Each year on Make a Difference Day, ex-President Jimmy Carter gets out his hammer and saw, and helps to build or rebuild housing in underprivileged areas.  Make a Difference Day What is one thing you could do today to make a difference? Remember it isn't usually the big, grandiose things but the small, almost unnoticeable things. It's the largest national day of community service 100 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community United Nations Day The History of the United Nations Successes and Failures of the United Nations Interesting facts about the UN Ten reasons why the UN must be abolished Is the UN Effective? National Bologna Day When I was a kid one of my favorite sandwiches was white bread, miracle whip, bologna, and Dorito chips...yum!  ;)  In retrospect?  Ugh!  :) What The Heck Is In Bologna, Anyway? Who remembers this commercial? To twist this day around let's instead focus on Bologna, Italy . Here's some major attracti...

Yesterday my family and I, with a group of friends, helped pack meals for kids all over the world who are starving and impoverished.  It's a fantastic organization doing amazing things and inviting people to participate.  You can check them out by clicking here .  Today's quote is true of me, perhaps you as well.  As I have gotten older, seen a few more things, made a few trips to some slums, and gained a better understanding of what scriptures like James 1:27  mean I have discovered that if I keep my hands and feet to myself not only do people lose out on what I can offer but I lose out on being enriched.  My hands and feet are not my own, they are meant to be extended and to help promote healing and life.  Since the lesson is so important I've made it part of my duty as a parent to teach this to my redheads early on on their lives so that they develop and cultivate a life that extends itself on behalf of the "least of these."  I believe whe...

....to love the Lord your God and to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and to cling to and unite with Him and to serve Him with all your heart and soul [your very life].   Joshua 22:5 AMP If you believe in God what do you mean when you say you love him and serve him?  What is your definition of that?  Does it mean you go to a church on Sunday mornings and maybe Wednesday nights?  Is that what loving God and serving God means to you?  Or is it more?  Are you on a journey to figure out what it is still?   I love today's quote from the book of Joshua in the Bible.  It indicates to me that loving God and serving him probably is defined best without including a church building/denomination/etc.  When I look at today's quote and I read it with an open heart and mind and clear eyes I see that loving and serving God is defined by obeying all of his word, uniting myself to him, and allowing my life to be changed by his word. ...

You should not buy anything that you are not willing to give away.   Unknown On the surface today's quote seems to be about that favorite topic of mine - not hoarding and not having clutter in your home.  On the surface I suppose today's quote is partially about that BUT I'd like to go deeper than the surface.  (Shocker eh?)   Today's quote to me speaks of  generosity  and  selflessness  or selfishness.  Are you willing to bless or gift someone else with what you just purchased?  It could range from a cup of coffee to groceries to paying an overdue utility bill to fill in the blank .  And if you aren't willing to, why not?  What stops you?  Is it your own financial state?  Is it not being able to take the person's need at face value?  Is it simply that you are feeling selfish (because whether we admit it or not we all do feel selfish more than we would like to recognize)?  Does your generosity have a "ca...

Do something wonderful, people may imitate it. Albert Schweitzer  I love today's quote all on its own but I also love when I hear or read stories that back it up.  I'm a firm believer in doing acts of kindness, random or not, and inspiring others to do the same.  And I do believe that the majority of the time people are inspired to commit their own acts of kindness once they have been recipients.  Just today I read on FB from a friend's status, " went through the drive thru at Starbucks this morning and the car in front of me paid for my order.. random acts of Christmas season kindness made my day!!"   Wonderful and kind acts don't have to be  grandiose  in scale (financially, materially, etc) - just  grandiose  in thought and intention. A $4 coffee is grandiose, not because it was $4 my friend didn't have to spend but because someone, a  stranger  , extended beyond themselves to another person. And of course what is the response ...

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful...that's what matters to me.   Steve Jobs What lasts beyond our physical life is our acts - of kindness or not - not our stored up treasures.  Even Steve Jobs, one of the richest men, knew this.  Even he knew that in this life it is not our material possessions but our deeds that are remembered long after we are.  All of his wealth didn't matter if he wasn't known for acts of kindness.  We all should have this perspective.  Yes, material possessions are nice but our deeds have a deeper impact.  And it's important to note, I think, that our deeds - good or bad - impact.  And we are remembered for either of them.  People will remember what a jerk we were if we behave badly.  And people will remember what a lovely person we were if we behave kindly.  And if we are a jerk and leave tons of money to "make up for it" ...

As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.   Mary Anne Radmacher Today's quote kind of goes along with yesterday's .  When we decide to do or say something for someone and it brings light to their day or world, even if just for a moment, then the by-product is we have been lit up as well.  There are numerous studies out there about how helping others is the best way to help ourselves.  Depressed?  Do something for someone else?  Stressed?  Go participate in an outreach of some sort that will help others.  Apathetic/lethargic?  Get out of yourself and light up someones world.  You'll find that your way will become clearer.  Your apathy will shake off and a path will be made known.  Now if you go to light up someones world with the motivation that you will receive benefit as well then expect it to go wrong.  It doesn't work that way.  We must be light bearers to others with pure motives, wa...

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.   Proverbs 11:25 You never know when you will be the refreshment in someones day.  Oftentimes it is through something you say or do that you don't think is a big deal but to that person it is for that moment.  And when it happens the "strangest" thing happens to you.  You also become refreshed.  Something happens to our spirits when we put ourselves aside and focus on others.  We become light in the worlds we live in.   Being refreshment to others can happen in so many different ways.  Think outside your box, don't allow yourself to be stifled.  Don't over think it, if you do you won't end being genuine as a person who can refresh others.  Let it happen naturally.  And remember, it usually happens through you without you trying or even being aware that you are doing it.  Also you can't set out to refresh others with expectations attache...

What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say.   Ralph Waldo Emerson People, actions do speak louder than words.  They mean more too.  Words can be empty and meaningless when action does not prove them true.  Telling someone you love them but physically and/or verbally punching them doesn't really match up does it?  Do *you* really think they are going to believe your empty sentiment?   We are just making a bunch of noise with our words if actions don't come behind them to prove them .  Our actions do most of our speaking for us.  You may not like it but it's true.  Our words should be what reinforces our actions because our actions carry more volume in our lives.  Talk all you want but just make sure your words will be proven true with your actions, for that is what people are actually listening to and hearing.

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.    Ferdinand Foch What makes the biggest differences in our worlds are human souls on fire to address the injustice we witness.  It's the most powerful weapon we each own.  A soul on fire is what defends the widow and the orphan .  A soul on fire is what gives our lives purpose.  If your soul isn't on fire for something other than your favorite TV show then what kind of life are you really living?  Want to be powerful?  Let your soul be set on fire.    

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.   Desmond Tutu No fence riding allowed.  To say you are in the middle and don't want to get involved involves you on the side of the oppressor.  Choosing indifference means you have chosen oppression.  When it comes to situations of injustice there are so many levels you can jump in on that there is no excuse for neutrality.  Don't let the injustice scare you, don't let it make you so uncomfortable that you join sides with the oppressors unknowingly.  Be brave enough to educate yourself, be brave enough to jump in on some level of assistance.  Be brave enough to get off the fence.  

I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls. 2 Corinthians 12:15 I am struck by this verse.  In context the Apostle Paul is talking about his concern for the people of Corinth.  And he is willing to go to any length to see the people of Corinth come to knowledge of Christ and into relationship with Christ.  That's what he's saying in today's quote.   I'm struck because I believe what is written in the word of God is for me to take in as well and live out.  So am I willing to say to whomever comes across my path, "I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls"?  And how God asks me to spend and be spent will look different, in some ways, than how it did for the Apostle Paul or how it does for Billy Graham or how it does for you or for me.  But am I willing?  I immediately say "yes, of course" but when the rubber meets the road is that really what happens?  Will I, do I, really allow myself to be spent on behalf of someone c...

Ordinary work, which is what most of us do most of the time, is ordained by God every bit as much as is the extraordinary.  All work done for God is spiritual work and therefore not merely a duty but a holy privilege.   Elisabeth Elliot The CEO may think his/her job is more important and significant than the Janitor's but he/she would be wrong.  He/she is wrong.  God does not classify us.  He doesn't classify us according to sin (different blog), he doesn't classify us according to skin color (again, different blog), he doesn't classify us according to gender (yep you guessed it, different blog), and he doesn't classify us according to jobs (that's this blog). All work done, when done toward God and not man, brings God glory.  When we do it for any other reason it will fail on some level.   Don't believe me?  Okay.  :)  When we put our hands, and feet, to anything with the sole purpose of crediting God then it transforms ...

There's a difference between being drained and being poured out. One is exhausting and   debilitating, the other  is exhilarating and affirming. Pour into others and you'll fill up. I promise.   Jamie The Very Worst Missionary (Jamie Wright - find her on FaceBook or check her out here ) The only way to really fill up your life is to pour into others.  We have been created to be a relational people and the only way that gets fully satisfied is when we relate to others, i.e. pour into them.  I love Jamie's thought for today's quote.  She's right on the money.  And there's another side to it that she didn't point out but I will (although I am sure she would "hear hear" me).   The only way to fill up is to pour out or be drained.  You can't fill up what is already full.  And to stay full with no replenish of fresh resources means only one thing - you gonna get stagnant and stanky.  Just sayin'.  And you know I'm right.  In...

Never get tired of doing little things for others, sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts.   Unknown Bigger isn't always better. (Don't you love how I'm working in a bunch of cliches this week amidst the quotes?!)  Acts that seem small and simple and fairly insignificant to me are usually the ones that mean the most to people.  I used to shrug my shoulders and think, "what's the big deal?" but as I observed and continued to just do what I do I realized that people just want to be acknowledged, valued, noticed.  And it almost always takes just the little things to accomplish that.  It doesn't need to be big and grandiose and spectacular.  But it does need to be sincere, genuine, and preferably heartfelt.  Those kinds of things usually come in the smallest of ways yet have maximum impact.  

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world...it's the only thing that ever has.   Margaret Mead Think small.  No really, think small so that big can be accomplished.  Ever heard the phrase, "too many cooks in the kitchen"?  Same thought process applies here.  The core group of any "difference maker" operates best and most productively when it remains small and committed.  When accountability is high and there is more action than talk.  When a core group gets too big things start to get blurred, accountability starts to drop off, and the vision can get lost in the midst of too many opinions, and then no difference is really made.  Notice I said "core group".  There are large organizations all over that are making a difference and obviously they operate with the help of more than just a handful BUT the core group should be small.  The group that is where "the buck stops".  In a different ...

Don't feel bad if people remember you only when they need you.  Feel privileged that you are like a candle that comes to their mind when there is darkness.   Unknown My husband swears that it is my lot in life to only be remembered when something needs to be done - whether that's a party, a task, etc.  I've been called "the glue" that holds groups of people together - mostly because I'm the "doer".  I'm not complaining, I've made my peace with it.  (My husband complains about it but that's a whole different blog - ha!) Don't get me wrong, when I say I've made my peace with it I don't mean that I have reluctantly resigned myself to my apparent role in life. It means that I have come to appreciate being known as a light.  It's okay, it really is.  It's okay that I'm remembered mostly for what I can do to help out a situation/circumstance/etc.  I fall by the wayside otherwise and that's okay.  Do you feel the ...

I do have desires.  But my dreams will never come true, so let me not have any dreams at all.   Pre-teen Boy in India This is not okay.  NOT OKAY.  You may just be one person.  I may be just one person.  But we have resources to help us make a difference in the lives of children and their parents all over this world.  We have the opportunity to restore dreams. Check out the following organizations for how you can make a difference and restore the dreams of people: live58.org  compassion.com amazima.org Are there others?  Yes.  Find them, check them out for legitimacy - click here for how, and then jump in.  We all can be part of making a difference and that will happen in a variety of ways - don't let indifference and the unimportant keep you from being a dream weaver.

People are often unreasonable, illogical, And self-centered; Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you Of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some False friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank; People may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway. You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God It was never between you and them anyway. Mother Teresa

Everybody here wants a revolution, but nobody here wants to do the dishes.    Shane Claiborne If you want something big to happen you'd better be willing to put your hands in and get them dirty.  The biggest things (movements, revolutions, etc) start with the smallest of acts and the humblest of leaders.  People won't join you in your  efforts  for change if you aren't willing to get down in the trenches yourself.  Don't be above what you are asking others to believe in and do.  Lead the way and do so while "washing dishes."