12 Days of Giving - Days 11 & 12

"There is nothing to writing.  All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed."

~Ernest Hemingway

A dear new friend of mine shared this quote this week.  And in follow-up she said, "I think the problem comes when we pretend we aren't hurting at all, as we wipe the blood off our keys."   Oh, such raw truth.

You may not be a writer.  Maybe you don't have a blog or lofty dreams of publication.  But this quote can apply to so much of our lives.  My friends, injustice is evident.  Pain is undeniable.  And passion is relevant.  Oh, how easy it can be, to disregard; to ignore out of fear or self-preservation.  Idleness is what this sin nature begs of us.  And the flesh will give us every opportunity to run the other way.  

But God has a different calling of response.

Philippians 2:1-11

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷ but made himself nothing,
    taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    and became obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Passion was relevant in everything He did.  The soil He trod did not go unchanged.  People were healed and fed from the Word and from His hands. 

Injustice was evident in His trial.  Innocence nailed to a tree.  The pain was undeniable.  Blood was shed.  And it made a difference.  It changed my eternity.  And yours.

I'm asking for you to not pretend anymore.  To not ignore the pain.  Don't fall into the hands of idleness.  Pain has a purpose.  And as we bleed, compassion leaks from our veins.  My dear friends, the verses above challenge us.  The word 'any' is so... singular.  It sounds so small.  I can say I don't just have a little encouragement or comfort from His love.  Not just some fellowship with His spirit.  Not just a tiny bit of tenderness or compassion.  But loads and loads!  And in turn He asks me to take action.  Because it will make a difference.  And it can change eternity.  Even just for one.

Today I want to share with you some organizations that are taking action.  They are making a difference, one purchase at a time.  

12 Days of Giving

51.  Sema Leatherworks was the first 'business as missions' I personally came into contact with.  Ron Copeland and his family have visited our church several times.  Ron is in the trenches of Nairobi, Kenya making a difference.  Such a small area with millions of people needing His love, seemed overwhelming.  We have watched over the years as churches are planted and people are coming to faith in God.  Their leather works are beautiful and God is revealing His plan, one piece at a time.

52.  Live FashionABLE is a beautiful story of compassion in action.  I had the privilege of meeting the hands and feet behind this business.  Such pure motivation to help women in need.  Each purchase of a beautiful scarf helps sustain business for a woman in Africa.  Each one comes with a personalized note from the seamstress telling you what your purchase has done in her life.  A reminder how something so small, can make a big difference in the life of another.

53.  I Won't Watch is another business making deep impact.  Don't just watch, do something!  Beautiful watches for a purpose.  Perfect for the teen or 'trendy' one on your list.  And a great reminder that at all times, we need to be watching for ways to help.  (Can one use too many puns?  Nah..)

54.  wise•abe has partnered with Compassion International.  A portion of their proceeds help to send as many kids as possible from the Compassion program to college.  What a way to sustain a future!  And their bags are so unique!  Love them!


I want to mention, that I have no hidden agenda today.  I'm not receiving commission or compensation for sharing these organizations with you.  These are organizations that I have found that truly are putting their feet to the pavement in obedience to God.  I also know, that the closer we get to the Christmas season, some of the stock is getting low.  Please remember that these are small businesses.  They are making a big impact in the life of another, but supply and demand can not always keep up.  So be patient and check back often as they work to restock.
 
I have enjoyed this series so much!  I hope you have too.  I pray that you and your family are connecting in a deeper way this Christmas season.  May we never forget the gift that was bestowed on us over 2000 years ago as a babe in a manger.  May we always share His love with everyone we meet.  And may we always be ready with an answer for the hope that we have.

Merry Christmas and Happy Giving!