Deep Breathing for the Soul

Those of you who heard me on Midday Connection yesterday (Moody Radio) and wrote in asking about the free books:  you’ve been entered in our drawing to win a copy of Simple Compassion.

I always love visting with Anita and Melinda, the amazing women behind the Midday Connection show. They are wise and kind, and always make me feel welcome at the studio.

I also mentioned briefly on the show that I will be partnering with Breakthrough Urban Ministries to put on a one-day Simple Compassion workshop on February 20. Mark your calendars now! this practical, hands on workshop will include teaching from me, group discussion (facilitated by amazing women) and some time for thought-provoking reflection. We will discuss simple next steps that you can take right away to live out God’s directive in Micah 6:8: to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.

If you have been wondering how to implement compassion and justice in your life, I think you’ll really enjoy this workshop. Registration details will be available soon–and each person who attends will receive a free copy of Simple Compassion, compliments of Zondervan Publishing.

We’ll announce  the winners of the free books on Friday of this week. But meanwhile, have a joyful Thanksgiving!!

Most of us love to shop, especially when we find unique or unusual items. But sometimes, purusing the clearance rack at Target, I have to wonder–who made these pants? Did this t-shirt come from a sweat shop? Am I living justly when I shop?

The holidays are coming–the fall displays in stores will soon give way to Christmas decor, and it’s not even Halloween yet. And with those seasonal displays come a pressure to buy. But we can make choices about what we buy. We can choose what some people call “sanctified shopping” by purchasing Fair Trade certified items.

What is Fair Trade? Fair Trade items are those that are produced by workers who are paid a fair wage. Items can’t be certified as “fair trade” if they are made by child labor or slaves (and unfortunately, that happens with more items than we would believe).

Why not feel great about shopping, knowing you’re getting cool stuff and helping someone on the other side of the planet?  Click here to watch a great and encouraging video about Trade As One, an excellent organization that helps lift people out of poverty.

This year, my goal is to buy Fair Trade items for everyone on my list. That does NOT mean they will be getting cheezy presents–I’m talking really cool stuff.  Jewelry, chocolate, coffee, clothes, bags, purses. (You can find some great stuff, including the items pictured below, at Bead for Life’s website.

What if you could change the world by shopping? If we all buy just one Fair Trade item this year, we can help families all across the globe to lift themselves out of poverty. What a great way to have a compassionate Christmas.

My daughter and I were trolling the aisles of our favorite discount store today, on a mission to find a gift for my darling husband, who turns 45 today. He’s not easy to shop for!

                As we walked past the cardboard bins of school supplies, I asked if she needed any. She said we had so many leftovers from years past that she had everything she needed. I’m sure once school starts and the stuff’s not on sale anymore, she will suddenly realize what she needs.

                It’s true—open any drawer in my house and you’ll find pens, pencils, glue sticks, markers, rulers. My office closet has folders, notebooks, paper.  And what we don’t have, we can afford to buy. Especially when they have these crazy great sales this time of year.

                But for many families, getting a backpack full of supplies puts a crimp in an already tight budget.  So I think it’s especially cool that the folks at Moody Radio (where I’ve frequently been a guest) are helping Orphan Outreach with its annual “Mission Backpack” school supply and backpack drive right now. You can learn more by clicking here.

                Moody Radio (90.1 FM in Chicago) is teaming up with several inner city ministries in Chicago, including Breakthrough Urban Ministries, a great ministry to kids and adults on Chicago’s west side which I support and also volunteer at. Breakthrough’s in a tough neighborhood where drugs and gangs are prevalent. Kids living in poverty have a hard enough time doing well in school—they may go to school hungry, or have few role models to show them that it’s cool to stay in school. But Breakthrough offers after-school sports, tutoring, and more, hoping to guide them toward success.

                Mission Backpack makes it easy—you can either go and buy supplies and backpacks, and drop them off at several different locations, or you can just donate on-line. If you like to shop, here’s a link to the supply list.

Mission Backpack’s goal is to get 5000 backpacks by August 14. It would be so cool if everyone who reads this blog forwarded the link to this post, and we helped Moody Radio meet their goal.

                Check your house, junk drawer, home office closet—you probably don’t need to buy all new supplies for your kids this year. We’re going to try to cut our back-to-school budget by using what we already have. I’m going to donate the money we save (plus a little extra) to Mission Backpack so they can provide backpacks and supplies for needy kids in Chicago. If you’re not in the Chicago area, you can still donate. Or perhaps you’ll want to start your own backpack drive.

                In this economy, lots of families are struggling. Here’s a simple way to show compassion—find a way to help some under-resourced kids start the school year right.

I’m writing this at about 4 a.m. For some reason (that 3 p.m. Frappacino, maybe) I can’t sleep.

In a hour or two, Lawrice will be getting on a plane to L.A. to go to school. I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who are making this possible.

I’ve been praying for him, since I can’t sleep. While we’ve raised a good amount of money, he still will need books and a few other supplies–and he’ll need them this week. If you would like to help him, please leave a comment and let me know. He’ll also need some things for his dorm room.  If you live in LA and perhaps have some items you could donate, again, let me know.

Again, I just wanted to say thanks to all who have been a part of this adventure, which is just beginning. Please pray for Lawrice today as he heads off to college!

2 p.m.Update: the reason I couldn’t sleep was God woke me up. I texted a word of encouragement to Lawrice, and he wrote back that he didn’t have his confirmation number or even the airline! yikes. but God knew, woke me up and told me to text him. only God.

Just got another text, saying “LAWRICE has landed…I am in Los Angeles! It is 11:50 a.m. here, and I am on my way to the school!!!!!”

I think he’s a little excited.

If you’d like to help us help Lawrice follow his dreams, leave a comment and I’ll be glad to tell you how. Or check the past few entries on this blog.