do stars twinkle when they're hidden? who knows.

Projects. Projects are good. Projects--helping others specifically, quite often leave us with a feeling of fulfillment. When we begin to make our lives about something other than ourselves, surprisingly enough, our selves get rewarded. It's like one of those fabulous win-win situations. What I also know about projects is that they are very hard to do if you don't know the opportunity exists. So I'm going to spread some knowledge. It's yours to decide what to do with it....like I said knowledge=opportunity....=project? or no project? http://www.chroniclesofaplanter.com/2010/11/vision-for-nashville-part-6-need.html

So here's the story on that link. A young couple had a 5 year old (a gorgeous, super-well behaved 5 year old). The father had a ministry position at a huge church on a nice part of a Nashville suburb. The mother was a teacher. What a pretty picture. Then God broke their hearts for 2 little orphan girls in Ethiopia. ...So they adopted the sisters and went from one 5 year old daughter to 3 daughters in an age bracket of about 4-7...you can imagine there was lots of energy and need for attention (not to mention the expenses of 2 other children and adjusting them to a new country).

So maybe you thought that was a lot. Well, it was...but then God broke their hearts again. This time, God called them to the west end of Nashville--a different scene from the upscale church attenders that they might have seen before. So into the need they went with 4 other couples to plant a church in the west end. This meant the husband gave up his job...which means they stepped out on faith with 3 little girls and a teacher's income. Now this is all from my perspective..I don't know all the specifics and behind the scenes, but from what I know--that's rough.

From my experience, God's people are pretty generous. From my experience, God can make miracles happen, and He often does it through His people. So what part can you play? Maybe your church is looking for a little project, maybe you just got a $.25 raise (which is about $10 a week...and you'd like to just give them $10 a month...or a week). Whatever it is, (one time gift, monthly group donation, etc.) it helps. This isn't begging for money. I'm not in any way trying to guilt trip you. But I know a lot of people with a lot of great intentions that sometimes are challenged to find opportunities to match with their intentions. So if that's you, you're welcome. If it's not, consider this a good read and move on with your day. Thanks for listening, whoever you are.

P.S. prayers for the family in this story--the Eglys--are certainly appreciated, and for the church they are currently planting in Nashville.

Shine on.