That time of year

Well, it's been alot of fun the last month. I've been swamped and have had no time to really even update the website, but here's my first post of November.

We're all looking out and seeing the leaves begin to change, and we know it's the time of year when we eat more than we should at Thanksgiving, and buy more than we should at Christmas. Here are some thoughts that might change our season:
2,000,000,000 people live on less than a dollar a day
80% of the world lives on less than $10 per day
2.6 billion people have no access to sanitation facilities
1.1 billion people lack clean drinking water
2 billion people die every year from water born diseases
15 million children die of hunger every year
500 million people live below what the World Bank refers to as "absolute poverty"

These are not given to make you feel guilty, but to make you angry! This is a travesty of justice, and Christians are the main group at fault! I am a minister, but still, I am not contributing to nearly enough to reach out and make a difference! We fail to reach out with the love that Jesus so freely gave us, and we forget that He said, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in Heaven" -Matthew 5:16. What a tragedy! We let our light shine in our churches, but not in our communities, our schools, and sometimes even our homes.

It is way too easy for me to get angry and give alot of lofty ideas for you, but here's the hard part: putting faith and love into action. If these things make you angry, good. Here's what you can do about it:
As a Christmas Gift, go and serve food at a local soup kitchen. My wife's family decided that instead of alot of gifts, we would spend Christmas Eve sharing our love with those who had no home.
For a Thanksgiving treat, make extra food, or have a door charge for family members of canned goods to go to a local food pantry or shelter. I promise, you will touch someone's life!
Take the money you would spend on a red bull or a coke and give to an organization, like the Blood:Water Mission who will use that to give clean drinking water to those who need it!
If you're livid at abortion, don't fume and rant. No one is changed by harsh words and hate. Go volunteer at a local Crisis Pregnancy center. These people need love, and grace. Not our "holier than thou" attitude!
The Kid at school who has ratty clothes, donate a jacket anonymously to the school administration, and have them give it to him!

Christians are called to be salt and light. Why do we become so bitter, and burned? Christ called me, and you to a new life. One of service to others.