I received a call from one of our friends in Kansas City who has a Donor Advised Fund with Servant Christian Community Foundation http://www.servantchristian.com/web/Individuals_and_Families/open_a_fund.asp. The fun part about Donor Advised Funds is that anyone can have one and this allows us to give money and raise money to support our causes. We have some families that have burdens for orphanages, missions, clean water or feeding the poor. Our ministry friend called idonate.com and let them know that he had someone interested in donating some precious metals to benefit his donor-advised fund. This is where http://www.idonate.com/ comes in; they are experts in taking noncash donations and liquidating them on behalf of his Donor Advised Fund. I had a good conversation with the donor, who lived in a different city, and made arrangements to receive the donation, and I quickly entered his information on http://www.idonate.com/; we call it "The Donation Station."
When a donation is entered into "The Donation Station," the donor and the ministry or fund holder gets an email confirming the donation and each party (the donor and recipient ministry) receive a confirmation email and a log in to view the donation information. Each party also receives the ability to view the progress and eventual liquidation on the donation. It is a very nice feature for both the donor and the recipient charity because they can be updated when it is convenient to them and not be burdened with the worry on what to do with noncash donation.
The people at idonate.com like to think that they keep ministries and charities freed up to focus more on their ministry and less on fund raising.
Here is the viral part.....
The next day, I received a call from a friend of the donor who happened to run a ministry that welcomed returning soldiers at the airports across the country. He was excited to tell her about this idonate.com web site that allows ministries to take in noncash donations from anywhere in the U.S. by partnering with idonate.com and placing a donation link on their web site. This was a great benefit to this small ministry because they did not have the staff to receive and liquidate noncash donations. I spoke with this ministry leader, and they had great excitement about subscribing to idonate.com.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Here Is a Year-End Exercise You Will Enjoy!
Here is a great article written by Abiah.com that talks about the vision of Bill Bright, the late founder of Campus Crusade, and how the Jesus Film project was funded. We too can write the vision down that God gives us and see provision come as we obey God. This is a great year-end exercise that we can use as an individual or as an organization.
YEAR-END EXERCISE
The propensity of the majority is to react. The prevailing desire to please causes many individuals to adapt in order to accommodate others. The same is true in business. The result is a loss of identity, the compromising of our brand, and a migration to non-threatening mediocrity.
Greatness stands out. It is different than the ordinary, it is bold and distinctive. But the trend is always toward the center, and great people as well as great companies lose something over time when their focus is shifted away from vision to all the obstacles that prevent achieving it.
In 1979, Bill Bright, the founder and former president of Campus Crusade for Christ, commissioned The Jesus Film, a feature-length documentary of the Life of Christ. It was the first step of a multi-phased plan to share the gospel with the people of the world.
The vision was staggering. On a planet with a population of over 5 billion many responded with shrugged shoulders seeing the project as being too big, too expensive, and impossible to execute.
Undeterred, Bill assembled a team and together they created a strategy that led to the successful completion of the goal. Within a 15-year window over 5.1 billion have viewed the film in almost every country in the world. Translated in 786 languages, The Jesus Film quickly became the most widely translated film in history.
Bill Bright lived in a different world. He could “see” millions watching the film in their own languages. These people lived in cities and in jungles; some were easily accessible and others required arduous journeys into some of the most remote villages on earth.
Bill Bright went to be with the Lord on July 19, 2003. His vision had been realized; millions had embraced the Christ of The Jesus Film.
Keeping your focus requires articulating it. As you end the year, why not take a few minutes to respond to the following questions:
1. What would be different 10 years from now if you were totally successful in fulfilling your life’s mission? Be specific in your response.
2. What would your customers or clients look like in ten years? How would they be different because of the services you provide?
3. How would the community in which you live be different? How would the world be different if you were to achieve total success?
4. What will your company or ministry look like in 10 years?
Success begins with a clear vision and the best way to bring clarity is to write it down. This is the essential beginning of a process that will lead to objective assessment of where you are and the development of a brand and strategy to take you where you want to be.
Along the way you’ll be invited to compromise, to lower your expectations. You might hear that “it can’t be done” or “you must be more realistic.” Bill Bright was told his vision was far too big and Thomas Edison failed over 6,000 times before perfecting the light bulb. When a young journalist approached Edison asking “Why do you keep trying to make light by using electricity when you have failed so many times? he responded, “Young man, don’t you realize that I have not failed but have successfully discovered six thousand ways that won’t work!”
The pathway to success is arduous. The majority in the world refuses to pay the price for achievement but there is little to enjoy apart from the faith, energy, and hard work that is required to gain it. Will you follow or lead? That’s the question to ponder as you approach the challenging year ahead.
YEAR-END EXERCISE
The propensity of the majority is to react. The prevailing desire to please causes many individuals to adapt in order to accommodate others. The same is true in business. The result is a loss of identity, the compromising of our brand, and a migration to non-threatening mediocrity.
Greatness stands out. It is different than the ordinary, it is bold and distinctive. But the trend is always toward the center, and great people as well as great companies lose something over time when their focus is shifted away from vision to all the obstacles that prevent achieving it.
In 1979, Bill Bright, the founder and former president of Campus Crusade for Christ, commissioned The Jesus Film, a feature-length documentary of the Life of Christ. It was the first step of a multi-phased plan to share the gospel with the people of the world.
The vision was staggering. On a planet with a population of over 5 billion many responded with shrugged shoulders seeing the project as being too big, too expensive, and impossible to execute.
Undeterred, Bill assembled a team and together they created a strategy that led to the successful completion of the goal. Within a 15-year window over 5.1 billion have viewed the film in almost every country in the world. Translated in 786 languages, The Jesus Film quickly became the most widely translated film in history.
Bill Bright lived in a different world. He could “see” millions watching the film in their own languages. These people lived in cities and in jungles; some were easily accessible and others required arduous journeys into some of the most remote villages on earth.
Bill Bright went to be with the Lord on July 19, 2003. His vision had been realized; millions had embraced the Christ of The Jesus Film.
Keeping your focus requires articulating it. As you end the year, why not take a few minutes to respond to the following questions:
1. What would be different 10 years from now if you were totally successful in fulfilling your life’s mission? Be specific in your response.
2. What would your customers or clients look like in ten years? How would they be different because of the services you provide?
3. How would the community in which you live be different? How would the world be different if you were to achieve total success?
4. What will your company or ministry look like in 10 years?
Success begins with a clear vision and the best way to bring clarity is to write it down. This is the essential beginning of a process that will lead to objective assessment of where you are and the development of a brand and strategy to take you where you want to be.
Along the way you’ll be invited to compromise, to lower your expectations. You might hear that “it can’t be done” or “you must be more realistic.” Bill Bright was told his vision was far too big and Thomas Edison failed over 6,000 times before perfecting the light bulb. When a young journalist approached Edison asking “Why do you keep trying to make light by using electricity when you have failed so many times? he responded, “Young man, don’t you realize that I have not failed but have successfully discovered six thousand ways that won’t work!”
The pathway to success is arduous. The majority in the world refuses to pay the price for achievement but there is little to enjoy apart from the faith, energy, and hard work that is required to gain it. Will you follow or lead? That’s the question to ponder as you approach the challenging year ahead.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
What happens with recycled materials?
As you have read in our past post on this blog, I have been spending a lot of emphasis on recycled materials as an opportunity for donations for charities. The amount paid for all types of recyclables has dropped drastically in the past 4 months. This is not all bad! While prices were high, thousands of little start-up recycling businesses were popping up just to make a quick buck on the opportunity. Just like any financial trend, it is those who have a long-term vision and are willing to plan for the long haul that will succeed. Now that the price of recyclables has dropped many of these overnight businesses have closed their doors so the opportunity for charities is to position themselves to receive recyclable when the markets rebound.
Here is a fascinating utube video that will show you the recycle process.
How does a charity position itself?
#1 Regularly mention in your newsletters to your donor base about your ability to receive noncash donations such as cars (running or not), jewelry, collectibles, business inventory and recyclables. It will take several months of continuing to remind your donor base of these types of opportunities until you will see noncash donations being offered.
#2 Consider using media outlets such as billboard space, radio spots or newsprint. If you are a public charity, many times media outlets and billboard companies will offer public service advertising for free for charities when space is available. One thing to remember, you get what you pay for! If you want good ad space or good radio spots or good billboards, you will need to pay for it.
#3 Talk about noncash donation whenever you are speaking with your donors. This especially holds true when talking with board members, major donors, core donors and anyone interested in supporting your charity. The idea of noncash donations is very viral and as you tell as many people whom you have influence with, they will tell the people they know and before you know it, you will have a regular stream of noncash donations to supplement your cash donor base.
One of the neat things about noncash donations whether they are recyclables, unused items or overstock, the donation is usually a win win for the donor and the recipient charity. Always remember that www.idonate.com is always there to help liquidate noncash donations. They are also there to advise in what donations you should or should not receive. Please go to their web site www.idonate.com to learn more or you can give them a call at 913-538-7850. You can subscribe to a noncash donations web site giving link for $45 per month that will allow your donors to offer noncash donations and they will be able to assess and liquidate the donations while allowing your charity to monitor the progress and give input where needed.
Here is a fascinating utube video that will show you the recycle process.
How does a charity position itself?
#1 Regularly mention in your newsletters to your donor base about your ability to receive noncash donations such as cars (running or not), jewelry, collectibles, business inventory and recyclables. It will take several months of continuing to remind your donor base of these types of opportunities until you will see noncash donations being offered.
#2 Consider using media outlets such as billboard space, radio spots or newsprint. If you are a public charity, many times media outlets and billboard companies will offer public service advertising for free for charities when space is available. One thing to remember, you get what you pay for! If you want good ad space or good radio spots or good billboards, you will need to pay for it.
#3 Talk about noncash donation whenever you are speaking with your donors. This especially holds true when talking with board members, major donors, core donors and anyone interested in supporting your charity. The idea of noncash donations is very viral and as you tell as many people whom you have influence with, they will tell the people they know and before you know it, you will have a regular stream of noncash donations to supplement your cash donor base.
One of the neat things about noncash donations whether they are recyclables, unused items or overstock, the donation is usually a win win for the donor and the recipient charity. Always remember that www.idonate.com is always there to help liquidate noncash donations. They are also there to advise in what donations you should or should not receive. Please go to their web site www.idonate.com to learn more or you can give them a call at 913-538-7850. You can subscribe to a noncash donations web site giving link for $45 per month that will allow your donors to offer noncash donations and they will be able to assess and liquidate the donations while allowing your charity to monitor the progress and give input where needed.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Medical Center Changes Computers - An Opportunity for Generosity
We have recently worked with an IT contracting company that had donated multiple pieces of surplus networking equipment that we were able to contract with a consignment company to sell them. When it was all said and done, there was a nice donation to benefit an inner-city ministry in Kansas City.
After establishing this relationship with this IT company, we recently received a call from them offering a donation from one of their clients, a local hospital. The local medical center was changing out 140 of their computer units and was offering them as a donation minus the hard drives (most companies require that hard drives are destroyed before they're donated to protect hospital data.) Even without a hard drive, newer computers still have resale value and can be sold to be rebuilt.
We often see these wonderful phenomena, what we call viral marketing. By building good relationships with donors and liquidators, word gets around about the joy of generosity!
After establishing this relationship with this IT company, we recently received a call from them offering a donation from one of their clients, a local hospital. The local medical center was changing out 140 of their computer units and was offering them as a donation minus the hard drives (most companies require that hard drives are destroyed before they're donated to protect hospital data.) Even without a hard drive, newer computers still have resale value and can be sold to be rebuilt.
We often see these wonderful phenomena, what we call viral marketing. By building good relationships with donors and liquidators, word gets around about the joy of generosity!
Merry Christmas, December 2008 Update
Greetings, Friends:Another Christmas season has come and even though we face greater challenges as a nation than we have seen for many years, Jesus is just as loving and powerful as ever. What a wonderful opportunity we have to grow in our faith and see God’s provision. Just as Abraham was walking to the top of the mountain and told Isaac that God would supply a sacrifice, we too can take courage. As we walk in obedience, we will see God’s provision in the Mountain of the Lord. Genesis 22:14.
“Jane” the Recording Artist
Janey and Benjamin are doing well. To the left you see the cover of her CD. We had an old cassette tape she made back in 1992. I thought it would be nice to have it duplicated on CD. Janey sings several well-known hymns and songs of faith that are very easy to sing along with. If you would like a copy, we would gladly send it to you, just write us a note.
Benjamin is doing excellent in Home School and is learning to be a great chess player. I was playing him the other night and he sneaked around and captured my King and I wasn’t going easy on him to let him win either.
I asked Jesus to live in my heart!
Last week as we were driving home from church Benjamin told us that in children’s church that he prayed a very simple pray and he was very serious about the prayer. He said that he asked Jesus to come and live in his heart. We obviously were very blessed. God’s wonderful love has drawn Benjamin to have a relationship with Him for eternity.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Electronic Waste, Electronic Recycling: a Donation Option
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Donation of electronics is becoming more of an option for companies and individuals because of recycling. Electronic items such as computers, monitors, TVs, cell phones, servers, computer cabling, server decks, printers, copiers, etc., are becoming more economical to recycle. TVs are becoming more of an environmental hazard especially after the conversion from analog to digital goes into effect in February of 2009; the amount of e-waste will surely grow significantly. Electronic scrap is being collected in larger and larger volumes and is the fastest growing segment of the recycling stream.
Some of the responsible factors are from the cost of raw materials continuing to rise making it environmentally viable for recycling to extract the metals in printed circuit boards. Also, there is a need to increase security to ensure safe data destruction when companies replace computer units. As we look to the future, more and more states are passing legislation mandating reductions in the amount of hazardous waste in the waste stream. New technologies are making it much more cost effective to recycle e-waste profitably, which in essence creates an entire new industry.
Electronic scrap can be difficult to process and to sort. Some of the methods currently being used are state of the art with optical separators, electro-static separators, sink-float, hydro-cyclones, density separators, magnets and eddy current separators and air tables.
If you or your company has a surplus of electronic units, consider the opportunity to donate them to benefit a nonprofit. Donated electronics can be properly processed without compromising security or the environment. You can learn more about donating electronics to our ministry foundation equipment by going to the top right of this blog and click "Donate a NonCash Donation" and the instructions will follow.
Some of the responsible factors are from the cost of raw materials continuing to rise making it environmentally viable for recycling to extract the metals in printed circuit boards. Also, there is a need to increase security to ensure safe data destruction when companies replace computer units. As we look to the future, more and more states are passing legislation mandating reductions in the amount of hazardous waste in the waste stream. New technologies are making it much more cost effective to recycle e-waste profitably, which in essence creates an entire new industry.
Electronic scrap can be difficult to process and to sort. Some of the methods currently being used are state of the art with optical separators, electro-static separators, sink-float, hydro-cyclones, density separators, magnets and eddy current separators and air tables.
If you or your company has a surplus of electronic units, consider the opportunity to donate them to benefit a nonprofit. Donated electronics can be properly processed without compromising security or the environment. You can learn more about donating electronics to our ministry foundation equipment by going to the top right of this blog and click "Donate a NonCash Donation" and the instructions will follow.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
You too can be a superhero. Generosity saves lives!
Benjamin is very interested in superheros these days. I think all little boys dream of being a superhero and all of us at one time maybe tied a bath towel around our neck and dreamed of flying through the air and crushing the villains and saving the innocent.
I think God has put in all of us the desire to be a superhero. What is a superhero? I think a superhero is someone who sees a need and allows God's burden to move their heart and then as we begin to cry out to God to save the helpless and hopeless, God calls us to give our lives to the cause.
Jesus was the greatest superhero and he said in John 14:12; "these things that I do, you shall do also and greater things than these you will do because I go to my father."
I think that all God is expecting us to do is make ourselves available to something much bigger than we are and this is the heart of what idonate.com and Servant Christian Community Foundation is all about: helping people to become superheros. There are families that I have met who have opened a Donor Advised Fund within our organization to that they can raise support for their cause. It may be missions, orphanages, ministry to the poor, ministry to youth and our children. Ask God for that compelling vision and begin to trust Him and pray that you will be able to fund that vision. Put a banner on your vehicle, "Donate your car boat, RV, timeshare to ABC Foundation." Share your vision; you may be surprised at who will help fund that vision. In studies about donors and donations; statistics clearly show that donors are more prone to donate to a compelling vision than they are to a need. Don't get me wrong; Americans are the world's greatest givers in times of need, but after all the newscasts leave a disaster area and the hype dies down, donations drop drastically. When we as donor continue to see a compelling vision that is before us on a regular basis, we give to support that vision.
What is the ministry that we can give to that has the best return on investment? I asked the missionary statesman George Verwer last month while attending one of his area meetings. George said that there are many great opportunities for us to give our funds to but the best one to give to is the one that God by His Holy Spirit tells us to give to. God truly does know how to spread the wealth around because He owns it all anyway and our assignment as Christians is to take care of God's money until He tells us what to do with it!
Be a Superhero Today; Give Generously!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Mobile Home for Missions
We have a new first; a mobile home! We received a call from a woman in Chicago who had recently lost her uncle and her father was the heir to his estate. The donor willed his trailer house to his brother. Distressed from the trauma of losing his brother, the new owner did not want to go through the hassle of selling the mobile home as well as paying the lot rent while it sells. As he spoke with his daughter, they decided to donate the trailer home to benefit Wycliffe Bible Translators. This mobile home is the perfect snowbird haven, and it is located very close to the Gulf of Mexico near Ft. Myer. We are hoping to sell the mobile home quickly so we have priced it to sell; $7900 and it is totally furnished. A potential snowbird buyer could come down with only a suitcase and move in and would only be responsible for the lot rent after buying the mobile home. Best of all, the donor will leave a legacy of helping Wycliffe Bible Translators to print a Bible for every people group. Other options are on the table for Wycliffe as well. If a retiring missionary couple needs a nice and inexpensive place to retire, this trailer can also benefit them as well.
Stone Medallions (A building donation):
We were recently contacted by a ministry in Plano, Texas, that received a very unique noncash donation two years ago from a Dallas stone flooring company. They were given eight stone floor medallions. These medallions are found in very elegant homes that have large entryways and often will be the focal point of the entry of the home. To say the least, these are very difficult to sell and especially difficult to sell anywhere near their retail value. Each of these stone medallions is worth about $1,500 retail. After doing some research, I found a flooring company that specializes in stone and they agreed to consign these medallions. Because these medallions are very much custom and anyone who buys one will want to build a color scheme around them, Ebay won’t help on these. Only a retail showroom is the way prospective buyers will be able to not only see the medallion but touch it as well. I have learned not to get too proud of myself when I am able to liquidate a complicated inventory; as soon as I start to relax, something harder comes along.
Thurman Mitchell Leadership Awards (A celebration of ministry and generosity):
Every November on the first Monday, Servant Christian Community Foundation holds its annual Thurman Mitchell Leadership Awards banquet. SCCF will grant out $144,000 to 22 different ministries. The grants will range from $2000 to one winner of $25,000. The event is designed to be a celebration of ministry and a celebration of generosity. This year's top winner was Urban Scholastic Center. USC is a ministry founded by Chuck Allen, a former public school teacher. Chuck realized that the public schools were very limited because all that they are designed to do is to give students knowledge but that the greater need is to develop character and leadership. USC is a Christ-centered ministry that is located in low-income neighborhoods of Kansas City, Kansas.
Steel Prices (a lesson in adversity):
With the recent economic slowdown, there are beginning to be adverse effects in the salvage steel industry. For the past couple of years, I have been researching ways that idonate.com can process junk vehicles and come out with enough proceeds to truly benefit the charities that we serve. Until recently, junk cars could bring an average of $200 a piece just from the parts and steel value. When the economic slowdown began, steel prices plummeted, going from around $300 per ton to its current level of $50 per ton. No businesses are buying steel and there is a tremendous strain on the entire scrap steel industry.
I was recently visiting with one of our junk car buyers, End of Life Vehicles. My contact is Paul Coon. Paul was saying there are advantages to this slowdown. When steel went up to $300 per ton, hundreds of fly-by-night junk car buyers came out of the woodwork. Some even bought a tow truck just to take advantage to make a quick buck, often picking up the junk cars for free and then quickly selling them at a tremendous profit. With the $50 per ton price, these fly-by-nighters are quickly going by the wayside because they can’t even pay for their fuel with the sale of the junk cars.
I guess that we as Christians can take away the same thing as we struggle to make ends meet or struggle to understand the political turmoil in our country. When we survive the crisis, we are much stronger in the battle. I truly believe effective military units are not really effective until they have gone through difficult battles, Once they are battle tested, they are much, much stronger! Let us learn from adversity. Since we can’t do anything about it, we can learn from the steel industry.
I was recently visiting with one of our junk car buyers, End of Life Vehicles. My contact is Paul Coon. Paul was saying there are advantages to this slowdown. When steel went up to $300 per ton, hundreds of fly-by-night junk car buyers came out of the woodwork. Some even bought a tow truck just to take advantage to make a quick buck, often picking up the junk cars for free and then quickly selling them at a tremendous profit. With the $50 per ton price, these fly-by-nighters are quickly going by the wayside because they can’t even pay for their fuel with the sale of the junk cars.
I guess that we as Christians can take away the same thing as we struggle to make ends meet or struggle to understand the political turmoil in our country. When we survive the crisis, we are much stronger in the battle. I truly believe effective military units are not really effective until they have gone through difficult battles, Once they are battle tested, they are much, much stronger! Let us learn from adversity. Since we can’t do anything about it, we can learn from the steel industry.
Awana Update (Ben, the man of God in training!):
Benjamin is just flying through his AWANA booklet. He will probably finish it by the end of the year and won’t be able to go to the next book until next fall. In the meanwhile, next January, our home church will begin a Royal Ranger’s program that is especially designed for boys. This will be a good opportunity for Benjamin to grow in his walk with the Lord and I will be assisting as well. The children’s pastor at our church told us that half of the families that bring their children to the children’s classes don’t have a dad at home. Again this just re-emphasizes the importance of male role models especially in the younger years. Even in the volunteering Janey and I do for AWANA, the encouragement you can have with children can be tremendous and most of that is just by paying special attention to them and helping them to learn God’s Word.
Harvest Festival (Celebrating Reformation Day!):
On October 31 we celebrated Reformation Day (the day that Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses on the door of the Church at Wittenberg) as well as celebrating my birthday. We celebrated by helping at the Harvest Festival hosted by our home church, Antioch Family Worship Center. There were many games, bounce houses, inflatable slides as well as loads of candy. My job was to go to each station and refill their candy buckets and it was all we could do to keep them full. Each station would give out three pieces of candy to each participant. Janey and Ben worked in the black light room and they hosted a styrofoam bowling game. All in all we were able to be a blessing to the families in the community and we hope to see many of visit our church during a Sunday service.
Hotel Room Donations (Every good and perfect gift comes from God!)
I am currently working with a national ministry, assisting them with a process to receive and liquidate 5000 hotel room nights donated by a resort hotel. The recipient organization is a mission organization so I am especially excited to come up with a plan. Our hope is that the donating hotel will allow us to list the rooms on one of the hotel booking websites like Priceline or Hotwire and then we will be able to track these rooms and the hotel will be able to forward the proceeds to the ministry's fund that we host at Servant Christian Community Foundation. The more that I serve at Servant Christian Community Foundation and idonate.com, the more I believe that God’s work can be funded in any economy as long as we remain humble and ask God for wisdom. He may lead us to ask for a noncash gift and by God’s grace, we will have a process in place that can be used over and over again. Giving is fun! Creative receiving is fun as well; God is not limited by anyone’s checkbook. Every good and perfect gift comes from God above!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Nelson Atkins Art Museum
Benjamin is becoming a very good artist and seems to do very well with color and detail. Kansas City is fortunate to have one of the best art museums in the Midwest. The museum is divided into several sections with classical art from the renaissance period, ancient art as well as contemporary art. It makes it very nice to be homeschooling Benjamin because we have a say in what type of art he studies. My mom has been working with Ben to learn how to paint with water colors and Benjamin is getting a good collection. Our major emphasis as parent educators is to teach Benjamin not only the essential subjects like Bible, math, science, reading, history, art, PE, and grammar but to make learning a joy because if Benjamin can always love and enjoy learning, he will be a lifelong learner!
Father and Son Campout!
Bennie and I were able to take part in the annual Father and Son campout hosted by our church. The temperature was in the 30s that night, and we had to fumble around in the dark with flashlights, but we had great fun sitting around the campfire roasting marshmallows. The following day we had an early breakfast of dry cereal, biscuits and gravy as well as a pop tart. After our group bible study time, we had a full day of flag football, dodge ball and even got to throw rocks in the lake.
Benjamin was very excited to be old enough to go on this camp out (6 years old) and even though he took a hard shot to the head and gut with the dodge ball along with a couple of other minor injuries he really enjoyed the weekend. My back couldn't take much more of all of the fun so I told Bennie we could go to Chuck E. Cheese on the way home and play the arcade games.
Reclaimed Maple Floor a Green Recyclable Donation
One of the more interesting donations that I am currently working on is reclaimed maple flooring that was removed from a double-sized gymnasium. Reclaimed floor has grown in popularity in recent years because of the growing green movement. This amount of reclaimed flooring can accommoidate three to five homes.
These types of donations are especially valuable not only for their monetary value but for their story value that allows us to spread the word to donors and charities alike. There is amazing opportunity for ministries to fund their budgets and projects with noncash donation and many times the donation is a win win for the donor as well as the ministry. As time goes on, green donations are going to be a greater opportunity for charities as recycling processes become more efficient and the cost of raw materials continues to rise. Some of the possibilities for recycled donations are: Steel, copper, aluminum, plastics, building materials and computers (without monitors.)
These types of donations are especially valuable not only for their monetary value but for their story value that allows us to spread the word to donors and charities alike. There is amazing opportunity for ministries to fund their budgets and projects with noncash donation and many times the donation is a win win for the donor as well as the ministry. As time goes on, green donations are going to be a greater opportunity for charities as recycling processes become more efficient and the cost of raw materials continues to rise. Some of the possibilities for recycled donations are: Steel, copper, aluminum, plastics, building materials and computers (without monitors.)
Excursion in Alaska, a Perfect Place for a Donation
A Ford Excursion has the distinction of being the biggest SUV on the planet. In a world of high gas prices it can be very expensive to operate. Recently, a donor in Alaska wanted to donate their Excursion 4wd, diesel to benefit a church planting ministry in Asia. It is fortunate that the vehicle is in Anchorage, Alaska, because that is one of the few areas of the country where there is a market for these vehicles. In the winters of Anchorage, you don’t want to dare get stranded in the cold. With the deep snow, the bigger your vehicle the better because there isn’t much room for compromise at 50 below zero. Alaskans have to make a much larger investment for transportation than the rest of the 48 states. We are very blessed to have found the perfect car dealer in Anchorage that can sell the vehicle for us. Pray for us and the donor that we are able to maximize the value of this donation so that many people will have the honor to hear the Gospel. If you would like to donate a vehicle to help the Erwin Family Ministries, click on the link below
http://www.creativegivingsolutions.com/?org_id=&org_id=Erwin .
Your donations help us be a blessing to the unsung heros, the servants to the servants!
http://www.creativegivingsolutions.com/?org_id=&org_id=Erwin .
Your donations help us be a blessing to the unsung heros, the servants to the servants!
Inventory Donation Benefits Orphans; A Family With a God-Given Burden!
Recently we received word of a corporation in New York that was offering a business inventory donation to one of our family foundations. This inventory comsists of electrical supplies from a large distributor that was consolidating their warehouse by taking slow moving and discontinued stock off of the shelves and storing it in the container. Even though this is old stock, it is still very valuable in the electrical wholesale market!
The most amazing thing about the story of this donation is the amazing way God works through anyone who has a true burden for the poor, the widow and the orphan.
4 years ago an 18 year old girl began working with her parents to bring awareness of the plight of orphans. By working with Servant Christian Community Foundation, they set up a Family Foundation called Hopes Heart Orphan Foundation and since their beginning, they have granted out over $100,000 to orphan ministries. That is why this inventory donation is so significant! It shows how a family with limited resources and a servant's heart can really make a difference for the poorest of the poor: orphans.
We don’t know how this inventory donation will turn out. The company in question is still working to obtain permission to actually give the product but what a story! Do you have a burden for the hurting? Has God given you something that is bigger than you can do? Take a look at hope’s heart and be encouraged because God wants to do something great with your life. All you have to do is let Him!
The most amazing thing about the story of this donation is the amazing way God works through anyone who has a true burden for the poor, the widow and the orphan.
4 years ago an 18 year old girl began working with her parents to bring awareness of the plight of orphans. By working with Servant Christian Community Foundation, they set up a Family Foundation called Hopes Heart Orphan Foundation and since their beginning, they have granted out over $100,000 to orphan ministries. That is why this inventory donation is so significant! It shows how a family with limited resources and a servant's heart can really make a difference for the poorest of the poor: orphans.
We don’t know how this inventory donation will turn out. The company in question is still working to obtain permission to actually give the product but what a story! Do you have a burden for the hurting? Has God given you something that is bigger than you can do? Take a look at hope’s heart and be encouraged because God wants to do something great with your life. All you have to do is let Him!
Prayer of Jabez, A 6-Year-Old's Version
Our son Benjamin is growing quickly in the love and knowledge of the Lord. Not only is he an AWANA superstar but he is also a superhero in training. The other day I was working at the office and he was with me writing something on a piece of paper. He handed it to me, and as I read it I noticed that it looked familiar. It was the prayer of Jabez, 1 Chronicles 4:10. Ben had copied it off of a business card holder that had the prayer inscribed on it.
It is interesting that as I read the prayer, I have to focus a little harder to make out the words. It reminds me of the powerful truth that God inspired: Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!' And God granted him what he requested." May we allow God's blessing to come to us by living a life of obedience and growing love and intimacy with God. Every good and perfect gift comes from God.
It is interesting that as I read the prayer, I have to focus a little harder to make out the words. It reminds me of the powerful truth that God inspired: Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, 'Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!' And God granted him what he requested." May we allow God's blessing to come to us by living a life of obedience and growing love and intimacy with God. Every good and perfect gift comes from God.
What is the best investment in missions? Being a Servant!
I was privileged to attend a meeting where George Verwer was speaking last night. George is one of the leading statesmen for world missions and the founder of Operation Mobilization, an organization founded in 1957. OM began after the missionary revivals of Wheaton and Moody College after the death of missionary martyrs Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, Nate Saint, and Roger Youderian. These were killed while working amongst the Auca Indians of Ecuador.
OM has recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and since their beginning they have sent over 140,000 people on full-time or short-term missions. OM also was where a 16-year-old K. P. Yohannan began by preaching the Gospel in North India. After seven years with OM, K. P. Yohannan came to the United States and attended Criswell Bible Institute in Dallas, Texas. After his graduation he founded Gospel for Asia. Over 70 other mission organizations have found their roots from OM.
During the meeting we were allowed to ask questions of George Verwer, and I asked him what he thought the best investment is right now in the area of missions, “the best bang for your buck” so to speak. George was very wise to say that is clearly guiding donors in investing their resources as the Holy Spirit leads them. He went on to remind us of the Dalits of India, human slave trade, the AIDS epidemic, and clean drinking water. George especially acknowledged the importance of demonstrating our faith through preaching the Gospel without compromise and ministering to the needs of the poor and then he finished the answer with a powerful statement: “PEOPLE SEE CHRIST IN US MORE WHEN THEY SEE US AS SERVANTS” because Christ was a Servant!
OM has recently celebrated their 50th anniversary and since their beginning they have sent over 140,000 people on full-time or short-term missions. OM also was where a 16-year-old K. P. Yohannan began by preaching the Gospel in North India. After seven years with OM, K. P. Yohannan came to the United States and attended Criswell Bible Institute in Dallas, Texas. After his graduation he founded Gospel for Asia. Over 70 other mission organizations have found their roots from OM.
During the meeting we were allowed to ask questions of George Verwer, and I asked him what he thought the best investment is right now in the area of missions, “the best bang for your buck” so to speak. George was very wise to say that is clearly guiding donors in investing their resources as the Holy Spirit leads them. He went on to remind us of the Dalits of India, human slave trade, the AIDS epidemic, and clean drinking water. George especially acknowledged the importance of demonstrating our faith through preaching the Gospel without compromise and ministering to the needs of the poor and then he finished the answer with a powerful statement: “PEOPLE SEE CHRIST IN US MORE WHEN THEY SEE US AS SERVANTS” because Christ was a Servant!
Auto Parts Help During Disaster?
We have recently partnered with a disaster relief organization that stages supplies and manpower whenever a disaster strikes in the USA or worldwide. This organization has recently received a large auto parts inventory that we are currently liquidating on behalf of the charity.
Whether it is hurricane Gustov or Ike or the tornado in Greensburg, these faith-based organizations are extremely important during disasters. Where there are enormous needs, these organizations are filling in the gap where the government organizations can’t.
When a disaster strikes, corporations offer large quantities of “In Kind” donations like water, blankets, shoes, and food. Sometimes donations are offered that are not helpful for the relief effort but are still valuable. In the past, these organizations turn down these donations but this where iDonate.com comes in. These in- kind donations can be sold for cash providing funds for expense of mobilizing the volunteers and supplies.
There is always a great call during these disasters is for cash donations not only for the victims but also for the organizations that are serving them. Liquidating qualified donations makes a lot of sense, not only for businesses that have overstocks but for the relief organizations themselves.
One of the great values iDonate.com brings to organization is “Creativity!” As we continually learn new ideas for receiving and liquidating noncash donations, we are able to pass that expertise on to other ministries in their fund-raising efforts.
Whether it is hurricane Gustov or Ike or the tornado in Greensburg, these faith-based organizations are extremely important during disasters. Where there are enormous needs, these organizations are filling in the gap where the government organizations can’t.
When a disaster strikes, corporations offer large quantities of “In Kind” donations like water, blankets, shoes, and food. Sometimes donations are offered that are not helpful for the relief effort but are still valuable. In the past, these organizations turn down these donations but this where iDonate.com comes in. These in- kind donations can be sold for cash providing funds for expense of mobilizing the volunteers and supplies.
There is always a great call during these disasters is for cash donations not only for the victims but also for the organizations that are serving them. Liquidating qualified donations makes a lot of sense, not only for businesses that have overstocks but for the relief organizations themselves.
One of the great values iDonate.com brings to organization is “Creativity!” As we continually learn new ideas for receiving and liquidating noncash donations, we are able to pass that expertise on to other ministries in their fund-raising efforts.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
What will happen in the future?
I would imagine that I am not the only one asking that question after the wild events of last week. Many of us worry about our investments or 401Ks and the world financial markets. Some speak of the coming one-world government that would begin the end times.
But as I think about it, there is probably a mother in Sudan watching her child die of starvation. There is a family in Orrisa in India fearing for their lives because a fellow church member was burned alive in the last couple of days. There is a family in Haiti that fears starvation and disease because the tiny shack that they once called home has now disappeared.
For many in the world, they are living in the end times, they don't know if today will be their last and they are helpless to do anything about it. I pray that as a nation that we don't have to lose what we have in order to appreciate what God has given us. Now is the day more than ever that I must live my Christian faith and do all that I can to marshal as many resources for God's work around the world.
There is a man named Dr. David Barret along with Dr. Todd M. Johnson who has compiled very amazing statistics concerning world population and the growth of the church as it pertains to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20.) http://www.gcts.edu/ockenga/globalchristianity/resources.php
Some of the noteworthy statistics are:
10,000 unevangelized people groups who have no Christian witness.
There are 2.1 billion people in the world that have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1.1 billion people in the world are not able to read or write.
Over 2 billion people in the world are under 15 years old.
Christians have a combined income of 18 trillion dollars.
175,000 Christians will give their lives this year for their faith.
These numbers give me a new perspective, and they tell me that the God who made a universe so vast that even the greatest minds on earth cannot fathom it can take care of our tomorrows.
But as I think about it, there is probably a mother in Sudan watching her child die of starvation. There is a family in Orrisa in India fearing for their lives because a fellow church member was burned alive in the last couple of days. There is a family in Haiti that fears starvation and disease because the tiny shack that they once called home has now disappeared.
For many in the world, they are living in the end times, they don't know if today will be their last and they are helpless to do anything about it. I pray that as a nation that we don't have to lose what we have in order to appreciate what God has given us. Now is the day more than ever that I must live my Christian faith and do all that I can to marshal as many resources for God's work around the world.
There is a man named Dr. David Barret along with Dr. Todd M. Johnson who has compiled very amazing statistics concerning world population and the growth of the church as it pertains to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20.) http://www.gcts.edu/ockenga/globalchristianity/resources.php
Some of the noteworthy statistics are:
10,000 unevangelized people groups who have no Christian witness.
There are 2.1 billion people in the world that have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1.1 billion people in the world are not able to read or write.
Over 2 billion people in the world are under 15 years old.
Christians have a combined income of 18 trillion dollars.
175,000 Christians will give their lives this year for their faith.
These numbers give me a new perspective, and they tell me that the God who made a universe so vast that even the greatest minds on earth cannot fathom it can take care of our tomorrows.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Ernie Miller Park Nature Trail
One of the wonderful things about home schooling is being able to take Benjamin to all of the museums and nature parks in the area. We were able to take several pictures of flowers, and next we will look up the flowers and plants to identify them. The trail we went to is about 2 miles, so not only do you get plenty of science in but a lot of PE as well.
Monday, September 15, 2008
A Biblical Perspective on the Current Financial Crisis
Greetings:
I friend of mine who manages a biblically based investment fund called "Eventide" recently sent an email concerning the current Wall Street crisis as it pertains to Psalm 52. I thought I would post it for anyone who might be blessed by it.
Obviously this weekend, and today, marks a very significant further meltdown in the fortunes of certain American financial institutions. It remains far from clear what else might fail and just how far the damage will spread. In reading Psalm 52, I am struck by its applicability to what is playing out in our financial services sector. Verse 7 seems a rather apt description of many American financial institutions — both the trusting in wealth and the fact that (much of) that wealth came from "destroying others." (Think how many relatively poor and unsophisticated borrowers are now in great financial peril or ruin because of the abuses of the subprime mortgage marketplace. Similarly, think how many individuals are in deep trouble with credit card debt that was aggressively marketed to those for whom it has proved toxic.) Verse 5 seems a telling description of the consequences coming to bear on these institutions and their malignant practices.
I say this with no pleasure whatsoever. There is widespread economic pain and even systemic danger. But it is also a very large reminder that, as God makes clear in Proverbs, "ill-gotten gain" — profit made at the expense of others — inevitably brings a day of reckoning. Unfortunately, such practices have become normative in many financial institutions and in many parts of the business landscape as a whole. Hence the importance of Eventide's commitment to searching out investment opportunities in which well-gotten gain comes as a byproduct of companies' creating real value and blessing for individuals and society. And as we do so, I believe that Eventide and our shareholders will be characterized by verse 8 instead.
Psalm 52
1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.
3 You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah
4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!
5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,
7 "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
I friend of mine who manages a biblically based investment fund called "Eventide" recently sent an email concerning the current Wall Street crisis as it pertains to Psalm 52. I thought I would post it for anyone who might be blessed by it.
Obviously this weekend, and today, marks a very significant further meltdown in the fortunes of certain American financial institutions. It remains far from clear what else might fail and just how far the damage will spread. In reading Psalm 52, I am struck by its applicability to what is playing out in our financial services sector. Verse 7 seems a rather apt description of many American financial institutions — both the trusting in wealth and the fact that (much of) that wealth came from "destroying others." (Think how many relatively poor and unsophisticated borrowers are now in great financial peril or ruin because of the abuses of the subprime mortgage marketplace. Similarly, think how many individuals are in deep trouble with credit card debt that was aggressively marketed to those for whom it has proved toxic.) Verse 5 seems a telling description of the consequences coming to bear on these institutions and their malignant practices.
I say this with no pleasure whatsoever. There is widespread economic pain and even systemic danger. But it is also a very large reminder that, as God makes clear in Proverbs, "ill-gotten gain" — profit made at the expense of others — inevitably brings a day of reckoning. Unfortunately, such practices have become normative in many financial institutions and in many parts of the business landscape as a whole. Hence the importance of Eventide's commitment to searching out investment opportunities in which well-gotten gain comes as a byproduct of companies' creating real value and blessing for individuals and society. And as we do so, I believe that Eventide and our shareholders will be characterized by verse 8 instead.
Psalm 52
1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.
3 You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah
4 You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!
5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah
6 The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,
7 "Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"
8 But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.
9 I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.
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