7.29.2008

Earthquake!!!

A 5.7 earthquake has just shaken southern california. It feels like my mind is constantly being shaken with thoughts and things that dismantle shelves and pictures off of what I had previously been imagining....

"The Most deadly trick of Satan is not to rob us of our answers. It is to steal our questions."

Every once and a while I stumble upon words, that are simple yet somehow are etched in my mind for the day. Or the week.
Mine for this week was found in the form of a bathroom reader :)
Although the Author is known for many of his other beautifully written books, todays is called " Shaped by God." By Mr. Max Lucado.

The title of the section was called "eyes that never see, ears that never hear."

It put concepts to the words that are flowing endlessly through my mind.

Lately, (with all of the anesthesia and vicodin) I have been unable to focus. On prayer, On reading, On relationships, On emotions...
Basically, I don't know why one would choose to consistently take drugs. The feelings and haziness of life are so frustrating, I don't think I could ever do it without falling into depression.

Thank you to those of who you have cared and prayed as I cope with the loss of my wisdom :)

Anyways, as I am finally coming out of this "hazy" phase, I am being confronted with questions that I feel like I have to fight to ask. Like there is something inside of me letting me know that things are okay the way they are. But there is a much stronger sense inside of me that is troubled by knowledge.
Knowledge of things that are going on in the world AT this very moment.
Knowledge that I am in an incredibly influencial and affluent society.
Knowledge that the God of the Universe has given us the power and ability to involved in...
Doing Justice
Loving Mercy
Walking Humbly with Him.

That is all he has not only asked, but called us to do. SO - while I wait to see what this looks like for me, be encouraged to not give up on your questions! Whatever they may be... It is not up to you to create an answer, but to seek Jesus Christ - and he will reveal things to you in due time.
Ask the questions.
Don't settle for comfortable answers - and I will try to do the same :)

May we have faith as small as a mustard seed - that our questions will be answered - by the God that created everything from the Universe down to every human soul. 
May we be willing and ready to listen, accept, change, be molded, and GO as Christ leads us on.

7.26.2008

TIME CHANGE!

According to my calculations...
Merrick is no longer in Kolkata, India and is probably in debriefing in Bangkok, Thailand... and so the block on the right of my page has switched.
4 days from tomorrow he comes home.
Just thought I would share.
:)

7.22.2008

The Pulse.

With the paralysis gone from my literary endeavors, the most recent read has left the blood pumping strong from my heart to the rest of my body.

What could cause this sudden recovery?

“Terrify no more” by Gary Haugen (President of International Justice Mission).

For those of you who are passionate about human rights and social justice issues (which – Praise JESUS – many of you are) I highly suggest this book.

While I have read a few books/articles that are very descriptive and emotional about the horrendous atrocities that are going on it the world, this book targets sex trafficking specifically in the nation of Cambodia, also highlighting cases in Kenya, South America and South Asia.

Rather than dramatize the situation, Haugen does an incredible job of describing the world of the slums of Cambodia. The book details the story of how IJM first became involved, and brings the reader to see the intensity of the world involved of accomplishing their three-fold purpose in the sex-trafficking focus. (I am summarizing here)

 

1. Get the girls out.

·      The book focuses on the work they have done to get under-age children out of the brothels. Here Haugen talks about “the one” mentality. He takes the reader to understand how important it is to truly see each “one” girl that is rescued as a victory – for the kingdom of God. Each individual child is a child of the Creator God, and therefore is worth it.

2. Find aftercare

·      THIS is crucial in the rehabilitation of girls that have been through things no child should ever even hear of. Not only have some of the girls had to have intercourse with several thousands of men leaving them at risk to numerous STD’s… it leaves them with emotional scarring and self-esteem that amounts to seeing themselves as a possession, rather than a loved and precious child of God.

3. Seek Justice for the perpetrator

·      The system will not be penetrated if the girls are merely taken away. The men and women who are keeping them captive must see that this is something that is going to have dire consequences if continued. And so, they do whatever it takes in working with the government of the country in question to enforce laws that the country by itself has had a difficult time enforcing. For example, they have done immense work in partnering with the Cambodian government to crack down on those selling young girls: something which is already outlawed in the system, but for many reasons nearly impossible to enforce. Unless something is done.

 

 I have read the statistics before. Seen and heard stories of what is going on. A few things about this book have resonated, disturbed or encouraged me deeply…

 

Haugen talks about how many people ask “Where is God” when they see and hear of the incredible evil that is going on. After being in the middle of the scene of the crimes, Haugen has come to ask himself instead, “Where are Gods people.”

Where are we? I may be too hard on myself at the moment, but I get to a point sometimes where I begin to wonder.

Are we all talk?

Mostly talk?

We (the current college-age generation) are taking steps to “prepare” us for the chance to “make a difference”… and it is a weird place to be. How do we know that the opportunities are not all around us to be active now – and we are simply ignorant of them?

What exactly is the “difference” that we are trying to make?

 

I understand and believe whole heartedly that Jesus is calling us daily to live in surrender to him – as light and hope in even our southern California world where darkness is masked but everywhere. That does not change the fact that there are certain things that stir my heart.

The descriptions of 14 year old girls, who have grown up knowing nothing else other than how to “wear a mask” so that she will not be beat for not smiling enough for her customers pleasure.

The evil that is in this world in sickening. In talking with my dearest friend, we discussed why she found “The Dark Knight” so disturbing, to the point where she would call it a scary movie. The human mind and body is capable of much.

Batman is not inherently evil. It is a movie: purely entertainment.

But it makes a good, and even scary point… that there is a dementia of evil that I do not understand. We always hear that good conquers evil.

As a follower of Jesus I know this to be true! I believe it, have seen glimpses of it, and feel it deep inside of me. The Glory of the Kingdom can never be diminished.

Haugen quotes Edmund Burke when he said that “All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”

He gives the example of the Rwandan genocide, and reminds the reader that history is simply the story of yesterdays today (I am paraphrasing).

So today my friends,

I would like to hear… Or even just ask you to think with me as I ask myself…

What am I doing today to be a part of the Lord bringing justice rescue and healing to his children around the world.

 

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Merrick in India (comes back on the 31st!)

Tyler in Ecuador (comes back on the 25th!)

The Kenya Team (comes back on Aug 4th)

Tim Buskey (comes back sometime in December!)

Rose Drive Rwanda team (leaves tomorrow)

International Service Projects

The Girls around the world that are crying out for hope.

Those at IJM that are using these lives to be a part of their rescue.

 

Here are a few pictures of Indian Life, courtesy of the incredible photographers Zack Ewing.



7.16.2008

Breaking the paralyzation

Have you ever been in the middle of 3 or 4 books, but never mustered the desire or discipline to actually finish one of them?
I have been in this state of literary paralyzation for quite a season now, and would like to celebrate the completion of the first book (which I started last) from the list.

Somehow, "Peace Child" by Don Richardson, captured my attention and my heart for long enough to read the entire 25 chapters. It follows the story of the cannibalistic Sawi tribe in New Guinea, whose entire ethic system places heroic emphasis on characters such as Judas, with betrayal as a virtue. It goes into detail describing the story of how one "missionary family" (known by the Sawi as the Tuans) brought the message of the gospel. By following their journey from culture shock and misunderstanding, to the revelation of the redemptive analogy that the Lord developed deep within the Sawi culture it is beautifully written and faith challenging.

For some reason the style of books that I have been into over this past season has changed dramatically. 

The list still contains a few to be completed:
Passion and Purity by Elizabeth Elliot
The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

And a few that I hope to start and finish:
Terrify no More by Gary Haugen
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

and a new recommendation from coffee with Jen today,
The Open Secret, and The Gospel in a pluralistic society both by Leslie Newbiggen.

BUT

As i have recently learned, the books that really have caught my attention lately are the ones that are the least expected, and so I humbly ask you my friends...

If you were to give advice on a book that seems worthy of making it to the "completed" list, what would you suggest?

Thank you, and...

pictures will come soon from recent activities :)
(As soon as I find my computer cord)

Much Love from my heart to you all <3

7.06.2008

At least I still have my legs

Hancock.
After thoroughly analyzing this film for 10 minutes in the ride home tonight, my fellow critics and I have reached the following conclusions.
(Don't worry I am pretty sure it doesn't give anything away about the plot to those of you who have not seen it)
So from the minds of 4 disappointed women come some remarks:

1. And the genre is...
It could not pick a genre. From comedy to drama to comedy again... our minds were left confused and unsuccessful in our attempt to categorize.
2. There seemed to be two movies... a somewhat lame first part, and then a let down of a sequel, put together in one movie.
3. Will Smith is truly a great actor, but seems to have picked two let downs for his last films since Pursuit of Happyness (which I honestly could not comment on, since I have not seen the latter two)
4. The most memorable funny moment was a one liner about McDonalds! 

I NEVER desire to be a movie critic, but this is partially an attempt to get my mind on things of utter insignificance.

Next Wednesday will mark the halfway point of Merricks journey in Kolkatta. To read an update on their team click here. Almost three weeks have gone by, and I am going by Tammy's new favorite quote: 
"No news is good news."

Interesting how in the absence of someone you can learn more about them then when they are with you. 

This has definitely been a hard week to get through for may of my friends, with the things that life has handed them. Somehow the Lord is still in control, and Good and Faithful to those who seek him!!!

And, to keep the spirits up of those who may stumble upon my humble words...
Jeff Luckey gave some words of wisdom today. No matter what happens you can always look down and say...
"At least you still have your legs!"