By: Major K. Kendall Mathews, Columbia/Jefferson City Salvation Army
Martin Luther King Jr.’s diligence to his dream was the key that permitted him to overcome many obstacles. People opposed him from every side, yet he never looked back. He pressed forward to preach the message of equality for all, and he was fearless in making his dream a reality for everyone. We are called on to do the same, in spite of the inequalities in our communities across this nation.
In the New International Version of the Christian Bible, Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” I think one’s immovable trust and faith in God, combined with one’s drive to live the dream of unity and a steadfast relationship with Jesus Christ, has the power to make the impossible a reality. As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”
We need many more Dr. Kings in our world today — people who will stand up and fight universally against the negative forces of bias and unfairness. The fight needs to be comprehensive and unrelenting, and it needs to incorporate social networking, physical relief, psychological wellness and spiritual development. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
What we need to overcome negative forces is a prescribed amount of God’s diligence, entrenched in our lives and patterned after the diligence of Jesus who gave up his earthly freedom so that all people could have access to salvation. As “Jesus Loves the Little Children” says, “Red, yellow, black and white, we are precious in his sight.” We can all be the dream that King so wanted for every color, culture and creed.
In celebrating Black History Month, be mindful that many people have gone the extra mile for the cause of freedom and liberty — some have given their life. King knew who he was and who created him, so the fight for freedom was not his or ours, but it belongs to the Lord. As 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
God, through Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit, is our freedom maker and spiritual liberator. As you live in the freedom of Christ, others might soon see your brightness and want that same God-given freedom.
When my father punished me for wrongdoings as a little boy, he said that he only wanted to free me from my wrongdoing so that I would choose to do right the next time, and so that I might feel hurt inside for a little while but be set free later on by the truth. Dad was talking about freeing me from wrongdoing, but what he really wanted me to understand was that freedom comes from making a decision about what is right and wrong. For me, that included being put in time out. It might have hurt during that time, but I was free and felt better later on.
The choice to live the dream in spite of injustice is at hand for us all. Do not allow negative attitudes to weigh you down and lower your standards because as my Dad used to say, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Do not respond with tasteless words or retaliatory actions — discover beauty in everyone. If you have it in you — and I know you do — get along with everyone. Don’t insist on getting even. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
The road to freedom is a hard one, but like King, we, too, will be faced with things that will zap the life right out of us — things like misunderstandings and unrighteous ways. But do not lose heart. Christ came into this world to relieve us from our transgressions and give us freedom from selfishness, prejudice, discrimination and pride. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says, “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Remember that it is about living each day not in fear, but in faith — that all your wrongs can be made right in Christ, if you only believe. Whom the Lord sets free is free indeed.
Last year at The Salvation Army food pantry in O’Fallon, MO, about 25 to 35 families would come in every month. This year, that number has increased to 250 to 350 families each month. It is a sad statistic, one which my husband and I share a lot. Without fail everyone blames the economy. While the lack of jobs, the loss of retirement accounts, and the inability to pay off creditors is certainly partly to blame, I have seen another thing. The food pantry used to be a place of last resort, a place that folks only visited after every other resource was expended, because there was always the hope that things would get better. Folks would let their cupboards dwindle to nothingness, cut down on meals, spend money reserved for other bills on food because in just a few days, with just the next paycheck, things would get better. Things were always bound to get better. Today, this is not true. For many of our clients, the food pantry is a regular weekly or monthly visit, a part life, because things are not going to get better. The job will never be found. The hours lost will never come back. The bills never seem to get paid. Although I am not sure we can quantify this so easily, it would seem that the food shelf has experienced a tenfold increase in need because there has been a tenfold decrease in hope.
We were inspired by a great idea from 
The nation slowly continues the long road of recovery from the “The Great Recession”, or the other assorted names it has been known in news headlines, but average Americans care little of the names used by the media they care about the impact the downturn has taken on the financial security their families. As the country starts this economic recovery, one of the main areas of damage the average American is trying to repair is the damage done to their retirement plans. However, uncertainty in the stock markets and low return on investment offered by investment vehicles like, five year certificates of deposits and 10 year Treasurys, both of which currently have rates of return around 2% annual percentage yield, have left many looking for a suitable alternative to traditional investment opportunities. One such alternative option is a Charitable Gift Annuity, while not an investment but a gift, it can be used to provide a measure of income security during one’s lifetime and leave a charitable legacy.
Are you looking to support The Salvation Army’s work throughout the year with little out-of-pocket expense and even less administrative work? Here are a few ideas for low-effort/high-donation continuous fundraisers:
Ice Cream for Breakfast: Partner with a local ice cream shop or host the event in your church’s fellowship hall. Offer DIY ice cream sundaes for breakfast with a variety of breakfast-themed toppings! Maple syrup ice cream with crispy bacon on top, waffle cones made with real waffles! Have a photo booth set up where people can take pictures with their ice cream creations and hand out prizes for most creative concoctions.
Salvation Army.
Have you ever read the volunteer opportunities listed by an organization and thought, “hmm, nothing here applies to my skills and/or interest?” For various reasons (often monetary, time and or staff limitations, etc.,) non-profits post what can appear to be generic position descriptions. Instead of being the end point, I believe these position descriptions can be a jumping off point to match talented, creative volunteers with meaningful projects. However, it will take effort for organizations and potential volunteers to make this happen. 
This year, we’re going to feature fundraiser ideas that you, our wonderful supporters, can organize to support The Salvation Army the whole year through. Today’s idea? (Drumroll, please) The sure-to-be-a-classic VIDEO GAME DANCE OFF!
3 – You Asked For It!: Have teachers at your local school, or news anchors in town, or other local people of note agree to participate in a dance-off in front of an audience in exchange for paid admission at the door – or a minimum amount fundraised.
