SecondIron's Blog

Sharpening Iron to Live Second

Blood, Water and a Little Jars of Clay

A chilly brisk breeze was in the air as we waited outside the Murray Hill Theater discussing with others in line about the shows that we had seen there before.  There was your normal fare of the regulars along with some new comers that stumbled across the venue one way or another. This evening was a little different from most as we were there to raise awareness and funds for a nonprofit and the band that started the charity just happened to be putting on the show.  Instead of the normal merchandise and promotions that go along with most concerts this band came in under the limelight almost unannounced and put on a great show. The focus of the evening was the ‘Blood Water Mission’, which is a grassroots organization that is working hand in hand with the African communities to combat the HIV/Water crisis in their area.  The organization was founded in 2004 and has since raised 22 million by creative donors that helps support over a million people in 11 countries. By empowering the Africans and making heroes in their own countries they have been able to provide access to clean drinking water to almost 900k people and medication for HIV treatment for over 40k people over the span of 10 years. The band Jars of Clay started this organization with a simple concept of taking what you would normally spend on a cup of java and donating that amount.  Imagine a world where every dollar that you donate provided clean drinking water […]

Christ in a Rain Coat

It had been raining for two days straight with the New Year upon us and the coldest weather of the season moving in, all anyone wanted was to get home.  I walked my normal route out of the office to my truck, letting the day’s events fall out of my mind so I did not bring them home.  As I started to turn towards the lot where my truck sat waiting peacefully for me to get in out of the rain, something no someone caught my eye. He walked towards me in the rain, slowly, as if he was unsure whether to cross my path, turn down the side street or even turn around.  Instantly, as I have many times in the past in our city my mind started to prejudge, thinking of ways to avoid eye contact much less conversation, where is my wallet is it secure, I am out here by myself with this guy, what should I do?  Then it happened as it has many times before; he raised his head from under his rain jacket and with eyes full of hurt and pain asked me “can you help me?’” By general rule, I do not give to people on the street, at least not money for we all know where that goes right?  For some reason this time felt different, I casually replied, “Sure, let me see how much I have in my truck”.  He followed behind me, not too close to be intrusive, but enough to make known that he […]

Happy New YOU 2014!

Once again we are burdened with the finality of another year; it is gone and done with all the blessings and messings we must move on creating a new you.  Many of us will make New Year’s resolutions today to fulfill tomorrow and break by January 31st if not sooner.  While we let 2013 go out with a bang or a whimper (you decide) we welcome the New Year of 2014 with open arms ready for new beginnings.  Here is some food for thought as you countdown the clock tonight.. ◇ Become the person where the mirror does not scream in horror each day. ◇ Be a little kinder to those you pass by, they may be having a worse day than you. ◇ Use a friendly wave or the sign of the cross rather than the middle finger when someone cuts you off..Blessing them on their way. ◇ Read more books that will benefit your life spiritually, financially or emotionally rather than magazines and other smut based on sleazy dreams and lives of people you will never be. ◇ Instead of watching the news that is full of negativity use that time to spend with your family the headlines, weather and sports reports will be there to catch up on at any time. ◇ Feeling a bit empty, try filling someone else’s life, whether at a soup kitchen, giving your time to your favorite charity or just taking the time to be interested in the welfare and well-being of someone who can never repay you. […]