For those who know me, you also probably know that I am a huge Butch Walker fan, and that any chance I get I will try to make you one too.  Which isn't hard- he is a fantastic musician/ songwriter/ performer/ producer.    Well, I just saw that a documentary about him is coming out debuting at a film festival pretty soon.

Here is the trailer:



If you don't know who Butch Walker is- there is about a 99% chance you have heard one of his songs- unless you haven't listened to music in the last two decades.  He has written/ produced hit songs for Panic at the Disco, Avril Lavigne, The Academy Is..., All American Rejects, Pink, All Time Low, Dashboard Confessional, Fall Out Boy, Bowling for Soup, Pete Yorn, Family Force 5, Katy Perry, Weezer, and many more.

I can't wait to see this documentary- I just finished reading his book, and can't wait to see it on screen now.

Recently I started a new series: [People You Should Get To Know].  Today's "people" is coffee company Land of A Thousand Hills.

Drink Coffee. Do Good.
That is the mission statement of Land of A Thousand Hills coffee company.

They is a fair-trade company that exists to help people. They started in Rwanda by providing jobs for coffee farmers, giving them a sustainable income.  

How many of you drink coffee?  

I believe people generally want to help other people.  The problem is that we look at a problem like African poverty and think "How could I ever fix this?"   

We look only at the big picture and never see the fact that if we change one life- one person- we are one step closer. We believe the lie that changing the world is either impossible or requires dedicating your life to living in dirt huts and giving up showers.

Now, back to my question: How many of you drink coffee?  I know I do.  Land of A Thousand Hills coffee is good coffee.  Plain and simple.  For a second- let's forget about the charity part of the company and just focus on the coffee.  Do you want to drink good coffee?  I think all of us would say "yes!"  And this is good coffee that stands on its own.

So if you are already going to drink a cup of coffee, and we all like good coffee- shouldn't we be drinking a coffee that also helps people? That spreads the Gospel? That is changing the world, one person at a time?

Here is a story from the voices of Land of A Thousand Hills themselves, they tell their story much better than I could:

Drink coffee. Do Good.

Buy their coffee for you home, your church, your business, your friend.  I mean, if we are already going to be drinking coffee- is it too much for us to pay a few dollars more and help someone?  That is not meant to be a guilt-inducing statement- but a truth.  

Visit their shop.  Buy their coffee.  Drink Coffee. Do Good. 

Simple as that.

I am starting a new series entitled "People You Should Get To Know".  Technically, these are organizations, but people sounds better, and in the end- they are people- not a faceless company.

Here's the thing: we all change the world.  Which direction we change it is up to us.  Some people go and get their hands dirty trying to help others.  Some people turn a blind eye to the needs of the world.  But something like this takes no effort on our part.  It takes no time out of our day.  In fact- we get something out of it.  But with something as small as purchasing a watch or a t-shirt- we can change someone's life.  

First on the list: Hello Somebody.  This company is one I proudly support on a daily basis.  If you know me personally, or follow me on twitter- you might be familiar with some cool watches I've been wearing lately:

I get a lot of compliments on them. I have a red one, a white one, a grey one, and a green one.  And I plan on getting many more.  And here's why:

1. Their existence is centered around feeding and educating children in third world countries.
2. Their watches are incredibly stylish and cool looking
3. The price is extremely affordable (only $25 a piece!)
4. The money goes to providing clean water, food, and education.  To children.  Who desperately need it.

New Hello Rwanda from the Field from Hello Somebody on Vimeo.

You need to check this organization out. Get to know the people behind the organization.  No, not the people who run it.  They are great too- but the people behind the organization.  The reason behind the organization.  I challenge you to look up some statistics on poverty.  Then you can decide if you want to throw money away on a $100 watch that does nothing, OR, buy a $25 watch, and help a child.

Buy a watch.  Buy a T-shirt.  Buy a CD.  Donate money.  Help children.

If you want to help this company- invest in them.  And spread this post around.  Word of mouth goes farther than we could ever imagine!

Here is a poem I wrote in elementary school.  My sister found it and I figured I would share it with everyone.

Let me dissect the poem for you, as it can go over many people's heads.

The use of colors is not a metaphor, but actual colors.  Roses genuinely are red, and violets are close enough to blue.  And, what most people miss- the writer (myself) was excited about the fact that he loves someone, and declares "Woo!" to the world.

The more you know.

Carlos Whittaker recently shared a post he wrote a few years ago called "Dear Worship Dude."  In it, he writes from the point of view of a man who hasn't been to church in 10 years because church sucks.

He wrote another one.

I would add something to it, but 1) my brain isn't working right now, and 2) he is a much better writer than I.

I would encourage you to read these if you are a worship leader- even if you get on stage at a church service.