saturday spotlight: mocha club

Mocha Club is a fabulous way to help others simply by paying what you'd pay for 2-3 coffees, frappuccinos, mochas (or whatever your preferred coffee-based drink might be) a month. $7 a month goes to help those in Africa through providing clean water, healthcare, care for orphans as well as a few other areas. I first heard about this great cause at a concert. I'm not a member yet but am excited at what they're doing! 

to write love on her arms

TWLOHA is non-profit that seeks to help those struggling with depression, suicide and addiction. It's been a few years ago that I first heard about the organization and it's continued to grow since then. It all began when some friends wanted to help Renee, a 19 year-old girl who was scared to enter rehab, saying she wasn't ready yet. Seeing the cuts and scars she had on her arms, the friends wanted to write love on her arms instead. The site has links to resources if you or someone you know needs help with any of the things that have become TWLOHA's mission. 

To me, we don't have to always advertise the fact that we're Christians. We can simply love others and as Jesus would and let them see we're different. Let them see that we have something they want. Let our faith be a lifestyle instead of just words...

"do hard things" by alex & brett harris

Brothers Alex and Brett Harris wrote DO Hard Things for the teenage audience to encourage them to rise about society's view of them and allow God to use them to do hard things for Him. This is a book that I haven't read yet but it's sitting on my shelf. The title caught my eye when I first saw it and I knew it was something I wanted to read. Though I'm past the 13-19 age range, I have no doubt that I'll benefit from it as well. 

You can visit the site for the book to learn more and watch a video from Alex and Brett as they share the reason behind why they wrote the book.  There's also an online study guide you can download and links to buy the book.

saturday spotlight: ny dream center

This month I'm talking about missions and today's spotlight is the organization I worked with on the missions trip I returned from earlier this week. I went with a handful of people from my church to partner with the New York Dream Center. I'm amazed at how much they do! Every day they're out in the city, showing God's love. This video is just a small glimpse into what they do. Matthew Barnett and his wife started the NY Dream Center but are the pastors of Angelus Temple and run the L.A. Dream Center. The Dream Center's mission is to live life and live love. Matthew and Caroline Barnett have such a heart for helping others. It inspires me and I'm excited to have had the opportunity to take part in their vision by going to the L.A. Dream Center a few years ago and then this recent trip to New York. 

the a21 campaign

I was telling some of my family about the mission trip I just returned from. I was explaining what we did - hand out bottles of water, help deliver food with Meals on Wheels - and my mom was able to summarize it quite nicely. She said "so you helped them with their outreaches." We didn't do anything majorly big but were there to provide extra hands and feet, allowing the Dream Center to do things that maybe they haven't been able to because they simply didn't have the numbers to carry it out. We helped them love the people they reach out to.

The first organization I want to feature this month is The A21 campaign. I first heard about them when listening to a podcast by Holly Furtick. Their mission is to help rescue those enslaved in human trafficking. They opened their first shelter in 2008 in Greece and last year in the Ukraine. They're hoping to open a third one in Bulgaria this year. "We do not claim to be the "experts" and recognize that our fight for justice has only just begun, but The A21 Campaign rings true through the famous words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." The campaign stands for Abolishing Injustice in the 21st Century. 

The quote at the top of the "Who We Are" page strikes a chord in me: 

"the cause within you" by matthew barnett

I just returned from a mission trip. We spent a week helping the New York Dream Center as they love the people in the community from which they operate. I want to take this month to highlight ministries who take seriously the call to spread the gospel and share God's love. I'll also be sharing mission-minded books that I've both read and are on my ever growing "list." While we had fun on the trip (including a trip to Time Square for some shopping), we also had our perspective challenged. We not only touched others but they left their fingerprint on us as well. 

I want to start with the book The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett. I haven't read much of the book but I was excited when I heard he was writing it. I first heard about Matthew Barnett five years ago when I went on a mission trip to the L.A. Dream Center. It was there that we found out he was going to be starting a Dream Center in New York and to finally be able to go and be a part of that for a week was an extreme honor for me. 

His ministry is doing some great things to reach out to the hurting. I'm amazed at all they do. Everything is fueled by simply wanting others to know God loves them. 

book giveaway: "billy graham" by david aikman

This month I'm giving away my copy of Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman. Contest ends Tuesday, July 31 at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). To enter, just leave me a comment along with an email address so I can contact you.

For bonus entries:

- tell me how you heard about my giveaway

- become a follower of my blog

*Giveaways with the above logo are books that aren't new but still in really good condition.