What Color Green are You?

One of the top five questions I get about justice would be,

"What do you think about the whole going green thing?"

I rarely answer, just sigh...

In my world it's a loaded question that gets off into questions about global warming and the carbon footprint of my to-go dinner. It seems like we are arguing about the insignificant stuff (to me) and are missing the bigger picture of stewardship. Taking care of precious gifts: nature, resources, and each other's health.

If someone is looking for more I point them to the Cornwall Alliance or Tracey Bianchi whose book Green Mama was released from Zondervan on March 1st, 2010. I had the privilege of meeting her and she is the real deal. Green Mama is similar to Mercy Rising that it is helping us find simple, everyday solutions to larger than life issues.

FREE BOOK! ALERT!

What do you think? Green Mama asks, "How green are you?" Light pale aqua? Dark Forest Green?
Post a comment and I will draw one winner to win a copy of this amazing book.

And the Oscar goes to...

Well not really, but the results are in from last week's free book drawing.

Congratulations to Natalie, grantandsara, Mark, Katie, and Cynthia!

Mercy Rising Book Release Giveaway

Happy March 1st and release day to you! We're giving away 5 books to blog readers. Winners will be discussing today's topic:

What do you do to live simple-practical justice and compassion in your everyday life? or How do you struggle with this?



Winners will be drawn randomly.

Mercy Rising - "One Thing" Inspire Challenge

Over the next 6 weeks (until 12-18), I am issuing my amazing blog readers a challenge. Do one thing for someone else who needs some inspiration this season.

I have some good friends who are boycotting Black Friday. That's fine, I honestly thought about it - I could use a "buy nothing day". But for me the issue is bigger than shopping. This year has been hard for lots of families. A better way to celebrate the holiday season is to inspire giving, love, and mercy.

Have fun. Stretch your creativity. Need ideas? - Visit the mercyrising blog archives to get some ideas.


Send in your story/pictures to amberaron@yahoo.com to be featured in an upcoming blog posts and to spread the inspiration.

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One in a Million

What does one million look like? dollars, cents, people, statistics?

One million children would fill a typical US stadium 15 to 20 times.
One million children holding hands would stretch for more than 750 miles.
It would take you 12 hours going highway speeds to reach the end of that line.

In June, Compassion International reached their one millionth child sponsored. These sponsored children in the grips of poverty are getting their chance at an education, loving mentors, food, health, and hope.

How did they get to 1,000,000 kids? Just one child at a time.

What does real change look like for one person. See the inspiring video below. (starting at 1:45)

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.

Today, on World Poverty Day, it might seem overwhelming. What can I do about world poverty? Not everything, just do one thing. Why this? Why Compassion International?
It's not about an organization, it's about people. I believe so much in the integrity of this one, though, I will continually advocate for children in need. Change one life today. If you sponsor a child, be sure to put #c251 in the "comments" section on their form, to be entered in a drawing to win free stuff!

Shoe Fun

As the season turns to fall, last week I pulled out my fall clothes, dug in my closet for a jacket, and put my sandals away. What about those who don't even have access to shoes?

Shoe company, Gore-tex is teaming up with Soles4Souls to help those who need shoes.

How can I help?
#1) Need new fall shoes? Purchase some from Gore-tex and $5 will be donated to S4S.
#2) Enter to win. 10 winners will win Gore-tex shoes, and one lucky winner will win a trip to see Soles4Souls in action.

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09-09-09 Prize Give Away

Diana Scimone's website is giving away a prize a day for 31 days. It works kind of like a raffle.

Donate $9 on 09-09-09 - catchy isn't it?

The money goes to end sex-trafficking.

Here are some prizes listed so far:
Art work
Twitter wall backgrounds
Cool sunglasses
Kitchen gadgets
Custom Photo Announcements
Jewelry
Beauty Products
Work out program
And more

Check out Diana's website for the details.

Free Ice Cream Cone - Baskin Robbins

Do Something is encouraging young adults 13-25 years old to make a difference. Sign up for free online and Baskin Robbins will give you an ice cream cone on them. Offer valid to July 17th.

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Get Paid to Recycle Electronics

YouRenew is making recycling electronics easy.

See if your electronic item is listed and get a cash quote.
Or request a specialized quote.
Send it back in pre-paid envelope or box.
It's that easy.

Seems good if you wouldn't have time to get a great price selling it yourself or if it is in bad shape that wouldn't be sellable.

Video

Free Download, Free Meals

For every (free) download of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft will donate 8 meals to Feeding America.

Offer is good now through August 8, 2009.

(Thanks Aaron L. for the tip!)

Free Children's Adventure Computer Game

Quest for Compassion is a great new interactive computer game for children in the target age range 6-12 by Compassion International.

Children "travel" to other countries and learn about other cultures while filling up "travel passports" with their adventures on-line.

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Free Book Winners

Congratulations!

Nicole K. - CGMOPS - Fall 2008 Events
Elyssa - December Blog Contest

(You will be contacted after book release for shipping details.)

This list will be updated as more winners are chosen.

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Advent Conspiracy and December Giveaway

I found a great new website where people are joining forces to share great ideas to make Christmas more meaningful and less commercialized.

I am also starting a contest for the month of December. If you leave a comment on this blog to share a cool idea to help make Christmas meaningful I will enter you in a drawing for a free book!

Check out the Advent Conspiracy site to get those creative ideas flowing.

(From Advent Conspiracy web site...)
Christmas can (still) change the world.

The story of Christ's birth is a story of promise, hope, and a revolutionary love.

What if Christmas became a world-changing event again?

Welcome to Advent Conspiracy.

Free Groceries for One Year

Enter for a chance to win a year of free groceries for your family–and a community food bank! (Prize value $25,000!)

Thanks to myrecipes daily contest for a great give away.

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