Pornography & Human Trafficking

One thing that is heavy on my heart is the issue of Human Trafficking, the term used for modern day slavery. Perhaps the reason it is so close to my heart is I look back on my life and think how easily it could have been me. A large number of run away teens are exploited everyday. They are preyed upon by men and women alike who are looking to make a profit by selling these young girls for sex. As a teenager who ran away from home, I am so thankful I was not put into the path of such people which could easily had me trapped in a completely different life than I am so blessed to be living now. Another thing that compels me to speak out against slavery is, as a teen I also found myself in a very bad situation that could have ended up being so much worse. I was out with friends one night when a young man slipped a drug into my drink then when I was unable to fight back he took me deep into the woods of North Carolina and assaulted me. I think how easily I was taken and beaten and how that the outcome could have been so much worse. As bad as the experience was and as hard as it is for me to speak about it (even now 25 years later) I am reminded of these poor helpless girls around the world who are not so lucky. So needless to say it breaks my heart to hear of Human trafficking in any form. 

So what is the link between pornography and Human Trafficking?

We tend to have the mindset that pornography does not hurt anyone. But that is so far from the truth. Pornography is a gateway to slavery just as marijuana is a gateway to other hardcore drugs. Studies show those who are addicted to porn eventually loose satisfaction with just watching sexual encounters and seek them out themselves with trafficked human beings. A good example of this is Ariel Castro, the man who was recently convicted of enslaving three young girls in his home. In an interview he said he needed help he stated he was addicted to sex. So if your thinking that's not me I could never do that remember somone can, someone did and someone will!  Now think about this next connection... The Freedom Youth Project Foundation reports that thousands of trafficked children and young adults are forced to make pornographic films every year. Pornographic films that regular unknowing people are buying and watching that are ultimately supporting this horrific act. "Supply and Demand"  If that's not bad enough yet another appalling statistic estimates 40%–80% of consumers of child porn abuse and molest a child...as if child porn was not appalling enough by itself!

Lets stand up and fight against this awful crime! Don't be part of the problem - Be part of the solution!!!


Isaiah 1:17 - Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.










 

Live with Abandon

I saw a quote today that read “The most important thing is enjoy your life-to be happy- it's all that matters.” It took me off guard since it came from a Christian Ministry Facebook status. My immediate thought was, “Really that’s heresy!?!”  Then of course I could not help to post a response which read; “The most important thing is to love God with all your heart and to live abandoned for him even if it takes you to the ends of the earth were things may not be happy!” 

I can’t help but to think about the Christian martyrs that lived and died for the sake of the gospel. Story after story of brothers and sisters that lived in very harsh conditions, going without food & being tortured to make Christ known to all peoples. This does not sound enjoyable to say the least. But it is living with abandon for God!

To live with abandon is to surrender all of you to the will of God. To disregard your own life for the Glory of the Father. “Complete surrender!” Obedience does not insure safety, physical health or HAPPINESS. Obedience may even require hardship or death. Obedience definitely requires complete trust and complete surrender to the will of God!

I love how David Platt explained the will of God. "The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently and recklessly in making the gospel and the glory of God known to all peoples, particularly to those who have never even heard of Jesus." 

We must abandon ourselves to the will of God! So what does that look like? It may be right where you are or God may ask you to go across town, across your state, across your nation or across the world. Be ready and be willing to do whatever it takes to share the love of Christ to those who are perishing. Whatever it takes however it takes wherever it takes!

One of my new favorite songs is “Live with Abandon” by The News Boys Read the lyrics and make them your song to the LORD.

Chasing after this world makes me tired
Praising my own name leaves me dry
There's gotta be so much more to life than this, A higher calling that I missed
I want my life to count, every breath
I wanna live with abandon
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart, Jesus
I place in Your hands
I wanna live with abandon
Give You all that I am
Every part of my heart, Jesus
I place in your hands

Dear Lord,

Please help me live with abandon for the sake of the Gospel. Placing all my heart in your hands, trusting you with my entire being. Willing and ready to share your love everywhere you would have me go. With full obedience. All for your Glory!

If you want to know my story check it out at http://www.mostimportantthing.org/

It Is All About Trust

As I prepare for my fifth trip to Haiti I have been wondering where the funds will come from? Not sure why these feelings of doubt come to mind. I know in my heart and also from past experiences every time the Lord calls me to go, he always provides the way!  I guess the planning side of me wants to know every single detail. Not that planning is bad, it is a beautiful gift from God that helps to steer the body of Christ toward the accomplishment of God-given goals.

It is all a matter of trust. God would not ask us to do something he could not handle. I was reminded in my quiet time about the story of Jesus feeding thousands with just five loaves of bread and two fish. The disciples thought they were going to have to go buy the food. In other words they were focusing on what they did not have and what they needed to do rather than focus on what God has done and what he is able to do!

Lord I pray, please help me to focus on a Mighty God who can do all things and not let the lack of resources blind me from seeing the your mighty power oh God!  It’s about trusting You Lord, completely!

 

 

 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight

Is it better to speak the truth that hurts then heals ~ than comfort and then kills?

 

When you care about someone, it is tempting to avoid telling the truth, especially if that truth might hurt or push a friend away. And you may even be tempted to speak less than the truth to your friend because you don't want to hurt or offend him/her or (worse) be accused of being a "control freak, self-righteous or fill in the blank" But a faithful friend must sometimes speak words that may bring pain. But if your words are spoken out of love and are they offered as "faithful wounds," the kind that are necessary for your friend's best interests then God will use it for His Glory.


Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Familiar Bible Phrases in Modern Day Culture

Ever notice how many phrases we say that are directly tied to God’s word?

• Woe is me (Job 10:15)
• The writing is on the wall (Daniel 5:5-6)
• A drop in the bucket (Isaiah 40:15)
• I am at my wits end (Psalms 107:27)
•  Bite the dust (Psalm 72)
• Walk the straight and narrow (Mathew 6:24)
• Labor of love (Thes 1:2)
• Go the extra mile (Mathew 5:41)
• As old as the hills (Job 15:7)
• Apple of my eye (Deut. 32:10)
• Turn the other cheek (Mathew 5:39)

If you know one please feel free to share. Let's see how many we can come up with.

Hunting for Salbutes

In 2006 and 2007 I was blessed to take a couple of mission trips to Orange Walk Belize. My husband and I were introduced to missions through a wonderful couple from our church.

Kenneth & Barbra Montgomery

 They are two of my favorite people in the world and I thank God for their ministry. They are true examples of disciple makers. No matter were they go the light of Jesus shines bright. With Christ's leading through Mr. Kenneth and Mrs Barbie I have fallen in love with the people of Belize. I also became pretty fond of the cooking there too! Which brings me to the hunt for Salbutes.

Since my last trip to Belize I have been on the hunt for a great Salbute recipe. This is what I would call a delicious Belizean tostada. 

UNBELIZABLE  I finally found one that I think is close.

Ingredients for masa

ok... I cheated on this one. I used store bought pre made masa tortillas

Ingredients for Baking Chicken

1 sweet onion chopped

2 cups chicken broth
2 balls red racado spice

2 T wrochtishire sauce 

salt and pepper -- to taste  (I used season salt - this is big in Belize)

Bake at 350 for 1 1/2-2 Hours or until done

Let cool shred and store in juices overnight in frig.

Reheating the Chicken

Put chicken and juices in large skillet adding 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1tsp red racado. Heat until juices are evaporated. Do not over cook or it will be dry.

Toppings
1 cup shredded Mexican Style lettuce
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken -- shredded
1 can refried beans

Bunch Grape tomatoes – sliced
Avocado slice for each salbutes -- (optional)

Ingredients for pickled red onions
2 red onions -- peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano -- (optional)
salt and pepper -- to taste

Directions for the pickled red onion: Place onions in a saucepan, add water to cover, bring to a boil and remove from heat. Drain and rinse in cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the onions in a glass container with lime juice, dried oregano and salt and pepper. Allow to sit for several hours before serving. They keep up to one week in the refrigerator.

Assemble Salbutes: Top each salbutes with a thin  layer of refried beans, chicken. shredded cheese, lettuce, pickled red onion and sliced tomato. Place a slice of avocado, if desired. Serve immediately.

Top with Belizean hot pepper sauce for a bit of spice!

Well it looks and smells right.... now for the taste test.

The results are in and the hunt is over!

       Now if I could just make those cool pastries! 

     I may just have to  settle for a coca-cola in a bag :)

Enjoy!

Being kind is not always easy

Being kind is not always easy.

I find it very difficult to always be kind to those who have hurt me either intentionally or by being immature or ignorant in their attitudes and actions.  My natural instinct is to retaliate. “Eye for an eye” Right? Wrong! This is one of those bible verses that gets misquoted often. Don't take my word for it listen to what Jesus said in Mathew  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

This is some hard stuff to grasp! God mandates us to forgive and to be kind in radical ways. So how do we accomplish this? 


Reflecting on His forgiveness for us helps us to show forgiveness ourselves.

First thing I try to do is to reflect on GOD for who HE is and what he has done for us, all  though we hurt Him, God chose to die for us because He loves us that much. The ultimate radical act of kindness! This is something I tend to loose focus of sometimes. Not sure why, because when I sit and truly think about it I am astonished by His mercy and grace!

Once again my word of the year is “Focus”.

We can not do it on our own.
Next ~ Seek God in prayer ask for His guidance after all He has sent us the ultimate guide “HIS SPIRIT” to live inside of us. After asking we need to be willing to listen. By being in His word daily. How can we know HIS instructions if we don't read the manual?

Read His instructions.
B=Basic
I=Instructions
B=Before
L=Leaving
E=Earth

Another thing we should do is begin praying for those who have hurt us. I find it hard to be upset at someone if I am genuinely praying for them.

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. —Matthew 5:44 

Dear Lord help me to be kind to everyone always filtering my words through your Spirit. Help me to see others as you see them. 
In Jesus Name ~ Amen.