Haiti is HOT!   But the SON is shining, so all is good!   God has blessed already on the pre-trip.   I was able to solidify an important partnership with Samaritan’s Purse.    CPR-3 is an official partner.   We now have access to receive shelters from them to erect for families affected by the earthquake.   Tomorrow I have hired 5 Haitians who will receive the Samaritan Purse training and will be ‘foremen’ for the jobs.    Our teams will hire Haitians to put the shelters up and we will assist them!

We have arranged our nursing staff to give complete physicals to all the children in 2 orphanages, to set up a ‘raw’ clinic in a village that is very poor, and to work at Mission of Hope the Hospital in the region just north of Port au Prince.

Our construction teams will build a school house for the same poor village that has NO school currently.    They will also build on to the homes we are building to house future teams.

Tomorrow we pick up our first team member and then the fun begins!    Pray that God will give wisdom and discernment and arrange the exact plan for us that He desires!

More to come!   Check out the pics on my facebook!   http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=187856&id=627501641&l=b4aa161a75

Usually I write my own stuff.   The next 3 days, I will post a three part series written by Doug Fields and Matt McGill, who work with Youth at Saddleback Church.    Criticism is a very REAL deal and it can RUIN you if you are not prepared for it.

Part One:

OUCH…WHY THE CRITICS SQUAWK   - by Doug Fields and Matt McGill

If you’re a leader you can’t escape it—you will be criticized. Criticism is aimed at leaders because everyone (including leaders) is imperfect and hurting and hurting people end up hurting others. At the beginning of one’s leadership journey it’s very difficult to try to separate personalized criticism into a truth or untruth category–criticism jumps straight to personal hurt. The criticism may not always be true, but it always stings.  While critique does hurt, it can help to know  that the people who dish it out are usually hurting themselves. When a leader can better understand why a critic squawks, it can actually trigger compassion, which can help turn a pain into a positive. In our experience, here are some of the reasons why the critics squawk:

Critics usually aren’t serving.
It’s so much easier to sound off at others than it is to serve others. Armchair quarterbacks have all the answers, but lack the drive to get out of the chair and engage in the real game. It’s sad, but some people will serve no where or invest in no one and their lack of ministry involvement gives them extra time and ignorance to critique.

A move toward compassion: These types of critics are missing out on God’s best for their lives. Since they aren’t engaged or serving they  lack the feeling of significance–it’s within this spiritual vacuum where this criticism is fueled.

Critics are unaware of their intent: “I’m just trying to help.”
Not every critique is an attack. Some people speak up and their words sting unintentionally when inflicting pain really wasn’t their motive. They genuinely want to help and honestly believe their comments are assisting the movement or ministry. These critics typically have an investment in your ministry (like a parent or volunteer) and sincerely want to see the ministry flourish.

A move toward compassion: It’s been our experience that it’s easier to feel compassion for these types of critics. They mean well, but they usually have poor tone and/or timing and a unguided sense of their own importance.

Critics have been gathering ammunition and need to shoot someone.
Some critics have been wounded and in their wounding have nursed grudges and gathered ammunition (some for many years). These types of critics tend to have several different targets and you just happened to be in sight when they released the ammo… lucky you. These types are the poster children for the old slogan: “Hurt people hurt people.”

A move toward compassion: These critics have a long history of negative baggage. As a leader, it is so difficult to have patience to wade through all their “stuff.” While it’s reality, it’s definitely unfair that you have to bear the brunt of their longstanding pain. On the bright side, the force of their criticism doesn’t belong to you, it has been transferred courtesy of their sinful resentment. Bottom line: it’s not about you… it’s all about them.

Critics are struggling with shame, guilt, and sin.
Let’s be honest, there are many folks within the church that are losing the struggle against their sin nature. When they lash out at others, it enables them to ignore their own problems (at least for a short time).

A move toward compassion: Everyone struggles with sin and when you realize that sin is the real and hidden issue behind their attacks it can ‘be  easier to be a leader/minister who can reflect the grace God has shown you (key word: “easier”…not “easy”).

Consider the last few criticisms that were aimed at you–where do you think they originated? Why did your critic squawk?

I am on the verge of a direction that now cannot be stopped.   The ball has been moving slowly but surely and now has picked up so much speed that nothing will stop it.   We are 6 days from the convergence of 1,700 young people coming together in Pursuit of Holy Living, Love and Peace!

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim 2:22

“To create momentum in your life “Never leave the scene of a decision without taking action” The action has to be 1) in support of your decision no matter how insignificant the action might seem, and 2) the action has to be something your willing to do right now.”

If your’re coasting, you’re either losing momentum or else you’re headed downhill.   - Joan Welsh

“The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable – and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power Who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.”   - George W Bush

Success comes from taking the initiative and following up… persisting… eloquently expressing the depth of your love. What simple action could you take today to produce a new momentum toward success in your life?    – Tony Robbins

Success requires first expending ten units of effort to produce one unit of results. Your momentum will then produce ten units of results with each unit of effort.    – Charles J. Givens

The world is wide, and I will not waste my life in friction when it could be turned into momentum.  – Frances E. Willard

LET THE CHASE BEGIN!    -  I personally will be praying for radical life change for this convergence of ‘next generation leaders.’

John Adams Says It Best:
“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”

“[July 4th] ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty.”

–John Adams in a letter written to Abigail on the day the Declaration was approved by Congress

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Generally it’s all about me!   Oh, stop!   For you, it’s all about YOU!   Let’s do something this week that will be totally freeing.  What a great way to spend Independence Day.   Let’s sacrifice SELF, for Someone Else!   I will brainstorm a bit and give you 10 Starters.   Chime In…After you read my 10, Share Yours!

1.  If you know someone has been away on Vacation who will soon be home, go to the grocery store and get them fresh milk, bread and eggs.  Leave a note, “Welcome HOME”

2.  Something bothering you in your neighborhood?   Engage and change it!   Mow a neighbor’s yard, take in their trash cans…Help your neighbor!

3.  Send an encouragement card in the mail, (Yes, snail mail, it will cost you 44cents) to someone who has touched your families life!  Let them know!

4.  Everyone loves the movies:  Buy your favorite couple movie tickets, if you wanna go for broke throw in the popcorn and soda!   Theater popcorn ROCKS!

5.  Are you going out to eat?  Then don’t be so cheap!   Your bill is $30.  You normally offer 15% – $4.50  (for some of you that may be a stretch) – Leave your server 20% – $6 or blow them away – 25% – $7.50

6.  Offer to pray with someone after you hear them share a tough circumstance they may be going through.   If you can offer to help them in a more physical way as well.

7.  Instead of selling the stuff you could normally sell on e-bay take it to your church and set up shop, but GIVE it away to people who could really use it!   Bless others with your ‘left overs.’

8.  Go to a retirement community and sit in the lounge area and ‘visit’ with an elderly person.   Often they are lonely.  You will be serving them.   The good news, they are wise and you might be the one who comes home with greater wisdom and joy.

9.  Next time you visit a family that has children.  Resist the urge to go straight to the ‘adult’ agenda, and resist the urge to watch tv, instead ask the children if they have a favorite book that you might read to them.   Or…perhaps a favorite coloring book, that you might color ‘together.’

10.   And very simply:  The next time you have pleasant ‘thoughts’ toward someone, release those thoughts that will soon be wasted and tell the person how you were touched or how much you appreciate them or what they just said or did! Remember, “What is rewarded will be repeated.”

YOUR TURN:   How will you make someone else’s day?