Unsettled Christianity

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Archive for the ‘Charities’ Category

September 28th, 2012 by Joel

Do something good with what’d you spend at McDonald’s this week @kiva

First, sign up here.

We are a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people through lending to alleviate poverty. Leveraging the internet and a worldwide network of microfinance institutions, Kiva lets individuals lend as little as $25 to help create opportunity around the world. Learn more about how it works.

Now look – many of you, like me, want to help others out – and not by giving them the fish, but by helping to provide a loan for them to buy the fishing pole… a loan they will pay back and you can loan to others.

Or not. Anyway, it is a really good thing. Check it out.

I did.

Tags: Kiva
Posted in Charities | 2 Comments »

July 30th, 2012 by Geoff

C S Lewis on thinking and atheism

“Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It’s like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course I can’t trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. Uniess I belleve in God, I cannot belleve in thought. So I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.”

- C.S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity, p. 32.

Tags: atheism, C.S. Lewis, reason, thinking
Posted in Charities | 2 Comments »

April 16th, 2011 by Joel

The Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund

Image via Wikipedia

This makes me pretty happy! Anything to support our newest royal couple!

Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton have created a charitable gift fund to help celebrate their wedding. The fund will focus on assisting charities which support the five causes chosen by the couple. These causes are close to their hearts and reflect the experiences, passions and values of their lives so far. Having been touched by the goodwill shown to them since their engagement, they have asked that anyone wishing to send them a wedding gift consider doing so in the form of a donation to the fund.

via The Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton Charitable Gift Fund.

Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince William of Wales, Royal Wedding
Posted in Charities | No Comments »

March 30th, 2011 by Joel

Let’s Help Nathan Out

By participating in Walk 4 Water, Nathan is helping raise funds to provide clean water for thousands of people around the world who currently have no source of clean water. By sponsoring Nathan, you can become a partner with him in this effort!

Nathan’s Fundraising Goal:

Personal Goal:
$50 Raised So Far:
$70

Nathan has reached his goal! Make a donation now to help him exceed his expectations!

Tags: Healing Hands International, Walk 4 Water
Posted in Charities | No Comments »

December 14th, 2010 by Joel

Knowing the Poor vs Helping the Poor

“I realize that my first and primary role for the church is to figure how we can know the poor,” she said. “Once we learn how to do that, and do that in a different and mutual friendship…then we can also figure out how we can learn from each other…It’s not so much what we are doing. It’s being in friendship with them and knowing them. That’s a challenge for folks who aren’t used to that, but it’s also a calling.”

While we can clothe and feed and help the poor in our communities, I like Jaylynn Byassee’s take…

We are all in this Together | Duke Divinity School.

2012: Economy, Not Abortion, Rally Call For Right (newsweek.com)
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the Church (trustinjesus.wordpress.com)

Tags: Duke Divinity School, Jaylynn Byassee, poverty
Posted in Charities | 2 Comments »

November 8th, 2010 by Joel

Be Her Freedom

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook, and I thought that I would share -

Be Her Freedom is an initiative against human trafficking. It is about everyday around women around the world deciding to raise awareness, bring solutions, and make a united stand against the unacceptable crime of human trafficking. Their desire is to hear the cry of the captives, and with God’s grace, play a tangible role in freedom. It is an initiative birthed from the Colour Sisterhood’s mandate to place value upon womanhood, and The A21 Campaign’s mandate to proactively address and stop human trafficking.

When you join Be Her Freedom and become a sponsor, you are part of “their miracle story” and will receive monthly updates on the program and miracles taking place.

Becoming a monthly sponsor and donating $25 or more by clicking here.

Joining our prayer network by using the prayer guide: click here to download

The Colour Sisterhood realised that when women connect their hearts, prayer, strength and influence; we become a force upon the earth that can facilitate change. The Sisterhood embraces many churches, denominations, nations and individuals; and with an overriding spirit that “unites in friendship and cause”, we are proving that when we stand together against injustice, we accomplish more than when we stand alone.

The crime of human trafficking cannot be ignored! That is why The Colour Sisterhood is aligning with The A21 Campaign in helping raise awareness, rehabilitate rescued victims, change legislation and ultimately create models of solution to this very challenging issue.

The monetary costs of securing freedom for victims of human trafficking are enormous, but by becoming a BE HER FREEDOM sponsor, you will contribute toward the medical, legal and psychological costs associated with rescuing and restoring these beautiful and precious women. As a sponsor, you will become part of “their miracle story” and will receive monthly updates on the program and miracles taking

Be Her Freedom.

Tags: be her freedom, human trafficking, sex slaves
Posted in Charities | 1 Comment »

September 14th, 2010 by Joel

What Lindsey is saying

Start here, here, here, and here.

I know that the normal response is, and it isn’t necessarily wrong, that we have starving children here in the U.S. True. Christianity, however, teaches to love past those political boundaries created by us. Lindsey Nobles works for Thomas Nelson and is currently on a Compassion trip to Guatemala. Above, you will see some very unique stories and pictures of the trip. Consider the stark differences in what you see there and what you would see here in poverty ridden areas.

And then, read this.

Tags: Guatemala, poverty
Posted in Charities | 3 Comments »

September 7th, 2010 by Joel

Candy Christmas’ Bridge to the Homeless

Andrea Lucado has an interesting piece on Candy Hemphill Christmas in Christianity Today

In November 2004, Christmas founded The Bridge Ministry—named for its location under the Jefferson Bridge near the riverbank—after taking a pot of jambalaya to a group of homeless people on a visit with a local pastor. The Bridge is now a thriving ministry which includes a weekly church service on Tuesday nights to feed and preach to up to 500 attendees. Other local churches and ministries (including the Salvation Army) also reach out to these homeless. Some of those organizations use the Bridge’s 20,000 square-foot warehouse—a resource hub for nonprofits—which is stocked with dry goods, toiletries, and coats to pass out for the winter.

The shade is welcoming under the bridge in summertime, but with 200 plus people crowding around tables of food and sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on plastic folding chairs, the heat is hardly escapable. Nor is the constant sound of rushing vehicles above. Tan, weathered faces line the crowd while a few toothless smiles and lots of laughter color the otherwise gray space. As soon as the music starts, the sound of shifting gravel stops, people still, distractions fade, faces turn, and everyone focuses on the group belting into microphones about amazing grace and how sweet it sounds.

As I was driving around on Saturday, I was able to listen to Daniel Britt‘s interview (via XM) with Candy about her depression and how she came out of it. One of those ways was to found this ministry in which by happenstance, she started to go with a pastor down to feed the homeless under a bridge in Nashville. According to her, by doing these good works, God brought her out of her depression. Personally, I enjoyed the interview so much and her new album, that I downloaded it.

Dr. McGrath highlights another Christian artist and her work against human trafficking – yes, it still goes on – which you may enjoy too.

Yesterday, I posted on Lady Gaga and our children. What about these artists as icons for our children? Nominations anyone?

Tags: Candy Christmas, love, Natalie Grant, The Bridge Ministry
Posted in Charities | No Comments »

August 3rd, 2010 by Joel

Help Korah Child Sponsorship Initiative

Great news from Michael!!!

I mentioned a couple of days ago that in addition to the HelpKorah Bible Scholars initiative, that we also had a Child Sponsorship project & partnership in the works. I (Michael) cannot even begin to tell you just how thrilled I am to finally be making the announcement that our partnership for this has finally launched! 8 months after starting all of this and two trips to Ethiopia later, HelpKorah, in partnership with Transformation Love Ministries & Mekanisa Addis Kidan Church is finally able to help get children sponsored. Our hope for holistic ministry undergirds our entire approach here as we desire to care physically and spiritually for young boys & girls in Addis.

The majority of our children (we currently have 12 profiles posted), as you will see as you view profiles (click HERE or the “Child Sponsorship” tab above to see them), have lost the at least one parent to HIV & complications and may soon lose their second parent. Typically, when this happens, the child is left to the streets and left to fend for his or herself if no other family members can come to the rescue. However, you can help remedy this problem by sponsoring a child and providing them with food, clothing, shelter, education, teaching / introduction to the Church and more.

Today is much more than a GREAT DAY!!! I truly wish I had the words to express just how much this touches my heart. So, please, take time to browse profiles, read stories and let your heart be touched. And if you are moved, don’t hesitate to sponsor a child and give them an opportunity at life, even life in Christ!

Yes, I stole Michael’s post – but you can find the rest here:

HelpKorah Child Sponsorship Initiative.

Tags: korah, Michael Halcomb
Posted in Charities | 1 Comment »

June 19th, 2010 by Joel

Some Help, if you don’t mind, for Ethiopia and Michael

Remember this post?

I’ve also been asked “why” I want to do this. Well, there are a few reasons: 1) It will give me the opportunity to stay connected to Ethiopia, where my adopted son is from; 2) It will give me the opportunity to experience Ethiopia in a different setting and context, that is, apart from a week where the adoption “process” is the focus; 3) It will be a good opportunity for me to get more teaching under my belt; 4) ETC is devoted to the Church! And because this is the case, EVERY student who attends there, must be “sent” on behalf of a church, whether it is one where they pastor or serve as a lay person. With this in mind, I realize that I am equipping students to teach and preach in churches in Ethiopia, whether it be in the countrysides or the cities; 5) This will give me a chance to revisit Korah and its ministers/ministries. To read & see more about that, click the following link: Korah; 6) It gives me the opportunity to allow persons & churches in the states to have a direct hand in helping me teach the Gospel in Ethiopia. Those are just a few of the reasons I so badly want to take hold of this opportunity. Again, if you are interested in supporting the cause, I’d be grateful.

Michael is but a short space from his goal. Would you mind stopping by his site, clicking the paypal button and donating something? $5, $10, what ever you can. I know that he would appreciate it. Or, if at your local congregation tomorrow, take a donation. It is for a good cause.

Tags: ethiopia, Michael Halcomb
Posted in Charities | 2 Comments »

June 4th, 2010 by Joel

Volunteer in the Gulf Oil Spill

From here:

Each of the four Gulf of Mexico states affected by the BP spill have established their own web sites for volunteer coordination within their states. We are working with each of the states to provide email addresses of our volunteers. Everyone who registered at OilSpillVolunteers.com must register at the state sites. The new state registration forms provide much more detail on volunteer qualifications and interests, so that the full OSV database is not directly transferable.

Volunteer Louisiana – http://www.volunteerlouisiana.gov/ 800.755.5175

Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service – http://www.mcvs.org

Volunteer Florida - http://www.volunteerflorida.org/

211 Connects Alabama – http://211connectsalabama.org 866.869.4921

If you live outside the region, be aware that the number of local volunteers seems to greatly outnumber the opportunities for volunteers now. You should identify a specific volunteer role before traveling to the Coast.