What's going on?

Well, it's been a while since I last posted...and yes, new thoughts go through my mind every day I just don't post them here all the time.

This week at school we had Middle School Spiritual Emphasis Week. It's a three day event where we bring in a band and a speaker and the kids get class off for those three days and it's just a fun time for them hearing the word and worship.

We had a band here called Station2 and they were a great band. They did looping and stuff so they sounded like they were a full band even though it was just two of them. I had the priveledge to do sound for them and that was fun as I feel like doing sound for a band could be something I could possibly do in the future if I wanted. Their lyrics were good as well. Also, they brought in a speaker named Mark Canada, and I found out he lived in Willow Street PA for a time which is where my best friend lives right now. Small world, eh?

These last two weeks have been full of fun stuff as well. Going out to eat numerous times and today I went on a 14km hike with some of the staff up on a mountain here. Good times. Got some good photos as well which I'll have to post next time.

So what have I been thinking about Spiritually lately? Well, I feel like I don't have anything mind-blowing, but I've just been thinking about how important it is to reach out to those who don't have. I saw American Idol this week and it was titled, "Idol gives back." It was a 2 hour special where they brought in the big names in Entertainment and did concerts over those 2 hours and raised money for organizations in Africa and organizations in the states that help those who are less fortunate. Now, don't get me wrong, this is good because it provides publicity for these organizations and they get money from American Idol. I think they raised like 30+ million dollars for these organizations and that is good and will help people. But for me, it's hard to see this. To see all these rich people saying do something and the most we can give is 30 million so that they have a better life. I mean, yes, that's a lot of money, but how much more can we do?

I'm the first to be guilty. The whole show while I was watching, I was sad and wanted to cry when they showed some of the situations of the people, and yet, all I could do there was sit on my butt and watch the show and hope that help gets to them. Instead I feel like I should be doing something. I'm so blessed with a good job. How do I know which organization to help though? Or is it better to help people in my own community? Because I know there are tons of people here who could use help as well. Which comes to my next point....

So a while back I posted about how we tried to invite this Korean lady to dinner with us once who was begging on the street and how she refused to go dinner with us. So I was downtown again tonight and we saw her again. But this time I wasn't with someone who spoke Korean who could translate something if I wanted to say something to her. So I just passed her by? But what could I do? What ideas do you have? I could just give her money, but I feel like that's to easy to do. Plus, what is she going to do with it? Instead, I'd love to offer to buy her food, but I can't speak Korean. Ugg, frustration.

So yeah, something needs to be done. So many people in this world are dying and suffering without hearing the name of Jesus. So yeah, we can give lots of money, and that will help, but it's not the money that will ultimately give them the better life I've decided. Yes, it will help, but they need Jesus. And you know what, I believe some people who are poor in other countries have a better quality of life because they depend so much on Christ. They know who will provide for them minute to minute and from knowing that have a peace that surpasses everything else in their lives.

So what's my point? My point is, yes, help by giving money to these organizations, but also concider going there and sharing Christ. But, I beg you to think about that phrase "sharing Christ." I think too often we think we'll just go into a town with a bullhorn and "share Christ", but I think moreso, instead you could go into a community, befriend the people, and then serve. I feel service is one of the most powerful forms of evangelism out there. It's beautiful at times.

Well, all this talk could go on, but I think I'll spare you. I have been reading a blog from a pastor in Malaysia @ http://www.shermankuek.net/ His thoughts are really good, and I'd really encourage you to read them. It might stretch you a little bit and you may feel a bit unconfortable at times, but that's good, isn't it?

That's it from here,

Blessings,

Mike