Crossing Divides

			United We Serve by Ingrina Shieh
11:15 pm March 4, 2010			Jon Bon Jovi has teamed up with the Corporation of National and Community Service to spread the word about President Obama's United We Serve Initiative across the country, according to Ranit Schmelzer in a news alert. A longtime philanthropist and advocate of community service, Bon Jovi has filmed two videos that encourage Americans to serve their local communities. The concert video will be played in the U.S.-leg of Bon Jovi's world tour, bringing the message of service to millions of his fans. Take two minutes to check out the video below! NOW...go to Serve.gov to find volunteer opportunities in your local community, then SPREAD THE WORD!
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			Rescue Alliance NYC – Don’t Walk By 2010 Campaign by Faith Lin
11:26 pm January 30, 2010			http://www.dontwalkby.org/main/how-to-help/ Don’t walk by. I know; easier said than done. How many times have I shuffled by on the street – avoiding eye contact in hopes that he won’t extend a plea, that I won’t have to murmur a response along the lines (and meanings) of “sorry,” “not today,” “I don’t have anything to give you,” “I won’t help, ” “I question your motives”? How many times have I cursed having to brave the cold, the wind, and the elements without any further thought to the family who isn’t fortunate enough to simply scurry between ‘warm place A’ and ‘warm place B’? How many times have I automatically attributed the issue of homelessness to laziness and immoral excesses, not realizing that 19% of the population is employed, 39% is made up of children [http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html], and 100% are beloved in His sight? The Scriptures say in Proverbs 22:2: ²Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. (NIV) Let’s not walk by.
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			Haiti by Ingrina Shieh
10:44 pm January 26, 2010			Editor's Note: This blog was written before Crossing Divides officially launched, just a day after the earthquake in Haiti. Whatever information about upcoming community service opportunities we promised is coming—just not now. Not now, while Port-au-prince, Haiti lies in ruins, its buildings toppled by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, leaving its people homeless and scrambling in search of their loved ones among the rubble. Newspapers and television reports fear that the death toll is in the thousands, and aid might be difficult to provide due to airport damage. You can read more here. The pictures and status updates flooding the headlines show an abject situation that breaks my heart. Why Haiti, an already impoverished country? Why its capitol? Why even an earthquake in the first place? I cry tears of frustration and confusion during times like these, unable to provide an explanation for such suffering whilst claiming to believe in a God who saves. I can’t even halt everything to rush off and join relief teams — and I profess some Christ-like desire to serve the needy. In times like these, much I stand for seems to unravel rapidly at the seams. But ... BUT. If I learned anything from the Bible, it’s that when we run into a dead end or an impossible situation, we pray. 1 John 5:14-15 says: ¹⁴This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him. God hears our prayers. So I will pray, and I invite you to join forces with me. Take some time aside today and the next few days to beseech God to intervene in the midst of this devastation. Right now, we pray for those missing and on the brink of survival, that they can be found living and rejoin their families and friends. Pray for the aid being sent to the country, that whatever the obstacles, it can get there and be swift and effective. We then must consider the recovery of the city. May God restore hope and restoration to Haiti.
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United We Serve

Rescue Alliance NYC – Don’t Walk By 2010 Campaign

Haiti