aandw/documentary/a blog about real life

Thursday, January 12, 2012

he is the MOST personal God

Do you know how personal God is? Incredibly. Sometimes I forget this little known fact about Him and he kindly reminds me.

Take yesterday morning for example. I had the opportunity to take 10 minutes before I left the house and pour over Psalm 23. A verse that I had never really paid much attention to before stood out to me. Verse 5 says "you annoit my head with oil; my cup overflows." I asked God to make that true of me that day. I asked Him to write His words on my heart and to allow His word to not stay inside me but because of the overflow, pour out.

One the way to work I felt a little nudge from the Holy Spirit and decided to call a sweet friend to see if I could pray for her or encourage her in anyways. I almost didn't because I was so afraid that it might come off the wrong way like it was all about me or something.

Turns out that phone call was completely in the Lords plans. At 8 o'clock on a random weekday morning she answered the phone in need of some encouragement. It was so awesome! I just can't get over how God united us with Him in that moment. It wasn't about me trying to do something nice it was about the Lord knowing one of his children was in need and asking another child to help out. After our conversation had ended I was in awe. It was so awesome to say to the Lord "use me, i am here, i am yours, help me say yes more than i say no today" and then less than one hour later the Lord said "oh, you want me to use you? okay that's awesome, call your friend, tell you love her and ask her if you can pray for her. it is for my namesake, it is for my glory."

He is so personal. SO personal. I hope I believe this more and more about Him and that I continue to say yes to Him more than I say no.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

A21

A21 is an amazing organization that seeks to free slaves from the sex trade and bondage.

The offer shelters to those in need of safe housing, they offer medical and psychological support

They offer transition homes

They offer love

They offer support

They offer kindness

They educate

They prevent

They care

I want to share some facts with you from their website:

Human trafficking is an organized criminal industry that affects every nation. While the statistics can seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that every number represents the life of a victim. The A21 Campaign has recognized a significant need in the region of Europe, and is committed to combating this injustice through rescuing one life at a time. (http://www.thea21campaign.org/)

•Human trafficking is the second largest global organized crime today, generating approximately 31.6 billion USD each year. Specifically, trafficking for sexual exploitation generates 27.8 billion USD per year.

-There are 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide

-Over 25 percent of sex trafficked victims are trafficked from Southern and Eastern Europe

-90% of victims trafficked into the European Union member states will end up in the sex industry

-Tragically, only 1-2 percent of victims are rescued, and only 1 in 100,000 Europeans involved in trafficking are convicted

-Greece is known as 'the center of trafficking in Europe.A primary destination and transit country for human trafficking, Greece is the primary gateway for trafficked victims to enter the European Union, host to 90% of all EU illegal immigration

There is more information than I have time to write...please take time today learning so that for you ignorance is not an excuse

Today is an important day

Today is an important day. January 11 is Human Trafficking awareness day. Last year January 11 was just January 11th. Nothing extraordinary. Nothing important - at least nothing that I can remember.

But now I know. I can't stand by and do nothing. I have to say something.

Its more than a blockbuster movie with Hollywood stars. Its more than a billboard or a poster you might see. It is real life. Not for me, and not for you but for someone who is just as valuable and important.

Lately I have been scouring the A21 website trying to absorb all the amazing information that they have put at our fingertips. Over my Christmas break from work I was able to hear Christine Caine speak at the Passion 2012 conference. I have never in my entire life heard such a dynamic speaker. The Holy Spirit was definitely speaking through her to the 42,000 + that attended the conference that afternoon. She heads up the A21 campaign which you can like up with right ------------ > HERE

One statement that was repeated over and over was " Ignorance is not an option" and you know, it really isn't. We live in such an "all access" world. Information, news, resources are all available with a click of a button. Most friends and family I know have the Internet literally in the palm of their hands so why don't people take advantage of it?

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Don't stand by

There are two major human issues that have been weighing on my mind and heavily weighing on my heart.

1. the crisis in the congo

2. human/sex trafficking

I believe both of these issues are human issues. It does not matter your race, gender, faith background or age to be concerned about what is happening in these two arenas of life. Both of these, the crisis in the Congo and the rampant human trafficking are absolutely devastating to me. I believe the Lord has brought these two problems to the forefront of my heart not to just say "oh that is so sad! Where is God in this?" or " wow, i wish i could do something about that." No. I believe that he has brought them to my heart because they are His Heart. I can't imagine the grief and sorrow our Lord knows and feels in regards to these issues. My heart is broken on a daily basis and I only know a tiny person with a tiny bit of information.

For the next couple of days I really want to share information with you that I know in hopes that you will read it and be changed. Maybe you will pass it on, maybe you will begin to pray, maybe you will learn something new and the Lord will lay His heart over yours and you will begin to ache with the longing of healing and restoration for a beautiful country full of people in need or a generation of millions who are trapped in a sexual slave trade.

I don't know a lot. My mind is like a sponge soaking up information where I can find it. My heart is just out there trying to do something now instead of sitting around and just talking about a problem.

Today I read an article in the NY Times. The PICTURE was more than enough to stir every emotion in my heart. In my heart of hearts I wish I was on a plane tonight that was directed towards the Republic of Congo. Sometimes I feel like tPeter because I just want to go/do/act without thinking or without waiting on the Lord.

I am praying for so many things right now that are amazing and huge and confusing and would be hopeless if I was praying to anyone other than my Father in Heaven.

Please take 3 minutes to click the picture link and read just one story of the current crisis of the Congo. This story is really nothing in comparision to what I have read, but the picture tells a much bigger story than what is written.

Back in Novemeber

we celebrated a little American holiday called Thanksgiving

Celebrations included both families with lots of great conversations and great food. My mother in law and her famous cooking pictured below. Molly made it almost through the whole meal before we got to witness a nice holiday melt down.

after the morrison thanksgiving we headed up the mountain to celebrate a dobrenic thanksgiving. it was so nice and peaceful to be in a place where family time was more important that getting the best deals in the stores. We took our time and cooked a great meal and watched a Christmas movie.