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This past weekend I had the opportunity to hear Francis Chan speak at the Youth Pastor’s Summit in Orlando, FL. For those who don’t know, Chan is the author of Crazy Love and Forgotten God and the former pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in California. I say “former” because recently Chan stepped down as pastor of the church. As he explained at YPS, he began to get concerned when he heard the name “Francis Chan” more than he heard the words “Holy Spirit.” So with only God to lead the way, Chan, one of the most known pastors in the country, stepped down.

What Chan explained next blew me away. He sold his house in California, and him and his pregnant wife and four kids journeyed to Asia to meet with believers. Chan mentioned that he wanted to meet with believers in the underground church who were experiencing persecution because of their faith in Christ. He also said that at each stop, they prayed and asked God if that’s where He wanted them to be long-term.

One of the stories that Chan shared hit me at the core. He had to the opportunity to visit with believers in China. While talking with these believers, he asked some of the teenagers to tell about some of the persecution they had faced. He said that as each teen shared their stories of physical violence and mockery, they laughed and smiled. These teens didn’t have a “woe as me” attitude. Instead, they were joyful. They rejoiced in the opportunity to endure persecution for the cause of Christ. They told stories of their friends being imprisoned. They told stories of being shot at by government officials. And they rejoiced together! In fact, they thought it was normal for Christians everywhere to experience this same level of persecution.

Chan explained to these believers that in America we have many churches in one city. If you don’t like the pastor, youth pastor, children’s ministry, or color of carpet, you just move to the church down the street. And no matter what happens, you don’t experience true religious persecution. Chan remarked that the China believers laughed at him. They thought he was joking. That did not make sense to them.

As he closed, Chan said that he asked one of these persecuted believers in Asia if there were any people among them who were only “Christian” in name and didn’t truly live out the faith. The Asian believer looked at him in disbelief and said, “No. Why would anyone do that?”

Ouch.

Conviction.

My faith is so weak. I’m an “American” believer, born in a free country, and born into a family that is richer than 95% of all the world. I can pray whenever I want, read my Bible in public, meet with other believers without secrecy, and I never have to worry about being beaten or imprisoned for my faith.

My “American” faith is so weak. If the Christians who endure persecution every single day looked at my faith, I wonder if they would look at me in disbelief and wonder, “Why would anyone do that?”

[Image Source: http://bit.ly/hj0MK9]

For the last couple of years, I have been part of Mocha Club, an organization that exists to fund relief and development projects in Africa. They work in five main project areas: Clean Water, Education, Child Mothers + Women At Risk, Orphan Care + Vulnerable Children, and HIV/AIDS + Healthcare.

The premise is very simple: Every month Mocha Club receives $7 from your bank account–the price of 2 mochas. That money is then used to make a huge difference in Africa.

How much can $7.00 do? $7 can feed person for a month. $7 can educate 2 children for a school term. $7 can save 1 person’s life from malaria. $7 can provide clean water to 7 Africans for a year.

My team, Won’t Stay Silent, has been supporting a Clean Water initiative. There are 300 million people in Africa who do not have access to clean drinking water. Mocha Club’s clean water solutions are freeing individuals from this devastating situation by providing water that is safe and free of disease. Through our giving, we are helping building wells in the Sudan for refugees of the Darfur genocide, who are often forced to live in wilderness areas where they have to drink muddy water, if they are able to find any water at all…

Due to the lack of clean water, diseases run rampant. Each new well is designed to serve 500 people, but our experience on the ground in these remote, insecure areas, is that they end up serving more than 1,000 people.

Once again, the premise is very simple: You only have to give $7.00 a month. In fact, once you sign up, there’s nothing else you have to do. The money is withdrawn from your bank account each month, and I can almost guarantee that you will never miss that money or even notice it’s gone.

$7.00 doesn’t sound like much, but as you read above, it makes a huge difference. Plus, when people working together, incredible things happen. Our group, Won’t Stay Silent, was started in September 2008. Since that time, our group has combined to donate over $1000.00.

If you’re interested in finding out more information, click on the following link, one of the Mocha Club pictures, or send me an email at david.jones@randallhouse.com. Click here to access Mocha Club

One year ago I came across an organization that is doing great things around the world. Mocha Club exists to fund relief and development projects in Africa. They work in five main project areas: Clean Water, Education, Child Mothers + Women At Risk, Orphan Care + Vulnerable Children, and HIV/AIDS + Healthcare.

As great as Mocha Club is, it’s very simple to get involved. All it takes is $7 a month (aka the price of 2 mochas, thus the name).

The team I’m on (Katie Peterson, Hannah Postlewaite, Allen Pointer, Aaron Abbott, Jessica Klug, David Gibson, and Jessica Folsom) have taken part in this for a year now and have been supporting the building of wells in Sudan to provide clean drinking water to the people. This water is saving their lives. Again, it’s only taken each of us $7 a month. The mone withdrawn monthly from my bank account, and honestly, I can say I’ve never missed it.

This is a call for more people to get involved and join our team. By following the link below or clicking on the banner at the top of this page, you can take part in saving lives in Africa for simply $7  a month–a very small sacrifice.

When you sign up, you’ll also receive a free Mocha Club t-shirt.

If you’re interested in signing up or learning more, click on the following link and help change lives in Africa:

CLICK HERE to join Mocha Club and begin saving lives in Africa

Day of Silence

In doing research on the Day of Silence, this is what Wikipedia said about the event (paraphrased):

On April 17, 2009, the Day of Silence will take place in many schools across the United States. For those who are unfamiliar with the DOS, it is an annual day put together by the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that protests the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students (LGBT) and their supporters. 

During this time, participants (students and teachers) take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBT students and those who support them. The event mainly takes place in middle schools, high schools, and college campuses, but it has also started to sneak its way into elementary schools as well.

Some students choose to be silent for the entire day, while others choose to select a portion of the day. Many students also hand out cards that explain why they are being silent.

How Should Christians Respond

One of the biggest debates concerning the Day of Silence is how a Christian should respond . Many conservative organizations, such as the American Family Association, formed a coalition in 2008 and urged parents to keep their students home from school on the DOS if the school was observing it.

The Alliance Defense Fund countered this idea and began promoting the Day of Truth. This is a day that comes several days after the DOS and offers an alternative to being absent. The Day of Truth encourages students to lovingly share God’s view of homosexuality with students. 

So how should a Christian respond? While there may be no clear-cut answer, I would like to offer several words of advice for dealing with this day.

1. Get educated about what is happening. In this situation, ignorance is NOT bliss. Not every participant uses this as a day to spread or promote the message of homosexuality. Most participants say this use this as a day to make people aware of the abuse (verbal, physical, and emotional) that is taking place with many homosexuals.

2. Realize we DO agree on some issues. While I strongly believe homosexuality is a sin, I also believe it is a sin to abuse or harass homosexuals, or anyone for that matter. In no way does this show the love of Christ. Yes, the cause they are supporting goes against our beliefs, but no one deserves to be abused or attacked. 

3. Use the day as a chance to engage in conversation. Students can use this day as a chance to explain what they believe. If a participant has vowed to remain silent, he or she cannot talk back, but only listen. This provides a great opportunity for a Christian to lovingly explain why he or she thinks homosexuality is wrong, and to share the love of Christ. Let them know even though you don’t agree with their lifestyle, they are made in the image of God and you love them.

Small Things That Will Make a Difference

Sometimes, as Christians, we make small mistakes that have devastating consequences. There are a few things to remember when approaching the Day of Silence.

1. Don’t attack. 

2. Avoid derogatory terms. For many students, the Day of Silence will bring a myriad of opportunities to throw around slang words like gay, queer, fag, and homo. Even when these words are used out of context, they are still attacks. For example, have you ever said, “That’s so gay!” or “You’re so gay!”? You might not have meant it in a homosexual context, but is what you said going to draw people closer to Christ? 

The choice you make on the Day of Silence is up to you. Maybe parents will choose to keep their children home; maybe they’ll send them to school and everything will go by as routine. Maybe you’ll take the opportunity to engage those who are participating and spread the message of Christ.

Whatever you choose, please think about this, talk about this, and do something about this. Inaction can be dangerous.

For more information about this topic, visit Jonathan Yandell’s blog by clicking here: www.JonathanYandell.com

For Randall House’s followup to “Breaking the Silence” please visit Danny Conn’s blog by clicking here: www.Outpostx.net

Before the Tennessee Titans drafted Adam “Pacman” Jones with the 6th pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, he had already been in trouble with the law. Since that time, Pac Man has been arrested 6 times, which charges ranging from assault to allegations that Jones hired someone to shoot an individual.

He has been present at shootings in strip clubs, started fights with his own bodyguards, and shown no respect or gratitude for his teammates, his job, or anyone/anything other than himself.

No matter what Pacman does, it always makes news. ESPN is always quick to report the mayhem he’s caused himself, his team, or someone else.

However, there is a lesser known story you may not have heard of. It doesn’t involve Pacman; rather it involves someone on the opposite spectrum. Read more…

At the beginning of 2008, IUPUI men’s basketball coach, Ron Hunter, decided he wanted to make a difference in the world. He did something that had never been done before at the major college level. Coach Hunter took off his shoes and coached barefoot during one of IUPUI’s games.

Why would Coach Hunter do something this odd? He wanted to raise awareness for Samaritan’s Feet, an organization that seeks to provide shoes to children in other countries who do not have shoes. Read more…

One of my good friends, Ryan Akers (FWBBC and Truth & Peace Alumni), went on a trip to Haiti some time back and was very moved and heartbroken by what he saw. Because of this, he decided to take action. As an avid runner, Ryan created his own group called “Run 4 Haiti” in attempts to raise money. Here is an excerpt from Ryan, from the Mountain Faith Mission web site:

I love running. It’s been a passion of mine for a few years now. I’m quite the running geek, too, as I enjoy reading magazines and books about the sport. As I’ve read, I’ve seen numerous stories of people who have raised money for some charitable cause. Thus, we find Run 4 Haiti.

Presently, I am training for the 2009 Country Music Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. On April 25, 2009, I’ll toe the line with some 30,000 people to participate in the race. On that day, my goal is to have support flowing in from all over the nation for Mountain Faith Mission of Haiti. So here’s the deal…

I am asking for any individuals, churches, youth groups…anyone who wants to get involved to join the team by supporting Run 4 Haiti. Every single penny that is donated goes straight to Mountain Faith Mission. This money will help improve the lives of thousands of people on the central plateau of Haiti. My goal is to get donations of $1 a mile for a total of $26. In a country where we have so much, this donation would nearly be a month’s wage for many in Haiti.

I know many people will look at this and say, “Oh, that’s nice, but I’m too strapped for money right now.” Or maybe, “That’s cool…but I tithe…so I’m taken care of.”

I’m asking you to think a little deeper about this issue. Yes, the economy is bad right. Yes, money is tight. But even in these times, do our economic hardships even compare with the people in Haiti? Not a chance. 

Our economic problems revolve around cutting back in Christmas gifts and eating out. It may even involve losing a job. However, their economic problems revolve around survival–getting enough food to eat, getting medical help, etc.

To everyone who reads this, I encourage you to take some action, especially this holiday season. Maybe you’ll choose to support Haiti through Ryan. Maybe you’ll choose to get involved with Mocha Club, something I’ve been privileged to get involved with. Maybe you’ll choose to be a part of Malaria No More, which I wrote about in a previous post. Maybe it’s donating to Toys for Tots.

More than anything, help someone who is less fortunate. That $7/month or one time gift of $26 really isn’t going to hurt you that much.

Show the love of Christ. Give!

For more information, check out these sites:

Mountain Faith Mission- Run 4 Haiti 

Run 4 Haiti Blog

Mocha Club

Malaria No More

For those of you who are 24 enthusiasts, Sunday night represented 18 months in the making as 24:Redemption premiered on Fox. The movie was used to help bridge the gap between the 18 months off (due to the writers’ strike) and Season 7 (which premieres in January 2009).

I know there people that absolutely love the show, and people that absolutely hate the show, but this really has nothing to do with the show per se. Read more…

First of all, let me say congratulations to Senator Barack Obama on becoming the 44th President of the United States. Last night was a tremendous day in history, and January 20 will be another historic day when you are sworn into office.

Now that I’ve said that, let me get into a discussion on something I believe needs to be addressed: The whiny attitudes of some Christians the day after the election.

Yes, John McCain did not win the election. There are many evangelicals disappointed today. Disappointment is fine. There is nothing wrong with it. But sour and hateful attitudes? Yes, there is definitely something wrong with that.

I do not agree with Senator Obama on many issues. If you know me at all, you know that is true. There are policies he will put into place that I will not agree with. However, I do NOT have a right to slander him because of those things.

In Romans 13:1-2, Paul wrote, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” 

I am not arguing you have to agree with everything the president says or does. But, you must be willing to submit to his authority. He is the leader of the United States. He is our leader. 

Consider this: Does it make you angry when the liberal media takes cruel shots at President Bush or John McCain or Sarah Palin? What gives you the right to do the same thing to a president you didn’t vote for?

Our country does need “change,” but we can’t expect change to happen if we sit by idly and do nothing. If you really want to see change, do something about it!!! First of all, vote! If you didn’t vote in this election, then close your mouth! Read more…

Well, let me start off by saying that I finally have gas in my car! On Sunday morning, my wonderful girlfriend had to pick me up for church because I still did not have any. Luckily, on the way home, the gas station by my apartment had gas and I was able to fill up. Unfortunately, the crisis is not completely over.

Anyway, Sunday afternoon I headed out to Wal-Mart because I pretty much had nothing left to eat. I try not to go to Wal-Mart on Sundays for several reasons, one of which is that Sundays seem to bring out the crazies (no, not Christians…well maybe in some circumstances, but not this one).

While I was at Wal-Mart, I was getting orange juice when I saw a lady pick up a box of yogurt and stare at it very intently. She seemed to be studying every part of the 6-pack dairy product. All of the sudden, a look of anger came across her face and she slammed the yogurt down and walked off. Read more…