charity – Nickcarnes.com

November 11, 2009November 11, 2009

Revolutionary Change Globally

One of our core values at New Passion is to create Revolutionary Change through our Local and our Global Influence. As I get the opportunity, I like to celebrate what others are doing to create revolutionary change in their sphere of influence. I’ve had the opportunity to meet Jon Acuff a couple of times at two different blogger events, we’ve not really had the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation, but from what I can tell, he is a normal guy, who God has gifted greatly, and he is using that gift to bring humor and insight into people’s lives. He started a website called “Stuff Christians Like” – If you are not familiar with the site, go check it out…a great start is his About Page.

Jon had a new post the other day entitled, “What If?” – In the post he made the commitment to use his sphere of influence through his blog to raise $30,000 by December 31, 2009 to build a kindergarten in the in Hoang Then village in the Phong Tho district of Vietnam. 18 Hours later, ALL of the money was raised! Yes, $30,000 in 18 hours! This in itself is an incredible and an amazing story. The bigger story is that Jon was able to influence revolutionary change globally through his sphere of influence. 240 children will now have a brand new kindergarten to begin their education in. God gave Jon a vision, he shared it and God used everyday people to make it happen.

Think…what kind of change can you influence locally or globally right where you are? How many of us sit back and do nothing because we are looking for this huge opportunity to come our way or we are waiting for someone to ask us or to hire us? Look at the influence God has given you…and use it. I close with Jon’s words of encouragement, “I believe with God, in God, through God, we can all be bigger than ourselves.“

November 24, 2008August 19, 2009

Brenden Foster Dying Wish Update

11 year old Brenden Foster is no longer with us on this earth, but his legacy will live on. He lost his battle with cancer since I posted the first story about him HERE. As you can see in this new CNN Report, Brenden inspired several groups, including some schools to get involved in helping the homeless who are less fortunate than any of us who have the capabilities of viewing this blog right now.

I wonder how many of us would lie in a hospital bed with only a few days left on this Earth and instead of thinking about the sad state we were in, would spend our time thinking of others and how we could help them? I can’t help but to be inspired by Brenden. I can’t help but to ask myself, “What’s my excuse for sitting still?” I can’t help but to ask, “What’s your excuse for sitting still?” Shane preached this morning about “The Kingdom” and his main point was, The Gospel is lived out with your hands and feet, not your body in a seat.

If you live in the CSRA, especially if you attend The Church @ Greenbrier, you can join us at The Augusta Rescue Mission, this Thursday (yes that is Thanksgiving) to serve the poor and homeless a Thanksgiving meal. It starts at 9 a.m. and most people are working until 2 p.m., but you are free to leave earlier if you need to. Join the Conversation, What can you do to make Brenden’s dying wish come true?

Video URL: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/11/22/jaffe.wa.boy.dying.wish.obit.komo

November 21, 2008

Adoption Rocks with Long Sleeves

Look what I can do!

The cold weather is coming in, and I can still wear my “Adoption Rocks” t-shirt. My white thermal long sleeve shirt fits perfectly underneath and I must say they go perfect together!

Are you looking for a way you can be a help to someone this holiday season? Looking for a great Christmas gift for that friend or loved one? The Adoption Rocks t-shirt is that perfect gift. Not only are you giving someone a great gift they can use over and over again, but you are helping provide a new home for a baby girl or for two siblings.

My friend Neely and her husband Josh are on the waiting list to adopt a little girl or siblings from Africa. She had these t-shirts made up to help raise the money its costing them to make the adoption happen. You can go to http://www.onemomtrying.blogspot.com to read about their adoption journey, but also most importantly to help them make it happen. When you go to Neely’s blog, look to the right hand sidebar and there is an order form, select your size and color and then select the “Buy Now” button to place your secure order.

Don’t let the cold weather be an excuse not to help someone! Help provide a baby girl or siblings the warmth of a home and a loving family by buying a shirt today. In fact, I think it would be ok to buy 5 for Christmas gifts too! 🙂

November 19, 2008

Can God Get A Loan?

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and he will repay you! Proverbs 19:17

I found this verse interesting. People always talk about being ‘the hands and feet of Jesus’ to help those who are in need, but how about the ‘bank of Jesus?’ I think a lot of us look at giving to the poor in terms of what we have financially, we make comments like, “When God blesses me with extra, then I can give to others.” However, I get the impression that God works like this, “You give from whatever I’ve already given you, and then I’ll repay you based on your kindness.”

To me this puts a new perspective on Matthew 25:40 (MSG) where Jesus says, whatever we do to those overlooked and ignored, we do it to Him. Proverbs is saying that we are not giving our money to the poor…we are giving a loan to God, he’s just predesignated that he wants the money to go, and he wants it to go to those who are overlooked and ignored. This promise from Proverbs is not limited to “Christians.” I see tons of secular businesses that are very successful, and many times if you look behind the scenes they are highly involved in charitable giving. I just think the Church should be leading the way…

This is personally something I have to work on. My family is definitely not rich, but that cannot be an excuse! Join the Conversation…What do you think? Is God’s credit good enough at your bank?