Dear Friends:
This year numerous churches, businesses, families and individuals have joined the "Gift Revolution".
What does that mean and how does it differ from typical holiday giving? Let me try to explain . .
The Gift Revolution is not about purchasing a one-time gift--it is all about developing a habit or a lifestyle of giving. Addiction specialists know it takes 28 days to change behavior or to break a bad habit. The Gift Revolution calls for a month of developing a good habit--that of a giving lifestyle based on the concept of paying it forward.
Several years ago a movie came out entitled "Pay it Forward". In the film a young boy was faced with a challenging school assignment. He was asked to develop an idea with the potential to change the world. His idea was to start a "Random Acts of Kindness" revolution using the same mathematical formula sales moguls have applied for years. The premise went like this: If the boy did three random acts for three total strangers and each stranger did three acts for three others and so on, the impact would be tremendous.
The Gift Revolution calls for participants to develop a lifestyle of giving that requires simple acts of kindness (or giving)--once a day throughout the month of December.When a participant does an act of giving they encourage the recipient to follow suit.
This movement was launched by a network of like-minded people who came together in a collaborative effort to create a movement which is quickly gaining support all across the world.
To participate is simple: Just visit the official Gift Reveolution website at www.thegiftrevolution.com. Once there, you can order some gift cards to hand out as you go about doing good deeds and distributing gifts. Remember, your gift does not have to be costly. You can give service or time. Be creative. As you commit some random acts of giving, distribute your gift cards to those who receive your efforts, then post your videos and stories online at the Gift Revolution website. This way, the impact of this revolution can be measured and shared around the globe.
One story currently posted on the website is an account of two ladies whose husbands are deployed who decided to go to Taco Bell for dinner and were amazed when the cashier told them the previous customer had paid for their meals. Another story is from a 20-year-old in Jacksonville, NC who said she makes gift baskets each Christmas to distribute at a nearby Veteran's Hospital.
There are plenty of ways you can join this year's Gift Revolution just by doing some small kind act for someone else while expecting nothing in return. Remember, it taks about a month to change behavior for better or for worse. If you start today perhaps the act of giving will carry with you throughout the New Year as well.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Living Like Jesus
Dear Friends:
I bought myself a Christmas gift. I know that's not the best thing to do in today's economy but I couldn't resist. I deliberately stay away from Barnes and Nobles because I am such an avid reader I always end up finding at least one book I either need or desperately want to read and can not finish in just one sitting.
The book I bought today is written by Ed Dobson and it is called "The Year of Living Like Jesus--My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do". It is written like a diary or a journal and promises to chronicle Dobson's daily experiences as he "transitions from someone who follows Jesus to someone who lives like Jesus."
Wow. Isn't that the transition we'd all love to make. I know I would.
Dobson does not take this adventure lightly. While writing this book he not only tried to handle life circumstances in ways that Jesus would, he actually adopted a lifestyle that included observing traditional Jewish holy days, not shaving and personally engaging himself in not only researching, but also exploring and practicing, Judeo-Christian practices.
In prayerful response to his own degenerative illness, Dobson also put a great deal of energy into studying and emulating Jesus's response to suffering and healing.
The book has already received rave reviews from well respected pastors and rabbi's. It first caught my attention b/c I was familiar with Ed Dobson's work as an editor for Christianity Today and I knew of him through my work at the Cornerstone Music Festival. He is a member of Jesus People USA and has been a pastor of Calvery Church in Grand Rapids Michegan.
I haven't started reading it yet but I must say its overall theme and unique approach perked my curiosity. I'll write a review on this blog once I've read it. If I can go without too many distractions I can generally zip through an interesting book in a very short time.
In the meantime I encourage each of you to engage in some reading of your own and to find new ways to experience spiritual growth. Imagine what the world would be like if we all spent more time transitioning ourselves from following Jesus to living like Jesus. Wow . . .
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
I bought myself a Christmas gift. I know that's not the best thing to do in today's economy but I couldn't resist. I deliberately stay away from Barnes and Nobles because I am such an avid reader I always end up finding at least one book I either need or desperately want to read and can not finish in just one sitting.
The book I bought today is written by Ed Dobson and it is called "The Year of Living Like Jesus--My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do". It is written like a diary or a journal and promises to chronicle Dobson's daily experiences as he "transitions from someone who follows Jesus to someone who lives like Jesus."
Wow. Isn't that the transition we'd all love to make. I know I would.
Dobson does not take this adventure lightly. While writing this book he not only tried to handle life circumstances in ways that Jesus would, he actually adopted a lifestyle that included observing traditional Jewish holy days, not shaving and personally engaging himself in not only researching, but also exploring and practicing, Judeo-Christian practices.
In prayerful response to his own degenerative illness, Dobson also put a great deal of energy into studying and emulating Jesus's response to suffering and healing.
The book has already received rave reviews from well respected pastors and rabbi's. It first caught my attention b/c I was familiar with Ed Dobson's work as an editor for Christianity Today and I knew of him through my work at the Cornerstone Music Festival. He is a member of Jesus People USA and has been a pastor of Calvery Church in Grand Rapids Michegan.
I haven't started reading it yet but I must say its overall theme and unique approach perked my curiosity. I'll write a review on this blog once I've read it. If I can go without too many distractions I can generally zip through an interesting book in a very short time.
In the meantime I encourage each of you to engage in some reading of your own and to find new ways to experience spiritual growth. Imagine what the world would be like if we all spent more time transitioning ourselves from following Jesus to living like Jesus. Wow . . .
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Tis' the Season
Dear Friends:
This is the season for random acts. This is the season for spreading joy and going out of our way to help others. This is the season for gift-giving and family gatherings and going the extra step to support worthy causes. It is the season for celebrating the birth of a saviour and spreading a bit of joy. It is the time to offer hope.
My question is why now? Why not all year round?
Perhaps I am the quintessential example of why all the time doesn't work for everyone. On September 11th I set out to write a daily blog based on random acts. I didn't even make it a month without running short on ideas and failing to sit down at the computer to type out my blog entry. October was not much better even though random acts were happening all around the blog and I was able to find some amazing stories of what others were doing. November I missed completely. I was too tied up in my own little life . . .
Great intentions with little follow-through--that's my trouble. We get caught up in our daily routines and fail to put others first. Sometimes we get stuck in survival mode . . . Sometimes we do random acts of something but don't even realize it. Other times its best to keep what we do to ourselves. The best random acts are those we do when no one is watching and we are not compelled to give ourselves credit.
Even so, I have not completely abandoned the idea of writing this daily blog. A little research shows there are thousands of folks out there doing really great things for their communities and who are blessing others in so many unique and wonderful ways. Sometimes it is OK to share our ideas and what we've done in order to motivate and encourage others to get off the couch and get busy. The cool thing about blogs is anyone can write one--the trick is keeping at it and writing something significant in the process.
In the days and weeks to come I hope to be more aggressive in writing this blog. I hope to find and share great stories of what others are doing to make a difference; I hope to provide some resources and ideas on how you can not only become a committer of random acts through the holiday season but all year round. Mostly, I hope to step out and step up my own efforts to bless others and to reach out into the community. My goal is to give more and to truly live a vibrant life made up of random acts.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
This is the season for random acts. This is the season for spreading joy and going out of our way to help others. This is the season for gift-giving and family gatherings and going the extra step to support worthy causes. It is the season for celebrating the birth of a saviour and spreading a bit of joy. It is the time to offer hope.
My question is why now? Why not all year round?
Perhaps I am the quintessential example of why all the time doesn't work for everyone. On September 11th I set out to write a daily blog based on random acts. I didn't even make it a month without running short on ideas and failing to sit down at the computer to type out my blog entry. October was not much better even though random acts were happening all around the blog and I was able to find some amazing stories of what others were doing. November I missed completely. I was too tied up in my own little life . . .
Great intentions with little follow-through--that's my trouble. We get caught up in our daily routines and fail to put others first. Sometimes we get stuck in survival mode . . . Sometimes we do random acts of something but don't even realize it. Other times its best to keep what we do to ourselves. The best random acts are those we do when no one is watching and we are not compelled to give ourselves credit.
Even so, I have not completely abandoned the idea of writing this daily blog. A little research shows there are thousands of folks out there doing really great things for their communities and who are blessing others in so many unique and wonderful ways. Sometimes it is OK to share our ideas and what we've done in order to motivate and encourage others to get off the couch and get busy. The cool thing about blogs is anyone can write one--the trick is keeping at it and writing something significant in the process.
In the days and weeks to come I hope to be more aggressive in writing this blog. I hope to find and share great stories of what others are doing to make a difference; I hope to provide some resources and ideas on how you can not only become a committer of random acts through the holiday season but all year round. Mostly, I hope to step out and step up my own efforts to bless others and to reach out into the community. My goal is to give more and to truly live a vibrant life made up of random acts.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Friday, October 16, 2009
SUPPORT A CAUSE
Dear Friends:
One of the greatest random acts you can do is to find a worthy cause and support it. My friend Ginny brought a great cause to my attention a month or so ago. It is called American Souls in honor of a 21-year-old fallen soldier named Darren Tate. The goal is to collect and distribute one pair of shoes to someone in Afghanistan, for every American soldier who has died there. Sadly that is a lot of shoes.
Initially the project was called Darren's Shoes in memory of Airman Darren Tate who reportedly sent money home to the states asking his mother to purchase clothing and shoes for folks he met in Afghanistan. His mom would then send the items back and Darren would distribute them at random.
Darren died on July 8, 2009 while serving our country. His aunt and uncle decided to continue the effort in his memory. So far, they have partnered with new shoe manufacturers and they have opened a warehouse for storage and shipping. They estimate the cost to purchase and ship a new pair of shoes to be about $25.
The name of the organization was recently changed from Darren's Shoes to American Souls in memory of all fallen soldiers. To find out more about this effort or to make a donation, please visit www.americansouls.org.
Here is an interesting thought direct from their website:
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you and me… Jesus Christ our Savior …and the American Soldier. Only one died for your soul, and the other died for your freedom.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
One of the greatest random acts you can do is to find a worthy cause and support it. My friend Ginny brought a great cause to my attention a month or so ago. It is called American Souls in honor of a 21-year-old fallen soldier named Darren Tate. The goal is to collect and distribute one pair of shoes to someone in Afghanistan, for every American soldier who has died there. Sadly that is a lot of shoes.
Initially the project was called Darren's Shoes in memory of Airman Darren Tate who reportedly sent money home to the states asking his mother to purchase clothing and shoes for folks he met in Afghanistan. His mom would then send the items back and Darren would distribute them at random.
Darren died on July 8, 2009 while serving our country. His aunt and uncle decided to continue the effort in his memory. So far, they have partnered with new shoe manufacturers and they have opened a warehouse for storage and shipping. They estimate the cost to purchase and ship a new pair of shoes to be about $25.
The name of the organization was recently changed from Darren's Shoes to American Souls in memory of all fallen soldiers. To find out more about this effort or to make a donation, please visit www.americansouls.org.
Here is an interesting thought direct from their website:
There are only two defining forces that have offered to die for you and me… Jesus Christ our Savior …and the American Soldier. Only one died for your soul, and the other died for your freedom.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Send a Smile
Dear Friends:
I woke up this morning searching for something random and significant; something substantial enough to make a difference. We all want to make this world a better place. We want to shake the atmosphere if we can. If we can't do that . . . if we can't have that degree of impact, we at least want to reach out and touch those who are close. But how?
What is the secret behind simple acts of kindness each and every day? I say it starts with a KISS -- that's (k)eep (i)t (s)imple (s)tupid. No need to complicate things -- find something easy and do it. But what? What could that possibly be?
Random acts should happen naturally. Kindness should flow the same way the river flows down stream (up stream if its the St. Johns). If we could only find a simple, specific do-able act and do it diligently until it becomes a habit -- wow! And what if we passed it on and others joined in? Just think how great that would be. Imagine how many people we might ultimately reach. Do the math. If I start a random act and pass it on to three of my friends who then pass it on to three of theirs and so on . . . suddenly we have this huge chain reaction and our lofty idea of showering the earth with kindness doesn't seem so silly anymore.
But first, we must find the proper act.
There is a ceramic mug next to my computer screen and it has caught my eye. It holds pens and markers. It is bright yellow with a big smiley face. Each time I get stuck at the keyboard with no ideas flowing, I rid myself of the frustration by looking over at that face staring straight at me. No matter what I'm thinking or how I'm feeling I can't help but shrug it off and smile back at that crazy little mug. Smiles beget more smiles.
Smiles do something wonderful for the soul. Smiles are contagious; they bless both the sender and the receiver. Smiles are the universal language of the heart. Smiles outspeak our words; they send waves of peace and joy throughout the atmosphere. Smiles have no boundaries. Smiles are the ultimate act of kindness. So there you have it my friends. If you want to bless others and experience a sense of joy -- smile. A smile might be the simplest and most effective random act of kindness you can ever commit. Just think, it only takes 21 days to change your behavior and smiles do not use nearly as many muscles as frowns (and thats great news for those of us aging Baby Boomers starting to see some wrinkles).
Wanna make a difference? Send a smile to everyone you know and remember to smile as you encounter others throughout your busy day.
Send a Smile,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
I woke up this morning searching for something random and significant; something substantial enough to make a difference. We all want to make this world a better place. We want to shake the atmosphere if we can. If we can't do that . . . if we can't have that degree of impact, we at least want to reach out and touch those who are close. But how?
What is the secret behind simple acts of kindness each and every day? I say it starts with a KISS -- that's (k)eep (i)t (s)imple (s)tupid. No need to complicate things -- find something easy and do it. But what? What could that possibly be?
Random acts should happen naturally. Kindness should flow the same way the river flows down stream (up stream if its the St. Johns). If we could only find a simple, specific do-able act and do it diligently until it becomes a habit -- wow! And what if we passed it on and others joined in? Just think how great that would be. Imagine how many people we might ultimately reach. Do the math. If I start a random act and pass it on to three of my friends who then pass it on to three of theirs and so on . . . suddenly we have this huge chain reaction and our lofty idea of showering the earth with kindness doesn't seem so silly anymore.
But first, we must find the proper act.
There is a ceramic mug next to my computer screen and it has caught my eye. It holds pens and markers. It is bright yellow with a big smiley face. Each time I get stuck at the keyboard with no ideas flowing, I rid myself of the frustration by looking over at that face staring straight at me. No matter what I'm thinking or how I'm feeling I can't help but shrug it off and smile back at that crazy little mug. Smiles beget more smiles.
Smiles do something wonderful for the soul. Smiles are contagious; they bless both the sender and the receiver. Smiles are the universal language of the heart. Smiles outspeak our words; they send waves of peace and joy throughout the atmosphere. Smiles have no boundaries. Smiles are the ultimate act of kindness. So there you have it my friends. If you want to bless others and experience a sense of joy -- smile. A smile might be the simplest and most effective random act of kindness you can ever commit. Just think, it only takes 21 days to change your behavior and smiles do not use nearly as many muscles as frowns (and thats great news for those of us aging Baby Boomers starting to see some wrinkles).
Wanna make a difference? Send a smile to everyone you know and remember to smile as you encounter others throughout your busy day.
Send a Smile,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Bounce Back and Move Ahead
Dear Friends:
I woke up yesterday to the realization that I am now almost 30 days into this Random Acts blog. I began this as a personal effort to initiate a little poetic justice in response to the September 11th terrorist attack on our country. My goal was to spread a little love and kindness and to encourage others to do the same. Sadly my efforts have been no more consistent than those good efforts most of us made in the days and weeks following that awful event. So far, I have posted blogs less than 50 percent of the time. Certainly not often enough to fulfill my original intent.
As for my acts, most have not been random. They haven't been consistent or even all that loving or kind. Some days were better than others. Other days zip -- nothing at all. Many days I stayed glued to my computer or stuck in my house doing very little for anyone but myself. The few blogs I actually did write have been so lengthy I'm sure most folks did not read them all the way through. The theory of the blog is to keep it simple and short. That's always a struggle for me.
So what does this mean and where do I go from here? More acts. Shorter blogs. Strive to stay steady. Never give up. Stamina, fortitude, perseverence. It's either move forward, stay stuck, fall behind or fold.
I choose to keep on moving.
The Word of God says we all miss the mark and fall short. The solution is to admit it, apologize when and if apologies are due, repent (turn the other way) and keep going. When we fall down or fall back or slack off -- we need to get back up, shake the dust and set our best foot forward. Bounce back! Spring forward! The longer we wait or dwell on what went wrong the longer it may take to set it right. This applies far beyond staying steady at writing a blog. May God's grace reveal how it may apply in your own life and may you arise, shake the dust and keep moving ahead.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
I woke up yesterday to the realization that I am now almost 30 days into this Random Acts blog. I began this as a personal effort to initiate a little poetic justice in response to the September 11th terrorist attack on our country. My goal was to spread a little love and kindness and to encourage others to do the same. Sadly my efforts have been no more consistent than those good efforts most of us made in the days and weeks following that awful event. So far, I have posted blogs less than 50 percent of the time. Certainly not often enough to fulfill my original intent.
As for my acts, most have not been random. They haven't been consistent or even all that loving or kind. Some days were better than others. Other days zip -- nothing at all. Many days I stayed glued to my computer or stuck in my house doing very little for anyone but myself. The few blogs I actually did write have been so lengthy I'm sure most folks did not read them all the way through. The theory of the blog is to keep it simple and short. That's always a struggle for me.
So what does this mean and where do I go from here? More acts. Shorter blogs. Strive to stay steady. Never give up. Stamina, fortitude, perseverence. It's either move forward, stay stuck, fall behind or fold.
I choose to keep on moving.
The Word of God says we all miss the mark and fall short. The solution is to admit it, apologize when and if apologies are due, repent (turn the other way) and keep going. When we fall down or fall back or slack off -- we need to get back up, shake the dust and set our best foot forward. Bounce back! Spring forward! The longer we wait or dwell on what went wrong the longer it may take to set it right. This applies far beyond staying steady at writing a blog. May God's grace reveal how it may apply in your own life and may you arise, shake the dust and keep moving ahead.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
But For the Grace of God Go I
Dear Friends:
October 1st brought us midway into the annual hurricane season. It also brought several sighs of relief.
Each year, Americans (especially those of us who live in Florida or along the Gulf Coast) rush out to get our hurricane tracking maps (Publix prints them on the back of paper shopping bags) and then we spend the next four months semi holding our breath -- just hoping and praying no major storms will hit us this year. So far so good. We have been lucky, but we still have five more weeks before the season officially ends.
Florida had its share of back to back bad storms in 1994. Since then we've done well. Although saw over 20 inches of rain and major flooding up and down the St. John's River and too many bad tornados to even count, we have been lucky and we count our blessings.
For a complete account of all the federal disaster declarations over the past 50 or so years, visit www.fema.gov and be in shock!
Last year, the Gulf Coast was pounded several times. New Orleans thought for sure Gustav would bring back a second round of Katrina's fury but, luckily, the storm hit to the west and did not do as much destruction as initially anticipated. Hurricane Ike was another story. It was the third costliest storm to ever hit the United States right after Katrina and Andrew, which tore up south Florida over a decade ago. Experts say the damage from Ike will take at least as long to clean up and rebuild as it did after Katrina. The last work camp from Katirna was located in Mississippi. It just closed last June.
Rebuilding homes and lives after a natural disaster is a very long process. Even when communities are rebuilt they still are not the same -- everything changes.
Each time I read about a disaster or hear about a crisis in some other location I can't help but think "but for the grace of God" it was not us. I live on the east coast of Florida. Our state is like a big thumb stuck out in the ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is a sitting duck. Mobile home parks are especially vulnerable.
Just look at Barefoot Bay located just north of Vero Beach right near where the Indian River shares a waterway that leads into the Atlantic. There is something about that location -- maybe its the water, the air or whatever . . . but for some odd reason that community seems to experience some type of flooding or damage over and over again. When it does --those of us to the north, the south and the west breath deep and say once again "but for the grace of God."
The fact is that no location on earth is safe from the increase in natural and man-made disasters. Communities need to untite and pool resources and figure out proactively how to plan for a potential event. Families also need to have a clear plan as to how they would respond. Churches need written disaster plans and should understand how valuable training in crisis counseling and disaster response can be not only for their own congregations but for the community at large.
The Florida Crisis Consortium is currently training spiritual counselors to work side by side with mental health officials to respond to disasters and to conduct door to door assessments after a crisis happens. Here is a great opportunity for people of faith to offer hope. For more information on this visit www.floridashealth.com/prepare or contact Lynne_drawdy@doh.state.fl.us. Paid training and paid deployment opportunities are available.
Communities need to unite and pool resources. The time to get training, build relationships and create response plans is NOW -- not AFTER a disaster hits.
Not only that, organized teams are better able to respond to nearby communities in need. Here is our opportunity to share the love and hope in Christ to hurting people right in their hour of need. I believe that is the very essence of our Christian faith. It is all good to send money to far off missions but what about filling gaps and serving critical needs right here at home?
Families also need to have a clear plan as to how they would respond in an emergency. We all believe we'll be able to think on our feet and respond as needed but would we really? Churches need written disaster plans to help protect assets and to take care of their own congregation members while also exploring ways they can be a resource and an asset to the community at large.
Just think, if every church specializes in one aspect of disaster prep, response and relief communities can become strong enough to cope. When the church is organized it becomes a valuable asset to local government and there is less liklihood of duplication or territorial disputes. There are plety of resources available to get churches organized and trained with credentials local, state and national government will recognize and appreciate. When disaster strikes, people must work together. For online training visit www.actsworldrelief.org or www.fema.gov.
For two days I wondered if my children's aunt Lena, her family and the church she and her husband pastor had been swept away by the huge tsunami which washed over American Samoa last week. I finally got word that she and her immediate family were safe in a hotel in Hawaii. The school they ran, and her Samoan husband's family did not fare so well -- they were in direct line of the 22 foot wave.
On September 21, 2009 20 inches of rain fell over metro Atlanta causing over 100 roads and three major highways to close. The roller-coasters at Six Flags in Murietta were nearly sunk under the red clay muddy waters. Far worse, at least seven people lost their lives.
Volunteers are desperately needed in the Atlanta region right now to help muck out homes and to assist with clean-up and to eventually help rebuild. There are several national relief ministries looking for short and long term volunteers. Individuals as well as church groups are needed and it does not require special skills to clean up debris or to muck out a home or business.
To read about the storm or for video clips visit www.wsbtv.com in Atlanta or go to www.abc.newsgo.com.
To volunteer for a few days or weeks, contact www.operationblessing.org, www.cityimpactministries.org; www.actsworldrelief.org or www.somebodycares.org.
If you are asking what all this has to do with Random Acts think twice. The planning you do today will make it easier if a disaster strikes. The prayers, money or volunteer hours you spend now to help your business, church, community or a national relief group prepare or respond to a crisis will bless disaster victims and will strengthen our local and national ability to respond.
Get involved.
Blessing,
Cindi (aka. POETIC JUSTICE)
October 1st brought us midway into the annual hurricane season. It also brought several sighs of relief.
Each year, Americans (especially those of us who live in Florida or along the Gulf Coast) rush out to get our hurricane tracking maps (Publix prints them on the back of paper shopping bags) and then we spend the next four months semi holding our breath -- just hoping and praying no major storms will hit us this year. So far so good. We have been lucky, but we still have five more weeks before the season officially ends.
Florida had its share of back to back bad storms in 1994. Since then we've done well. Although saw over 20 inches of rain and major flooding up and down the St. John's River and too many bad tornados to even count, we have been lucky and we count our blessings.
For a complete account of all the federal disaster declarations over the past 50 or so years, visit www.fema.gov and be in shock!
Last year, the Gulf Coast was pounded several times. New Orleans thought for sure Gustav would bring back a second round of Katrina's fury but, luckily, the storm hit to the west and did not do as much destruction as initially anticipated. Hurricane Ike was another story. It was the third costliest storm to ever hit the United States right after Katrina and Andrew, which tore up south Florida over a decade ago. Experts say the damage from Ike will take at least as long to clean up and rebuild as it did after Katrina. The last work camp from Katirna was located in Mississippi. It just closed last June.
Rebuilding homes and lives after a natural disaster is a very long process. Even when communities are rebuilt they still are not the same -- everything changes.
Each time I read about a disaster or hear about a crisis in some other location I can't help but think "but for the grace of God" it was not us. I live on the east coast of Florida. Our state is like a big thumb stuck out in the ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is a sitting duck. Mobile home parks are especially vulnerable.
Just look at Barefoot Bay located just north of Vero Beach right near where the Indian River shares a waterway that leads into the Atlantic. There is something about that location -- maybe its the water, the air or whatever . . . but for some odd reason that community seems to experience some type of flooding or damage over and over again. When it does --those of us to the north, the south and the west breath deep and say once again "but for the grace of God."
The fact is that no location on earth is safe from the increase in natural and man-made disasters. Communities need to untite and pool resources and figure out proactively how to plan for a potential event. Families also need to have a clear plan as to how they would respond. Churches need written disaster plans and should understand how valuable training in crisis counseling and disaster response can be not only for their own congregations but for the community at large.
The Florida Crisis Consortium is currently training spiritual counselors to work side by side with mental health officials to respond to disasters and to conduct door to door assessments after a crisis happens. Here is a great opportunity for people of faith to offer hope. For more information on this visit www.floridashealth.com/prepare or contact Lynne_drawdy@doh.state.fl.us. Paid training and paid deployment opportunities are available.
Communities need to unite and pool resources. The time to get training, build relationships and create response plans is NOW -- not AFTER a disaster hits.
Not only that, organized teams are better able to respond to nearby communities in need. Here is our opportunity to share the love and hope in Christ to hurting people right in their hour of need. I believe that is the very essence of our Christian faith. It is all good to send money to far off missions but what about filling gaps and serving critical needs right here at home?
Families also need to have a clear plan as to how they would respond in an emergency. We all believe we'll be able to think on our feet and respond as needed but would we really? Churches need written disaster plans to help protect assets and to take care of their own congregation members while also exploring ways they can be a resource and an asset to the community at large.
Just think, if every church specializes in one aspect of disaster prep, response and relief communities can become strong enough to cope. When the church is organized it becomes a valuable asset to local government and there is less liklihood of duplication or territorial disputes. There are plety of resources available to get churches organized and trained with credentials local, state and national government will recognize and appreciate. When disaster strikes, people must work together. For online training visit www.actsworldrelief.org or www.fema.gov.
For two days I wondered if my children's aunt Lena, her family and the church she and her husband pastor had been swept away by the huge tsunami which washed over American Samoa last week. I finally got word that she and her immediate family were safe in a hotel in Hawaii. The school they ran, and her Samoan husband's family did not fare so well -- they were in direct line of the 22 foot wave.
On September 21, 2009 20 inches of rain fell over metro Atlanta causing over 100 roads and three major highways to close. The roller-coasters at Six Flags in Murietta were nearly sunk under the red clay muddy waters. Far worse, at least seven people lost their lives.
Volunteers are desperately needed in the Atlanta region right now to help muck out homes and to assist with clean-up and to eventually help rebuild. There are several national relief ministries looking for short and long term volunteers. Individuals as well as church groups are needed and it does not require special skills to clean up debris or to muck out a home or business.
To read about the storm or for video clips visit www.wsbtv.com in Atlanta or go to www.abc.newsgo.com.
To volunteer for a few days or weeks, contact www.operationblessing.org, www.cityimpactministries.org; www.actsworldrelief.org or www.somebodycares.org.
If you are asking what all this has to do with Random Acts think twice. The planning you do today will make it easier if a disaster strikes. The prayers, money or volunteer hours you spend now to help your business, church, community or a national relief group prepare or respond to a crisis will bless disaster victims and will strengthen our local and national ability to respond.
Get involved.
Blessing,
Cindi (aka. POETIC JUSTICE)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
CALL TO ACTION: PORTRAITS OF HUNGER 2009
Dear Friends:
My friend Sandy and I went to Maitland last night to attend the PORTRAITS OF HUNGER 2009 event put on by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orlando. Each year Second Harvest sponsors a photo contest to help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in our community. Congratulations to GK Sherman for having this year's winning photo. As most of you know, Second Harvest has food banks all over the world and serves as a collection and distribution center for food items that filter down to feeding programs and food pantries at the local level. I encourage you to check out their website at www.centralfloridafoodbank.com.
Check out their calendar of events and get involved in any of their ongoing community awareness efforts throughout the year. If you live in the Orlando area, you might want to check out the Canstruction project taking place at the Florida Mall starting October 18, 2009. Teams from around the community will build sculptures out of canned food items. The can-struction sculptures will be on display all week at the Florida Mall (October 18-25).
My friend Sandy and I went to Maitland last night to attend the PORTRAITS OF HUNGER 2009 event put on by the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orlando. Each year Second Harvest sponsors a photo contest to help raise awareness about the issue of hunger in our community. Congratulations to GK Sherman for having this year's winning photo. As most of you know, Second Harvest has food banks all over the world and serves as a collection and distribution center for food items that filter down to feeding programs and food pantries at the local level. I encourage you to check out their website at www.centralfloridafoodbank.com.
Check out their calendar of events and get involved in any of their ongoing community awareness efforts throughout the year. If you live in the Orlando area, you might want to check out the Canstruction project taking place at the Florida Mall starting October 18, 2009. Teams from around the community will build sculptures out of canned food items. The can-struction sculptures will be on display all week at the Florida Mall (October 18-25).
Today I'd like to write about the issue of hunger here in America. I did a little reseach and this is what I found on www.worldvision.org:
- 35.5 million people - including 12.6 million children - live in households that experience hunger or the risk of hunger. This represents more than one in ten households in the United States (10.9 percent).
- 4.0 percent of U.S. households experience hunger. Some people in these households frequently skip meals or eat too little, sometimes going without food for a whole day. 11.1 million people, including 430 thousand children, live in these homes.
- 6.9 percent of U.S. households are at risk of hunger. Members of these households have lower quality diets or must resort to seeking emergency food because they cannot always afford the food they need. 24.4 million people - including 12.2 million children - live in these homes.
- Preschool and school-aged children who experience severe hunger have higher levels of chronic illness, anxiety and depression, and behavior problems than children with no hunger, according to a recent study.
(Sources: Bread for the World, Hunger Basics, 2008; World Bank World Development Report, 2008; UNICEF, 2008; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2009)
These are some pretty staggering statistics. Anyone who has a food program or who works with agencies helping citizens cope with our current economic crisis will quickly tell you that the problem of hunger in America is getting worse by the day. Anyone currently unemployed--with or without a family to support also understands the issue first hand. It wasn't that long ago when $30 or $40 filled the entire shopping cart. Today its just a drop in the bucket -- a couple of plastic bags worth that will not get a typical family through the week.
I attend Zion Christian Church in Palm Bay, FL where our own food pantry is now serving over 200 families every Monday morning. According to Walt, who oversees the food program, this is a drastic increase from just a couple of months ago and every week the numbers are growing. Each Sunday afternoon, Pastor Terry feeds the homeless at His Place on the corner of US1 and Strawbridge Avenue in Melbourne and you can see by the large gathering in the parking lot that more people are coming out for that weekly meal. The food pantry at the Tabernacle Community Church on Aurora Road in Melbourne also is seeing a sharp increase and now distributes food on Thursday and Friday mornings rather than once a week.
These are examples of how items donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando trickle down to serve our own food programs in Brevard County. You can donate time or food items to the food bank in Orlando or to these and other feeding programs in your city direct. It doesn't take much to make a difference. Imagine if everyone reading this blog gave three cans and asked at least three others to do the same and so on. Remember the movie "Play it Forward'? I f you have not seen it, rent it today. If you have seen it, pass this on. Do the math. This is the essence of the entire Random Acts Movement.
As long as the economy is bleak, there will be a growing hunger problem in our own backyard. The question is, what will we do to resolve it?
The U.S. Census Bureau released its latest figures on poverty for September 2009. It is at an 11th year high of 13.2%, or 39.8 million people. The poverty rate for children is at 19%. According to the director of the Orlando's Second Harvest Food Bank, this equates to just over 100,000 kids in Central Florida. To get a better picture of the magnitude, you could fill up the Amway Arena five times over with children living in poverty, said Dave Krepcho, director and CEO of Orlando's Second Harvest Food Bank. In his online blog, Krepcho reports that local schools are also seeing large increases this year in the number of children that are attending and are homeless. The same is true on the Space Coast and all across America. This is not just a big city or a rural problem. This issue hits suburbia. It effects you and me.
According to Krepcho, the U.S. government’s definition of poverty is based on a 50 year old formula of three times the typical food bill and doesn’t take into account the rising costs of medical care, transportation, child care and housing expenses. The U.S. poverty rate for a family of four, equates into approximately $21,000 per year. Personally, I don't know any family that could make ends meet on that small salary.
According to the latest U.S. Census figures, the typical American household made less money last year than it made a decade ago. There are now more than 2.1 million people in the State of Florida receiving Food Stamp benefits as opposed to just over a little over 1 million two years ago. And that does not help the unemployed. The average individual collecting unemployment in Florida collects about $250 per week - just enough to tip them over the amount that would make them eligible for food stamps.
Dan Walker, heads up a para-church organization here in Brevard County called Love, INC. Volunteers are desperately needed to work phone lines in the clearinghouse to help meet the demand of the increased number of calls for help. Phone lines are open on Tuesday's and Thursdays for citizens in need of assistance. The great thing about Love, Inc is that it does not operate like other charitable groups that hand out funds. Instead the ministry offers long-term assistance and self-sufficiency plans to callers needing help coping with various stressors often related to our current economic climate. Churches in our community partner with Love, Inc. to provide sustainable solutions and multi-faceted assistance such as parenting and budgeting classes, work teams to do home repairs, mentors and spiritual help.
The top three requests for emergency help at Love, Inc and at 211 agencies throughout Central Florida are utilities assistance, rent, and food. As I see it, there are three ways you can get involved. Donate time or money, spread the word about these and other valuable resource in our region and, finally, encourage your church to partner with agencies such as Love, Inc. and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
I am currently writing a magazine article on ways churches and faith-based community groups are coping with the changing face and higher demands of hunger in America. I am looking to interview pastors, agency directors and community leaders who are thinking and working out of the box to find community-based solutions. I am especially interested in gleaning projects, community gardens, partnerships between churches and local businesses, and other projects that are unique and cutting edge. If you, or anyone you know, has pilot or operational programs like this anywhere in the United States. please have them contact me via this blog ASAP.
You can find me at several social networks these days, try creativeconcepts123@blogspot.com, at cindicourbat@changeagents.org on facebook with cindicourbat@facebook.org and now, even on twitter, under the name Ezekiel's pen. The article needs to profile far beyond Central Florida and I need to gather the data by mid-October. Please pass this call for action on to everyone you know.
More importantly, please find ways to help stop hunger in your own community.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka. Poetic Justice)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Do Something NOW
Greetings Friends:
My friend Kristy is an information broker. I like that idea. I call myself a journalist and a mind builder but in many ways I am also an information broker. I gather it up and I pass it on.
This blog, called Random Acts, should not just be about me. It should be about opportunities to get involved. It should showcase what others are doing. Anyone reading this should feel free to send me their own stories and ideas and resources. It should be a forum, not a report.
There are so many people out there doing so many great and unusual things. This blog should be a platform for those stories as well as my own. Sometimes it is a good thing to tell about the random acts of kindness we do in our everyday lives and sometimes it is better to keep what we do to ourselves. Sometimes we can be a greater inspiration when we share what others are doing -- and believe me, others are doing great things all around the world. These are the stories that, sadly, seldom get told.
Bad news is everywhere. Good news takes a little searching to find. When you get some, pass it on. Inspire someone.
I did a little research this week to try and find more information about this concept of random acts. It is a movement. It is a spirit. It is way of life.
There is a foundation devoted to news about random people doing random things all over the globe. I joined that foundation and soon I will have the opportunity to build a web page a post my blog. It will provide a great forum for people interested in reading about random acts or sharing their own ideas and stories. It will also provide a great resource for teachers, parents and community leaders looking for something positive to do that will truly have an impact. Go there and see what its all about: www.randomactsofkindness.org
Can you imagine what your workplace, your church, your town or your own family would be like if each person involved tried each day to do just one simple kind or helpful thing? We'd have a revolution for good instead of bad. People would not know how to respond. We'd show we are Christians by our love. We'd engage ourselves in a paradigm shift of logic. We might actually solve some of our biggest problems. We'd be out to make a difference instead of staying the same. Imagine that!
In the process of my search I stumbled upon a woman from Washington, D.C. who launched her own Random Acts foundation after having a vivid dream. In her dream she saw herself in Africa encountering a woman who was simply walking down a long and dusty road. Somehow in her dream it became quite clear that she was being called to go there to help whatever women she encountered. She tells the story far better than I do. You can read it by following this link: http://randomactsfoundation.com/story.html.
Here is one example of a typical American, a businesswoman from D.C., who caught the vision of doing random acts. Granted, not everyone is going to have a dream that huge. Not all of us will have the gumption or the resources needed to follow that dream but in a world where random acts are so desperately needed, I do believe we all can do something. We can find random acts of kindness to do in our own communities, we can support those who do random acts all over the planet, we can become advocates and information brokers, we can start a discussion.
It has often been said that the best way to contribute to the downturning of our nation and the discouragement of humanity is to do nothing at all. If you want to have a positive impact on the world around you, get involved. Do something now!
Blessings,
Cindi (aka. Poetic Justice)
My friend Kristy is an information broker. I like that idea. I call myself a journalist and a mind builder but in many ways I am also an information broker. I gather it up and I pass it on.
This blog, called Random Acts, should not just be about me. It should be about opportunities to get involved. It should showcase what others are doing. Anyone reading this should feel free to send me their own stories and ideas and resources. It should be a forum, not a report.
There are so many people out there doing so many great and unusual things. This blog should be a platform for those stories as well as my own. Sometimes it is a good thing to tell about the random acts of kindness we do in our everyday lives and sometimes it is better to keep what we do to ourselves. Sometimes we can be a greater inspiration when we share what others are doing -- and believe me, others are doing great things all around the world. These are the stories that, sadly, seldom get told.
Bad news is everywhere. Good news takes a little searching to find. When you get some, pass it on. Inspire someone.
I did a little research this week to try and find more information about this concept of random acts. It is a movement. It is a spirit. It is way of life.
There is a foundation devoted to news about random people doing random things all over the globe. I joined that foundation and soon I will have the opportunity to build a web page a post my blog. It will provide a great forum for people interested in reading about random acts or sharing their own ideas and stories. It will also provide a great resource for teachers, parents and community leaders looking for something positive to do that will truly have an impact. Go there and see what its all about: www.randomactsofkindness.org
Can you imagine what your workplace, your church, your town or your own family would be like if each person involved tried each day to do just one simple kind or helpful thing? We'd have a revolution for good instead of bad. People would not know how to respond. We'd show we are Christians by our love. We'd engage ourselves in a paradigm shift of logic. We might actually solve some of our biggest problems. We'd be out to make a difference instead of staying the same. Imagine that!
In the process of my search I stumbled upon a woman from Washington, D.C. who launched her own Random Acts foundation after having a vivid dream. In her dream she saw herself in Africa encountering a woman who was simply walking down a long and dusty road. Somehow in her dream it became quite clear that she was being called to go there to help whatever women she encountered. She tells the story far better than I do. You can read it by following this link: http://randomactsfoundation.com/story.html.
Here is one example of a typical American, a businesswoman from D.C., who caught the vision of doing random acts. Granted, not everyone is going to have a dream that huge. Not all of us will have the gumption or the resources needed to follow that dream but in a world where random acts are so desperately needed, I do believe we all can do something. We can find random acts of kindness to do in our own communities, we can support those who do random acts all over the planet, we can become advocates and information brokers, we can start a discussion.
It has often been said that the best way to contribute to the downturning of our nation and the discouragement of humanity is to do nothing at all. If you want to have a positive impact on the world around you, get involved. Do something now!
Blessings,
Cindi (aka. Poetic Justice)
Monday, September 28, 2009
LIFE IS A DANCE -- JUST MOVE
Dear Friends:
Committing to a daily blog is a lot like making a New Year's resolution. It is like trying to stay on a diet or committing to working out at the gym. We start out with plenty of passion and drive and energy -- but then it disappears.
We want to stay true. We want to stick with it. We want to once and for all finally follow through with something we started.
More often than not, we don't. Our enthusiasm wanes. Stuff gets in the way.
Do not be discouraged. True leaders are those who understand the process. It is not always about the finish line or being the fastest or proving our worth by taking on so much it overwhelms us. Sometimes its just about staying steady.
The flow of life has its ups and downs. It is like a dance.
If you have ever watched DANCING WITH THE STARS or SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on TV (especially the auditions) you will know some people have the ability to glide and to flow while others definately do not. Some have rythem, some don't.
I don't know if I'm much of a dancer. I do know there is a place in the Spirit where things just happen naturally and that, my friend, is a really beautiful place to be. Sadly, we don't get there very often and when we do we sometimes ruin the moment by trying too hard to control the environment. Have you watched someone trying to dance the jive to a slow romantic ballad? Have you seen someone trying to jitterbug to hip hop music? Its easy to be awkward and out of step on the dance floor, and with God. When this happens, we not only look foolish -- we feel it as well.
Does that mean we should hang up our dancing shoes and sit on the sidelines of life? Absolutely not. One of the greatest things we can do is keep dancing. Dance like no one is watching. Dance freely but take the time to LISTEN to the music. Sometimes we hear the beat but we do not listen with our hearts. Hearing is the process of sound waves entering the ear and hitting the brain. Listening, however, is comprehending those sounds. Listening involves turning noise into meaning.
One of the most important things is to never give up completely. Keep trying. So you started a blog, a diet, a daily workout and you missed it a time or two. Is that the end of it? You may have indulged in some chocolate today but that doesn't mean you've blown the whole diet. Maybe you missed a day at the gym. Perhaps you only accomplished one thing on a very long "to do" list -- at least you have one less thing left to do now.
Too many times we give up. We set out standards or our expectations so high we know we can't attain the goal. Why bother. We were doomed from the very start.
I say keep moving. Do not let the momentum stop. Forward, backwards, sideways . . . just move.
Life is a dance. Sometimes we go forward, sometimes we step back and sometimes we stand still. As long as we keep dancing, we'll get where we're going in due season.
Just dance,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Committing to a daily blog is a lot like making a New Year's resolution. It is like trying to stay on a diet or committing to working out at the gym. We start out with plenty of passion and drive and energy -- but then it disappears.
We want to stay true. We want to stick with it. We want to once and for all finally follow through with something we started.
More often than not, we don't. Our enthusiasm wanes. Stuff gets in the way.
Do not be discouraged. True leaders are those who understand the process. It is not always about the finish line or being the fastest or proving our worth by taking on so much it overwhelms us. Sometimes its just about staying steady.
The flow of life has its ups and downs. It is like a dance.
If you have ever watched DANCING WITH THE STARS or SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE on TV (especially the auditions) you will know some people have the ability to glide and to flow while others definately do not. Some have rythem, some don't.
I don't know if I'm much of a dancer. I do know there is a place in the Spirit where things just happen naturally and that, my friend, is a really beautiful place to be. Sadly, we don't get there very often and when we do we sometimes ruin the moment by trying too hard to control the environment. Have you watched someone trying to dance the jive to a slow romantic ballad? Have you seen someone trying to jitterbug to hip hop music? Its easy to be awkward and out of step on the dance floor, and with God. When this happens, we not only look foolish -- we feel it as well.
Does that mean we should hang up our dancing shoes and sit on the sidelines of life? Absolutely not. One of the greatest things we can do is keep dancing. Dance like no one is watching. Dance freely but take the time to LISTEN to the music. Sometimes we hear the beat but we do not listen with our hearts. Hearing is the process of sound waves entering the ear and hitting the brain. Listening, however, is comprehending those sounds. Listening involves turning noise into meaning.
One of the most important things is to never give up completely. Keep trying. So you started a blog, a diet, a daily workout and you missed it a time or two. Is that the end of it? You may have indulged in some chocolate today but that doesn't mean you've blown the whole diet. Maybe you missed a day at the gym. Perhaps you only accomplished one thing on a very long "to do" list -- at least you have one less thing left to do now.
Too many times we give up. We set out standards or our expectations so high we know we can't attain the goal. Why bother. We were doomed from the very start.
I say keep moving. Do not let the momentum stop. Forward, backwards, sideways . . . just move.
Life is a dance. Sometimes we go forward, sometimes we step back and sometimes we stand still. As long as we keep dancing, we'll get where we're going in due season.
Just dance,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST
Dear Friends:
The media did not pick up on the See You at the Pole Gatherings --and, in many cases, neither did the church. If I had not stumbled on the information myself, thanks to a Facebook posting from a friend in North Carolina, I am not sure I would have known either. And yet, we are at a very critical time when prayer is urgently needed.
My request today is NOT a random act. It is a very deliberate and urgent act. I am asking you to go out of your way to pray. I am asking you to link with other Christians around the nation to pray for our country.
The information I have posted below is from the National Day of Prayer website located at http://www.ndptf.org/.
Our President has recently honored the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. On the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall.
According to a posting on the National Day opf Prayer website, this is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, "Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house."
More from the National Day of Prayer website:
These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America. Therefore we are calling Christians all over America to join Lou Engle, Shirley Dobson, Tony Perkins, David Barton, and many other major leaders in America to a national conference call to pray for America.
Please join us on Thursday, September 24th from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Eastern Time for possibly one of the greatest moments in American history.
Call: 712-338-8100
Alternate Dial in Numbers: 218-486-1400, 507-726-3200
Participant Passcode: 637# (NDP#)
Time Zones: 7:30 - 9 pm EASTERN
6:30 - 8 pm CENTRAL
5:30 - 7 pm MOUNTAIN
4:30 - 6 pm PACIFIC
Space is limited on the prayer call. If you are unable to connect via phone, a link will be available to listen to the call LIVE right here on the National Day of Prayer Web site.
Some days call for random acts and others call for very careful and strategic actions.
Today is a day for strategic efforts. Today is a day for a united voice of kindred souls to cry out to God in one accord. Please join this worthy cause and pass this message on to everyone you know.
Remember the key to keeping ourselves, our families and our nation safe and in God's loving care is to humble ourselves and pray. This should be a daily act -- deliberate, focused and sincere -- never random.
Sincerely,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
The media did not pick up on the See You at the Pole Gatherings --and, in many cases, neither did the church. If I had not stumbled on the information myself, thanks to a Facebook posting from a friend in North Carolina, I am not sure I would have known either. And yet, we are at a very critical time when prayer is urgently needed.
My request today is NOT a random act. It is a very deliberate and urgent act. I am asking you to go out of your way to pray. I am asking you to link with other Christians around the nation to pray for our country.
The information I have posted below is from the National Day of Prayer website located at http://www.ndptf.org/.
Our President has recently honored the Muslim holy days of prayer and fasting called Ramadan. On the 25th of September, Muslims are calling for a Muslim Day of Prayer in Washington DC (http://www.islamoncapitolhill.com/). They are calling for 50,000 Muslims to gather and pray on the DC Mall.
According to a posting on the National Day opf Prayer website, this is the exact word of one of the Sheikhs who is leading this historic gathering, "Muslims should march on the White House. We are going to the White House so that Islam will be victorious, Allah willing, and the White House will become into a Muslim house."
More from the National Day of Prayer website:
These are not empty words. They speak of a dark spiritual intent and a coming day of great trouble to America. Therefore we are calling Christians all over America to join Lou Engle, Shirley Dobson, Tony Perkins, David Barton, and many other major leaders in America to a national conference call to pray for America.
Please join us on Thursday, September 24th from 7:30PM to 9:00PM Eastern Time for possibly one of the greatest moments in American history.
Call: 712-338-8100
Alternate Dial in Numbers: 218-486-1400, 507-726-3200
Participant Passcode: 637# (NDP#)
Time Zones: 7:30 - 9 pm EASTERN
6:30 - 8 pm CENTRAL
5:30 - 7 pm MOUNTAIN
4:30 - 6 pm PACIFIC
Space is limited on the prayer call. If you are unable to connect via phone, a link will be available to listen to the call LIVE right here on the National Day of Prayer Web site.
Some days call for random acts and others call for very careful and strategic actions.
Today is a day for strategic efforts. Today is a day for a united voice of kindred souls to cry out to God in one accord. Please join this worthy cause and pass this message on to everyone you know.
Remember the key to keeping ourselves, our families and our nation safe and in God's loving care is to humble ourselves and pray. This should be a daily act -- deliberate, focused and sincere -- never random.
Sincerely,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
SEE YOU AT THE POLE
Greetings Friends:
Around the nation young people are stepping out in faith to gather at flag poles to pray.
"See You at the Pole" is not a protest or a demonstration against anything.
It is a student-led, student-organized event designed to bring people of faith together simply to pray. Students who gather at the pole pray for their school, friends, teachers, local government and their nation. The event takes place each year on the fourth Wednesday in September.
On most campuses the gathering took place at 7:00 a.m. this morning. For some students expressing their faith and taking a stand comes easy. For others it was a difficult choice to go and stand at the pole.
I'd like to know how many adults would have the gumption or the nerve to express their faith in public -- in the workplace or the town square -- at the church alter for that matter. I have met many "closet" Christians who do not act like people of faith and definately do not express their faith or share their faith as the Bible instructs us to do.
I was raised in a home where "religion" and "politics" were taboo topics. My mother did not want discusssions that might lead to disagreement or differing of opinions. Being a rebel with a big mouth I began discussing both of these topics as a teenager and have become even more vocal over the years.
Still, I do understand how shyness, fear, pride and other emotions can keep us from participating in these kinds of events and from sharing our faith with others. We don't want to be stereotyped, judged or misunderstood.
I say it is far better to be judged by men than to stand before God knowing we did nothing to share our faith or to demonstrate our beliefs. There is a saying that those who do not stand for something, will fall for anything. Its good to see young people taking a stand and uniting in prayer.
What will you do over the next 24 hours to show where you stand? How will you pray?
For more information go to www.syatp.com
If you'd like to become an intercessor for the nation, please visit www.strringthewinds.com
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Around the nation young people are stepping out in faith to gather at flag poles to pray.
"See You at the Pole" is not a protest or a demonstration against anything.
It is a student-led, student-organized event designed to bring people of faith together simply to pray. Students who gather at the pole pray for their school, friends, teachers, local government and their nation. The event takes place each year on the fourth Wednesday in September.
On most campuses the gathering took place at 7:00 a.m. this morning. For some students expressing their faith and taking a stand comes easy. For others it was a difficult choice to go and stand at the pole.
I'd like to know how many adults would have the gumption or the nerve to express their faith in public -- in the workplace or the town square -- at the church alter for that matter. I have met many "closet" Christians who do not act like people of faith and definately do not express their faith or share their faith as the Bible instructs us to do.
I was raised in a home where "religion" and "politics" were taboo topics. My mother did not want discusssions that might lead to disagreement or differing of opinions. Being a rebel with a big mouth I began discussing both of these topics as a teenager and have become even more vocal over the years.
Still, I do understand how shyness, fear, pride and other emotions can keep us from participating in these kinds of events and from sharing our faith with others. We don't want to be stereotyped, judged or misunderstood.
I say it is far better to be judged by men than to stand before God knowing we did nothing to share our faith or to demonstrate our beliefs. There is a saying that those who do not stand for something, will fall for anything. Its good to see young people taking a stand and uniting in prayer.
What will you do over the next 24 hours to show where you stand? How will you pray?
For more information go to www.syatp.com
If you'd like to become an intercessor for the nation, please visit www.strringthewinds.com
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Hard Times and the Widow's Mite
Dear Friends:
I'm thinking tonight about a widow's mite.
From around 175-140 BC, during pre-Roman times, the Jewish people were able to make and spend their own money. The widow's mite was a small copper coin called a lepton. It was of very little value. It was made of inferior metal and was of less worth than our own penny.
Under Roman culture, the lepton was eventually replaced by the denarious which more closely equates to our penny.
The widow's mite was the kind of thing most of us ladies might let slip into the bottom of our purses. The widow's mite was the kind of coin we might throw into a junk drawer or drop into our children's piggy banks. The widow's mite could be growing dust under the car seat. It went unnoticed and ignored. Perhaps those who had them were embarrassed to spend them. The mite was worthless -- it was held in low esteem. It was the kind of coin you probably wouldn't even bother to pick up if you saw it on the street.
In the scriptures we read about scribes, pharisees, community leaders and the well-to-do who made a big ordeal when casting their money into the church treasury. They made deliberate public displays of their finery and wealth.
Then, in Mark 12:42-44, I read about a widow who humbly threw her two tiny mites into the offering plate. It was all she had. When Jesus saw this, he called his disciples together and told them that the widow who cast in all she had, although coins of very little worth -- Jesus said she had actually done far more than all the others combined.
When we give out of our own need, rather than out of an abundance, the giving is always greater.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that your two cents doesn't matter. Don't be discouraged when that is all you have to give.
This past weekend I was greatly discouraged by the fact that I felt I had little to offer. My finances were depleted. I went to the flea market to try and sell some things and discovered I couldn't even afford to pay for a booth. I had to humble myself and seek financial assistance from my own church for a utility bill which I was unable to pay. I was told the benevolent fund was empty. I called several agencies -- they too were out of funds. I volunteer each week on phone lines for a local Christian crisis hotline so I know times are tough all over and funding is often depleted.
I considered giving up on this blog. After all, what can I possibly do in terms of random acts when I am in such dire straights of my own?
That's when I remembered the widow. Suddenly, I thought of the widow and her two measley mites. Considering her plight and her fortitude, I found no reason to give up hope. No matter how bad our situation looks from the outside, it is how we respond that matters most.
Do we give up when the going gets tough or do we have the faith to persevere? Can we hold onto the promises God gives when He says He will not leave us or forsake us? Don't we know that He cares for His children and He meets our every need? If He clothes the lillies and feeds the sparrows, why not us?
I know a lady who is working on her master's degree, holding a steady job, raising four children and currently living in a pay by the month motel. She appears stuck but hangs on to hope. I also know a man whose young daughter is running a high fever and he had to borrow electricity from a neighbor just to hook a fan up in her room. At that gas station last week, I watched an elderly woman count out $2.00 in coins, mostly pennies, from a tiny change purse to pay for her gas. Each Sunday, I watch another lady ride a three wheel bicycle to church, come rain or shine.
One thing I know about giving--it is reciprocal. When we share what we have, no matter how little that may seem, God is able to bless us and make certain our needs are met. He promises we will be taken care of and our children will not go begging for bread. I believe that because I have seen it in my own life time after time. His blessings come when we're not looking from people and places we least expect.
I may not have a dime, but I just gave you my two cents worth -- and that, too, is a random act. May we always remember, its not just about money. The secret to surviving this economic crisis is to trust God and to see past what lies on the surface. Faith and fortitude is far greater than silver or gold.
May God bless and keep you in the palm of His hand.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
I'm thinking tonight about a widow's mite.
From around 175-140 BC, during pre-Roman times, the Jewish people were able to make and spend their own money. The widow's mite was a small copper coin called a lepton. It was of very little value. It was made of inferior metal and was of less worth than our own penny.
Under Roman culture, the lepton was eventually replaced by the denarious which more closely equates to our penny.
The widow's mite was the kind of thing most of us ladies might let slip into the bottom of our purses. The widow's mite was the kind of coin we might throw into a junk drawer or drop into our children's piggy banks. The widow's mite could be growing dust under the car seat. It went unnoticed and ignored. Perhaps those who had them were embarrassed to spend them. The mite was worthless -- it was held in low esteem. It was the kind of coin you probably wouldn't even bother to pick up if you saw it on the street.
In the scriptures we read about scribes, pharisees, community leaders and the well-to-do who made a big ordeal when casting their money into the church treasury. They made deliberate public displays of their finery and wealth.
Then, in Mark 12:42-44, I read about a widow who humbly threw her two tiny mites into the offering plate. It was all she had. When Jesus saw this, he called his disciples together and told them that the widow who cast in all she had, although coins of very little worth -- Jesus said she had actually done far more than all the others combined.
When we give out of our own need, rather than out of an abundance, the giving is always greater.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that your two cents doesn't matter. Don't be discouraged when that is all you have to give.
This past weekend I was greatly discouraged by the fact that I felt I had little to offer. My finances were depleted. I went to the flea market to try and sell some things and discovered I couldn't even afford to pay for a booth. I had to humble myself and seek financial assistance from my own church for a utility bill which I was unable to pay. I was told the benevolent fund was empty. I called several agencies -- they too were out of funds. I volunteer each week on phone lines for a local Christian crisis hotline so I know times are tough all over and funding is often depleted.
I considered giving up on this blog. After all, what can I possibly do in terms of random acts when I am in such dire straights of my own?
That's when I remembered the widow. Suddenly, I thought of the widow and her two measley mites. Considering her plight and her fortitude, I found no reason to give up hope. No matter how bad our situation looks from the outside, it is how we respond that matters most.
Do we give up when the going gets tough or do we have the faith to persevere? Can we hold onto the promises God gives when He says He will not leave us or forsake us? Don't we know that He cares for His children and He meets our every need? If He clothes the lillies and feeds the sparrows, why not us?
I know a lady who is working on her master's degree, holding a steady job, raising four children and currently living in a pay by the month motel. She appears stuck but hangs on to hope. I also know a man whose young daughter is running a high fever and he had to borrow electricity from a neighbor just to hook a fan up in her room. At that gas station last week, I watched an elderly woman count out $2.00 in coins, mostly pennies, from a tiny change purse to pay for her gas. Each Sunday, I watch another lady ride a three wheel bicycle to church, come rain or shine.
One thing I know about giving--it is reciprocal. When we share what we have, no matter how little that may seem, God is able to bless us and make certain our needs are met. He promises we will be taken care of and our children will not go begging for bread. I believe that because I have seen it in my own life time after time. His blessings come when we're not looking from people and places we least expect.
I may not have a dime, but I just gave you my two cents worth -- and that, too, is a random act. May we always remember, its not just about money. The secret to surviving this economic crisis is to trust God and to see past what lies on the surface. Faith and fortitude is far greater than silver or gold.
May God bless and keep you in the palm of His hand.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Friday, September 18, 2009
Stray Cats
Greetings:
There is a stray cat in the parking lot at the senior apartment complex where my mother lives. The cat is yellow and white. He's quite large. He sleeps beneath the cars and can often be seen lurking around the dumpsters.
Today I wasn't very creative in terms of a random act. Maybe its because the economy is getting to me and I have no funds. Maybe its because I have a really long to do list and I don't seem to be getting much of anything done. Maybe I've been listening to too many bad news reports or I've been watching too many doomsday video clips on You Tube. Maybe I'm feeling very alone in all of this and need to know this wasn't just another dumb idea.
Maybe this random acts concept was bigger than I thought it would be and now, just a week into it, I'm already running dry.
I don't know what my real excuse is. But today I decided cats need kindness too.
As I was headed over to my mom's this evening, I pulled a can of chicken and tuna cat food from the cupboard. I took it to my mom thinking she might enjoy feeding the cat. We've had a cat named Jonah for several years but when my mom moved to the apartment she left the cat home with me. She loved that cat and spoiled it so bad that it won't eat any kind of cat food except ocean white fish and sometimes, salmon.
I realize feeding a stray cat in the parking lot is not quite the same as feeding your own little kitty in the comfort of your very own kitchen -- but hey, all cats have to eat.
Tonight over 500 people are giving up the comforts of home to sleep beneath an overpass near the courthouse in downtown Orlando. They are doing it to bring attention to the growing homeless situation in Central Florida. I should be there with my notebook, a pen and a camera. I should be sleeping on a cardboard box instead of sitting at the computer writing about it. I should be doing something far more significant than taking a can of cat food to a stray cat in a parking lot where plenty of people are probably already feeding it every day.
We all should be doing a little more than we do.
On the other hand, if we all do something--anything at all, awareness will come, stray cats will be fed and the homeless in your city and mine may have more than cardboard and cement for a bed.
Feed a stray cat. Participate in an awareness campaign. Give a homeless person a blanket. Do something--anything. Just do something NOW.
Its important to remember we're all stray cats in one way or another.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
There is a stray cat in the parking lot at the senior apartment complex where my mother lives. The cat is yellow and white. He's quite large. He sleeps beneath the cars and can often be seen lurking around the dumpsters.
Today I wasn't very creative in terms of a random act. Maybe its because the economy is getting to me and I have no funds. Maybe its because I have a really long to do list and I don't seem to be getting much of anything done. Maybe I've been listening to too many bad news reports or I've been watching too many doomsday video clips on You Tube. Maybe I'm feeling very alone in all of this and need to know this wasn't just another dumb idea.
Maybe this random acts concept was bigger than I thought it would be and now, just a week into it, I'm already running dry.
I don't know what my real excuse is. But today I decided cats need kindness too.
As I was headed over to my mom's this evening, I pulled a can of chicken and tuna cat food from the cupboard. I took it to my mom thinking she might enjoy feeding the cat. We've had a cat named Jonah for several years but when my mom moved to the apartment she left the cat home with me. She loved that cat and spoiled it so bad that it won't eat any kind of cat food except ocean white fish and sometimes, salmon.
I realize feeding a stray cat in the parking lot is not quite the same as feeding your own little kitty in the comfort of your very own kitchen -- but hey, all cats have to eat.
Tonight over 500 people are giving up the comforts of home to sleep beneath an overpass near the courthouse in downtown Orlando. They are doing it to bring attention to the growing homeless situation in Central Florida. I should be there with my notebook, a pen and a camera. I should be sleeping on a cardboard box instead of sitting at the computer writing about it. I should be doing something far more significant than taking a can of cat food to a stray cat in a parking lot where plenty of people are probably already feeding it every day.
We all should be doing a little more than we do.
On the other hand, if we all do something--anything at all, awareness will come, stray cats will be fed and the homeless in your city and mine may have more than cardboard and cement for a bed.
Feed a stray cat. Participate in an awareness campaign. Give a homeless person a blanket. Do something--anything. Just do something NOW.
Its important to remember we're all stray cats in one way or another.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
American Dreams and Talent
Greetings Friends:
Do you still believe in American dreams? I do.
I'll bet the millions of voters watching AMERICA'S GOT TALENT last night also have gained a renewed hope in the American dream.
Where else could an unemployed chicken-catcher from Kentucky become the winner of a million dollars and a Las Vegas showcase?
Granted, the 35-year-old was blessed big time with a soothing serenade and some killer country vocal chords. More important than that, he had the stamina, perseverence and fortitude to keep believing and to push through all sorts of barriers to finally see his dream come true. And that, my friend, is the secret to success.
In these difficult times, the most important thing any of us can do is to keep on dreaming and to never stop believing.
When push comes to shove we may have to let go of some of the tangible things. We may have to do without some of the things we take forgranted. We may even be catapulted out of our comfort zones. But the intangibles--the faith and hope and determination needed to see our dreams through--those things we must cling to. We must keep them as close as possible.
The best random act I can see doing today is to spread a little hope. Encourage yourself or someone you know to hang tight to dreams. Remind yourself and others that miracles really do happen and America does have talent. Whatever your talent may be, tap into it now, use it wisely and never ever let go of your dreams.
Dream Big,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Do you still believe in American dreams? I do.
I'll bet the millions of voters watching AMERICA'S GOT TALENT last night also have gained a renewed hope in the American dream.
Where else could an unemployed chicken-catcher from Kentucky become the winner of a million dollars and a Las Vegas showcase?
Granted, the 35-year-old was blessed big time with a soothing serenade and some killer country vocal chords. More important than that, he had the stamina, perseverence and fortitude to keep believing and to push through all sorts of barriers to finally see his dream come true. And that, my friend, is the secret to success.
In these difficult times, the most important thing any of us can do is to keep on dreaming and to never stop believing.
When push comes to shove we may have to let go of some of the tangible things. We may have to do without some of the things we take forgranted. We may even be catapulted out of our comfort zones. But the intangibles--the faith and hope and determination needed to see our dreams through--those things we must cling to. We must keep them as close as possible.
The best random act I can see doing today is to spread a little hope. Encourage yourself or someone you know to hang tight to dreams. Remind yourself and others that miracles really do happen and America does have talent. Whatever your talent may be, tap into it now, use it wisely and never ever let go of your dreams.
Dream Big,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Our Best Intentions
Dear Friends:
Sometimes our best intentions do not go as planned.
A year ago, I was a college professor with lots of knowledge and plenty of spare change. Today I am an unemployed scribe, with a very sharp pen and an empty bank account.
This afternoon I thought I might do an unplanned random act. As I was heading home from my church, I decided to pull into Wendy's. I remembered they have an awesome new cold coffee drink which my good friend Mark really enjoys.
Mark is suffering from Parkinson's disease. He's far too young to be faced with this and far too kind of a person to not be appreciated. He recently spent countless hours trying to teach me how to use video editing software and I'll probably never be able to fully repay him. So today, on impulse, I thought I'd buy him one of those new Wendy's ice cold coffee drinks.
I pulled into Wendy's and placed my order. The small drink came to $2.53. I got to the window to pay only to realize I had changed handbags the night before. I generally have at least five or six bucks in change at the bottom of my purse. Today my purse was dry but for a dollar bill tucked away in my wallet. How embarrassing!
You know times are tough when all you have tucked away is a one dollar bill. I used to tuck away a twenty. Some folks I know tuck away a fifty or a hundred.
The girl at the window smiled and waved me on through. She told me to enjoy my drink. I was tempted to take a sip but remembered my intent was to bless my friend. I called my friend on the cell phone but got no answer. I kept hitting redial all the way from Malabar to Melbourne -- still no response. The smarter thing would have been to call first. Sometimes I just act before I think.
Still avoiding the temptation to take a taste of the sweet treat beside me, I realized the drink would melt before I could reach my friend. That's when I gave in and took a sip.
As the sweet treat soothed my throat I couldn't help but think how sometimes our best intentions just don't go as planned. Sometimes we set out to do something nice for someone else and realize midway that we just don't have the resources we need to get the job done. We just don't have what it takes to pull it off. Maybe its something huge and we have to step out in faith and trust God totally. Or maybe its something small and we just showed up unprepared. Maybe we didn't take the time to think it through. So we feel silly or stupid or guilty.
Does it mean we should stop trying? I don't think so. It is these times, big or small, that God is able to use someone else to treat us. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step out of the way and admit we missed the mark. When we fess up and admit we blew it, no telling what God may do. Often he will step in and give us blessings we didn't plan for or expect. When he does, we should be willing to receive them without shame.
In God's world blessings are a two-way street. One random act begets another. Even when we are not able to follow through on our own plans, God steps in and does it for us or changes the plan around completely.
I wasn't able to take my friend a cold drink today. But I was able to call and let him know I thought of him. I was still able to show I care. Sometimes thoughts count as much as actions. Letting others know we care is often the best we can do. And that is good enough.
From now on when your best intentions go awry or you find you haven't got the resources to finish what you set out to do, don't get discouraged. Step back, breathe deep, hold on -- it just may be that God has something totally different in mind. Maybe He wants the blessing you tried to send to someone else to bounce back on you.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Sometimes our best intentions do not go as planned.
A year ago, I was a college professor with lots of knowledge and plenty of spare change. Today I am an unemployed scribe, with a very sharp pen and an empty bank account.
This afternoon I thought I might do an unplanned random act. As I was heading home from my church, I decided to pull into Wendy's. I remembered they have an awesome new cold coffee drink which my good friend Mark really enjoys.
Mark is suffering from Parkinson's disease. He's far too young to be faced with this and far too kind of a person to not be appreciated. He recently spent countless hours trying to teach me how to use video editing software and I'll probably never be able to fully repay him. So today, on impulse, I thought I'd buy him one of those new Wendy's ice cold coffee drinks.
I pulled into Wendy's and placed my order. The small drink came to $2.53. I got to the window to pay only to realize I had changed handbags the night before. I generally have at least five or six bucks in change at the bottom of my purse. Today my purse was dry but for a dollar bill tucked away in my wallet. How embarrassing!
You know times are tough when all you have tucked away is a one dollar bill. I used to tuck away a twenty. Some folks I know tuck away a fifty or a hundred.
The girl at the window smiled and waved me on through. She told me to enjoy my drink. I was tempted to take a sip but remembered my intent was to bless my friend. I called my friend on the cell phone but got no answer. I kept hitting redial all the way from Malabar to Melbourne -- still no response. The smarter thing would have been to call first. Sometimes I just act before I think.
Still avoiding the temptation to take a taste of the sweet treat beside me, I realized the drink would melt before I could reach my friend. That's when I gave in and took a sip.
As the sweet treat soothed my throat I couldn't help but think how sometimes our best intentions just don't go as planned. Sometimes we set out to do something nice for someone else and realize midway that we just don't have the resources we need to get the job done. We just don't have what it takes to pull it off. Maybe its something huge and we have to step out in faith and trust God totally. Or maybe its something small and we just showed up unprepared. Maybe we didn't take the time to think it through. So we feel silly or stupid or guilty.
Does it mean we should stop trying? I don't think so. It is these times, big or small, that God is able to use someone else to treat us. Sometimes the best thing we can do is step out of the way and admit we missed the mark. When we fess up and admit we blew it, no telling what God may do. Often he will step in and give us blessings we didn't plan for or expect. When he does, we should be willing to receive them without shame.
In God's world blessings are a two-way street. One random act begets another. Even when we are not able to follow through on our own plans, God steps in and does it for us or changes the plan around completely.
I wasn't able to take my friend a cold drink today. But I was able to call and let him know I thought of him. I was still able to show I care. Sometimes thoughts count as much as actions. Letting others know we care is often the best we can do. And that is good enough.
From now on when your best intentions go awry or you find you haven't got the resources to finish what you set out to do, don't get discouraged. Step back, breathe deep, hold on -- it just may be that God has something totally different in mind. Maybe He wants the blessing you tried to send to someone else to bounce back on you.
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Good News
Greetings Friends:
Who says there is no good news?
As a journalist, I find myself constantly defending the media when those I care about and respect the most say they are sick and tired of all the bad news. Still we thrive on sensationalism like moths drawn to the flame.
For some warped reason, we are more inclined to write the bad while ignoring the good. I'm often guilty of it myself.
Sometimes its just plain hard to find a good story. Its not that they aren't there, its just that we miss them. We miss them in the same way we miss watching the sunrise or walking on the beach or contemplating the formation of the clouds.
Today I found some good news. Passing it on is my random act.
Visit http://www.values.com/good-news
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Who says there is no good news?
As a journalist, I find myself constantly defending the media when those I care about and respect the most say they are sick and tired of all the bad news. Still we thrive on sensationalism like moths drawn to the flame.
For some warped reason, we are more inclined to write the bad while ignoring the good. I'm often guilty of it myself.
Sometimes its just plain hard to find a good story. Its not that they aren't there, its just that we miss them. We miss them in the same way we miss watching the sunrise or walking on the beach or contemplating the formation of the clouds.
Today I found some good news. Passing it on is my random act.
Visit http://www.values.com/good-news
Blessings,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
What is Random?
Dear Friends:
I woke up this morning to the realization that my new blog is a bit of an oxymoron. How can I commit random acts if I plan them out ahead of time?
I googled the term "random". This is what it means:
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; "a random choice"; "bombs fell at random"; "random movements" wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
So now what? Give up. No not me. I might slow down on the planning and try a bit harder to flow. That's something we all should do more often. Just breath deep and flow. We live in a very driven, fast-paced, performance based world. Sometimes we just need to rest.
Today's random act will be simple. I'm going to go jump in the pool. There is a little library at the recreation center in our community. The center is next to the pool. When I get there I am going to look for some magazines and a feel good story book -- probably a Chicken Soup for some kind of soul. I'll bring those back to my next door neighbor. She's elderly, she lives in her wheelchair and she loves to read.
Find something simple today. Don't get so wound up in the planning. Opportunities for random acts are all around you. Just keep your eyes open and respond.
Blessings,
Cindi
I woke up this morning to the realization that my new blog is a bit of an oxymoron. How can I commit random acts if I plan them out ahead of time?
I googled the term "random". This is what it means:
lacking any definite plan or order or purpose; governed by or depending on chance; "a random choice"; "bombs fell at random"; "random movements" wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
So now what? Give up. No not me. I might slow down on the planning and try a bit harder to flow. That's something we all should do more often. Just breath deep and flow. We live in a very driven, fast-paced, performance based world. Sometimes we just need to rest.
Today's random act will be simple. I'm going to go jump in the pool. There is a little library at the recreation center in our community. The center is next to the pool. When I get there I am going to look for some magazines and a feel good story book -- probably a Chicken Soup for some kind of soul. I'll bring those back to my next door neighbor. She's elderly, she lives in her wheelchair and she loves to read.
Find something simple today. Don't get so wound up in the planning. Opportunities for random acts are all around you. Just keep your eyes open and respond.
Blessings,
Cindi
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Flags and Seeds
Dear Friends:
A few days ago a friend of mine gave me a $50 bill. The gift was totally unexpected. I planned spend it if my daughter came to visit. She called a couple of days ago and said she had to postpone her trip. So I tucked the money away.
As I was thinking of how to start this blog I wrestled over what kind of random acts I might do. That's when I remembered the seed my friend had planted. When someone gives us an unexpected seed sometimes the best thing we can do is plant it in good soil or pass it on. With that in mind, I went out and purchased a dozen small paper flags with a portion of that money.
My plan was to attend a 9-11 memorial service and to randomly hand out the flags. The sad part is I missed the only memorial my town held. It was early in the morning at the precise time the first tower fell. I was awake when the tragedy struck eight years ago -- but this year I was sound asleep. At the end of the day I was stuck with 12 flags. One was destined for my scapbook --but what about the others?
I set the flags on the kitchen counter and that's where they stayed until today. This morning I was bouncing around on the Internet searching for random acts ideas. That's when I stumbled on a website called AnySoldier.com.
AnySoldier.com was started a few years ago by Sgt. Brian Horn from LaPlaza, Md. while he was serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The concept was for one soldier to serve as a point of contact for folks at home who want to send letters and gifts. Since its inception, AnySoldier has passed on 89,568 parcels to soldiers in the Middle East.
To get involved, just go to the website and follow the instructions. As of today, there were 2.379 soldiers listed as points of contact. Simply scroll down the list and click on their names. I searched until I found a soldier with the same first name as my 25-year-old son, Sean. I also requested contact information on a soldier named Julie.
Upon your request a complete address will be sent to your email. Then you are free to pass on letters and gifts. Be sure to read the special instructions as there are some restrictions on what can be sent.
I will write more about these choices and the items I send in tomorrows blog. Until then, pray for peace and don't forget the men and women serving our country in the Middle East.
God Bless,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
A few days ago a friend of mine gave me a $50 bill. The gift was totally unexpected. I planned spend it if my daughter came to visit. She called a couple of days ago and said she had to postpone her trip. So I tucked the money away.
As I was thinking of how to start this blog I wrestled over what kind of random acts I might do. That's when I remembered the seed my friend had planted. When someone gives us an unexpected seed sometimes the best thing we can do is plant it in good soil or pass it on. With that in mind, I went out and purchased a dozen small paper flags with a portion of that money.
My plan was to attend a 9-11 memorial service and to randomly hand out the flags. The sad part is I missed the only memorial my town held. It was early in the morning at the precise time the first tower fell. I was awake when the tragedy struck eight years ago -- but this year I was sound asleep. At the end of the day I was stuck with 12 flags. One was destined for my scapbook --but what about the others?
I set the flags on the kitchen counter and that's where they stayed until today. This morning I was bouncing around on the Internet searching for random acts ideas. That's when I stumbled on a website called AnySoldier.com.
AnySoldier.com was started a few years ago by Sgt. Brian Horn from LaPlaza, Md. while he was serving in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The concept was for one soldier to serve as a point of contact for folks at home who want to send letters and gifts. Since its inception, AnySoldier has passed on 89,568 parcels to soldiers in the Middle East.
To get involved, just go to the website and follow the instructions. As of today, there were 2.379 soldiers listed as points of contact. Simply scroll down the list and click on their names. I searched until I found a soldier with the same first name as my 25-year-old son, Sean. I also requested contact information on a soldier named Julie.
Upon your request a complete address will be sent to your email. Then you are free to pass on letters and gifts. Be sure to read the special instructions as there are some restrictions on what can be sent.
I will write more about these choices and the items I send in tomorrows blog. Until then, pray for peace and don't forget the men and women serving our country in the Middle East.
God Bless,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Give Thanks . . .
Dear Friends:
A couple weeks ago I went to a prayer meeting at a home church in my community. Each Thursday night people of all ages and all walks of life gather together just to pray. We pray privately and then we gather in a circle and pray as a group.
Our petitions vary from private matters to prayers for our city and country. God cares about the daily affairs of this world and about the private concerns of His children. When we commit ourselves to prayer, He hears and He speaks. We just need to listen.
Sometimes God whispers softly by planting a thought, an idea or an image in our minds. The image the pastor shared two weeks ago was that of thanksgiving. As we prayed he felt as if God were consoling us by telling us that now if the time for those who believe in Him to simply receive the blessings and the provision He is sending forth.
"God is pouring blessings out from heaven. Its as if he has pried open a treasure chest and now he's just shaking out its contents. Those who believe in Him just need to stand still and receive what He sends. We should simply hold out their hands and say thanks," the pastor said.
The pastor went on to explain that these gifts are being distributed at this time in history because we will need them in the near future.
"We may not realize it yet, but He is pouring out a treasure chest of hope and promise, of healing, of talents, of wisdom, of good things . . ."
I thought about how every great musician was given an instrument when they were young. Every athlete was given sporting equipment before they became so adapt. When we examine the things we love most and the things we do best, we can almost always trace back to gifts we were given in the past.
I agree with that pastor who said a day is coming very soon when those of us committed to serving the Lord and helping others will have to rise up and use whatever resources we have toward that goal. This is one of those things that we may not fully understand today but if we accept it by faith, it will eventually become clear. We just need to accept and receive whatever God sends us.
Sometimes the greatest blessings God sends our way are people who inspire us or people who help us in our daily lives. Often these people are those closest to us -- the ones we take forgranted and never remember to thank.
As I sat down to write my thank you cards, I thought about this. I had decided yeasterday to send out 11 cards -- but I'm sure I could easily send out more.
The 11 who made my thank you list this year are as follows:
1. The woman who mows my yard (she's well into her senior years but perhaps the hardest worker I have ever seen);
2. Pastor John Elliotte (FourSquare Church in Hitchcock, Texas; he heads up a disaster relief crew and is totally committed to serving God and his community);
3. My own pastor, Tom Walker (Zion Christian Church in Palm Bay, FL);
4. Mark Smith (a blessing and inspiration to everyone he meets);
5 - 7. Drucella, Kristy and Roger (three editors who are assisting with my book);
8. Sandy (my best friend);
9. Dan Walker (he heads up LOVE, Inc. a para-church helps ministry in our community);
10. Mildred Childers (she heads up a ministry called New Beginnings which provides a home to help women get off the streets);
11. Mark (the house manager at a ministry called His Place which provides housing for men trying to break free from drugs and alcohol).
As I finished up the cards and stuck on the last stamp, one other person came to mind. My mother. In spite of all our ups and downs, I know I need to thank her and tell her I love her. She deserves far more than a card for putting up with me. Perhaps tomorrow I'll find a random act to let her know the way I feel . . .
Give Thanks,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE).
A couple weeks ago I went to a prayer meeting at a home church in my community. Each Thursday night people of all ages and all walks of life gather together just to pray. We pray privately and then we gather in a circle and pray as a group.
Our petitions vary from private matters to prayers for our city and country. God cares about the daily affairs of this world and about the private concerns of His children. When we commit ourselves to prayer, He hears and He speaks. We just need to listen.
Sometimes God whispers softly by planting a thought, an idea or an image in our minds. The image the pastor shared two weeks ago was that of thanksgiving. As we prayed he felt as if God were consoling us by telling us that now if the time for those who believe in Him to simply receive the blessings and the provision He is sending forth.
"God is pouring blessings out from heaven. Its as if he has pried open a treasure chest and now he's just shaking out its contents. Those who believe in Him just need to stand still and receive what He sends. We should simply hold out their hands and say thanks," the pastor said.
The pastor went on to explain that these gifts are being distributed at this time in history because we will need them in the near future.
"We may not realize it yet, but He is pouring out a treasure chest of hope and promise, of healing, of talents, of wisdom, of good things . . ."
I thought about how every great musician was given an instrument when they were young. Every athlete was given sporting equipment before they became so adapt. When we examine the things we love most and the things we do best, we can almost always trace back to gifts we were given in the past.
I agree with that pastor who said a day is coming very soon when those of us committed to serving the Lord and helping others will have to rise up and use whatever resources we have toward that goal. This is one of those things that we may not fully understand today but if we accept it by faith, it will eventually become clear. We just need to accept and receive whatever God sends us.
Sometimes the greatest blessings God sends our way are people who inspire us or people who help us in our daily lives. Often these people are those closest to us -- the ones we take forgranted and never remember to thank.
As I sat down to write my thank you cards, I thought about this. I had decided yeasterday to send out 11 cards -- but I'm sure I could easily send out more.
The 11 who made my thank you list this year are as follows:
1. The woman who mows my yard (she's well into her senior years but perhaps the hardest worker I have ever seen);
2. Pastor John Elliotte (FourSquare Church in Hitchcock, Texas; he heads up a disaster relief crew and is totally committed to serving God and his community);
3. My own pastor, Tom Walker (Zion Christian Church in Palm Bay, FL);
4. Mark Smith (a blessing and inspiration to everyone he meets);
5 - 7. Drucella, Kristy and Roger (three editors who are assisting with my book);
8. Sandy (my best friend);
9. Dan Walker (he heads up LOVE, Inc. a para-church helps ministry in our community);
10. Mildred Childers (she heads up a ministry called New Beginnings which provides a home to help women get off the streets);
11. Mark (the house manager at a ministry called His Place which provides housing for men trying to break free from drugs and alcohol).
As I finished up the cards and stuck on the last stamp, one other person came to mind. My mother. In spite of all our ups and downs, I know I need to thank her and tell her I love her. She deserves far more than a card for putting up with me. Perhaps tomorrow I'll find a random act to let her know the way I feel . . .
Give Thanks,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE).
Friday, September 11, 2009
Blessings, Phone Calls and Random Acts
Greetings Friends:
Today is September 11, 2009. The horror we experienced eight years ago is still fresh in most of our minds. To not reflect or shed a tear is insensitive and un-American. At the same time, there is nothing we can do to change the past. We can not go back. We can only be thankful for today. And, we can find ways to move forward.
The idea for this blog came a few weeks ago when my friend Sandy and I went to see the movie Julie and Julia. The film is based on the true story of a young writer who decides to start a blog. The premise of her blog is to cook her way through the entire Julia Childs French Cook Book. The movie was a hoot -- I loved it. On the way out of the theater, my friend said to me, "You should start your own blog. You love to write. Why not start a blog?"
Why not? I agreed. But what on earth would I write?
I began thinking about what matters most to me. What really matters is serving the community -- and encouraging others to do the same. That's when the idea of RANDOM ACTS was born. Yes it is very much the "pay it forward" idea. Imagine if each of us devoted the entire next year to doing some random thing every day just to make the world a better place or to reach out to improve somebody elses life! Wow, what an earth-shattering paradigm shifting idea. To think that each of us has the powerful potential to become agents of change! We do have that potential within us, we just need to act on it. Get up off the couch, step out of the box!
I decided to start the blog on September 11th because eight years ago we all seemed to step up to this very same idea. Immediately following the terrorist attack on our nation everyone worked really hard to be kinder, gentler and much more loving people. Sadly our efforts didn't last and we were quickly back to our old ways. I decided this day, today, to give it another shot. For the next 365 days I will do my best to commit at least one random act of goodness each and every day. I hope those of you reading this will join me.
So what did I do today? Today I made nine phone calls to the nine people who matter most in my life. All but one were family members. I just called to tell them how much I care. I also bought a package of thank you cards and made a list of eleven people to send notes to. These are people who a) had a profound impact on my life this past year; or b) they are folks I simply take forgranted. In the morning I'll mail out those cards -- just to say thanks and to let them know they have been a big blessing.
How can we respond to 9-11? The answer, I believe, is not to dwell on the past or to live in fear of the future. The answer, my friends, is to count and appreciate our blessings and then to begin this day to do something different and new. If we all become personally engaged in working toward a better future, I am certain we will see some positive change.
What can you do if you are reading this at the end of the day or on September 12th? You can understand it is never too late. Just pick up the phone and call the people you love. Count your blessings. Give thanks. Start afresh by finding simple things you can do to make the world around you a little better than it was yesterday. Commit a random act.
Life Matters,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Today is September 11, 2009. The horror we experienced eight years ago is still fresh in most of our minds. To not reflect or shed a tear is insensitive and un-American. At the same time, there is nothing we can do to change the past. We can not go back. We can only be thankful for today. And, we can find ways to move forward.
The idea for this blog came a few weeks ago when my friend Sandy and I went to see the movie Julie and Julia. The film is based on the true story of a young writer who decides to start a blog. The premise of her blog is to cook her way through the entire Julia Childs French Cook Book. The movie was a hoot -- I loved it. On the way out of the theater, my friend said to me, "You should start your own blog. You love to write. Why not start a blog?"
Why not? I agreed. But what on earth would I write?
I began thinking about what matters most to me. What really matters is serving the community -- and encouraging others to do the same. That's when the idea of RANDOM ACTS was born. Yes it is very much the "pay it forward" idea. Imagine if each of us devoted the entire next year to doing some random thing every day just to make the world a better place or to reach out to improve somebody elses life! Wow, what an earth-shattering paradigm shifting idea. To think that each of us has the powerful potential to become agents of change! We do have that potential within us, we just need to act on it. Get up off the couch, step out of the box!
I decided to start the blog on September 11th because eight years ago we all seemed to step up to this very same idea. Immediately following the terrorist attack on our nation everyone worked really hard to be kinder, gentler and much more loving people. Sadly our efforts didn't last and we were quickly back to our old ways. I decided this day, today, to give it another shot. For the next 365 days I will do my best to commit at least one random act of goodness each and every day. I hope those of you reading this will join me.
So what did I do today? Today I made nine phone calls to the nine people who matter most in my life. All but one were family members. I just called to tell them how much I care. I also bought a package of thank you cards and made a list of eleven people to send notes to. These are people who a) had a profound impact on my life this past year; or b) they are folks I simply take forgranted. In the morning I'll mail out those cards -- just to say thanks and to let them know they have been a big blessing.
How can we respond to 9-11? The answer, I believe, is not to dwell on the past or to live in fear of the future. The answer, my friends, is to count and appreciate our blessings and then to begin this day to do something different and new. If we all become personally engaged in working toward a better future, I am certain we will see some positive change.
What can you do if you are reading this at the end of the day or on September 12th? You can understand it is never too late. Just pick up the phone and call the people you love. Count your blessings. Give thanks. Start afresh by finding simple things you can do to make the world around you a little better than it was yesterday. Commit a random act.
Life Matters,
Cindi (aka Poetic Justice)
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Starting September 11th - RANDOM ACTS
Greetings in Cyber Space.
This new blog will capture simply ways we all can work to make this world a better place. How so, you might ask. We can do this by committing to at least one random act each day. One random act of kindness, one expression of compassion, a little empathy, some simple sign of brotherly love--imagine that! A little effort will go a very long way.
We tried to be a kinder and more gentle people in the days and weeks immediately following the terrible events of September 11th but our efforts did not last. We waved our flags and donned our red, white and blue --but that alone did not turn us into unwaivering citizens and patriots. Too soon nearly all of us reverted back to our old ways. We became self-centered, driven and unappreciative of the precious moments, the simple things, our many blessings and the great gifts God has given to each one of us.
Now is the time to reflect -- not on the horrible disaster -- but on ways we can embrace life and turn what was intended for bad back into something good. We can renew our minds on this matter. Instead of sadness, fear and helplessness -- we can emerge with fresh vision, creative energy and hope. Today is the day to count our blessings. Now is the time to say enough and to take on a sense of personal engagement and accountability regarding the future. We can use our talents and whatever resources we have available to make some small difference in our circle of influence no matter how large, or how small, that might be. This is the essence of POETIC JUSTICE.
Tune into this blog each day, starting on September 11th to read about my pay-it-forward style adventures and antics.
May my own commitment to the next 365 days of RANDOM ACTS inspire you to get busy doing something - anything at all --to make this world a slightly better place.
Love,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
This new blog will capture simply ways we all can work to make this world a better place. How so, you might ask. We can do this by committing to at least one random act each day. One random act of kindness, one expression of compassion, a little empathy, some simple sign of brotherly love--imagine that! A little effort will go a very long way.
We tried to be a kinder and more gentle people in the days and weeks immediately following the terrible events of September 11th but our efforts did not last. We waved our flags and donned our red, white and blue --but that alone did not turn us into unwaivering citizens and patriots. Too soon nearly all of us reverted back to our old ways. We became self-centered, driven and unappreciative of the precious moments, the simple things, our many blessings and the great gifts God has given to each one of us.
Now is the time to reflect -- not on the horrible disaster -- but on ways we can embrace life and turn what was intended for bad back into something good. We can renew our minds on this matter. Instead of sadness, fear and helplessness -- we can emerge with fresh vision, creative energy and hope. Today is the day to count our blessings. Now is the time to say enough and to take on a sense of personal engagement and accountability regarding the future. We can use our talents and whatever resources we have available to make some small difference in our circle of influence no matter how large, or how small, that might be. This is the essence of POETIC JUSTICE.
Tune into this blog each day, starting on September 11th to read about my pay-it-forward style adventures and antics.
May my own commitment to the next 365 days of RANDOM ACTS inspire you to get busy doing something - anything at all --to make this world a slightly better place.
Love,
Cindi (aka POETIC JUSTICE)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
