I’ve had a handful of meaningful conversation and interaction surrounds Martin Luther King Jr. that have made a impact on me. I remember talking with a friend of mine about not just his legacy but talking about how he lived as a young man, how focused and driven he was to pursue the things of God. I lived in Montgomery AL where he pastored. I’ve visited his church. I’ve read some of his writings and watched LOTS of video of his speeches / sermons. I’m floored every time i think of his amazing journey of non-violence, the courage and faith he must have had. I pray that i will be able to non-violently and self-sacrifically live in a way that brings the kingdom of God to come as i believe Dr. King did.

Here is a short video, be inspired!

Here are a couple links that are worth checking out…
http://www.TheKingCenter.org
Martin Luther King Jr. wikipedia page
Nobel Prize bio

and don’t foret to check out youtube, tons of great stuff.

It’s a conspiracy…

And most of you have probably hear of it by now, the Advent Conspiracy. I love what they are doing and the heart behind it!

[ Worship Fully]  [ Spend Less ]  [ Give More ]  [ Love All ]

My wife and i haven’t talked about it much just cause we don’t have much cash this Christmas. But when i say that i’m thinking of the budget we set for our family and yea, it’s probably pretty conservative if i’m comparing it to the American average (which the video below says is $743 – HOLY CRAP that’s a lot of money!) But our budget is probably about what many families around the world make in a year. That still a lot!

When you have something like a billion people who live on $1 a day does it not feel a bit dirty to spend $300, $400, $500, $600, even $743 dollars in month on gifts, on extra stuff.

Like i said, my wife and i haven’t talked much about this yet but we’re going to! Maybe we’ll help build a well with Global Support Mission / Know.Think.Act (that last link is to a well project we are involved with, check it out.) OR maybe we will decided to give up a mocha here and there and partner with The Mocha Club. OR even sponsor a child with World Vision.

I’m not sure what we are going to do but i want to conspire against the norm. The norm of spending, indulgence, overdoing it, and consumerism.

You see, i can’t wait till Jesus comes back and makes all things right, when justice will flow like a river but until then… i can’t wait to see what a handful of people could do if they were to conspire against the norm and actually worship the baby Jesus and give a little to those he was born for.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time studying James and the words God gives us in the pages of this short little letter. They have been some of the more inspiring and challenging pages i have encountered in the Bible. It seems like i’m not alone and some very close friends of mine are responding to the challenge of James 1:27

“Religion that God our father accepts as pure an faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being corrupted by the world.”

Here is a little video that my friends made as they were living this out.
(as you watch it pray about how you might be able to help them.)

Here is the link to check out :: www.lifesongfororphans.org/bhProj.html
(When you click the link scroll down and look for Manley & Rebecca!)

It’s always cool to see friends who are doing good in this world.
THIS IS GOOD!

Grace and peace
erik