My Birthday Wish

My birthday is coming up next month and even though birthdays are fun, I have never been one to go all out celebrating my birthday.  Birthdays are just another day that we should be grateful for the breath that God gives us and use it as an opportunity to glorify His name all the more.  This year, my birthday also just so happens to be on the same day as International Justice Mission's Stand for Freedom day.  April 9 is a day to raise awareness and money to support the 27 million around the world who are trapped in slavery.  So with this birthday, my only wish is that you would partner with me and IJM to end modern day slavery. My goal is $1,000 by April 10, the day after my 24th birthday!  This can be easily done with only 42 people donating $24!

I am standing for the freedom of the children I met in Cambodia who are sold on the street every day for sex.  They are controlled by fear and violence.  But the good news is that the Lord hears the cries of the afflicted and oppressed and He has sent people to help them.  He gives us the opportunity to stand up for their freedom and be a voice to the voiceless.  Will you stand?  You can help make my birthday wish come true here!

A little about IJM:

IJM IS MAKING FREEDOM POSSIBLE

100% of all donations to this campaign will support the work of International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that is bringing rescue and freedom to victims of slavery, sex trafficking and other forms of violence.

IJM investigators, lawyers and aftercare staff are on the frontlines of the fight for justice in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In 2011 alone, IJM partnered with local authorities to rescue more than 1,600 children, women and men from sex trafficking, forced labor slavery and other violent oppression, and helped put more than 100 slave-owners, traffickers and rapists behind bars.

Check out this video to find out more about the Stand For Freedom campaign.

Powerless

Numbers 22:18 (NLT)
"But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, “Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God."

My sister posted a blog this week about our plans versus God's plans (if you haven't read it, check it out!) and this verse spoke to me in a similar way this morning.  

I am in a season of upcoming change.  My two year commitment with Teach for America ends in May and I will be leaving Mississippi.  At this point, I am waiting to hear about a summer job with Teach for America in Atlanta and waiting to hear about my acceptance to go on the World Race next January.  And it is during this time of waiting that the Lord has given me His peace.  He has given me peace and understanding that no matter what I do, I am powerless against His will.  Who am I to try to control or change or plan against the Creator of the Universe and the One who has known every breath and step I would take before I was even born?  We can never know for sure what exactly lies ahead of us but we can be obedient to His calling and then rest in the truth that we are powerless against Him.  

It has not been easy for me to rest in this and I have been challenged with worry and anxiousness in the past.  Even through this step of applying for the World Race, I have experienced anxiousness.  I had a dream just a week or so ago that I did not get accepted to go on the World Race.  I woke up in a panic, wondering what I was supposed to do.  But then I opened the Word and was reading in the Old Testament when time and time again, the Israelites failed to trust in the Lord's promises and were punished.  

Numbers 11:23 (NIV)
"The Lord answered Moses, 'Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you.'" 

He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6) and that His plans are good (Jeremiah 29:11).  And it is in these promises that He gives peace and rest.  And out of peace and rest comes confidence in Him to face whatever opportunities or obstacles lie ahead.  To Him be the glory!

John 16:33 (NLT)

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Blessed are...

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." 

Matthew 5:3-12


A few weeks ago, I borrowed the book, Blood Brothers: The Dramatic Story of a Palestinian Christian Working for Peace in Israel, from a friend.  It was my first real look into this conflict in the Middle East.  As he roamed the same hills that Jesus walked 2,000 years ago, the author, Elias Chacour, learned the meaning of "blessed are the peacemakers" and he continues his work to bring reconciliation and peace in Palestine.

I finished the book just as we started a new sermon series at church based on none other than the Beatitudes that Chacour quoted over and over in his book.  God has been showing me how much I need him.  On my own, I am poor in spirit but most of the time I think I can do it on my own instead of crying out in desperation to Him.  I have learned that being meek means being confident in God and responding in love, mercy, and grace.  He has taught me that being a peacemaker requires love and forgiveness that must be experienced before they can be given to others.

Then, I started hearing the song, "All the People Said Amen", by Matt Maher on K-Love.  You should definitely listen to all of it, but my favorite part is the refrain that says:

Blessed are
The poor in spirit who are torn apart
Blessed are
The persecuted and the pure in heart
Blessed are
The people longing for another start
For this is the Kingdom
The Kingdom of God

We are all broken and in need of the Savior.  He is the only one that can fill us.  And not only fill us but make us overflow and become merciful, pure, meek, and peacemakers.  

God has been speaking through these verses to me lately and I wanted to share and encourage you to seek Jesus + nothing and be blessed eternally.  And we are only half way through the sermon series, I can't wait to see what else He is going to open my eyes to in the coming weeks!  

On a side note, I have an interview this Wednesday with The World Race through Adventures in Missions.  In short, the World Race is an 11 month journey to 11 countries around the world to serve, love, and spread the gospel to the broken and needy.  Please pray that the Lord will continue to direct my steps and that His will would be done.  I will keep y'all posted about what lies ahead as my second year with Teach for America comes to an end.