Non-Verbal Communication 101

I was talking to a very wise woman in my life this week and the topic of relationships arose. And it really got me thinking. She was saying how years ago relationships were so simple. People said what they meant and meant what they said. There wasn't all this guess work, hidden meanings and motives like there is today. So, here's food for thought for today: how is that we live in a world where we strive to simplify everything, from computer programs to nuking dinner, and yet we have overcomplicated relationship to the point that a simple smile can mean a thousand things? Why have we made communication a bad word, and people who speak from the heart a force to be reckoned with? Maybe it's just me, but particularly in Canadian society hardly anyone speaks the same language anymore. Forget English - suddenly tone, body language, and metaphors are the primary languages of the nation. To those who are tired of being misunderstood: try honesty. To those tired of misunderstanding: stop reading between the lines. Ya right, if only it were that easy. Plan B: start offering courses in Colleges around country - Non-verbal communication 101.

Philanthropist-ism

I've decided to change my blog, and instead of writing every 3 months... or once a year... I'm going to be writing several times a week. The point of this blog now will be to share with you things that happen in my day to day life and ministry. In less than 2 weeks I will head to Miami for ministry purposes, and in less than a month will be heading to Guatemala to begin preparation for the opening of our Casa de Alabbanza - (Third Day Worship Centre's children's home). I anticipate some great stories and I hope you enjoy following this journey with me through times of excitement, times of trial, times of expectation and times where I feel like pulling out my hair. I'm pulling up my socks, so get ready to laugh with me, cry with me, and enjoy the ride.

So... what is a Philanthropist? I am so glad you asked! This is a word I was just recently introduced to. I was in Franklin, TN and my sister took me to a store called "Philanthropy". Basically philanthropy means to give aid or charity to people through humanitarian efforts. That's the "Amy definition". It's all about promoting the well-being of man-kind. In my opinion all Christians should be able to put themselves under this category. I think that's what James was talking about when he said that true Christianity is to see to the widow and the orphan, and to keep oneself unspotted by the world. Or when Jesus Himself said simply to "do unto others what you would have them do unto you". Christianity is about giving your life every day for God's purposes, seeking first His Kingdom. So no matter whether you are a student, a businessperson, a farmer, a hairstylist, or a missionary, you can live a life of a Philanthropist too. But not just for the sake of "extending a hand to fellow man" - but to do it because it's what Jesus did. It's who He is and what He's called us to be.

I'm going to do more studying on the term, but for now I will sign off.

Ready, set, go Philanthroprize! (Don't Google that one, that's an Amy original).

Amy