Blogapalooza - Anne Jackson

Welcome to Blogapalooza.

I want you to meet some new people. I asked various friends and bloggers to share with you this month on my blog. So, all through the month of June I will feature different voices from around the world. Today I would like to introduce you to...

Anne Jackson

I first came across Anne's blog via another blog I read regularly. Anne was just getting to release her book, Mad Church Disease: Surviving the Burnout Epidemic. As I began reading her blog, Flowerdust, and later her book, I was struck by her honesty, realism and compassion. Anne was one of my first guests on 5 Questions with... She is currently busy with a Ride:Well tour but gave me permission to reprint something from her archives. So grab a cup of coffee, enjoy Anne's post and then go check out her blog!

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(From Jan. 25, 2010)

The Power of Words

For most of my life, I’ve been an extremely sensitive person. I also had a terribly awkward last name growing up, so it was easy to make fun of the goofy girl with big teeth and big eyes and a funny last name.

I spent a lot of my elementary school days crying alone in my room, brooding on whatever harsh words were spoken to me by my classmates.

In high school, I grew out of the big teeth (I actually quite like my teeth now), and found myself in academics and sports. I was in the National Honor Society, was identified by the Duke University talented program in the seventh grade, aced my honors classes, and excelled at basketball. Our family settled into Abilene for a few years while I was in high school and I made good friends that I still adore today. I didn’t get made fun of much then, or as I blossomed into an adult and into a couple of different careers.

My mom always prayed that I would have a sensitive heart, and now as I share it in a world where thousands can read and voice their own opinion, my skin has become soft again.

Words move me in dramatic ways – both positive, and negative.

The prayers and words of kindness from strangers elate me, and show me the voice of God through humanity. In more recent weeks, the critics have shown up on several posts, voicing their opinions as well.

I am fully supportive of everyone having the right to their own thought, and the right to voicing their own thought. I don’t ever expect everyone to agree with everything I say or do, and that’s completely fine. I’ll never delete a comment that shares a different point of view, even if it’s said in an argumentative tone.

However, I do ask you this. If you read my blog, or any others, or hear a story or meet a person and something inside you compels you to share your opinion, please consider the words you use to communicate.

It is of utmost importance that even if we take a opposing stance on an issue, we shouldn’t debate the other person’s heart, integrity, or motivation.

We are not, and can not be, the judge of that.

The power our words have can be extremely positive and uplifting, and can even push someone to grow if we communicate a different opinion in a positive manner.

Our words can also be like poison, and shrink and twist the heart and life and faith of the person with whom we disagree.

Yes, I’m a very sensitive person and there are steps on my journey that I need to take to toughen my skin and not take harsh statements so personally and deeply.

I also know I’m not the only person in the world that feels the power of words deeply.

Speak gently.

Speak carefully.

Speak thoughtfully.

Speak graciously.

Speak humbly.

We can do these things, and still disagree with someone.

In fact, I think that may be the only way we can properly disagree with someone.

BLOGAPALOOZA is here

Sometimes it's nice to sit back and listen to someone else for a change. I find this to be true as I Pastor Main Street Christian Fellowship. I enjoy having someone else preach and share so that I can soak in as well.

So I had this idea, BLOGAPALOOZA. I want you to meet some new people. I asked various friends and bloggers to share with you this month on my blog. So, all through the month of June I will feature different voices. Friends, family, bloggers, authors, you'll find them all here. So make note of the schedule and check back in for BLOGAPALOOZA.

Blogapalooza Schedule:

June 4: Anne Jackson, Author
June 6: Dawn Fehr, Blogger
June 8: Fred Von Kamecke, Author
June 10: Sarah Apperson, My WIfe
June 12: Paul Wilkinson, Blogger
June 14: Hanna Apperson, My Daughter
June 16: Dave Lloyd, Blogger
June 18: Stanley Groothof, Blogger
June 20: Andrew Farley, Author

Possible participants on the 22, 24th and 26th

The God Who Jumps Through Hoops! - Just A Thought #42

The Bible records a vast number of names for God: Jehovah (Psalm 83:18), Foundation (Isaiah 28:16), Comforter (Jeremiah 8:18), Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6) and Refiner (Malachi 3:2) are just a few.

One name I have never found is "The God Who Jumps Through Hoops." Yet it is this name that many seem to want to call Him by. You'll meet these people when they want a healing, a blessing, a relationship or something they feel they deserve or need. When God does not perform for them in their desired timing, they began to question God or become more demanding. It is not that God will not heal or bless. He does this. However, I have noticed a certain type of attitude when it comes to our wants.

I have heard people say, "If God does NOT heal me, He is a liar." Scriptures get cut down to their barest minimum and are twisted to support their version of what God should do. "Well, it says God healed their sickness but He is not healing mine!" People act as if God is a puppet on a string, here to do our bidding. However, when reading the Word, I can't find this version of God anywhere.

It boils down to a selfish attitude. We want what we want when we want it. In other words, we want to be God! He should do things our way! We want to be in charge and have God fulfill our version of life!

Yet, in the Scriptures, just as often as God healed or moved, He remained silent. He stayed His hand. He let events unfold according to His plan. I am encouraged by Hebrews faith chapter. I have heard many sermons on Hebrews Chapter 11, and they are used as proof of God's blessing and protection as we persevere and seek Him. Often overlooked are the final 5 verses of that chapter, which talk about saints being tortured, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, slain, destitute, afflicted and tormented! They are also praised for their faith.

So, the next time you think about demanding God move, remember that if He does, it may not be in the way you expect. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9). Can you still maintain your faith if your prayers do not get answered in the way you wanted?

5 Questions with Gary Haugen.

Welcome to 5 Questions With.....

Today's guest is Gary Haugen. Gary serves as President and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM), an international human rights agency that rescues victims of violence, sexual exploitation, slavery and oppression worldwide. Before founding International Justice Mission in 1997, Haugen served as a senior trial attorney with the Police Misconduct Task Force of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1994, Haugen was detailed from the U.S. Department of Justice to the United Nations’ Center for Human Rights, where he served as officer-in-charge of the U.N.’s genocide investigation in Rwanda. Haugen is the 2007 recipient of Prison Fellowship’s annual William Wilberforce Award, recognizing an individual who has made a difference in the face of formidable societal problems and injustices. Haugen and the work of IJM have been featured on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dateline NBC, FOX News, MSNBC, CNN, National Public Radio, Forbes magazine, The Washington Post and The New York Times, among many other outlets.

And now let's get to the interview:

Hi Gary,

Question 1: What one word would describe your current relationship with God?

Peace

Question 2: What led you to found the International Justice Mission (IJM)?

I wanted to empower fellow Christians to love their neighbors (in very practical ways) who are suffering under violent abuse and oppression. I sensed they wanted to help – but didn’t know it was possible – or how to do it.

Question 3: Why should Christians get involved in helping IJM?

Because there is indescribable joy in being used of God to bring real, life-transforming rescue to those who are in desperate need of justice. Who doesn’t want to experience God’s heroic love poured out through them?

Question 4: International Justice Mission starts every day in prayer. How important is prayer to the work of IJM?

How important is it to the lamp that it stays plugged into its power source? Not much good for very long without it. Not even much of a lamp actually. The work of Justice is God’s work. I couldn’t imagine doing it without talking to Him about it.

Question 5: What can we do? Not everyone can go overseas so how can the "average believer" help those caught in slavery, sexual exploitation, etc?

Pray for those who are being abused – pray for them the way you would if they were one of your own family. Which means getting to know them as family (and IJM can help you do that). Next, send someone who can go overseas and bring help – and then pray for those rescuers as if they were in your own family. IJM can help with that, too. Finally, invite those in your family (and those who are like family) to join you in the fight. Do those three things and God will do very large things – larger than you could have thought or imagined.

Thank you Gary.

There you have it. I would encourage you to check out the IJM Website and to get involved today!

To see past 5 Question guests, check out the rotating interview links on the sidebar.

Just Courage/IJM

"There must be more to the Christian life than this--more than church each Sunday and waving to my neighbors and giving some clothes to Goodwill when I go through my closet each spring."

With this premise, Just Courage takes you on a challenging and engaging journey of adventure. I came across this little book while reading Anne Jackson's blog last year. When I ordered the book, I was not prepared to be challenged to do something more in the area of justice. Reading the stories set forth by author Gary Haugen I became more aware of sex trafficking, modern day slavery and a host of other issues. As a Christian, I felt like I could not ignore the issue now that I was aware of the extent of injustice. Gary kept me on the edge of my seat with story after story from the front line battlefield!

This led me to research Gary's organization, The International Justice Mission.

The International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights agency that seeks to secure justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. The IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems. With offices in the US, Canada, the UK and Germany, there is an office close to where you live.

The book was an incredible eye opener to an issue I had not been fully aware of. Gary lists further resources at the back of the book. One of those was the IJM website. You need to check that out. If all you do is sign up for the prayer bulletin and PRAY, you will be helping out in a tremendous way. However, there are a host of ways to get involved.

Sex trafficking is real! Modern day slavery still happens. Please, order this book. Visit the website and let the Lord stir your heart with compassion.

Would You Pray?

I am exhausted. My family and I have just gotten through, and/or are in the midst of, a battle with chest colds.

Physically we all seem to be battling different ailments, pain, etc.

We are tired...so tired.

Yet God is moving. Ministry wise, things are exploding. We are seeing God move in our public and personal ministry times. As a family, we are taking times to rest and connect and just play together. It just seems like the spiritual/physical battles have been a huge distraction of late.

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:18

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

The Bible calls us to pray for one another. So I have to ask, would you pray for us? Now don't say Yes unless you mean it. I would rather you not pray, then to say you will and never do.

I also would like to pray for you. So please, let me know how I can cover you in prayer. Let's lift each other up before the throne of God!

5 Questions with Vernon Wells

Welcome to 5 Questions With.....

Today's guest is Vernon Wells. Vernon is a Major League Baseball player for the Toronto Blue Jays, where he is the starting center fielder. Wells has appeared on two All-Star teams in his career, been awarded three Gold Glove Awards and one Silver Slugger Award. Vernon has been married for seven years to his high school sweetheart. He has two sons, ages 6 and 3.

And now without further delay, on to the questions:

Hi Vernon,

Question 1: What one word would describe your current relationship with God?

Reliable.

Question 2: Your organization, the Perfect10 Foundation, seeks to support and protect children in need. What was the catalyst for your involvement with this kind of work?

My wife and I have always tried to be a blessing in the lives of many. In the off season of 2007, we had a chance to shop for some less fortunate children n the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) area. That experience forever changed our focus in life. Those kids were the inspiration for our Perfect 10 Foundation.

Question 3: Your Foundation's focus on kids uses the acronym Perfect: Protecting, Encouraging, Respecting, Fostering, Embracing, Cheering and Treasuring. How do the children and their families respond to this?

The response we have gotten has been tremendous! This foundation was setup to break the strongholds in peoples lives and that is a blessing for both them and us.

Question 4: How do you balance family and baseball?

Balancing family and baseball is difficult. People don't realize how long we are away from our loved ones. The key for me is to keep my family first, no matter what!

Question 5: How hard is it to be a Christian witness in competitive sports?

Being a Christian witness in sports is a challenge. Baseball is a game of failure and with that comes frustration. The best way for me to show Christian values is how I handle those rough times. No matter how badly things are going, He is always there with me and that's all that matters.

Thank you Vernon for the interview.

Be Blessed!

There you have it. I would encourage you to check out Vernon's website where you can find out more info about him. You should also look at the Perfect 10 Foundation site.

To see past 5 Question guests, check out the rotating interview links on the sidebar.