Please visit the link below, and read the short description. I believe that we must join together to raise awareness for the human trafficking that occurs in our world today. Please stand with us in praying for the success of these rescues!
http://vimeo.com/64830199
"Ever wonder what the inside of a locked brothel looks like? In this short video, covert footage captures investigators with The Exodus Road and Indian Rescue Mission entering a brothel searching for victims of sexual slavery. These brave men consistently gather evidence in the darkest of places, for the sake of raids, rescues, and prosecutions of criminals. Visit The Exodus Road or like their page on facebook to find out more."
Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Parting Words in Progress
Is it ok to grieve what is lost to us? I ask as I am preparing to part ways with dear friends. I am asking God how I ought to morn this transition, and if I ought to to begin with. I don't think I should, for I am not losing anything. I am gaining, but not losing, for what I have is mine for eternity, and that is my salvation.
I am comforted by that fact. When things change, it is absolutely always for the better, even if at first it seems contrary.
I love the God, whom I serve. His kingdom is built upon peace and truth; love and justice.
He is worthy of these goodbyes.
I am comforted by that fact. When things change, it is absolutely always for the better, even if at first it seems contrary.
I love the God, whom I serve. His kingdom is built upon peace and truth; love and justice.
He is worthy of these goodbyes.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Needs
We always have exactly what we need for any given situation at our immediate disposal. Always. God is good. I need to remember that when I feel inadequate. I might be, but God isn't, and that is what matters anyhow.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Indeed Alive
I've learned a lot this weekend. That a lot that I've learned is far too much to explain here, at least in one blog, so I will try to explain myself one blog at a time, until all of my thoughts are spent in words.
Eight years ago, when I was only two or three years into my walk with God, I found out about a youth conference called Acquire the Fire. I had been attending a youth group near my home, and they went every year. I was only able to attend that youth group for one year, but I was around long enough to see them go twice, while I stayed home. My parents wouldn't allow me to go to a Christian event such as that. Back then I mourned not being able to go to the conference. I talked to God about it, and asked Him the all encompassing question, "Why?" While I rejoiced with the people that were able to go, and received Christ while there, I was also confused and hurt. I couldn't understand why I couldn't go to this place where God's presence was fiery and hot like I so needed to experience then. I had, at 13 years old, placed myself on a death bed. Thankfully it was a figurative one. Thankfully God stopped my temporary stupidity from causing permanent consequences.
Around the time I'd been going to the youth group for a year, my parents stopped allowing me to go to church events altogether. The time I had received with a community of young believers was the most precious time in my life as a new Christian. The memories I was blessed with in that community often times saved my life. This was the time in my life where everything stopped making sense. I had spent the last few years of elementary school, and all of middle school inside a fog of depression. Not many people ever wanted to get to know me, and those that did, I sort of forced myself on. I didn't get along with my parents, and I got picked on at school for all sorts of things- kids were absolutely cruel. It was in that darkness that I was lost to depression and dismay. I told no one for a long time, and then I told some people, who told on me, which led to more bad things. More bad things led to being in a space of mentality where self injury was adequate punishment for all of the things in life I'd ever done wrong. This space led me to about four years of suicidal thoughts. I was the girl with the hooded sweater, arms covered, headphones in, and back slouched so no one could see me. Not like I was seen anyway.
Through all of this, I never stopped asking God, "Why?" Thankfully, I never cursed God. I ran from Him, hard, with my feet against the pavement, and all of my faith thrown to the wind, but I never cursed Him. And He saved me. He brought me to light. He brought me out of my own living hell, and carried me back, kicking and screaming. Every step of the way of being brought back to life, I have wondered when I will actually be alive. I've often wondered if I'd ever be able to go and serve God the way I desire. Along the way I have faced thoughts that, even though God is good, I'll never get out of high school alive. Then when I did, I believed that I'd never survive college. I didn't know what the "after" would look like. I had no idea, and since I was unable to see or picture it, I deemed it impossible.
Now, eight years later, I am graduating from college. I am walking across a stage, and into a mission field, just as I had asked God to make possible. He is faithful. This morning I got home from volunteering at Acquire the Fire conference. This is the same conference that I had dreamed of going to, that I begged God to allow me to go, and He did. He is faithful. No one ever told me the words about healing from self injury that I had needed eight years ago until this weekend. Eight years later, and four years into my recovery, I have heard those words. Words that say there is no shame in seeking help. The words that tell me that Satan's goal is to isolate us, so he shames us into keeping it all secret. The words that then say that the way to defeat the enemy in this space is to tell someone, to cry out in the name of Jesus for strength, and to ask for help to live. Here I am, alive, eight years later, hearing that message for the first time. He is faithful.
I am alive. There are no more "if I survive this next season..."'s left to face. I didn't have to face any of them to begin with because I'm the one that let the enemy put them there, but now that I have gotten through the extra steps that weren't necessary, I have realized that I am fully alive. He is faithful to finish the work He began in us.
Praise be to God.
There is more to come on this conference, I promise.
Eight years ago, when I was only two or three years into my walk with God, I found out about a youth conference called Acquire the Fire. I had been attending a youth group near my home, and they went every year. I was only able to attend that youth group for one year, but I was around long enough to see them go twice, while I stayed home. My parents wouldn't allow me to go to a Christian event such as that. Back then I mourned not being able to go to the conference. I talked to God about it, and asked Him the all encompassing question, "Why?" While I rejoiced with the people that were able to go, and received Christ while there, I was also confused and hurt. I couldn't understand why I couldn't go to this place where God's presence was fiery and hot like I so needed to experience then. I had, at 13 years old, placed myself on a death bed. Thankfully it was a figurative one. Thankfully God stopped my temporary stupidity from causing permanent consequences.
Around the time I'd been going to the youth group for a year, my parents stopped allowing me to go to church events altogether. The time I had received with a community of young believers was the most precious time in my life as a new Christian. The memories I was blessed with in that community often times saved my life. This was the time in my life where everything stopped making sense. I had spent the last few years of elementary school, and all of middle school inside a fog of depression. Not many people ever wanted to get to know me, and those that did, I sort of forced myself on. I didn't get along with my parents, and I got picked on at school for all sorts of things- kids were absolutely cruel. It was in that darkness that I was lost to depression and dismay. I told no one for a long time, and then I told some people, who told on me, which led to more bad things. More bad things led to being in a space of mentality where self injury was adequate punishment for all of the things in life I'd ever done wrong. This space led me to about four years of suicidal thoughts. I was the girl with the hooded sweater, arms covered, headphones in, and back slouched so no one could see me. Not like I was seen anyway.
Through all of this, I never stopped asking God, "Why?" Thankfully, I never cursed God. I ran from Him, hard, with my feet against the pavement, and all of my faith thrown to the wind, but I never cursed Him. And He saved me. He brought me to light. He brought me out of my own living hell, and carried me back, kicking and screaming. Every step of the way of being brought back to life, I have wondered when I will actually be alive. I've often wondered if I'd ever be able to go and serve God the way I desire. Along the way I have faced thoughts that, even though God is good, I'll never get out of high school alive. Then when I did, I believed that I'd never survive college. I didn't know what the "after" would look like. I had no idea, and since I was unable to see or picture it, I deemed it impossible.
Now, eight years later, I am graduating from college. I am walking across a stage, and into a mission field, just as I had asked God to make possible. He is faithful. This morning I got home from volunteering at Acquire the Fire conference. This is the same conference that I had dreamed of going to, that I begged God to allow me to go, and He did. He is faithful. No one ever told me the words about healing from self injury that I had needed eight years ago until this weekend. Eight years later, and four years into my recovery, I have heard those words. Words that say there is no shame in seeking help. The words that tell me that Satan's goal is to isolate us, so he shames us into keeping it all secret. The words that then say that the way to defeat the enemy in this space is to tell someone, to cry out in the name of Jesus for strength, and to ask for help to live. Here I am, alive, eight years later, hearing that message for the first time. He is faithful.
I am alive. There are no more "if I survive this next season..."'s left to face. I didn't have to face any of them to begin with because I'm the one that let the enemy put them there, but now that I have gotten through the extra steps that weren't necessary, I have realized that I am fully alive. He is faithful to finish the work He began in us.
Praise be to God.
There is more to come on this conference, I promise.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Worth A Try
Why don't we try something radical? What if we started trying to love God, and in turn ourselves, the way we desire others to love us? What if that could be the starting point to seeing how great the God we serve is?
Huh. I wonder.
Maybe I should stop wondering, and start doing something about that.
Huh. I wonder.
Maybe I should stop wondering, and start doing something about that.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Letters to the Lost
Everything is about you. In all of my thoughts, now, I think of how you affect each decision I make. It's a grave thing, for a loved one to be gone. It's a weight. Now I often think about how my going overseas to become a missionary will hurt my family a lot more. Now I have to take that more seriously because we've already lost you. And I miss you, and I need my family just as much, if not more, than they need me because we all miss you. Yet, I will be going, and you are like a weight hanging over my shoulders, reminding me of how much it will hurt to leave.
When one of the TV shows I watch has someone die in it, I can't watch without crying. I have to stop, and let the tears fall. I have to remember who you were to me. I have to let the emotion rub raw against my cheeks, just a little bit, because not everyone handles me with care. I'm around people all day who have no clue that you died, and that I loved you, and that a piece of me is gone.
This will get better. It will because my God is good. It is through His comfort that this pain will ebb, and that these decisions will come into fruition. Please know that in all things, I love you, and will never forget you.
When one of the TV shows I watch has someone die in it, I can't watch without crying. I have to stop, and let the tears fall. I have to remember who you were to me. I have to let the emotion rub raw against my cheeks, just a little bit, because not everyone handles me with care. I'm around people all day who have no clue that you died, and that I loved you, and that a piece of me is gone.
This will get better. It will because my God is good. It is through His comfort that this pain will ebb, and that these decisions will come into fruition. Please know that in all things, I love you, and will never forget you.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Psalm 139:14
Please Lord, help me to remember who made me. Please help me to remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that means I am beautiful too...
It is my prayer that there would be an end to body image issues. Every human being is beautiful. Every last one because we are all created by God. Lord, help me to see beauty in every person I meet, and to see beauty when I look in the mirror. Not beauty in my own ability or nature, but beauty through you. Lord help me to not criticize, or nitpick at my body. Lord please help me to honor you in my thoughts about myself and others.
Thank you for having already answered this prayer when you created the universe, for you knew then that I would pray this prayer. Thank you for your answer, and for your beauty, oh Lord.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
It is my prayer that there would be an end to body image issues. Every human being is beautiful. Every last one because we are all created by God. Lord, help me to see beauty in every person I meet, and to see beauty when I look in the mirror. Not beauty in my own ability or nature, but beauty through you. Lord help me to not criticize, or nitpick at my body. Lord please help me to honor you in my thoughts about myself and others.
Thank you for having already answered this prayer when you created the universe, for you knew then that I would pray this prayer. Thank you for your answer, and for your beauty, oh Lord.
In Jesus' name,
Amen
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