Here in...

"In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand"

Today, 6 aid workers were attacked and killed in the Pakistan World Vision office.

As we sang these words in chapel, I could not help but think about the power of the words that we are singing.

During this season of my life, the reality of the strength of Christ - BEYOND what I can reason and explain... has been part of my everyday reality.

A dear friend has parents who work and live in North Africa, and who recently had 20 (foreigners) expelled from the country for "proselytizing."
That's a whole group of children who have been rejected and neglected, who will once again have those that they trust have to tell them that they are leaving.

On a global scale, with the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile and these two events...
and on a personal scale with heartache of my own and those that are near to me...
I am reminded that as we stand in chapel, whether our eyes are closed and our legs are tapping...
The words we sing proclaim TRUTH, HOPE, and RESCUE in the middle of situations that are otherwise overwhelming.

"No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand"

The conspiracy

Okay.

So I may not necessarily like the title, because the word has been used continuously in an attempt o be "different."

Linguistics aside, this is onto something.

We watched this video last week in chapel. Along with several others,

as we were invited by Brian Zuniga to be a part of:

The Advent Conspiracy.

This is more than just the "reason for the season."

It's a crazy thought.

To really value giving more than receiving - so much so that we may never see the results or appreciation of the gift we have given.

We wonder and talk - How can we be a part of the "Christmas Spirit" while not participating in the consumerism that it entails?

As you figure out what that looks like for you during this season, there are some options that the website offers that are interesting.

If you really enjoy gift giving, make sure that your gifts are fair trade!

Some options are:

Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena.

Trade as One (on online store)

Give a goat through (or many other survival necessities) through World Vision.

Provide a micro-enterprise loan through Kiva.

Buy freedom and support lawyers through International Justice Mission.

Donate and help build a well through blood:water mission.

Also, let your favorite brand names know that you don't support products that are slave-made.

I feel like this conversation is just beginning...