Dear friends and family-
I have been plagued the last few months with a burden on my heart for the poor, the broken, & the hungry (especially the children). The Lord has been laying it on my heart to do something to help. I have not had a clear answer from Him yet, as to what all that entails, but I do know this. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. God's word doesn't tell us to take care of the needy IF He speaks to us about it personally. He tells us ALL to do it. It states it very clearly in His word. It says, if we don't, "How can the love of God be in us?"It is not an option to sit idly by and pretend there isn't a need. It's hard to see it, but turning your head or clicking off the screen doesn't make it go away.
My friend Sara posted a video on her blog that made me sick. I was both thankful that I knew the reality so I could help, and also unable to continue watching because of the horrendous images. I sobbed and cried out to the Lord. I hate that it is a reality, but I hate even more the fact that we can help and choose to do very little. I am included in that. I have been guilty of ignorance and ego centrism. So focused on my own little world, that I let even trivial things ruin my day. I am ashamed, but it's true. I for one KNOW that we can be more intentional with our spending so that we can give more to help. I am not working this year, but even on the tightest of budgets, we are so blessed. Regardless, the Lord tells us that if we help the poor we will lack nothing. We can all do little things.... a few less snacks, going out to eat a bit less, taking a few unnecessary items off our budget (for instance, we didn't really need our home phone and really only got solicitors anyway, so we decided to get rid of it). There are so many things. I know that we live here and have to function here, but when you think about the fact that .42 cents can provide a child with 3 meals (according to amazima.org), you no longer have to feel helpless. Even little sacrifices add up and can literally save lives.
I want to make a commitment to donate a large portion of all of my Busy Brush sales to Amazima.org. It's an amazing organization that is truly being the hands and feet of Christ. They are there in the trenches helping these children and families....teaching them how to farm, providing them with what they need to be sustainable, feeding them, giving them medical care, and sharing the gospel as they do it. All of my prices are different, so I can't really state a percentage, but my goal is to cover the cost of my work and donate as much as I can with what's left over. I know it's not much, but every little bit helps. My friend Sara was challenging her friends to be creative and think of ways that we can help. I would love to hear what your ideas are. My e-mail is ashley.keylor@gmail.com.
I have been plagued the last few months with a burden on my heart for the poor, the broken, & the hungry (especially the children). The Lord has been laying it on my heart to do something to help. I have not had a clear answer from Him yet, as to what all that entails, but I do know this. I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. God's word doesn't tell us to take care of the needy IF He speaks to us about it personally. He tells us ALL to do it. It states it very clearly in His word. It says, if we don't, "How can the love of God be in us?"It is not an option to sit idly by and pretend there isn't a need. It's hard to see it, but turning your head or clicking off the screen doesn't make it go away.
My friend Sara posted a video on her blog that made me sick. I was both thankful that I knew the reality so I could help, and also unable to continue watching because of the horrendous images. I sobbed and cried out to the Lord. I hate that it is a reality, but I hate even more the fact that we can help and choose to do very little. I am included in that. I have been guilty of ignorance and ego centrism. So focused on my own little world, that I let even trivial things ruin my day. I am ashamed, but it's true. I for one KNOW that we can be more intentional with our spending so that we can give more to help. I am not working this year, but even on the tightest of budgets, we are so blessed. Regardless, the Lord tells us that if we help the poor we will lack nothing. We can all do little things.... a few less snacks, going out to eat a bit less, taking a few unnecessary items off our budget (for instance, we didn't really need our home phone and really only got solicitors anyway, so we decided to get rid of it). There are so many things. I know that we live here and have to function here, but when you think about the fact that .42 cents can provide a child with 3 meals (according to amazima.org), you no longer have to feel helpless. Even little sacrifices add up and can literally save lives.
I want to make a commitment to donate a large portion of all of my Busy Brush sales to Amazima.org. It's an amazing organization that is truly being the hands and feet of Christ. They are there in the trenches helping these children and families....teaching them how to farm, providing them with what they need to be sustainable, feeding them, giving them medical care, and sharing the gospel as they do it. All of my prices are different, so I can't really state a percentage, but my goal is to cover the cost of my work and donate as much as I can with what's left over. I know it's not much, but every little bit helps. My friend Sara was challenging her friends to be creative and think of ways that we can help. I would love to hear what your ideas are. My e-mail is ashley.keylor@gmail.com.
“ If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity
on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:17,18
on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with
words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:17,18
more verses:
“ They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry
or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these,
you did not do for me.’ Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
— Matthew 25:44-46
“ He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who
closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”
— Proverbs 28:27
“ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be
arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain,
but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with
everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good,
to be rich in good deeds, to be generous and willing to share.”
— 1 Timothy 6:17,18
“ Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless
is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
— James 1:27
“ He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will
reward him for what he has done.” — Proverbs 19:17
“ Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm
and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs,
what good is it?” —James 2:15,16
“’ He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all
went well. Is that not what it means to know me?’ declares
the LORD.” — Jeremiah 22:16
“ He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
— Proverbs 14:31
