I wonder if we could create a new rhythm when it comes to holidays and birthdays. At the present and in times past these occasions tend to make us lean towards selfishness and have sent us on a mission to satisfy OUR needs. But, what if we used these occasions to satisfy the needs of OTHERS? After all, what needs do we really have? Are they really needs or just merely wants? If you look at the world around you you will see greater needs than that of your own. The beautiful thing is that you and I, we have the influence and the resources to provide some of those needs. So I say, why not? It starts by simply stepping out of your original mind set and or comfort zone and creating a new rhythm in your life to bring awareness and provision to the greater needs of human beings across this world. We can make an impact today. Instead of sending me a card or a gift, make a donation to provide clean water to a community in need. Since I will be completing my 28th year I thought it might be cool if you could give $28 towards the cause. 100% of your donation will go towards clean water. Lets do this thing! You can change a life today and celebrate mine at the same time


Check out my @mycharitywater campaign.  Help me raise money for clean water for my bday.  http://www.mycharitywater.org/givenow

In case you care, here is a list of books that I am currently reading. I always get inspired when I see what other people are reading so if this is helpful then so be it, if not, then so be it again.

Radical - by David Platt
Purple Cow - by Seth Godin
Forgotten God - by Francis Chan
Sun Stand Still - by Steven Furtick
Building Social Business - by Muhammad Yunis
I currently find myself reading through the Psalms in our Bible Reading Plan

Enjoy!

I was reading an article recently that shared a blurb from the American Census Bureau. It stated that last year Americans spent 41 million dollars on pumpkins most of them only to cut up and set by the front door. I wonder if it is worth us rethinking how we celebrate holidays. That is a sickening fact. It is time that Americans begin to rethink the celebration of our holidays and see how we can divert the usual monetary flow for the greater good of the world. Think about it. What if we created a holiday were one day every year we gave over 41 million dollars to provide clean water for the different countries in need which in return would prevent diseases and early deaths? What if we created a holiday were one day every year 41 million americans opened up their homes to orphans that had no place to go? In just a few years there would be no more orphans in this world. What if we created a holiday were one day every year we gave 41 million dollars to micro finance individuals to create small business in the less developed countries of our world and worked towards some sustainability in communities? I would love to here your ideas as well...you fill in the blank...what if we created a holiday were one day every year_______________

Is caring for orphans radical because it makes one uncomfortable? Or is it the norm, and how we were created to move & live? When you read the Bible what do you see? Does your life reflect that of the scriptures or rather your own interpretation of them? THINK ABOUT IT

We are working with BitterSweet Creative to give us a face to the organization. We are brainstorming daily to come up with some ver creative ways to organize information and display it attractively. NRP is also connecting with Christian Alliance for Orphans, Show Hope, and Safe Families to create some synergy and mobilize the nation's capitol to advocate and provide hope for orphans. Some very exciting stuff is on the horizon. Shelly and I just met with the NCC Mom & Dad's group to talk about orphan care and they are moved to action. I am so thrilled to see the potential but most of all the action that is getting ready to take place in our community.

Gifts of Water from Water Missions on Vimeo.

Are you looking for a way to give thanks this Holiday season? You can do that by teaming with your family, co-workers, friends, etc...to bring clean water to those in need. Check out this video and take the challenge at Water Mission International. I dare you...I double dog dare you!!

I just attended the story conference in Chicago. We had such great times. Chi-town was on one of our goals for this year so I was happy to mark it off the list. It was my first time spending time there. I have always just flown through and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Chicago is big, clean, and a sole provider of all types of meat. I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, one day we had a progressive lunch and ate at four different places. Crazy I know but worth the experience. That was a really long intro to say that I have been challenged lately with telling the right story. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and he began a story that is beautiful, glorious, full of love, grace, and everything good. He began a story that is majestic and wonderful and it is our job to tell that story. Here is what I have been chewing on lately in my readings. All stories have themes. We derive themes from the big idea, the priorities, the consistent points of the story. The Bible has a theme, Jesus' life has a theme, and your life has a theme. The question to ask yourself is, "What is the theme of your life?" Now, the answer should parallel with that of Jesus' life theme. So, what is Jesus' life theme? Well, as you read through the Bible and look at the life of Jesus and the Words of scripture one can see that the central theme is HUMILITY. Jesus' life was such a pure example of humility and the Words of scripture reveal to us how much God hates pretense and arrogance. Here is the deal...If your life's theme is not humility then you are telling another story, not the story of God. Ten times out of ten the story is about you. We need to take heed to this and constantly remind ourselves to clothe ourselves in humility. Here is a good way to protect yourself from falling into the death trap of pride- continually ask yourself, "what is my motivation for what I am about to do?" It is very easy, too easy in fact to fall into a cyclical pattern of doing ministry or performing our responsibilities only to satisfy our need of self-grtification. One day we received praise for doing something in our particular jobs or responsibilities and people thought highly of us or made something of us and so we decided to make a career of it. Now every time we write that article for work, make that video for church, give that presentation, preach that sermon, write that blog and steadily check that hit counter, post pics or update our status on FB and anxiously hope for comments, or perform any task at all, the main motivation is us hoping people will like it and talk about it for days to come so we can feel great about ourselves and what we accomplished. The only thing missing in that is....the story of God. We have to guard ourselves from this cycle of self-gratification. It is good for nothing and it leads to death. My heart is challenged by this and I want to embrace this tension all the days of my life and lean towards humility. Are you with me?