Ebola: Three Ways to Mitigate Your Worry

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2014 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Create Awareness, Global Health, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

We aren't fully panicking yet. But as an infected man went through our token international airport a few miles off, I am beginning to hear the stirring speculations: Is it possible that maybe Ebola carries through the air? Could these germs have flown up route 28,...

Do Something: Make STOPPING Ebola Go Viral

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2014 | Ways to Make a Difference

Before she settled in Washington state with her husband and two daughters (one of which was recently adopted from China), the author of this post, Rebecca, used to work on mobilizing our church with me to care about what was beyond them. I was blessed to learn...

These Brave Birds: A Very Clever Story

by Elisa | Oct 17, 2014 | Women's Empowerment

This short story was prompted by the following image: Winter came upon them like a rainbow; their minds had been dancing in preparation. Finally they found themselves in the “Coughing Lair” as they called it, cigar fumes so rich and red. Taking their...

Joe’s New Bed: A Short Story

by Elisa | Oct 10, 2014 | Uncategorized

This short story was prompted by the following image: Joe's New Bed His clean-cut world had been transformed, now shocking lit and stale with color. Even the newfound friendlings were over-the-top raucous, especially the stubby, multi-legged creature. ...

Short Stories: Falling For The Oceanographer & Halo-Shoe Narrative #3427

by Elisa | Sep 26, 2014 | Uncategorized

(Note: The two below stories are inspired by this image) (The first short story of the week) Halo-Shoe Narrative #3427 There wasn't ever the sweet grass prairie when she dislodged her aviators. Dee always found herself somewhere fantastical: a foreign...

Five Peaceful Actions on the International Day of Peace

by Elisa | Sep 21, 2014 | Human Rights, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

When I was a kid, my family used to host exchange students from Japan. I thought it was funny that our students would hold two fingers up in a peace sign for pictures, an equivalent "say cheese for the camera." Later, though, I read this is considered the peace sign...

Short Story: Rejected

by Elisa | Sep 19, 2014 | Uncategorized

(Note: this following image is the prompt for this story) He had melted into the bed for an hour by now, surely. Actually, it could have been hours, thirty of them. Those decades had passed in a blink, would he know if the hours had played the same game? ...

Short Story: War Legs

by Elisa | Sep 12, 2014 | Uncategorized

(Note: this above image is the prompt for this story) War Legs Run. Run faster. They galloped east. They skittered west. Now they trampled south. Let those legs fly! It always got tricky when they ran south. The dark trees spiked from the...

Be Intentional: Seize The Day Bucket List

by Elisa | Sep 6, 2014 | Stuff of the Heart

Do you have a "Seize the Day" list? Or a"Before I Kick the Bucket" list? A "Live Life Intentionally "list? I ran across mine the other day. I still haven't milked a cow, but surely someday I will receive that blessed opportunity from somewhere (like a farm, but...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

What to Do With that Blasted Holy Discontent (I used to be a radical)

I used to be a radical. I used to be a radical–until I wasn’t. After high school, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

How Politics Pushed Me To Only Buy Ethically Sourced Clothes

It might be hard to believe, but it has been two years since our last presidential election....

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

How to Help: Afghanistan

How can we help the crisis in Afghanistan? I've spent the last month researching ways everyday people can be involved!

Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking

Want to Bring Freedom to the Exploited (Right Now)?

Ready to do something about exploitation now? Help us find partners or volunteer for Blackout Trafficking!

Leadership

A New Year, They Said: A Poem for Changemakers in January

Its a New Year, and with it, demands for volunteering, ministry, activism, and more more more! This satirical poem addresses giving from fullness and restful changemaking

Spiritual Discipleship

When Our Best Yes Meets Humble Service: When Should Changemakers Clean Toilets?

Often Changemakers find themselves doing the faithful background service of doing things like changing toilets. How to we balance our "best yes" with humility?