Let's Go Barefoot!

April 8 is National Barefoot Day. So, we're going barefoot all around town. Why would we do such a thing? Especially in the rain? Today is Tom's Shoes One Day Without Shoes. Tom's Shoes gives a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair you purchase. They set aside one day a year to emphasize the need to provide shoes for children around the world. They have asked people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and to help spread awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes can bring to a child's life. Most of us forget about our feet. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil.Here are some facts:1) In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.2. Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.3. Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.4. In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from PODOCONIOSIS, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.5. Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.

Our day started out cooler than it has been all week. It's been raining since early this morning. It's now overcast and wet. Hoping the sun will come out a little before we start our walk through downtown Franklin. However, people all over the world can't worry about the weather. When they need to walk to town, walk to get water, walk to get medicine, they may have to walk barefoot. 

Cory and I headed to Franklin and began our walk. By now it had begun to get a little chilly, but we were determined. We got a few stares and could see people reading the signs attached to Cory's purse and my back. We went into Philanthropy and one mother and daughter were disappointed they had forgotten it was April 8th. We suggested she go ahead and take her shoes off right then. She and her sister were afraid her feet would be "stinky" but she sat down in the store and removed her shoes and socks--"way to go"! The only other store we went to downtown was the camping store. No one said anything negative.

We stopped by the civil war park and walked along the asphalt. However, I ended up in the grass because my feet are NOT tough! like so many that walk barefoot on a daily basis. Cory's trying to toughen up her feet though in preparation for her next trip to Madagascar. Of course, she usually wears flip-flops there (and she has the nail scars to prove it). 

Next we stopped off at the gas station and on to Target. No problems again. Not everyone has the privilege to go in to a nice store like most we have in America. And they don't always have the shoes to wear once they get there. Most have outdoor market places to shop and there is no need or shoes.

It would be interesting to find out if any schools out there allowed students to come to school today barefoot. In many countries children are not allowed an education unless they have shoes to wear. It saddens me to hear that.

So kick off your shoes and GO BAREFOOT!

Easter Sunday a day late!

Yesterday was Easter Sunday, a day when many take part in Easter egg hunts, dress in their finest, and feast on foods set aside for the holidays. Some make this day their annual pilgrimage to church to celebrate the resurrected Christ--or is it merely to "show off" their "finery"?
However, many do go to celebrate life. Easter does fall at a time when new life abounds--tulips and daffodils in bloom, cherry blossoms (or is it another kind), calves and colts in the pasture along with lambs and kids. What an amazing time to celebrate new life in Christ. Many came to know Christ for the first time Sunday. What a terrific day to find "new life".
Speaking of "new life":  for the past few weeks I have begun feeling "new life" once again. 2009 held several spiritual challenges for me. I tend to "hold on to things" a little longer than I should--just ask my family. I know I shouldn't, but that's what I do. Since finding a new church that preaches the truth (not that the other church didn't speak the truth) and experiencing corporate worship, which I hungered for, I feel like I'm being renewed in some ways. I wish I had visited this Calvary Chapel sooner, however, I've been able to see God work. I am once again excited about attending church again. The past year had become a ritual. Sure, once in a while I received something, but rarely. Perhaps I wouldn't allow my heart to accept the message or the song. Needless to say, I was in a "funk" so to speak, but now I'm beginning to rise above that with God's help.
Once again, I'm going to church, worshipping and in the Word. I've also begun to have a heart for the world. Unfortunately, I let some circumstances "stomp" my love for the nations. It had once been my passion. Many of you know that has been my hearts cry for a lot of years. However, this past year that passion died. Perhaps there was a small flame left that just wouldn't die out or maybe the embers of my soul were fanned back to life. In fact, you may be getting tired of my posts. Don't worry, they'll continue. I want to have God's heart for the world once again. My desire is for God to break my heart with the things that break His. I want His eyes for just one second, His eyes so I can see, His arms for the brokenhearted, and His heart for the ones forgotten.
We cannot stay forever on the "mount of transfiguration", basking in the light of our mountaintop experience (Mark 9:1-9) But we must obey the light we received there, we must put it into action. When God gives us a vision, we must transact business with Him at that point, no matter what the cost.
(Oswald Chambers)
Did not our heart burn within us...? Luke 24:32

This blog was inspired by my friend Sandra who asked the other day what's been "On My Mind" lately and what God has been teaching me.

Back to Church?

This past week, I visited a church that I've wanted to visit for some time now. Wednesday night they had a worship service that I really wanted to experience. I have missed corporate worship. I love to worship, at least I did. This past year has been one with plenty of ups and downs. An emotional, stress-filled roller coaster. I haven't enjoyed attending church or small group. I'd go to church but I really wasn't excited about it. I've heard that worship is a "heart" issue--nothing to do with the song. However, I feel both are important. Wednesday night worship was amazing. I enjoyed it so much. Sunday afternoon's service turned into another night of worship. I was so excited to be going to church. I haven't felt like that in months. I've been watching the podcasts from the past few weeks on the "Musts" for believers. We "must" be filled with the Holy Spirit, we "must" preach the good news to the poor, we "must" heal the broken hearted, we "must" free the captives and the oppressed, we "must" help with the recovery of the blind. From Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  I was looking forward to hearing this last message, however the Holy Spirit was leading in another way. This was what I truly needed and have truly missed. Thank you Jesus for meeting me. What a blessing. Can't wait to go back.

James

Last night, I chatted with a young girl that I’ve never met and I’ve never chatted with, though I’ve known her family for years. She asked if I would read James 2--she said it was “awesome”. She also mentioned that James 1:2-4 were some of her favorite verses and wondered if I had any to share. I shared one of my favorites from James 1:27 that mentions the religion that God accepts as pure and faultless--to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. I told her I would read her verses later. However, I was drawn to read the verses from the first chapter of James and it hit me, it brought tears to my eyes. It says: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” We’ve all had trials of one sort or the other. I’ve had my share as well. However, how many times have I considered it pure joy? Usually when it happens I tend to get a little hysterical in the beginning--either verbally or inwardly. I realize I need to “give thanks in all things” but it is sometimes hard. Our faith can get us through. Verse 12 says: “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Because “every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (vs. 17) 

The more I read, the more interested I became. I’ve read the book of James before and it is one of my favorites but I was given a challenge and just trying to follow through. Plus, the pastor will be speaking on James for the next few weeks. I’ll see what he has to say. Interestingly, since writing the above, the pastor spoke on James 1:1-8 and verse 12 (mentioned above a week or so ago). 

GO

A year ago, I wouldn't have thought of ever "going" anyplace, to help anyone again. However, my heart has changed. I've given God "a little bit of elbow room" in my life and I still need to and want to give Him a little more room. Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready for my day, a song often sung at Christmas time came to mind: "Children Go Where I Send Thee". The first verse says Children go where I send thee--how shall I send thee--I'm gonna send thee one by one, one for the little bitty baby, was born, born, born in Bethlehem." That got me thinking. I should be going for the little bitty baby born in Bethlehem, not just for "me". When I first thought about that verse, I was thinking He was sending me to the babies of the world, FOR the "baby of the world". Which does make sense doesn't it? His true religion is to visit the orphans and widows. (James 1:27) As I thought about the song mentioning "born in Bethlehem", I thought I need to "go" to Him first and foremost. I need to go to the baby in Bethlehem.
John 15:16 mentions "you did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go..."
Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ's. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. If God chose me, and appointed me, then I need to make sure He is in all that I do.
With Haiti weighing heavy on my mind, and in the thoughts and prayers of many around the world, I feel like I want to do something. Right now I can pray. I can also give. Perhaps someday I can go. Or maybe go to another place. I need to wait on Him. "Expect Christ to come--not in a particular way--but to come." I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I'll wait and see what He shows me.
I see in Galatians an amazing promise: 1:15, 16--"But when God, who set me apart from birth, and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles." I'll keep thinking and praying.

Idioms

It’s funny how our lives can suddenly get “turned upside down”. It’s as if someone “pulled the rug out from under us”. We may not know why it happens but they say it must happen for a reason; though we might not find out about that for a period of time. They say “change is good”, but what if bad comes out of it? Sure, we can choose our happiness, we can be responsible for it. But what about the times, when we’ve been hurt so deeply that it seems “forever and a lifetime” to heal? We can “let it go” but really, deep down, it still exists. It’s not always easy. Life goes on. People walk past “without an inkling” of what’s going on inside. I mean deep inside. We can “put up a facade” and pretend everything is “a-o.k.” because that’s what we’re supposed to do isn’t it? 

Have you seen hopelessness in someone’s eyes? Have you seen it in your child’s eyes? Im sure Jesus has. “Give me your eyes.” I love that song by Brandon Heath. I've posted it before on my other blog but I will post a part of it here as well:

All those people going somewhere

Why have I never cared?

 Give me your eyes for just one second

 Give me your eyes so I can see

 Everything that I keep missing

 Give me your love for humanity

 Give me your arms for the broken-hearted

 The ones that are far beyond my reach

 Give me your heart for the ones forgotten

 Give me your eyes so I can see

Well, I want a second glance

So give me a second chance

To see the way you've seen the people all along

I have seen hopelessnes--I have heard hopelessness--I may have "thought" I felt hopelessness--so now, what am I going to do about it? What are you going to do about it? What are we all going to do about it?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

A little late. It has been a while since I last blogged my thoughts. Christmas was great--quiet but good. New Year's was spent housesitting and hanging out with Cory while she was housesitting also. Heard lots of fireworks go off but didn't frighten the dog at all. This dog is very mellow. The new year brought us some snow--3 days of it. It was wonderful. I love the snow, especially watching it fall to the ground. It didn't stick much but there was enough to make snow angels on the walking trail across the street. Sections of the creek were frozen and was beautiful.