Affinity4 Community Blog

I am certain there are few Christians in this nation and around the world who are not familiar with Dr. James Dobson and his ministry. Through Focus on the Family, the organization he founded more than 30 years ago, he has had an insurmountable impact on marriages and key family relationships. For years, parents have relied on his book, The Strong-Willed Child, among others for practical biblical parenting advice. Dr. Dobson is perhaps best known for his flagship daily radio show, Focus on the Family which is heard on over 2,000 radio outlets. Both Dobson and his program have received many NRB awards through the years.

Almost ten years ago I had the pleasure of attending a week long conference at Focus on the Family. It was such a blessing to be able to attend several sessions with Dr. Dobson present and speaking to our group. He is a humble man who lights up the room with his wit, passion and motivation to move people toward the heart of God! Before that conference and through the years I have personally listened to Dobson’s radio shows and read many of his books always finding them to be an encouragement and help for my walk as a wife, mother, Christian and ministry leader.

At the end of last year an announcement was released stating that in February, Dr. Dobson will step down and relinquish his role as the primary voice on the Focus on the Family radio program. While I know that like myself many are saddened by this decision I am also certain that his decision and timing are that of the Lord and a true testament to Dobson’s character. We will all miss Dr. Dobson’s familiar voice in our cars, offices, and homes each day. But we can say thank you to him for his 30 years of faithful service for the cause of Christ. His efforts have touched lives and strengthened families around the world! Thank You Dr. Dobson, and may God richly bless you today and always!

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Affinity4 and our employees participate in a volunteering activity every quarter. It just so happens that while we were in the midst of brainstorming for our 1st Quarter activity of 2010 the devastating earthquake hit the country of Haiti. We immediately directed our focus to what we could do to help, and came up with our campaign Helping Haiti Heal! Starting Monday we will be raising money to support the relief efforts in Haiti and contribute these funds to Operation Blessing International, a local international nonprofit who specializes in disaster relief.

Wanting to make the biggest impact possible, we are going to involve our entire office building, consisting of more than 1200 people. We will be looking for the support of everyone to help us reach our goal of $2,500 for the people of Haiti. If you want to help, simply send us a check made out to Operation Blessing or visit our website to donate online! Now let’s HELP HAITI HEAL!!

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According to reports, at approximately 5pm on January 12th, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated the Haitian region, the strongest in over two centuries. Truthfully, when I heard the news I didn’t think much about it- that’s until I turned on the television. As I sat down and flipped through news channels, all I saw left was a country in ruins. Once erect buildings reduced to rubble, men and women weeping over the loss of their loved ones, homes lost in a sea of smoke that hung over the entire country.

The earthquake has destroyed the new with the old, the rich and the poor. Hospitals, churches, even the prison are all in shambles, as priests and prison escapees alike are nowhere to be found. Survivors walk through the streets uncovering blankets with piles of bodies underneath in attempts to find their families. With so many emotions going through my head all I could do was cry. How could a country already overwhelmed by violence and hunger fall victim to such a horrendous disaster?

As I try to get over the feeling of helplessness, all I can do is turn to God and pray for those affected by this tragedy. Only through him have I found comfort in this time of great suffering and will continue to look to him for guidance on how to best do my part and help.

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Joel Osteen’s new book, It’s Your Time was definitely worth the wait. As someone who has been reading Osteen’s life changing books such as, Become a Better You and Your Best Life Now, I had high standards for this one- he didn’t disappoint. His effective incorporation of personal stories and advice throughout the passages made me feel as though he was speaking to me directly and understood what I was going through.

It’s Your Time message is all about being positive, thinking big, and raising your expectations. Separated into 5 different sections, Osteen shows you how to keep your heart pure, how to gain strength through adversity, how to trust in tough times, forgiveness over renewal, and how to trust again. Throughout those sections, Osteen repeatedly reminds us that no matter how hard we think things are, the best days are always ahead of us. It’s up to us to give power over to God, declare our everlasting faith, and allow him to take control of our lives so that we can find fulfillment. Osteen’s message of faith, hope, and courage not only touched my heart, but helped bring me closer to God.

This book is has been a true blessing to my life, and is a great gift idea for a friend or family for any occasion – read it today!

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Zach Bonner

Throughout the Christmas holiday, we often become distracted by material things, losing focus on what the season is really about. So when I read an article about Zach Bonner, a 12 year old boy from Valrico, Florida who spent his Christmas helping the less fortunate I was deeply touched. Having already spent half of his life dedicated to assisting others, it came as no surprise when Zach was recently selected as the Most Inspiring Person of the Year by the spirituality website Beliefnet.com.

Zach began his humanitarian work in 2004 when Hurricane Charley left many people in need of food, water, and shelter. Walking around with his little red wagon, he handed out much needed supplies, all the while bringing attention to his worthy cause. 5 years later, Zach has continued his fund raising efforts by throwing a holiday party for children in emergency foster care.

With the help of his mother, Laurie Bonner, Zach’s website LittleRedWagonFoundation.com has been able to update his causes and shares ideas on how to help people of any age to become a philanthropist. In summary of his amazing efforts to help others, Zach simply stated, “It was just something I felt I could do. When you are in preschool or kindergarten, they are teaching you to share and give to others. And I had a really good time doing it, so I wanted to continue.” Looks like we could all take a lesson from Zach.

Source: USA Today, Boy is Beliefnet’s Most Inspiring

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The great thing about celebrating the New Year is the opportunity we are given to experience a “new start”.  Just like the saying that you should always start a diet on the first day or start of the week, implementing our “resolutions” is expected at the start of the New Year!  Naturally we focus on changes or resolutions that will help us achieve our personal goals and dreams.  For some it’s about weight loss, ending bad habits, building stronger relationships with family, gaining financial freedom, or doing more to assist those that are less fortunate.

As the director of two crisis pregnancy centers ministries in North Carolina, I work daily to keep the doors of our centers open to provide assistance to families facing crisis pregnancy situations.  For 13 years I have been blessed with this opportunity and each year we face new challenges as a non profit organization.  So, this year I have decided to focus on a list of resolutions for myself that I believe will not only allow us to continue our ministry efforts but expand them in the New Year!

A friend of mine had posted on her website this statement:  Leaders bring vision, faith and courage to coordinated effort.  There must be vision to see what ought to be done, faith to believe it truly can be done, and courage to persevere until it is done.  These are qualities and actions we must exhibit if we expect others to join us in our efforts and to trust us as leaders of non profits.  So, I am resolving this year to clearly and constantly share my vision for this ministry, to stand strong in my faith knowing we can accomplish much this year, and to courageously persevere until our goals for 2010 are all achieved!

My prayer is that all our goals be reached and dreams come true personally and professionally in 2010. And specifically to those in non profit leadership, may you clearly see the vision, boldly share the vision and be surrounded by those of like mind who remain steadfast to see it through!  Happy New Year!

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