Perspective

At church this weekend, Pastor Scott gave us a valuable lesson on perspective by looking at Luke 23:39-43.   I won't spend much time on the passage, because that isn't the point here.  Basically, the passage tells us about the 2 men who were crucified next to Jesus on the cross.  Each man had a completely different perspective of who Jesus was.  Prior to their death, Jesus promised one man that he would be in heaven while we are left to assume that the other wasn't so fortunate.  The lesson here is that there are 2 men in the same situation with completely different perspectives on Jesus.  The same can be said of virtually any situation in our daily lives.

It made me think about how Man Up has changed my perspective in life.  As I have said so many times since returning home, I continue to be amazed at how 16 days in Africa flipped my world upside down.  I have shared much of this before, but many of them are worth re-visiting:

• Africa is more than just a shape on a map.  It has real people, real resources, real love, and real problems.
• Soccer is more than that sport that I watch every 4 years during the World Cup.  It is a universal language of fun and love.
• Leprosy isn't a disease that just existed 2000 years ago.  It is still a problem that affects thousands of people in Africa.
• Faith is more than just going to church on Sundays.  It is about being obedient and following Him in every part of your life.
• Love is more than simply saying the word to your spouse and children.  It is taking time to stop and truly honor them and love them with your actions, words and thoughts at all times.
• Orphans aren't just the kids that you see on the infomercials with bloated stomaches.  They are real children that have endless amounts of love that are looking for someone in this world to accept just a little of it.
• Leadership is much more effective when you serve those who you are trying to lead.
• The vast majority of things we worry about in our world trivial in the grand scheme of things.
• And I could go on and on...

For all of the problems and things that Africa has wrong, they have so many things right in this world.  They insist on putting relationships first in their lives instead of the next meeting, the next purchase or the next TV show.  We can learn a lot from them.

I'm so excited for my next opportunity to be with them in their great land.  After returning from the inaugural Man Up for Orphans trip, I prayed hard about how and where this experience was going to lead me.  I am doing my best to be obedient and I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a co-leader for another Man Up team to Ethiopia and Uganda.

We will be visiting many of the wonderful ministries that we visited last summer, as well as discover some new opportunities to serve.  We are in the process of assembling a great team of men (and women) who are interested in following James 1:27 and visit orphans and widows in their time of need.  

If you enjoy epic road trips, laughter, sports, hugs, tears, music, beautiful landscapes, coffee, and kids, you are perfect for our team.  Or, if you are just looking for something to give you a little different perspective on things, join us August 14-25.  I don't ask people to join our team.  Rather, I simply ask that you pray about it.  It is my belief that if you openly and honestly pray about answering God's call to do your part to end the orphan crisis, there is no way you can say no to this incredible opportunity.

If you want more information, leave a comment and I can get you a step-by-step itinerary for the trip and all of the details you are looking for.  If you are past that point and know you are in, visit www.onechildcampaign.com to apply.  

Man Up!  Live Dead!!  Love BIG!!!