I heard a sex-ed teacher describe a lesson. She fills a glass with water and tells her students to pass it one to another, each spitting into the glass. After they all spit, she asks if anyone would like to drink the water.
Ick! Yuk. Gross.
But sex with someone you barely know, that’s OK?
God has a better plan.
Proverbs 5:15 (TLB)
Drink water from your own well–
share your love only with your wife.
.
Per the “Hookup Culture,” sex is about how good it feels, no commitment required.
It occurs to me that this is exactly what some people want in Christianity: just to feel good, no commitment required.
Luke 10:27 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.
Hugh Hefner died last week. His impact on American culture can’t be denied. Was it for better or worse?
Imagine a video replay of our lives, as seen from God’s point of view—that is, seeing our legacy, our impact on others for better or worse. Imagine if we could see how it would have worked out if we’d lived differently.
I wonder. What would the world look like if Mr. Hefner had lived differently?
There are thousands of children in America waiting for adoption. Most of them are school age, many in sibling groups.
Think of it–their homes fell apart, through death, through violence, through neglect. No grandparents, aunts or cousins are there to take them in. Each child has seen tragedy. These kids come with few belongings, but heavy baggage.
Pray–
Lord, raise up hundreds of Christian households willing to welcome these children under their loving, sheltering roofs. You know each child by name. Call them into their new homes.
“Do not wait to shed your light afar . . .
Brighten the corner where you are.”
Ina Ogdon, 1913
So much need! Hurricane clean-up, rebuilding from earthquakes, wars and rumors of war, famine and poverty. Be willing to go where God sends. Or to stay where God says.
Share God’s light . . . there or here, in your own little corner of the world.
Acts 10:14 (NIV)
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied.
“No, Lord” makes no sense.
If God is Lord of your life, you can’t tell him no.
(Note: It took three tries, but Peter said yes.)
God says,
Who will go for us?
You say,
Here I am, send me.
God says,
Who is here for me?
You say,
Here I am. Use me.
What would you do in a disaster?
Some Christians are called to disaster relief. They train for it, and they head out at the first sign of trouble.
Other Christians unexpectedly find themselves in the path of disaster. Some of them suddenly become disaster relief coordinators, filling a need they never imagined.
Let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Mexico, Dominica, Puerto Rico and other islands who are stepping into great need with more faith than training. 
Two earthquakes in Mexico in two weeks time: 30 million people felt the earth shake. Where to run? Who can help?
World Vision, an international Christian ministry to the world’s poorest people, for one. World Vision workers already in Mexico stepped up.
“World Vision is working in 12 shelters in Mexico City — providing food and medicine to children and their families. So far, we have also distributed approximately 3 tons of food, 500 pieces of tools, and two electric generators to support rescue efforts. In addition, we are operating two Child-Friendly Spaces and have plans to open another five. World Vision is working with a team of volunteers that include six doctors and 20 psychologists who are providing medical attention and emotional support to children injured or traumatized by the earthquake.”
Read more about the earthquake and World vision here.
Lord, we pray for all the Christian workers in Mexico (and Texas and Florida) who unexpectedly find themselves coordinating safe shelter. Grant them safety, patience, wisdom and energy. May they be your hands and feet in these needy places. Amen.
