The Underground Railroad

Raise Their Voice Conference - April 15,16 in Red Deer

Hey all... small and intimate, the Raise Their Voice Conference was a beautiful, tragic, real and wondrous time filled with artistic expression, networking, calls for help, and messages of hope. Here are some of the highlights posted by Raise Their Voice (from Vimeo). Check out their other bytes... it was a weekend well spent.

The song is a choral piece sung by 'Harmony through Harmony' -- an old Negro spiritual, it will haunt you as it will move you. The second video is Glendene Grant's story. Mother to Jessie Foster, a young Canadian human trafficking victim, listen to her testimony of the need in our country, the capacity to change circumstances, and God's continuing grace.

 

"My Child is Gone" – Harmony through Harmony from Raise Their Voice on Vimeo.

Glendene Grant - Keynote Address from Raise Their Voice on Vimeo.

CRASH Japan

Check out: http://www.crashjapan.com/

Dedicated to assisting believers around the world during times of crisis, CRASH's mission statement reads as follows:

The mission statement for CRASH is to equip Christians in Japan to be ready when disaster strikes to show the love of Jesus in practical and effective ways.  Our method is to provide a model of action, accurate information and volunteer training to a broad network of churches and ministries across Japan.

CRASH is endorsed by JEMA the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association and works in cooperation with the Disaster Relief Commission of the Japan Evangelical Association. 

I became aware of this organization after the call went out for immediate disaster relief after the March tsunami/earthquake that rocked Japan. At first glance, it looks like a reputable organization.

My questions are arise from the rather vague outline the website presents. Christians quite often are quick to offer aid in times of crises, most often in the form of finances. Generosity is encouraged in Scripture! And when disasters of this magnitude strike, we often need a way to feel like we are helping the situation rather than sitting by powerless. Besides, we are called to assist our brothers and sisters in times of need.

You can take a look at the site for yourselves, but know that it's not primarily CRASH that I'm questioning.

It's us.

Yes, there is a time and place for critical aid, foreign and domestic. When war, famine, natural disasters, or disease strike, a community needs to be rallied around so that everything from clean water, food, shelter, family reunification, etc., are taken care of. 

Sometimes, however, Christians in the developed world like to take over and be the heroes. Perhaps it's not our intention, but that's what it looks like. Or we write our checks and the feeling of assurance we have assuages us that our role has been fulfilled. The debacle of Hurricane Katrina, I think, has shown the lack readiness in North America to attend to domestic plights. For certain, local community members in New Orleans stood up for themselves and many re-built against all odds -- some odds coming from a lack of organization and understanding of community relationship and development. However huge gaps were revealed in terms of mobilization and strategy.

There is often a 3-R linear diagram that outlines what stages a country/community goes through after a disaster hits:

Relief ----> Recovery ----> Restoration

Relief is precisely what CRASH is doing -- stepping in to ensure immediate needs are taken care of.

Recovery begins with the immediate crisis is over, but the long haul of re-building begins, the mourning of lost loved ones continues, and decisions about "what now?" sink in.

Restoration is often seen as where the country/community are able to stand on their own two feet again, and look forward to improving their stabilized community, rather than only cleaning up after the disaster.

Christians sometimes get stuck in the "Relief Zone" and keep sending money/resources to places that do not require it, thus impeding the growth process. Or, swinging the other way, we put a timeline on a country/community's recovery and wonder why in the world isn't it "all better"? One lady was clucking her tongue the other day against Haiti and why it hadn't gotten themselves all together yet. Her church had sent multiple shipments of children's hats and STILL they were needing more!

Comments like this usually only expose ignorance, and lack of understanding.

As believers, we need to learn mutual love and interdependence with one another. We must not dive in like super heroes a clean house. This takes away from the humanity and relationship building of "the other", while we still think we are doing a good thing. We need to learn when to step back. Because what we are doing is actually creating cycles of dependence. 

This leads to the second point: there is no black and white timeline. Cultures vary from country to country, and even from block to block. You cannot tell a community that the time for mourning their dead is over because "it's been long enough". That must come from within their voice as a people. When we have it in our heads that if we keep up the relief efforts for long enough, it will translate into recovery which it doesn't. It simply extends the crisis, often creating poverty.

I, myself, actually believe the restoration phase undergirds the other two phases even while having a time of its own. So my diagram would look more like this:

Relief ----> Recovery ----> Restoration
\------- R E S T O R A T I O N -------------/ 

Jesus begins His healing work in times and ways we as human do not understand. For us, these phases act as guides for community healing, but a community does not need to be out of the danger zone before experiencing Christ's intervention, tears, love, and grace. It in fact surrounds us all the time -- our redemption, repentance, reconciliation, and renewal.

As for Japan, we as believers from around the world need to support it right now -- materially and financially. Yet we also require discernment as to when to step back materially while remaining wholly invested in love and relationship. How does our role change? What needs have changed? Where is the change coming from? Are different regions growing, requiring different supports at different rates?

Some may balk at asking these sensitive questions, but without putting them out on the table, we will continue to offer the wrong kind of support, or the right kind of support at the wrong time; or keep our heads in the sand that much of this work will be lifelong, and sending a box of hats doesn't equate to eternal relationship.

My question of CRASH would be: what do you do AFTER the immediate crisis is over?

 

Teen sexting phenomenon a growing concern

 
Teen sexting phenomenon a growing concern.

It's no secret that I have a heart for youth. And, despite what some adults perceive, youth have a heart for each other. However, still being the children they are, they need guidance and support.

When 3 seperate articles on sexting cross my desk in one day, it troubles me. For those of you who don't know what that is, sexting is when people (young or old) take nude, usually sexually explicit, photos of themselves or their partners and text them through cyberspace. The article above talks about research being done on the subject, about how this behaviour is becoming the norm in adolescent life.

I must be clear: this can't happen.

This is not acceptable behaviour, this is not innocent fun, and this is not the type of risk-taking we need our children adapting as normative. It is exploitive, often done under coercion or pressure, and once online... is there for life.

I get the thrill of risk-taking. A girl dating her first serious boyfriend feels that thrill of taking a picture of her breasts and surprising him in math class. She doesn't see the ramifications of what she's done, how it's suddenly changed the relationship, how it's affected her boyfriend, or who else can see her chest. She's primarily concerned with how brave she feels and how sexy she feels.

Now... I do NOT agree with criminalizing such acts to the degree that youth are listed on sex offender registries. This is a tough call because Canada struggles with charging youth who, according to our laws, are not old enough to be responsible for these behaviours themselves. Legally, we are confusing the matter by forcing children to be victims and perpetrators at the same time.

Besides, a 14 year old girl taking a nude photo of herself is nowhere in the same category of a 30 year old male who possesses 6 million child porn photos, and sells them to his grown up friends. Once on some of these registries, your name is there for life and this is somthing I don't wish on our kids when the majority sext out of foolishness, and not criminal lust.

Yet some kind of standard needs to be set.

Does every kid need a cell phone? Nope.

Sure they'll stomp their feet, slam their doors, and shed a few tears, but parents: cell phones are not a life and death accessory.

Does every kid need to be dating at 12 or 13?

Certainly not. Absolutely, they need heart to hearts with trusted adults, will go through crushes, and talk about who's "kiss-worthy", but age does not define maturity. If a 16 year old guy still shows signs that he's not ready to treat women with respect, he doesn't date. Until then, he keeps seeing healthy role models who know what it means to treat others in a healthy manner.

Are parents doing the same thing?

Yup. Spicing things up to save the relationship, bolstering esteem, or just playing around... consensual acts between grown ups. Is it risky? Yes. That's part of the thrill. But it's your call as a grown up. You know that once it's online, it's there for good. If your teenagers know you do this, of course they will strive to imitate. Either be open that this is adult behaviour and you are willing to take the consequences of your actions, or admit that this isn't the smartest way to keep a relationship alive and stop it. Kids are watching a mimicking. Hate to say it, but with the ease of hacking... your kid is going to come across your pic one of these days.

Eeek.

As for human trafficking... sexting is a fabulous way for pimps, recruiters and groomers to help love-bomb a girl. And yes, I am focusing on girls because the majority of sexting pics reveal that it is still girls/women who send them (forced or not). If a girl agrees to bare all for a doting 17 year old boyfriend who has done everything in the world for her, she interprets this one little request as an expression of her love for him. She's a bit nervous, but does it anyway.

Suddenly, one photo turns into blackmail material and the doting boyfriend turns into a control-freak, threatening to send it to all her friends at school, her parents, or worse. The photo turns up on porn websites, being rated by lustful people who get off on internet porn.

What needs to be done?

I've already shared what I think about labelling children as sex offenders. But it's a tough call. I don't want our kids turned into perps, but that 17 year old boy we were just talking about? Obviously, he needs more than a slap on the wrist. His intent was to harm. He wasn't innnocently fooling around.

Educate, educate, educate... talk about this stuff with youth and why it's not a risk worth taking. Not photos, not erotic messages, not coy FB statuses, you name it. Parents too... get with the times. The excuse that: "If they aren't having "real" sex, then it's not a big deal. No pregnancy, no STIs, no violence. It's all good!"

Bull.

Online violence is growing to be more severe than anyone first believed. Sexting is dangerous, exploits children, and helps build a distorted view of sexuality. We need a healthy, proactive response.

Thoughts?

Has Anyone Thought To Change The Soil?

Jesus explains the Parable of the Sower pretty clearly. It is not my intention to disrupt his explanation or go against it. In fact, I think the question I have fits nicely into Christ's story and into His entire life overall.

The Sower Story tells of a farmer who spreads the seed of the Gospel. Because of the nature of different soils -- rocky, shallow, thorny, good -- the crop yielded different kinds of fruit. The poor soils see seeds eaten up, burnt or somehow destroyed, while the good soil sees the seed produce incredible crops. Pretty easy visual, right?

I'm in the same place as I am when I question: "What happened afterwards to the people who experienced Jesus' miracles?" 

The most common answer I receive is: "Well since it's not in the Bible, there's no point in speculating."

Sigh... 

While I don't want to add to Scripture, I do consistently feel the need to place Biblical teaching into context. Questioning what life was like, or seeing parables in different ways are included in that. In this case: "When Jesus taught the parable, did anyone suggest improving the poor soils, so that they could become good soil and produce a glorious crop?"

We focus so much on the rocks... the weeds... and the sun... that sometimes it seems we entirely miss the potential for changing some of these things, for taking responsibility for our environments and lives. It's true there will always be rocky ground, shallow ground, and thorny ground. But if thorns represent the worries of this life, what are we doing to undermine those worries? If shallow ground represents shallow teaching or foundation, what are we doing to strengthen weak roots? If rocky ground represent places where evil takes people away, what are we doing to remove the rocks?

I don't want to take attention of the good soil right in front of us, as it is fertile and ready for planting. But have we stared at it so hard, that we have totally forgotten that perhaps we can expand our good soil by toiling to remove rocks? Yank weeds? Add topsoil?

We can't control everything. There will be some people who run from Truth and Love. Yet... what more can we be doing to root those living in fear or condemnation into Love?

Truckers Is Not an Expectation

It almost seems today that teens are now expected to experiment with sex, smoking, binge drinking, bar hopping, and all those other irresponsible behaviours that have the potential for disaster. Parents sit back and, while not quite approving of their offspring's wild ways, simply ride out the storm. After all, they're going to do it anyway, right? These are the things teens do!

It's now expected that teens will go to the bars, get smashed, and wake up with strangers next to them. No biggie... as long as they learn from it. 

It's now expected that teens will sleep around because, after the sexual revolution, women need the equality of men to express their sexuality and be free to partner with whom they want to and not be seen as sluts. It's a blow for feminism! 

There's a bar in Lac La Biche, where I'm currently residing, called Truckers and it has always disturbed me the type of violent and brutish behaviour going in and out the of the joint. When I see youth I know and love wasting their lives and worlds in there, it hurts. 

Is going to the bar wrong?

No.

I've been known to frequent a pub a time or two.

My concern is that we have dumbed-down our teenagers. Instead of being examples of whole, expressive, curious, and Christ-like living, we have given in and said: "They're going to do it anyway. It's expected."

Who said that?

Who said that alcohol poisoning was expected? Teen pregnancy? Smoking? Drunkenness? Drug abuse?

I don't recall reading that anywhere. 

I do recall the pressure and demand from the world as I was growing up to do all that stuff (and yes, there are people who find no huge issue with teen pregnancy), but nowhere was it ever written is stone that I was expected to get drunk, stoned, pregnant, violent or nasty to other people. Even now having adult peers invite out for a 'good drunk' is puzzling to me.

You mean, we haven't learned from our youthful ways?

Hey, if my perspective is unpopular, fine. It just seems to me that we have dishonoured our youth by telling them, teaching them even, that wild behaviour is an expectation now.

No.

It certainly is not.

It is a choice.

By choosing to be lazy and allowing this 'they'll do it anyway' argument, we condemn our youth's intelligence, dreams, desires, and even bad choices.

Are some going to act out? You bet. Will some drink themselves stupid for a time? Uh-huh. Will others find themselves infected with an STI? Probably.

And we will love them, and support them.

However what I refuse to do is to make these kinds of choices the norm. For it is this precise stand that sets our kids up for failure.

I mean, if all we expect of our kids is drunken, drugged, promiscuous stupidity... then that's all they have to live up to. Why fight it?

Fight it, I say!

They are priceless! 

Grace and mercy abound in the decisions of every human being, this is true, but this does not mean Christ lets us all off the leash to do as we please.

If we're going to see our youth set the bar higher, we need to set the example first and expect a different alternative from our youth.

Truckers is not the expectation. It is not the norm.

Our kids have enough to deal with already. They don't need us stepping aside and giving up on them. We can't lock them up, certainly, and I would question any family that shelters their children so much that they have no opportunity to put faith, choices, and life into practice.

All I'm saying is that we have turned bad behaviour into apathetic expectation and we'll just deal with the fallout as it comes.

That's not learning.

That's giving up.

If we set the bar at the bar, then the bar is all they'll have. I've worked and loved too many youth who believe that they bar, sleeping around, having kids at 16 (or younger), and dropping out is what's expected of them. This is unacceptable!

A radical, difficult shift in mindset is required. And it begins with us.

For the bar to cease being the bar our youth live up to, we need to create a new bar... new ways of living life and learning from it where dead end behaviours aren't the only reality they believe they will ever see.

A Broken And Contrite Heart You Will Not Despise

 

This summer I will be completing a practicum for my studies. I sensed I needed to go to a place where I would be stretched, taught and mentored. Enter: YWAN Olongapo City, Philippines. Their Mercy Ministry with human trafficking victims intrigued me, as did their desire for intentional community with the marginalized, and their desire to see freedom and redemption for all.

One of my demands will be not only to engage girls caught in prostitution, but pimps as well.

Hmmm.

I need more information about how this plays out in Olongapo, but here is a smack-you-in-the-face-rubber-meets-the-road moment: pimps, traffickers, johns all need the grace and love of God too. I've agreed with this all along. It's just... how do I go about building relationships with both victim and victimizer, exploited and exploiter, slave and oppressor? 

Psalm 51 finds David begging for forgiveness after his atrocities concerning Bathsheba. Here, the offender prostrates himself in a plea for mercy and finds that a contrite heart is what God desired all along. May I be such a reflection of God that while evil within us must be confronted, there is always hope even for those I believe to be the most vile... even me.

The Allegri choral piece, Miserere Mei Deus, puts the psalm to music. Will never be able to express the depth and anguish and hope this piece opens wide within. Take a listen for yourself.

Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dēlē iniquitatem meam.
Amplius lavā me ab iniquitate mea: et peccato meo mundā me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognōscō: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccāvī, et malum coram te fēcī: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincās cum judicaris.
Ecce enim in inquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundābor: lavābis me, et super nivem dēalbābor.
Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exsultabunt ossa humiliata.
Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Cor mundum crea in me, Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Ne projicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me.
Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur.
Libera me de sanguinibus, Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exsultabit lingua mea justitiam tuam.
Domine, labia mea aperies: et os meum annuntiabit laudem tuam.
Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis.
Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum, Deus, non despicies.
Benigne fac, Domine, in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Jerusalem.
Tunc acceptabis sacrificium justitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.

Translation:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness:
According unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Lady Gaga, You Just Pit Yourself Against THE Passion

"Judas" ~ Lady Gaga

Ohohohoh, I'm in love with Judas, Ohohohoh, I'm in love with Judas

Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas! Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA

[Verse 1] When he comes to me, I am ready
I’ll wash his feet with my hair if he needs
Forgive him when his tongue lies through his brain
Even after three times, he betrays me

I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown

[Chorus] I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Ohohohoh, I'm in love with Judas, Ohohohoh, I'm in love with Judas

Judas! Judaas Judas! Judaas! Judas! Judaas Judas! GAGA

[Verse 2] I couldn’t love a man so purely
Even darkness forgave his crooked way
I’ve learned our love is like a brick
Build a house or sink a dead body

I’ll bring him down, bring him down, down
A king with no crown, king with no crown
[Chorus] I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby
I’m just a Holy Fool, oh baby he’s so cruel
But I’m still in love with Judas, baby

Ohohohoh, I'm in love with Judas, Ohohohoh,I'm in love with Judas

[Bridge] In the most Biblical sense,
I am beyond repentance
Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind
But in the cultural sense
I just speak in future tense
Judas kiss me if offenced,
Or wear an ear condom next time

I wanna love you,
But something’s pulling me away from you
Jesus is my virtue,
Judas is the demon I cling to
I cling to

Where do I start? By blogging about the song, I'm bringing attention to Lady Gaga her 'art', and yet something about this particular song angered me so badly that it doesn't matter.

1. A sexually disgusting song written to Judas (the disciple who betrayed Jesus to the religious elite during Holy Week for 30 pieces of silver), was released during the holiest time of the Christian calendar year. While believers know all time is holy, the observance and celebration of the Passover, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is sacred -- it is the reason He came -- and thus the reason we are alive and united with Him! The song offends, degrades, and mocks every single aspect of that sacredness and holiness.

2. "I am beyond repentance; Fame hooker, prostitute wench, vomits her mind"... so not only are you singing lies about being beyond repentance, but you celebrate prostitution and all that comes along with that role. It's sad that you believe you are beyond the grace of God, but even sadder that the you are echoing how many young girls and women feel -- beyond grace. It's sad that your glorify prositution -- a role filled with violence, degradation, humiliation, shame, powerlessness, fear, terror, abuse, and isolation.

But singing about using prostitution as a source of power and pride in that state is disgusting. THAT'S what makes me want to vomit. You're taking the pain and the lies so many people believe, and you've turned it into a silly song and dance that pockets you cash. Do you have any idea how many girls have been bought and sold like cattle for the pleasure of others who think it's their right? Do you even care?

3. Kids, parents, youth leaders... get rid of Lady Gaga in the home, on the iPod. The whole "but she's got a great voice" excuse is getting tired and lame. Our kids are too precious and important to have such fecal matter sung to them. When she sings vomit, vomit is all that's getting spit into your ears, mind and heart. If you ever wonder if you're beyond God's grace, perhaps taking the lies of those people who mock it, sing about it, and profit off of it out of your life might just make room for the Truth.

Lady Gaga... whether you know it or not, you have just pit yourself against the grace of God. Whether you understand what that means or not is not my place to say. However, I can say with all honesty that by singing what you're singing and acting out like you are, you have put yourself smack dab in the middle of the Truth and you don't even know it yet.

You will.

And when you do, your life will be the furthest thing from the vomit you sing today.

Methinks She Doth Protest Too Much

(chattin' it up with MP Joy Smith again about regular stuff: life, kids... ending the modern slave trade as we know it. Average stuff) 

I've been told that I talk about slavery.

A lot.

Perhaps a bit too much.

Hefting the weight of that opinion driving to the Raise Their Voice conference this weekend in Red Deer, Alberta, I wondered if I ought to perhaps tone it down a little, talk about other things (like bunny rabbits, maybe?), or shake it up a bit. 

Then I entered the conference and if I in any way thought that I was somehow fanatical, I looked like an apathetic slacktivist compared to the zeal, passion and experience found in the people I met. I felt woefully inadequate, under-educated, and extremely skill-less.

There was Glendene Grant, mother of Jessie Foster who went missing in 2005 and is presumed to be a human trafficking victim. Her mother has not stopped looking for her, nor will she until she finds her daughter. Along the way, she assists other victims, their families, informs students, helps organizations -- all out of her own tragedy and hope for the future.

There's Norma who, at 11 years clean and sober and a loud'n'proud believer in Jesus Christ, was sexually brutalized by her father all throughout her childhood, and was working the streets by the age of 11. Mother of 3, and grandmother of 1 already now, Norma will not keep her message of hope and restoration quiet for anyone. Nor should she.

No.

I will not stop talking about the reality of slavery.

It is here. It is now. It is us -- our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends and co-workers, sons and daughters who are victims, perpetrators, bystanders and activists and all shades in between. No one is exempt. Jesus Christ came to bring life. Slavery perverts and destroys that life (or tries to), thus I stand as His child to hold out that life in dark places, wherever they may be. May I be worthy of Him, and the other advocates I was so terribly humbled by this weekend.

I will admit there is a danger is protesting the status quo. Often, it is quite easy to protest an evil so great that I wake up with your dukes up every morning no matter what. When someone comes along who wishes to help, I sometimes am already suspicious and territorial. In church settings, I am more easily frustrated now. Even if someone speaks truth, I no longer am able to sit back and just accept it.

With that in mind, God must temper His calling in me so that I do let down my guard to express the compassion and freedom to all people, just as He said to. 

As for protesting too much...

... the world hasn't seen anything yet.

There Will Be Rest

Sara Teasdale has long been one of my favourite poets. Composer Frank Ticheli took one of her works and created a choral tapestry that stills the anxious to quietness, quickens hope to the desolate, and resounds like bells for the battered. Listen... be inspired... be encouraged that peace makers in this world are working to do as their names declare: making peace in a world that seems devoid of it. They do so without point of gun or loud words, thus often we cannot see them and forget to even listen for them. But rest assured: they are here. And they are rippling a change so radical that the lion truly will lay down with the lamb. War will end. Slavery will end. Death, when seen through the lens of a resurrected Christ, has already seen its end.

There Will Be Rest
~ Sara Teasdale

There will be rest, and sure stars shining
Over the roof-tops crowned with snow
A reign of rest, serene forgetting,
The music of stillness, holy and low.

I will make this world of my devising
Out of a dream in my lonely mind,
I shall find the crystal of peace; and above me
Stars I shall find.

 

Changed Men: Women Aren't Our Slaves

Changed men | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online.

 
(picture from Manila Bulletin Publishing)

Check out the link above.

Young guys, in the vigour of youth, admitting to using prostitutes, pornography, and other forms of oppression to satisfy their own lust... not something you hear everyday.

Not only have they admitted to this, but they are going against the machismo grain of society and declaring the equality and beauty of women. In a world where guys measure worth by how many times they can 'get it', and in how many ways (and degrade other men not meausuring up), this is a ripple I am hoping spreads around the world.

Kudos to these young guys! May your lives be a message for men and women around the world.