His beautiful eyes.

In the Grip of Grace = finished! I find myself still more captivated, awed, and in-love with our great God and what His grace and His Son have really accomplished for us. I want to dedicate this entry to the genius and talent of God via Max Lucado. It will possibly be very long. It would really be nice to type the entire book on here! But would you really read it? I do want you to!

• God doesn't get angry because He doesn't get His way. He gets angry because disobedience always results in self-destruction.
• The question is not, How dare a loving God be angry? but rather, How can a loving God feel anything less?
• The problem is not that God hasn't spoken, but that we haven't listened.
• Sacrificed upon the altar of godlessness is the purpose of man.
• We are significant not because of what we do, but because of Whose we are.
• God is kind, but He is not soft. In kindness He takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life change. (Rom. 2:4)
• We are unworthy and unqualified to judge others. Dare we judge a book while its chapters are yet unwritten? How can you dismiss a soul until God's work is complete? Be careful! The Peter who denies Jesus at tonight's fire may proclaim Him with fire at tomorrow's Pentecost. The Samson who is blind and weak today may use his final strength to level the pillars of godlessness. A stammering shepherd in this generation may be the mighty Moses of the next.
• Holiness demands that sin be punished. Mercy compels that the sinner be loved. Mercy understood is holiness desired.
• Ponder the achievement of God. He doesn't condone our sin; nor does He compromise His standard. He doesn't ignore our rebellion; nor does He relax His demands. Rather than dismiss our sin He assumes our sin and sentences Himself. God's holiness is honored, our sin is punished, and we are redeemed. God is still God. The wages of sin is death. And we are made perfect.
• Grace fosters an eagerness for good. Grace doesn't spawn a desire to sin. If one has truly embraced God's gift, he will not mock it. In fact, if a person uses God's mercy as liberty to sin, one might wonder whether the person ever knew God's mercy at all.
• God doesn't want us to sin. He didn't give us His grace so we would sin. But He knows His children. He made their hearts and knows everything they do (Ps. 33:15). And He knew that we would someday need His grace... God's grace is older than your sin and greater than your sin.
• One word from the Palace offsets a thousand voices in the streets.
• Formerly, God had sent His prophets to preach; now He has sent His Son to die. Earlier, God commissioned angels to aid; now He has offered His Son to redeem. When we tremble, He points us to the splattered blood on the splintered beams and says, "Don't be afraid."
• Not only has a price been paid, a vow has been made... baptism is a vow, a sacred vow of the believer to follow Christ. Just as a wedding celebrates the fusion of two hearts, baptism celebrates the union of sinner with Savior. We became part of Christ when we were baptized.
• Confession does for the soul what preparing the land does for the field. It is the act of inviting God to walk the acreage of our hearts. God's seed grows better if the soil of the heart is cleared. And so the Father & Son walk the field together, digging and pulling, preparing the heart for fruit.
• Content: a state of the heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than He already has. What if God's only gift to you was His grace to save you? Would you be content? ... from Heaven's perspective, grace IS enough.
• He doesn't give laws for our pleasure, but for our protection. Had I never seen the law, I would have never seen how selfish I am.
• There should never be a point when our grace is exhausted. You will never be called upon to give anyone more grace than God has already given you.
• God loves me and makes me His child. God loves my neighbor and makes him my brother. My privilege is to complete the triangle, to close the circuit by loving who God loves.
• Our faith was born at the sight of His fondness. And so we went.
• Unity does not need to be created; it simply needs to be protected. Unity doesn't begin in examining others, but in examining self. Unity beings, not in demanding that others change, but in admitting that we aren't so perfect ourselves.
• The answer to arguments? Acceptance. The first step to unity? Acceptance. Not agreement, acceptance.
• Will you pray with me for the day when the world is won because the Church is one?
• Vagabonds and ragamuffins all, He saw us before we were born. And He loves what He sees. Flooded by emotion, overcome by pride, the Starmaker turns to us, one by one, and says, "You are my child. I love you dearly. I'm aware that someday you'll turn from Me and walk away. But I want you to know, I've already provided you a Way back." And to prove it, He did something extraordinary. Stepping from the throne, He removed His robe of light and wrapped Himself in skin; pigmented, human skin. The light of the universe entered a dark, wet womb. He who angels worship nestled Himself in the placenta of a peasant, was birthed into the cold night, and then slept on cow's hay. Mary didn't know whether to give Him milk or give Him praise, but she gave Him both since he was, as near as she could figure, hungry and holy. Joseph didn't know whether to call Him junior or father. But in the end called Him Jesus, since thats what the angel said, and since he didn't have the faintest idea what to name a God he could cradle in his arms... "Can anything make me stop loving you?" God asks. "Watch Me speak your language, sleep on your earth, and feel your hurts. Behold the Maker of sight and sound as He sneezes, coughs, and blows His nose. Look into the dancing eyes of the kid in Nazareth; that's God walking into school. Ponder the toddler at Mary's table; that's God spilling His milk. You wonder how long My love will last? Find you answer on a splintered Cross. That's Me you see up there, your Maker, your God, nail-stabbed and bleeding. Covered in spit and sin-soaked. That's your sin I'm feeling. That's your death I'm dying. That's your resurrection I'm living. That's how much I love you."

I'm literally left speechless when I read that. There are no words to truly describe His love. There is no formula or recipe or explanation for us to follow to earn and keep that love. He just loves us anyway. Does that make you uncomfortable? Because it kind of makes me feel that way!! There is nothing, absolutely nothing I can do to control or manipulate that love. I can't stop it. I can't avoid it. I can't get past it. What a wonder, this Person... it's almost scary to think about Him, to really think about Him, because He is so much more than me. But that shouldn't scare me, that should be my comfort and security. The fact that I cannot ever escape Him or abandon Him, because He is in everything and through Him all things have life, reiterates the Truth that He can never leave or abandon me. We are together in this world, and even outside of this world. This causes me to cry. I'm not even sure why it does. Maybe because it's a joy unspeakable? Or because I feel undeserving? Whatever the true reason, I think He accepts it as worship. Like the girl who fell at His feet and gave Him what she could-- wet, snot-covered, feet, perhaps a little less dirty than before. But He saw that as unabashed, unashamed, abandoned love and gratitude. That is often the only thing I can bring to Him... my gratitude, a snotty, tear-stained face, and a heart with such deep longing to please Him and serve Him.

I'm learning and experiencing this new servant-hood, which I believe is exactly what Jesus meant when He said to be the greatest you must be the least. It's a giving of yourself for people who will show no regard or thankfulness for you. It's having a loving and encouraging spirit when those you love and encourage will walk away and reject you. It's a desire not to gain success, but to be useful in His hands. It's not so much about how many people you have led to Christ by a prayer, but how many have seen your life, seen His grace in action, and tangibly felt the presence of God that's within you. It's our love that will make a difference. Not our arguments or our being right. But our love and acceptance of all people. Yes, that means people who don't speak english, or smell good, or look nice. People who aren't members of our church, or even the same religion.

Please know that I'm writing this for myself. I do not have this all down. Not even close! It's way out of my comfort zone to approach a homeless person, a prostitute, a stranger. But I do it because Jesus wants me to. Because Jesus is with them, too. Because I was not saved for myself. I was given a free gift, and I want to freely give. I'm working towards that contentment by letting Him continually and openly work in me. I want to see my salvation as more than enough. I want to sing those lyrics, "We don't want blessings, we want You," with conviction and honesty. His grace is more than enough for me... and you.

Now I want you to listen to Misty Edwards' song, "Arms Wide Open." I'll leave you with a snippet of her words:

"What does love look like?" is the question I've been pondering.

What does love look like?

I once believed that love was romance, just a chance.

I even thought that love was for the lucky & the beautiful.

I was once believed that love was a momentary bliss,

but love is more than this.

All You ever wanted was my attention. All You ever wanted was love from me.

All You ever wanted was my affections, to sit here at Your feet.

If all of life comes down to love then love has to be more than sentiment.

More than selfishness and selfish gain.

Then I saw Him there, hanging on a tree, looking at me.

He was looking at me, looking at Him, staring through me.

I could not escape those beautiful eyes.

And I began to weep & weep...

He had arms wide open, a heart exposed.

He was bleeding, bleeding.

This how I know what love is.

And He said to me...

"You shall love Me."

Meanwhile & a Parable

Oh, how I extremely and enthusiastically like books! (I'm trying to not say that I "love" every single thing. It's hard!)

I randomly chose a book from my quaint and growing bookshelves to read in the sunshine and I discovered In the Grip of Grace, by Max Lucado. The first chapter already had me mesmerized and I knew this would be a blog-worthy read! But before I go into that, let me share with you the beautiful Word of God from the Message Bible. I go through phases of what versions I like to read best. I'm definitely liking this one right now. Check it out:

"God's Spirit beckons-- there are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God isn't a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a child-like, "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children...

Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens. All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us, its within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than it diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

The moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along... He knows us far better than we know ourselves. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good... the Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him... If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing Himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else He wouldn't gladly and freely do for us?" -- from Romans 8

And now, for a parable by Max Lucado:

Once there were 5 brothers who lived in a castle with their father. The eldest was an obedient son, but his younger brothers were very rebellious. Their father had warned them about the dangers of the river, but they did not listen. One day, one of the brothers dared to feel the waters and told the other three, "Hold my hand, so I won't fall in." But the current was too strong, and the river pulled the brothers in. They were powerless against the strength of the current. The waters finally dumped them on the bank of a strange land. Though they did not know where they were, they knew they were not intended for this place.

With the passage of time, the brothers learned how to live in the land. They would sit by the fire and talk of their homeland, determined to return someday. Then, one night, one of the brothers was missing. The three found him in the valley with the savages, building himself a hut. He told them, "What good does it do to remember? Besides, this land isn't so bad. I will build a great house and settle here."

"What about father?"

"What of him? If he comes, he comes. But I'm not holding my breath."

So they left him there, and continued to meet around the fire and talk about their home, dreaming of their return.

Some days later, a second brother was missing. They found him on the hillside staring at the hut of his brother. "How disgusting," he told them. "Our brother is an utter failure. An insult to our name. Can you imagine a more despicable deed-- building a hut and forgetting our father?"

"What he is doing is wrong," said the youngest. "But what we did is wrong as well. We disobeyed. We ignored our father's warnings. Come, return to the fire with us."

"No, I'll keep an eye on our brother. Someone needs to stay here and keep a record of his wrongs for our father."

And so the two returned, leaving one brother building and the other judging. Then one morning, the youngest son was the only one at the fire. He searched for his brother and found him stacking rocks.

"It's no use," he said. "Father won't come for me. I have offended him. I have to build a path back up the river to him. When he sees my hard work, he will forgive me and let me into his house."

The last brother didn't know what to say. He returned to the fire alone. But one morning, he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Father has sent me to bring you home." It was the eldest Son. "Where are your brothers?"

"One has made a home here, another is watching him, and the third is building a path in the river." And so the Firstborn set out to find his siblings. He went first to the thatched hut in the valley. "Go away! You are not welcome here!" screamed his brother.

"I have come to bring you home."

"You have not. You have come to take my mansion! You cannot have it!"

"This is no mansion, this is a hut. Do you not remember the house of your father? You were born in a castle where the air is warm and the fruit is plentiful. I have come to take you home."

The savages appeared in the window, urging the brother to send this man away. They had the brother's trust, so he sent Him away. Firstborn sought the next brother. He didn't have to travel very far-- on the hillside near the hut sat the fault-finding son. When he saw the Firstborn appear, he said, "How good You are here to see the sins of our brother! I have kept an account of his evil deeds. Punish him! He deserves it!"

"We need to deal with your sins first."

"My sins are nothing! There is the sinner! Come, we'll peek in the windows. Let's go together!" He was at the hut before he realized the Firstborn had not followed him.

Next, the eldest son walked to the river. "Father has sent me to take you home."

"I can't talk now, I must work. I have to build a pathway up the river. I will show father I am worthy, then I will ask for his mercy."

The Firstborn replied, "He has already given his mercy. You will never be able to build a way, the task is too great for your hands. Father has sent me to carry you home. I am stronger."

For the first time, his brother looked up. "How dare you speak with such irreverence! My father will not simply forgive; I have greatly sinned. I need much work!" This younger brother looked at Him with anger. "You are the voice of evil. You are trying to seduce me from my holy work. Get behind me, you serpent!" And he hurled a rock at Him. So the Firstborn turned and left. The youngest brother was waiting for him. "The others didn't come?"

"No. One chose to indulge, the other to judge, and the third to work. None of them chose our father."

"Are we returning to Father?" the youngest asked.

"Yes."

"Will he forgive me?"

"Would he have sent me if he wouldn't?"

And so the younger brother climbed on the back of the Firstborn and began the journey Home.

I'm hoping you caught on to the symbolism here. It is such an accurate picture of how we react to the grace of God. Some of us treat it like dirt, choose to satisfy our own passions, and fulfill the verse that says, "God left them and let them go their sinful way." Romans 1:24. Or we are the judgmental ones who point our fingers at every person who is "worse" than us. Then there are the legalistic ones who feel like since they are so bad, they must do so much good to earn God's love. According to Romans 4:5, "People cannot do any work that will make them right with God." And lastly, there are the grace-driven Christians. Those who offer God a thankful heart for His salvation, knowing that because of His Son & not their own efforts, they have been made righteous. "Those who are right with God will live by trusting Him." Romans 1:17

So, all of that to say, you need to read this book. Max is so knowledgeable about the grace that he has abundantly received. I am ready to keep reading and learning so that I may truly become an acceptor and not a striver. I still find myself feeling like I need to do this or that to make God happy with me. I know that will be a lifelong struggle, since that is the basis of most relationships in our world-- What can you do for me? And, I will love you only if you love me in return. May He take all of us who believe deeper into the knowledge of His unending, unconditional, unmerited favor & love. It's too much for us to grasp, but with the assurance of His promises in His Word, we can get a pretty good idea! And we can know that we know that we know, that He loves us!

This book goes deeper into those profiles, and talks about God's righteous anger at sin. I will post more about that soon! My eyes are hurting, and I am ready for dinner :) So until next time:

1. Find this book!

2. Be thankful.

3. Kill someone with kindness. (I don't like the word kill, until I thought more about it and realized that you can kill the sin inside someone by caring about them so much & thus bringing them to Jesus!)

aaannnnddd 4. Take time to pray. If you will, pray for my friends-- the Grady's, Gage, and everyone around the world who needs a miracle & the saving, transforming power of Christ!

"You will see Him."

I found that phrase in Matthew, right after Jesus' resurrection. The angel tells the two Mary's, "He is going ahead of you... You will see Him there."

I don't think anyone today could say that they have literally seen God. The Bible actually tells us that no man may see the face of God and live. But I've heard someone explain so beautifully the incident when Moses asked to see the Lord, and He agreed to show Him his back once He had passed over Moses. So Moses did see God in a sense... he saw where He had been. We today can see where God has passed, even where His Spirit is working here and now. We see the evidence of His presence, but not the raw, powerful, holy presence that we will one day encounter.

I see God in lots of places, don't you? I see Him in my friends' smiles, in the breathtaking sunsets at the close of the day, and even in myself & how He has made me. But sometimes it's so hard to see Him in my circumstances. And I'm starting to think that I'm not supposed to be looking for Him there.

Just two days ago, we lost a lovely young woman in our community. I know people die every minute of every day, but there is something so eerie when it happens to someone you know and see often. In a moment, they can be gone. I cannot imagine the grief and despair felt by her family. Naturally, times like these stir up the deep and doubtful questions within our hearts. Where is my God now? Is He really good? Why would this happen?

Our circumstances, whether happy or sad, don't last forever. Our lives can be so up & down because of the things going on around us. So why do we focus on these temporary things and base our theology on what we have experienced? Why do we tend to look for Jesus in the horrible things that happen to us simply because we live in a broken world? He is the Eternal One, forever holy and forever true. May we never blame Him for our happenings, but choose to worship Him still because He is bigger and better than what this world has to offer us.

I find this passage so immensely encouraging and hopeful. Thankfully, we are not those who are without hope. Because of the perfect life & perfect love of Jesus Christ, we too will one day be "swallowed up by life!"

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

I love that Heaven is such a mystery! I was just talking about this the other night with a friend. We both agreed that if we knew everything about our Home and this promise of new life, it wouldn't be as wonderful when we get there. Whether the judgement will be the moment we arrive or not until Jesus reclaims the earth, we can be confident that there is a place for us if we have accepted and received the blood of Christ in exchange for our sins, and if we have, as First John says, lived like Jesus here in this world.

So many nonbelievers and followers of different religions express their desire to go to heaven when they die. I must ask, why do you want to go and live with Jesus forever if you've never gotten to know Him in your lifetime?

Heaven IS Jesus! I don't care if my cat is there or if I'll get to see my great-grandmother. Yes, I care about them now, but I'll get to see JESUS! And hug Him and kiss His feet and finally, finally be made whole!!! That's what I believe heaven is all about. Meeting our Maker and worshipping Him forever and ever. If that sounds boring to you, then you don't know Jesus very well!

Darlene Zschech wrote, "The presence of God goes with you as you advance into the promises He has for you."

Let's determine to see Him in our lives and in our world. Keep running into all He has for you.

He has promised us that He will never leave our side. He prepares the way before us and follows close behind us.

What a great God!

As His presence surrounds you today, have a thankful heart and pursue HIS purposed for your life.

As Francis Chan said, "Jesus didn't die to follow us."

Make it your mission and your passion to know His heart & what He longs to see accomplished.

If you need help doing that, His Word and His Holy Spirit are there for you :)

Thank you, Jesus.

You have gone ahead, like a Bridegroom

to prepare a place for us, Your bride.

And we will see You!

Why is it not an emergency?

Today's blog will be long, intense, informative, and challenging. I am writing specifically about human trafficking, child sex trafficking, and everything in between. I hope to share with you the truth and horror of this issue, as well as give you resources to get involved and the hope that you can make a difference. Here we go...

I want to begin by quoting from Francis Chan's book, Forgotten God:

"Two years ago at a dinner I sat next to a man who runs a human trafficking awareness organization. He described how these children, most of whom were sold or abducted into the sex trade, are raped and abused every single night, again and again, how they have no one to advocate for them, and how there is no way out.

That night I literally lay awake in my bed for hours and imagined my own children in this situation. Maybe that was a stupid thing to do, but suddenly, vividly, I was sobbing and I couldn't get the images out of my mind. I started thinking about what I would do if this really happened to my little girl. I know that I wouldn't stop until I had saved her. I would mobilize everyone I know through whatever means possible to get them to help... then something happened. I'm not one to often hears God's voice distinctly, but on this night the Spirit of God said to me, 'I want you to love them as your own children.' This was overwhelming to me. After all, if I treated them as my own kids, I would never stop praying for them. I also wouldn't stop passionately begging people to figure out ways to seek them out and rescue them. I literally wept for hours. I was now on a mission. A mission from God.

... But over the course of several months, I got distracted. People around me started calming me down about sex trafficking. They said, 'Francis, you can't save the world,' and 'You're already doing so much, don't be so hard on yourself.' ... My wife and I recently decided to give all of the profit from my previous book, Crazy Love, to the Isaiah 58 Fund. All of the money goes to the needy of the world.We reasoned that if we kept this money, we would spend it on things we didn't need. I was a bit shocked and discouraged by some of the response we received.

People told us we were being foolish and irresponsible with the gifts God gave us. They said we should have at least put some away in case of emergency. My response back was, 'Is it not an emergency that children in Cambodia and Thailand and even in the US are being raped every single day of their lives? Why is that not an emergency??' I think the church often inadvertently teaches that the sex-slave trade is not an emergency. And this, I believe, is sin. Is an emergency only an emergency is it affects me and my immediate family?"

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "prostitute"? Maybe a person who is addicted to drugs and has no other way to support their habit. Or a promiscuous girl who was looking for a good time and decided to make a living that way. Well, what comes to mind when you hear "sexually exploited child"? It's not the same reaction, is it? This is where we start. We have to change the way we see this issue. It's not just prostitution, it's exploitation, slavery, abuse.

I'm not sure how to go about this. I have learned SO much over the last couple months about this injustice, and it's hard (and exhausting) to put the information into my own words whereas to convey to you the enormity of this darkness. I probably won't include everything in here, but it is a lot. And it will make you sick.

A definition: Human trafficking is the practice of humans being tricked, lured, coerced or otherwise removed from their home or country, and then forced to work with no or low payment or on terms which are highly exploitative.

This includes sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

Labor trafficking is widespread in a variety of situations that encompass domestic servitude and small-scale labor operations, to large-scale operations such as farms, sweatshops, and major multinational corporations. Sex trafficking is one of the most lucrative sectors regarding the illegal trade in people, and involves any form of sexual exploitation in prostitution, pornography, bride trafficking, and the commercial sexual abuse of children. Under international law, any sexually exploited child is considered a trafficking victim, even if no force or coercion is present.

• Approximately 30 million children have lost their childhood because of human trafficking in the last 30 years.
• Every 2 minutes a child is being prepared for sexual exploitation.
• The average age worldwide that a child is trafficked is 12 to 14 years old.
• 1.3 to 2.6 million children runaway from home every year. Within 48 hours, two-thirds of them are abducted and recruited into the sex trade.
• In the US alone, 300,000 children are trafficked every year.
• Approximately 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year.
• The main consumers of pornography are 12 to 15-year-old boys.
• This is the second largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world. Currently, it generates $32 billion a year.
• A typical night for a victim of sex trafficking is 10 to 15 buyers. If you take the conservative approach, which is 5 buyers a night, for 5 days a week, and she is in captivity for 5 years, that means she has been raped 6,500 times.

Many people do not realize that it includes more than street prostitution. There are different "games" and places that buyers can choose from to find their victims-- street prostitution, gang originated prostitution, family based prostitution (a parent or family member sells the child), brothels/ pimp houses, strip clubs, adult bookstores, or online ads.

What most frustrates me about this crime is its secrecy and organization. If, for example, a girl is forced into trafficking in California, she is quickly and constantly moved around the US, and possibly out of the country. This is why it is essential for everyone to educate themselves about the signs of trafficking.

Here are a few I have learned: (for more tips, visit the Polaris Project link at the bottom of the page)

• The girls must refer to their trafficker, or pimp, as "Daddy." There is a family-oriented relationship that is formed. The other girls who "belong" to him are often referred to as the stable, or wife-in-laws.
• A girl must not, at any time, make eye contact with another pimp. If she does, she is brutally punished.
• The phrase, "Pimps up, hoes down" means that the girls must walk on the street while the pimps are walking down the sidewalk. It enforces the idea that the girls are simply property, something to be sold and used as her trafficker wishes.
• If you want to approach a girl you assume is being held against her will, your contact with her must be very fast. The pimps are always watching their girls and know when a person is intervening and trying to mess with their business.
• The pimps will often brand the girls that they own. Usually, they will tattoo their names on a girl's arm, neck, or breast.
• Dates, johns, or tricks are some commercial names for the buyers.

Now to something that REALLY angers me-- how these young girls are coerced and manipulated into slavery. There are many different ways of going about it, but mainly the recruiter, or trafficker, will observe in neighborhoods, schools, malls, and other public places. He will look for the girls who are obviously insecure, and will prey on that insecurity. If there is an apparent void in her life, like a missing father figure, he will use that to build a bond with her. It's often called "love bombing" when he makes his move & showers her with affection and gifts to make her feel like she is special to him. He sleeps with her for a while to build a physical bond. After this, she is hooked, and so begins the rape and abuse from not only him, but other men as well.

Children (anyone under the age of 18) who are trafficked do not receive any payment for their "work." Sometimes, if a girl has been with her trafficker for several years, he will allow her to keep some of her money. But to my knowledge, this is rare. Every part of the victims' lives are controlled. Everything about this life is a mind-game. The victim does nothing without their permission. This is why when someone is rescued from this industry, it is so easy for them to return to that lifestyle. It is what they know, and they have formed what is called a "trauma bond" with their captors. You may know this as Stockholm Syndrome. Even if a girl really wants out of the life, their fear and dependency on their captor usually keeps them from escaping.

There are 4 major relationships that a trafficker represents to these girls: father figure, landlord, boss, and boyfriend. The trafficker finds a need in their victim's life, and in some way, fills that need. He provides a form of "love" for her, creates a false sense of hope for her future, provides instability that causes intimacy, and even though he severely abuses her, at least he is always there.

Can you see how this is the church's responsibility? We are the one who carry the very Spirit of God inside of us, who have the ability through His power to love our neighbor, and yet this is happening still. We aren't loving. We aren't paying attention. We must change this!

I praise God for a hope that never fails, and a love that conquers sin! Confronted with all the realities of this injustice, I am still full of passion to make a difference, and I hope you are too. Not everyone is called to this specific issue, but we are called to pray without ceasing, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and to loose the chains of injustice that are binding this world and preventing the positive work that people are trying to accomplish. Just by informing communities that this CAN happen and DOES happen in their own backyard, we will be able to find more missing children who have been brought into this terrible crime, and we will restore countless lives around the world.

There are SO many organizations, churches, and individuals who are bringing this darkness to light worldwide. This is just a small list of some that I am working with, praying for, and contributing to. Most of these sites have videos and other resources available to help spread awareness about human trafficking.

"He who knows what he should do, yet does not do it, to him it is sin." Do what you can; what you feel God leading you to do. We know about this now, and we are held responsible for our action or inaction. I pray that this has opened your eyes, like it has opened mine. And I pray that we would not be so distracted by our comfortable, safe lives that we ignore the lives all around us that are being ended. We can make a difference. We can help save them.

• Global Child Rescue
• KLAAS Kids
• Love 146
• Not for Sale
• Polaris Project
• GEMS Girls
• Jenny Williamson, Courage to be You
• The A21 Campaign
• SHE Rescue Homes

"Welcome to the movement."

"Ahem."

Basically, I couldn't think of a smart title, if you are wondering what that means! And my throat is hurting. I guess that's why I'm here tonight. I just made a nice cup of tea, and the thoughts are swirling.

I'm not sure if I want to blog about Forgotten God yet. There is a whole lot I want to share with you about that book. I think I need to save that for another night when I'm a bit more competent.

I'll start by sharing something I have yet to tell you about this season of my life. When I spoke with my dear friend Tasha, I was shocked to hear that even she hadn't heard about this new thing. What I terrible updater I am. A counselor once told me that I was too deep to be practical. That really shows itself to be true when it comes to this blog! So forgive me, and let me attempt to "practically" fill you in on my life:

I am a maid. Mostly for the elderly. After taking an online Spiritual Gifts test (not sure how accurate it is?) I discovered that my highest scoring gift is Mercy. Working with the elderly was an option they listed. So lookie there! I'm in my niche, and trusting that this is how my Lord is providing for my needs for now.

My friend Jenna & I are hoping to have enough free time to enjoy a few games of Bingo with the lovely residents of a local Assisted Living home. They performed an amazing play the other night! I am very excited to hear their stories and share mine with them as well.

Also, I am privileged to be serving with a group called Global Child Rescue. I still have much to learn about the organization specifically, but I do know that these wonderful people God has brought into my life have such a passion to stand together and fight the injustice of human trafficking, especially in our community. We are currently preparing to present a drama for a seminar at a local church where this issue will be addressed & awareness will be spread. Praise God! The more we inform each other, the more effort we can put forth to see this horrible crime lessened. I wish that I could confidently say that we can stop it, but the truth is that our world is steadily getting more and more evil. But that fact, by no means, is an excuse for us to watch it go up in flames around us while we hide in our church services & simply pray that it be stopped. In case you have forgotten... YOU are the church! The living, breathing, active Body of Christ! We CAN make a difference. Let's do it together.

I think that covers my life for the most part. Ha! It's so funny to me because this is not where I expected to be at all. But the neat (and comforting) thing about it is that I am not in control! WOO! It's not up to me. Hallelujah. I don't have to waste money on college classes because I'm not following society's life plan of getting a degree and making a hefty salary. Sorry, world, and all you people who assume to know better than me. I am following the Way of Christ, which is a much better Way than every other way there is. It's narrow, but so fulfilling. It hurts at times, but I am honored to suffer in some way so that I may become more like Jesus. Each day I am blessed with, I get to wake up and say, "What is there for me today, Lord? Who can I meet? Who can I love? Show me Your path!" How spontaneous and fun and challenging and humbling. I'm so grateful.

I admire these quotes & the lives behind them-- that they were people just like me, they heard the call, and they lived lives worthy of that calling:

“And people who do not know the Lord ask why we waste our lives as missionaries. They forget that they too are expending their lives…and when the bubble has burst, they will have nothing of eternal significance to show for the years they have wasted.” -Nate Saint

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot

“I have but one passion-- it is He, it is He alone…” Count Zinzindorf

When James Calvert went out as a missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands, the ship captain tried to turn him back saying, “You will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” To that, Calvert replied, “We died before we came here.”

Oh man, that last one gives me chills. May I die each and every day so that He may have His way in me. As Oswald said so well, "Is He going to help Himself to us, or are we taken up with our conception of what we are going to be?" I know that though my life looks foolish to many, God uses the foolishness of this world to bring glory to Himself and to shame those who think themselves wise. I do not know what He will do with me, and I don't want to ever profess that I do. I've learned quite a few lessons from being so bold as to claim I know God's plans for me. And I am so thankful for His disciplining grace!

More to come on the subject of His will from Francis Chan. Until next time...

My Monologue.

I surrender all to you my God. I will give You all I have, for You took my filthiness and made me clean.

I lay down my life, my plans, my rights, for I’m captured by Your love.

And though I lose this world, I will know You.

This is my monologue.

The theme of my life, and the theme of the stories I’ve heard for so long. That God is faithful. God is love. He does not push, He does not shove. He waits for me patiently, but wills that I come. Not to be busied, but to be overcome, with the wonder of Him. To lay it all down, all the attention, all the crowns. I pick up my cross and follow His way. Not my way, but His. Come what may, I choose to obey. For He is my pearl of greatest price. What else in this world could suffice? There is no such thing!

I am a seed in His wind, a sparkle in His eye, a tool in His hand. I cling to Him-- my Daddy, my Friend. It is for Him that I sing, I dance, I write. All day and all night will I worship and praise. Though my life often feels like a maze, I will trust Him at all times.

No words can fully describe this amazing King of mine. What valor, what strength! He has gone to the greatest length, to win back my love. Oh Jesus, my sweet Redeemer, the One who paid my ransom. I must say, I consider You quite handsome. You’ve turned my ashes to beauty, and anointed me with joy. My cup is overflowing, and my desire for You is growing. Ask of me what you will. Do not give me blessings, give me You. I want the faith that is tried and true. A faith refined by fire. A faith that lifts You higher.

Less of me, Lord, less of me. This has become my humble plea.

I need You more. I need You more! You are all that I adore.

Even if words lose their meaning, I know You see my heart beaming. For I was once lost, but now I’m alive in You. And I cry, Thank you Jesus!

Take my life and let it be fully pleasing unto Thee.

Blessed are the... huh?

I have had an ideal day. Thank you, Good Lord! I worked, spent time with two fabulous women of God (and one precious boy), then spent time with two of my other favorite people (and one sweet puppy dog). It's been a long, filling day!

Oh dear, this might be one of those entries that is just all over the place. I'm so tired, but when I have this much on my mind & heart, AND drank coffee after 6, you'll have to bear with me!

I re-read the book Passion and Purity the other day and was so challenged. And feel spurred on to greatness! (I'd give you quotes, but I've already given my book away!)

I've almost always been very guarded about my heart, but Jim and Elisabeth Elliot take it to another level. A level that is not only uncommon in this culture, but is practically gone in our generation and lacked in the generation before us. This whole, "Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith," or, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." How are those verses being lived out today? Are they being lived at all?

I guess we have to first think about what we name pure and impure. I had this discussion tonight with some friends. Where's the balance between someone "not having that conviction," and someone who doesn't agree with anything that seems "too worldly," including watching t.v. and listening to secular music? I know there must be a balance, but in my opinion, the church has used that as an excuse to invite a load of sin into their lives. If we're going to be the pure of heart, there's a cost. But there is also a great reward: we enjoy the beauty and presence and anointing and freedom of God's Spirit.

For far too long has the devil influenced God's people, using complacency and distractions and divisiveness to tear us apart and keep us from pursuing the purity and holiness that God doesn't just want us to have, but requires us to have. The Bible does NOT say, "You can be holy if you want to. You know, whenever you feel like it." Nor does it say, "You are made holy by attending church and not breaking the rules." It says, "Be holy, for I AM holy."

But how do we do that? How are we supposed to be in this world, but never take part in its sin and shenanigans? It's a simple answer, but not an easy one. None of us are pure in any sense of the word apart from the blood of Christ. Once your heart has been drawn to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will keep drawing you closer to Him for the rest of your life. But that doesn't leave you and me out of the equation. We must choose to listen, to act & obey, and to seek. I honestly believe that if you are in a daily, moment by moment, passionate pursuit of God, you will become the pure of heart. How? You will be so consumed with Him that nothing else in this world will appeal to you anymore. You'll realize the wasted time in front of the t.v. or on the computer. You'll have these heart-wrenching, breath-taking, world-changing experiences with the Lord that will move you so deeply that even thinking of breaking God's heart in any way will turn your eyes from the things of this world to the things of heaven. You'll start thinking about how to help others more than thinking about what you want.

Eventually, we will lose our sense of self. Not in the way that makes you a robot or unable to still be unique. That's the wonder of the Church as we were meant to be-- everyone's differences and gifts, coming together in love and unity, all portraying a piece of God's heart, His creativity. Jesus himself said that there is no greater love than laying your life down for your friends. He also said to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. Where are we going? To our own deaths. And thankfully, to our resurrections! The new you has something special to give to the world; something that another person will not be able to give. There are people around you who will be more affected by your life than by any sermon, song, or bible verse they hear.

A neat thing I've thought before, and just heard again on Sunday, is that when we're following Jesus, pursuing purity and consumed with His passion, nothing is a sacrifice. Some things might be hard to give up, but think of what He gave for you. When your will is killed, and you bring it to His feet, something magnificent happens.

"All of the sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions, eclipsed by glory. And I realize just how beautiful You are and how great Your affections are for me..."

You come to the knowledge of all that He is and all that He has done, and you wish you had more than just your life to offer Him. It seems like such a small thing in comparison to the events He has sovereignly maneuvered to meet you where you are, right here right now. And compared to the plans that He has been planning since before He breathed the earth into it's existence. He has it all figured out, and He chose you to play a specific role in His-story.

So I exhort you, lovers of this amazing God, in view of His mercy, give. Give yourself. All of you. Give your time; it's not in vain. Give your money; it's just a tool. Give your desires; you'll be given better ones. Give your relationships; you'll also be given better ones. Give your needs; they will be fulfilled. Give your heart & all that's inside of it. When I came to His feet, mine was pretty empty anyway. But I have no words to describe what I've received by grace. I grieve at the thought of wasting my life in any other way besides for His glory and honor. To be thought worthy by the Creator of the world to be used for His work in this world, to be His ambassador, His servant, His friend. He even calls us His bride! C'mon!! What greater thing is there? I dare you to tell me. And that's a double-dog dare.

Words could never say

the way He says my name

He calls me lovely.

No one ever sees

the way He looks at me

He sees me holy.

It ends & so it begins...

Wow, I very much enjoyed reading the New Testament! I encourage you to do it! (I can send you the plan). I never felt like I "had to" read it-- it was really a joy. And I feel so refreshed and quite more knowledgeable about where to find what I need, if you know what I mean.

I was just thinking about the last few sermons I've heard from Pastor Brian Houston, at Hillsong. He's been preaching about the end of a season or time in your life & how the end is not really the end, but a beginning of something new. He told this hilarious story about a woman at the airport who seemed to have never seen one of those moving sidewalks. He said she very cautiously stepped onto it, and was doing really well, until she saw the end of it. She wasn't sure how to get off of it (and there were a lot of people behind her). She took one little step and just stopped completely. He said the place was a mess! Luggage was flying everywhere, people were trying to run backwards to avoid the wreck. I thought it was a perfect example of his point-- just because you come to an end of something, doesn't mean you need to stop your life altogether. "There's a major difference between the ending of an era or season and the completion of your destiny."

When Jesus breathed His last and said, "It is finished," His job was finished, but HE was not finished! The Word says that He is the Beginning AND the End. Your ending could be a beautiful beginning that God has been planning for you. Keep going!

I've had to deal with a lot of emotions about that very subject. Feeling that age-old lie of "God doesn't really want me to be happy," or "God is holding out on me." Those sound pretty lame, but when you find yourself in a time of not having any direction whatsoever, they come up pretty fast. Now I feel like a dunce for even thinking that! God has given me so many opportunities for here and now, which is what I should be focused on anyway. Lesson learned. I'm reminded of the verse that says, "Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the One who shapes it, saying, 'Stop, you're doing it wrong!'" Needless to say, I have been that silly clay. When I should be asking, "Who am I that You are mindful of me, Lord?!" He really is too great to us. And yet we still find the time and attitude to bombard Him with our ridiculous rants, raves, and questions. I guess He's used to it by now :)

One of the "new" things I've started is a Bible Study called Lies Young Women Believe. I'm so ready to take that plunge into my own heart (and the hearts of the beautiful ladies I'm studying with!) and let God continue to heal & free me. I've been down this road before, and He did such a work in me. I can't wait to see the new things He shows us and to experience even more freedom. Please, please, please don't ever think that He is done with you! Not only is that pride, but you are missing out on so much. He will never be finished with us while we're here on earth.

(I am found, again, so intrigued by His plans for us, the Church. I've learned much about this subject, so He is allowing me to help others in their journey. At the same time, He is positioning friends, leaders, pastors, teachers, all around me to challenge me and speak to me. Ephesians 4:16 says, "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ah-mazing!)

Man, what would the Church look like if we all took the time to understand what gifts we have been given and how we can use those gifts to strengthen and bless others? And if we could see that the way we manage our own households & lives truly does affect the entire body, not just ourselves? What if we took our eyes off our own faces and turned them to God who has promised not to just get us to heaven, but make our faith perfect, lacking in nothing? How could that change us and the world around us? I know that some believers are living that, and I pray that He would take me there, too. Did you know that change is your choice? I want to keep reading and praying and studying, not because those things are "right" or "helpful," but because I do not want to get to the place where I think everything is ok in me or around me. There's major work to be done here! Jesus said that it starts IN the church. Let's take a good look at ourselves today and choose to welcome His Spirit. My prayer lately has been, "Jesus make Yourself at home in me!" I don't want to just be a good person, I want to be holy just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16)

At the close of the Bible lies one of my favorite passages. When faced with the wonder of God's judgement & the completion of His plan, John writes this:

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come.' Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of Life... He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon!' Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

I hope I will forever say yes to Him. To wherever, or come whatever, Yes! Come Lord Jesus. Have Your way in me. Let me be a vessel from which Your gifts & Spirit flow. And let my heart be a comfy place for You, in all of Your holiness, to live.