BIG LOVE BLOG- Our story of love and family

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Crazy Love & Get Disturbed

Okay, so I am reading this AWESOME book (Thanks Cheri) called Crazy Love by Francis Chan. It is a rockin' my world....I actually might complete this one! For those of you who know me well, you are very familiar with all of my "projects" I start and never complete...even worse with books!
I have to share this part of the book, as I am shocked out of my good old comfort zone...It is nice in the comfort zone. No major worries except about wanting "stuff". The comfort zone, for me, while pathetic, protects me at times from the REAL WORLD...And while I have seen a good amount of the real world in my travels I too easily forget when I get back home to all of my dearly beloved "stuff".

Here is a bit of what he writes:
If one hundred people represented the world's population, fifty-three of those would live on less than $2 a day. Do you realize that if you make $4000 a month, you automatically make ONE HUNDRED TIMES MORE than the average person on this planet? Simply by purchasing this book you spent more than what a majority of people in the world will make in a week's time.
Which is more messed up-that we have so much compared to everyone else, or that we don't think we are rich? That on any given day we might flippantly call ourselves "broke" or "poor"? We are neither of these things. We are rich. Filthy rich.


Does it make sense? Can you even wrap your head around living on $2 a day? I know I have blogged about this before, but I will be honest...I have NO concept of this...NONE...And unless you have lived in a 3rd world country you likely cannot grasp it either.

So, this is just the tip of the iceberg in my thoughts these days.
Last night Eric and I were asked to speak to a group of people about adoption, (Which you know I LOVE!!!) And again another statistic that I talked about came up that I think about daily...and I MEAN DAILY.

This has been misquoted many many times, so let me make sure I get it right.
To preface, let me just post that there are around 145 million orphans in the world today...All with wonderful faces and hopefully most with names. Kids who have a heart, need to be loved, protected, and cared for.

IF ONLY 7% OF THE 2 BILLION CHRISTIANS IN THE WOURLD WOULD CARE FOR A SINGLE ORPHAN IN DISTRESS THERE WOULD EFFECTIVE BE NO MORE ORPHANS.


There has been controversy over this piece of info, and while many of these 145 million children cannot for various reasons be adopted, they STILL need to be cared for. Adoption is not the heal all, fix all...The key words in this statistic for me at least are, "care for"....And that can mean a thousand things. Bottom line, as humans who have so much, we have no excuse not to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. I do not budge on this issue. What can we do? How can we do more to be more effective to make change?
These kids are counting on us....and the statistic of 7% of Christians....How crazy is that?
Every child out there is someone's son or daughter...What if it was your son or daughter? That would never happen in the US! No one would stand for it...
And still these are lives being lost every day because they have no voice to speak for them.
Get disturbed. If you don't like what I have written, likely a good thing. We all need to be messed up a bit.
This is what we are about, it is what Room for One More is about and it is what every child deserves. Please join us and get involved, somewhere...anywhere that is making a difference. We don't have all of the answers, but we are moving in a good direction.
Much Love
Chantelle

14 comments:

Suzanne said...

I started to read the book but have yet to finish it. The greatest thing is is Francis Chan is the pastor at our church here in Simi Valley, and he is absolutely incredible.

He is an incredible pastor.

Ryan and Anne Carson said...

If you own a book and have the time and the knowledge to read it. Then you are rich in the eyes of much of the world. From Beth Moore's study of "Daniel".

the truman's said...

Oh I a love you and love the passions you possess...Yes, you NEVER know where God will lead us. I cannot wait to stay up all night talking when I arrive...
Like we say, we can sleep when we go to be with our heavenly Father! (I know you love your sleep, but for 3 days, you can wait!)
Love to all.
S

Cheri said...

Beautifully written! I am so close to finishing my book, too. Once I finish, I need to re-read over and over again. The message won't change, but I promise, I'll need it to keep me in check. Thanks for the sermon before church this morning, Momma! All I have to say is AMEN TO THAT!!!!

We are going to Centenary Methodist this morning to watch Brock play drums!

Lory Howlett said...

Hey Chantelle, do you mind if I include much of this post (with a link to your blog) on our blog? I continue to hope and pray our Brothers and Sisters will "get it." I'll wait to hear back from you, thanks! Lory Howlett

Chantelle said...

Go for it friend! I would love it!

Pineapple Princess said...

I am reading this book, too! It's got some amazing challenges in it for me!! :)
I'm adding you to my blog roll. Is that OK?

michelle said...

Chantelle,
Amen Momma! And by the way, you and Eric eloquently shared from the heart, your hearts the other night at the Nations bible study! I gotta get a hold of this book, thanks for sermon friend! It's one we all need to be living! XOXO

Carrie said...

Hey Chantelle,

I would like to use your 7% of 2 billion statistic on my blog. Can you tell me what the original sources is? Or did you just do the math? I bought the book and can't wait to start it.

Chantelle said...

Hi Carrie!
YEs, and I should have posted where I found it. It was a quoate I read that Steven Curtis Chapman said in 2008. You can google it. He also said it on an interview with Larry King. I am sure there are other sources, but he is a good one!
Share it!

Unknown said...

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

Big hugs to you Chantelle - standing in the gap with you for the voiceless!

Love,
Jill

Amber said...

I love this post and I will probably check out that book!

Anonymous said...

Chantelle-
Thank you so much for your inspiring words. You are so right. As Christians, I feel that it's our RESPONSIBILITY to take care of these children and yes, it can be in many forms...adoption, fostering, respite care, volunteering,etc. Unfortunately, it DOES happen in the US. Curtis & I have seen first hand how a child can get lost in a world of neglect and abuse. Many times, "political correctness" gets in the way of giving these children a chance. I commend you and Eric for opening your lives to these babies. They are beautiful!
:-) Michelle Prichard

Brad said...

Have been reading your blog for a bit now...have totally enjoyed reading about your journey with your two little girls. We're in the process of adding two (hopefully) to our family from Ethiopia. I'd love to hear more about Room for One More and if it's up and running. bnsbonnett@hotmail.com or check out my blog
Thanks!