Can I fathom...

...what injustice is? Today's speaker was Captain Iglehart from the Southern terriory talked about injustice. Injustice has been a buzz-like word for me lately. It came up a lot at Urbana. And I've really been staying in the same place in Scripture lately...it's like there is something I haven't caught on to yet. I've been stuck in Jeremiah 1 and Isaiah 58. Jeremiah 1 talks about speaking truth against fear of what others may think or do. God tells Jeremiah that he cannot fear stop him from saying what God wants to say through him. That alone makes me stop. And realize how often I hold back when I shouldn't. That I ride on the safe side of the street. And it's just not me that struggles with this. Many Christians like being comfortable and staying that way. I'm getting a little tangenty but in reference to injustice Isaiah 58:6-7 say:

"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter-when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from own fresh and blood?" and a few verses later (9b-10): "If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

There are challenges and promises within these verses. God is laying out a command to his army of Christians. Do we all stand for truth in the darkness that can be this world? Or do we wimp out? Do we quit when results don't meet our expectations? What would our world look like if the chains of injustice were loosed and the oppressed given freedom? Yes, there are organizations that exhist to storm forts of darkness like the International Justice Mission!

I guess to even attempt to answer the above we have to have an idea of what injustice is. I have been trying to wrap my brain around this definition for a while. I saw countless injustices in India...whole families living on the street, with their only clothes on their backs get up hoping to find work to buy food. I've seen specials on poverty, read books, watched documentaries, and even gave money to child beggars. But do I understand injustice. Can I really comprehend what it is like given that I've grown up in a privleged country?

Do I believe that God is calling me to be an advocate? I'm not entirely sure...but I do know that he is calling me to action...passive living and ignoring the least and the lost are not an option! In the midst of all this...I came across an SA song that reminds me of Isaiah 58:6-7 and injustice.

Storm the Forts of Darkness

1 Soldiers of our God, arise!

The day is drawing nearer;

Shake the slumber from your eyes,

The light is growing clearer.

Sit no longer idly by,

While the heedless millions die,

Lift the blood-stained banner high,

And take the field for Jesus

Chorus:
Storm the forts of darkness,

Bring them down, bring them down!

Storm the forts of darkness,

Bring them down, bring them down!

Pull down the devil's kingdom,

Where'er he holds dominion;

Storm the forts of darkness, bring them down!

Glory, honor to the Lamb,

Praise and power to the Lamb,

Glory, honor, praise and power,

Be forever to the Lamb!
2 See the brazen hosts of Hell, Their art and power employing,

More than human tongue can tell, The blood-bought souls destroying.

Hark! from ruin's ghastly road Victims groan beneath their laod;

Forward, O ye sons of God, And dare or die for Jesus



3 Warriors of the risen King, Great Army of salvation,

Spread his fame, his praises sing, And conquer every nation.

Raise the glorious standard higher, Work for victory, never tire;

Forward march with blood and fire, And win the world for Jesus.

By: Robert Johnson

Please feel free to leave any comments or questions!

It's A Brand New Year...Charlie Brown

My Christmas Break was spent being busy. I don't think I know how to relax anymore. I worked up until Christmas Eve helping out for the busiest time of year for the Salvation Army. I answered the phone, rang the bell for kettles, tackled operation Angel Tree, counted kettle money, and some other office affliated work. I then spent the next two days with the fam and then jumped on a coach bus headed for St. Louis. I went to the Urbana conference. It was a huge blessing but also crazy busy. I got to see my good friend Gretch, made a few new friends, (holla to Josie), and hung out with a school friend. I spent my New Year's in St. Louis, which was pretty cool. I took in a lot of information at Urbana. The speakers for the most part were phenominal! We did a Bible study that focused on the book of Ephesians all week long. My brain was focused on the future. Specifically how I will live my life worthy of the calling I have received (Ephesians 4:1). I feel pretty confident that what I will be doing is not going to be easy, make me rich, or even include a permanent settlement. Am I okay with this...yes because I know that this is what I have been created to do. All of the experiences, my gifts, and my talents are groing to be useful in this profession I am working toward.

As you can see, I didn't have much time to think about New Year's Resolutions. Once I got back home I did have a chance to think about those Resolutions...and I've settled for two:

1.) Drink at least 32-64 ounces of water per day.

2.) Get back into my exercise routine.

I've been pretty good about the water...exercise not so much. My options are a bit limited at home so I'm unleashing plan "Shape-up" upon return to school.

Also with a New Year comes reflecting on the previous one.

1.I realized that my gut reaction to situations involving a rush of adrenaline is fight not flight.

2. Asbury had a revival and I came to terms with the madness that is my life.

3. I got over my pride and asked my brother for a loan of money when I was a little short.

4. I realized that I can go just about anywhere and be content. I've ventured out west and I've left the country/continent.

5. I learned the importance of wearing a barrier on my hands when cutting jalepenos.

6. I am ridiculously blessed.

7. I am also imensely loved by others and my God.

8. People do change...don't hold them to the standards you had for them several years ago.

9. I am able to lose weight...keeping it off is another story.

10. I stopped hiding my love of public speaking!

11. I read some good books...I should of read some more.

12. I came to terms with the fact that I am weird.

13. I discovered the joy of Alias (thanks to Rachel)

14. I became a mentor and a mentee.

15. Change is inevitable...I'm just going to have to find a way to deal.