Fellow FHU grad Madison Chandler...

"I want to take the word Christianity back to Christ himself, back to that mighty heart whose pulse seems to throb through the world today, that endless fountain of charity out of which I believe has come all true progress and all civilization that deserves the name ... I go back to that great Spirit which contemplated a sacrifice for the whole of humanity. That sacrifice is not one of exclusion, but of an infinite and endless and joyous inclusion. And I thank God for it."

~ Julia Ward Howe

One step at a time

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one."

- Mother Teresa

Many times we get overwhelmed by the amount of injustice and wrong in the world.  We are constantly bombarded by 24-hour news channels, fundraising letters, plights of friends and family broadcast through e-mail and on Facebook.  We perhaps begin to think that the little bit that I could do wouldn't really make much difference at all, so why bother?

It is true we cannot do everything to solve the problems of the world.  We may not even be able to do much to fix the problems that our closest friends and family experience.  Despite the fact we cannot do it all, that does not excuse us from doing what we can.  Hunger will be solved by feeding one person at a time.  Destroying poverty will be accomplished by offering one person a job to better his or her family.  Reaching the world for Christ will occur when every Christian talks to just one other person about Jesus.

Friend, don't become overwhelmed that you can't do it all.  Just do what you can, where you are, and allow God to work through you.  The people you influence will go on to influence others and so will begin a chain reaction that can indeed change the world.

“When you pray, move your feet.” 

-An African proverb

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving."

-Amy Carmichael

Shoeshine Pastor

Previous posting was missing the sound for some readers...here it is with sound!

"...I would gladly die ten times over."

Opportunities to help

Each trip to my mailbox these days has brought more letters and requests for help on various projects.  It seems the phrase "one-time donation" did not convince these faithful organizations that I was, in fact, only going to help out one time. 

I am thankful for all the great organizations I have been able to be a part of over the last few years.  I am even thankful that they send me requests for more funds.  This allows me to know that they are serious about whatever cause they represent.  We have so much in the world that needs doing and we are the ones to do it.

One organization that I am particularly proud to partner with is Compassion International (see banner in sidebar).  For only $38 a month, I am able to help Compassion raise a child out of poverty.  I enjoy receiving letters from Oswaldo, my 11-year-old sponsored child from Ecuador.  I am able to send him notes, cards and letters and we talk about many things (with the help of translators).  In his last letter he asked me, "Did Jesus have children?"  His innocence and sense of wonder is astounding.  I am so glad I get to be a part of his life.

Whatever way you choose to help others know that people do appreciate your efforts.  From putting change in a jar at the checkout line to writing a large check to volunteering your time, we all need to find ways to make a difference.

Have a blessed day helping others!

"'Not called!' Did you say?"

'Not heard the call,' I think you should say.'

"Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their father's house and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look Christ in the face — whose mercy you have professed to obey — and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world."

 — William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

Thanks to everyone who made the Henderson Arts Commission's "Arts in the Alley" program a success last night.  Special thanks to those who supported Richard and Jenni in their long road to adoption.  You were able to receive a gift for a child in your life, so that they may receive a child to be a gift in their own.  That is what it is all about: caring and sharing the love of God, person to person, stanger to stragner, friend to friend.  I know, most of all, Richard and Jenni desire your prayers in this time of waiting on God's response to their prayer to receive just the right child they have wanted for so long.

See all you Chester County folks again on August 26, 2010, LORD willing, for another great "Arts in the Alley."

In Him,

-Will

P.S.  Jenni takes custom orders and SEC football is just around the corner...think about and contact me for more information on how to get that favorite fan a great gift...:)

P.P.S.  Be thinking about returning FHU students...these dolls make great social club gifts, mission trip outreach (lightweight, can be culturally diverse, etc.), can be themed to a particular major (biology, drama, etc.)...possibilities are endless and all monies go to save a child!