All of the Above

I thought this video went well with what was discussed today about “platonic overly-spiritualized Christianity”.  A little more about “prosperity gospel” than I thought, but still applicable to this idea.  We cannot simply say “believe in Jesus and your poverty issues will be taken care of” … no, it is the church’s job to act.  As Mr. Webster often says “We can not stand in a dark room, and yell ‘It is dark! It should be light!’ and walk out of the room without turning on the lights.”

Also, good for a few people previously mentioned on Mr. Webster’s blog.

“The Lordship of Jesus Christ, who is both Creator and Redeemer, has implications for all of life. We are no longer free to compartmentalize our lives, thinking that we only please God when we are doing spiritual things like reading our Bibles, praying, and witnessing. Of course we should do these things, and more of them, but we must also recognize that we must live for Christ in everything we do. The movies we watch, how we treat other people, how we act at home — it all matters now.”  — Michael Wittmer

Many have heard me using the term “10/40″ a lot, whether in person, on facebook, or on AIM.  It is something that is constantly on my heart and mind, and more so as I learn and think more about my purpose in life.  I thought I would explain it briefly just as something to think about, and maybe pray about …. definitely pray about.

The numbers 10 and 40 refer to 10 degrees latitude north of the equator to 40 degrees latitude north of the equator.  This forms a little rectangle box over parts of North Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, known as the “10/40 window”.

Of the 55 least evangelized countries, 97% of their population lives within the 10/40 window. 95% of the people living in the 10/40 window are unevangelized.  85% living in the 10/40 window are the poorest of the world’s poor. 

“I will praise you among the nations, O Lord”  Psalm 18:49

 I’m giving up on the American dream.  I want to be His hands and feet.  I don’t want politics to decide what I can and cannot do for Jesus.  I want to be light in the darkest place.  Is this “darkest place” where my heart is breaking?  I think it may be.  I’ll fill you in later.

Solution by Hillsong United.

It is not a human right
To stare not fight
While broken nations dream
Open up our eyes, so blind
That we might find
The Mercy for the need

We will be your hands we will be your feet
We will run this race for the least of these
In the darkest place we will be your light
We will be your light

“Praise the King”

Praise Him in the morning
For tall and lofty trees
And praise Him in the evening
For children on their knees
Oh and praise Him in the noon day
For gentle birds that sing
Oh praise Him all ye people
Praise the King

And praise Him for a peaceful porch
And rocking chairs that sway
Praise Him for the rolling hills
Where children laugh and play
Oh and praise Him for the wandering soul
That never lost their way
Oh praise Him all ye people
Praise the King

Chorus:
Praise the King
Praise the King
Let it ring
Praise the King
Praise the King
Praise the King
Let it ring
Praise the King

And praise Him for the blood that fell
And bloomed a rose that day
And praise Him that He suffered through the guilt, the grief, the shame
Oh and praise Him that His tender love will still forgive today
Oh praise Him all ye people praise the King

You may not like this … I do.

Flyleaf- “All Around Me”

My hands are searching for you
My arms are outstretched towards you
I feel you on my fingertips
My tongue dances behind my lips for you

I can feel you all around me
Thickening the air I’m breathing
Holding on to what I’m feeling
Savoring this heart that’s healed

I bet you wish you had Raynaud’s syndrome.  Actually, my guess is that you don’t even know what that is … let me help you out ( and let me tell you also, that you don’t wish to have it).  This is what my hands generally look like after 30 seconds of being outside on a cold day     (no those obviously aren’t my hands).  Make it a terribly cold day and you get pretty darn red/purple/white hands.  I found out that sufferers are more likely to have migraines (yep ..sounds like me).  Thankfully, my hands and feet don’t generally feel painful, just cold and annoying.  I saw some nasty pictures of  people who had it really bad … who had lost some fingers due to it. Yikes.  All I know is that I am going to wear gloves more often .. ya .. no amputation, please.

Thank you Mr. Webster.

Mute Math - You Are Mine

everyone has their obession
consuming thoughts
consuming time
they all have their prize possession
that defines the meaning of their lives

      There is a battle that needs to be fought … and I am not giving up.  Though many are saying I’m foolish, though I’m wounded because I’m not supported by those closest to me, though I’m tired from being harped on; there is only one voice I will listen to.

Bryan Adams “Sound the Bugle Now”

Sound the bugle now
Play it just for me
As the seasons change
Remember how I used to be
No I can’t go on
I can’t even start
I’ve got nothing left
Just an empty heartI’m a soldier
Wounded, so I must give up the fight
There’s nothing more for me
Lead me away

I cannot believe this.  Auhtorities are saying that it is likely there are kids that will never be returned to their faimlies, because they are young, and their identities are unknown.

This video just absolutely broke my heart.  I know my heart breaks easily, especially when it sees children who are mistreated, alone, orphaned, abused, neglected, etc., so perhaps this is just me tonight.