Monday, October 31, 2011

God Provides!

And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

It began with an early morning phone call asking if I was “in town.” With Jack serving in northeast Georgia and me traveling all over the place presenting workshops on trafficking, most people can’t keep up with us – sometimes, we’re not sure where we are!

“Yes,” I responded, “but I’m not dressed for the public yet.” That was my way of preparing people for the face that God gave me without the touchups.

“Well, we’re on our way out of town and have a few things we wanted to drop off and one of them I’d rather not leave on the porch; we’ll be there in a few minutes,” through the phone came the reply.

The mysterious “rather not leave on the porch” comment piqued my curiosity and I agreed to come to the door as long as they wouldn’t tell others just how bad it was.

In the time it took for me to brush my hair (like it made much difference), brush my teeth (it’s the right thing to do) and ensure my huge fleece robe entirely covered my comfortable, yet rather ragged night clothes, the doorbell rang.

There stood two of God’s earthly angels, arms full of bags of groceries. Stepping inside and sitting them down on the floor, they quickly headed back toward the door. I felt certain that my appearance made them wonder if I were actually preparing for Halloween.

“What’s all this?” the question fell out of my mouth which had dropped open as I gazed over bag after bag of what can only be called “manna.”

“Oh, I just bought too many groceries, and God told me I should share them,” she said, eyes moist with emotion.

My eyes were filling up with utter gratitude yet I couldn’t help chuckling inside at the fib --surely no one ever “buys too many groceries.” Everything can be stored until needed. It was clear that God was using her to meet our needs. But He wasn’t finished.

“Here.” She grabbed my hand and pressed some thick folded paper into it. Now there was no holding back the tears as I shoved the thick folded paper into my robe pocket.

“Thank you! This will really help with the medical bills that have started coming in.” I gave her an update, and we stood in the foyer, and this impeccably dressed woman prayed for the not-dressed-for-the-public missionary. Then she and her husband left.

I took the bags into the kitchen and began opening each one. Each and every item was something we could use. Most of them were things that were on my shopping list. Why should I be surprised – God can read.

Monday, June 13, 2011

God Is Mobilizing!

Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will take a stand for me against evildoers? Psalm 94:16

As I was preparing for my 51st presentation on sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children, I paused (translated “procrastinated”) to check my email. There, nestled amid the junk mail, was an incredible treasure – an email from a courageous woman whom God is mobilizing to join the fight.

Amy had attended one of my workshops in Michigan on trafficking and God used it to show her how she could shine light on sexual exploitation. Using the talent He gave her, she wrote and recorded “Lost,” a song about how Christ can be the cornerstone, can heal, and can restore those who have been lost to exploitation.

As I thought about the last year and all the places I’d been, the faces of God’s army began to appear.

o A woman in Florida wants to reach out to other mothers who never knew their daughters were being molested by a family member. She wants to teach young moms the warning signs.

o A church in West Virginia wants to reach pimps for Christ.

o Another church is going to start a Celebrate Recovery group for those in their congregation who are addicted to pornography.

o A woman wants to minister to wives whose husbands are arrested—she knows what it’s like to have everyone fall away, even friends from church.

And now, Amy will increase awareness of sexual exploitation of children by speaking out and sharing her musical gift. Through the internet, her message can reach the millions who have suffered in the silence that permeates our churches. She will shine light in the darkness and take a stand against this evil.

God is mobilizing His servants.
Go God! Go Amy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Unlikely Messenger

He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light. Job 12:22

As I stood in the pulpit of a small country Baptist church with the bright Sunday morning sunshine beaming through the stained glass windows, it hit me. How much more unlikely a messenger could you find? A short round woman with a hyphenated last name speaking in a southern Baptist church. Only God could make that happen.

Here I was delivering a message about sex trafficking of children and the slippery slope of pornography into child pornography. I talked about how the offenders are in our churches and how God was tired of those who call themselves by His name destroying the lives of children. I talked about how it was His time to shine light on this issue and how He was going to start in His own House!

I shared the story of a pastor we know—a pastor with a wife and two children --who was arrested for child pornography. I wondered aloud what would happen to his family. I wondered what his church could have done to minister to him when he first became involved, before he slipped down that slippery slope. I wondered what could happen if we as a Church started talking about pornography. How many more of him are there?

Unfortunately, I knew the answer. There are thousands. In my research I learned this was not an isolated case. Although that thought sickened the human side of me, the missionary side recognized the need to minister to the offenders. God still loves them; He will hold them accountable but He still loves them. We must hold them accountable and we must love them.

God must really be ready to shine light on this evil if He's using such an unlikely messenger. We must be ready for what He brings into the light.