Children's Hunger Fund Toy Wrap 2009

This is for those of you who were unable to make it out to this year's annual CHF Toy Wrap, or for those of you who were, and would like to see some pictures and hear some of the stories from the big day.

One volunteer blogged about it, Here.

And USANA shot some Video.



The total at the end of the day was 2,950 volunteers in three locations who wrapped 87,000 toys that will be delivered directly to children in need!

George MacDonald

One hundred eighty-five years ago on this tenth day of December, my favorite author was born in Huntley, Aberdeenshire.

Those of you who possess the mind of an historian (or those with investigative tendencies) will understand quite easily what happened to me one evening as i sat reading a borrowed copy of The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. I came to the part of the story when Lewis introduces us to his guide. From that very moment I knew that i needed to track down anything and everything written by MacDonald.

I first got my hands on a copy of Phantastes, which is the book I would recommend for anyone who would dare enter MacDonald's world. In the preface to my edition I learned even further the effect G.M.D. first had on Lewis, which also shows up in his autobiographical book Surprised by Joy and the Biography he wrote of MacDonald. Lewis said "What it actually did to me was to convert, even to baptize my imagination." I knew I was in for a treat. Never before had I been so lost in a book. It was as though I had entered another world and lost all track of time.

Most today have not heard of George MacDonald. Many will quickly recognize names of authors like Lewis Carroll, W. H. Auden, J. R. R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and G. K Chesterton; all of whom were significantly influenced by MacDonald. Even Mark Twain, who did not particularly like MacDonald at first, came to appreciate him as a friend.

One of my favorite things about MacDonald is that he wrote for children, or those with childlike faith. He had a large family of 6 sons and 5 daughters. Each year the family would put on small plays and invite the poor into their home for a meal. He focused greatly on God's love. Also, he understood mystery, as ironic as that sounds. There are many more things i could say, but the best thing for you to do is to read for yourself.

You may find his written works and download pdf versions of them at Project Gutenberg.

You may also want to refer to the website The Golden Key for more writings by and about MacDonald.

Happy birthday, George.

Universal Children's Day

Today is Universal Children's Day.

Try getting educated, involved, or take action through one or all of these great organizations that are working to help children around the world.

Africa New Life Ministries
Arrow Child and Family Ministries
Children of the Nations International
Children's Hunger Fund
International Justice Mission
Love146
New Hope Uganda
Not For Sale
Show Hope
TOMS Shoes
Zoe Children's Homes

Hunger in the U.S.

In case you wondered, people are hungry in the United States too.

You can read the new report from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Future of Forestry 2009 Christmas Concert

Future of Forestry will be playing a Christmas Concert at Cornerstone Church at 7PM Saturday, December 5th. Tickets are for suggested donations of $8 at the door or $6 online, and kids under 12 will be free.

Millions Fed

There's a new book out from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) describing the successes of agricultural development in addressing extreme poverty and contributing to economic development in very poor countries. I'm excited to read it!


You can download the pdf version of Millions Fed Here.

Orphan Sunday and International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

We are often told in Scripture to remember things. Two very important things to remember are

1. Our persecuted brothers and sisters, and
   
2. Orphans and Widows
   

"Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body." -Hebrews 13:3

"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." -James 1:27


Tomorrow is Orphan Sunday and The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.

Please check out the two links for resources, and don't forget to pray!