How Long Would You Want to Wait?

Allow me to tell you a story. In 2007 I had the opportunity to travel with Compassion to Honduras to meet my sponsored child. In a "God Moment" on one of the tour days we went to visit a child development center. It was there that I met Jeyelly who would become my second sponsored child. It just so happened that was the day that children were being registered for the program and having their pictures taken for the child packets. I had been playing ball with Jeyelly all morning and it was not a hard decision to sponsor her right then and there. She had a sponsor in just a matter of hours. I don't think she really understood what had happened but I know her mother was overcome with joy. It was a unique opportunity to connect like that right then and there. 


     Children are chosen by the local church for the program based on need. Upon registration they receive educational opportunities, health care, nutrition and life-skills training.  One to one sponsorship is the core of Compassion's program.  I can tell you that the child benefits from the program but the real impact is the relationship that the child gets from hearing from their sponsors. The day that they find out who their sponsor is a special day, even more special is the day that they get that first letter. Building that relationship is what truly releases that child from poverty. There is no better investment of $38/month. 


      However, sadly, there are some children that wait and wait and wait.   Right now on the Compassion website there are over 560 children that have been waiting over six months or longer. If you have ever considered sponsorship I encourage you to go here and take a look. You can choose by country, age, or sex. These are children that are looking for the love of a sponsor. Imagine being that child and just waiting to hear that there is someone that picked you special. We know how it feels to be left out or picked last. Six months or longer can seem like forever. 
This is so important that Compassion is even offering a free scrapbook if you sponsor one of these children. They have asked some of us advocates to spread the word and to try and make a difference for these children. Perhaps now is the time for you. 


    In all honesty it does not take much to get me to write a post like this. Compassion is my ministry and my calling. However I will state that their is a little contest going on among the bloggers. The top three blogs that drive the most traffic to this site will have an opportunity to win a gift certificate to the Compassion Store. If you would like to help me win then click and go to the site. However I would rather be blessed by hearing you sponsored one of these children. That will make the big difference. 


Blessings <><

Do you Believe?

A friend of mine, another Compassion Advocate, sent this to me- well worth sharing!! Do you believe....will you make a difference?

Fan or Follower

     My church just completed a six week study based on Kyle Idelman's book called "Not a Fan". Basically the book challenges us to consider what it really means when you say you are a Christian. A fan is an enthusiastic admirer while a follower is sold out. Fans want to be part of the group but not at a cost. Followers are willing to take up their cross  and surrender their lives to Christ. Fans will have the outward signs of knowing Jesus but true followers will have their hearts bound to Him. 


     I must admit this was a difficult study that I am still struggling through. Oh I have finished it and enjoyed every minute. However I am still trying to decide where I truly am on this scale. It is a decision that truly impacts my eternity. One of Jesus' parables is the story of the sheep and goats. He tells how at the end they are divided into two groups. The sheep are welcomed and the goats are not. Some of the goats question their place. Jesus reply is simply " I did not know you". 
We easily put the bumper sticker on our car, we faithfully go to church, and we serve. Yet are we truly committed to following? Jesus wants us all in. That is our lives, our thoughts, and our actions are 100% in accord with him and his teachings. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT! As Kyle states: "No reserves, No retreats and No regrets. We either follow or we stand on the sideline and cheer as fans would do. 


      I know I am not just a fan but I also know that I am not a total follower. I was convicted in this study by realizing that their are certainly little compartments within my life that I tend to hide from Jesus. I am not totally free in my heart to live for him. I need to take those compartments that I hold tightly on to and give them freely to Him. Please pray for me as I walk this journey and grow in my faith. This I humbly ask of you. I also encourage you to get a copy of the book. It is an easy read but an important message.  God Bless!!!
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Minute to Win It!

Proverbs 12:18 [Message] states "Harsh language cuts and maims but there is healing in the words of the wise".


    This is a pretty powerful statement when you think about it. Our words and actions can make a big difference in the life of a child. We have the capacity to easily build up or tear down a child in a matter of moments. Our environment shapes us but within that environment the things that a child hears or experiences will be the factors that can change their world.

I can remember a negative instance in elementary school. It was in the fourth grade and my teacher probably never should have been a teacher. In one moment of frustration she actually called me stupid when I did not understand a math concept. That one moment hurt. I think my dislike and avoidance of any math course resulted from that one instance. Then on the other hand I can tell you of a positive action that probably made me a Christian. I was not really raised in a church family. My grandparents made sure I went to Sunday school. In was probably in my middle school years when I went to a Presbyterian church. My Sunday school teacher there was the Pastor's wife. I cannot really remember a lot about the classes or what we did. All I do remember was being the only student having perfect attendance and she taking me to a college football game. It was just me and her. I do not remember there even being a contest or reward. However I know she took me to Towson State one Saturday afternoon and I felt very important. Because of her investment in me I took Sunday school as something more important.

     Wess Stafford, President and CEO of Compassion International, has written a new book called "Just A Minute". In the book he tells 68 different stories that will inspire you to bless and make a difference in a child's life. I encourage you to watch this Video and hear his words. I love the fact that he says "when God places a child in front of you it is a divine appointment". In that minute you have the opportunity to make a difference and an impact.  Having travelled with Compassion to Honduras I have seen children in the project that had hope and those that did not. I have seen the children outside the walls looking in. Perhaps the one thing that has stood out the most is having sponsored children ask me to tell their sponsor to write. They crave that encouragement and need to hear those special words.

      Life is made up of moments. I encourage you to read Wess's book. I encourage you to look at how you can make a difference when you cross a path with a child. In the Kingdom of God we are called to be like children. Let your words and actions reflect Jesus. As the title of this post says we really have only a minute to win it. Lets do it right.

One Word 2012

     Chris G., Compassion's Blog and Social Media Manager, has a unique approach to making a New Year's Resolution. You know, those promises and goals you set at this time of year but never seem to keep. I encourage you to read what Chris has to say here.

     In  a nutshell you should pick a word that will be your focus or theme for the year. It should be a word that will stretch you, guide you and grow you in your Christian walk. It should take you to a greater spiritual maturity. In choosing your word I think there are three main factors that must be considered. First, pray and ask God for the word. Let him lead you to the word that will be your direction in the coming year. Secondly, I encourage you to share your word. Keeping promises and achieving goals is only obtainable when you can be held accountable. Finally, choose to truly live out the word. Make it your daily focus and commit to reviewing your progress. 


      My word for 2012 is "Still". Webster's defines it as: devoid of or abstaining from motion, uttering no sounds, calm or tranquil. I did turn to God for what my word should be. I had no sooner prayed and I was smacked with what it should be. I truly believe God has a sense of humor and at this appointed time he knew what I would be needing.  Those that know me realize I am a Type-A personality who goes all out. i am constantly on the move-maybe not always physically but certainly in my thoughts. My mind never seems to slow down. I am a planner and an organizer. As soon as I begin to wake in the morning my brain kicks into gear and I am off to the races. Things to do! People to see! It is like a whirlwind. So, this year, I am going to try and be "still". I need to take the time to slow down and spend some quality time with friends and family. I need to be quiet and listen to the words (needs) of others. I need to to quietly listen for His words and whispers. Most of all I need to find that peace and tranquility of relaxing and enjoying life. This is not going to be an easy word for me to live out. I will ask others to hold me accountable. I am going to place reminders at home and at work. Each day I will pray to choose to live out that word. 


     I admit it will be a challenge to stay focused on this through out the year. However it will be my goal. Throughout the year I hope to keep you updated on my progress. Now how about you? Will you pick one word to focus on this year? Will you try to make a difference in your own life? I pray that you do and wish you blessings on a great new year! <><

Gifts of Compassion

      If you are anything like me there always seems to be that one last minute gift that you still need to buy right before Christmas. Typically it is for that one person who is the hardest to buy for. You have put it off and are still stuck with an idea with just days left. What to do?


      Allow me to offer a suggestion- Why not take a look at the Gifts of Compassion catalog. This unique Christmas catalog offers a variety of gifts that will meet real needs and can really make a difference. After all, isn't that what Christmas is truly about, making a difference? God sent His son to save us and make a difference in our lives. That is the Christmas Story. 


       How it works is very easy. Follow the link and take a look at the gifts. They range in price from $5.00 to $325.00. They range in variety from bibles to livestock to playgrounds. All of the gifts meet real needs and are life changing. Choose a gift in honor of "that hard to buy for person". Then once the purchase is complete you can choose from a variety of greeting cards that can be sent to your honoree. These cards can be mailed to them, printed out and given to them or even included in an email. How simple is that? It sure beats fighting the crowds in a mall. The best part of this is that it gets others involved in the ministry of Compassion. Who knows what seeds can be planted when you start with a gift like this? 


        This year my wife and I decided to start a new family tradition by buying a gift on behalf of our family. This June we traveled to Honduras to see our sponsored children. One of them, Jorge, has a pet chicken. Therefore we decided our gift should be a chicken. We will purchase it and then take the greeting card and hang it on our Christmas tree as a reminder. We will continue this each year. 


         This Christmas season whether you need a gift, want to start a tradition or just want to pass the word along about this opportunity I encourage you to visit the link and begin to make a difference. 




     

Time to Dream

We just got off the Disney Dream after a nice week on board. We actually did back to back cruises. We did a four day and then a three day. Thanks to the Disney Vacation Club and our points it is rather easy to do this. Considering outside costs of airfare, parking, dog care, etc it makes more sense to stay a week then to do a short term cruise. Also with our points it is more affordable. We actually ended up booking another cruise for December of 2012 on the Disney Fantasy. The Fantasy is currently under construction and will launch in March of 2012. It will be the sister ship to the Dream just as the Wonder and Magic are sister ships.
The one thing I love about Disney is they know how to do it right. Every little touch is important and as always the Guest is always number one. We took an artistic tour of the ship and it was so neat to see how little elements go into storytelling. Case in point is the rugs throughout the ship. They are actually color coded based on your location in the ship. Thematic elements of one area flow into another so there really is no rude interruption to your senses. Disney ships are designed to be classic in appearance and in all elements of a guest's experience. They are so not the floating milk containers that many other cruise ships are.
   The one cool thing about the trip was seeing the transformation of the ship (within an hour) from no decorations to Holiday decor. Between  the two cruises we had to clear customs so we went off the ship for about an hour. In that time a team from the parks transformed the ship. As we were getting off the ship the beginning touches were starting. Shortly after we got back on it was done. Total Disney magic. We did not know it was going to happen and it made the second half of the cruise just a little more special. I posted many pictures on my Facebook page but leave you with this special one of the Christmas tree in the atrium.