Align Your Actions With Your Values

Make generosity a part of every day.  Use the following inspirations to better align your actions with your values, get more spiritually grounded and deepen your relationships with the people around you.

Think Outside Yourself - Many of us would give more than we do if we didn't feel so boxed in to certain roles.  These self-images (mother, teacher, business executive) can limit our view of what we can contribute. True service isn't about what we have to offer by who we are; it's about being available, willing  and open to whatever the need may be.

Be Happy For Someone Else - Share joy or true happiness for someone else's good fortune.  Celebrate in a friend's news and you may find that good fortune and energy rubbing off on you.

Give What You Need - At first this doesn't make sense.  If you need something, how can you possible have it to give away?  Therein lies the whole point--the magic behind giving.  Rather than viewing yourself in need of things from others, see yourself as the giver of those things and you may be surprised as to what happens.  Think about what you'd like more of in your life.  More friends?  Make it a point to be there for someone in need.  More laughter?  Share a joke or funny story--and you'll be laughing too.

Use the News - when listening to the doom-and-gloom of the nightly news do you wonder, "What can I do -- and what difference would it make anyway?".  But our response is a choice that's under our control.  Start seeing the news differently.  Watch with a different perspective, using the information as a guide to where help is most needed and then act on it.

Reach Beyond Your Circle - Chances are, you give most to the people closes to you.  While this might be where giving starts, it shouldn't end there.  We need to strike a balance between giving to those we know and those we don't.  By widening your scope, you send a message that the rest of the world matters.

Pass the Torch - Showing generosity toward others goes beyond just being nice; it means empowering them with a sense of value.  When you teach someone a new skill or technique, praise his/her contributions.  Who in your world could benefit from your attention and time?

Give All Day, Everywhere - Try making a special effort to give attention and kindness to all the people you interact with, whether you know them or not.  Notice how it changes your experience, your mood, and the way people respond to you.   

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Rescue, Raise & Rebuild - Watoto Ministry (Uganda, Africa)

This is long post I know, but please bear with me and read to the end...

Approximately 47.5 million orphans live in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1/4 whom have lost parents to Aids...2.5 million of those children live in Uganda.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE in the lives of those children in Uganda is the Watoto Ministry.  This ministry is designed to not only help meet the needs of orphaned children and widows in Uganda, but transform their lives.  The Watoto Model is the construction of children's villages, which provides a home-like environment where children are housed, clothed, fed, educated and spiritually discipled with the intention to train and equip them as future leaders.  The goal is to provide holistic, residential care for every child so that each one will become a responsible Christian and a productive citizen of Uganda and Africa. Please visit http://www.watoto.com/ to learn more about this wonderful  ministry.  Click the Projects tab and The Watoto Model link for specifics re the villages.

 I would also like to introduce you to Charity Gray.  A dear friend of mine and a true sister in Christ.  Charity traveled to the Watoto village last summer on a mission trip where the team completed a four-room schoolhouse for orphan children in 3-1/2 days. She knew before she left that she would some day return; she just wasn't sure in what capacity.  The trip left a lasting impression. Charity firmly believes the Lord is calling her into missions with the African nation, and the Lord has provided what she believes is "the opportunity of a lifetime." She has been offered a position  through Watoto Ministries as a personal assistant to the Facilities Management Department.  She will travel from village to village, interacting with Watoto moms and children while doing discipleship work and leading each household to taking on the role of a home owner.  Another key element will be dealing with social issues involving the moms and children, utilizing the experience she gained while working for Greene County Social Services (Springfield, MO).

I tell you all this to allow you an opportunity to be a part of this incredible journey of faith and MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  If you would like to assist in this ministry, there are several ways you can become involved...PRAY...GIVE...FOLLOW. 

PRAY...for the children of Uganda, the Watoto Ministry, and wisdom and discernment for Charity
GIVE...partner financially providing funds upfront in order for Charity to leave for Uganda or support during her 3 year commitment*
FOLLOW...visit Charity's blog www.myjourneywiththefather.blogspot.com.

Please prayerfully consider how the Lord may be leading you to assist in this life-changing endeavor.

*For accountability and tax purposes, financial gifts will go through Selmore Baptist Church (Charity's church home) and Selmore will then send you a tax letter.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.  (James 1:27 NIV).

Encourage a Young Person

Most young people have great courage and enthusiasm--if you know how to tap into it.  Schools, churches and charitable organizations offer many opportunities to encourage children and adolescents, from mentoring one-on-one to working with groups.  Your knowledge and experience can be helpful, but your caring attention will make the greatest difference.

Teenagers and young adults respond to your attention.  When you share your skills and interests with one kid or a group of kids, your heartfelt interest can encourage them to make wiser and better life decisions.

Invest your time in serving as a mentor to a young person.

Teachers' Aid

I ran across a neat website called, www.iloveschools.com.  Reduced funding for many schools means classrooms have to do even more with less.  Teachers all over the country use this site to post wish lists of supplies, and donors help defray the cost.  You can also post items you have on hand (a used computer, musical instruments) on the donor-offer board.

My church, Selmore Baptist in Ozark, MO, is blessed with quite a few members who are teachers in the area public school systems.  I would like to invite them to provide me with their own school supply "wish list" and I'd be happy to publish the list on this blog and then let others know how they can help.

Teachers help shape everyone's world...including yours!

Life is Happening Now

Are you truly living this moment or instead racing against the clock?

Time is an irreplaceable commodity and today our lives are filled with hurrying, multi-tasking, emailing, and texting.  It's ironic...we are making connections so constantly we don't realize how disconnected we've become.

Slow down...pay attention to what you're experiencing while you're experiencing it.  Practice keeping your focus on the present moment...that's where your life is actually happening.

Don't let your virtual life distract you from the real thing.

Most importantly - Value Time As A Gift From God  

Life is good - don't miss it!

New Year's Revolution

New Year's Day is traditionally a time for looking forward, when we resolve to make a fresh start, do better, try harder, live up to expectations.  But all too often these resolutions evaporate by the time we have cleared up the remains of the previous night's celebration and almost certainly by the time we head back to work (speaking from experience).

If nothing in the world around you changes--same old problems (wars, famine, injustice, disease, poverty) reported day in, day out on the news here's a thought.  As the world events unfold on your TV screen, bring about a New Year's Revolution.  Change your life by resolving to change the world!

The first thing you need is a plan of action.  Set targets for what you want to achieve.  Be ambitious.  But make sure that your plan is achievable.  Don't be afraid of failure.  Do something and try your best to succeed.

Wishing you a Happy New Year...Together Let's Make A Difference in 2010.

Holiday Recycling

CHRISTMAS CARDS...give your holiday greeting cards a future life by donating them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, an organization for abused, abondoned, and neglected children.  The children earn money by removing the fronts of donated cards to make new ones sold in packets of 10.  This year's cards will be accepted through February 28, 2010.  Visit http://www.stjudesranch.org/ for donation and purchasing details.

REAL TREES...Wickman Garden's Christmas Tree Recycle Event  (Springfield, MO).  Wickman's is accepting trees now through January 13.  They request a $5 donation that will benefit the Kitchen, Inc.  The trees will be ground into wood chips which are available for FREE; bring your own container (great for gardens).  Mon-Sat 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sun 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.  Located at 1345 South Fort Avenue.

Visit http://www.earth911.com/ for recycling locations near you for various items (household, electronics, etc.).

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!