Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy
This passage (Matthew 5:7) has crossed my mind countless times since Hurricane Rita made landfall. Rita was barrelling into the Gulf, practically taking up the entire Gulf and headed in a bee-line straight for Galveston (and therefore Houston). Why did she decrease in size? Why did she turn at the last minute (especially when the upper level highs indicated the contrary)?
So, before I answer my own questions, let me make one caveat: This is not a judgement AT ALL on who Rita hit. Furthermore, please don't get me wrong either about the impact Rita had... Rita was a large hurricane (category 3) causing a lot of damage.
It has just made me mindful of this: It is obvious that Houston rose to the occasion in helping the Hurricane Katrina victims. Check out the many blogs, websites, newspapers that support this. Houston hit national news because of our helping hands. Could it be that mercy was shown to the merciful?
Let me know what you think. Either way, I am thanking God now.
All for now,
Lisa
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Rich Mullins: The best way I can remember him
Wikipedia had a great entry about Rich. I couldn't do any better so this is a copy for your convenience.
Richard Wayne Mullins (October 21, 1955 – September 19, 1997) was an American singer/songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. Starting in 1986, he was a well-known Christian music artist until his untimely death in an automobile accident in 1997. He is best-known for his praise choruses "Awesome God" and "Step by Step", which have been embraced as modern classics by many Christians. Two of his albums are considered among Christian music's best: 1986's Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth and 1993's A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band. His songs have been covered by the likes of Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Caedmon's Call, and Jars of Clay but his influence on his colleagues in the music business reaches further.
In addition to his music, Rich Mullins is also remembered for his sincere devotion to the Christian faith. He often called St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) his hero, and modelled his life after him by having great compassion for the poor and adhering to a vow of poverty. In 1997, he composed a musical about the life of St Francis (set in the Old West) called Canticle of the Plains.
Mullins was seen as an enigma to the Christian music industry. Often barefoot, unshaven and badly in need of a haircut, he did not look like the average American gospel music writer.
Although he achieved a good amount of success on Christian radio, he never received a Dove Award (a.k.a. the Christian Grammy) until after he died.
Unlike most artists in Contemporary Christian music, Mullins did not consider his music as his primary ministry, but rather as a means to pay his bills. Instead, his ministry was the way he treated his neighbors, family and enemies. Taking a vow of poverty, he accepted a small church salary and spent the last years of his life on a Navajo reservation teaching music to children.
History
Mullins began his musical career with Zion Ministries in the late 1970s, where he wrote music and performed with a band called Zion. Zion released one album in 1981 entitled Behold the Man. While working for this ministry, Mullins penned a song called "Sing Your Praise To The Lord", which was recorded by singer Amy Grant in 1982 and became an immediate hit on Christian Radio.
In 1983, Debby Boone recorded Mullins' "O Come All Ye Faithful" for her Surrender album. In 1984, the song was also featured in a TV movie called Sins of the Past.
Mullins became a songwriter in the Contemporary Christian music industry by 1984, penning songs for Pam Mark Hall, and a second song for Amy Grant. Grant would go on to record yet another of Mullins' songs for her 1985 album, Unguarded, entitled "Love Of Another Kind".
By 1986, Mullins recorded his first, self-titled, solo project, and followed it with a second solo album in 1987 called Pictures in the Sky. Neither album had sold very well and it looked as though Pictures might be his last, until Mullins wrote a song called "Awesome God". Mullins recorded that song and released it on his third album, Winds of Heaven... Stuff of Earth and it quickly became a hit on Christian radio and a modern-day hymn sung in churches around the world.
The Winds of Heaven... Stuff of Earth album also introduced fans to the hammered dulcimer, an instrument that would become a Rich Mullins trademark.
In the early 1990s, Mullins released a pair of albums entitled The World As Best As I Remember It, volumes 1 & 2. These albums featured more of a stripped-back, acoustic feel than his earlier work, with nods to Irish music. Step By Step, a song written by good friend Beaker and included on both volumes, became an instant hit on Christian Radio, and, like "Awesome God", with worship leaders.
In 1993, Mullins assembled a group of Nashville musicians (including Jimmy Abegg, Beaker, Phil Madeira, Rick Elias, Aaron Smith) to form A Ragamuffin Band, which was named after The Ragamuffin Gospel by author Brennan Manning. The band recorded A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band, which was later named the #3 Best Christian Album of All time by CCM Magazine. The band got together again in 1995 to record Brother's Keeper.
In 1997, Mullins teamed up with Beaker and Mitch McVicker to write a musical based on the life of St Francis of Assisi, entitled The Canticle of the Plains. Mullins had great respect for St Francis, and even formed "the Kid Brothers of St Frank" in the late 1980s with several friends, each taking a vow of poverty. Mullins was never really aware of how well his records sold, because the profits from his tours and the sale of each album went to his church, which divided it up, paid Mullins a small salary, and gave the rest to charity. Mullins was also a major supporter of Compassion International and Compassion USA.
Unfortunately, Mullins was tragically killed in a car accident on September 19, 1997. He and friend Mitch McVicker were travelling on I-39 outside Peoria, Illinois to a benefit concert in Wichita when his Jeep flipped over. Both men were thrown from the vehicle and Mullins was struck and instantly killed by a passing tractor trailer swerving to avoid the Jeep.
Shortly before his death, Mullins had made a rough tape of songs for what would have been his next album on Reunion Records; he was going to call the album "Ten Songs About Jesus." This rough microcassette recording became the basis for "The Jesus Record," which A Ragamuffin Band recorded after Mullins' death. Mullins and McVicker had also recorded what would become Mitch's first true solo album (aside from lead vocals on four songs on the Canticle of the Plains album).
At the time of his death, Mullins lived on a Navajo reservation, where he taught music to children.
Quotes
"Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won't also cost you yours."
"So go out and live real good and I promise you'll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you're dead, you'll be rotted away anyway. It's not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn't live."
"It's so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when people think so highly of Christian music, Contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don't know jack about anything. Not that I don't want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church.. you should read the Scriptures."
"We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don't find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don't teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us – and this is remarkable – the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea."
"I had a prof one time... He said, 'Class, you will forget almost everything I will teach you in here, so please remember this: that God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway."
"I think if we were given the Scriptures, it was not so that we could prove that we were right about everything. If we were given the Scriptures, it was to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing."
"Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."
"Bear in mind, children, that they listen to you because you are kids - not because you are right. That's how our Father listens to us."
"We never understand what we're praying, and God, in His mercy, does not answer our prayers according to our understanding, but according to His wisdom."
"Yes, it's embarrassing to be born again, but imagine how embarrassing it must have been to be born the first time. At least this time you get to wear clothes!"
"We are not saved because we're good. We're good because we're saved. Never forget what Jesus did for you."
"If you've ever known the love of God, you know it's nothing but reckless and it's nothing but raging. Sometimes it hurts to be loved, and if it doesn't hurt it's probably not love, may be infatuation. I think a lot of American people are infatuated with God, but we don't really love Him, and they don't really let Him love them. Being loved by God is one of the most painful things in the world, it's also the only thing that can bring us salvation and it's like everything else that is really wonderful, there's a little bit of pain in it, little bit of hurt."
"It's just that for so many people that I know, Christianity's this matter of ... it has everything to do with morals. Christianity is a religion about morals. And they will even talk about Jesus. And they will say kids need to know about Jesus so they won't smoke, drink, or dance, or go with girls that do, and all that kind of thing. And I kinda go, 'That's not why people need to know about Jesus. The only reason--The only possible excuse for talking about Jesus is because we need a Savior.'"
Wikipedia had a great entry about Rich. I couldn't do any better so this is a copy for your convenience.
Richard Wayne Mullins (October 21, 1955 – September 19, 1997) was an American singer/songwriter born in Richmond, Indiana. Starting in 1986, he was a well-known Christian music artist until his untimely death in an automobile accident in 1997. He is best-known for his praise choruses "Awesome God" and "Step by Step", which have been embraced as modern classics by many Christians. Two of his albums are considered among Christian music's best: 1986's Winds of Heaven, Stuff of Earth and 1993's A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band. His songs have been covered by the likes of Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Caedmon's Call, and Jars of Clay but his influence on his colleagues in the music business reaches further.
In addition to his music, Rich Mullins is also remembered for his sincere devotion to the Christian faith. He often called St Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) his hero, and modelled his life after him by having great compassion for the poor and adhering to a vow of poverty. In 1997, he composed a musical about the life of St Francis (set in the Old West) called Canticle of the Plains.
Mullins was seen as an enigma to the Christian music industry. Often barefoot, unshaven and badly in need of a haircut, he did not look like the average American gospel music writer.
Although he achieved a good amount of success on Christian radio, he never received a Dove Award (a.k.a. the Christian Grammy) until after he died.
Unlike most artists in Contemporary Christian music, Mullins did not consider his music as his primary ministry, but rather as a means to pay his bills. Instead, his ministry was the way he treated his neighbors, family and enemies. Taking a vow of poverty, he accepted a small church salary and spent the last years of his life on a Navajo reservation teaching music to children.
History
Mullins began his musical career with Zion Ministries in the late 1970s, where he wrote music and performed with a band called Zion. Zion released one album in 1981 entitled Behold the Man. While working for this ministry, Mullins penned a song called "Sing Your Praise To The Lord", which was recorded by singer Amy Grant in 1982 and became an immediate hit on Christian Radio.
In 1983, Debby Boone recorded Mullins' "O Come All Ye Faithful" for her Surrender album. In 1984, the song was also featured in a TV movie called Sins of the Past.
Mullins became a songwriter in the Contemporary Christian music industry by 1984, penning songs for Pam Mark Hall, and a second song for Amy Grant. Grant would go on to record yet another of Mullins' songs for her 1985 album, Unguarded, entitled "Love Of Another Kind".
By 1986, Mullins recorded his first, self-titled, solo project, and followed it with a second solo album in 1987 called Pictures in the Sky. Neither album had sold very well and it looked as though Pictures might be his last, until Mullins wrote a song called "Awesome God". Mullins recorded that song and released it on his third album, Winds of Heaven... Stuff of Earth and it quickly became a hit on Christian radio and a modern-day hymn sung in churches around the world.
The Winds of Heaven... Stuff of Earth album also introduced fans to the hammered dulcimer, an instrument that would become a Rich Mullins trademark.
In the early 1990s, Mullins released a pair of albums entitled The World As Best As I Remember It, volumes 1 & 2. These albums featured more of a stripped-back, acoustic feel than his earlier work, with nods to Irish music. Step By Step, a song written by good friend Beaker and included on both volumes, became an instant hit on Christian Radio, and, like "Awesome God", with worship leaders.
In 1993, Mullins assembled a group of Nashville musicians (including Jimmy Abegg, Beaker, Phil Madeira, Rick Elias, Aaron Smith) to form A Ragamuffin Band, which was named after The Ragamuffin Gospel by author Brennan Manning. The band recorded A Liturgy, A Legacy, & A Ragamuffin Band, which was later named the #3 Best Christian Album of All time by CCM Magazine. The band got together again in 1995 to record Brother's Keeper.
In 1997, Mullins teamed up with Beaker and Mitch McVicker to write a musical based on the life of St Francis of Assisi, entitled The Canticle of the Plains. Mullins had great respect for St Francis, and even formed "the Kid Brothers of St Frank" in the late 1980s with several friends, each taking a vow of poverty. Mullins was never really aware of how well his records sold, because the profits from his tours and the sale of each album went to his church, which divided it up, paid Mullins a small salary, and gave the rest to charity. Mullins was also a major supporter of Compassion International and Compassion USA.
Unfortunately, Mullins was tragically killed in a car accident on September 19, 1997. He and friend Mitch McVicker were travelling on I-39 outside Peoria, Illinois to a benefit concert in Wichita when his Jeep flipped over. Both men were thrown from the vehicle and Mullins was struck and instantly killed by a passing tractor trailer swerving to avoid the Jeep.
Shortly before his death, Mullins had made a rough tape of songs for what would have been his next album on Reunion Records; he was going to call the album "Ten Songs About Jesus." This rough microcassette recording became the basis for "The Jesus Record," which A Ragamuffin Band recorded after Mullins' death. Mullins and McVicker had also recorded what would become Mitch's first true solo album (aside from lead vocals on four songs on the Canticle of the Plains album).
At the time of his death, Mullins lived on a Navajo reservation, where he taught music to children.
Quotes
"Never forget what Jesus did for you. Never take lightly what it cost Him. And never assume that if it cost Him His very life, that it won't also cost you yours."
"So go out and live real good and I promise you'll get beat up real bad. But, in a little while after you're dead, you'll be rotted away anyway. It's not gonna matter if you have a few scars. It will matter if you didn't live."
"It's so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when people think so highly of Christian music, Contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don't know jack about anything. Not that I don't want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church.. you should read the Scriptures."
"We do not find happiness by being assertive. We don't find happiness by running over people because we see what we want and they are in the way of that happiness so we either abandon them or we smash them. The Scriptures don't teach us to be assertive. The Scriptures teach us – and this is remarkable – the Scriptures teach us to be submissive. This is not a popular idea."
"I had a prof one time... He said, 'Class, you will forget almost everything I will teach you in here, so please remember this: that God spoke to Balaam through his ass, and He has been speaking through asses ever since. So, if God should choose to speak through you, you need not think too highly of yourself. And, if on meeting someone, right away you recognize what they are, listen to them anyway."
"I think if we were given the Scriptures, it was not so that we could prove that we were right about everything. If we were given the Scriptures, it was to humble us into realizing that God is right, and the rest of us are just guessing."
"Christianity is not about building an absolutely secure little niche in the world where you can live with your perfect little wife and your perfect little children in your beautiful little house where you have no gays or minority groups anywhere near you. Christianity is about learning to love like Jesus loved and Jesus loved the poor and Jesus loved the broken."
"Bear in mind, children, that they listen to you because you are kids - not because you are right. That's how our Father listens to us."
"We never understand what we're praying, and God, in His mercy, does not answer our prayers according to our understanding, but according to His wisdom."
"Yes, it's embarrassing to be born again, but imagine how embarrassing it must have been to be born the first time. At least this time you get to wear clothes!"
"We are not saved because we're good. We're good because we're saved. Never forget what Jesus did for you."
"If you've ever known the love of God, you know it's nothing but reckless and it's nothing but raging. Sometimes it hurts to be loved, and if it doesn't hurt it's probably not love, may be infatuation. I think a lot of American people are infatuated with God, but we don't really love Him, and they don't really let Him love them. Being loved by God is one of the most painful things in the world, it's also the only thing that can bring us salvation and it's like everything else that is really wonderful, there's a little bit of pain in it, little bit of hurt."
"It's just that for so many people that I know, Christianity's this matter of ... it has everything to do with morals. Christianity is a religion about morals. And they will even talk about Jesus. And they will say kids need to know about Jesus so they won't smoke, drink, or dance, or go with girls that do, and all that kind of thing. And I kinda go, 'That's not why people need to know about Jesus. The only reason--The only possible excuse for talking about Jesus is because we need a Savior.'"
Monday, September 19, 2005
Rich Mullins: 8 years later
Today marks another milestone. Eight years ago on this date, I woke up on a Saturday morning to hear that Rich Mullins had been tragically killed in an automobile accident. I was stunned. I felt a strange sense of loss for me (and the world) yet a gain for God.
My pat answer to those people who ask that getting to know you question, "who has been the most influential person in your life" is almost always Rich Mullins. I never met Rich Mullins personally. I had the chance once; at an after-concert (September 22, 1995 at the Arena Theatre) meet and greet at the then Theophilus book store in Bellaire. Although I didn't go because after the concert I was tired and thought I'd have another chance to meet him. First lesson learned: don't take anything for granted.
Regardless of whether or not I met him personally, Rich's impact on my life has been substantial. You see, Rich really got it. Know what I mean? I mean really? When you meet someone who really gets it and maybe you haven't yet? And you're drawn in like a moth to a light... seeking to understand what they have that you want. I am richer to have learned so much from him and I thank God for that. You see, Rich didn't have the perfect life... or have it all figured out. He appreciated the unfathomable greatness of God and surrendered his imperfections... and has the perfect testimony because of it.
Just some of the things that he did stick in my head. Like the fact that he allowed his board of directors to give away his yearly earnings (millions), save a medium wage (thousands) for himself. And at the Dove Awards buffet one year (after he was a "big name"), he went behind the buffet to relieve a server who had been on his feet for a while.
I want to take a moment, in a tribute of sorts, to remember some his thoughts:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In terms of eternity, those people who did the greatest things for God were the people who weren't trying to do anything at all. They were just simply being obedient
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We all want to be useful to God. Well, its no big deal. God can use anybody. God used Nebuchadnezzar. God used Judas Iscariot. Its not a big deal to be used by God and the shocking thing in the book of Mark, and the reason why it is so shocking is because Mark is the briefest of all the gospels but he has these terrific little details and one of the little details is that it says, "and Jesus called to Him those that He wanted." And you realize that out of the twelve people that He wanted, only one was essential to His goal in coming to earth. The other eleven people were useless to Christ but they were wanted by Christ. And I kind of go, I would much rather have God want me than have God use me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The hardest part of being a Christian is surrendering and that is where the real struggle happens. Once we have overcome our own desire to be elevated, our own desire to be recognized, our own desire to be independent and all those things that we value very much because we are Americans and we are part of this American culture. Once we have overcome that struggle then God can use us as a part of His body to accomplish what the body of Christ was left here to accomplish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart. It is a book full of all the greed and glory and violence and tenderness and sex and betrayal that benefits mankind. It is not the collection of pretty little anecdotes mouthed by pious little church mice. It does not so much nibble at our shoe as it cuts to the heart and splits the marrow from bone to bone. It does not give us answers fitted to our smaller minded questions but truth that goes beyond what we even know to ask.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think you read the Bible to know truth. I think you read the Bible to find God, that we encounter Him there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And it was just a few years ago that I finally realized that friendship is not a remedy for loneliness. Loneliness is a part of our experience and if we are looking for relief from loneliness in friendship, we are only going to frustrate the friendship. Friendship, camaraderie, intimacy, all those things, and loneliness live together in the same experience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God is a good God. He will complete our lives. He will impute his holiness onto us. The wonderful thing about God is that I deeply feel that once we come into the covenant through Jesus, once we have come through the way with him, that God really sees Christ when he looks at us and the sin in our life really is buried with Christ. And when God looks on us he sees what Christ has imputed onto us. And the work of the Spirit is just to get us to catch up with what has already happened.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the big problem is that, as Christians, we forgot that our identity is wrapped up in Christ and for a long time we bought into the illusion that the will of the masses would be more generous and more benevolent than the will of one dictator. But democracy isn't necessarily bad politics, its just bad math. A thousand corrupt minds are just as evil as one corrupt mind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's so much more, so I enourage you to click on the link marked Rich Mullins and read more of his writings and his songs. They are all to the glory of God.
I leave this last part to my friends at Houston's First Baptist Church who have ventured out, with the grace and mercy of God, to start a new Sunday School class...
All for now,
Lisa
Today marks another milestone. Eight years ago on this date, I woke up on a Saturday morning to hear that Rich Mullins had been tragically killed in an automobile accident. I was stunned. I felt a strange sense of loss for me (and the world) yet a gain for God.
My pat answer to those people who ask that getting to know you question, "who has been the most influential person in your life" is almost always Rich Mullins. I never met Rich Mullins personally. I had the chance once; at an after-concert (September 22, 1995 at the Arena Theatre) meet and greet at the then Theophilus book store in Bellaire. Although I didn't go because after the concert I was tired and thought I'd have another chance to meet him. First lesson learned: don't take anything for granted.
Regardless of whether or not I met him personally, Rich's impact on my life has been substantial. You see, Rich really got it. Know what I mean? I mean really? When you meet someone who really gets it and maybe you haven't yet? And you're drawn in like a moth to a light... seeking to understand what they have that you want. I am richer to have learned so much from him and I thank God for that. You see, Rich didn't have the perfect life... or have it all figured out. He appreciated the unfathomable greatness of God and surrendered his imperfections... and has the perfect testimony because of it.
Just some of the things that he did stick in my head. Like the fact that he allowed his board of directors to give away his yearly earnings (millions), save a medium wage (thousands) for himself. And at the Dove Awards buffet one year (after he was a "big name"), he went behind the buffet to relieve a server who had been on his feet for a while.
I want to take a moment, in a tribute of sorts, to remember some his thoughts:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In terms of eternity, those people who did the greatest things for God were the people who weren't trying to do anything at all. They were just simply being obedient
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We all want to be useful to God. Well, its no big deal. God can use anybody. God used Nebuchadnezzar. God used Judas Iscariot. Its not a big deal to be used by God and the shocking thing in the book of Mark, and the reason why it is so shocking is because Mark is the briefest of all the gospels but he has these terrific little details and one of the little details is that it says, "and Jesus called to Him those that He wanted." And you realize that out of the twelve people that He wanted, only one was essential to His goal in coming to earth. The other eleven people were useless to Christ but they were wanted by Christ. And I kind of go, I would much rather have God want me than have God use me.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The hardest part of being a Christian is surrendering and that is where the real struggle happens. Once we have overcome our own desire to be elevated, our own desire to be recognized, our own desire to be independent and all those things that we value very much because we are Americans and we are part of this American culture. Once we have overcome that struggle then God can use us as a part of His body to accomplish what the body of Christ was left here to accomplish.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bible is not a book for the faint of heart. It is a book full of all the greed and glory and violence and tenderness and sex and betrayal that benefits mankind. It is not the collection of pretty little anecdotes mouthed by pious little church mice. It does not so much nibble at our shoe as it cuts to the heart and splits the marrow from bone to bone. It does not give us answers fitted to our smaller minded questions but truth that goes beyond what we even know to ask.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I don't think you read the Bible to know truth. I think you read the Bible to find God, that we encounter Him there.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And it was just a few years ago that I finally realized that friendship is not a remedy for loneliness. Loneliness is a part of our experience and if we are looking for relief from loneliness in friendship, we are only going to frustrate the friendship. Friendship, camaraderie, intimacy, all those things, and loneliness live together in the same experience.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
God is a good God. He will complete our lives. He will impute his holiness onto us. The wonderful thing about God is that I deeply feel that once we come into the covenant through Jesus, once we have come through the way with him, that God really sees Christ when he looks at us and the sin in our life really is buried with Christ. And when God looks on us he sees what Christ has imputed onto us. And the work of the Spirit is just to get us to catch up with what has already happened.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think the big problem is that, as Christians, we forgot that our identity is wrapped up in Christ and for a long time we bought into the illusion that the will of the masses would be more generous and more benevolent than the will of one dictator. But democracy isn't necessarily bad politics, its just bad math. A thousand corrupt minds are just as evil as one corrupt mind.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's so much more, so I enourage you to click on the link marked Rich Mullins and read more of his writings and his songs. They are all to the glory of God.
I leave this last part to my friends at Houston's First Baptist Church who have ventured out, with the grace and mercy of God, to start a new Sunday School class...
Rich's walk with Christ was highly influenced by a book by Brennan Manning
entitled "The Ragamuffin Gospel". And in that book Mr. Manning wrote, among
other things, "The ragamuffin gospel reveals that Jesus forgives sins including
sins of the flesh, that He is comfortable with sinners who remember how to show
compassion, but that He cannot and will not have a relationship with pretenders
in the Spirit." Rich Mullins was certainly no pretender. He was the real deal.
-- John Rivers, 20 the countdown magazine tribute to Rich Mullins
All for now,
Lisa
Sunday, September 11, 2005
The River Side vs. The Lake Side
The other day, I was talking to a New Orleans native about the flooding. Although a lot of New Orleans received some sort of flooding, she was telling me the areas most impacted. As she was explaining to me the areas, I could tell she also was analyzing it in her head. She finally said, "You know, it seems that the areas most impacted are on the Lake [Ponchatrain] side vs. the [Mississippi] River side". Then she said something that really got me to thinking... "I guess the silt built up by the river reinforced the levees".
I couldn't help but see a spiritual analogy here. Strength from movement. Weakness from lack of movement. I'm sure it still doesn't make sense. Let me explain with another water analogy.
In Israel, the Sea of Galilee is freshwater lake fed by three rivers. The beautiful lake is completely encircled by a beach and is a popular tourist attraction. The water is cool and clear and contains many varieties of fish (including the most famous "St. Peter's Fish"). Out of the Sea of Galilee flows another freshwater river... the very famous Jordan River. The Jordan River flows south and empties into the Dead Sea... which is, as we all know, saltwater. OK... freshwater, freshwater, saltwater. Why?
You see the Sea of Galilee has an input (three rivers) and an output (Jordan River) -- movement. The Dea Sea only has an input; no output -- no movement.
Ok, let me get to the bottom line: in our lives, there has to be inputs and outputs... movement... for strength, for life. I remember Beth Moore calling it the "breathing in" and "breathing out" of Christ. Breathing in is the study, meditation, prayer and the breathing out is the worship, service, and works. Without both, we are succeptible, just like those levees, to failing to be what we are called to be.
Are you on the river side or the lake side?
All for now,
Lisa
P.S. And you know what? I love that these analogies involve water...
The other day, I was talking to a New Orleans native about the flooding. Although a lot of New Orleans received some sort of flooding, she was telling me the areas most impacted. As she was explaining to me the areas, I could tell she also was analyzing it in her head. She finally said, "You know, it seems that the areas most impacted are on the Lake [Ponchatrain] side vs. the [Mississippi] River side". Then she said something that really got me to thinking... "I guess the silt built up by the river reinforced the levees".
I couldn't help but see a spiritual analogy here. Strength from movement. Weakness from lack of movement. I'm sure it still doesn't make sense. Let me explain with another water analogy.
In Israel, the Sea of Galilee is freshwater lake fed by three rivers. The beautiful lake is completely encircled by a beach and is a popular tourist attraction. The water is cool and clear and contains many varieties of fish (including the most famous "St. Peter's Fish"). Out of the Sea of Galilee flows another freshwater river... the very famous Jordan River. The Jordan River flows south and empties into the Dead Sea... which is, as we all know, saltwater. OK... freshwater, freshwater, saltwater. Why?
You see the Sea of Galilee has an input (three rivers) and an output (Jordan River) -- movement. The Dea Sea only has an input; no output -- no movement.
Ok, let me get to the bottom line: in our lives, there has to be inputs and outputs... movement... for strength, for life. I remember Beth Moore calling it the "breathing in" and "breathing out" of Christ. Breathing in is the study, meditation, prayer and the breathing out is the worship, service, and works. Without both, we are succeptible, just like those levees, to failing to be what we are called to be.
Are you on the river side or the lake side?
All for now,
Lisa
P.S. And you know what? I love that these analogies involve water...
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
John 4:10
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Days at the Dome: The Anatomy of Spiritual Failure and Where to Go from There
Guest Blogger: Judy Wu
It is an honor to have a friend such as Judy Wu relate her experiences at the Reliant Center and the Dome. If you don't know Judy, she is an extremely bright person and a woman whose walk with Christ is commendable. I appreciate her honesty and transprency here. I'm sure you'll agree with me that what she shares tells a story of grace and mercy.
All for now,
Lisa
Dear Friends in Christ,
Like most of you, I've watched television coverage of the Katrina disaster and about the tens of thousands of people streaming into the Astrodome and other parts of Houston for refuge. I wanted to help. I wanted to go “be the hands and feet of Jesus.” Being medically trained, I felt like I had some specific skills to offer. And I live only 2.5 miles from the Astrodome/Reliant complex. Friday night, I decided to volunteer my medical skills at the Dome. On my way there, I asked that the Lord to put me in a useful place. I ended up being assigned to the triage clinic in the Reliant Center where people were beginning to arrive. The Astrodome was well covered and they didn’t need any more people there. But the pace was rather slow at Reliant Center, since only a few buses had arrived there. I began to indulge a complaining spirit. This was not the heroic medical work I had envisioned. But people did start coming in, and I did see a few patients and get to help some people who needed it: a heart patient, one with a knee injury, one with multiple medical problems, one with pink eye, etc. They told me their stories of survival and the horrors in the Superdome. I listened attentively and offered comfort. They were so grateful to be treated with kindness after what they had been through. And then I left.
The next morning, I realized that I had not offered to pray with a single patient. I never mentioned Jesus to anyone. Why? I was not short on time. No one was threatening to fire me if I did. It would not have been awkward or conspicuous. It just… didn’t occur to me. I was too obsessed with my own usefulness, with my own ability to render aid, with the medical problems before me. How could I forget to do the most important thing? It gets worse…
I actually went into the Astrodome the following day. I could focus on the good that I did – and I did do some good – but I really want to share with you my most significant failures because I think that many fellow believers will benefit from my experience and hopefully be able to avoid them. Two patient interactions are forever burned onto my heart and mind. One woman was brought to me complaining of pain related to a previous injury. I asked her what the injury was, and she said she had been stabbed in the shoulder by her ex-husband some years ago. She said that her doctor in New Orleans had been prescribing a potent muscle relaxant and a narcotic, and that she was out and in severe pain. The medications she named, incidentally, have high addiction potential. I examined her and failed to find a scar. So I knew she was lying. But this went through my mind: Obviously she is a drug seeker, but she deserves to have some relief because of what she has just gone through. I didn’t have the heart (or the guts) to call out her dishonesty because I felt like it would have been cruel. (What??!!) So what did I do? I wrote her a prescription for a 10-20-day supply (I don’t remember exactly). I didn’t give her the narcotic pain medication she asked for in addition to that – just enough of the muscle relaxant to placate her. And I sent her on her way. (WHAT??!!) But wait… it gets worse…
A 17-year old boy was brought to me for diarrhea (that’s what he told the nurse), but as it turns out, he was having symptoms indicative of a sexually transmitted disease. He had been scheduled for an appointment at a clinic in New Orleans, but because the hurricane hit, he never got to go. So I gave him an antibiotic prescription and exhorted him strongly to take all of it as written or something worse could happen. And then I said, “If you’re going to have sex, use protection.” (WHAT??!!! I sound like Planned Parenthood!) As I said it, I went through these steps: “No, you should be telling him to abstain. Yeah, right, like he’s going to do that. Oh well, it’s too late to take back what I just said, and it’s just going to sound stupid anyway. His entire culture supports that behavior.” And then I sent him on his way.
Now… if this were not my story and it were someone else’s story, I would be all over that person for walking in unbelief, believing the lies of the devil, buying into the philosophies of the world… you name it, I could dissect out all the problems in great detail. But it’s my own story. And unfortunately, I can do all those things too, but at the end of the day, it’s not just an academic exercise – it’s real life affecting real people, and it involves my very real shortcomings. Realization and conviction for all these things hit me yesterday, and I wept bitterly over the opportunities I didn’t recognize and are now forever gone, the genuine God-given usefulness that I overlooked and thus squandered, and for the pride in my heart that made it all possible. My narcissistic drive to be heroic ended in brokenhearted-ness over my utter failure, my denial of Christ and a profound sense of the significance of what I had and had not done. Unlike the Apostle Paul, I could not say, “I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:26,27) I remembered all these stories that I have studied and taught – the man Jesus healed by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5), the woman at the well (John 4), and how Jesus always called people to a higher plane of living, out of darkness and into light. I settled for the lowest common denominator.
I walked away from those experiences feeling as if I had been tossed about on the waves. I had forgotten to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), I went without prayer support, without another believer with me (Jesus sent his disciples out in twos), without having spent time in prayer with God, and thinking that I could somehow accomplish something significant in my own strength based on my worldly skills, biblical knowledge, and history of evangelistic training. As a result, when God brought these opportunities before me, I didn’t recognize them for what they were, I was vulnerable to believing the enemy’s lies, susceptible to operating out of my sinful nature, and I ended up doing nothing of eternal significance. How’s that for a day’s work? I felt strong going in, but I was found to be weak and inadequate. I share this not out of a place of self-condemnation (that’s where I started), but out of knowing that God can redeem even the worst failures, that He intends for us to be fruitful, and that He will empower us for the tasks before us as long as we walk closely with Him and let Him keep our own sin from ruling us.
Folks, the ubelieving world can meet physical and emotional needs, can offer a listening ear, can show compassion. We as believers must do all that and more. Even in the midst of outwardly serving others, I in my self-absorption lost sight of the fact that I have been entrusted the message of eternal life and that it is the only hope that people really have in this world. If we want to help the masses of people that have been brought to our door, we have to believe that God can do a miracle at every turn. We have to see beyond the circumstances related to the disaster and see into their souls. We must do people a service by calling out their sin and calling them to repent, and we must trust the Holy Spirit to work. Don’t be caught off guard like I was. Be prepared. Spend time with God and get His perspective. Let Him remind you afresh of what you already know and have studied. Because when you go to serve these dear, displaced people, you will be entering the enemy’s territory. Without the belt of truth buckled around your waist, you’ll be susceptible to falling for the same lies that I did. Without the breastplate of righteousness, you’ll be willing to indulge/make excuses other people’s sin, and you will fail to have a redemptive effect on their lives. Without feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, you will literally forget what your chief calling is in every interaction. Without the shield of faith, you will settle for the lowest common denominator and fail to trust God to transform the life in front of you. Without the sword of the Spirit, you’ll be making human judgments instead of exercising truthful and spiritual discernment. I know. I’ve been there recently. May the Lord grant us grace, strength, power, wisdom, and humility.
Love in Christ,
Judy
Guest Blogger: Judy Wu
It is an honor to have a friend such as Judy Wu relate her experiences at the Reliant Center and the Dome. If you don't know Judy, she is an extremely bright person and a woman whose walk with Christ is commendable. I appreciate her honesty and transprency here. I'm sure you'll agree with me that what she shares tells a story of grace and mercy.
All for now,
Lisa
Dear Friends in Christ,
Like most of you, I've watched television coverage of the Katrina disaster and about the tens of thousands of people streaming into the Astrodome and other parts of Houston for refuge. I wanted to help. I wanted to go “be the hands and feet of Jesus.” Being medically trained, I felt like I had some specific skills to offer. And I live only 2.5 miles from the Astrodome/Reliant complex. Friday night, I decided to volunteer my medical skills at the Dome. On my way there, I asked that the Lord to put me in a useful place. I ended up being assigned to the triage clinic in the Reliant Center where people were beginning to arrive. The Astrodome was well covered and they didn’t need any more people there. But the pace was rather slow at Reliant Center, since only a few buses had arrived there. I began to indulge a complaining spirit. This was not the heroic medical work I had envisioned. But people did start coming in, and I did see a few patients and get to help some people who needed it: a heart patient, one with a knee injury, one with multiple medical problems, one with pink eye, etc. They told me their stories of survival and the horrors in the Superdome. I listened attentively and offered comfort. They were so grateful to be treated with kindness after what they had been through. And then I left.
The next morning, I realized that I had not offered to pray with a single patient. I never mentioned Jesus to anyone. Why? I was not short on time. No one was threatening to fire me if I did. It would not have been awkward or conspicuous. It just… didn’t occur to me. I was too obsessed with my own usefulness, with my own ability to render aid, with the medical problems before me. How could I forget to do the most important thing? It gets worse…
I actually went into the Astrodome the following day. I could focus on the good that I did – and I did do some good – but I really want to share with you my most significant failures because I think that many fellow believers will benefit from my experience and hopefully be able to avoid them. Two patient interactions are forever burned onto my heart and mind. One woman was brought to me complaining of pain related to a previous injury. I asked her what the injury was, and she said she had been stabbed in the shoulder by her ex-husband some years ago. She said that her doctor in New Orleans had been prescribing a potent muscle relaxant and a narcotic, and that she was out and in severe pain. The medications she named, incidentally, have high addiction potential. I examined her and failed to find a scar. So I knew she was lying. But this went through my mind: Obviously she is a drug seeker, but she deserves to have some relief because of what she has just gone through. I didn’t have the heart (or the guts) to call out her dishonesty because I felt like it would have been cruel. (What??!!) So what did I do? I wrote her a prescription for a 10-20-day supply (I don’t remember exactly). I didn’t give her the narcotic pain medication she asked for in addition to that – just enough of the muscle relaxant to placate her. And I sent her on her way. (WHAT??!!) But wait… it gets worse…
A 17-year old boy was brought to me for diarrhea (that’s what he told the nurse), but as it turns out, he was having symptoms indicative of a sexually transmitted disease. He had been scheduled for an appointment at a clinic in New Orleans, but because the hurricane hit, he never got to go. So I gave him an antibiotic prescription and exhorted him strongly to take all of it as written or something worse could happen. And then I said, “If you’re going to have sex, use protection.” (WHAT??!!! I sound like Planned Parenthood!) As I said it, I went through these steps: “No, you should be telling him to abstain. Yeah, right, like he’s going to do that. Oh well, it’s too late to take back what I just said, and it’s just going to sound stupid anyway. His entire culture supports that behavior.” And then I sent him on his way.
Now… if this were not my story and it were someone else’s story, I would be all over that person for walking in unbelief, believing the lies of the devil, buying into the philosophies of the world… you name it, I could dissect out all the problems in great detail. But it’s my own story. And unfortunately, I can do all those things too, but at the end of the day, it’s not just an academic exercise – it’s real life affecting real people, and it involves my very real shortcomings. Realization and conviction for all these things hit me yesterday, and I wept bitterly over the opportunities I didn’t recognize and are now forever gone, the genuine God-given usefulness that I overlooked and thus squandered, and for the pride in my heart that made it all possible. My narcissistic drive to be heroic ended in brokenhearted-ness over my utter failure, my denial of Christ and a profound sense of the significance of what I had and had not done. Unlike the Apostle Paul, I could not say, “I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.” (Acts 20:26,27) I remembered all these stories that I have studied and taught – the man Jesus healed by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5), the woman at the well (John 4), and how Jesus always called people to a higher plane of living, out of darkness and into light. I settled for the lowest common denominator.
I walked away from those experiences feeling as if I had been tossed about on the waves. I had forgotten to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6), I went without prayer support, without another believer with me (Jesus sent his disciples out in twos), without having spent time in prayer with God, and thinking that I could somehow accomplish something significant in my own strength based on my worldly skills, biblical knowledge, and history of evangelistic training. As a result, when God brought these opportunities before me, I didn’t recognize them for what they were, I was vulnerable to believing the enemy’s lies, susceptible to operating out of my sinful nature, and I ended up doing nothing of eternal significance. How’s that for a day’s work? I felt strong going in, but I was found to be weak and inadequate. I share this not out of a place of self-condemnation (that’s where I started), but out of knowing that God can redeem even the worst failures, that He intends for us to be fruitful, and that He will empower us for the tasks before us as long as we walk closely with Him and let Him keep our own sin from ruling us.
Folks, the ubelieving world can meet physical and emotional needs, can offer a listening ear, can show compassion. We as believers must do all that and more. Even in the midst of outwardly serving others, I in my self-absorption lost sight of the fact that I have been entrusted the message of eternal life and that it is the only hope that people really have in this world. If we want to help the masses of people that have been brought to our door, we have to believe that God can do a miracle at every turn. We have to see beyond the circumstances related to the disaster and see into their souls. We must do people a service by calling out their sin and calling them to repent, and we must trust the Holy Spirit to work. Don’t be caught off guard like I was. Be prepared. Spend time with God and get His perspective. Let Him remind you afresh of what you already know and have studied. Because when you go to serve these dear, displaced people, you will be entering the enemy’s territory. Without the belt of truth buckled around your waist, you’ll be susceptible to falling for the same lies that I did. Without the breastplate of righteousness, you’ll be willing to indulge/make excuses other people’s sin, and you will fail to have a redemptive effect on their lives. Without feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, you will literally forget what your chief calling is in every interaction. Without the shield of faith, you will settle for the lowest common denominator and fail to trust God to transform the life in front of you. Without the sword of the Spirit, you’ll be making human judgments instead of exercising truthful and spiritual discernment. I know. I’ve been there recently. May the Lord grant us grace, strength, power, wisdom, and humility.
Love in Christ,
Judy
Hold Me Jesus
This song has gone through my head a million times since Katrina hit land. Thought I would share it with you.
Hold Me Jesus
Rich Mullins: A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band
Well, sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
I'm singing hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Copyright 1993 - Edward Grant, Inc.
This song has gone through my head a million times since Katrina hit land. Thought I would share it with you.
Hold Me Jesus
Rich Mullins: A Liturgy, a Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band
Well, sometimes my life just don't make sense at all
When the mountains look so big
And my faith just seems so small
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear there must be blisters on my heart
So hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Surrender don't come natural to me
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
Than to take what You give that I need
And I've beat my head against so many walls
Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees
And this Salvation Army band is playing this hymn
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin
I'm singing hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
You have been King of my glory
Won't You be my Prince of Peace
Copyright 1993 - Edward Grant, Inc.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Overwhelmed
Phooey. If that were the case then it must follow that we can handle absolutely everything. How does one handle a situation like a loved one suffocating to death in an attic because of rising waters, or dying slowly because of dehydration? Simple answer: one doesn't. At least not on his/her own. In my experience, God often gives me more than I can handle. If He didn’t, I wouldn't be as dependent on Him as I need to be. But please don’t misinterpret this as I’m always willing to be dependent on Him as I need to be. I confess that even when I know God is in the midst of it, there are times when life's situations seem to be too unbearable, which often leads me to taking matters into my hands. And, as you might imagine, that’s when the real trouble begins! But I digress.
This below scripture is often touted as the "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" proof.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it
(1 Cor.10:13)
The part I want to focus on is that when we are tempted, God will provide a way of escape without giving into sin. The important part here is that you won't give into sin. What does God plan for... our temptation or our good? I rest in the following:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Sorry for the somewhat inappropriate pun here, but I can't think of a better word to use. Hurricane Katrina has brought to me a flood of emotions.
Yes, I'm overwhelmed by all of the destruction. The devastation delivered by Hurricane Katrina is evident throughout the Gulf Coast, not just the well-publicized New Orleans -- which was hit very hard also. Hurricane Katrina is now being called the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
But might I also say, at the same time, I'm besieged by what I see from human behavior in response to the tragedy -- the juxtaposition of the generosity of people willing to give so much and so readily and the greed and lawlessness of looters willing to take so much and so readily.
The weird thing is that I can identify with the heart and motivation of each. I know “how can I help” has gone through my head countless times since I heard about the effects of Katrina. I also know that I probably would go to pretty severe means to provide for my loved ones. Their desperation is palpable... losing hope can be a grim experience.
All of this got me thinking about when it seems like life has brought more of a load than others or I can bear. Then, this simple statement came to mind
Yes, I'm overwhelmed by all of the destruction. The devastation delivered by Hurricane Katrina is evident throughout the Gulf Coast, not just the well-publicized New Orleans -- which was hit very hard also. Hurricane Katrina is now being called the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
But might I also say, at the same time, I'm besieged by what I see from human behavior in response to the tragedy -- the juxtaposition of the generosity of people willing to give so much and so readily and the greed and lawlessness of looters willing to take so much and so readily.
The weird thing is that I can identify with the heart and motivation of each. I know “how can I help” has gone through my head countless times since I heard about the effects of Katrina. I also know that I probably would go to pretty severe means to provide for my loved ones. Their desperation is palpable... losing hope can be a grim experience.
All of this got me thinking about when it seems like life has brought more of a load than others or I can bear. Then, this simple statement came to mind
God doesn't give you more than you can handle
Phooey. If that were the case then it must follow that we can handle absolutely everything. How does one handle a situation like a loved one suffocating to death in an attic because of rising waters, or dying slowly because of dehydration? Simple answer: one doesn't. At least not on his/her own. In my experience, God often gives me more than I can handle. If He didn’t, I wouldn't be as dependent on Him as I need to be. But please don’t misinterpret this as I’m always willing to be dependent on Him as I need to be. I confess that even when I know God is in the midst of it, there are times when life's situations seem to be too unbearable, which often leads me to taking matters into my hands. And, as you might imagine, that’s when the real trouble begins! But I digress.
This below scripture is often touted as the "God doesn't give you more than you can handle" proof.
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it
(1 Cor.10:13)
The part I want to focus on is that when we are tempted, God will provide a way of escape without giving into sin. The important part here is that you won't give into sin. What does God plan for... our temptation or our good? I rest in the following:
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Friday, September 02, 2005
Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts: WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you're like me, “how can I help” has gone through your head countless times since we've heard about the effects of Katrina. So, let me provide some information for your use. As the Nike commercial says, "Just do it". By the way, I've cut and pasted these from a variety of places... this is just a "one stop shop". My thanks to all... I really can't remember where I found them all.
1. Pray
This is not an option! And before you do any of the below, please be in prayer. Realize that this disaster has impacted everyone to some extent. And from what I've heard about the shelters, people are much sicker than first realized, they're scared, frustrated, and losing hope. Be sensitive to the stress level. And when you're out there, take a moment to make certain that your well-meaning actions do not inadvertently add more stress. Sometimes, just sitting out for a moment to take it in and pray can be more effective than anything else.
2. Give (and it can be more than money)
Give blood
http://www.giveblood.org/
There are a variety of ways to give money
HFBC: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund. Go to http://www.houstonsfirst.org and click on "Gulf Coast Disaster Relief". I understand that all one-time donations made this week on the web will automatically be sent to the disaster relief fund.
Red Cross: For Donations call 1-800-HELP NOW or go to https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
Salvation Army: For Donations of Money and/or Goods call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to https://secure3.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&projectid=USN-hurricane05
3. Go
If you're interested in volunteering, sign up at http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/ . This is the official volunteer effort of Harris County. When you sign up you will receive updates on the needs at shelters across the city.
Be aware that, in accordance with federal law, all volunteers are required to complete a two-hour training session before assisting with the relief efforts. These training sessions will be held at Second Baptist Worship Center on the following dates:
Saturday, 9/3 - 9:00 am
Sunday, 9/4 - 2:00 pm
Monday, 9/5 - 1:00 pm
You can volunteer to serve meals at HFBC. For details, call 713.957.5845
More Information:
The United Way has set up a daily-updated website which is a compilation of all the different organizations and locations
http://katrina.uwtgc.org/index.html
Any thoughts?
Lisa
If you're like me, “how can I help” has gone through your head countless times since we've heard about the effects of Katrina. So, let me provide some information for your use. As the Nike commercial says, "Just do it". By the way, I've cut and pasted these from a variety of places... this is just a "one stop shop". My thanks to all... I really can't remember where I found them all.
1. Pray
This is not an option! And before you do any of the below, please be in prayer. Realize that this disaster has impacted everyone to some extent. And from what I've heard about the shelters, people are much sicker than first realized, they're scared, frustrated, and losing hope. Be sensitive to the stress level. And when you're out there, take a moment to make certain that your well-meaning actions do not inadvertently add more stress. Sometimes, just sitting out for a moment to take it in and pray can be more effective than anything else.
2. Give (and it can be more than money)
Give blood
http://www.giveblood.org/
There are a variety of ways to give money
HFBC: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund. Go to http://www.houstonsfirst.org and click on "Gulf Coast Disaster Relief". I understand that all one-time donations made this week on the web will automatically be sent to the disaster relief fund.
Red Cross: For Donations call 1-800-HELP NOW or go to https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp
Salvation Army: For Donations of Money and/or Goods call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or go to https://secure3.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&projectid=USN-hurricane05
3. Go
If you're interested in volunteering, sign up at http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/ . This is the official volunteer effort of Harris County. When you sign up you will receive updates on the needs at shelters across the city.
Be aware that, in accordance with federal law, all volunteers are required to complete a two-hour training session before assisting with the relief efforts. These training sessions will be held at Second Baptist Worship Center on the following dates:
Saturday, 9/3 - 9:00 am
Sunday, 9/4 - 2:00 pm
Monday, 9/5 - 1:00 pm
You can volunteer to serve meals at HFBC. For details, call 713.957.5845
More Information:
The United Way has set up a daily-updated website which is a compilation of all the different organizations and locations
http://katrina.uwtgc.org/index.html
Any thoughts?
Lisa
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)