Genesis 4: 1-15
Ahhh the story of Cain and Able. A tale of two brothers, jealousy, and murder. It’s crazy and scary to me what jealousy can lead us to do. When I think of this story it seems like Cain is this mad, crazy, murder, but when I think about this verse and read it how many times have I sinned in my own jealousy…not murder but definitely gossip, bitterness, anger, self pity, etc. I see that God gave both men jobs to do and provided for their every need, but when it came time to give back to God, God chose to approve the sacrifice that was given with a pure heart; the best of the best, Able trusted God with his best and didn’t just offer generic produce, his scraps, or the over pouring of this crops. God told Cain to stop sulking, to offer up his best as well and to do well and his sacrifice too would be accepted. God knew Cain had killed Able and still asked him where Able was. Cain lied to God, God punished Cain for committing murder and when Cain asked to be killed God wouldn’t allow it because he wanted Cain to have to work and slave instead of dying…which to me is much worse than dying!
This applies to my life because I find myself being Cain so often. I look at my life, my abilities, my finances, people, my efforts and I give things to the Lord, I surrender them to Him but sometimes with wrong motives, sometime with a spirit of speculation, inadequacy, comparison and often I don’t give Him my all. I come to God to surrender things in my life to give back to Him because He has given me so much and I don’t give him 100%. It’s because I don’t trust Him with those things. Even when I know I need to give him ALL I come with my leftovers, I come with 40% and not 100% of what He has given me and why? Because I don’t trust Him with my best, with my 100% even though He has given me everything I need, provided my every need, I still have this sense that maybe I can be in control of what He has given me…..how selfish! Then I let jealousy creep in and hinder and destroy relationships with other people who are seeking the Lord. I see them giving their all to the Lord and even though I know I am only giving some…I find myself bitter and angry and jealous against them for what the Lord has given them. Majority of us wouldn’t dare think to murder our family member, friend, or loved one because of comparison and jealousy but we all definitely at some point have sinned against them in some way because of it.
Oh God make our hearts like yours, make my heart like yours! Allow us to first of all bring our best, bring our all, bring 100% to you, and surrender to you with trust, with no reservations, with no turning back. Allow us to celebrate when other surrender their all to you, to celebrate what others have and how you have made them rather than compare, speculate, become bitter and angry and jealous over them! God you have given me this heart but so often my heart is filled with such hardness, such sin. Give me a new heart, a new mind, and a life that is willing to surrender my ALL to you!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Day 2
So today I felt very strongly that the Lord was telling me to go to Isaiah. I wasn't sure where but I kept praying and felt that today I was to read Isaiah 62, a chapter in Isaiah that I just love. I find God's love baffling. I cannot fathom how someone could love us, could love me, unconditionally and want so much for someone. I love that He made us all unique...no one person the same as another. I also love that He wants a relationship so deep that He wants us to know His name for us. I love that in chapter 62 God gives Zion a new name.
Isaiah 62
Zion's New Name
1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her)
and your land Beulah (married) ;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
5 As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons [c] marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.
8 The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
"Never again will I give your grain
as food for your enemies,
and never again will foreigners drink the new wine
for which you have toiled;
9 but those who harvest it will eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather the grapes will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary."
10 Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
11 The LORD has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.' "
12 They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
I also love the way the Message phrases this:
Isaiah 62
Look, Your Savior Comes!
1-5 Regarding Zion, I can't keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can't hold my tongue,
Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun
and her salvation flames up like a torch.
Foreign countries will see your righteousness,
and world leaders your glory.
You'll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You'll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you.
6-7I've posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,
reminding God to remember.
They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,
until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise.
8-9God has taken a solemn oath,
an oath he means to keep:
"Never again will I open your grain-filled barns
to your enemies to loot and eat.
Never again will foreigners drink the wine
that you worked so hard to produce.
No. The farmers who grow the food will eat the food
and praise God for it.
And those who make the wine will drink the wine
in my holy courtyards."
10-12Walk out of the gates. Get going!
Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
Clear the debris,
hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
"Tell daughter Zion, 'Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he'd do,
prepared to complete what he promised.'"
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.
I just LOVE how God is gushing about Zion. He gushes about us too! He calls us Hephzibah (my delight) and we are his bride...we are married to the Lord! I love that it says we are no longer rejected, that we are a torch, that we are stunning. I look at myself sometimes and think "why does God love me?! I am so undeserving of such love" but he looks at me and sees a treasure, He see's a masterpiece, He sees beauty. I think of friends who are dating or married that have "pet names"/"special names" for each other. Names that mean sooo much when spoken to by the other. When one person calls the other by that special name there is meaning...significance behind it even if it makes no sense to anyone else, and it makes that other person feel loved and cherished by the other when called that name...as basic or as silly as it may be. That is what I feel God is speaking to me from this verse. That me, his daugher...His love...I have a special name that when spoken by Him is such a special treasure shared between us!
I met with a friend back in February and we went through the book together. What a sweet season of my life that was! She challanged me to ask God what my new name is...what His name is for me, so that when I pray to Him, and seek Him its on a much deeper, intimate level. I have been praying for months and am still seeking Him on that name, but I do know when He reveals it to me it will be such a sweet time, just like it was for the people of Zion to be called Hephzibah! I am swept away by God's love, and am honored and privilleged to be a part of His family. I pray that we can all be challenged to ask God what His name for us specifically is! I know I am still asking :)
Isaiah 62
Zion's New Name
1 For Zion's sake I will not keep silent,
for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn,
her salvation like a blazing torch.
2 The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory;
you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
3 You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD's hand,
a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
4 No longer will they call you Deserted,
or name your land Desolate.
But you will be called Hephzibah (my delight is in her)
and your land Beulah (married) ;
for the LORD will take delight in you,
and your land will be married.
5 As a young man marries a maiden,
so will your sons [c] marry you;
as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,
so will your God rejoice over you.
6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night.
You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest,
7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem
and makes her the praise of the earth.
8 The LORD has sworn by his right hand
and by his mighty arm:
"Never again will I give your grain
as food for your enemies,
and never again will foreigners drink the new wine
for which you have toiled;
9 but those who harvest it will eat it
and praise the LORD,
and those who gather the grapes will drink it
in the courts of my sanctuary."
10 Pass through, pass through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people.
Build up, build up the highway!
Remove the stones.
Raise a banner for the nations.
11 The LORD has made proclamation
to the ends of the earth:
"Say to the Daughter of Zion,
'See, your Savior comes!
See, his reward is with him,
and his recompense accompanies him.' "
12 They will be called the Holy People,
the Redeemed of the LORD;
and you will be called Sought After,
the City No Longer Deserted.
I also love the way the Message phrases this:
Isaiah 62
Look, Your Savior Comes!
1-5 Regarding Zion, I can't keep my mouth shut, regarding Jerusalem, I can't hold my tongue,
Until her righteousness blazes down like the sun
and her salvation flames up like a torch.
Foreign countries will see your righteousness,
and world leaders your glory.
You'll get a brand-new name
straight from the mouth of God.
You'll be a stunning crown in the palm of God's hand,
a jeweled gold cup held high in the hand of your God.
No more will anyone call you Rejected,
and your country will no more be called Ruined.
You'll be called Hephzibah (My Delight),
and your land Beulah (Married),
Because God delights in you
and your land will be like a wedding celebration.
For as a young man marries his virgin bride,
so your builder marries you,
And as a bridegroom is happy in his bride,
so your God is happy with you.
6-7I've posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem.
Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out,
reminding God to remember.
They are to give him no peace until he does what he said,
until he makes Jerusalem famous as the City of Praise.
8-9God has taken a solemn oath,
an oath he means to keep:
"Never again will I open your grain-filled barns
to your enemies to loot and eat.
Never again will foreigners drink the wine
that you worked so hard to produce.
No. The farmers who grow the food will eat the food
and praise God for it.
And those who make the wine will drink the wine
in my holy courtyards."
10-12Walk out of the gates. Get going!
Get the road ready for the people.
Build the highway. Get at it!
Clear the debris,
hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!
Yes! God has broadcast to all the world:
"Tell daughter Zion, 'Look! Your Savior comes,
Ready to do what he said he'd do,
prepared to complete what he promised.'"
Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed,
Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.
I just LOVE how God is gushing about Zion. He gushes about us too! He calls us Hephzibah (my delight) and we are his bride...we are married to the Lord! I love that it says we are no longer rejected, that we are a torch, that we are stunning. I look at myself sometimes and think "why does God love me?! I am so undeserving of such love" but he looks at me and sees a treasure, He see's a masterpiece, He sees beauty. I think of friends who are dating or married that have "pet names"/"special names" for each other. Names that mean sooo much when spoken to by the other. When one person calls the other by that special name there is meaning...significance behind it even if it makes no sense to anyone else, and it makes that other person feel loved and cherished by the other when called that name...as basic or as silly as it may be. That is what I feel God is speaking to me from this verse. That me, his daugher...His love...I have a special name that when spoken by Him is such a special treasure shared between us!
I met with a friend back in February and we went through the book together. What a sweet season of my life that was! She challanged me to ask God what my new name is...what His name is for me, so that when I pray to Him, and seek Him its on a much deeper, intimate level. I have been praying for months and am still seeking Him on that name, but I do know when He reveals it to me it will be such a sweet time, just like it was for the people of Zion to be called Hephzibah! I am swept away by God's love, and am honored and privilleged to be a part of His family. I pray that we can all be challenged to ask God what His name for us specifically is! I know I am still asking :)
Monday, September 20, 2010
So I have been MIA in the blogging world for a while now, and to be honest it is just laziness. I love to put my thoughts on a blog but often don’t feel like taking the time to do so. Hopefully for the next 40 days at least I will be consistent, even if the post is short but sharing what the Lord is speaking to me each day. Why am I taking this challenge…..please read….
Yesterday my friend Matt Cote brought an amazing message and challenged our local church to a 40 day challenge to get into God’s world (if you want to listen online you can go to www.brentwoodchurch.org and download the podcast…I think you should it was awesome). I wanted to take on this challenge to not just “talk the talk” but to actually get into the word, learn, and show Christ that he is my ultimate authority and deserving of my time! The challenge is that for 40 days, everyday, you designate 20-25 mins in the word. I have to admit this is always a struggle for me. When life gets busy it seems as if God takes a back seat first, and I hate that! I will get my tail out of bed at 5:00 in the morning to take care of myself physically for an hour, I will have no problems chatting it up with a friend on the phone or at a coffee shop for hours, but to wake up early, or to set aside 20-25 mins to be with God seems challenging……why is that!!??? I want a change!
My small group is doing a study right now called “No Other God’s” by Kelly Minter. At first I think we were all like “oh…idols….yeah it will be a good study….but I don’t have idols in MY life.” Little did we know that all 6 of us have been blown away by this study the past four weeks. It has been revealing, challenging, hard, and humbling. Today I started the 40 day challenge. I asked God “Lord what do you want me to read today”, and after a while I wasn’t hearing anything, I already found myself frustrated. So I started my study for this week and that is when God said “Erin….THIS is what you need today” and did I ever!!
I have read the book of James numerous times, but for some reason this verse has not popped out to me the way it did today. I read it and re-read it, and had a pang of conviction each time. James 4: 1-3 (NIV) says “What causes quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” I also like how the Message phrases this passage: “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
Wow…see sometimes idols…”functional gods” are things that really are good things…its just the way we handle those desires that can turn them into idols. The word desire from verse 2 means to “covet or to lust”, Kelly Minter says that it is taken from the Greek word epithumio with literally means “to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)-covet, desire, lust (after). Kelly also says that an example of a “good” desire that we have may be the struggle for relationships, and the desire to be loved. Not that men don’t have this desire but she says that she thinks the pervasive desire to be loved and chosen is especially innate in women. This desire is a very good thing, a God-given thing, however we’ve all been on both sides of what happens when this desire becomes the dominating force in a person’s life. This is seen through friendship, families, and marriages that are utterly destroyed over an obsessive and consuming desire to be loved by someone. Again…taking a natural desire but making it an idol by being willing to sin (covet, lust, jealousy, bitterness, anger, and even murder) to get it.
How many times have I asked God over and over again for something….most of the time something “good” with “wrong motives” vs. 3, or having no right to have it at that time knowing that if I got it would be a consuming idol in my life? How many times have I desired to have something in my own life, and seen it in someone else’s and allowed jealousy, anger, bitterness, disconnect, and covetousness to enter the scene and either destroy a relationship, prevent one from happening, or “fighting and quarreling” with that person. How sad! I don’t want that!
Day 1…wow….amazing! I know that James 4: 1-3 spoke to me and challenged me in areas that I needed to hear! Thank you Lord for showing that to me today!
Yesterday my friend Matt Cote brought an amazing message and challenged our local church to a 40 day challenge to get into God’s world (if you want to listen online you can go to www.brentwoodchurch.org and download the podcast…I think you should it was awesome). I wanted to take on this challenge to not just “talk the talk” but to actually get into the word, learn, and show Christ that he is my ultimate authority and deserving of my time! The challenge is that for 40 days, everyday, you designate 20-25 mins in the word. I have to admit this is always a struggle for me. When life gets busy it seems as if God takes a back seat first, and I hate that! I will get my tail out of bed at 5:00 in the morning to take care of myself physically for an hour, I will have no problems chatting it up with a friend on the phone or at a coffee shop for hours, but to wake up early, or to set aside 20-25 mins to be with God seems challenging……why is that!!??? I want a change!
My small group is doing a study right now called “No Other God’s” by Kelly Minter. At first I think we were all like “oh…idols….yeah it will be a good study….but I don’t have idols in MY life.” Little did we know that all 6 of us have been blown away by this study the past four weeks. It has been revealing, challenging, hard, and humbling. Today I started the 40 day challenge. I asked God “Lord what do you want me to read today”, and after a while I wasn’t hearing anything, I already found myself frustrated. So I started my study for this week and that is when God said “Erin….THIS is what you need today” and did I ever!!
I have read the book of James numerous times, but for some reason this verse has not popped out to me the way it did today. I read it and re-read it, and had a pang of conviction each time. James 4: 1-3 (NIV) says “What causes quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” I also like how the Message phrases this passage: “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
Wow…see sometimes idols…”functional gods” are things that really are good things…its just the way we handle those desires that can turn them into idols. The word desire from verse 2 means to “covet or to lust”, Kelly Minter says that it is taken from the Greek word epithumio with literally means “to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)-covet, desire, lust (after). Kelly also says that an example of a “good” desire that we have may be the struggle for relationships, and the desire to be loved. Not that men don’t have this desire but she says that she thinks the pervasive desire to be loved and chosen is especially innate in women. This desire is a very good thing, a God-given thing, however we’ve all been on both sides of what happens when this desire becomes the dominating force in a person’s life. This is seen through friendship, families, and marriages that are utterly destroyed over an obsessive and consuming desire to be loved by someone. Again…taking a natural desire but making it an idol by being willing to sin (covet, lust, jealousy, bitterness, anger, and even murder) to get it.
How many times have I asked God over and over again for something….most of the time something “good” with “wrong motives” vs. 3, or having no right to have it at that time knowing that if I got it would be a consuming idol in my life? How many times have I desired to have something in my own life, and seen it in someone else’s and allowed jealousy, anger, bitterness, disconnect, and covetousness to enter the scene and either destroy a relationship, prevent one from happening, or “fighting and quarreling” with that person. How sad! I don’t want that!
Day 1…wow….amazing! I know that James 4: 1-3 spoke to me and challenged me in areas that I needed to hear! Thank you Lord for showing that to me today!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Freedom 4/24
I want to share something with you that is heavy on my heart. The sex slave industry is rampant in society today, especially overseas. There are 1.8 million prostitutes that live in Thailand, 400,000 are children under the age of 16. Each year 7.3 million men come to participate in this sick industry. Severe poverty delivered these girls over to prostitution, and girls as young as 12 years old are being sold by their own families into this horrific industry. The statistics and images are sickening and heartbreaking. Many girls feel as if there is no hope and that this is all they have to give.
My church, Brentwood Church in Lynchburg, VA has a huge heart for missions. The past few years, members of my church and the church staff have been working with an organization in Thailand called Beginnings. Many members of my church have had such a burden for these girls and have gone over to Thailand several times to work with this organization and get it off the ground to help these women get out of the industry. Our people are going into the bars and clubs and reaching out to the girls to show them there is more to life than prostitution, and that they are worth more than this. Our church is partnering with Beginnings and we are launching a new movement right here in Lynchburg, VA called Freedom 4/24. The mission of Freedom4/24 is to raise awareness of the sexually exploited women in Thailand, while simultaneously providing money to supply these women with alternative means of survival. $24 will purchase a night of freedom for a Thai prostitute, which may result in a lifetime of freedom. I am so excited about this! On Sunday March 22, we kicked off this movement at Brentwood and are trying to raise awareness of the severity of the sex slave industry in Thailand but also to see if other churches or organizations want to partner with us in this effort to raise money and help these girls get out, and learn about God.
Poverty in Thailand has forced hundreds of thousands of women into prostitution. It’s estimated that close to 300 million dollars is transferred yearly to rural families by women engaged in prostitution in urban areas. Imagine finding yourself in a situation where your final means of survival for yourself and your family is to sell the very last thing you have left…your body and self dignity. This is precisely what has happened and is currently happening in areas all over Thailand.
LET THAT SINK IN. No really, think about it…
Right now, as you read this, women are sacrificing their dignity and self worth in order to provide for themselves and their families. This is an issue of poverty. Prostitution produces an approximate annual income of 27 billion dollars for the sex industry. So, what do we do about it? Do we let the enormity of the issue evaporate our empathy towards it? No. We cannot. We must not. Edmund Burke once said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little.”
In order to purchase a girl for a night in Thailand, the customer must pay what is called a “bar fee.” The customer must pay this fee to the bar owner, in order to have the right to the girl for the night. This fee is approximately $24. The idea behind Freedom4/24 is that you can purchase the freedom of a girl for 24 hours for a mere $24. This money will be given to an excellent organization called Beginnings. The employees at Beginnings go into the bars, purchase this night of freedom, and then tell the girls about alternative means of survival and opportunities for life that they could never have imagined. These opportunities include: Education, Employment, and Health care (Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual). This is an enormous issue that must be addressed on many different levels. But, the end must begin somewhere. Let it begin with $24. We must make this an unavoidable issue. Get involved. It’s because of your $24 that we have many celebration stories. Here is just one:
Pun was an unwanted child. Her mother gave her to her grandmother to raise immediately after her birth. When Pun was four, her grandmother died and Pun moved to her mother and step-father’s home. Desperate for her mother’s love, she would hide in the bushes by the rice fields waiting for her mother to come find her….but she did not. Pun often slept outside all night and would wander home the next day, only to be used, taunted and rejected by both her mother and stepfather.
At twelve, she took the ten hour bus trip to Bangkok where she worked in a sweat shop for four years until she married a man who was never faithful to her. Together they decided to buy a motorcycle. Because the bank required only one signature, Pun’s husband generously allowed Pun to sign the loan. He left her soon after – on the motorcycle.
Overwhelmed with debt, a friend introduced her to life in the red light district. She worked in a bar that required her to take ten customers a month. Weary, ashamed, broken and HIV positive, Pun came to Beginnings for safety, rest and a new life. There she met Jesus, a man who would not reject her, who would love her unconditionally. He became her peace, her rest, her Savior. She is currently finishing her high school certificate. She has a future and a hope!
This issue has stirred something within me. As I watched the videos and heard my fellow sisters in Christ talk about the stories they brought back from Thailand, my heart broke, and I sat and wept! I have committed to do what I can to help these girls. I have bought a T-shirt and given $24 for a girl’s night of freedom and have committed to pray! Maybe all you can do is pray, tell others, and just be aware of this situation, but if you, your church, family, or friends would like to join Freedom 4/24 please visit the website at: http://www.freedom4-24.com/. Also you can contact Steve Petit our Life Development pastor at Brentwood church at: steve@brentwoodchurch.org. Steve overseas all of the missions organizations at Brentwood and would love to talk to you about partnering with Brentwood and Freedom 4/24. You can also visit Brentwood’s new website at www.brentwoodchurch.org or contact me as well with any questions. It would be so great if your local church or organization could partner with my local church and make a huge difference in the lives of Thai girls!
Thank you for listening to something that is dear to my heart. I am not sure if the Lord will lead me to minister in Thailand one day but I know that He has burdened my heart to pray and support them with the means that I have right now. Thanks so much!
Erin
My church, Brentwood Church in Lynchburg, VA has a huge heart for missions. The past few years, members of my church and the church staff have been working with an organization in Thailand called Beginnings. Many members of my church have had such a burden for these girls and have gone over to Thailand several times to work with this organization and get it off the ground to help these women get out of the industry. Our people are going into the bars and clubs and reaching out to the girls to show them there is more to life than prostitution, and that they are worth more than this. Our church is partnering with Beginnings and we are launching a new movement right here in Lynchburg, VA called Freedom 4/24. The mission of Freedom4/24 is to raise awareness of the sexually exploited women in Thailand, while simultaneously providing money to supply these women with alternative means of survival. $24 will purchase a night of freedom for a Thai prostitute, which may result in a lifetime of freedom. I am so excited about this! On Sunday March 22, we kicked off this movement at Brentwood and are trying to raise awareness of the severity of the sex slave industry in Thailand but also to see if other churches or organizations want to partner with us in this effort to raise money and help these girls get out, and learn about God.
Poverty in Thailand has forced hundreds of thousands of women into prostitution. It’s estimated that close to 300 million dollars is transferred yearly to rural families by women engaged in prostitution in urban areas. Imagine finding yourself in a situation where your final means of survival for yourself and your family is to sell the very last thing you have left…your body and self dignity. This is precisely what has happened and is currently happening in areas all over Thailand.
LET THAT SINK IN. No really, think about it…
Right now, as you read this, women are sacrificing their dignity and self worth in order to provide for themselves and their families. This is an issue of poverty. Prostitution produces an approximate annual income of 27 billion dollars for the sex industry. So, what do we do about it? Do we let the enormity of the issue evaporate our empathy towards it? No. We cannot. We must not. Edmund Burke once said, “Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little.”
In order to purchase a girl for a night in Thailand, the customer must pay what is called a “bar fee.” The customer must pay this fee to the bar owner, in order to have the right to the girl for the night. This fee is approximately $24. The idea behind Freedom4/24 is that you can purchase the freedom of a girl for 24 hours for a mere $24. This money will be given to an excellent organization called Beginnings. The employees at Beginnings go into the bars, purchase this night of freedom, and then tell the girls about alternative means of survival and opportunities for life that they could never have imagined. These opportunities include: Education, Employment, and Health care (Physical, Emotional, & Spiritual). This is an enormous issue that must be addressed on many different levels. But, the end must begin somewhere. Let it begin with $24. We must make this an unavoidable issue. Get involved. It’s because of your $24 that we have many celebration stories. Here is just one:
Pun was an unwanted child. Her mother gave her to her grandmother to raise immediately after her birth. When Pun was four, her grandmother died and Pun moved to her mother and step-father’s home. Desperate for her mother’s love, she would hide in the bushes by the rice fields waiting for her mother to come find her….but she did not. Pun often slept outside all night and would wander home the next day, only to be used, taunted and rejected by both her mother and stepfather.
At twelve, she took the ten hour bus trip to Bangkok where she worked in a sweat shop for four years until she married a man who was never faithful to her. Together they decided to buy a motorcycle. Because the bank required only one signature, Pun’s husband generously allowed Pun to sign the loan. He left her soon after – on the motorcycle.
Overwhelmed with debt, a friend introduced her to life in the red light district. She worked in a bar that required her to take ten customers a month. Weary, ashamed, broken and HIV positive, Pun came to Beginnings for safety, rest and a new life. There she met Jesus, a man who would not reject her, who would love her unconditionally. He became her peace, her rest, her Savior. She is currently finishing her high school certificate. She has a future and a hope!
This issue has stirred something within me. As I watched the videos and heard my fellow sisters in Christ talk about the stories they brought back from Thailand, my heart broke, and I sat and wept! I have committed to do what I can to help these girls. I have bought a T-shirt and given $24 for a girl’s night of freedom and have committed to pray! Maybe all you can do is pray, tell others, and just be aware of this situation, but if you, your church, family, or friends would like to join Freedom 4/24 please visit the website at: http://www.freedom4-24.com/. Also you can contact Steve Petit our Life Development pastor at Brentwood church at: steve@brentwoodchurch.org. Steve overseas all of the missions organizations at Brentwood and would love to talk to you about partnering with Brentwood and Freedom 4/24. You can also visit Brentwood’s new website at www.brentwoodchurch.org or contact me as well with any questions. It would be so great if your local church or organization could partner with my local church and make a huge difference in the lives of Thai girls!
Thank you for listening to something that is dear to my heart. I am not sure if the Lord will lead me to minister in Thailand one day but I know that He has burdened my heart to pray and support them with the means that I have right now. Thanks so much!
Erin
Monday, February 2, 2009
Fireproof
My heart has been so burdened lately for marriages today! It seems like every few weeks I get more news that a couple I know are getting a divorce. It breaks my heart. Some are mutual, some are one sided, some involve children, some don’t, some have been married for 3 years some have been married for 20. If I am not hearing about couples divorcing, I hear about countless couples that are having problems in their marriage and are miserable. My heart is so heavy! I have lifted all of these people to the Lord, but still a feeling of sadness resides within me. Most of these couples have a similar story….they met, were truly in love, were best friends, and for the most part they just stopped loving each other somewhere in their marriage. I am not sure if the Lord is stirring something up in my heart to show me that He wants to use me to minister to couples, or women going through this, but friends, it breaks my heart! When I think about it I well up with tears! In my last semester of Grad school, I took two premarital/marital counseling classes and really saw the need of solid premarital counselors that are needed in the church today, and also counselors in the church that are there specifically for couples to go to and try to work out their issues to save their marriage. I struggle with the fact that I have no experience whatsoever in relationships, I have never been married, and I know God can use anyone in any way He wants, it’s just daunting to think of being used to counsel married or engaged couples and only have book knowledge, not experience as well.Friday night I went to the dollar theater and saw the movie “Fireproof” with Kirk Cameron. I have been waiting to see it, and it finally came to the dollar theater so I knew I had to go. As I watched the movie, I spent most of it in tears (as well as everyone else around me), and have not cried that hard in a movie in a long time. I saw so many of my friends, and family members in the characters of that movie. While some of the movie I thought was portrayed a little skewed, for the most part I loved it, I love the way they portray the process of not giving up on the other, of loving the other the way the Lord loves them, and showing real life struggles that men and women are bombarded with every day. A central part of the movie is “The Love Dare” that lasts for 40 days. There are several married small groups in my church that are doing the Fireproof bible study and are doing the love dare with each other, which I think is great! I won’t give away anymore in case you haven’t seen the movie, but I highly, highly recommend you rent it or buy it TODAY!
More than anything, I want to be a wife one day, and experience marriage. I have always prayed but these days I am praying even harder that the Lord will prepare me and my future spouse now for the lifelong commitment we will make one day before Him, before friends, and before family. I know that marriage is hard, that it is hard work, that it takes two people being selfless everyday to meet the needs of the other, and everyday will not be an amazing day, but I pray that I will not have to go through what so many marraiges are going through. I pray that I will continue to be in a church that will support me, counsel me, and be there for me when I need them in those hard times. Please pray for the marriages today! Pray for the Christians who are throwing in the towel, for one spouse being left by another spouse who will not reconcile their marriage, and for couples who are living in misery every single day because they feel divorce is not an option, and feel as if they have nowhere to turn to get help or counsel and feel trapped.
I do know that in the midst of all of this, the Lord has given me a gentle heart for couples going through divorce or hard times, to not judge them, but to pray for them, love them, and be there for them as best I can. I cannot say that I support all of their decisions but I am in no way to judge them or condemn them. I pray God can use me in some way to minister to them, and to show them His love in a very dark time of their life. Here is the song used in the move “Fireproof” called “Love is not a fight” written and performed by Warren Barfield. After seeing the movie, this song makes me cry every time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NoIJglsGms
Friday, January 23, 2009
A Wonderful 25th Birthday!
So my birthday was last Thursday the 15th. It by far was the best birthday yet. After my small group celebration on Monday, and my friend Vanessa taking me out on Wed. night, Thursday was a fun day as well! Dina took me out for breakfast at my favorite breakfast spot “Famous Anthony’s” (they have the BEST sausage gravy and biscuits in Lynchburg) where I enjoyed my usual and a cup of coffee. I arrived to my desk to find it COVERED in balloons, confetti, streamers, and signs that said Happy Birthday. There was a “skinny” latte on my desk from Vanessa, and some cards from my friends. After work, I went to dinner at a new restaurant downtown called Waterstone. It is a really cool restaurant known for their amazing pizza, and it’s got exposed brick and stone on the inside; a really cool environment. Then I went home and enjoyed the BEST chocolate, peanut butter cake I have ever had in my life (homemade by my bestest friend who did an AMAZING job on her fist homemade cake. Props to you Dina!). I ended the evening watching Grey’s anatomy, sipping coffee in my PJ’s :0).
On Friday I was told not to plan anything and not to ask questions. I was told to pack clothes and dress warm. So Thursday night I packed like 8 outfits (I didn’t know what I would be doing, where I would be going….so I had to be prepared!) and anticipated my birthday weekend. I went and got my hair cut on Friday afternoon and my friend Sarah did an AMAZING job as usual. I left with a boost of confidence and was glad I cut my hair finally b/c I had been wanting to do it for a long time. She took her time to style it and made me feel beautiful. Friday after work I went home, packed the car, and headed north towards Charlottesville, DC, and Baltimore. I was not sure exactly where we were headed but I knew a bunch of people were going to be wherever we ended up. After an hour and getting off the Charlottesville downtown exit, I realized we were going to a fancy restaurant. We reached our destination in front of the Melting Pot restaurant!!!! For those of you who are not familiar w/ the Melting Pot, it is an upscale fondue restaurant where you sit at a table and share cheese fondue, salad, a main course of a variety of meat and seafood, and a delicious chocolate fondue. I had never been before but always wanted to. I arrived and felt like a VIP! The waiters and waitresses took my coat, offered me a drink, and kept saying happy birthday to me, and even got me a card and all signed it. I got in and realized that one side of the restaurant was reserved just for my party and about 17 of my closest friends were there for it! This had been planned since October and they all managed to keep it a surprise for me!
We couldn’t all sit together but had to sit at 4 different tables, but overall everyone had a blast! I cannot describe to you the overwhelming feeling I had that night other than blessed and grateful. I feel so blessed to have such amazing friends who love me enough to drive an hour away, walk through the cold to get to the restaurant, and pay a lot of money to eat someplace I have always wanted to go. As I sat there throughout the night and looked around at all of my friends having a good time with their fondue (many of them experiencing this for the first time), laughing, talking, and celebrating, I had to smile, and it almost brought tears to my eyes. I have such amazing friends, and am so blessed to have them in my life to share my life with them! After a 3 hour dinner and an amazing chocolate/peanut butter fondue to end the night, everyone bundled up and gave hugs to head back to Lynchburg.
Dina and I drove to Richmond, got there LATE, spend the night at a hotel, and then Saturday woke up, ate breakfast, and headed out to explore parts of Richmond we had never been to before. The lovely GPS “Gwen the Garmin” took us the wrong way and we ended up in the heart of downtown Richmond for a while. It was really cool to see that, and then we made our way to a variety of shops. After a nice day of shopping and relaxing we ended the evening at Red Robin where I got a free birthday meal!
Looking back it was the best birthday ever, and I had soooooo much fun! I am excited for this 25th year of life the Lord has blessed me with. I am excited to see what he does in and through me this year, and what he bring to my life this year as well.
Hello 25!!!!
On Friday I was told not to plan anything and not to ask questions. I was told to pack clothes and dress warm. So Thursday night I packed like 8 outfits (I didn’t know what I would be doing, where I would be going….so I had to be prepared!) and anticipated my birthday weekend. I went and got my hair cut on Friday afternoon and my friend Sarah did an AMAZING job as usual. I left with a boost of confidence and was glad I cut my hair finally b/c I had been wanting to do it for a long time. She took her time to style it and made me feel beautiful. Friday after work I went home, packed the car, and headed north towards Charlottesville, DC, and Baltimore. I was not sure exactly where we were headed but I knew a bunch of people were going to be wherever we ended up. After an hour and getting off the Charlottesville downtown exit, I realized we were going to a fancy restaurant. We reached our destination in front of the Melting Pot restaurant!!!! For those of you who are not familiar w/ the Melting Pot, it is an upscale fondue restaurant where you sit at a table and share cheese fondue, salad, a main course of a variety of meat and seafood, and a delicious chocolate fondue. I had never been before but always wanted to. I arrived and felt like a VIP! The waiters and waitresses took my coat, offered me a drink, and kept saying happy birthday to me, and even got me a card and all signed it. I got in and realized that one side of the restaurant was reserved just for my party and about 17 of my closest friends were there for it! This had been planned since October and they all managed to keep it a surprise for me!
We couldn’t all sit together but had to sit at 4 different tables, but overall everyone had a blast! I cannot describe to you the overwhelming feeling I had that night other than blessed and grateful. I feel so blessed to have such amazing friends who love me enough to drive an hour away, walk through the cold to get to the restaurant, and pay a lot of money to eat someplace I have always wanted to go. As I sat there throughout the night and looked around at all of my friends having a good time with their fondue (many of them experiencing this for the first time), laughing, talking, and celebrating, I had to smile, and it almost brought tears to my eyes. I have such amazing friends, and am so blessed to have them in my life to share my life with them! After a 3 hour dinner and an amazing chocolate/peanut butter fondue to end the night, everyone bundled up and gave hugs to head back to Lynchburg.
Dina and I drove to Richmond, got there LATE, spend the night at a hotel, and then Saturday woke up, ate breakfast, and headed out to explore parts of Richmond we had never been to before. The lovely GPS “Gwen the Garmin” took us the wrong way and we ended up in the heart of downtown Richmond for a while. It was really cool to see that, and then we made our way to a variety of shops. After a nice day of shopping and relaxing we ended the evening at Red Robin where I got a free birthday meal!
Looking back it was the best birthday ever, and I had soooooo much fun! I am excited for this 25th year of life the Lord has blessed me with. I am excited to see what he does in and through me this year, and what he bring to my life this year as well.
Hello 25!!!!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I'm 25!
Today is my Birthday! I have had such an amazing birthday week! Monday night my small group girls threw me a surprise party! We had breakfast for dinner (my favorite) and just a great time of fellowship. Last night my dear friend Vanessa took me out to Cracker Barrel for dinner and I LOVE Cracker Barrel! It was a fun evening of catching up, laughing, and just having fun w/ each other. Today I came into my office and found my desk completely decked out w/ balloons, confetti, ribbon, and birthday signs! Dina took me out this morning for breakfast at Famous Anthony's (my favorite place to eat breakfast.....the BEST sausage gravy and biscuits!) and then when I came in I found a NF Vanilla latte on my desk from Vanessa w/ cards from my friends and co-workers! So...it has been a GREAT day! I can't wait to see what the rest of the day holds. Dina has so many things up her sleeve, so I am excited! Thank you to all of you in my life, I so blessed to have such amazing people in my life! Thanks for following my journey and keeping up to date w/ my life. :0)
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