Josiah Road

Ready…Set…Wait?

posted by Daniel Blackaby 30May

Have you ever had opportunities to see different parts of the world? I’ve been fortunate to have experienced many different cultures. I’ve stood in the shadows of the Athenian Parthenon, gazed down from the Eiffel tower, sailed the Amazon River, and safaried into the African wilderness. But all these amazing places have had one thing in common: hopelessness. Ever seen the slums? If so, you can relate that they break your heart. I’m always filled with conviction, “I need to do something!” I long to rush out and start making a difference. However, God has been convicting me lately of the question, “Who has the power to change this world?”

The disciples had a similar experience. In their day Christianity didn’t exist yet, the Gospel message had never been preached, and Jesus had just been crucified. Talk about a hopeless world! However, Jesus rose from the dead and reappeared among them. They were stoked! I’m sure they wanted to run outside and start saving souls! I envision the scene like my New England Patriots, right before the Super Bowl. All the disciples hollering and cheering, high-fives all around, Peter and John bumping chests, with loud 15 AD Israelian pump-up music blaring.

But Jesus told them, “Wait” (Acts 1: 4-8). Can’t you picture Peter, “Um, Jesus. Sure you’re thinking straight? I mean, you did just like rise from the dead and everything, must have been a pretty trippy experience. There’s a whole world out there that needs our help.” Yet Jesus told them again to be patient.

Seems odd doesn’t it? After all, these men had dropped everything to follow him and faithfully listened to his teachings for almost four years. If anyone in the world was capable for this task, it was this group of men. So why wait?

It’s because, as Jesus knew, without the Holy Spirit they possessed no power at all to change lives. Didn’t matter how qualified they were or how noble their intentions; only the power of God in them would make a difference. And it did. After they spent time in prayer, they received the Holy Spirit and three thousand were saved during the first sermon alone! (Talk about making up for lost time!)

I have to ask myself, what do you think that means for us today? I think we often get distracted by the need, and forget the source of power. I’ve grown up in a strong Christian family, attending church regularly. I know Sunday School answers like multiplication flashcards (ok, bad example…) and feel I’m pretty qualified to make a difference. Intentions are good, I’m doing it for God, but I often leave him out of the planning. Are we trying to reach people for Christ? Are we spending quality time in prayer and in our Bible, asking God what His plan is, and allowing Him to guide us? I’ve been encouraged not to rely on my own flesh; it’s weak (Phil 3:3) and not to forget that only the power of Jesus IN us can change this world.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the Earth. Acts 1:8

Jessie Miller interns with Jars of Clay’s Blood:Water Mission

posted by Kaylan Christopher 28May

In 2002, Dan Haseltin, Jars of Clay’s lead singer, visited Africa and was changed forever. He saw poverty, physical and social suffering, and disease that “shook him, challenged him, and changed him.”

When he returned home, he knew he had to do something. According to his Web site, “He came back with a vision for clean blood and clean water in Africa—blood free of the HIV virus and water free of parasites and bacteria that cause AIDS patients and others undue suffering.”

He and his bandmates began Blood:Water Mission—an organization committed to fight the HIV/AIDS pandemic and build clean wells, support medical facilities caring for the sick, and fight poverty, justice, and oppression—all in Africa. The band’s target audience is the church and young people, so they saw an opportunity to spread the word and call the church to action.

Recently, Blood:Water began an initiative called the “1000 Wells Project.” This project seeks to build 1000 wells and clean water projects in 1000 African communities. And they are asking people to give up $1 to the organization that can provide one year of clean water for an African.

Jessie Miller, an intern with Blood:Water Mission and a senior at Middle Tennessee State University from Lebanon, Tennessee, said, “So far, we’ve drilled around 350 wells which has affected more than 250,000 people.”

Jessie was in Jars of Clay’s target audience before she came on board. At Passion 2007, she visited the “Do Something Now” booth, and felt a tug toward Africa.

“They challenged us to drink water for two weeks and save our money that we spent on Cokes and coffee, and then donate what we didn’t spend,” she said.

Through God’s timing, she was contacted by a girl who works at Blood:Water Mission and began volunteering in June 2007. She volunteered until December 2007 and began officially as an intern in January of this year.

God has definitely given Jessie a passion for this organization. She said, “I felt the need to help others—especially in Africa. I did other stuff with a few other campaigns, but I knew Blood:Water was a good fit for me.”

Jessie will continue interning with Blood:Water throughout the summer until her graduation in December with a degree in global studies, at which point she’s open to go where God calls her. But she does know that God has given her a heart of compassion for the people of Africa.

Right now, she writes “thank you” notes to people who give, answers the questions of those who are interested in getting involved, and mans the Blood:Water booths at certain events, among other things. Even in the small things, she’s dedicated to this organization.

She said, “We’re called as Christians to be servants despite the circumstances. It’s not about my needs and wants; it’s about serving others. It’s really important for my generation to get involved because there are a lot of organizations like Blood:Water that can grow and serve because of our efforts. Our generation wants to see a change in things and we have hope to give them, but we’re going to have to be the ones to make that happen.”

To read more about Blood:Water Mission and how you can help, click http://www.bloodwatermission.comhere.