Words

I’ve decided that I would want to have a blog, even if no one ever read it. Something powerful ignites within my spirit when I put my thoughts to words and words to paper (or screen). Reflection and prayer come alive when I see my thoughts before me, reread what I have written, correct my mistakes, add more colorful adjectives and maybe a few analogies, and then click “publish”. That may be my favorite part. I once read a quote that had something to do with there being no purpose in writing without the intent to publish. I can’t fully agree with this idea for everyone- especially 12 year-old girls who live in fear of having their diary read. For me, the thought of being published excited me. The thought of creating words that would one day be quoted or recited as a rhyme.

But words are far more important than how many people read them.
It is with our words that we form a sentence to praise our Creator who gave us the capability to communicate.
It is with our words that we express our true selves to one another; or our lack of words withheld attempting to hide as if refusing to articulate protects us from facing reality.
It is with our words that we declare what we stand for, and why.

When was the last time you sat and wrote words on purpose for the pure enjoyment of seeing where your recorded journey would take you? May I suggest you try? Just start writing. If you are not sure where to start, begin with a prayer. Perhaps a prayer that has been verbally prayed often. Begin with a promise. Perhaps a promise that seems so familiar it may have lost some of its credibility. Start by writing and respond with your opinion about it, the emotions that are stirred by the thoughts you have written so far, your hopes, your frustrations, your “if onlys”. Write them down and go back and read it.

What have you learned about yourself in this process? Has the Lord shown you anything about yourself or your topic?

I hope so. And finally we pray,
Lord, give us a word.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14

Lord, when did we see you hungry?

I received an email this morning from Charlotte Hoppe (our area Disciples of Christ minister) regarding the tragedy of unrest in Mexico. The "violence nourished by the money made from drugs" is receiving some attention, but not enough. My heart goes out to the poor souls of parts of Mexico dealing daily with murder, ransacked homes, ransom notes and missing children, large fees for family protection, blackmail, corruption, and the latest: starvation. Many families are thankful for food donations coming in, but even with donation only 50% of their nutritional needs are being met. A church in El Paso is heading up a project to feed our brothers and sisters in Mexico. Here is a portion of the email I read this morning:

"How much is needed? A lot! A challenge of 1000 lbs of Beans & 1000 lbs Rice has been accepted by one church in the TRA [Tres Rios Area]. Recently, a 50 lb bag of Beans with a 50 lb bag of Rice was purchased for $ 42 total at Sam’s Club in El Paso. $ 840 will provide 1Ton of food. Beans & Rice can be sent to First Christian Church of El Paso, 901 Arizona, El Paso, TX, 79902, phone: 915-533-6819, Attn: Sr. Min. Leslie Dalstra. Money donations can also be sent to the First Christian Church of El Paso at the same address. Please mark your check with “Beans & Rice” and these monies will be converted into Beans & Rice and gasoline for the distribution in Mexico."

If your heart strings have been pulled as mine have, find a way to get involved!

I am the summer youth minister at Los Altos Christian Church in Abq, NM. Our youth will be collecting donations and hosting a "Beans & Rice Lunch" on September 19, 2010. Our goal will be to collect monetary gifts to send to El Paso because they can purchase the food just as well as we can and I would rather help as much as we can (not waste any on shipping). If you do not live in this area, feel free to send money to Los Altos (contact me for info) and we will make sure it gets where it needs to go, or follow the instructions above and send it straight to El Paso.

One favor: if you do get involved, please comment here, call me, email me, let me know about it! I would love to here about it. Please do the same if you have other suggestions of how we may respond with love to our neighbors in need.

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
Matthew 25:44