PASSION

I just recently returned from the Passion conference and I've never been so empowered to do my part in bringing justice to this world. Forty-two thousand students filled the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia not knowing the heart transformation to come. We were brought into awareness on a certain injustice currently happening in not only Atlanta, but around the globe.

Did you know that there are currently 27 million slaves in our world today? That's more slaves then EVER before. In fact, Atlanta, GA is the number one city in our nation for sex-trafficking. Locally and globally, these enslaved victims of sex-trafficking are loosing their feeling of worth and freedom. Their desire to live is lessening as they are experiencing Hell on Earth. As Francis Chan mentioned in one of his talks at Passion 2012, this injustice is essentially "children being raped." Harsh, but true. I encourage you to watch and read here as CNN reports on ending modern-day slavery.

This injustice raises up different emotions in different people. That's because we all have a different part to play. Some people may feel led to put on a bullet suit, knock down a door, and save a victim. Some may feel a call to raise continual awareness of this injustice through use of words, film, or photography. However, some may feel too uncomfortable while watching a film on this injustice or hearing the non-censored personal stories. I say, SEEK, ACCEPT, and EMBRACE uncomfortably because YOU have a role to play in this injustice. Sacrifice your own uncomfortably for the sake of at least one victim receiving rescue and restoration based on your action.

No matter where your heart is feeling led, there is one thing that every single person can do. PRAY. 

We must join together as one body to PRAY for a END of slavery. If everyone does their part, slavery CAN and WILL end in our time. Believe it. Pursue it.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. -Isaiah 17:1

 

 

Nighttime view of the dome.

This hand represents the hand reaching for freedom and to Jesus. It will stay in the International Plaza in Atl. GA for a long time.

Freedom will be found for those currently enslaved.

Brianna, Whitney, Jessica, and I.

Midnight candle lighting. Together as one, we sang Amazing Grace.

Christin and I reunite :)

Daytime view of the dome.

Random guy decided to jump in the picture.

The hand was lit at midnight as we stood with our candles lit. Beautiful.

Be Still

I've never been an athlete. Well, okay...when I was ten years old, I played soccer on a rec. team.

the extent to my playing.

My sole motivation for playing soccer on the "United Knights" was to receive a trophy. You see, I hadn't ever received a trophy and so it takes a toll on a young girl when she sees about 50 trophies on her brother's shelf when all the while her trophy shelf is empty-let alone non-existent. So, I finally received my trophy that was purely given for participation.

think i was ready to receive?

My mother never let me receive my second trophy because she said I wouldn't appreciate it as much as the first...since I hardly went to practice. Despite the second part of that statement being true, I really feel-even at this point in my life journey-that I would have appreciated it. Anyways, that's all besides the point.

As y'all know, whether from the description of this blog or from being around me, I am quite the clumsy one. I fall (down and up stairs), trip when walking, and spill things pretty consistently. However, even with my haphazard lifestyle and my one year of playing soccer, I have never* injured a single bone in my body. PRAISE.

On the other hand, my vocal cords have been injured many times in the past couple years. My voice is my instrument and I've been so blessed to have learned a TON about my vocal cords these past six months. My voice is currently injured and the only way I can explain this circumstance is by relating the situation to an athlete. Again, I'm not an athlete, but I do know that when an athlete has injured a part of his/her body, they don't return to the playing field until they're healed (at least that's the most recommended option). Similarly, I am on semi-vocal rest until my voice is healed. This circumstance has been emotionally and physically tough.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:18

One thing that never fails whilst I'm on vocal rest is the need for me to be still and quiet before the Lord.

With the new year coming up, I encourage you all to position yourselves before the Lord in stillness and silence.

Be still, and know that I am God- Psalm 46:10

Kicking off Christmas

A couple weekends ago I attended InterVarsity's annual Christmas dance. This dance is always filled with a lot of drastic dance moves, guys moshing when Kelly Clarkson is played, and water to drink for all those that need a break when a slow song plays...or to rehydrate.

The last song is always the most anticipated. I mean who wouldn't be excited about Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You"? So, upon hearing this tune, I obvi began dancing. Then my guy friend came over to me and initiated some spins, dips, and twirls.

Climax: He then lifts me up and says "throw your leg around my head and I'll spin you in the air!" Uh. What? Out of pure impulse, I did just that. While I was being spun around the air (screaming all the while), I also was being stared at by half the room. Did everyone know that I was wearing spandex? No. Should they have? Probably, just so they'd better understand the situation. It's fine...
I just about made the 360 degree turn when I felt my heel hit the back of a girl's head. I didn't know her and felt horrible. After being "gracefully grounded," I apologized profusely to the innocent victim. Needless to say, I was glad the dance was over at that point.

Disclaimer: My guy friend swing dances regularly; therefore gains confidence to try these moves in public.

p.s. As I was leaving the dance, I slipped down the steep stone stairs. Don't worry though because I caught myself on the railing just before I went completely down. However, not in enough time to prevent my leather heel from ripping.

p.p.s. If the girl that I hit is reading this--again, so sorry!