Supporting Causes.

So there is a phenom with my generation.  This is the "Causes" phenom.  Supporting different non profits, organizations help people such as social justice,  poverty, ect.  Doing these things make a difference.  This is exciting stuff.

There is a sad part of this however.  The church was meant to do these things.  However, they didn't.  The church did this for a while, but for some reason in recent times they have dropped the ball.  Granted there are pockets that still do, Mission Arlington and The Simple Way to name a few.

Recently I took part in supporting as well.  I purchased a pair of Toms.  But that's not special right?  I think not as well.  The Toms I purchased support bloodwater mission as well.  This is the only reason why I purchased the Toms, because it is supporting another cause, like a double whammy.

I have also recently decided to start sponsoring a compassion child.  This is going to be an exciting journey, however I will write more about that next week..

Which means, to be continued...

I am a Hipster?

This is a Honda ad from Australia.  It has one of the most relevant stereotypes that I could find at the moment encompassed within it.  After fitting the "hipsters" into the car, the guy goes through different hipster stereotypes which are absolutely hilarious.

I don't try to fit into the hipster model, but I do have some tendencies of leaning that way.  I believe that it's hilarious that there is a style based on not being a style.  A style that is against conforming, however they all conform to the same mold clothing style.

The hipster causes though are an interesting part of the stereotype.  The fact that they support things such as Toms and bloodwatermission is interesting for a stereotype that is known for being apathetic to support things.  However, I suppose they are supporting indie things which would fit into their hipster mold.

The thing to realize about this though, is that people can fit into the hipster stereotype however they aren't apathetic, and don't drink beer, ect.

I am an Alien

Trendy, Indie, Relevant, Hipster,
These are what people aspire to be called
or Popular, Athletic, Preppy, Cool,
However I aspire to be none of these.

I wear bandana's because they keep sweat out of my face

I wear Toms because another kid gets a pair of shoes (and it's an excuse to not wear socks)

I use mac products because they are durable
I wear military hats cause they look good on me (or so I think)
I wear two v-necks cause I bought them for $3
I listen to an artist because of their lyrics (not if they are "in" or not)
I wear converse because they don't look ridiculous like sneakers do
I wear a fedora and trucker hat cause they were free

I drive a sub-compact car cause it was cheap in price and on gas

I wear plaid shorts because they look classier than jersey shorts
I wear vibram five fingers cause they make me look like an alien

and

I am a follower of Christ, not because that's what everyone else does
not because we live in the Bible belt.
I follow Christ because He is real and has a calling in my life.

In short, I am an Alien.

Hebrews 11:13b "And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on this earth"

One Day Without Shoes

Causes

So I just finished watching Killer At Large a documentary about obesity in America. Then we also have One Day Without Shoes coming up on  Thursday.  I began thinking, what is it with us and our causes?

Now arguably the documentary addresses the cause differently then how we would think of a cause, but it still addresses it nonetheless.  Why though do we attach ourselves to causes?  I heard someone tell me they weren't purchasing Toms, because on their universities campus they have become more of a fashion statement then supporting a cause.

Why though can we not be this way about the cause of Christ?  I hinted at this earlier tonight in a tweet that said "If we are a nation of addicted people, then why as "Christians" are we not addicted to Christ?"  Our calling as Christians is to make his name known, this was presented in several places, the most popular being the great commission: Matthew 28:16-20.

This is what we are supposed to do, support the cause of Christ.  We however have a tendency to get caught up in supporting other causes, that are just as great, but we miss Christ in the cause.  If our cause is Christ, then we won't miss Him, and everything that happens when we are furthering the cause of Christ, will help further other causes as well.