need

tsunami help

here's some video footage of the tsunami.

some images

not gory- but terrifying.

here is some information on giving towards the relief efforts.

i don't know what to endorse-

but here are some links that you may find helpful:

secular:

oxfam

nytimes clearninghouse list of relief work

faithbased:

aerdo

campus crusade for christ

sojorners clearinghouse list

you can check with these folks to help determine your giving preference.

i am not going to critique anyone's level of senstivity to this crisis. while i can appreciate that there is an under-reported disaster happening in africa- i must say that the outpouring of support for the tsunami is not something i take lightly. it is certainly a step in the right direction. there are lots of good byproducts to giving. i don't just mean monitarily. you can give your time to prayer, you can talk to your employer about donating a service... whatever. but giving is good for you! sorry if this sounds preachy. but i just want to say that i think it is a really good thing that people are giving- b/c we gotta start somewhere.

i felt compelled to post something that would inform people on giving options. these images are haunting.

precious boy

+++

today's chewable vitamin

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath.

It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. '

T is mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown;

His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,

The attribute to awe and majesty,

Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;

But mercy is above this sceptred sway, It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,

It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's,

When mercy seasons justice. "

~ william shakesphere (from the merchant of venice)