I deleted my blogroll? GASP!!

Yes, but not permanently. I have removed my blogroll in order to clean it up. I want to know that those who are on it are still active bloggers, are still around here from time to time and if linking me, are linked back to. I had some OLD stuff on there… years of blogging will do that, I guess.

So, if you wanna be on my new and improved blogroll — leave a comment below containing your blog address and under what name you’d like to be linked. Oh, but if I link you and you don’t link me back, that’s kinda mean. :)

I also want to create a separate blogroll specifically for your suggestions of “world changers.” (ie. Compassion, adoption stories, mission trips, innovative churches, etc.). Who or what are you seeing out in this huge internet world that is making a difference? I wanna link to them too.

Let the good links roll…

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Fighting AIDS in the Transkei

We received this email from our missions pastor, Schaun.
Take a minute to read his email and then watch the video he’s referring to.

I am sure you know that we want to invest in the life of children around the world…..most often girls. In Thailand we are investing in 58 girls at Grace House, Abba House and New Life Annex, in India we are investing in about 100 girls at New Life Children’s Home (plus about 65 boys), in South Africa we are investing in 300+ girls and in Mexico more than 35 girls. Why?

We believe that we can change the world through them and therefore have focused so much on their development, not just on their physical world, but by bringing them to Jesus in the process.

We are knee deep in developing microfinance programs and education programs to give these girls a future. In India, our partner, Premdas and NASA, have 55,000 women and girls receiving small micro-loans to start their own businesses and are helping their families out of poverty (90% of these women are now followers of Jesus). These 55,000 women meet weekly in small groups to do Bible study and discuss life issues. Thousands of small groups….wow.

Jason Morris [Overland Park Campus Pastor] sent me this amazing little video clip that says it all.

We leave for India tomorrow. While we are in India, Troy and I will be visiting multiple microfinance groups made up of Dhalit women and girls ….I cannot wait to report back to all what we see.

In Christ,
Schaun

Now, I love this whole “Girl Effect” idea. Girl power! But I personally see one problem… where’s Jesus? That’s where The Church is different than any other world relief effort. The Church is a “supernatural community” that has the ability to make an ETERNAL change in people’s lives and not just in their circumstances. I love that my church gets it–and has the courage to do so!

Share your thoughts.

Los did an AWESOME thing with his blog readers the other night. he facilitated a live prayer meeting via his blog on Mogulus! i wish i had thought of this idea myself, but nevertheless — i am totally copying him.

as you know, prayer is BIG DEAL to me.

so, here’s what’s going to happen: i’m going to hold a prayer meeting using Mogulus live on this blog where we will pray together for the needs of this community. you will even be able to join in via chat to pray and ask for prayer.

in the comment section below — you tell me how we can pray for you: sickness. job woes. family woes. sexual sin. death. fear. pain. praises. whatever. you tell me and we will pray for you. if you have a prayer need of a more sensitive nature, don’t hesitate to post anonymously.

the prayer meeting will take place Wednesday at 9pm Central.
be here. be honest. be real.

there isn’t time to decently blog.
just to fill you in:

1. I am super busy. A lot of events and activities coming up which means, busy times for the 2 of us that make up the Communications Department. So busy, in fact, that for the first time in 8 years, I am not with the 300+ students and leaders at camp this week. Kinda sad, really. It is great to see ministries planning and Westside moving right along, but man! Here’s a snapshot our ever-growing “to do” board.

2. Westside is in a season of change. One that I am pretty excited about — but at the same time — a bit anxious for. Dan Southerland, a long-time guest pastor and adjunct staff member is on the table as our next full-time Lead Teaching Pastor. As most of you know, we’ve been influx since April 2007 when our Senior Pastor had to resign. This is a big deal for our staff, church body and well, Dan! There’s a church vote on July 27. On top of this staff change, there are a lot of other staff changes that need prayer covering — people leaving, shifting jobs or new hires.

3. Some of our pastors have caught wind of my blog and have ask me to join a team of volunteers to write weekly devotionals. These will be written in relation to whatever message series we’re in and distributed to about 3,000 readers. Pretty cool.

4. I head to Chicago in just under 3 weeks for the “Gifted to Lead” Women’s Conference at Willow Creek. This is kind of a big deal for me. I haven’t actually traveled to a conference in over 3 years. I’m ready for some “intentional development.”

5. And just a few weeks after that, I head to South Africa. Wow! I AM SO EXCITED. I am still close to $900 short of the total ($2824) needed for the trip. But I trust that will come together. I am overseeing some of the team’s HIV/AIDS trainings as well as planning the African classroom sessions. I am so humbled to be used in this way. (more info/donate)

I appreciate your prayers through all of the afore mentioned craziness!! All the busy is making me feel a bit disconnected because the introvert in me is screaming for isolation when I have any down time. I promise to do my best in keeping my blog interesting in midst of it all.

What have you been up to?

i place __________ before my relationship with God.

answer anonymously, if you’d like.