an idea

Gandhi is credited with saying, "we should live simply so that others may simply live." Now I don't take all my cues from Gandhi but this quote succinctly says something I am very passionate about. The idea that we in this country have a responsibility to everyone- but especially our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world- to live beneath our means in order to redistribute our stuff to those in need.

The biggest problem as I see it is that we don't actually see needs on a daily basis that we can practically meet. I have not met someone truly transformed by Jesus who would look the other way as a friend goes without food or medical care or education or whatever. We give our money, we tell others, we invent ways to help our friends get the care they truly need. But most of our friends are not in destitute poverty. And we just don't see what we consider real poverty on a regular basis. Or if we see it, it's on TV, or through a donation letter, but not up close and personal, as in a conversation.

Many of us sponsor children around the world, give to our favorite organizations and do our best to be generous and make a difference. In fact, everyone I know wishes they had more to give. Because there is just something good and right about letting go of our resources and seeing them used to make someone's life tangibly better. To be the answer to someone's prayers for provision, or as Gary Haugen said, "to help people who have a hard time believing that God is good."

Well, not too long ago Matt Stauffer and I were talking about this, and with some encouragement from my friend Amy Wright decided to do something. We are a developing a website that is intended to help you free up more of your money so that you have more to be generous with. Essentially, we believe that small decisions on a weekly basis can add up enough to significantly impact peoples lives. No, we're not asking for your donations, but we do want to see you give more to the organizations that you think are doing a good job of making the world a better place. A world where there is no more hunger or pain or sickness or tears or death.

The site is FAR from finished but we're at a point where in the next couple of weeks we will need some people to begin using it to help us make it better (and hopefully) to help free up resources for what God is doing around the world. If you think you might be interested, head over to Spend Less Give More and sign up to be notified for when we launch the Beta version.

Transfer of Power

Whatever else any one may think or feel about the recent election, here's something that makes me proud. Quoting a post from Real Clear Politics:

When (George) Washington stepped aside after two terms, his old adversary King George III is supposed to have said, "If he does that, sir, he will be the greatest man in the world."

I am proud that there is a history of over 200 years and 40 peaceful transfers of power between presidents. Let's not take that for granted.

-thanks to Brian at Pixelated Pad and Pen for the link and quote.

the scales of justice

So, after 13 years of eligibility I was eventually summoned for jury duty. Monday morning I showed up at the Alachua County Courthouse not sure what to expect but slightly annoyed and slightly intrigued.

Other than getting a bit behind in InterVarsity work stuff it didn't turn out to be too bad of a day. I was glad I had my computer because I was able to take advantage of the free wireless signal in downtown Gainesville.

The most interesting part by far was the Voir Dire process. I was on the first panel that was interviewed by the state prosecutors and the defense attorney. The crazy thing was watching a couple of the potential jurors who seemed to be answering questions in order to ensure they did not get selected. Seemed pretty immature to me.

The final result? I was selected as part of the jury for a case of "battery" on Thursday.

have we done something wrong?

we have, haven't we?

seeking...?

I've been studying the "Sermon on the Mount" and leaning heavily on John Stott's book/commentary of it this summer. Stott is possibly my favorite teacher of scripture and today I read something that flipped my old thoughts upside-down.

I was reading his treatment of Matthew 6:31-34 regarding seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness. Stott writes:

God's kingdom exists only where Jesus Christ is consciously acknowledged. To be in his kingdom is synonymous with enjoying his salvation. Only the born again have seen and entered the kingdom. And to seek it first is to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

But God's 'righteousness' is (arguably, at least) a wider concept than God's 'kingdom'. It includes that individual and social righteousness to which reference has been made earlier in the Sermon. And God, because he is himself a righteous God, desires righteousness in every human community, not just in every Christian community.

He goes on to say that to 'seek his kingdom and his righteousness' may be said to embrace our Christian evangelistic and social responsibilities. Aside from being a great scriptural summary of those two twin values, this summary may not be earth shattering to you. But what surprised me was that I tend to think of those two terms flipped around with 'kingdom' incorporating social responsibilities and 'righteousness' coming from saving faith through evangelism. But now I am seeing it like Stott and realizing once again that I need to use and think about words more carefully.

Any thoughts?

wishing I had a camera on my phone...

recent life stuff

• Mackeil is growing (but the number of people who can pronounce his name is not)
• Andrew was admitted to the hospital with Nephrotic Syndrome (but he is fine now)

• I made the switch to a Mac
• I think it was a good decision

• I have begun to get really excited about SpendLessGiveMore
• we made our first decision at an IV staff meeting to Spend Less & Give More
  
• a group of us saved $20 by sharing a container of Breyers Ice Cream instead of going to ColdStone
• we will give the savings to Feed the Children