World Water Day

In 1992, the United Nations designated March 22nd as World Water Day. They wanted to highlight and raise awareness about the global water and sanitation crisis affecting the planet.

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One billion people on the planet don't have access to clean, safe drinking water. 2.6 billion people lack adequate sanitation, specifically a toilet.

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I Survived Week One

A week ago I started this. It's been easier than I thought it would be. I usually drink a lot of Diet Coke. Giving it up hasn't been that hard and praise God I didn't have any headaches. I have been getting tired in the afternoon, I'm sure because I'm used to the caffeine.

The thing I have noticed though, is I miss flavor. I find myself looking for something to snack on because I want to taste something. Water doesn't really taste like anything. I have to keep reminding myself that some drink water that does have a flavor, and not a pleasant one.



I know this struggle will get better and by the end of the 40 days water will be a natural beverage for me.

He's only 5?

What an inspiring story. I'm wondering, what do you want for your birthday?

A Different Kind of Love

I don't celebrate Valentine's Day. I've never really liked it. As a kid, I always hated having to fill out a valentine for every kid in my class, even if I didn't really like them. I hated that it seemed like every kid gave me a valentine because they had to, not because they wanted to. It felt forced. I might feel differently as an adult, if I were married or dating, but I don't think so.

As many holidays in America, Valentine's Day has become a spending frenzy, trying to get the perfect gift that has to be better than last year's. I realize not everyone approaches this day like that, but many do.

This day is supposed to be about love. The problem is, we think love is just a feeling. We throw the word around like it has no meaning. This week, I have experienced a different kind of love.

I saw people coming together to support a family with a missing relative. I saw a community pour out love on families who lost everything in a fire. This is the kind of love that lasts. This is how love is expressed in tangible ways. This is how we can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus.

The thing that's getting to me is... why don't we live like this every day? Why does the best in us only come out when people are hurting?

Matthew 25:34-46
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

My not so funny valentine

wow

I have a name
You can know it
It's been a while since anybody asked

I love to laugh
Like you do
And my family also means the world to me

As you choose what to wear, remember I fight to stay warm
As you decide where to eat, it's my children who mourn

You have a life
I understand
God has blessed you so enjoy what He has given

Your hurts are real
As mine are
Possessions never shield a life from earthly pain

As you consider your life, would you think about mine?
As you remember my tears, maybe yours disappear.

Think of me
Let me live in your mind
Keep loving me
While others play blind

Show true religion
'Cause words don't relieve
Your actions, they heal me
Show that you believe

Think of me

I thought of the lyrics above when I read this post by Anne Jackson who actually knows Kristi. I wonder if I could love like that. I don't think any of us really know what we have in us until we are put to the test. I pray that God would help me step out of me to be used by Him.

Overwhelmed

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with things I can't control.

the poor. the hungry. the slave. the cutter. the victim. the oppressor. the economy. the danger. the fear. the alcoholic. the embedder. the addict. the prostitute. the pimp. the gang. the policies. the wars. the thief. the murderer. the lost. the mistaken. the forgotten. the religious. the misled. the broken. the invisible. the silent. the lonely. the forgotten. the abandoned. the hopeless. the helpless. the incarcerated. the bound. the angry. the heartbroken. the blind. the lame. the abused.

I'm glad Jesus can handle all of that for me so it's not all on me. I pray that God will use me to lessen the burden on others. Not by picking up their burdens, but by helping them release them to the only one who can handle it all.