Thought of the Day (Week?)

"Justice is what love looks like in public."

(I might alter it with "mercy" instead of "justice"... but they are both true.)

World Next Door Market

Hey friends. I don't really know who reads this thing, but for those of you who do-- I want to tell you about something cool. 

A very dear friend of mine, Nathan, and his wife Jency work for a shop in downtown Chattanooga called the World Next Door Market. Their story is a very cool one, as God put them together and then basically orchestrated their work simultaneously--but what I want to talk about is the store. 

The mission of the store, from what I gather, is basically twofold: to help relieve poverty around the world by establishing a fair-trade outlet for artisans, with whom they work to build relationships, AND to spread the Gospel to those who haven't heard, by way of this work. The shop carries goods from all over the world, ranging from coffee to clothing to canoes to dishes to stationary... you name it. It's all hand-crafted in some way or another, and it's all very much cooler than what you can buy at Target. And when you buy it, you're saving somebody from hunger rather than supporting the corporate machine. Interested yet?

Ryan and I got to sit down with Nate and Jency the other night and talk to them about their work, and I was really struck by how straightforward and effective it is. They are really interested in providing fair revenue to people, but they are also simultaneously very interested in the people. The Shirais seek out people who are helping their own communities with their business, and they are also very intentional about taking the love of Christ with them to wherever they provide business. And both of those things get done. It works. And as the business grows, it makes both missions more possible, as they'll be able to visit some of the places themselves and meet the people, love on them, and share Jesus with them. 

Pretty awesome. Forgive the long-winded post, but this is where you come in: Buy stuff. ;) Or if you don't want to buy stuff, just spread the word, because it's definitely a word worth spreading, and word of mouth is by far the best advertisement. Go take a look around their website, look at their merch, check out their mission and their blog... and then link to them on your blog or website. You can even just copy and paste what you've found here to make it easy. If you have friends who are shopping, point them that way- I guarantee you they'll find something cool. And if you're shopping, same story! 

Thanks for reading guys. It really is a cool thing. Helping people is fantastic; giving them Jesus while you do it is the end-all of fabulous.

If you want to hear more about it from one of them, I know they'd love to talk to you about it so contact them through the blog or the website. Otherwise, shop it up and spread the word!

Hopeful.

I applied for my dream job, last weekend. I didn't know I had a dream job, but when I saw it-- for this season in my life, oh, it's perfect. The only problem being that 500 other people will probably apply for it, too, and many of them will have more years of qualifications than I do. But I am hoping that passion counts, too, and that it will come through in the application and cover letter. And, of course, that God has a plan, and that He might convievably even care about this recent little dream of mine!

The job is with Compassion International, as a Church Relations Director for the South/Southeast region of the U.S. Basically, my job would be to establish and maintain relationships with 100+ churches in the region on behalf of Compassion, convincing them to partner with us to work at relieving the extreme situations of thousands upon thousands of children internationally. I'd also be doing some international travel. 

This job is perfect because:

 1. I discovered about 3 years ago that a huge portion of my heart desires to be a motivator to the [American] Church; to help her get over any stagnation or prejudice and act on behalf of world relief, because that is [at least a large part of] what she is here to do. And that would be my job. My job would be to do what I am passionate about doing. Are you kidding?

2. I love, love, love to travel. This job is 40% travel. Does not require further explanation.

3. My job would make a difference in the world. A big one. I would get to work with Christians, build relationships, and help people reach out to make a difference. This means that on the best days, I'd be a fireball of energy, but also that even on the worst ones-- you know, when it's raining outside and you're exhausted I don't want to get out of bed--I'd know that what I am going to do that day is going to change somebody's life, somewhere. And that's worth getting up for.

I just checked the status of my application online and it says, "being reviewed." I'm so antsy, so hopeful.. that kind of hope that feels ridiculous (what are my chances?) but is also so very possible that I just can't help but hang on to it. I want to call Compassion and tell them: I know I can do this job well! I know I can get people fired up; get them involved; help you reach your goals, make a difference in the world! That's what I was made to do!

But I'm refraining. So right now, and until I hear something, there is just a constant undercurrent of prayer to my days of, "Please, oh please, please, please..." And a hope that God, for whatever reason, has favor in mind with me on this one! 

If you wanted to do the same, I wouldn't stop you. :) 

you drink the cup to the bottom, but it burns in your hands. the cup was poured out on the Maker instead.

when i have nothing left, there is this one line of burning, wondrous truth that fills my cup up. and i am full. 

out on the green plains, i am but a ghost, bound up with all that i call 'mine'... but still the Light grows. 

the flaming lips

oh to fight is to defend;

if it's not now then tell me when 

would be the time that you would stand up and be a man?

for to lose i could accept

but to surrender, i just wept

and regretted this moment, that i, i played the fool

'cause i'm a man, not a boy

and there are things you can't avoid

you have to face them when you're not prepared to face them

i can't tell where the sunbeams end and the starlight begins

it's all a mystery

lots of lyrics lately. yes, i know they're ambiguous to everyone but me. it's okay.

it would be a lie

and heaven knows, heaven knows

i've tried to find a cure for the pain

oh my lord, to suffer like you do

it would be a lie to run away

it would be a lie to run away

oh love that will not let me go

i rest my weary soul in Thee

i give Thee back the life i owe

that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be!

oh joy that seekest me through pain

i cannot close my heart to Thee

i trace the rainbow through the rain

and trust the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be!

oh cross that liftest up my head

i dare not ask to fly from thee

i lay in last life's glory dead

and from the ground there blossoms red life that shall endless be!