Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Dixson Benefit

On Saturday, the 4th of December, the volleyball team hosted a benefit to raise money for the Dixson family. Christina Dixson was diagnosed with leukemia about two years ago. She’s been fighting the cancer since then and going through all the kemo therapy necessary. She has a husband and two sons. With all the medical bills and the regular expenses from life the family has been under a lot of stress financially. That is why we decided to do the benefit. The benefit didn’t go as well as we all were hoping. Not very many people showed up and we were all upset because we didn’t think we would be able to raise all the money we were hoping for. We raised about $800 at the benefit plus the $500 we raised at the green game so in total it was a little more than $1300. It was exciting to get that money but through the benefit it was a little disappointing. I was trying to find a way to get more people to come to the benefit but it seemed like no one else wanted to help. I drove to the Publix on Boggy Creek and was telling my co-workers about the benefit and the family. Most of the employees that I talked to wanted to help and gave me donations. I tried to get some of my teammates to come with me and talk to the customers but no one was willing. They gave me the excuse that they wanted to watch the concert. It really bothered me that they did that. The point of hosting the benefit was to raise money for the Dixsons not to watch the concert. We were doing an act of service for this family but they seemed to have forgotten that fact. I really wanted to help the family more than anything else and I wish my teammates would have been as enthusiastic about it as I was. I’m sad to say that Christina Dixson passed away on Thursday December 9 at 1:30am. We were all praying for a miracle but God had different plans. We are continuing to pray for the family and I’m sure they could use more prayers. I can’t imagine growing up without my mother but I know God has a great plan for this family and Christina’s boys.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Solidarity

So on top of this song being about the body of Christ needing to stay in a state of unity, or "Solidarity" it's also by a band that I recently discovered and realized that I love their music.


Go Five Iron Frenzy!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Frontline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8ZGEyBuNs

This song is about Christians being on the front line of the battle of good and evil, of God and Satan.
We are in the middle of this battle and need to fight for the souls of others.
Christian service is one of the best ways to show other people that we care for them, and to show them God's love. By doing Christian service we are fighting on the front line.

Frontline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8ZGEyBuNs

Last Blog!! Merry Christmas:)


Since it is Christmas time soon, I thought I'd set the mood by showing everyone the newest Coca-Cola commercial. It is super cute and I think it even puts a cool twist on how spreading a little joy to the world can make a big difference in peoples lives. Thanks to Mrs. Guthrie for being our teacher and Merry Christmas everybody!!!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Blog # 6

I googled the definition Christian service. This is what an Episcopal Friar has to say:

http://tb.becket.net/xian-service.html

You Give me hope: Letters to god


OK so this song is such a blessing. for me, it is so true and very heart felt. I watched the movie that went with this song and when this came on, my heart dropped.God is so good. I realize more and more that we have it so good as healthy people or with people with just minor problems. I am so thankful and I thank God with a whole heart.

By: Reynaldo Jones

Carry My Cross - Third Day Legendado



ya'll should always pick up and carry your cross no matter what the strugle is. same as in life with christian services no matter how tough the task may get you must push on

Merry Christmas Everyone!


Ok we have Christmas break coming up. So this is a picture I photoshopped for the occasion. Merry Christmas, Suns! This Christmas remember to keep Christian service in mind and get a head start on your 15 hours for the Spring semester (or FINALLY finish your 15 for the fall semester)

Last Blog

On the Tuesday we were out for Thanksgiving Break, I went with my church to downtown Orlando to feed the homeless. My church has a group of people that go out on Tuesday afternoons a few times a month and feeds the homeless but every year around this time we do a big Thanksgiving meal for the homeless. There were around 30 people out there from my church and we brought tons of food. We had turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, and lots of pies for dessert. It was great just to see our church coming together to provide food for these people and even to sit down and eat and talk with them. We started the meal off with prayer and a quick message then had people serving food, people passing out drinks, people cleaning up trash and people talking with the homeless people. We didn't just go out there and give them food we actually sat down and talked with many of them. I personally was serving food and cleaning up so I didn't get a chance to have long talks with many people but I did get a chance to talk to some as they came through the line. I was amazed at how many little children there were that were part of a homeless family. One family I talked to said that they were homeless because they had most of their excess money tied up in the stock market and they lost it all. After that both the mother and father lost their jobs and just have not been able to get back on their feet since. I prayed with them before we left to go back home and their are some people at my church looking for them jobs because they are good people. They believe in God and they read the bible to their little 5 year old boy every night.
A lot of the young high schoolers from our youth came out to help and it just made me happy because I knew they were not forced to be there. They chose to go because they really wanted to be there to help out. I was really amazed at how many of them I saw praying with the homeless people and just listening to them and treating them like everyday people. I love participating in that every year and even going down when I'm home to help feed the homeless more than just once a year. The final estimate for how many homeless people that we fed was over 325.
Justin Searles

Make a Difference For That ONE.

The Starfish Story



Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?"

The young man paused, looked up, and replied "Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied, "The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!"

At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one."
________________________________________________________________________
Let's not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed and thus decide to do nothing about the calamity around us, throw as many starfish back as you can and maybe someone will come along and see the dent you made and feel inspired to do the same. Or in other words, minister to as many as possible! My heart has grown sick to the knowledge of perishing people. Not so much because they perish but because we stand by and watch it happen.

David Oliver Willis

It's Harvest Time

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you..."



We are living in a time now that ministry is arguably easy.

Yes, there are many religions, ideals, and beliefs.

However, people are HUNGRY for TRUTH and LOVE.

God promises us that if we just go and do He will work it out.
It's time to MOVE!

Several nights ago I went minister in Orlando, Fl with the DOC Boys (DOC= Disciples of Christ)

In Orlando we ministered to many lost, but "ready souls".
You could clearly see that people were moved and engaged in the WORD of TRUTH.
Take note that you can't find that in most churches- Sad Story.

True ministry is not done in the Church, but in the world. Where Jesus taught, and where he sent out His disciples(followers).

Come with me and let's reap a harvest.

David Oliver Willis

Now That I Have Seen, I Am Responsible...



This song says:
"Now That I Have Seen I Am Responsible"

What a powerful and invoking thought;
It's just like the natural law, if you see a crime and stand still..

YOU ARE ALSO HELD GUILTY.

So tell me this, why is the just and "Godly" standing around and watching 
the homeless beg
the children starve
and even worse 
to stand still as the Body of Christ falls away.

We must all put on that heavy armor and fight this fight.

Now That You Have Seen.

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.


David Oliver Willis
December 8th, 2010

Blog Post #5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HibLJvxZMOs&feature=related

This is one of my favorite songs from the band Hillsong United. The lyrics remind me that God has called us out to be different. Even though the song isn't about Christian service it makes me think that through Christian service we can show people God's love.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Lighthouse

THE LIGHTHOUSE
By Dean Beaty 2/29/08

We’re called to be a lighthouse, along some rock strewn bay.
Helping guide some traveler safely on his way.
What greater task on earth, to help a wandering one.
Trusting that on God’s great love, he’ll call before life’s done.

Don’t be a faulty lighthouse, whose light shines now and then.
To shine your light full faithfully will take some discipline.
With God’s help and guidance, your beacon will not fail.
In keeping others off the rocks, we surely will prevail.

Jesus is our lighthouse along the narrow road.
He strengthens, guides and cheers, and helps us with our load.
His light is never failing, though storms at Him are hurled.
We trust in Him because He is the true “Light of the World.”




-This is one of my favorite poem when l think of helping others, my teacher read this poem to my class before we left for our missionary trip in 2009 and it has stuck with me ever since.