Concrete Ways to help Victims in Haiti

 

You can help Haiti.

 

The earthquake in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, will cause the death of so many. Estimates are now calculated at over 100,000. All major government buildings are down, the schools, the hospitals, the jails–just rubble. It makes the Katrina disaster look like a picnic by the sea.

Even before this earthquake some Haitians kill hunger pains by eating mud cakes, or mixing dirt in with cornmeal to make in last longer.

BUT! Don’t feel too overwhelmed to help.

Efforts are mobilizing: Here is a link to what is being done.

Here are a few simple ways to start helping right away:

World Relief is responding immediately –Donate now  to help the most vulnerable – families and children – in the immediate aftermath.  Emergency kits will be distributed that will include items such as ready-to-eat food, water and a blanket.  Time is critical. You can respond with any amount you are able to give. 

• Doctors Without Borders is asking for donations to help the emergency response teams in Haiti. Donate with a debit or credit card at https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org.

• The Red Cross is taking donations via text messages. Text the word HAITI to the number 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts. It’ll show up on your phone bill. Or donate online atRedCross.org.

• Operation Helping Hands, a joint community project of The Miami Herald and United Way-Miami, will be collecting donations to support the relief effort in Haiti.

To make a contribution, go to www.iwant2help.org

Checking on relatives in Haiti:

• Mercy Corps established a Haiti Earthquake Fund, PO Box 2669,Portland, OR 97208,www.mercycorps.org, 1-888-256-1900

On Twitter: 
Donate $5 by texting YELE to 501501 or at www.yele.org

I will update this page, as more opportunities become known.

Leave comments if you have information or news that would be helpful. Thank you.

Please pray for the people and aid workers in this decimated country.

Are You Heebie Jeebie Susceptible? (self-test)

 

Will he feel nice on your neck? Creepy crawlies give some the heebie jeebies!

 

Heebie Jeebies is similar to the British term “Screaming Habdabs,” a phrase which I am quite fond of. You got to love it! If I used it, however, not too many would understand me in the place with my greatest readership-the USA. Both are  non sense rhyming phrases used to describe a feeling of anxiety or apprehension, or worse.

Lots of things can bring them on. Perhaps, later, you can contribute a few situations that give you the heebie jeebies. For now, try this self-test to see if you are highly susceptible to their onset. HAVE FUN!

 

DIRECTIONS:

Answer each with one of the following-

A. Rarely or Never True.

B. Sometimes True.

C. Mostly or Always True

Keep track of your answers!

 

1. The thought of drinking unidentified, or identified “floaters” in your beverage gives you a weird taste in your mouth, or funny feeling in your stomach (and you won’t do it.)

2. Using a stranger’s chapstick is unreasonable.

3. The licking of fingers in public drives you to distraction.

4. You can envision the horrid (potential) consequences of sending food back when you dine out.

5. Anything with more legs than you should be regarded with suspicion.

6. Smells like Patchouli, Musk, incense, and funky grandma’s basement induce a foreboding atmosphere for you.

7. You have the general belief that most bad things happen after dark.

8.  You have checked under your bed, in your closet, or shower for security reasons.

9. If it weren’t for the creepy music, plenty of movies wouldn’t be so freakin’ scary.

10. Snakes are unexplainably weird or creepy.

SCORING:

A. answers = 1 point

B. answers = 3 points

C. answers = 5 points

• If you got 35-50 points, you are a heebie jeebie type, and very susceptible. Future posts written here will be of great help to you. For now, build your confidence with baby steps, venture out within groups, and work on your “control issues.” Just saying…

• 20-35 points indicates a moderate susceptibility for the heebie jeebies. The range is fairly normal, and only once in a while will you have a full blown attack of the screaming habdabs. It is quite likely that you associate with “Full-On Habdaders,” so stay informed, send them this way to educate themselves, and learn all you can to support them. Future posts will be of assistance. 

• 10-20 points indicates a resistance to the heebie jeebies, which often can point toward inner strength, maturity, or a rational mind. More often however, it signals denial and a shut off emotional life were barriers have been erected to keep things out, including love. If this erection lasts more than four hours, consult your doctor, counselor or pastor. It is a sorry state indeed. There will be additional information for this part of the heebie jeebie spectrum too, so come back within the next ten days. For now, find small ways to open up, let your guard down, or not be so uptight. In the long run, the benefits will outweigh the risks and downsides. 

NOW- it’s YOUR turn.

Tell us what gives you the Heebie Jeebies?

I’ll set up a poll with the most common answers, and put it to a vote for most heebie jeebyish.

Anything odd habdab you have to admit?

(fear of puppies maybe?)

If you had fun, there are several other “similar” self-tests at this site. Search the categories at the bottom of the page for “self-test,” and enjoy!

See ya soon.

-Lisa

Frosty looks nervous?

Does Frosty look nervous to you?

He seemed reluctant to pose for a picture…Something about needing a break from frightened children, and a union contract infringement… I don’t know exactly.

Although you can’t see it in this shot, I had to hold a curling iron to his back as a convincer.

Christmas and New Years Wishes ? (Updated)

I hope Christmas went well. I’m throwing out a question, or two, to you. Take a few seconds and think about your hopes, and wishes…

okay–ready?

What do you wish for in the New Year, that can’t be bought? (This doesn’t have to be profound)

And for fun– what is the worst, or silliest Christmas gift you’ve ever gotten? Mine would have to be one of the numerous re-gifts I’ve gotten from family members. It’s hard to pick just one.

One of the stinkers, for me, was the Mickey Mouse red collared polo shirt that exactly matched my husband’s shirt gift. It sported at least 300 Mickey heads, and a USA theme. More tacky than I could handle. Strangely enough, this was NOT a re-gift. It came with a receipt from Sears. When I took both items back, they were worth $1.75. Should I keep them, I thought? Nah! I took the cash and bought a small beverage.

Silly man, Jon Acuff wins so far for silliest gift. Check out his great website.



Enjoy the holidays!

(link to photo source)

Advent Guest post

Advent: We Don’t Know What We Are Waiting For by Ed Cyzewski

www.in.a.mirror.dimly.com

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Christine Sine

www.godspace.com

This morning’s reflection comes from Ed Cyzewski the author of Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life. He blogs on theology at www.inamirrordimly.com and on writing at www.edcyz.com.
During December Ed’s book Coffeehouse Theology will be available from NavPress.com at 35% off (coupon K82E1D8E6). In light of this offer Ed is also making the Coffeehouse theology: Bible Study Guide available as a free PDF for download.
Advent: We Don’t Know What We Are Waiting For
What are we waiting for during Advent? The coming of Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring salvation, and the coming of God’s Kingdom to earth.
In a sense we know what we’re waiting for, we read scripture, we pray, and we worship with our communities. We’re looking for Jesus, and we want nothing more than to recognize his coming.
However, will we actually recognize the coming of Jesus, the form of God’s salvation, or the arrival of God’s Kingdom? Are we willing to go to the places where God’s Kingdom is manifested, submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ, and allow God to conform our dreams and desires according to his plan?
When I read about John the Baptist and the many people in the audience of Jesus, I see a large number of people who eagerly waited for God and did everything possible to prepare for his coming, and still they missed it. They didn’t recognize a Messiah who prayed in lonely places, worked on the margins, and challenged their preexisting lifestyles and religious practices.
Even John had a hard time accepting Jesus after spending his whole life preparing to be the herald of the Messiah.
What are we waiting for during Advent? I’m not quite sure. None of us should be sure. We are indeed waiting for God to act, but we don’t know what that action will look like.
Whether or not we recognize the fulfillment of God’s hope and coming Kingdom will depend on our own humility and commitment to listening for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Left to our own devices, we’d miss out on the very things we’ve been waiting for.