Showing posts with label Political Issues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Political Issues. Show all posts
Happy Tuesday friends... the thought of today overwhelms me in so many ways... the state of our country... the choices that are before us on so many different levels... and the amazing right to vote- especially as a woman in our country. In so many areas of the world this is not a right or a choice and today we have the privilege and choice to do so.
No matter where you are, no matter who you are voting for, I hope that you will join me in praying for our nation and the elections that are happening at every level around the country. I wanted to share a brief prayer that I wrote out a while ago and have been praying from my journal...
O God, I bless and thank you that I have awakened to another day and today as everyday I acknowledge you as Lord, not only over my life as an individual, but also over the nations and governments. The government rests on your shoulders Lord (Isaiah 9) and today I humbly come before you on this election day. I thank you for the incredible privilege that it is to have the opportunity to vote. There are governments that exist around the world where this is not possible or a choice, and I have that choice Lord. Thank you. Thank you for the opportunity to vote and for the men and women who daily protect our freedoms. Lord, no matter the level of race (Congressional, Senate, Governor, Presidential) outcome may I look to your unfailing love and faithfulness. May I pray for the strength and humility to be burdened to pray not only today but everyday for those in office. You state "Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity." (I Timothy 2:2). Often times Lord I grumble and get angry without praying for my leaders. I am quick to judge, quick to criticize, and quick to complain but I am beyond slow to pray. Change my heart Lord and gently remind me that my duty and calling of prayer for this country I love and its leaders goes beyond just today and into everyday that comes. Please put your hand on our nation and most of all bring a revival of your love and grace that starts with me loving my neighbor, even those whom have different political views. Give me strength Lord and courage to trust you today and bless this country that I love so much. Bless today Lord. Bless those that are pursuing serving our country in this way. Protect them. Raise them up to be leaders who love You and this country. Thank you Lord. Please Lord, we humbly ask that you will bless our nation. Amen.
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."
-2 Chronicles 7:14-
Let us pray for our country friends - today and everyday.
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
-John 1-
To say that these last few weeks have been filled with lots of emotional turmoil for this nation that I love would be an understatement. Several weeks ago two prisoners escaped from a maximum security prison in our area creating chaos, fear and widespread confusion. Shortly after that the heartbreaking shooting in Charleston occurred and we as a nation mourned how this unspeakable act could happen. Yesterday, SCOTUS made a landmark ruling on the issue of homosexuality. Emotional turmoil in a country gives Christians the unique opportunity to show God's love in trying times to those who often need it most. We have seen the courageous and tireless work of hundreds of law enforcement who aren't giving up searching. We have witnessed heroic loving behavior as families offer forgiveness in the midst of their pain. Today I have seen friends who lovingly address their disagreement over yesterday's decision while embracing loved ones who might lead a different lifestyle. For me #lovewins is not about a supreme court decision, but about how we as Christians heroically show Christ's love to those who stand before us. Love that can speak grace to the hurting, offer kindness in the face of tragedy, and compassion in the midst of disagreement is due to one thing- knowing the greatest love, Jesus Christ. His love does win- all of the time. Every single day. Friends, may we run into our hurting and broken world reminding them what love truly is and how it can be found. Let us remember that the light still shines in the dark and the darkness has not overcome it, no matter the circumstances.
(This post was taken from my instagram account but wanted to share with you my sweet readers and friends. Praying for each of you and for our country.)
As I mentioned at the beginning of this year, I never started off in this journey to become a health activist. In fact, as private as I am I probably never would have started blogging had I known that shortly after I did I would have been diagnosed with two major diseases in the span of 5 months. BUT here is where the Lord has me and I do hope to use this blog to share about some of the issues (Lyme Disease especially) that I am passionate about in hopes that it will help and encourage others. As the founder of SEEN Gathering my heart is with encouraging the hearts of people who are struggling with chronic illness. Along that note I am honored to have applied for the WEGO Health Activist Speakers Bureau and hope to share my story with others to encourage them. (Thank goodness for internet access for those of us who are struggling to get out of bed on difficult days! *smiles*) I mention this because I know some of you that read this blog are dealing with health issues and might be
interested in learning more about it as well – it’s a great way for Health
Activists to share our stories, raise awareness and get the word out about the
work we’re doing. Your story DOES matter and what you have to say can change the world for someone. Members of
the WEGO Health Activist Speakers Bureau receive exclusive invitations to
present at conferences, speak to members of the media, and be featured on WEGO
Health. Interested
in joining the WEGO Health Activist Speakers Bureau? Apply today! It only takes a few minutes and
they’ll email you as soon as they have opportunities relevant to you and your
interests.
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| Pic found HERE It has been 13 years since America witnessed one of the worst terrorist attacks in our History. When I was a High School History teacher I would show my students a documentary about September 11th (as many of them were exceptionally young or to young to remember that day) as a way to help them understand the tragedy and the bravery of so many on this day. It was a way to not only "pause and remember" but to reflect on the incredible amount of freedom that we experience in America and to remember and pray for those who have given so much for our country in the past and to thank and pray for those who are serving our country today. I would also share my personal story of being on the first international flight allowed back into the country, dealing with the horror of lost loved ones and friends (and of friends who lost so many people that day), and of finding so much hope through the kindness of strangers and of a country rallying together. Two days ago I walked back into Newark Airport for the first time in 13 years and was overcome and struck by the differences. Instead of Air Marshall's guarding our flight and the tension that came with our long international flight and the regulations of being the first flight back into the US, my flight from California was peaceful as many people slept for the duration. Instead of the stewards and stewardesses crying, they were smiling. Instead of the passengers singing "God Bless America", we landed silently. Instead of rows and rows of planes not moving at Newark, planes were steadily taking off the ground. Instead of being greeted by soldiers lined up at our gate to greet and escort us to immigration lines, I walked off the plane alone. Instead of Newark being a chaotic scene of red cross workers, rows and rows of cots, family members and loved ones in tears, and the haunted look of despair, Newark was busy with people excited to get to their destinations. I paused to look out at the exact place that I stood at 13 years ago and was overcome with emotion. |
Emotion at the changes. Emotion for those that lost so much that day. Emotion for the way that our country rallied together and responded to the crisis. Emotion for those who continue to grieve their lost loved ones. Emotion for living in a country that fights for freedom despite incredible odds and terror.
As we stop to remember the loss of loved ones I thank God for living in a country that is free. A country that (though we may not agree with everything) is blessed beyond measure and rebuilds after tragedy. My heart goes out to all who lost a loved one this tragic day 13 years ago. May you feel the comfort and the love of so many around the nation and around the world as we pause to reflect on the bravery of so many. As we head into today I pray that we honor this day with service to those around us. Let's take a moment to thank so many that are doing so much for our country. Let's surrender to the Lord our lives and give it to Him fully. Trust Him sweet friends. He will lead and guide you - in tragedy and grief and in the good.
I pray that we always remember September 11th and honor those who were lost, encourage the hearts of those who are grieving lost loved ones, and remember the bravery of so many.
This picture above is of Father Mychal Judge who was killed on September 11th. The day before he gave his last message and I wanted to share part of it with you today:
"Thank you Lord for life. Thank you for love. Thank you for goodness. Thank you for work. Thank you for family. Thank you for friends. Thank you for every gift because we know that every gift comes from you, and without you, we have and are nothing. So, as we celebrate this day in thanksgiving to you, keep our hearts and minds open. Let us enjoy each other's company, and most of all, let us be conscious of Your presence in our lives and in a special way in the lives of all those who have gone before us. And Father we make our prayer, as always, in Jesus' name who lives with You forever and ever.
That's the way it is. Good days. And bad days. Up days. Down days. Sad days. Happy days. But never a boring day on this job. You do what God has called you to do. You show up. You put one foot in front of another. You get on the rig and you go out and you do the job - which is a mystery. And a surprise. You have no idea when you get on that rig. No matter how big the call. No matter how small. You have no idea what God is calling you to. But he needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us. "
That's the way it is. Good days. And bad days. Up days. Down days. Sad days. Happy days. But never a boring day on this job. You do what God has called you to do. You show up. You put one foot in front of another. You get on the rig and you go out and you do the job - which is a mystery. And a surprise. You have no idea when you get on that rig. No matter how big the call. No matter how small. You have no idea what God is calling you to. But he needs you. He needs me. He needs all of us. "
- Father Mychal Judge (September 10th, 2001)-
A couple of months ago I heard about an organization called The Exodus Road. I was thrilled to discover the amazing work that they are doing to help rescue out sex slaves across the world. I was also thrilled to become a member of their blogging team to help bring awareness to the real life issues that are going on in the world, amazing stories of rescue and redemption, and ways that you (my amazing readers) can make a difference.
As many of you know I spent time working in DC as a Match Grant Program Coordinator with asylees, refugees, and sex-trafficking victims in their first 180 days in the United States. The time that I spent doing that was life-changing and truly opened my eyes to the horrors that exist within our world. Due to my health I am not able to participate in ways that I would like right now. And due to many reasons there are so many people that I know wish to see this horrific practice ended but do not know how to help or do not have the ability to help right now (like me).
NOW YOU CAN.
As many of you know I spent time working in DC as a Match Grant Program Coordinator with asylees, refugees, and sex-trafficking victims in their first 180 days in the United States. The time that I spent doing that was life-changing and truly opened my eyes to the horrors that exist within our world. Due to my health I am not able to participate in ways that I would like right now. And due to many reasons there are so many people that I know wish to see this horrific practice ended but do not know how to help or do not have the ability to help right now (like me).
NOW YOU CAN.
This past week The Exodus Road launched the Search and Rescue Program. This program enables you to personally fuel and empower literal rescue. You are invited to join a real-life covert investigative team through our new partnership, Search and Rescue.
From our experience, it takes about $35 a night for one of our investigators to engage in local surveillance. Since we already have teams on the ground and since most of our teams are volunteers, we are able to fund investigations with a fairly lean financial model.
If you’d like to join a team, you will be “hiring” one of our investigators to go literally look for children and victims on your behalf in some of the darkest corners of the globe. Investigators will then take that until to local police partners and will develop cases and raids from that initial intelligence.
If you’d like to join a team, you will be “hiring” one of our investigators to go literally look for children and victims on your behalf in some of the darkest corners of the globe. Investigators will then take that until to local police partners and will develop cases and raids from that initial intelligence.
The search fuels the rescue. And by investing in our teams, you will be putting boots on the ground, sending eyes to look for the enslaved.
Currently, we have four designated teams that we’d like to empower. Each team has a code name (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta) and a brief description of their area of focus. You can find the team names and descriptions here. When you choose a team to sponsor for $35/monthly, you’ll have access to their field intelligence (though, as always, for safety, some details may be changed). You’ll get live updates about the ways your team performs investigations, raids, and rescue. We’ll also send newsletters, incentives and even ways for you to connect and support your field team on a more personal level.
Want to become a part of the Search and Rescue Team? This is your chance to join arms with the guys who are actually kicking down the doors.
Want to become a part of the Search and Rescue Team? This is your chance to join arms with the guys who are actually kicking down the doors.
Hire an Investigator.
Recover a Slave.
What are you waiting for? Want to join with us? Click HERE to read more!
What are you waiting for? Want to join with us? Click HERE to read more!
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