Pan De Libros

Kate spent the weekend in Baltimore, MD with our best friends, the Schultz'.  There, she and Katie brainstormed and wrote a children's book that will be available in the coming months (much more info about that later). But more importantly, they dreamed and created a vision for changing a community in Anapra, Mexico.

{this is from Katie's blog, Schultz Party of Four}

 Though the front porches of Anapra look out over the Mexico - U.S. border onto the verdant lawns of the United States, many of the luxuries we take for granted are not readily available to their community. Paved streets, potable water, steady employment, safety, even education - none are guaranteed to our neighbors to the south - and neither are books.

Perhaps we can change that...

However, the vision is growing, taking root in the hearts of many in the U.S. and Anapra to provide more literature, a place for community, and HOPE. The next step in the good work being done in Anapra is taking shape, the shape of a library... and I couldn't be more excited!!! A location has been identified, supply costs are being assessed, and a plan is developing!

And in order to coordinate the efforts that will surely require the compassionate and generous contributions of numerous partners in the U.S. to empower these impacts, the Pan de Libros (Bread of Books) collaboration group has been formed. Our goal: to promote education, community, and hope by providing books to families across the border.

As we develop this initiative you can follow our progress:
twitter
facebook

{READ THE ENTIRE PIECE HERE}

There's a WHOLE LOT MORE that I'll be rolling out in the coming weeks and months, but for now, keep up-to-date via twitter and facebook.

Paz,
Ross

Base Jumping

Friday's are perfect for creativity, beauty, and art.  This is a beautiful video - not to mention an amazing feat!  Enjoy and have a great Memorial Day...

Peace,

Ross

My Nights at Busch

I've spent this week at Bush Stadium...at least that's what it feels like.  Its been great seeing the Cards WIN!  By the way, I'm 5-0.  So all you Cardinals season ticket holders out there, you might want to invite me along to ensure a W!

Peace,
Ross

Book Excerpt #23 (Outsourcing God)

It's been a while since I've posted any excerpts from my upcoming book, Outsourcing God.  I thought amidst the volatile political debates happening in the country, that this was an opportunity to connect some dots between faith and politics.  Because I believe that the Kingdom of God is unfolding before our eyes, by what Christ has done, what God is doing, and what Christ followers are doing as God's hands and feet, this is important.

Much of what people know, feel, and react towards God comes from the work(s) and behavior(s) of the Church.  Because we live in a consumer culture, where everything seems to be condensed to 140-character tweets and sound-bytes, we opt for consuming what makes us feel good and what buys power; power in the church, power in politics, power around the globe.  Its much more difficult to be, to honestly struggle, and to operate communally, rather than individuals responding to talking points.  Thus, we outsource God (to loud leaders, politicians that are supposed to be representative of "the christian right" or "the christian left"), and what the world perceives God as becomes blurred and sometimes even unrecognizable...

(c) 2012 Ross Christopher Donaldson - Outsourcing God.

...We make no distinction between faith and consumerism. And if we’re not careful, we wind up treating our leadership positions as if they were telemarketing firms or IT consultants.

But this doesn’t happen over night. It’s a culmination of culture, movement, laziness, vision, and pace, all working in tandem over time to affect every single aspect of how people see and follow God. Because God is inextricably linked to the way the Church behaves, it ineffectually becomes the same.

This is a conundrum of the Church.

Peace,
Ross

Veil

Here's a new song lyric I'm working on...enjoy!

Veil
(c) 2012 Ross Christopher

Your smile's like a wrecking ball of grace / Like forty thousand pardons on my armchair to death /

You kiss my neck and split the veil / I breathe you in and I have life / And it is good / Again.

Peace,

Ross

"It Is Good"

When landscapes become more than pretty colors; but instead texture, life, and creation surrounding me - I'm washed in, and part of "It Is Good!"

Peace,
Ross

Opening for Gregory Alan Isakov

Last night I had the opportunity to play violin with Geoff Koch and open for Gregory Alan Isakov.  We played The Old Rock House in St. Louis (easily my favorite venue) to a packed crowd - even the balcony was packed!  So thanks to everyone that came out to the show!

If you're not familiar with his work, its brilliant!  Its atmospheric and folksy in just the right way.  Here's a couple pics and a video of Gregory doing his thing.  Enjoy!

Peace,
Ross