Random Acts Of Kindness...
2 comments Published Saturday, November 22, 2008 by Champions Centre in generosity, kindnessIt's time to "Smile On Another!" This season at Champions Centre, we're getting creative in how we express generosity.
Have you ever wondered how your generosity really impacts the world around you? Click here to find out...
Sometimes, the small things have the greatest impact on our lives. Have you ever been in line at Starbucks, gotten to the window and found out that the car ahead of you had already paid your bill? Or maybe you received an unsigned encouraging note that made your day. What's the most amazing "Random Act Of Kindness" that you've ever experienced or accomplished? Post your response to let us know...
Updates From South Africa - Part Two
1 comments Published Monday, November 17, 2008 by Champions Centre in Champions FoundationFrom Jodi Gerald-Cameron
live it - south africa
The past few days have been hectic - not gonna lie. We've been busy preparing our Forever Home for the Christmas season. We've been shopping at dozens of stores, wrapping even more dozens of presents, labeled and taped and sorted and delivered and hid ... and wrapped and labeled and and sorted and delivered and hid AGAIN! :)
Our hotel room was beginning to resemble a small store by the second day of our trip here visiting our girls. We couldn't even let the cleaning service come in while we were away because we were concerned they would get a little friendly with all the new things... The things we are purchasing while we are here can be sponsored by people back home over Christmas, that way we can make sure that all the children and teens in our home get a fabulous Christmas!
Today, a few of our team went to our Forever Home and set up the Christmas tree and some decorations. Some of our girls who were not with us yet last Christmas have never had a Christmas tree let alone any presents for Christmas. It was so funny to see a couple of them slip the Christmas Stockings onto their feet thinking that they looked a lot like fancy socks or slippers... we all got a huge laugh out of that while at the same time realized that even in the smallest of things that we can do for these girls we are changing their lives. We're giving them new lenses to see the world through to know that they are loved, cared for, prayed for and cherished on this planet and that life can bring good things and not just fear or negative things into their life.
My challenge to anyone who is reading this is to step up. Do what YOU can - without worrying about comparisons or doubting your ability to do SOMEthing...
Maybe you can give money to a great foundation like Champions Foundation on a monthly basis...or Maybe you can volunteer with us on the second Saturday of every month with the Justice Project taking it to the streets...or Maybe you can volunteer your time at the Tacoma Rescue Mission or a local community mission where they are changing lives by doing SOMEthing...or Maybe you know of someone who needs help with _______ (fill in the blank) and you can do SOMEthing about it - even if that something is just making a phone call to someone you know who can take action to help them...
If I can just be honest, I'm getting pretty sick and tired of people who claim to be passionate about things like "social justice" - especially those in my generation... my peers... they talk the talk, but when push comes to shove and the opportunity to serve presents itself - they are absent.
There are people all over our local community in Tacoma (or your local community if you don't live near me) and all the way across the globe in South Africa who could use a break, a hand up (not a hand out, but a hand up to reach the next level in their life - whatever that means to them at the time)...
What are you DOING about it? I'm doing my best to do my part, and I know that I can do better.
What is your part to play? Are you playing it? If so - AWESOME! If not, why not?
Updates from South Africa - Part One
0 comments Published by Champions Centre in Champions FoundationFrom Jodi Gerald-Cameron
Today’s verse in the Generous Living Guide (8 weeks of Generous Living) is all about how it's better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)… That could not be any more real than it is today. The team that is in South Africa is shopping for the needs at our Forever Home today and at other points during this week while we’re here.
Last night, on our arrival to the house, we celebrated Pastor Sheila’s 50th birthday with all the girls! They were elated to have pizza and cake and party bags that each of them received full of a Barbie, crowns, feather boas, and loads of other fun stuff! Everyone was having so much fun! Especially when our oldest girl “Dorothy” surprised us with spraying Mama Sheila with silly string instead of the speech she told us all she was going to give. Then, our future preacher, 12-yr-old Matty put tears in all of our eyes as she read a heartfelt letter/poem she wrote to Mama Sheila for her birthday.
While we were at the house yesterday, we were able to get some needs on paper that our team can focus on while we’re here. We’re going to be able to leave behind so much love and generosity by the time we get on the plane to return home next week. And it is always such a blessing in our own lives to be able to GIVE those gifts and necessities to the girls in our home.
This trip we are also buying them more than they just “need” we’re buying them Christmas presents. We’re plotting and strategizing what each girl wants and what we can get for her, as well as thinking of Mama Blessings as she will also love some specials things for Christmas. They are all so tender hearted, it is hard to get out of them exactly what they want – they don’t want to come across too aggressive or unappreciative for what they already have… but I hope we’ll be able to get a few specific things that each of them would ask for this year.
Then before we leave we’ll wrap all the pressies and get the house decorated for Christmas – the tree and all its fixings ☺ I can’t wait!
Tomorrow, we’re taking the older girls to Casalinga, a beautiful restaurant, for a tea party – that will be a blast! I can’t wait to see all their faces as they get treated extra special this week! We always come here to bless them with love and kindness and I always end up going home feeling so blessed myself from how amazing all the girls are. It was so great to drive up to the house yesterday and all the girls were yelling our names in excitement again wanting to show us their latest accomplishments. They told us it has been countdown central around there counting the days until we arrived to see them! The older girls pulled out the photo album that we left them to show us the pictures that they must look through so often because the picture holders already look worn and picked through. We’ll have to put that on the list! More photos!
Thanks for all your prayers and support!
How Would You...?
0 comments Published Thursday, October 30, 2008 by Champions Centre in creativity, money"It's like a man going off on an extended trip. He called his servants together and delegated responsibilities. To one he gave five thousand dollars, to another two thousand, to a third one thousand, depending on their abilities. Then he left. Right off, the first servant went to work and doubled his master's investment. The second did the same."
(Matthew 25:14-17, The Message)
These guys both took what their boss gave them and doubled it. Could you do the same?
If you were given $20, how would you turn it into $40 (or more)? Tell us your most creative ideas!
We want to know what you think...
0 comments Published Monday, October 27, 2008 by Champions Centre in surveysWe're conducting a series of surveys to find out more about the beliefs, choices and opinions of your generation. Please take a few minutes to participate in each of the surveys that apply to you. Each survey takes just a couple minutes to complete.
All responses that you submit are completely anonymous, so you can feel secure knowing that your contact information will not be collected.
Friends & Family
Friends, family and mentors help make us who we are. We'd like to know more about how your friends, family and mentors have impacted your life. Click Here to take survey
Purpose, Career & Resources
Our generation represents many innovative and talented individuals. We'd like to know how you use the resources that you've been given and how you feel about your future. Click Here to take survey
Beliefs & Influences
Is God for real? Does faith really matter? How has the mainstream media influenced your life? Click Here to take survey
Relationships & Sex
Relationships and sex are intertwined into just about everything we hear, see and talk about. What are your thoughts on relationships and sex? If you ARE married, Click Here to take survey If you're NOT married, Take this one...
Weekly Prayer Guide: October 26 - November 1
0 comments Published by Champions Centre in prayer"When two of you get together on anything at all on earth and make a prayer of it, my Father in heaven goes into action. And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."- Matthew 18:20 (The Message)
Unite with us this week as we pray together for God's blessing as we go after a heart of generosity. Download this week's free prayer guide here and let's get ready for incredible things to happen as we connect with God together.
Values Based Voting/Part Three:// War, Christian Participation in Government, & Final Notes…
0 comments Published by Champions Centre in values, votingBy Brandon Stewart
WE ENCOURAGE all Christians to embrace their citizenship not merely as a duty and privilege, but as an opportunity to meaningfully participate in building a culture of life. Every voice matters in the public forum. Every vote counts. Every act of responsible citizenship is an exercise of significant individual power. Our position as Christians on issues should first and foremost be congruent with scripture, our opinions shaped by and submitted to a Biblical worldview. At the same time, we believe that honest discussion and participation in the election process should be positive and uplifting.
"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they say or do something you don’t agree with – even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently." Romans 14:1msg
WE BELIEVE that Christians should be values based voters. We are to take our duty as Christians seriously, and as Americans to value the freedom God has given us. We believe Christians should take the time to research the candidates carefully, to weigh their positions against a Biblical viewpoint, and to vote responsibly.
"Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country." Rom 13:7msg
"It’s wrong, very wrong, to go along with injustice." Proverbs 24:23
WE BELIEVE that Christians should choose to vote for the greater good of society. We believe that voting should not be based on selfish self interest, but that each decision should be thought out in terms of who will bring the greater good.
"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order it is God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you are irresponsible to the state, then you are irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you are trying to get by with something." Romans 13:1-4msg
"That’s also why you pay taxes – so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, and respect your leaders." Romans 13:6-7msg
WE BELIEVE that war should not be entered into lightly. We believe that the “power of the sword” lies with the government and not with the church. We believe that it should be our earnest duty to pray for those in positions of leadership and authority who must make these decisions. We believe that we should support the cause of freedom throughout the world. We believe that we should respect and honor those who have and are giving their time and lives for the cause of freedom.
WE BELIEVE that prayer is not only a freedom and privilege to be exercised it is a conduit for change through which we can seek direction in making God-driven choices.
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My final notes...
In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel constantly found themselves in trouble when they looked for a savior outside of the Lord. The Israelites regularly would establish other gods...or even political figures...in which they placed their hope for protection, provision, victory in battle, and leadership. This ultimately led to them not recognizing Jesus, because they were looking for a political king (and Jesus came to establish a different Kingdom).
At the end of the day...when the election is over...let's remember who deserves our ultimate faith and confidence. Above a political leader or party, let's seek for the will of God to be done in our nation at this time.
And commit with me to pray for our leaders, both current, as well as those to be elected. Our country needs great leadership for the days ahead.