So Blog Action Day 2010 is about WATER.

Water has become a popular charity to support…if you don’t already know that then you likely will know it by the end of today. Thank God for this, because THOUSANDS of people DIE every day because of the lack of clean drinking water. I could give you a bunch of sites and addresses where you could send money…I have done it before…and you shouldn’t have a hard time finding a place to give (see related post below). That is not what I want to do here today.

What I would like to do, is to share some words with you…words that were written in the 4th century by a priest named Cyril. It’s describes the similarities between water and the Holy Spirit.

The water I shall give him will become in him a fountain of living water, welling up into eternal life.  (John 7:38)

This is a new kind of water, a living, leaping water, welling up for those who are worthy. But why did Christ call the grace of the Spirit water? Because all things are dependent on water; plants and animals have their origin in water. Water comes down from heaven as rain, and although it is always the same in itself, it produces many different effects, one in the palm tree, another in the vine, and so on throughout the whole of creation. It does not come down, now as one thing, now as another, but while remaining essentially the same, it adapts itself to the needs of every creature that receives it.

In the same way the Holy Spirit, whose nature is always the same, simple and indivisible, apportions grace to each man as he wills. Like a dry tree which puts forth shoots when watered, the soul bears the fruit of holiness when repentance has made it worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit. Although the Spirit never changes, the effects of his action, by the will of God and in the name of Christ, are both many and marvellous.

The Spirit makes one man a teacher of divine truth, inspires another to prophesy, gives another the power of casting out devils, enables another to interpret holy Scripture. The Spirit strengthens one man’s self-control, shows another how to help the poor, teaches another to fast and lead a life of asceticism, makes another oblivious to the needs of the body, trains another for martyrdom. His action is different in different people, but the Spirit himself is always the same. In each person, Scripture says, the Spirit reveals his presence in a particular way for the common good.

The Spirit comes gently and makes himself known by his fragrance. He is not felt as a burden, for he is light, very light. Rays of light and knowledge stream before him as he approaches. The Spirit comes with the tenderness of a true friend and protector to save, to heal, to teach, to counsel, to strengthen, to console. The Spirit comes to enlighten the mind first of the one who receives him, and then, through him, the minds of others as well.

As light strikes the eyes of a man who comes out of darkness into the sunshine and enables him to see clearly things he could not discern before, so light floods the soul of the man counted worthy of receiving the Holy Spirit and enables him to see things beyond the range of human vision, things hitherto undreamed of.

What a wonderful symbol of the Holy Spirit…WATER…

What do you think?

So have you ever thought…I would love to ride my bike across the country? Literally from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean on a bicycle. Well, that’s what a team of brave people started doing three days ago. It’s called the Ride:Well Bike Tour and they left the Califorinia coast yesterday and will be riding across this great country for the next 8 weeks. 

Thanks for wondering why…It would have to be for a pretty serious reason…and it is.

They are raising awareness and money for Blood:Water Mission. Blood:Water Mission is a grassroots organization that empowers communities to work together against the HIV/AIDS and water crisis. It’s core purpose is to build community through creative social action. They are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by the members of the multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning band, Jars of Clay, to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa.

Blood:Water Mission exists to promote clean blood and clean water efforts in Africa, tangibly reducing the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic while addressing the underlying issues of poverty, injustice and oppression. Blood:Water Mission is building clean water wells, supporting medical facilities, and focusing on community and worldview transformation, both here in America and in Africa. If you would like to know more, check them out here.

For me…this is an intersection of a passion (giving to those in need of clean water and freedom from AIDS) and something I have begun to gain an appreciation for (road biking). I have signed up to help and want to invite you to help too. You can join us in the cause, pray for and track the team, and/or donate.  Go to HERE  and click the donation page. Select me from the “local cyclist” drop-down list and make your donation. Then lets support and track the team as they make their way across the country this summer.

Thanks…be blessed by blessing others.

Don’t get me wrong – I love Christmas. It’s time for family, for comfort, for love. And for Christians, it’s a time to celebrate what’s most important, the birth of Jesus Christ.

But there are a lot of things we get wrong about Christmas.

For one, we give each other so much stuff. Whether it’s out of obligation or just to truly show someone we care, we’re still essentially material-rich people giving other material-rich people more… materials. The purpose of our holiday, though, is Christ. And Jesus made his purpose clear to us – sacrifice. He died so that we could live. And we struggle to keep that the focus of Christmas while we’re busy buying and unwrapping gifts.

Let’s face it, we actually sacrifice very little. But what’s small to us can be huge to someone who lacks basic health necessities. Just $20 is enough for one person to have clean water for two decades, for example.

So, this year, I’m asking others of you to join me and give up some gifts and donate that money to help me build a well. 100% of all funds raised go directly to the water projects. Between now and Christmas, I aim to raise $2,500 in my charity: water campaign.

Jesus sacrificed himself for us. This is the least I can do.

Please join me and donate whatever you can…..http://mycharitywater.org/ebroussard

THANK YOU!