Modern Day Slavery

It's been said that ignorance is bliss, but today I hope to challenge that idea. Perhaps you've been guilty, as I have, of living in a bubble that for the most part is untouched by what's happening in rest of the world. Recently, I've discovered, however, that when God gets a hold of a person's heart, their world begins to shake and it isn't as easy to remain unaffected by the world around us. That's a good thing because apathy and indifference has no place in the lives of Christians.

I'm primarily speaking of myself and what God has been doing in my own heart. If you'd be wiling to give me a few minutes of your time, I'd be honored to have the privilege of sharing with you something that I've more recently had my eyes opened to and my heart extremely burdened for. In fact, I feel so burdened by what I've learned that I feel I must share this information with the people around me in case there are others who are unaware of the atrocity I'm about to speak of.

Are you aware that slavery still exists in our world? In fact, it is happening right here in our own country! It is called human trafficking and approximately 27 million people have been victims of modern day slavery across the world. The United States, which we refer to as "the land of the free", is not exempt from this horrible practice. The statistics are heart-wrenching. Although anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, 80% are women and most of these women are exploited for sex slavery. There are innocent children being sold into slavery as well. Many of these children are forced into prostitution or involuntary servitude. Parents in dire circumstances sell their daughters believing the lie that their children will be taken care of and given a better life but instead they become victims of sex trafficking. Stop a second and think: What if that was your situation? What if that was your precious daughter? Do you find it difficult to imagine? So do I! And it breaks my heart and angers me to know that human trafficking and sex slavery is happening every day...possibly in some of our own backyards!!

Here's something else to think about: Did you know that most of the chocolate that is produced involves human trafficking? Every time we buy a candy bar or some other chocolate product we are very likely supporting child labor. Does this information upset you as much as it upsets me? It should! These are very disturbing facts! As Christians we need to be aware of what is happening and ask the question: "What would Jesus have us do?"

What can we do to make a difference? All of us can pray! We can be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves! We can support ministries and organizations that are seeking to help these victims. There are many, many people (many of them innocent children!) victimized by human trafficking. They need to know someone cares! They need to know someone will fight for them and offer the hope and compassion of Jesus!

If you would like to find out more about what I've shared here, please view the following links. I encourage you to pass this on to other people. The Church needs to be educated and aware of what is happening around the world. I hope that you will join me in being a voice for those who are bound by the chains of human trafficking and by doing what you can to make a difference.

In Christ's love,
Jennifer


https://www.thehomefoundation.net/the-sobering-facts/

http://www.dreamcenter.org/new/images/outreach/RescueProject/stats.pdf

http://hubpages.com/hub/Traffik_Free_Chocolate-_Do_You_Support_Child_Labor

Matthew West - Family Tree

Living with an "Attitude of Gratitude"

There are many reasons to love the season of Thanksgiving. Beyond the turkey, family get togethers, and pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving is all about counting our blessings and being thankful. As much as I appreciate a special season which helps us to focus on all that we are and should be thankful for, the truth is, as believers in Christ, we need to be living in a place of gratitude every day of the year!
Scripture is filled with reminders to live in thankfulness all of the time, not just during the the season of Thanksgiving. The Psalmist instructs us over and over to "Give thanks to the Lord". We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Giving thanks isn't always our first response when we find ourselves in circumstances that are painful or difficult. It's easy to express our thanks to God when life is comfortable and things are going our way. But when we are facing trials of various kinds, it can be far more challenging to be thankful for the place that God has us in!
As believers, part of living in obedience to Christ means practicing thankfulness...every day! Colossians 2:6-7 tells us that living in Christ and overflowing thankfulness go hand in hand. "So then, just as you received Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Overflowing with gratitude is part of what it means to live with an "attitude of gratitude". It's not just being intentional about being thankful (although it sometimes begins there). It's coming to a place where thankfulness is as natural to us as breathing is. It's having thankfulness pour from our hearts and lips in all situations...even the ones we'd rather not have to face. When we operate out of such a place, we learn to live out the commands found in Ephesians 5:19-20: "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." What a beautiful way to live!
As we count our many blessings this season, let's ask God to help us be people who are "overflowing with thankfulness". Every moment of every day throughout the year, may thanksgiving be a way of life for us as we trust in the goodness and faithfulness of our great God!