The gospel changes lives

I read a story today about a little boy who almost died of AIDS and all of the complications it causes. 

He was brought back from the brink of death by a missionary who gave both him and his father medicine and the gospel. 

  For over a year, I have been a sponsor of Amazima Ministries, which was founded by Katie Davis. 

You may know her from her blog, Kisses from Katie, and her book by the same name. 

Each month I learn about a child in the sponsorship program. A part of me travels to Uganda each month and it’s cool to see how God takes my small part to positively affect the lives of countless children. 

One day I want to travel to Uganda for missions. Ever since I first heard of Katie’s work, I’ve wanted to go there myself. 

The gospel is changing the lives of Uganda’s children, which make up a majority of the population due to wars and AIDS. 

Imagine how different of a place Uganda will be as these children grow in the knowledge of the Lord and take their place as leaders!

Missions–and supporting missions–gets me fired up. 

We are told to go to all the world and preach the gospel. There’s a lot of work to be done between now and when Jesus comes back!

You should check out their website (link above) and seriously consider sponsoring a child. 

Adventures are for now

Kisses from KatieI love stories, especially adventure stories–and I don’t mean the purely fictional ones eithers.

confedsMy favorite type of book is a travelogue aka Real Life Adventure Story.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz

A Walk Across America by Peter Jenkins

The Average American by Kevin O’Keefe

Don’t Stop Believin’: How Karaoke Conquered the World and Changed my Life by Brian Raftery

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis

I’ve reread each of these books at least twice.

These are great stories where quests for understanding lead to life-changing action.

average americanI think that travelogues are a favorite among book lovers because it always leaves us inspired.

“Wow! If they can do that, what’s stopping me?”

I believe that dreams inspire actions and actions inspire more dreams.

As a Christian, I think of James 2:14-18:

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[d] works, and I will show you my faith by my[e] works. 

across americaDreams without actions are dead.

Bucket lists are great, but I don’t want to be 60, 70, 80 years old before I choose to follow my dreams.

Why not start now?

Quit putting your dreams in a bucket that stays in your closet for 30 years.

Reading adventure books is great. Writing your own adventure book is even better!

So, I’ll ask you this question again:

Why not start now? believin