Go and Do, a Review

Go and Do, written by attorney and director of the Global Justice Program Jay Milbrandt, is an ambitious book with a simple goal in mind, to get the Reader to get up, go out, and actually do something to change the world. (Ambitious, see?) Through real life stories Milbrandt himself experienced, written with passion and potency, Go and Do is a challenging and thought-provoking book.

Go and Do is part memoir and part rally call. Milbrandt's sincerity shines on every page, and it's easy to see that his heart lies in helping others. He's very candid about his life and his plans, opening the book with a story from his college years. He reveals how his goals were to basically graduate and get into a high-profile law firm and make the big bucks. Instead, after he found himself overseas and looking into the faces of children of the red light district in a Thai city, his plans took a sudden and unexpected shift.

Jay Milbrandt, to use one of his terms, "came alive." He found that actively participating in helping out those in need was something that he enjoyed. Doing it actually made him feel alive, and he realized that this was what he wanted to be doing with his life. Yes he had a law degree, and that could be used for justice and aid, but what he found even more useful was simply being present. Time and time again he saw that his presence, just playing with kids or listening to their stories, made more of an impact than any gifts.

Soon Jay founded the Global Justice Program at Pepperdine University and set out to get students into a "go and do" lifestyle. This book is largely a collection of how going and doing affect people, both the ones going and the ones being visited. The stories are fascinating and inspiring, but the depravity of the world is also terribly eye opening. It's wonderful to know that there are people--many, many people--that are willing to go and do and help out, whether it's traveling to a faraway land or going to a homeless shelter just down the street.

Milbrandt has a true passion for helping others, and his book instills that mindset in the reader. His heart lies overseas, but he respects that other's may be in their own towns and communities. His main argument is to find whatever makes you come alive, whatever you're passionate about, and get involved. Does human trafficking stir something deep in your soul? Is water quality an issue you're interested in? Do the hungry of Uganda twist your gut a different kind of way? Whatever it is, just get involved in it and live life with a purpose of helping out people. No one is more special than anyone else and everyone is able to help.

Go and Do is an interesting book that I very much enjoyed. It's further solidifying the feeling in my soul to get more active in helping out others. I'm not entirely sure yet where my heart lies, but I do know that I need to be doing so much more. I am incredibly fortunate and blessed beyond my wildest imaginings. I help where and when I can, but I squander a lot, too. Books like Milbrandt's Go and Do and Stearns' Hole in Our Gospel stir my heart and make me want to be a better person. More than that, they make me realize that it's really quite simple to do, to change the world. And what loftier goals can a person have?

""Go and do" is not a zero-sum game. We don't have to hang our lives on one anchor in order to go and do. We certainly need individuals who are willing to make huge sacrifices to serve. I, however, don't find it realistic for the majority of us. It's more realistic to envision a properly tensioned life system." - Pg. 111

"A lifestyle is not a series of random acts, but a strategic, long-term relationship with kindness. It's intentional." - Pg. 50

"...you are meant to change the world by changing yourselves." - Pg. 203

FTC Thingy: I received this book free of cost from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest and open review. I was not required to write a positive review. Also, no cookies were exchanged, if you're wondering.

The Hole in Our Gospel, a Review+

Please read this review.  Do not discard it simply because you are unfamiliar with the book or with the message it might have.  If you're reading this sentence, then please read this review.  A life literally depends on it.  Thank you.

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The words "life changing" are pretty much cliched now, their meaning no longer to be taken at face value. Perhaps that's endemic of our American tendencies to abuse hyperbole? But when I think back on Richard Stearns' oh-so-relevant book The Hole in Our Gospel, those two overused words immediately rise to the top. 

"If Jesus was willing to die for this troubled planet, maybe I need to care about it too." (Pg. 2)

Richard Stearns is the president of World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization with the goals of "working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God." I've had a relationship with World Vision for five years now through the child sponsorship program. (I liked how 86% of donations went directly to the mission.) Stearns has served at this post for fourteen years now. Prior to that he lived a life of luxury, working as the CEO for luxury kitchen company Lenox, making six-figures and achieving the "American Dream," overcoming his relatively poor childhood and finding success through hard work and perseverance. 

The Hole in Our Gospel is part autobiographical, part field guide to get involved and help change the world. Stearns writes candidly of his struggle to uproot and take on the new position at World Vision. He admitted several times that he had no interest in doing anything like that, that he was comfortable with his life and was satisfied. But what really shines is Stearns' passion to motivate others--people like you and me--to get involved in the world, to plug in and help those who are so desperately in need of assistance. His appeal is from a Christ-like attitude, but I suspect that even non-believers support Stearns opinions.

"If we are to be part of this coming kingdom, God expects our lives--our churches and faith communities too--to be characterized by these authentic signs of our own transformations: compassion, mercy, justice, and love--demonstrated tangibly." (Pg. 57)

There is so much that I could talk about from this book that I don't know where to begin.  On one hand I fear that I would cheapen the experience of reading the book, as Stearns takes twenty-six chapters to expound the various issues raised.  My single weblog post would be nothing.  On the other hand I so want to share this book with you.  I made so many highlights and underlines that my book looks rather abused, and picking out what to share was not the easiest task.  Additionally, removing a quote from its context loses some meaning.

The Hole in Our Gospel was published in 2009.  As such, the statistics are slightly out of date, but still very close to true, I'd wager.  I'm thankful Stearns includes a comprehensive index for footnotes, giving sources to the statistics he shares.  Many times I would flip to the back to see where the data came from.  Unfortunately, most of the statistics are punches to the gut.  Just think, 3.6 billion people, 55% of the world's population, live on less than $2 per day. Americans, approximately 4.5% of the world's people, live on $105 per day.  I'm blinded to how much I actually have, how much I actually waste.  It's sickening.

• "More than 26,500 children died yesterday of preventable causes related to their poverty, and it will happen again today and tomorrow and the day after that." (Pg. 107)
• "It is estimated that a child dies every five seconds from hunger-related causes." (Pg. 135)
• "A child dies every fifteen seconds of a waterborne disease." (Pg. 138)
• "93% of the world's people don't own a car" (Pg. 216)

I don't know about you, but reading stuff like that is truly devastating.  Stearns presents a lot of this information in a chapter titled "One Hundred Crashing Jetliners."  In short, if one hundred jetliners crashed today, killing 26,500 people, imagine the chaos that would ensue.  People would be in pure pandemonium, afraid to fly and fervent in fixing the problem.  Stearns then asks the question why 26,500 kids can (and do) die every day and receive little to no media coverage, no public outrage, no government interference.  His conclusion, 

"If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that we simply have less empathy for people of other cultures living in faraway countries than we do for Americans." (Pg. 107)

That hurts.  A few pages later, at the end of the chapter, I wrote in my margin "is my sadness enough to drive me to do something about this?"  I'm wrestling with that thought right now.  How can I live with myself knowing how much I'm doing to combat this kind of thing?

"Here is the bottom line: if we are aware of the suffering of our distant neighbors--and we are--if we have access to these neighbors, either personally or through aid organizations and charities--and we do--and if we have the ability to make a difference through programs and technologies that work--which is also the case--then we should no more turn our backs on these neighbors of ours than the priest and the Levite should have walked by the bleeding man." (Pg. 104)

The beauty and uplifting news of The Hole in Our Gospel is that there is hope, that the problems of the world are not insurmountable.  It's easy to see the massive problem that exists, and thinking of it as one large mountain makes the task impossible.  Stearns argument, though, is that the world changes through each individual.  We're not called to change the world, but to love our neighbors.  Jesus invested in people to institute His church and the Kingdom; we, his followers, should do likewise.  With this mindset, changing a person in order to change the world, things become more manageable.

"Christ is an all-or-nothing proposition, and one way or another, every one of us has already made a choice about Him. We have either committed our lives to Him whole-heartedly, or we have not." (Pg. 83)

"This has always been a problem with God's people; we tend to drift away from God's bold vision, replacing it with a safer, tamer version of our own." (Pg. 183)

Richard Stearns book is powerful.  The Hole in Our Gospel sheds light on global issues of suffering that I was not even aware existed.  I once was oblivious, but now I'm enlightened.  Now there is something burning within me that's longing to do something, longing to take a stand against the status quo and the American Dream, to rise from my stupor and my good life and actually make a difference.  I began mapping out my next step, thinking of ways to spread awareness and also do a little good.  (You can see the current plan here if you're interested.)  I won't change the world, no, but to the ones I do help, I will change their's.  And you can too.

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito." -African proverb (Pg. 250)

More Food, or Why Dove Chocolate is Better than Me, You, and your friend Lucian

Say one thing for logankstewart, say he loves his Dove chocolate.  The smooth, succulent complexities of dark cacao and tantalizing peanut butter.  The wonderful explosion of delight from a simple, yet refined, bit of milk chocolate.  Each bite gives clarity to the addled senses, putting life’s impossible problems into the realm of not only possibility, but simplicity, for no problem is as great when Dove chocolate is available.  Moreover, unwrapping the delectable little treats gives insight to the soul.  Beneath the foil a promise waits, hand-crafted and unique, predestined for the unwrapper alone.  With the confidence of the uplifting and poignant Promise, and the sense of purpose from the tickled taste buds, nothing will ever stand in the way…

Wanna guess what I had for breakfast this morning?  It wasn’t oatmeal.  It wasn’t a sandwich either.  No, it wasn’t that!  Well, I’m not going to spell it out for you, but suffice it to say that it started with a D, did a backflip into an O, transmogrified into a V and split itself apart to reveal an E.  Mmmmmmm.

As a boy, I did not like Sloppy Joes.  As a young man, I did not like Sloppy Joes.  As a teenager, I did not like Sloppy Joes.  I eat my food nice and neat, clean and simple, plain and basic.  Then I started dating Keisha and her mom cooked Sloppy Joes for supper one night.  In an effort to be kind and respectful, I tried them.  Guhgh.  Not the best thing by any means, but as time wore on, I gradually grew to liking them.  Always, though, I had them made from a can.

Last night I decided to cook some Sloppy Joes, but doing it without the can of Manwich and making it from scratch.  I used this recipe (super, super easy), substituting 1/4 c. of BBQ sauce for 1/4 c. of ketchup, using ground turkey instead of ground beef, and I also added a little Worcestershire sauce.  The end result was exceptional.  Sure, it took a little more time and effort than opening up a can of premade Sloppy Mix, but the minimal amount of work required was well worth it.  It’s like Manwich is a taste of what a Sloppy Joe is supposed to taste like, but falls short of the goal.  This recipe, “Sloppy Joes II,” as it’s called, was the real deal, the thing Manwich strives for.  Plus, it doesn’t depend on a can full of preservatives and sodium and other stuff that’s not good for you.  Actually, it transcends the generic, strange, mysteriously neon-red Sloppy Joe and becomes the scrumptious, correctly colored Sloppy Joe II, an albeit comparable taste, but different, too.

My tastes have definitely changed over the years.  I remember refusing to eat things with onions, peppers, beans, tomatoes, spinach, and a slew of other things.  Heck, I didn’t eat ketchup until I started dating Keisha.  Now, I’m still picky on a few things (things with odd textures, like bananas or potato salad or something), but for the most part, I’ll eat what I can get.

Random Bits & Pieces

• Writing Wednesdays is tomorrow.  A subplot is revealed, which you can read and mostly understand without having read any of the previous cantos.
• If you’ve not donated to fellow blogger Mattson Tomlin’s kickstarter project, you still can.  He’s pretty close to reaching his goal.  He’s also got a Hollywood producer supporting him now.  And, if that’s not enough, or if you’re just interested and have no idea what I’m talking about, you can read an interview with him about his work by following this link.
• I’m so excited for Lost tonight!
• I need me another piece of chocolate. 
• Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

Why You Should Give Blood

Almost everybody over the age of 17 can donate blood.  However, of those able, only about 5% actually take the time to do so.  In addition to this, 9 out of 10 people will need blood at some time in their life, if they live to be 70.*

I’ve been giving blood since I was 17.  My Google Calendar reminded me that it’s time for me to give again this week.  I’ve never had a need for a transfusion or anything, but I’ve always felt like I should give for those who do.  My blood type is O-negative, and my blood can be used by everybody, regardless of their blood type.  (O-positives, on the other hand, can accept every blood type.  All the other types are stuck with accepting either their own blood type or O-negative.)  Thus, another reason for me to give often.  I estimate that I’ve donated around 2-3 gallons of my blood so far, and all of it has gone to good uses, as opposed to going to vampires.

The frequency of blood types in America.

There are many valid reasons for why you should give blood, and the most important one is that you’re helping out somebody that needs help.  It is a direct way that you can help save somebody’s life.  Maybe it’s the grandmother during an operation.  Maybe it’s the child that was just hit by a car.  Maybe it’s the man who just sawed his finger off and is bleeding profusely while cursing his ill luck and the day he was born.  Whatever the case, your donated blood will be able to help someone.

Another reason is that you can score some sweet swag.  While this may seem materialistic, and for true it is, there’s more to it than just materialism.  Where else can you get a white tee-shirt with a strange blood design on it for free?  Those shirts are perfect for playing tennis or working out or collecting or donating practicing ironing.  Last time I gave blood, I got a heavy-duty rain-proof parka thing, a calendar, a notebook, a tee-shirt, a set of keys to a brand new car, a little slice of beach front property in Maui, a lifetime supply of chicken lips, and one neon yellow tube sock.  Score!

Still need more reasons to give blood?  Well read on.  Giving blood is the perfect way to look like a macho-man or a fearless-woman.  Who cares that you’re going to get stuck with a needle and get your finger pricked.  The pain is like getting pinched by a 10-year old, short and annoying.  Plus, once it’s over, you can show off your bandage and hit on girls.  “Check out this wound, ladies.  Took a gunshot to the arm while defending a helpless puppy from an evil gang of troubled youths.”  Swoon.  Also, everyone’s required to be nice to you after you give blood; sometimes you even get stickers to demand hugs or kisses for your good deed.

It’s very easy to give blood.  The whole process usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour, and a majority of the time is spent answering questions about your health, travel life, love life, and recent sicknesses.  The questions alone almost make it worth the trip.  If you’ve ever wanted redundant questions asked over and over again, this is your chance.  And after the interrogation, you get your finger pricked to make sure your iron is high enough to donate.  If not, you can’t give, but you can try again later; if your iron is okay, you’re ready for the next step.  You’re then taken to a comfy bed/reclining-thing, an arm is cuffed and pumped like a blood pressure thing, a needle is connected to your arm, and the blood flows. 

Of course, the next-to-the-best reason to give blood is the break you get after giving.  There’s a canteen area with snack cakes and iced sodas and juice.  It’s free.  It’s just a little reward for being a good boy or girl and giving of yourself.  Small children usually are fanning this area with large palm leaves, filling the canteen with their melodic laughter and happiness.  Plus, the pop cans are often the cute little sizes, too!

If you’ve never given blood, then I strongly urge you to do so.  In all seriousness, it really is a great thing to do for yourself, your community, your country, and anybody that’s in need.  There’s almost always a need for blood, and every little bit really does help.  If you’re scared of the needles, don’t be.  I promise, it doesn’t hurt.  If you think you don’t have time, you do.  The procedure’s short.  Just give it a try.  If you’ve never donated before, then this is also a great way to find out your blood type.  Give at a reputable place, like the Red Cross, and everything will be fine.  Read some testimonials and see if it doesn’t make you want to give.

More information on donating can be found at the Red Cross or at your local hospital.

*Information is from the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center

Happy Birthday to Me, A Collection of Thoughts

I got the headaches man.  Had me one yesterday and another one today.  Awesome.

Sometimes when I lose my grip I wonder what to make of heaven/All the times I thought to reach up/All the times I had to give…

Sometimes, when playing Mario Kart for the Wii, life gets very tense, especially when it’s the last lap and you’re near the finish line and a blue shell’s coming, and a red shell, and a lightning bolt, and a POW block.  It’s tense.

I now have 24 years in this body.  It’s amazing how strong and how weak our flesh is.  We can take so much, but we’re not invincible.  We’re frail.

Babies underneath their beds/Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes, all the comforts of cathedrals…

I hope to finish Boneshaker this weekend.  I was going to read Lamentation next, but I have other obligations first, like books from the publishers.  They should be good, though, and quick reads.

It finally crossed above the freezing mark two days ago.  Having been below 32 for several days, it’s nice to be back up to sunshine and warmer temperatures.  It hit 50 yesterday.  Good ole Kentucky.

 All the cries of thirsty children—this is our inheritance…

This whole portion control thing sucks.  I don’t eat until I’m full, but I’m no longer hungry, either.  It’s like turning off a spout, and it’s tough when the food’s good.  Real tough.  And now that a cruise is likely going to happen, I have reason to work it.

My birthstone is garnet.  I think that’s a red/brown color.  The Challenger went to pieces less than two weeks after I was born.  My uncle shot himself in the head (accidentally) in the year I was born.  He was sixteen.  He survived.  He now has really terrible headaches, not like mine.  Martin Luther King, Jr. and I share the same day of birth, just different years.  Rafael Nadal, world class tennis extraordinaire, shares the same year, just different days.

All the rage of watching mothers—this is our greatest offense.

Here’s an open letter that I did not receive for my birthday.  I’ve never received it from anybody.  It just is.  And that’s really the senders name.

Dear Logan,

You are so totally rad, dude.  You inspire me to challenge myself and find things that I never thought I could find with my metal detector.  You helped me with my grief counseling after Lucky died and you know what that was like.  You are my own personal Luke Skywalker, bringing me from the Dark Side to the Light, except when we’re talking about chocolate, and then it’s all dark baby.  And that one time we played Sim City 3000 for fifteen consecutive hours.  That was crazy.  Remember how we destroyed that place, all megalomaniacal and stuff?  Happy birthday dude!

Sincerely,

xxxxxxxx—xx-xxxxxxxxx

Spending some more Christmas gift cards for supper tonight.  Red Lobster sounds delicious.  I love their salmon.  I lived the life of a vegetarian for one week.  It was tough.  On the seventh day I ate two double cheeseburgers or something like that for lunch and savored the beef.

The Sound and the Fury of Kristopher A. Denby had an interesting post yesterday, related a bit to the ongoing discussion we had about homelessness.  You can find the post here.  I particularly liked the quote by Mo. G. at the beginning.

Holy moly!  I forgot to say how the backpack thing went the other night.  Alex and I decided to ride the busses around instead of walk, thinking that that was where we’d find people in need.  (The bus systems sucks and is very small, but hey, it’s all we have.)  Sure enough, we did.  After getting our seats, I looked around.  There was an elderly woman up front.  A college-aged kid across from me.  Alex to my right.  And a young couple in the rear.  (That, friends, is our loaded bus ride.)  After a while I noticed the young couple had a grocery bag with clothes in it, so I assumed that they would be in need and I started silently praying for them and for us.  A few moments later Alex went and sat across from them and started talking.  We gave them both of our backpacks—one male, one female—and asked what else we could be doing for them.  Shaine said he was a welder and needed a steady job; Rachel said she had two kids and a baby on the way and she was selling plasma twice a week to get by.  Neither could drive as their licenses were suspended.  We figured out a way to get in touch with them and they got off the bus a bit later.  Now we’re looking for ways to help this couple.

Part of the beauty of helping the homeless and those in need is that it touches on the humanity of our life.  These frail things need to be reminded that we’re human, that we can show compassion and care.  By taking a few minutes (or hours) out of your schedule and talking to someone, that forms a connection, reiterating the fact that the world is not a cesspool yet.  It’s worth it to me.

It’s getting closer.  Lost.  The final season.  Oh I can’t wait.

Headaches.  Man.

A Horrible Saturday with a Small, Silver Lining

I’ve had one full day to mull over the train wreck that was this past Saturday.  And the only logical way I can see explaining the events is by first listing a few facts.

Facts

• I’ve been trying to stay afloat financially, since I’ve been waiting for several weeks for my four separate student loans to get consolidated, thus lowering the four individual payments (total=$212) into one lump payment of somewhere around $50.
• I’ve always had a heart for the homeless and those in need, especially after all the things that our Sunday School class has been doing.
• It snowed and snowed and snowed on Wednesday night, Thursday, and all day Friday, dropping a few inches of snow and ice onto Western Kentucky.
• A light on my dashboard kept popping up.  I bought my car (used) in July.
• Mine and Keisha’s cell phones were both eligible for upgrades.
• We got a grant that let us pay off all our credit card debt, which happened on Thursday.

Now that the facts are out there, I hope this may make more sense.  Though I don’t believe in luck, I have bad luck.  And, as Keisha said Saturday night lying in bed, the world took a big crap on me that day.

Saturday

Keisha has to take her Praxis Saturday morning.  Since the roads are still snowy/icy, I’ll drive her over to the test site.  While I’m out on the town at 7:30 am, I need to stop by the grocery store and pick up a few things.  Cinnamon, Bread, Doritos, Keisha’s birthday present.  Check, check, check, and check.

Next up I think I’ll head on over to the Toyota dealer and let them check out this light that keeps coming on, since that’s what the manual recommends.  “Sir, it’s going to cost you $55 to run the diagnostic test on your car to see what’s the problem,” says the very nice Nichole.  “That’s okay,” I answered, figuring as much.  “You can wait in the lounge.  There’s coffee and a cappuccino machine.”  So I fix my beverage of choice, plop down at a chair and pull out Boneshaker.  (Always, always have a book with you.  That’s a word of strong advice.)

The minutes and pages pass and Nichole returns.  “I noticed that you needed an oil change around 300 miles ago.  We can do it here with the actual Toyota oil that goes in and we’ll get it winterized, too.”  “How much?”  “$33.”  Knowing that I need this done anyway, I give the go ahead.

More minutes more pages later and back comes Nichole.  “The test is giving an error code for your car that’s somewhat common (not too common, but not too uncommon, either).  Blah blah blah.  Your computer is dying and needs replacing.  Blah blah blah.   $750.”  That’s when a sinking, sick feeling connected.  I explain how I just bought the car a few months ago and it may be under some kind of extended warranty.  I say I’ll call and check and get back with her on whether or not to order the part. 

A phone call later and the gut feeling is worse.  No extended warranty after 90k miles.  I’m at 107k.  Nichole has more good news.  Thankfully she was kind and understanding about my plight.  “While doing the oil inspection we noticed that your tires are getting pretty bald.  Blah blah blah.  $510 or $380.”  Aha, I have a secret weapon here.  “My uncle is a manager at a tire store and I can get my tires there, much cheaper.  And go ahead and order that part.  I’ll apply for 90 days same as cash.”

So I leave the dealer and decide that the local bookstore will make me feel better.  I get there and call my Uncle Brian, who happens to be a bit sick.  I tell him all about the stuff and he says that he can probably order part and put it in at a much cheaper cost, in addition to the tires.  So I drive back to the dealer, pay for the diagnostic test and oil change, and tell Nichole to hold off on the computer purchase.  A little happier, I head to the bookstore.

Within two minutes of entering the store, a man approaches me and begins talking.  He’s wearing a ragged looking jacket with his hood up.  “I’m stranded here.  I broke down last night in Evansville, got a ride from Henderson to here, and now I’m waiting on my momma to come pick me up from Louisville.  If you can give me $14 I can have some place to stay until Tuesday.” 

Here it is.  After discovering that I’m going to be out a wad of cash I get approached by a stranger asking for more money.  How…fitting.  “I don’t have any cash on me, but if you want to ride with me to the ATM I can get some.”  On our way to the ATM I explain how I’d love to be able to give him more, but I just found out about my car problems.  He understands.  At the ATM he tells me that for $54 he can hop a bus that will take him back to Louisville.  I tell him I can’t do that, but I give him $30 and ask if there’s somewhere he’d like me to take him.  His name is Sean.

We drive down the street and we talk for a bit.  Eventually he asks if I think Wal-Mart would have any shoes.  Heartbroken, afflicted, upset, worried, confused, but eager, I say yes.  We go to Wal-Mart and he picks out two pair of shoes.  Unfortunately, the shoes aren’t the price he tells me, and I tell him that I can’t get both of them.  They’re going on credit, after all.  So he picks out one pair and we leave.  I tell him I want to get him lunch and then I have to go pick up Keisha from her test. 

We drive to McDonalds.  He asks for two Big Macs.  I want a Diet Coke.  I ask him if he has a Bible, he says no, and I give him one of mine.  (I always try to keep Bibles in the car to give to someone, just in case.)  Sean asks me to drop him off at Subway and he’ll go in and eat his Big Macs and read his Bible.  I tell him I’ll pray for him.  He asks me to pray for him there in the car, so I do, and then he leaves.

I drive and pick up Keisha.  I tell her how I spent two hours and $80 with a stranger.  I tell her about my car.  I tell her I’m hungry and want to go to Arby’s.  While there, we’re eating and Sean walks in with another man.  I’m not sure if he sees me, but I don’t say or do anything.  My mind is too exhausted.

We leave and go to AT&T to get Keisha a new phone and to look at one for me.  The one I want is $179 new at the store, $99 new online, and $0 refurbished online.  I say I’ll get mine on the internet.  Keisha gets her a $0 phone at the store.  She’s happy, I’m happy, and we head home.  I hop on the computer to order my free refurbished one and discover that it’s no longer available.  Again, the world dumps a load on me.  I resign myself to having a bad day and a case of misfortune.

Afterwards

I guess I should mention that Saturday night was poker night.  I knew there was no way I was going to do any good, but I went any way.  With a day like Saturday I stood no chance.  There were 21 guys from church, each with a $5 buy-in, but I went out early.  Heck, on my last hand I went All In with pocket kings, but I didn’t get anything on the subsequent cards to help me.  Oh well, it was fun.

Saturday’s also taught me a bit about trusting in God.  Financially I tithe, and of my time I tithe, but still I have some small worries about money.  Deep down, I know that God will provide and take care of everything, but it’s still a bit disheartening to know that credit card debt was erased and replaced two days later.  It’s disheartening to have a relatively new car that’s having these kinds of problems.  It’s disheartening that there are people trying to live and survive in this world and most people turn them away.  The world’s a crazy place, filled with both beauty and vile.  I do what I can to make it a bit more shiny, even if I have bad days.

The Nativity Project: A Service Project Recap

Let me begin with an exclamation of WOW.  As many of you know, and as I mentioned last Friday, and a few times before then, our Sunday School class did a service project, which we called the Nativity Project, at a local homeless shelter over the weekend.  The project was phenomenal; that second sentence was not.

For many months we have been collecting lightly used clothes, toys, books, movies, purses, shoes, and other things.  We stockpiled our stuff into bags and boxes and then a week ago we went through and categorized it.  There were many, many items to sort through and organize, and it took the ~15 people about three hours to go through it all.  We managed to group like clothes together (mens, womens, teen girls, young boys, young girls, baby) and the toys were just put together as good as possible.  We stuffed everything in a trailer and waited for the project.

Keisha and I got to the shelter around 6:00am so we could help unload the trailer and be ready to start the project by 9:00am.  It was cold and breezy, but it didn’t get any of our spirits down.  In fact, I’d say we were rather warm and willing.  We all cleared out the trailer pretty quickly and then began unpacking all of the bags and toys.  We had to put the stuff around the walls on tables, as we were serving in the cafeteria of the shelter and could not put stuff on the eating tables.  Once everything was unpacked there seemed to be a lot of stuff, but I didn’t know how long it would last.  I didn’t know how many people to expect.

One of the goals for this project was not just to give stuff away to homeless people.  No, we were not exclusive, and in fact I’d say a decent percentage of the turnout was not homeless.  Anyone that was in need of anything could come and take.  We helped parents that were struggling to provide toys for their children by giving them toys.  We offered gift wrapping so the kids would be able to open a gift.  We had some folks ask for gloves, we didn’t have any, but we drove down to the store and bought some and returned and gave them away.  Truly our class was there to serve.

I sat down with a man named Jerry before the project started.  Jerry was an older man with long, bushy sideburns and a quick tongue.  He was wearing a thin jacket.  I found out that Jerry rode the bus to the shelter to get breakfast and lunch and then he would be leaving.  I asked if there was anything I could help him look for, but he said he did not want to face the “madhouse” and that he’d just keep his coat.  He said we probably didn’t have a jacket to fit him anyway.  I told Jerry that I was about as big and tall as he was and that I’d look to find him a warm jacket when the project started.  He said okay, but as time grew closer he decided he didn’t want me to do it.  I told him it was no problem and at 9:00 I went over to the coats, found a very nice and warm American Eagle pea coat, and returned and gave it to him.  I got a simple “thank you” and I knew he was pleased.  I asked if there was anything else I could look for for him, but he said no, that he had plenty of clothes.  We talked a bit more, and a few other folks sat around us and we all talked a bit.  Eventually I found out that Jerry liked NASCAR and word searches and I left the table to go help other people.

We spent most of our time helping people look for certain sizes or items, talking with the searchers and getting to know them a bit.  At one point I spotted an XL NASCAR shirt, walked over to Jerry and told him I thought he’d like it and he took it willingly.  I went back and helped the people I was helping.  We had a steady flow of people from 9:00 until around noon and then we condensed what was left and left it all at the shelter.  Hopefully others will take advantage of what’s left, which wasn’t a lot but still quite a bit, and get some stuff for themselves.

In the end I believe our class was blown away by the project.  I know I was.  Seeing the joy on the kids faces, watching their eyes light up seeing tables and tables of toys, was a blessing.  Helping a mother look for work clothes—and actually finding them—was a source of joy for both of us.  Truly God provided for everyone seeking.  It was like the fish and the loaves of bread Jesus used to feed a multitude of people.  We wound up serving around 200-300 people (maybe more, I can’t remember), but many of these folks got stuff for their family members, too, bringing our output to around 700-800.  And everyone (to my knowledge) left satisfied and happy.

Our pastor asked the congregation a few months ago that if Macedonia Baptist Church ceased to exist would we be missed in the community?  Would people even know we were gone?  He then challenged us to make a difference in our community, to not be complacent with doing little to nothing for God but to get out there and serve Him by serving and helping others.  I think the Nativity Project served our community.  God blessed me by knowing I was helping others.  God blessed others by getting them things they desired.  As always, God blesses and provides, and I pray that He blesses you, too, this Christmas season.

(A quick and unrelated note on Brandon Sanderson.  I found this auction on eBay and thought I’d share it.  It’s a Advance Proof 1st Print copy of Mistborn: The Final Empire.  The going price is pretty low right now, but I can’t bid any more with Christmas fast approaching.  However, you should act quickly, as the auction ends at 09:30:21am PST today.  Good luck if you bid.)

Looking for the Homeless

My friend, Alex, came up with this really cool and practical idea a few weeks ago.  After one of the Sunday School lessons he got it in his heart to try and locate the homeless of Owensboro and provide for them.  He bought some backpacks, warm blankets, thermal underwear (long Johns, we call them in Kentucky), bottled water, and a Bible.  I bought some foodstuff.  We filled the backpacks and tonight we are going out on our first quest.

We’ve been trying to go out for the past two weeks, but I was sick and didn’t feel up to it last week, and Tuesday it poured down cold.  Tonight it’s going to be frigid (somewhere around 20 degrees) and windy, but we’re aiming to go.  I think the plan is we’re going to bundle up and go park downtown.  Then we’re going to walk the streets, each with a backpack, and keep an eye open for homeless folk.  If we see someone that needs a jacket, they can have ours.

Hopefully we find people in need and hopefully we can meet that need.  I know we’ve both been praying for this.  I’m not sure how many homeless people there are in Owensboro, nor where they would be, but we’ll look.  The city is fairly large, but shelter’s seem to handle most of the homeless here.  Regardless, we’ll keep our eyes and hearts open.

On a different note, tickets for STAR WARS Celebration V went on sale today.  I really really really want to go, but I have no one to go with.  Keisha’s going to have just started a job (hopefully) and Alex can’t go.  I’m thinking I may put a shout out on Facebook and see if anyone would like to go.  Really the trip wouldn’t be bad at all.  All four days of the convention for $120, and air fare is really cheap right now.  Celebration’s not until August 2010, so I’ve got time.

This is a small snapshot of what I’ve been working on for, well, practically since I started my job back in May.  The orange lines are the current thing I’m doing.  Drawing drainage areas for erosion calculations.  It’s a bit tricky and will vary from person to person on how it’s done.  The entire project is quite large.  It’s a slow process, but someone has to do it. 

That’s really about it for today.  Keisha’s finally finished with commuting for the semester, so she’ll actually be home during the week now!  Christmastime’s coming up quickly, and we’ve still got a bit to do.

I’m toying with the idea of not posting every weekday beginning with the new year.  At least once or twice per week, but probably not every weekday.  And if Dave drops off the blogosphere and you read both of our blogs, then it’ll be like a double whammy.  (Big bucks, big bucks, no wammy!)  I’m not completely sure yet, but just maybe.

Wish us luck tonight with our journey.  And pray for us, too, if you’d like.  And just in case you’re interested, the Amazon deal of the day is the complete series of Seinfeld, all 32 DVDs, nine seasons, for $84.99.  That’s a heck of a deal.  Plus it comes with a nice 226 page coffee table book anthology, highlighting every episode.  I’m not linking it, but it’s there folks.

The Way the Lord Moves: Interrupted

My Sunday school class has just started a new unit. It's by Jen Hatmaker, titled Interrupted. The study basically sets out to challenge the way we live our lives. While our American Dream seeks comfort and success, it also tends to put blinders on us and prevent us from seeing those that are poor and outcast. Hatmaker examines Scripture and chronicles her personal journey in transforming her mindset, aiming to be merciful and just, as opposed to selfish and cruel.

The first of five sessions was called "Poor." Filled with heartbreaking statistics and obvious Scripture, I was left cracked and broken. How selfish are we? In John 21:15-19 Christ asks Peter three times if he loves Him. Peter responds each time that he does, and his heart is grieved that Jesus asks three times. With each answer from Peter Jesus tells him to "feed My sheep."

Most of my life I have taken this as a metaphor, Jesus telling Peter to feed the spiritual needs of his people. Christ would be leaving and the world would need pastors to help keep the Message alive. Frankly, the idea that Christ was speaking literally and metaphorically never struck me. Meet the spiritual need, and the physical would be taken care of. Now, I think I was wrong.

It makes much more sense to feed someone physically first. The hungry don't care about the void in the soul; they care about the absence in their stomachs. Showing love and care to them will build trust and friendship, and exhibit the love Christ had for others. Christ first met physical needs, then spiritual needs. Look at the feeding of the 5000 or the countless other miracles. He didn't say "You have to first listen to my sermon and then I'll help some of you." No, Christ was driven by his love for his hurting brothers and sisters.

James 2:15,16 says "If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?" While I try to help out those in need, through giving of food or clothes or money or whatever is desired, I don't often take a proactive stance on this. Instead, passively, if I see someone and I have cash, then I'll help; otherwise, I go about my business. What good are our words without action?

Then, yesterday in class, it turns out that our entire class was all similarly broken by reading the first session of Interrupted. We wanted to know what we could do to help our community? How can we get involved and plugged in, helping those that are less fortunate than we are? Was there a soup kitchen we could volunteer? But, the way the Lord moves is different than we expect.

Exciting things are on the horizon, and I feel that if we go forward with the plans laid out during the class that we'll be able to spread the Love of Christ physically and spiritually to those in need. There is a chance that we'll be doing a "church service" in a local homeless shelter twice a month, possibly starting as early as this upcoming Sunday. We'll use our talents and abilities the Lord gave us, with love, and share ourselves with those at the shelter.

Now I ask you, what do you do for others that are hurting, that are in need? You don't have to serve Jesus to help others. I know the change for me will not be instantaneous, but I pray and hope that it will come, that I'll serve others instead of myself. (If you're interested in the Interrupted series, visit your local Lifeway, or click here.)

The Soloist Review + A Homeless Rant

I watched The Soloist last night, and I was intrigued enough to finish the film to the end. The movie depicts the true story of Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Jr. (Jamie Foxx), a prodigious musician that attends Julliard, develops a mental disorder, drops out, and lives homeless on the streets of L.A. for years. He is befriended by Steve Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr.), a writer for the L.A. Times, after Lopez spots Ayers on the streets playing the violin. Ayers is looking for a story, and after learning that Ayers is a Julliard drop-out, he decides to write about Ayers.

The movie largely deals with homelessness, as well as the beauty of music and the power of friendship. Homelessness, a matter that is particularly touching to my heart (see here), is a gut-tugging lifestyle depicted in the movie. While this movie does not go into great detail of life on the streets, it still is eye-opening and relevant. I was reminded of John Grisham's The Street Lawyer, which is phenomenal if you haven't read it.

Another aspect of the movie that I enjoyed was the relationship Ayers had with music. He would seek out his refuge in the music he played, often finding his only solace in the comfort of the notes. You could see Ayer's relationship with music clearly on his face, the love he had was in his eyes, in the way his hands played. It was artistic, and I think artists can relate to the feelings Ayers exemplified.

The final thing that propelled the story was the development of Lopez. At first he just wants a story, but soon he has a friend that he begins to care about. His concern for Ayers is evident, and this relationship is touching to watch.

Even with all of these things, I can't say that the movie was wonderful. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be. What The Soloist is is a film that offers hope to the viewer by observing the courage of Ayers. It also is a window into homelessness, and in my book, anything that sheds light on this problem deserves a special sort of place. What kind of country are we if we can't take care of our own starving, hurting, homeless people? Are we too stiff-necked to give out some money to someone in need? Oh, if you give out your money then you won't be able to buy yourself something superfluous? Oh, okay, I'm sorry. You just go right ahead and buy that extra pair of pants you've been eyeballing. That's okay. You need fifty pair anyway, to help balance the economy, since the homeless man has only one pair, unless he's really lucky and has two.

I don't get it. I understand that some people make bad choices and are sentenced to a life on the streets. People who gamble away their money and can't afford to pay their rent, or who spend their cash on drugs and other fixes instead of paying their bills. That's all understood, but what about the majority of the people? The ones who try to live, who make a mistake or two, and who ultimately end out on the streets because of a few mistakes. In fact, the entire premise of not wanting to give to a homeless person based on "they've had their chance" seems unfair. I dare say, have you not made mistakes in life? Were you not given extra help along the way? If you're reading this blog, then you are magnitudes better than millions of others out there.

The problem with homelessness can't be that we don't have enough housing. In my community, there are hundreds of houses and condos and apts up for sale/rent. I'm willing to bet this is true across the country. No, the problem with homelessness is that our country depends too much on the Almighty Dollar. We're a cut-and-paste society, with clear-cut rules and a kill-or-be-killed attitude. There is no grace in our hearts; we're all every man for himself.

That's disgusting, unbecoming, and embarrassing. What is it about our society that compels us to be ahead, to be at the top of the ladder? We look and see things we want, which are too expensive, so we get a job to make money to buy things to only want more things. That implies that the problem is deeper than money. The problem is our insatiable desire.

Yes, Desire is the true evil here. In itself, desire is not a bad thing. It motivates us to achieve things, to help people, to create vessels capable of exploring the heavens. But where should we limit our desires? How selfish are we allowed to be before we are truly selfish? Friends, I'm sad to write it, but I don't have the answer. There is no harm in buying things for yourself, but how much can we afford while our other brothers and sisters can't even eat?

The whole point of this is sickening. I can't tell you how much is too much if I don't know myself. All I know is that when the opportunity arises for us to help someone in need, we should snap it up and help with all we can. Who knows, one day we could be just another beggar on the streets.

Homelessness and Poverty

Last night we decided to go to Dairy Queen for the Buy One Get One Free gimmick of blizzards since it snowed yesterday. Before the DQ trip we all ate at Santa Fe, a Mexican restaurant. In fact, we've ate out several times in the past week, and odds are you probably have, too. Regardless, while we were at Dairy Queen a man made his way into the store and bought himself a burger. He sat a few tables away from us and ate his single burger silently and alone. He was wrapped in a heavy coat and his skin was hard and leather looking. I am sad to say that I did not notice any of this until the very end. Keisha pointed out the man as he was getting ready to leave. She pointed out that he was counting out change on the table as if he was figuring whether or not he had enough money for more food. While she was discreetly telling me, the man left the store. We sat and talked quietly about the situation, and I silently prayed that the man would still be outside when we left.

I thank God that he was. Neither of us had cash on us but we approached the man as we were making our way to the truck. "I think you dropped this," I said to the man, holding out a $10 bill and placing it into his hand. We looked at each other in the eyes and he seemed confused. I repeated what I said and he smiled and replied with a "God bless you." Ten dollars isn't much money, but to the man it was another warm meal or two. To me it was an opportunity to share kindness and love with a person in need.

Homelessness breaks my heart in a different way than starving kids in Africa or war-stricken villages in Afghanistan. Homelessness is at my doorstep and I can do something immediately to help. I keep a Bible with some money in my car on the chance that I meet someone on the side of the road needing help. I've gone through my clothes and packed warm things and non-perishable foods in Kroger bags and kept them in my car to give away to someone that may need it. I try to ask for the people's names when I give things so I can pray for them, and I hope by showing kindness to the person that another Follower of the Cross will be able to work with the seed that I planted.

We are so blessed that we don't even stop to think about it. We have our warm homes with enough electronics to scare Russia into thinking we're starting another Cold War. Our fridges and cabinets are well stocked. Our trash is full of food that we don't like and/or didn't finish eating. Our closets are stuffed with clothes we don't wear, but we think they look pretty or we could wear them someday. Outside it's 26* and feels like 20*, and there's a very likely chance that 3-6" of ice and snow will fall through the night. Outside our homes there are millions of people in need of not only the basic sustenance, but also in need of some kindness and generosity.

I urge you to lend a helping hand to someone in need whenever the opportunity arises. We have the blessing and opportunity to make money, but someone out on the street most likely does not. Give and give sacrificially. Prove to yourself that you are not a heartless, greedy, typical American. Help someone.