Disaster in the South - how to help

God, please bless the people suffering in the South in the wake of the devastating tornadoes.  Please help them to get back on their feet and bring them the Peace that only You can provide.  Amen.

Just got this email from the American Red Cross asking for donations to help the victims of the worst tornado outbreak in 40 years.  I don't think the "Donate Now" links will work in the following, but click HERE and it'll take you to their website.


 

Friend, Last night across the South, entire neighborhoods were demolished in the worst surge of tornadoes the U.S. has experienced in 40 years. In communities throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky and many other states, dozens of tornadoes are responsible for the reported deaths of over 200 people and officials expect that number to continue to rise. The Red Cross has sprung into action with nurses, mental health workers, and emergency response vehicles deployed immediately to assist those in need. Emergency response volunteers are on their way to the scene with 25,000 ready-to-eat meals. It is your support that allows us to be there with emergency food, supplies, shelter, and a hug. Give generously now. Nearly 2,700 people stayed in Red Cross shelters in 12 states last night. Towns, family homes, businesses and schools were destroyed – families had nowhere to go. For Alabama it is the largest sheltering effort by the Red Cross there since Hurricane Katrina. In just the state of Alabama as many as one million people are currently without power. The clean up and repair from this horrendous disaster will continue on for months to come. With thousands of Americans now homeless and many more without power, our work in the South will continue. Give generously to help your fellow Americans in need now: http://american.redcross.org/HelpSpringDisasters2011 We’ll be in touch with more details as our relief efforts in the South continue. Your generosity at this time is greatly appreciated, Charley Shimanski Sr. Vice President, Disaster Services American Red Cross P.S. Stay informed with all the latest disaster relief news by following the American Red Cross on Facebook and Twitter.

Cool new charity web site

Now here's a neat idea - now you can donate to a wide variety of causes with just one dollar a day.  From MSNBC: 

Donate $1 to new charity every day via website

Here is the link to the website Philanthroper.

 

Wonderful lecture on Christian duty to the poor

I found this lecture by Dr. Tim Keller, Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York and author of "The Reason for God," a New York Times bestseller.  In the video he discusses the biblical reasons Christians are called to serve the poor - and by serving, he means more than just praying and donating monetarily (although those are of course necessary).  I thought he did a fabulous job and I hope you find it as inspiring as I did.  It's about an hour in length, so you'll have to carve out some time to watch it but I promise it will be well worth it!  Leave a comment as to what you thought.



Tim Keller: The Gospel and the Poor: A Case for Compassion from Here's Life Inner City on Vimeo.

Update:  here's the link to the handout he refers to.  

Please pray for the people in Ivory Coast

Read these and please keep these people in your prayers:

Civilians flee violence in Ivory Coast

'Clock is ticking' for refugees fleeing Ivory Coast

No Kid Hungry

While I was waiting in the Doctor's office earlier this week, I read an article about Jeff Bridges and his calling to end childhood hunger in America.  Apparently, he's been dedicated to this cause for more than 25 years.

"In recent years, the recession has seen the numbers of hungry children swell. In 2009, more than 17 million households were at risk of not having enough food. That's up from nearly 12 million in 2007, and double the number in 2000, according to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)." (From Web MD)

I didn't realize hunger was this big a problem in America - 1 in 4 children in this country, the world's largest economy, the land of plenty, with all of the things we have going for us.  It's really sad - this should not be happening here, right in our own backyard.  You can read the article I read here and one along the same lines here at the No Kid Hungry website.  Join me in pledging to do what we can to end childhood hunger.