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Saving the Lives of Malnourished Children

My good friend Paige Strackman was recently reminded by a friend in Haiti that children there and many other countries are either dying of malnutrition or given away by their parents because food and medical care is so scarce. This should be heartbreaking to all of us. Especially since it is something that can and should be addressed.

We’ve all seen and heard stories like this before. But, few do anything about it. That’s not Paige. She submitted a plan to American Express as a part of their Member’s Project. An advisory panel chose 25 projects from the 1,190 submissions. Paige’s project is a part of the top 5 chosen by AMEX card holders. This means her project is guaranteed at least $100,000.

But, that’s nothing compared to how many children could be fed if her project wins the $1.5 million dollar grand prize. If you are an AMEX card holder, stop what you are doing and GO HERE. Read about her project and vote. It’s free and could change the lives of many children.

As an added bonus, I have promised Paige that I will record a music video of me dancing to any song she chooses when she wins it all. That in itself is worth voting for. Will you help feed hungry kids? VOTE NOW!

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President Jackson speaks on the financial bailout

President Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, addressed a delegation of bankers in 1832 in a “Come to Jesus” meeting:

Gentlemen, I have had men watching you for a long time, and I am convinced that you have used the funds of the bank to speculate in the breadstuffs of the country. When you won, you divided the profits amongst you, and when you lost, you charged it to the bank.

You tell me that if I take the deposits from the bank and annul its charter, I shall ruin ten thousand families. That may be true, gentlemen, but that is your sin! Should I let you go on, you will ruin fifty thousand families, and that would be my sin!

You are a den of vipers and thieves. I intend to rout you out, and by the eternal God, I will rout you out.

I think that about sums it up.

[via Brad Ruggles]

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Weekend Recap

• Yesterday, we lost control of our house and stage lighting about 30 minutes before start time. Carolyn was able to get a very basic lighting setup by “Go Time”. But, there was no haze and none of our intelligent spots were able to work.
• I can’t figure out why vendors and manufacturers don’t do a better job of servicing their products. Carolyn has been on the phone with our local vendor and the manufacturer. But the board is still not working. Are you listening LSC? Our lighting board has had problems since the very beginning. Please fix it!
• Even without the haze or intelligent lights worship was awesome! Even though our lighting board may be a thorn in our flesh, God was celebrated in our service.
• We also did our first test of live streaming the video our message over the ‘net. The picture was sub-par and the audio left a lot to be desired. But, IT WORKED! I am so excited about what this means for ROCK Church! Carolyn and her team are incredible. They are already strategizing how to fix all of the issues so we can go live in the next few weeks.
• 4 people raised their hands yesterday to give their lives to Christ! I think that makes 22 over the last 3 Sundays. Thank you, Jesus!
• There were 35 kids in 2xTreme! That many 10-12 year olds in 1 room is a sight to behold. Eric Flore has been doing an amazing job teaching on Creationism. Our oldest son, Gabriel, turns 13 at the end of next month and he was concerned that he would have to leave before Eric finished his series. That’s what I like to hear.
• Today, Kyle Runner starts as the new leader for our Video Production Team. How many are on this team? Counting Kyle, we have 1. I love that Kyle has caught the vision to start. He quit his job to join our team volunteering to develop this new ministry. Big vision attracts visionaries and Kyle is definitely a visionary. Welcome to the team!
• On Saturday, Adam scored another touchdown and pulled several key flags to help his team command a dominating win. Woohoo!
• Noah’s team on the other hand just couldn’t pull it together in their game against the Panthers. Daryl is on the coaching staff of the Panthers and he had the nerve to text me this after the game… “You can’t mess with the favor of God.” OUCH! But, on Saturday, I think he was right.
• Speaking of Daryl, the Lifepoint guys hit it out of the park this weekend. They gave away gas to 250 people as a way to bless the community and let them know about their new move to Ashley High School. Go Lifepoint Go!
• Jennifer and I are gearing up for our trip to Catalyst next week. I can’t wait to see what God does to us while there.
• This week, Matthew celebrates his 2nd anniversary on our staff as our youth pastor. Jen and I had Matthew and his new bride, Jennifer, over Friday night for shrimp and grits. Matthew, I can’t imagine not having you on the team for the last 2 years. Where we are today has been dramatically affected by your vision and commitment. Thank you for believing in the dream.

I’ve typed enough. Stay tuned. There is a lot coming soon. God is up to something huge.

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Three attitudes God can use 3 of 3

I’LL GIVE MY LIFE TO SERVE NOT BE SERVED

A spoiled, whining, irritable kid in the grocery store complaining about the food choice. Their mother had a cart full of food for their family. But, it wasn’t enough. They wanted something else. They didn’t like the food that was being purchased for them and their family. Nothing the mother said appeased them.

They wanted a different kind of meat. The cereal was not to their liking. They commented that there was too much in the cart for their younger siblings and not enough for them. They made a spectacle in the store and shamed their mother when they said, “It would have been better if I was an only child!”

The saddest part was that this spoiled teenager could have been helping their mother plan and prepare for their family instead of pointing out what she was doing wrong in their eyes.

Contrast that with the teenager who gave up their summers in a row to serve on the mission field in India ministering to hurting people. They were chased out of villages by villagers with machetes and forced to hide in rice fields. They did it because people needed to hear how much God loved them.

When this teenager returned home from those trips, it was with a new understanding that we as Americans have too much given to us. They also realized that there were people hurting in their city as well. Their missions trip help them discover their own need to grow up and serve others.

One young person wanted to be served. The other learned that it was more important to serve those around them.

True love says, “I’ll eat after my younger siblings eat. In fact, I’ll help feed them!”

God is looking for servants who will take joy in seeing others eat first. He wants His kids to grow up and help him feed our younger siblings.

It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. I Corinthians 13:11

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Three attitudes God can use 2 of 3

I CAN’T BELIEVE I GET TO DO THIS!

My first job working for someone other than family was at Steve’s Bike Shop in Panama City, Florida. Steve paid me very little, worked me like a dog, gave me some of the dirtiest jobs ever and I loved it. In the summer, I often worked in an shed that was not air-conditioned working with paint stripper. In the winter, I often worked in an unheated shed working with paint stripper. Most of my meager paychecks were spent on parts for my bike.

In reality, I was so young that Steve probably lost money on me. But, he believed in me and taught me a strong work ethic. I was honored to work with him every day. I would ride my bike or run to work and think, “I can’t believe I get to do this!”

I joined the paid staff at ROCK Church over 17 years ago as a college student. I had the very illustrious title of “Pastor’s Assistant.” That titled gave me the privilege of running errands, cleaning toilets, vacuuming floors, running more errands and cleaning more toilets (church folks can mess up a toilet). I couldn’t believe someone would pay me to do those things.

I would volunteer for any and every area that I was allowed.

• Children’s ministry? I’m in!
• Youth ministry? Are you serious? Absolutely!
• Setup team? I’ll be there early. Can I work the tear down team too?
• Landscaping work days? We’ll be there.
• Inner City Fun Day? I’ll setup, tear down, run sound AND take pictures.
• Media Center, Café, Men’s Ministry, Ladies’ Ministry, Senior Citizen Prom, Wednesday night prayer, Thursday night band practice, Friday Small Group? YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!

Do you remember when work and service felt like that? Do you feel that way today, or is it a drudgery? What about the work of God’s Kingdom? Has it lost it’s luster for you?

I believe God is looking for someone who says, “I can’t believe I get to do this!” God uses those who take joy in serving Him.

You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at his commands,” says the LORD Almighty. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and mutilated, crippled and sick — presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD. Malachi 1:13 NLT

Then I said, “Look, I have come. And this has been written about me in your scroll: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.” Psalms 40:7-8 NLT

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