The Gospel Experiment

Well friends, the Sara McLachlan video World on Fire in the previous post has really whacked me over the head.

I called the post "The Gospel", because that's what I believe has transpired. (Bad grammar, but you get my drift.) I don't know what Sarah believes, but the spiritual element of her lyrics is impossible to ignore; they reach out and grab me.

Check out this from Fallen:

Heaven Bend to take my hand
And lead me through the fire
Be the long awaited answer
To a long and painful fight
Truth be told I tried my best
But somewhere long the way
I got caught up in all there was to offer
But the cost was so much more than I could bear

Though I've tried I've fallen
I have sunk so low
I messed up
Better I should know
So don't come round here and
Tell me I told you so

(Listen to the complete track here.)

Anyway, here's the word that comes to mind: Action. The cup of cold water, the widows and orphans - this is what we are to do. To paraphrase James, Sarah has put her money where her mouth is. I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that what I believe means less than nothing unless it translates into a corresponding change in behaviour.

In other words - Action.

Enough rambling - here's my proposal: You'll notice the Pay Pal "donate" button that has mysteriously apppeared over on the sidebar. No, I haven't resorted to begging... although it may come to that one day. I want to conduct "The Gospel Experiment". I would like everyone reading this to click that button and donate $10 in the currency of your choice to The Experiment. (Yes, you're welcome to send more if you wish.) When the experiment is over I'll send the money (all of it) to World Vision. (They're going to kill me at Global Action, but I think this should be "neutral", so the money can't go there.)

A couple of points - and allow me to be blunt:

+ Don't think about it - just click. ($10. That's the price of a couple of lattes and the cinnamon bun you shouldn't have had for breakfast.)

+ Don't pray about it - just click. (Have you read the paper? God has bigger issues to deal with today than your $10. "I'll pray about it" is a "holy cop-out", the Christian version of "I gave at the office".)

+ Please tell everyone you know to do the same. (Blogs, emails, word of mouth, graffiti, whatever.)

I don't want to be obnoxious about this, but I do want to see what we can accomplish as a group when we put our minds (and hearts) to it. Feel free to email me and let me know if you decide to participate.

Peace.

Comments

[robert]

I'm in.

[jen lemen]

i believe in this stuff, mike. i'm clicking right now.
i think it would be cool to initiate a web-project with micro-giving that adds up. my friend jesse is working on this...we should keep trying to encourage one another in these directions.

[Nathan Pederson]

My first reaction was...
Huh?!
Then...
hmmm... I don't know...
Soon to be followed by...
What a great idea!

Count me in.

[bobbie]

me too!

btw - i love world vision, but i personally wouldn't have thought badly of you for using global action - your ministry is as valid and important mike!

[dan]

Yeah, I am in too. Let us know how it goes.

[wilsonian]

I was praying about this very thing today... feeling overwhelmed about global need and not knowing what I could do about it.

And you gave me the opportunity to do something without guilting me, without making it difficult...

It's tough to make your belly full on good intentions.
Thanks, brother!

[anj]

I'm in. Also got my gift catologues for Christmas in the mail this week and wanted to add the links:

World Vision http://donate.wvus.org/OA_HTML/xxwvibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10024&beginIndex=

Chrisitain Children's Fund http://www.christianchildrensfund.org/gifts/

And Mike, I just have to say it, I never give without knowing the financials of an organization, or hearing the call of the Spirit. There is a lot of serving to be done, and I want to give it to those we use it well, or squander it on those whom Jesus calls me to. Great post.

[Deb]

Great idea Mike! I'm in.

[Chris]

okay...hard to say no to that one.

[Wes]

...to quote the words from a really olde pop song (of not near the depth of Sarah...)..."You got me babe!

[ronz]

I clicked. I'm wondering, Mike. Were you an evangelist in a former life. I can hear you intoning, "God bless you, I feel your click."

Seriously, it's a great idea. Rather than bemoaning the great that I can't do, I can do the little that I can. Thanks for the kick in the butt.

[Melinda]

Good stuff.
We're doing this at The Meeting House. We are beginning our "Faith and Action" tour in the next few weeks.

[robert]

Wes,
You may be a spiritual guru and wiser than Yoda but you need to keep up with the pop culture dude!
It's "I got you Babe"... written by everybody's favourite Republican the late, great Sonny Bono!

And Mike, for the record, the $C hit 79.33 cents today so don't be so quick to run your currency down.
Go Huskers.

[Barbie & Chris]

Rexy:
If it wasn't for you JustUs and Jaymeson would not have a sister named Vivan in Zambia who they love so very much, and talk about often. This is for her, and for all the other "brothers and sisters" at World Vision.

You continue to do great things. You continue to amaze us. And we continue to be proud of you, and love you brother. Be well.

[Brad]

Mike,

Aren't you forgetting something? Aren't you supposed to promise me that if I send $10 to you God will reward me with $20? It's the same deal I've been trying to work with Robert to no evail.

Seriously, fantastic idea!

[robert]

(I knew the Go Huskers would get his attention)

[Mike]

You can have his attention... I'll take his 10 bucks.

[Danielle]

Great point Mike.
Action really does matter.. even small beginnings can have great effect. I'll pray that you are able to join with the body in smashing poverty in the teeth and snatching the victims from it's grasp!
I remember hearing an interview with a BBC reporter and Mother Theresa. The reporter found her a bit idealistic and naive and disdainfully asked if she really thought she was able to solve the world hunger problem... she simply said 'yes'. He was baffled by her quick and solid response. He replied, 'how do you figure you can?' - she said, "simple. I'll just feed one hungry person at a time."
Grace.
Danielle.