Kickstart My Heart

“In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” – Ghandi

Motley Crue’s crown achievement, 1989’s Dr. Feelgood, is one of my all-time favorite albums.  The title of this blog entry, the fifth song on the tape – my first copy of it was on cassette tape – recalls a near-death drug overdose for bassist Nikki Sixx in which he needed two adrenaline shots straight into his heart to save his life.

I’ve never done a drug in my life and I’ve never even been drunk, so I can’t personally relate to Nikki Sixx’s physical need for direct adrenaline injections into his heart.  But I feel a serious need for a metaphorical injection into mine.

My heart is strong.  Always has been.  Both physically and metaphysically.  But so much of what my heart truly desires is impossible to accomplish on my own.  I want to do so much more to take care of my family and friends.  I want to take care of underprivileged children, abused children, neglected children.  Adults too.  I want to make an impact.

Granted, all the above desires can be accomplished on a small scale.  But how much more impactful can I be if I’m able to do things on a grander scale?  Not for my own glory, but for the glory of what we’re called here to do – to love each other.

Imagine if the world’s riches were spread amongst the generous instead of the greedy.  Why is it that for every philanthropic millionaire, there seems to be countless hoarders?  Why must it be that way?

I don’t want to be Robin Hood.  I just want to be able to do things to help the world instead of designing million dollar bras (Seriously, a $2.5 million dollar bra… nothing more important to focus on than that?).

Naturally, my Motley Crue, Ghandi, and Victoria’s Secret references are all leading up to a discussion about the Christian feature film I’m developing.  Naturally.

The specific injection my heart needs is a financial push to launch my new project about a disgruntled Christian and an atheist and the faith they conjure up in each other.  For a guy who prides himself on being able to handle most tasks alone, it’s difficult for me to ask for help, but I just don’t have the money to accomplish what I hope to accomplish.  Every dollar raised through my Kickstarter campaign will be dedicated to the development of this project and if things go the way I think they could, I will personally pay back everybody who contributes.  And then some.

It’s not about me.  It never has been and it never will be.  I’m not looking for people to fund my career.  I’m simply asking for support in launching a project that could benefit a world in need of positive, uplifting messages.  The financial and door-opening potential of the project are inconsequential at this stage.  If the project finds success, all those who believe in it will benefit.

I love Ghandi’s quote above because it exemplifies the problem with so many ‘face-value’ Christians who offer rhetorical prayer and passive well-wishes in lieu of action.

“Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, ‘Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’ – but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing.  What good does that do?” – James 2: 15 – 16, NLV

Food and clothing are not lacking for my family and me, so I’m not comparing myself to the brother or sister mentioned in the passage from James.  But the point is clear – passivity helps nobody.

One day I hope to be better positioned to provide more food and clothing for those that need it.  I would hope anybody reading this would claim the same.  If you don’t already, please consider donating to Compassion International or Union Gospel Mission or another worthy charitable cause (visit The Better Business Bureau’s charity website for a detailed list of charities).

And please donate to my fundraising campaign for “Away”.  Whether you’re called to give $5.00 or $500.00 I appreciate the support.  If the movie ends up being successful, I will do what I can to pay you back and I will certainly up my contributions to the charities I already support.  Because that’s what it’s all about – taking care of others.