In the last couple of weeks I have been reminded time after time how busy I am. I spend so many hours every week in class, doing homework, working, and trying to maintain all of my other appointments that I'm always going. I barely have time to sleep, let alone enjoy this precious gift of life I have been given.
Over the past two days I have been very challenged by these reminders, that maybe need to just stop for a little while. I encourage you to just stop every once in a while. Look around, reflect, enjoy this life you've been given. In slowing down I see the beauty that I'm always speeding past.
The beauty of a toothless smile,
From one of youth or great age or hard life,
The liberty in a tear,
Whether from joy or painful strife,
The joy in a sincere laugh,
The comfort in the love of a dear friend,
The breathtaking awe of colorful sunrise,
The great gift of serving,
In life, let the bad days blow away as chaff,
For the God of all carries you to the end.
His grace comes to us as a surprise
But in it He made and gives everything.
I wasn't really intending to write a poem for this, but those things just happen sometimes. There is something incredible to witness in even the seemingly mundane parts of life. Such as, how impactful a simple, but thought out song can be. Like this one that I can't stop listening to today.
In conclusion, I just want to encourage you to slow down. Stop, catch your breath, and enjoy your life.
Scriptures for this post:
Remembering everything good is from God
James 1:17 - "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Encouragement to enjoy your life
Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 - "Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head. Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun."
That's what I call putting the "fun" back in "fundamentalism". Haha.
Wishing you well and until next time keep reflecting The Light.
PS: One last song for today.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Consumerism, Slavery, and the Super Bowl
This year in light of what God accomplished though Passion 2012, I felt very convicted while "watching" the Super Bowl. Deeply impacted at the knowledge of a 30-second commercial spot costing $3.5 million. At Passion 2012 $3,358,244 was raised for the cause of modern day slavery and sex-trafficking. In the world today there are at least 27 million victims of slavery and sex-trafficking, one is too many. The nearly $3.4 million raised at Passion 2012. See for yourself.
If all of this can be accomplished with less than $3.4 million, imagine with me for a moment what could be done with the money from only a few minutes of Super Bowl advertising. This Super Bowl has passed, but what does the future have in store? Together (by grace) we are a force for unimaginable good! We are the today's consumers, we are the tomorrow's officials, and tomorrow's CEOs. What will we do to stop slavery? What will we do to break the chains (literal and figurative) that hold our fellow man and woman in bondage? What will you do?
Visit for more information:
http://268generation.com/passion2012/#freedom
http://slaveryfootprint.org/
http://theresurgence.com/2012/02/02/sex-trafficking-at-the-super-bowl
I pray that this information will lead us to action. And until next time keep reflecting the Light.
Fund a year-long prevention program that will reach 48,000 kids who are at-risk of being trafficked. Ukraine - $240,000 – A21 Campaign
Build and fund (8) border monitoring stations and (8) safe homes that will help intercept victims as they are being trafficked. Nepal - $108,480 – Tiny Hands International
Fund (23) rescue operations that will provide freedom for hundreds of forced labor slaves. Chennai, India - $116,955 – International Justice Mission
Fund a 2-year aftercare program for 1,100 forced labor slaves that have been freed. Chennai, India - $115,500 – International Justice Mission
Fund holistic aftercare for (25) children rescued from horrific circumstances. Cambodia - $169,500 – Hagar International
Renovate (12) apartment homes for survivors of sexual exploitation as they experience healing and a new future. Atlanta, Georgia - $141,240 – Wellspring Living
Help fund a Child Exploitation and Online Protection Squad through training, education, and social services. Atlanta, Georgia - $110,000 – City of Atlanta
Establish a vocational training program for 100 people at a manufacturing unit that provides jobs to survivors of human trafficking. New Delhi, India - $56,500 – Not For Sale
Establish and fund (for 1 year) a crisis center for rescued victims of human trafficking. Cape Town, South Africa - $56,500 – Not For Sale
Host (6) action-driven education conferences (for 300 people) on anti-trafficking for Traditional Healers, Police Officers, and Judges. Uganda - $40,680 – Restore International
Fund (2) Ugandan High Court Session to bring to trial Witch Doctors or others responsible for human trafficking. Uganda - $36,160 – Restore International
Purchase and renovate the Sari Bari building where women who have been exploited and trafficked can experience a new life through community and employment. Sonagachi, India - $129,950 – Word Made Flesh
Fund (6) certificate-training programs for 85 aftercare workers. These caregivers will serve 1,260 survivors of child slavery and exploitation over the next year. Asia - $47,460 – Love146
Restore and reconcile (18) rescued children to their families and communities. Philippines - $16,385 – Love146
Build a safe house for 16 young girls who have been recused from abusive situations of child slavery. Port Salut, Haiti - $169,500 – Restavek Freedom Foundation
Build an Innovation Center for young girls born into brothels, but rescued before they were exploited. Ahmednagar, India - $239,560 – As Our Own
Provide alternative employment, training and care for (15) women who have been rescued from sexual exploitation. Bangkok, Thailand - $50,850 – NightLight International
Fund a restoration program for (50) women that includes housing, care, education, and employment for 1 year. Badlapur, India - $84,750 – Bombay Teen Challenge
Fund (15) rescue operations that will result in freedom for dozens of women and children. Mumbai, India - $76,275 – International Justice Mission
If all of this can be accomplished with less than $3.4 million, imagine with me for a moment what could be done with the money from only a few minutes of Super Bowl advertising. This Super Bowl has passed, but what does the future have in store? Together (by grace) we are a force for unimaginable good! We are the today's consumers, we are the tomorrow's officials, and tomorrow's CEOs. What will we do to stop slavery? What will we do to break the chains (literal and figurative) that hold our fellow man and woman in bondage? What will you do?
Visit for more information:
http://268generation.com/passion2012/#freedom
http://slaveryfootprint.org/
http://theresurgence.com/2012/02/02/sex-trafficking-at-the-super-bowl
I pray that this information will lead us to action. And until next time keep reflecting the Light.
God as Father
In the last couple of days I've been reflecting a lot about the idea of God as Father. Lately, I have been thinking of my dad, wanting to talk to him about the things in my life that have been troubling me; upcoming changes in my housing situation, difficulties with some friends, tough times in school, and if I should pursue a particular young woman that captivates (book reference. Anyone?) my heart and mind.
God has really been reminding me that He is my Heavenly Father and that I can go to Him with any and all problems. Looking at passages like Leviticus 26:12 God tells us "...I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." The tone in this passage sounds very fatherly. It brings to mind times in my life when I feared mistakes I made and the response my dad would have. His response was always, "No matter what you do, you will still be my son and I will still be your dad." This thought is an incredible reminder to me that while my earthly father may no longer be here with/for me, my Heavenly Father is always there. Not only is God always there for me and for you, but He is also, like any good dad, approachable. Several times in the gospels Jesus calls God "Abba" an informal term for father, like "daddy" in our language. Paul use similar nomenclature in his epistles.
As events in my life occur I can rest in the knowledge that, while my earthly father may no longer be here, my Heavenly Father is. He is not distant and standoffish, but near and approachable. And perhaps most encouraging, He cares even about the small things. He even cares about the minutia of life.
I hope you too can rest in this knowledge. I know that many of you who will read this do have a dad in your life, but I know that many of you do not. Whether you are without a dad because he was a deadbeat and left, or your parents are divorced and he can't visit you, or if (like in my case) he passed away, whether months ago or years ago. It is my prayer that the idea of God as your Father will really soak in and that it will begin to affect you in your daily life.
Friends, may God bless you, keep you, and change you life. And remember to keep reflecting the Light.
God has really been reminding me that He is my Heavenly Father and that I can go to Him with any and all problems. Looking at passages like Leviticus 26:12 God tells us "...I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people." The tone in this passage sounds very fatherly. It brings to mind times in my life when I feared mistakes I made and the response my dad would have. His response was always, "No matter what you do, you will still be my son and I will still be your dad." This thought is an incredible reminder to me that while my earthly father may no longer be here with/for me, my Heavenly Father is always there. Not only is God always there for me and for you, but He is also, like any good dad, approachable. Several times in the gospels Jesus calls God "Abba" an informal term for father, like "daddy" in our language. Paul use similar nomenclature in his epistles.
As events in my life occur I can rest in the knowledge that, while my earthly father may no longer be here, my Heavenly Father is. He is not distant and standoffish, but near and approachable. And perhaps most encouraging, He cares even about the small things. He even cares about the minutia of life.
I hope you too can rest in this knowledge. I know that many of you who will read this do have a dad in your life, but I know that many of you do not. Whether you are without a dad because he was a deadbeat and left, or your parents are divorced and he can't visit you, or if (like in my case) he passed away, whether months ago or years ago. It is my prayer that the idea of God as your Father will really soak in and that it will begin to affect you in your daily life.
Friends, may God bless you, keep you, and change you life. And remember to keep reflecting the Light.
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