Look what YOU did. Because of the gifts to the water team we have brought safe water to 2 communities! Check out the celebration in Sri Lanka where one safe water system has just been installed.
Another safe water system has been installed in Malindi, Uganda. Thousands of people now have safe drinking water because of your gift! THANK YOU.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Labels: Social Justice
... unless you want to be challenged.
How many times TODAY have you turned on your water faucet? I estimate that I've turned on my faucet about 15 times so far today.
Now think about the person on the other side of the world who has no faucet.
Then think about the person who doesn't even have safe drinking water.
That's something we can't wrap our minds around. That's something we don't even think about!
So, I challenge you.
The NEXT time you turn on your water faucet... think of that person who is without. Then, I challenge you to do something about it! Go a step further... and donate $10 so that they might have safe drinking water. Donate $10 so that they might have a faucet to turn on.
Go [here] and join me & Water Missions International in providing safe water for those who need it. Join my team and donate $10. You'll be a little more grateful the next time you enjoy your shower... fresh laundry... or glass of drinking water.
Labels: Issues, Social Justice
Give The Gift of SAFE WATER For My Birthday!
1 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 11/30/10 at 11:17 PM.
I'm celebrating my 33rd Birthday today! For my big day I'm asking for something unusual. If you're considering giving me something of monetary value would you give me WATER please? There is a SAFE WATER crisis.
People are literally dying because they don't have safe water to drink.
Scores of lives are at stake.
The reality is that it takes very little to solve the problem.
So I'm partnering with Water Missions International to solve this problem and I want YOUR help.
Did you know that if you donate just $10.00 you can provide safe drinking water for one person who needs it? That is ONE life spared!!!
So please, go [here]. Make a donation. Then come back and feel free to leave a comment to let me know you've given the gift of safe water. Thanks for celebrating my BIG day with me.
--
Labels: Personal, Social Justice
Our team has been preparing for this experience for months on end now and we've been raising funds to help our team get there; however, we are falling short. I am personally trying to raise $1,000 dollars this week to help us meet our goal. Would you consider helping me? Any donation would be appreciated.
This week (until Friday at 5:00PM EST) I am designating all funds that come through TerraceCrawford.com for this mission. That means, any donation made through PayPal (through the donation link in the sidebar of this site) until 5PM Friday will be marked and used for this Mission.
God has been faithfully meeting my personal needs and I'm trusting Him to meet this financial need too. If you would like to give a gift by mail, please email me. If you cannot give at this time would you consider blogging, tweeting or linking to this via Facebook? I'd be so appreciative of any support you give our team. Thanks most importantly for your prayers.
Labels: Personal, Social Justice, Youth Pastors
We Are The World - A Version You Haven't Heard
2 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 2/13/10 at 5:18 PM.
Ran across this KILLER version of "We Are the World" just after hearing the remake by the celebrities you know and love. You simply MUST hear THIS version... which I actually like better. Both groups of artists (the amateurs and the celebrities) are donating all proceeds to Haiti, so its a win win.
I have a number of friends on the ground in Haiti now, as of Thursday. Click [here] to follow their journey and join me in prayer for them this week as they help with the relief work.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
(ht to Ben Arment)
Labels: Creative, Social Justice, Videos, Youth Pastors
Simon Cowell has organized a charity single to help Haiti. The single is REM's "Everybody Hurts" but with new voices. You can listen to it here, but you should buy it when it goes on sale tomorrow.
Here are the celebs in the song and what they sing:
Leona Lewis
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
Rod Stewart
When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on
Mariah Carey
Don’t let yourself go, ’cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes
Cheryl Cole
Sometimes everything is wrong.
Mika
Now it’s time to sing along
Michael Buble
When your day is night alone,
Joe McElderry
(hold on, hold on)
Miley Cyrus
If you feel like letting go
James Blunt
If you think you’ve had too much of this, well hang on..
Gary Barlow
‘Cause everybody hurts..
Mark Owen
Take Comfort in your friends
Jon Bon Jovi
Don’t throw your hand
James Morrison
Don’t throw your hand
Alexandra Burke and James Morrison
If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
Susan Boyle
If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
Aston Merrygold
When you think you’ve had too much of this life to
Marvin Humes
hang on
Shane Filan (westlife)
Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Mark Feehily (westlife)
Everybody cries
Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams
And everybody hurts sometimes.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Here are the celebs in the song and what they sing:
Leona Lewis
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
Rod Stewart
When you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on
Mariah Carey
Don’t let yourself go, ’cause everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes
Cheryl Cole
Sometimes everything is wrong.
Mika
Now it’s time to sing along
Michael Buble
When your day is night alone,
Joe McElderry
(hold on, hold on)
Miley Cyrus
If you feel like letting go
James Blunt
If you think you’ve had too much of this, well hang on..
Gary Barlow
‘Cause everybody hurts..
Mark Owen
Take Comfort in your friends
Jon Bon Jovi
Don’t throw your hand
James Morrison
Don’t throw your hand
Alexandra Burke and James Morrison
If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
Susan Boyle
If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
Aston Merrygold
When you think you’ve had too much of this life to
Marvin Humes
hang on
Shane Filan (westlife)
Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
Mark Feehily (westlife)
Everybody cries
Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams
And everybody hurts sometimes.
RSS Subscribers: there is video [here]
Labels: Celebrities, Culture, Hot Topics, Music, Social Justice, Videos
Charlie beat me to the punch. Before I could get anything on my site about Haiti this young boy has already raised a fortune! Charlie Simpson, a 7-year-old kid from London, saw the graphic images from Haiti on his television and told his mom he had to do something about it. So he did. He told his mom he could ride his bike & raise money. She soon launched a giving page online for him and he wrote this little message to donors:"My name is Charlie Simpson. I want to do a sponsored bike ride for Haiti because there was a big earthquake and loads of people have lost their lives. I want to make money to buy food, water and tents for everyone in Haiti. I'm going to cycle around South Park as many times as possible (at least 10 laps I hope!) Please can you sponsor me and all your money will go to UNICEF who are collecting for Haiti."
Just last night I was speaking to a group of students. Part of my message was that they have been fed a lie that they are too young to make a difference. This story is proof that they are not.Charlie's site has raised over $160,000 so far! You can add to that by giving on Charlie's site [here] or feel free to give through World Vision or the Red Cross, two great organizations doing incredible work on the ground right now in Haiti.
Labels: Culture, News, Social Justice, World Watch
Help Build a Kindergarten in Vietnam
0 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 11/17/09 at 4:53 PM.
Jon Acuff, blogger over at SCL, is raising $60,000 to build two kindergartens in Vietnam through Samaritan's Purse. He has already raised funds to build one and he's only $14,000 away from meeting his goal. Read more about it [here]. You can donate to this cause [here].
Labels: Social Justice
Not to take my good friend's tag line but last week was history in the making. Doh! Our great nation swore in its 44th president, Barack Obama, and I concluded my final week at Cornerstone.
I was able to watch the Inauguration from the comfort of my home (more on that later) and here are some of the highlights as I saw it:
Prayer by Dr. Rick Warren
Rick Warren: What a prayer. What an honor to be asked to lead the invocation. What a platform to point people to Jesus Christ.
Aretha Franklin: (thinking) I just worked that song... and that hat!
The Crowd: 2 million. Woah.
Dignitaries & Political Icons: Classy. I felt a sense of pride and respect for them on that day in spite of the fact I may disagree with their politics past and present.
Chief Justice John Roberts: (thinking about the oath) For the love... WHY didn't I write this down!?
President Barack Obama: (thinking about the oath) For the love... WHY didn't you write this down?!
Me: *puking*
Parade: One too many marching bands but great talent.
Yep, I was puking. Food poisoning. Its not how I imagined that I would spend such a historical day, nor the story I want to tell to my grandchildren when they ask about such a historical day. The chinese food didn't work for me.
I am proud of our nation, enjoyed watching the ceremonies and I am committed to pray for our new president, his family and his cabinet.
(Photo: NY Times)
I was able to watch the Inauguration from the comfort of my home (more on that later) and here are some of the highlights as I saw it:
Rick Warren: What a prayer. What an honor to be asked to lead the invocation. What a platform to point people to Jesus Christ.
Aretha Franklin: (thinking) I just worked that song... and that hat!
The Crowd: 2 million. Woah.
Dignitaries & Political Icons: Classy. I felt a sense of pride and respect for them on that day in spite of the fact I may disagree with their politics past and present.
Chief Justice John Roberts: (thinking about the oath) For the love... WHY didn't I write this down!?
President Barack Obama: (thinking about the oath) For the love... WHY didn't you write this down?!
Me: *puking*
Parade: One too many marching bands but great talent.
Yep, I was puking. Food poisoning. Its not how I imagined that I would spend such a historical day, nor the story I want to tell to my grandchildren when they ask about such a historical day. The chinese food didn't work for me.
I am proud of our nation, enjoyed watching the ceremonies and I am committed to pray for our new president, his family and his cabinet.
(Photo: NY Times)
Labels: Celebrities, Culture, Hot Topics, News, Personal, Politics, Social Justice, Television
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO DONATE in our special 50,000 pairs in 50 days challenge. Please, go donate and help make a big time impact.
Labels: Social Justice
(3 of 4) Blogging Crossover: [The Shift Has Hit the Fan...]
2 Comments Published by Terrace Crawford on 12/18/08 at 6:15 AM.
Today Brad Ruggles, Clayton Bell, Zak White and I are tackling the topic of materialism and consumerism on our blogs, each from a different perspective. I encourage you to read part one on Brad's blog, part two on Clayton's, and part four on Zak's. Now, on with the show kids...
So whats the answer? Well, I personally think its the church. But it begins with YOU. It will take steps... or rather a shift to bring radical results. Aren't you tired of the materialistic society we have found ourselves in?
A post on a topic like this can get real negative, real quick. Let me shift the focus to highlight some real life examples of how we can begin to change the world around us:
THE SHIFT HAS HIT THE FAN...
I volunteered a number of hours this year to a charity store for needy families. On Saturday we invited Santa to visit and provided free pictures to attendees. Later I got to speak to Santa myself and I wasn't quite ready for what he had to say. No, it wasn't that I had been a "bad boy" but he told me how moved he was by one child who said that "all he wanted for Christmas was for his family to have a Christmas tree."
[Ouch] That broke my heart.
The next day I found myself at the hardware store picking up a few things. I was standing in line behind a gentleman and overheard him telling the cashier how he had an abormal passion for Christmas and had been working on his home decor for months - even mentioning he had a ferris wheel, garden of lights... and on and on he went. I spoke up and said "um, Mr. Griswald I presume?" He laughed and said, "actually, I have several inflatables and hundreds of lights in storage that I'm not even using."
We are in a desperate need for a shift. In fact, our nation is experiencing a financial crisis thanks to the greedy. It is a big problem... and the only real way to fix things is for a shift to happen. I wish it were as easy as snapping our fingers but its not. I see the classic scenario all the time -- one family is struggling to put food on the table and their neighbors are geeking out their home next door... and constantly wanting more. Sadly, its found in common place, America. Population: too many.
So whats the answer? Well, I personally think its the church. But it begins with YOU. It will take steps... or rather a shift to bring radical results. Aren't you tired of the materialistic society we have found ourselves in?
A post on a topic like this can get real negative, real quick. Let me shift the focus to highlight some real life examples of how we can begin to change the world around us:
- A pastor-friend of mine told me that he started challenging his kids when they were young to giveaway their favorite gift (under the Christmas tree) to a needy child. He told me how they give cheerfully and have been changed by this challenge.
- Two social justice teachers decided to change their lifestyles and practice what they teach by committing to live on just one dollar a day. Most of the world lives on just a few dollars a day or less.
- A lady attending a housing auction provided a bailout miracle for a complete stranger later creating a foundation to help the masses suffering home foreclosure. (This story blew me away).
- A young man who lives in an apartment complex (with community laundry room) buys extra laundry detergent and leaves quarters behind for his fellow tenants to find them.
...and on, and on and on the stories go.
So wherever you find yourself... begin to take steps and shift things in your world. In each of the examples above the masses have been affected. You could say that the shift has hit the fan... and thats a good thing.
This post is part of a blogging crossover partnership with Brad Ruggles, Clayton Bell and Zak White. I encourage you to check out their sites.Labels: Church, Culture, Hot Topics, Issues, Social Justice
On November 11th I joined hundreds of other bloggers in a grassroots effort to help raise 50,000 shoes in just 50 days. . .
Since that time SolesforShoes has sweetened the pot for those who donate:
The person who donates the most shoes this week will win an autographed Amy Grant guitar
With every pair of shoes you donate you’re entered for a chance to hand deliver your shoes in person on a Soles4Souls trip to Mexico!
If you donate $25 (10 pairs of shoes) or more you will receive a free jar of “Save My Sole” foot cream compliments of one of the corporate sponsors, Underology.
There is a 1-for-2 match going right now. That means that if only 1000 shoes are donated by 11:59 pm on December 13th, a sponsor will donate an additional 500 shoes!
Please, go donate. Only 18 days remain! Your help is appreciated.
Since that time SolesforShoes has sweetened the pot for those who donate:
Labels: Social Justice
We cannot even begin to understand how difficult this Christmas will be for our military as they are away from their families this holiday season... or the family away from their soldier. Would you like to be able to encourage our armed forces as they serve our country during the holdiays by sending a simple greeting card? You can. Holiday Mail for Heroes is a partnership between the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes to deliver one million holiday cards to American service members, veterans and their families in the United States and around the world. Please send cards to this address and check out the following the guidelines listed below before mailing:
Holiday Mail for Heroes
PO Box 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456
You can also:
Download and print a free card.
Learn about other ways to participate.
Get the latest news about Holiday Mail for Heroes.
Please follow these simple guidelines when sending your card to ensure it will quickly reach service members, veterans and their families.
Labels: Culture, Hot Topics, Social Justice
Today is my birthday. Celebrate with me!
Shoutouts welcome: I love a good shoutout. I've already gotten numerous shoutouts even before the big day but you've got several ways to do it... so have at it! You can reach me by email, on facebook, twitter me, myspace it, leave a comment here on the blog, make a video (would LOVE that) and leave the URL in the comments, send me some snail mail or give me a call.
Make a Donation: If you've been following my blog recently you know I've been passionate about raising awareness of the great need for shoes around the world. Numerous bloggers have joined this cause to help raise 50,000 shoes in just 50 days. If you had planned to give me a present or a monetary gift, please consider donating to this cause instead. If you choose to donate, please make me aware of your gift.
Make a Donation: If you've been following my blog recently you know I've been passionate about raising awareness of the great need for shoes around the world. Numerous bloggers have joined this cause to help raise 50,000 shoes in just 50 days. If you had planned to give me a present or a monetary gift, please consider donating to this cause instead. If you choose to donate, please make me aware of your gift.
Labels: News, Personal, Random, Social Justice
Footwear - it is a basic need that most of us take for granted every day. While most of the world does not have one adequate pairs of shoes, Americans have an abundance of footwear sitting idle in our closets. Your consideration of simply cleaning out your closets can make a significant difference in the quality of life of someone in need.
For us, comfort and style are the primary reasons for the footwear we select. For those without shoes the healthcare benefits is the most urgent reason footwear is so desperately needed. A quality pair of shoes protects their foot from scrapes, cuts, and contaminants that lead to potentially serious healthcare issues.
Today I am teaming up with hundreds of other bloggers in an unprecedented grassroots social media challenge:
Can we affect global change through our blogs and raise enough money for 50,000 SHOES IN JUST 50 DAYS?
How Does This Work?We’re partnering with Soles4Souls* in this amazing endeavor. The campaign and companion website 50000shoes.com just launched yesterday and already nearly 3,000 has been raised!
A $5 donation buys two pair of shoes for a person somewhere in the world with none. Imagine, for a little more than what we spend on our morning coffee we can put shoes on the feet of two needy people. All of us can give $5, many of us can give more.
1. Give
A $5 donation buys two pair of shoes! Head over to 50000shoes.com and give generously and sacrificially.
2. Promote It On Your Blog or Website
Take whatever platform you've been given and use it to bring change and make a difference in the world. Regardless of whether you have 150 readers or 5, you have been given influence. Use that influence to make a difference.
Would you consider writing a post about this amazing event and spread the word? There are graphics and banners available for your blog. You can also join the Facebook group and encourage your friends to do the same.
3. Spread The Word
Utilize your Facebook, Twitter, Myspace or any other social networking tool you have at your hand. Your have friends and family that are just a phone call or email away. Set aside some time to reach out to some people and share this opportunity with them.
Finally, can you imagine handing someone their very first pairs of shoes? By purchasing two pairs of shoes for $5, you are also automatically entered into a random drawing to personally deliver the shoes you purchased to someone in need on one the organizations trips to Mexico! The winner and an accompanying guest will travel to Mexico and will see Soles4Souls in action. The more pairs you purchase, the greater your chances are of winning. Winner must be 18 years or older with a valid US Passport. Soles4Souls will pay for airfare, transfers, lodging, and trip related meal expenses for winner and guest up to $2000 value.
*Nashville-based Soles4Souls (TM) facilitates the donations of both new and used shoes, which are used to aid the hurting worldwide. Since its inception, Soles4Souls has distributed more than 3.5 million pairs (or one pair every 23 seconds) to people in 61 countries, including Honduras, Romania, Thailand, and the Sudan. The charity has been featured on CNN Headline News, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, ABC News, FOX, CBS, and hundreds of regional outlets around North America. Soles4Souls is a 501(c)(3) recognized by the IRS; donating parties are eligible for tax advantages.
Labels: Site Shout, Social Justice, Students Only, Youth Pastors
I made mention on a prior blog post that I never leave home without my... man-bag. This bag has become handy in helping me carry around things I need to haul from the office to my home. I received this bag for free last November at a conference I attended in Atlanta, GA. When I learned of the company who made the bags and the mission behind them I wore the bag proudly. FreeSetBags.com produces the bags for profit to help get prostitutes off the streets. In their words... they are "in business for freedom."
Check their site out... order a bag... and set a prostitute free.
Labels: Church, Creative, Hot Topics, Issues, Marketing, Resources, Site Shout, Social Justice, Students Only, Youth Pastors
Tim Sanders shares a quick illustration on taking action in the world around you and doing the right thing.
Even though his emphasis was geared to honoring those in service, we can apply the principle here of being quick to show the love of Jesus in practical ways daily.
(ht: Tim Sanders)
Even though his emphasis was geared to honoring those in service, we can apply the principle here of being quick to show the love of Jesus in practical ways daily.
(ht: Tim Sanders)
Labels: Church, Culture, Deep Thoughts, Hot Topics, Issues, Social Justice, Videos, Youth Pastors
There are over one hundred different tribes around the globe today who choose to reject contact with the outside world. Fascinating pictures surfaced on the internet yesterday of an uncontacted tribe on the border Peru and Brazil. They are being called "the most vulnerable peoples on the planet."
It is hard for those of us in America to relate to a culture like this. This people group is one of many who live on the run and are fleeing their land as colonists, oil crews and cattle ranchers invade their territory. In the pics below you can actually see some of the tribal members with their weapons drawn to attack as the plane flies overhead.
This afternoon I watched this video narrated by Julie Christie for Survival International, one mission organization whose vision is to reach uncontacted tribes. I pray for missionaries and organizations like this who reach these people groups but find it so hard sometimes to understand other cultures as we are so far removed from areas of the world like this.
(ht to Daily Mail, Church Relevance)
It is hard for those of us in America to relate to a culture like this. This people group is one of many who live on the run and are fleeing their land as colonists, oil crews and cattle ranchers invade their territory. In the pics below you can actually see some of the tribal members with their weapons drawn to attack as the plane flies overhead.
This afternoon I watched this video narrated by Julie Christie for Survival International, one mission organization whose vision is to reach uncontacted tribes. I pray for missionaries and organizations like this who reach these people groups but find it so hard sometimes to understand other cultures as we are so far removed from areas of the world like this.(ht to Daily Mail, Church Relevance)
Labels: Church, Culture, News, Resources, Site Shout, Social Justice
This week our ministry will focus its prayer efforts on the cyclone that wrecked Myanmar as well as the tornadoes that struck our local territory here in Virginia. 
A US diplomat said earlier today that it's possible the death toll from the Burma (Myanmar) cyclone could top 100,000. I watched a briefing from Laura Bush this morning as she mentioned the corrupt government (of Burma) and how the media there did not take steps to warn citizens about the cyclone.
Please pray for this country, the corrupt government and for those devastated by this tragedy.
On the homefront we are dealing with tragedy and loss but thankfully the twisters that raged through our backyard spared life. Teams of people are working around the clock to restore the areas hit by the tornadoes. People from our church and churches in our community are on the scene to help with the relief effort. We are standing with them in prayer this week as well.
(photos WorldPhotos)
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Labels: News, Social Justice
Today is World Malaria Day. Malaria is one of the leading causes of death in the third world, particularly in parts of africa, where it’s the number one killer of children. The crazy thing about this is that it’s completely preventable. A $10 treated net can protect and eliminate the disease for individuals and families who have them; and simple and affordable treatment is available (if made accessible) to those who do contract the disease. In short: this is a killer we should be able to easily eliminate.
Some stats:350-500 million cases of malaria occur worldwide each year. Malaria causes 20 percent of ALL childhood deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. 90 percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa—nearly 1 million people. Malaria kills 3,000 children each day.
Biting back is easy... just $10 will:
Click here to visit BiteBack.net
If you'd like to donate a net, click here.
Learn more about bed nets by clicking here.
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Labels: Creative, Marketing, Resources, Social Justice, Students Only, Youth Pastors
