This is a great resource.
As a youth pastor, I'm always looking for ways to make the Bible come to life for my students. Using audio Bibles in the past has been something I've wanted to do, and I'm so thankful for this resource! What a great addition to our library! So glad that I picked this one up!
Standing Up For Anne.Tash McGill
from Tash McGillMore On Gathering: Life-giving Movements vs History Making EventsTash McGill
from Tash McGillWhy I'll Possibly Never Meet Donald Miller.Tash McGill
from Tash McGillGathering Together.Tash McGill
from Tash McGillLife in the ZoneNotes along the Way
from North Shore HermitThis is a great Bible study for men--specifically if they're sports minded in any way. There are testimonies of coaches, players, managers, and other figures in the sports industry who love Jesus and want to share what they've learned by placing their full trust in Him and following His lead in areas of character, marriage, parenting, work ethic, etc.
The 40 Day Plan idea is nice. It's easy to follow and builds on itself. It's not unique to this book, and (as a guy) I like knowing that I'm coming to the end of something. There were days when I felt like I could have skipped the lesson, but I'm glad I didn't. If you're looking for something to give to a high schooler, I would hold off. If you're looking at college to young adult, that's probably the youngest. I would definitely recommend this to a married man, working full time, and trying to keep his family, his faith, and his work in order. Definitely recommend.
None Are FreeZach Hunter's Blog
from zachhunter
Gerardo works all day with his family in a brick kiln. Children around the world are missing out on a childhood free from oppression.
Hello Friends!
It is nearly common knowledge that President Obama has declared January to be “Human Trafficking Month”; a month dedicated to awareness-raising and consciously fighting against modern-day slavery. There are legions of abolitionists now employed in the fight, and slavery is known to exist by most in the world. This is why it seems especially incredible to me that there are still some who ask, ignorantly, “Why Care?!”
Six years ago when I was 12 and launched Loose Change to Loosen Chains, people were shocked to learn slavery still existed. But now, after countless documentaries, TV specials, newspaper articles, t-shirts with clever slogans, fund raising efforts and a Presidential declaration, how can it be that people are still surprised? And, even more importantly, how can those who know ask “what does it matter to me?”
I have seen and heard these kinds of comments everywhere from Facebook to everyday conversation, some even making it seem a race issue, wondering why I would want to help someone who looks differently from me, when there are “white people in my own city who are homeless and starving.” This blows my mind. If we cannot acknowledge that the most basic human right, the right to freedom, is of utmost importance—then all the other issues become permissible. If it is okay to look the other way when there are people forced, against their will, to become prostitutes, then anything else goes. If we can ignore the fact that children are bought and sold and used as livestock how can we claim to love others?
Does this seem right? How can we be so ignorant and prejudiced to say that the only people who deserve to be helped are those who live close to us and look like us? This is important as well—any violation of human rights must be remedied. But, to limit our compassion to someone who has a struggle that is familiar – or someone who looks or sounds familiar – is an affront to our Creator.
Let’s take a stand against modern day slavery, in our own backyards and in around the world – for, “…if one of us are chained, none of us are free.” http://s0.ilike.com/play#Solomon+Burke:None+Of+Us+Are+Free:147886:m13086901
This month I’ll be posting practical actions you can take to follow in the footsteps of abolitionists of the past.
“No man can put a chain about the ankle of his fellow man without at last finding the other end fastened about his own neck.”
Frederick Douglass
Photo courtesy of Compassion International
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Abolitionists, Frederick Douglass, Free, Loose Change to Loosen Chains, Obama slavery, Trafficking Month, Zach Hunter
Twitter Wire
Just checked out the line up for #NYWC. Killer! Oh, and hee hee: RT @nywc Just added Tic Long & Propaganda. See if you can tell them apart.
JeremiahVik