Be Determined

Lent is a time of learning and growth. Being a Christian I try to spend time in Lent improving myself. I usually give up alcohol as this helps me to maintain a clear mind. But Lent, despite what you may have heard is not just about about denial. Like most I am following a Lent course which if you have read my previous posts you will know is about William Wilberforce and his faith.
The course seeks to portray values that we could inherit personally by examining the values of William Wilberforce in the light of his faith. He was instrumental in stopping the trade in slaves two hundred years ago and was driven to this by his personal beliefs. It is what he believed that made his opinions differ from those around him. As a person he was defined by what he believed in.
In this day and age there is a great temptation not to believe in anything, especially if you live in the well to do part of the globe. The Bible offers many good moral outlooks and is rich in stories of what is right and wrong, good or bad. Reading the bible and getting to know it offers a way that my faith can determine me, that is work me out and make me something new. What it is and what it does is the great challenge of Lent.
Being determined by any set of values requires me to understand them well and try hard to live by them. This can be awkward, costly and even painful, people do not always understand. William Wilberforce would have known this all too well. But despite this he followed his faith and was determined by it. So, don't just be determined in faith, be determined by faith.

Peace Dave

World AIDS Day

I support Oxfam by giving them several pounds a month because I believe in their work.It's not much but it is something. By return they send me news and information about their work. If you don't know about Oxfam check out their website they do good things. Last week they sent me a red bow for World Aids Day, which is today.
The idea is that you wear it to show support for the event and help highlight the day so that more people become aware of AIDS generally. With the ribbon came a little book with case studies of real people and real situations. I decided to wear the ribbon at work today pinned to my overalls. Some people asked me about it and that did give me the opportunity to tell them that today was World AIDS Day but mainly I found that the ribbon had a greater effect on me. Every time I looked down it was in my vision and being red stood out prominently against my dark overalls. Having a constant reminder kept the stories in the booklet fresh in my mind and me thinking about the plight of so many unfortunate people. Much of the time like many I unconsciously accept things and carry on with my life. I'm busy and there are many demands placed on me daily, this is not an acceptable excuse. I cannot be a missionary or voluntary worker but that also does not free me from not doing what I can. As I was forced to remember today some people have things forced on them that I can barely imagine. If you don't do anything for a charity, think about it and just do what you can.

Peace Dave