Before I kick off the new year of post, I would like to take a moment and look back at everything we discussed here in 2012. In case you missed any of the most popular articles throughout the year, or if you just want to read them again, here are the 5 top posts on Neo Soul Faith of 2012:
GIVE BACK WEDNESDAY 2012
A few years ago (in a different life) I had the pleasure and privilege of working with, and ministering to a young woman with an amazing story and heart of gold. Her name is Crystal Renaud and she is the founder of a ministry called “Dirty Girls Ministries” and author of a book named “Dirty Girls come clean” which are both aimed at providing help, hope, and healing for women dealing with pornography and sexual addiction. The other day she tweeted this,
Oh dear. I’ve been bit by the idea bug. The only cure is to stay up for many more hours to see if said idea becomes nothing or something.
— Crystal Renaud (@crystalrenaud) November 20, 2012
Crystal is a dynamic, honest and very creative young woman and the idea from that tweet reflects this reality. I pray that you don’t just read this post but get involved!
Black Friday. Small Business Saturday. How about Give Back Wednesday?
As we know, Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for all the blessings we’ve received over the last year. But it seems like for many of us, we go from giving thanks for all we have to the very next day
shoppingfighting for everything we don’t. And this year, Black Friday is beginning on Thursday (which, can you still call it Black Friday?).What if before the big bird is carved and the big screen TVs go on sale, we all took a moment to give back to the ministries, organizations and individuals who serve others all year long?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with shopping this weekend and getting in on the great deals. But consider giving back on Wednesday first and support the causes that rely on your generosity to keep them going. Check out the “GIVE BACK” tab above for some organizations that would greatly appreciate your donation. If you would like to add to this list, please reply below with the name and website you would like for us to add.
Share this idea with your friends using the social media links below (#gbw). If you decide to give back, please leave a comment on the “I GAVE BACK” page. We’d love to track how many organizations are impacted by this effort.
Below is a list of causes who would greatly benefit from your donation. Click a link to visit their website for more info and to donate. If you would like to add to this list, please REPLY HERE with the name and website you would like for us to add. Non-Profit Organizations/Tax-Deductible Giving only, please. If you decide to give back, please leave a comment on the “I GAVE BACK” page. We’d love to track how many organizations are impacted by this effort.
Listed Alphabetically
- American Family Assoc. of KS & MO
- Birthday Blessings KC
- Blood:Water Mission
- Compassion International
- Dirty Girls Ministries
- Exodus Cry
- Food for the Hungry
- Hookers for Jesus
- Invisible Children
- Mercy Chefs
- Oceans of Mercy
- People of the Second Chance
- RefineUs Ministries
- Shiloh Restored
- The A21 Campaign
- The Mentoring Project
- To Write Love on Her Arms
- XXXChurch
- 88.5 KLJC
Blessings,
Crystal Renaud
Founder of Dirty Girls Ministries
A rebuttal to “Five Reasons I Hate Telling People I’m Christian”
Almost every day I work with people who have a past with or a strong aversion to Christianity. Many times the persons actions and words will completely change and they will quickly conform to what they think I would like for them to act like. It is very frustrating! On the other hand some people do not shape up but amplify their behavior in order to get under my skin, disgust me, or just offend me. I find this really funny! People are rarely just themselves when they find out what I want to do and this can be traced to our societies perception of Christians in general.
A while back I read a blog from a fellow blogger named John Smulo. He wrote a post entitled “Five Reasons I Hate Telling People I’m Christian”. As I read this simple post I was struck with this thought, I like his thought provoking post most times but this one I did not ( see what see said please check out his post here). So I wanted to spend some time giving my “Six Reasons I Love Telling People I’m Christian”
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting “I’ve been saved!”I’m whispering, “I was lost. That’s why I chose this way”
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak with human pride I’m confessing that I stumble, and need Christ to be my guide.
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success I’m admitting that I’ve failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I don’t think I know it all I submit to my confusion asking humbly to be taught.
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect My flaws are far too visible.
- When I say, “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain I have my share of heartache which is why I seek His name.
Despite the all of the preconceived notions that coincide with the word “Christian” I truly believe that it is my job to represent the one who saved us. The first known usage of the term can be found in the New Testament, in Acts 11:26: “the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” The term was first used to denote those known or perceived to be disciples of Jesus Christ. In the two other New Testament uses of the word (Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16) it refers to the public identity of those who follow Jesus. I think that the word should be redefined and fought for by those of us who follow Christ. Because of my skin color many people have presuppositions on who I am and what I do/ sound like. It may not be fair but I refuse to accept those false assumptions as true, neither should we do that with Christ name. We need to live preaching the Gospel to ourselves and living it (through words and actions) to the Glory of God and for His praise.
This is just my opinion I could be wrong!
What do you think? Comment below…..