It is difficult to avoid the heartache of the tragedy in Haiti. The news is all around us, and the need for us to act imperative. To help me get a better glimpse inside the country beyond what I read in the newspaper, I have sought and found several blogs written by people actually living there; or closely related to others in Haiti. I am following several of these blogs, and in doing so, I feel more compelled than ever to respond in prayer and action.

1. The Livesay family, living in Haiti: http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/
2. Aaron Ivey, a musician in the process of adopting a little boy from Haiti: http://aaronivey.com/
3. Compassion International's blog, regularly speaking with their teams in Haiti: http://blog.compassion.com/
4. the "Real Hope for Haiti Rescue Center" that houses 60 children: http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/
5. Vaden and Cristal Earle's ministry, and The Absolute Leadership Development Blog: http://52.absolute.org/

Continue to pray and ask God what you can do to touch the beautiful Haitian people.

Tags: Haiti

It's a beautiful, special time of year.  A time to celebrate, give, enjoy friends and family and remember the wonder of why we even have this magical time of year: Jesus is Christmas.

 

We may choose to celebrate in dozens of different ways; stockings, singing, sleigh-rides, significant parties, or even just simply relaxing.  Through it all, if you're like most people I know, you want to remember to think outside of yourself - - even outside of your regular circle of loved ones.  We all want to be givers at Christmas.

 

So, I looked through the web at a small number of the worthwhile  organizations that are familiar to me.  I found ways that we can reach a bit deeper at this time of year and give to make some lasting difference to children and families that know absolutely nothing of the Christmases you and I are privileged to know.

 

Compassion Children's gift fund, enabling every sponsored child to receive a gift this Christmas.

Food for the Hungry gift catalogue: for someone with everything and someone with nothing.

Invisible Children: watch this great video and learn that shopping is a cinch!

Blood:Water Mission makes it possible to give a family a safe-water filter this Christmas.

Children's Hope Chest can help you support orphans while giving fair-trade coffee for Christmas.

World Vision brings meaningful gifts to children and their families.  Check out their great gift catalogue.

 

 

I invite you to take a few moments, and see where you can give - - whether it's now, specifically in December at Christmas or any other time of year.  Giving should be a part of our lives year-round - - it's just a little more contagious this season.

 

Enjoy.  And have a very joy-filled, Jesus-centred Christmas.

Tags: Christmas | charities

We all love to see how God is moving around the world - it inspires us, encourages us, and ignites our faith. 

 

Since the release of the iHeart film: "we're all in this together" (we hope you had a chance to see it!) our Australian friends have been traveling in South America.  They gave us a lot to think about in the several hours of video footage, challenging us to make a difference wherever we are.  Now they're on the road, sharing God's love,and continuing to cause others to want to do the same.

 

A few links I know you'll love, will give you a picture of a few things:  what's going on in the hearts and minds of others since seeing the film; and what's going on with our brothers and sisters around the world as Hillsong United bring their music and contagious love to cities on every continent.

 

#1 Stay in touch a bigger community of believers, determined to make a difference in their world at the iHeart blog. Click around this site, there's so much to see and read: share your story, read about others', get ideas and listen to what people are thinking.  So many valuable resources.

 

#2 Keep up with Hillsong United on their recent tour, and more.  It's fun to visit them on their website.  Even watch behind the scenes in Lima Peru!

 

LIMA//PERU from Hillsong United on Vimeo.

Tags: Lima Peru | iHeart | Hillsong United