A New Beginning

Sooooo, have any of you been thinking about the 30-Hour Famine for 2009? The dates are set for February 27th and 28th, 2009. Same place - North Warren Presbyterian Church. And sadly, there are still plenty of people in the world struggling with hunger each and every day.

I haven't decided on a theme for this year - actually I haven't gotten the materials from World Vision yet, but that doesn't stop me from reflecting on our own situations and where we might need to be going. Take a look at these verses from the first chapter of the book of James (my favorite book of the Bible) and see if they might apply to you in some way.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

One of the ideas I get from this scripture passage is that we need to get up off our chairs and do things. Don't just hear the word, live the word. By participating in the 30HF, you are doing things. Fewer are dying each day due to hunger and malnutrition now than just a few years ago. There is still much to do. God is depending on us doing it since we are Christ's hands and feet in the world today. When you are considering doing the famine this year, don't just do it because it might be fun (which we hope parts are fun - God loves to see us smile!), but do it as a show of your faith in God and the tasks He has set before us.

Also, post some ideas on what you'd like to do. Some of the comments I got from last year's famine dealt with some of the most somber times, and those meant the most for several of you. Like most things I get involved in, I try to keep a mix of both fun and serious things.

So feed back and tell me what you thing you'd like to do. You can either email me or better yet, post your thoughts here. If you need any help doing that, let me know and I can help you. When you post, then others can see it and that might start them thinking and we could end up with some really great ideas. Nothing is really totally out of the question - except sleeping in cardboard boxes in the front lawn. This ain't Alabama, you know.

And just in case you're lost on something to discuss here, let me know your thoughts on this question. Should we limit the number of participates? Say maybe 16 or 20 or something like that. Do you have another number in mind? Also, should there be a minimum contribution each participant is making? These points came up in comments fairly often last year.

So post away. I'll be doing some more myself over the next few months. February comes quickly!

It's Been a While

The money is all turned in and the T shirts are here. This Sunday will be the official hand out day, so if you can possibly make it to Youth Group, do it. I've got a few things to discuss about next year's Famine as well.

I haven't seen it yet, but Oz looks like it must be a real blast. Everyone in this household (except me) is coming home all wound up about all sorts of things. It's really cool to be able to see people excell at something and really enjoy it. It sort of makes you understand this thing about finding the gifts God gave you and then using them.

The End of the Beginning

Now that the famine is over, it is only just beginning.

Did you notice how so many people got involved? In so many different things? Did you feel the joy of helping others? Did you learn that serving is a very cool thing to do - and fun on top of it all? Do you now see how very rich you are, not just materially, but by knowing a loving God - and realizing it?

The team of young people did such a fabulous job raising money, but they also grew in their relationships with each other and with God. I got a chance to get to know some of you so much more and if you benefit half as much as I from the relationship, you are really blessed.

So, have you found new ways to serve in your daily life? Are you more appreciative of the "stuff" you have, even if it isn't the coolest? Are you growing in your relationship to God?

Let me know.

More coming later.

Spaghetti Dinner Update 2

It's finished and successful. I haven't counted the money yet, but more importantly, lots of people came (I'm guessing 80 or so) and several of our famine participants saw the joy of serving.

The Famine's coming up this weekend. We've got some interesting twists in our schedule to take care of.

Stay tuned for more info.

Spaghetti Dinner Update

We had 2 famine participants and 5 adults show up tonight. The tables are set, we have enough silverware wrapped to get a good start on it, the decorations are set, some of the food is prepared. Now we just need the customers.

Plan on coming at 4:00 or after to work. I know some of you are leaving early and some can't make it right at 4:00. Come when you can.

See you there.

Hockey

Center Ice and in the balcony. That's where our seats for the hockey game are - IMHO, the best seats in the house. I got some pretty good deals on the block of seats, but I hope you're all out there getting sponsors. We want to have a good contribution to World Vision when this is all said and done.

The game will fill most of Friday evening, but there's lots of stuff to do on Saturday as well. Some of it will be hard physical work, some will require some thought on your part, and some will just be fun.

Looking forward to it.

Newspaper Brief of the Spaghetti Dinner

Did you see the Warren newspaper today? Tuesday, February 12th, Section C, page 2. A pretty cool announcement about the dinner and the Famine.

Thanks to Mrs. Ward for that good job!

Are you ready to be hungry? It's coming in just a little more than a week!