Global

Israel: Elected by Grace

Matt Chapin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:16:15 -0800

A popular political debate which has been prevalent for centuries revolves around the question of what the future holds for the Jewish people. For Christians and Jews this is a question that goes beyond politics. The debate is a matter of theology too. With the latest political uprisings in the Middle East, the questions of how peace will be accomplished in that part of the world go on, as well as what the future holds for Israel. Despite all the enemies, hateful messages, and acts that have been brought against Israel throughout their history, God has always preserved for himself what the Bible calls a “remnant”.

A “remnant” is a small part of something that remains after the rest has gone. In anthropological terms a “remnant” is an isolated group of people surviving from a culture or group. The “remnant” is a significant aspect of God’s relationship with Israel as it is representative of his covenant relationship to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not on any basis of works done by these patriarchs, but because of God’s gracious election. (Romans 11:28)

Joseph recognized it as such when being restored to his brothers in Egypt. Remember Jacob (whose name is also Israel) and whose son’s sold Joseph into slavery, left the land of Canaan because of a devastating famine in the land. Years later when Joseph finally revealed his identity to his captive brothers in Egypt, he graciously forgave them and explained to them the sovereignty of God was behind Joseph being sold into slavery for the future of the Israelite nation. In Genesis 45:7 Joseph says to his brothers, “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.”

Before Jacob left for Egypt the Bible tells us he was visited by God in a vision where God told him not to fear relocating his possessions and family to Egypt. In fact God tells him he would make Israel into a great nation in Egypt, and that he would bring Jacob back to the land of Canaan. However Jacob only went back to be buried there, but before he died he told his son Joseph “I am about to die, but God will be with you and take you back to the land of your fathers.” (Genesis 48: 21)

When Joseph came to die he relays to his brothers what his father told him saying, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Genesis 50:24) God being faithful to his word delivered the Israelites up out of Egypt using Moses and Joshua to lead his people to the Promised Land, the land of Canaan.

Elijah the prophet also had valid concerns for the future state of Israel. He questioned whether God would allow Israel to continue to exist. After being on the run for his life he said to God, “the Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too” (1 Kings 19:14)

God’s response to Elijah was that he had reserved seven thousand in Israel who had not forsaken the LORD. (1 Kings 19:18) Despite Israel’s apostasy during the time of King Ahab, a time of worshiping other gods by building temples and idols to them, God assured Elijah he had a righteous plan for Israel.

When Judah and Jerusalem were defeated by the Babylonian Empire, they were sent into exile to live amongst the Babylonians. God had told his prophets this would occur, but he also told them he would preserve his people in Babylon and bring them back to the Promised Land. (Jeremiah 29:10) The people did return to Jerusalem and Judah seventy years later, and the people who returned were again referred to as the remnant. (II Chronicles 36:20, Ezra 9:8)

In Romans 9:29 Paul quotes Isaiah 1:9 which says, “Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.” Sodom and Gomorrah were the ultimate example to the Israelites of God’s judgment on those who forsake him. Isaiah recognized at the time of his writing that his people’s guilt was so great, that if it were not for the mercy of God, he thought God would have wiped them out forever.

The mercy and grace of God are the reasons for why God allows a remnant of his people to continue. We can read the evidence for this throughout Scripture. One example is Ezra 9:8. Ezra the priest has returned from the Babylonian Exile, and in his prayer to the LORD he acknowledges the remnant has returned on account of God’s grace. Another example would be Jeremiah 29:10 for the LORD says, “I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place.” This mercy and grace extended to Israel are founded on the covenants God made with his people.

In Jeremiah 33:14-16 God says to Jeremiah, “The days are coming when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” The covenant described here is a reference to the Davidic Covenant, and is a preview of the coming Messiah (Jesus) who would rule Israel. The Messianic language in this passage of Jeremiah is not the first mention of a savior for Israel from the line of David. Jeremiah 23:3-8 describes a gathering of a Jewish remnant to Israel. The remnant is brought out from many nations by the hand of God, and the person who brings righteousness, justice, and peace to the land is Jesus. The fact that Jesus will claim for himself a remnant for Israel and gather them to the Promised Land is also confirmed in Isaiah 11:10-16.

In the heavily debated chapter of Romans 11, Paul writes that God is presently preserving a remnant for the future of Israel. Paul emphatically states twice that God has not rejected his people, despite Israel rejecting Christ, and that they have not fallen beyond recovery. Paul’s two pronged approached for stating his case is a pretty consistent pattern for how Paul argues through Romans, and so the repetitiveness and intensity of his argument should not be taken lightly.

Paul makes it clear that the reason Israel is not beyond recovery is because God has chosen a remnant by grace (Romans 11:5), and that it is not based on any kind of work (Romans 11:6). This election by grace is “on account of the patriarchs” (Romans 11:28). The reason why Israel is loved on account of the patriarchs is because “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”(Romans 11:29)

Perhaps one of the clearest passages in the Old Testament which convey these thoughts is found at the end of the book of Micah. Micah 7:18-20, “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgive the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our fathers in days long ago.”

Is the GOP Anti-Science?

Sean McDowell — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:46:25 -0800

The GOP is dogmatically anti-science. They reject the conclusions of manmade global warming, which has been accepted by virtually all scientists. And they deny the overwhelming evidence of evolution. They are anti-science, anti-knowledge, and anti-progress. The possibility of an anti-science candidate getting elected to the White House is a terrifying prospect for it would put our economic, environmental, and political state into potential disaster. For the sake of the next generation, please don’t elect such a candidate!

If you believe this rendition, it’s likely you’ve been following the incessant portrayal of the GOP in the media. Consider a few recent headlines: “Republicans Against Science,” “Why Republicans Deny Science: The Quest for a Scientific Explanation,” and “Rick Santorum is King of the GOP’s Anti-Science Presidential Candidates.” The list could go on. But the message is clear: the Republican Party is full of ignorant science-deniers who are a threat to the future of America (of course, exception is made for John Huntsman, who has tried to cast himself as the pro-science Republican alternative by accepting evolution and manmade global warming).

Sure, more Republicans are skeptical of evolution and man-made global warming than Democrats. But why does this make them “anti-science”? Interestingly, studies show that anti-vaccine sentiment is higher in progressive areas such as Washington, Vermont, and Oregon. Arguably, the results of rejecting vaccines can be far more disastrous than rejecting evolution. So, why doesn’t this make Democrats anti-science? Do I smell a double-standard?

Let me begin with a qualifier. My purpose in writing this is not specifically to defend the GOP. I have not ever publicly endorsed a candidate for any party and I probably never will. This is not a political blog, although it clearly has political implications. My purpose is to challenge poor thinking about science. If the GOP critiqued Democrats for being anti-science with the same arguments, I would defend the Democrats. My purpose is to challenge the assumption that rejecting a particular scientific theory is akin to being anti-science.

My real question is why doubting evolution makes one anti-science in the first place. Why can’t someone be pro-science yet skeptical of evolution? Maybe the evolution-skeptic just thinks the evidence is lacking. It’s never been clear to me why doubting evolution automatically disqualifies someone from being pro-science. The skeptic may reject the consensus, but again, why does that make one anti-science? After all, even Darwin rejected the scientific consensus of his day. Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton said it best:

“I want to pause here and talk about this notion of consensus, and the rise of what has been called consensus science. I regard consensus science as an extremely pernicious development that ought to be stopped cold in its tracks. Historically, the claim of consensus has been the first refuge of scoundrels; it is a way to avoid debate by claiming that the matter is already settled. Whenever you hear the consensus of scientists agrees on something, reach for your wallet, because you’re being had…The greatest scientists in history are great precisely because they broke with consensus…If it’s consensus, it isn’t science. If it’s science, it isn’t consensus. Period.”

Crichton makes a powerful point—consensus is often claimed to avoid debate. That’s why the claim is incessantly made that the evidence for evolution is “overwhelming.” You may be tempted to think that the debate over evolution has been settled. But that may be premature. Yes, a majority of scientists do accept evolution, but a growing number of Ph.D. scientists from leading universities such as Harvard, Princeton, UC Berkeley, and the University of Moscow have come to doubt the efficacy of Darwinian evolution to account for the variety and complexity of life on earth. Does this make them anti-science? Of course not! Only someone blindly committed to a worldview would suggest so. These scientists value science—they just understand the facts differently.

The merits of evolution are actually irrelevant to my point. Maybe Darwin was right. Maybe Darwin was wrong. But it certainly doesn’t follow that someone who doubts his theory is automatically “anti-science.” In fact, such a claim is avowedly anti-science, for scientists are supposed to challenge the status quo and follow the evidence wherever it leads!

In a New York Times column titled, “Republicans Against Science,” Paul Krugman says, “Mr. Perry, the governor of Texas, recently made headlines by dismissing evolution as ‘just a theory,’ one that has ‘got some gaps in it’ — an observation that will come as news to the vast majority of biologists.” The majority of biologists do accept evolution. But is truth determined by numbers? Suggesting so is only meant to silence critics and avoid debate. Even if the majority of scientists would be surprised that evolution has “some gaps in it,” as Krugman suggests, why would that make skeptics anti-science?

Some Republicans may be anti-science. But so may some Democrats. Alex Berezow made this point in his recent USA Today column, “GOP may be anti-science, but so are Democrats.” To label an entire party as “anti-science” is mistaken and simplistic. We need to move beyond labels and actually engage the issues. But maybe I’m too naïve. After all, it’s much easier (and effective) to label someone than actually consider their point of view.

Jesus: The Hope for Israel

Matt Chapin — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:55:54 -0800

Genesis 32:28 records the conclusion of the wrestling match between Jacob and the angel of the LORD. The angel tells Jacob his name will “no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and you have overcome.” The name Israel means he struggles with God and the previous two blog entries demonstrated the history of the nation of Israel struggling in their relationship with God, and with men. Although hermeneutically the text of Genesis 32:28 tells us that Jacob himself did overcome the battle with the angel of the LORD, I do not think it is farfetched to understand this verse as a prophetic utterance about the future of Israel.

Historically Israel has struggled greatly, and this has been going on for millennia. Though there have been times of great hope, faith, and survival, there have also been times of great hopelessness, faithlessness, and oppression. Today Israel is threatened repeatedly by Iran. A nation who openly professes they would like to see Israel wiped off the face of the earth. The peace and security of Israel is a matter which will not be resolved anytime soon, nor by any current political arrangements. Whatever kind of peace arrangements accomplished through modern day politicians will be temporary. This is not to mitigate the importance of striving for peace, for peace benefits many, but rather to understand that the real program for long and lasting peace for Israel and its neighbors is one that will be accomplished by the word and hand of the Lord. The question becomes how will Israel overcome?

When Jacob comes to die in Genesis 49 he leaves a blessing to each of his twelve children. To Judah belongs the blessing of the future kingdom of Israel. At the time of Jacob’s blessing, Israel was made up of 12 tribes and living in Egypt. There was no sovereign nation, but the hope of one had not diminished. After all, God had promised he would make them into one. Jacob’s blessing to Judah in 49:10 says, “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.”

Where this promise began to find its fulfillment was in King David. David was the first king of Israel to be from the line of Judah. Saul, who was Israel’s first king, was from the tribe of Benjamin. 1Samuel 17:12 tell us David was the son of Jesse, “who was from Bethlehem in Judah.” Bethlehem is the city, Judah the regional territory. After David became king, God made a covenant with him that he would establish David’s kingdom as an everlasting kingdom. (See 2 Samuel 7: 12-16)

Nearly two hundred years after David’s reign ended, the nation of Israel had split into two kingdoms. The northern kingdom was Israel, and Judah was the southern kingdom. During this time, around 742-740 B.C. God raised up the prophets Isaiah and Micah to foretell what would become of his people Judah, and the covenant he made with David.

Although these prophets prophesied that Judah would be punished and exiled for their sins committed against God, they would not be destroyed. Nearly 156 years before Judah was carried off in the Babylonian exile, Micah and Isaiah spoke of a future hope.

Micah 4:1-8 describes this future hope being fulfilled in the “last days.” He writes that many nations will come to Jerusalem seeking to be taught, and submitting to the Lord’s rule. The result of this will be peace among the nations. In verse eight Micah writes that Israel will be restored: “the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:2-4 conveys a very similar message to Micah 4:1-8. The closely related message between the two prophets is like two witnesses each testifying to the truth of what they were told.

Micah 5:2-4 tells us the king of this coming kingdom would again come from Bethlehem; that he would bring security to his people, and his rule would reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah describes this reign coming directly from the line of David. Isaiah makes an early reference to David in Isaiah 4:2 when he writes, “In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel.” How we can know Isaiah is referring to a rule from the line of David is clarified in Isaiah 11.

Isaiah 11:1 says, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.” Furthermore, “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10)

The prophet Jeremiah, who was the predecessor of Micah and Isaiah, also wrote of the rule of the coming king from the line of David. The words in Jeremiah 23:5-6, and 33:15-16 virtually repeat themselves. They are the words of the LORD speaking to Jeremiah. “The days are coming” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

So who is this king who will deliver and restore Israel to a place of prominence, and bring peace to the nations? Jesus’ disciples and other New Testament writers assure us it is Jesus himself who will bring this about. Matthew wrote the gospel of Matthew and records the lineage of Jesus being from the line of David. Luke also records Jesus as being the rightful heir to the Davidic throne when he records the visit of the angel to Mary. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33)

The writer of Hebrews confirms this as well in Hebrews 1:8, and Paul in Romans 15:12 confirms Jesus as the “Root of Jesse”. Finally Jesus’ disciple John, who wrote the book of Revelation gives confirmation to Jesus coming to restore this kingdom. But it is not John’s words or opinion here, but Jesus himself, when he gives John his revelation of himself. After all, the book is not the revelation of John, but of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:1-2) Language referring to Christ as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah”, “the Root of David”, and the “Offspring of David” can be found in Revelation 5:5 and 22:16.

During the time of Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah, Judah had a king on the Davidic throne until the time of the Babylonian exile. Those who returned from Babylon 70 years later, were unable to establish a sovereign nation as they were under the watch of the Persian Empire. The future fulfillment of Genesis 32: 28 lies in Jesus alone, not only for spiritual reasons, but national reasons as well.

Pacifist Fight Club

Crissy Brooks — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:06:00 -0800

Last Saturday I joined a ragtag bunch of Jesus followers for the first Pacifist Fight Club. What started as a joke between Keith Giles and Chase Andre somehow led to 25 people wrestling about how to follow Jesus, especially when it comes to non violence and poverty. We brought chili and chips and all our questions to the table. While we did not figure it all out, we did walk away inspired to keep fighting for peace and comforted that we are not alone in our questions and struggle.

The invitation to Pacifist Fight Club came at a time in my life when I was battling. My prayer life felt like the frontlines of a war. I felt attacked and exhausted, yet empowered and strong. It felt like Jesus and I were getting things done in the spiritual realm. I hid behind him and fought for my life. I stood with a shield of faith held up for my friends. I came out swinging with the Word of God. My prayers felt productive and mighty. I ran into the presence of God excited for the fight. I really like fighting with Jesus in this way. I saw him working things out in life's circumstances and found I could rest and trust. So when the invitation to Pacifist Fight Club came I was intrigued. What does it look like to fight for peace? How do I stand with a Warrior Savior who has said, "blessed are the peacemakers" and "turn the other cheek"?

I still don't fully know but I am invited deeper into the question by the faith journey of those who were around the table last Saturday. The fight is not over. We will gather again. You can meet our fighters and get in on the struggle on the blog- Pacifist Fight Club.

Q&A with Slavery No More Founder, Jocelyn White

Carrie Nye — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:32:10 -0800

Jocelyn White is Co-Founder and CEO of Slavery No More. Taken from the Slavery No More website, the mission of Slavery No More is to resource a diversity of the most effective organizations working to combat and abolish modern-day slavery and human trafficking, and to create awareness and a diversity of opportunities for meaningful personal engagement.

Recently I had the priviledge of asking Jocelyn a few questions about Slavery No More and how they are working to abolish modern day slavery.

How did you become aware of modern day slavery and human trafficking? I first became deeply aware and moved to action when watching a Leadership Summit DVD that featured Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission. As he showed photos of their clients, I began to see my own nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and it became personal.

How did Slavery No More come about? Slavery No More was something my husband, and Co-Founder, had felt led to do many years ago, but we hesitated because we felt there were so many under resourced anti-trafficking agencies, but after years of operating as a Community Based Organization, it was time to formalize it into a non-profit that existed to support the great work that was already being done.

Slavery No More has a desire to be a bridge builder. To bridge law enforcement with non-profits, and people who are doing something to directly rescue and restore victims of human trafficking and slavery to those who have a desire to combat this problem. We truly believe that “awareness becomes compassion when it takes action.” We want to mobilize people from awareness to action, thus showing compassion.

What dreams and hopes do you have for Slavery No More? Our deepest desire is to see modern day slavery abolished- completely abolished on this earth. It would no longer be an organized crime where oppressors take advantage of the weak. We know this doesn’t happen overnight, but we do believe that if enough people do something, even if it’s just one thing, we can collectively see slavery abolished in the 21^st century. According to a report by UNICEF in 2001, 27 million people are enslaved today. That’s more than any time in history. We would love to see 27 million people offer their voices, talents, and influence to seeing them freed.

I often hear people express feelings of being overwhelmed by the realty of modern day slavery and as a result they are unclear on how they can help. What action steps do you recommend for those just learning about the enormity of the issue? A house doesn’t move from not existing, to being a house. Foundations are laid, one brick at a time is strategically and properly placed, and each portion of a house can be divided up into parts. That’s what can be done with combating human trafficking. As one educates themselves, they can align their skills and areas of influence to the part of the issue they are passionate about. Slavery No More helps mobilize people into meaningful engagement.

What projects is Slavery No More currently working on that anyone can participate in? On January 26, we are assembling our first 200 Freedom Bags. These first Freedom Bags will be given to 200 victims of human trafficking as they enter an aftercare facility in Southern California. We hope to see the Freedom Bags go all across the nation. One can visit our site about the Freedom Bag Campaign.

February 18, we have a Justice Matters Conference hosted by Calvary Chapel Murrieta. Registration is currently open our site.

May 5 we are co-chairing a benefit dinner for International Justice Mission at the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles. IJM, in our opinion, is one of the leaders in fighting trafficking.

One can sign-up for our event and volunteer notifications on our website, as well as get daily updates on Facebook and Twitter- join the discussion.

IJM founder and president Gary Haugen once said, "The victims of injustice in our world do not need our spasm of passion; they need our long obedience in the same direction. They need our legs and lungs of endurance." How do you maintain your long obedience and endurance of your legs and lungs in the fight against slavery? I often think of Alex, a commercially sexually exploited minor I had the privilege of knowing and spending time with. She was trafficked here in the United States, and she was only 16 years old when I started working with her. Her story is sad, yet tragically typical, but her triumph is nothing short of miraculous. Her family wasn’t looking out for her, the people who are supposed to love and protect her. She was groomed by a pimp who promised to meet her needs. She was quickly forced into prostitution and had no way out…but someone took the time to know her story and decided to help her.

What if no one was looking for her, listening for her cry, what would have happened to her? There are an estimated 300,000 children trafficked within the US, many of whom have no one looking for them- that’s what motivates us- finding them. I honestly feel haunted imagining their cries late at night when I’m going to bed. Witnessing their rescue and restoration increases my faith. God is asking us to take back all of what has been taken from the innocent of the world by evil, and giving them back all the riches that God has born them to have.

God has a heart for the weak, the oppressed, and the forgotten. When we take it upon ourselves to respond to God’s invitation to participate in their rescue and restoration is when you truly see His power, mercy, and His people at work. Sometimes our willingness to go into pain and search in the darkness is when healing and light shine the most.

In what ways can we help prevent human trafficking today? Get Informed- Learn all you can about the issue. There are a lot of great resources on our website Store written by professionals in the field. Learn about the non-profits that are doing something to end human trafficking, and then take that first step- get involved in one of their campaigns and initiatives, or start attending and supporting their events.

Become an Abolitionist- Talk about it. Tell your family and friends what you are learning and why you want to see it put to an end. Some feel that bringing about awareness is nothing, but a supervisor for the LAPD increased my conviction that awareness IS prevention and awareness IS rescue. Often times the victims are too traumatized to testify, but if there is a witness, someone in the public that saw something and said something, that could be the one witness that could move a case forward. Also, an educated juror means everything to the victim because they understand the type of trauma and manipulation they have been under, and truly see them as a victim.

Are you part of the problem? Many don’t realize that they may perpetuate the problem. The sexualization of our culture has made many people numb to the fact that women are abused every single day. Pornography is a highway to human trafficking. Photos and videos aren’t just created out of thin air, people, who are often children, are tortured and abused to create them. Do you know the age of the one you are looking at? Do you truly know the age of the one you are purchasing a sexual favor from? Are you a responsible consumer? Seeking to purchase Fair Trade items as a regular practice?

Support Freedom- Finances is what allows programs to exist. Investing in the rescue and restoration of victims of human trafficking and slavery is the best investment you can make. Also, become a responsible consumer. Visit our Products That Free page on our website to proactively shop fair trade*, which ensures what you consume is not created by slaves, thus decreasing the demand and providing economic stability and dignity for the workers on the other end.

The national human trafficking hotline is 888-3737-888. If you see something, say something- a slave’s life may depend on it.

*Video by Trade as One featured on Products that free webpage.

I Own 44 Slaves

Carrie Nye — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 19:58:13 -0800

According to a survey by the Fair Trade Fund, I have 44 slaves working for me.

I took the survey on a website called Slavery Footprint. I answered a total of 11 questions regarding items I have around the house and the type of food I have waiting to be devoured in my fridge. Based on my answers, I own 44 slaves. That means that 44 individuals in various parts of the world worked by force and without compensation to make, build, develop, farm, etc. a number of ‘things’ and food that are right now sitting around my house.

Of course there is no way for the site to calculate the exact number given the fact they have no idea when and where I made the purchases I did to obtain the food and items that I have. But that isn’t the point is it?

The point is that we live in a global world of global trades and consumerism. Shoes, clothes, that new pair of jeans that fit oh-so-well, chocolate, coffee, light bulbs and just about any and all electronic devices could very well be tied to modern day slavery. The bricks holding up that building on the corner you pass everyday may have come from a brick kiln in India and made by the hands of slaves; many of who are just children and all of who do not deserve to be there. The delicious grilled fish had for dinner the other night may have been fished by young slave boys off the coast of South America or Africa.

The answer is not to stop building with brick or to stop eating tilapia. It’s not to stop buying light bulbs or a pair of jeans. Boycotting is not the answer. In fact, boycotts can cause significant damage to areas where our purchases are what’s keeping an economy active. However, we can become more aware, more creative and more proactive with our purchases in a way that sends a clear message against enslaving people.

I do think however, that as consumers, we must be aware of the global market we live in. When we purchase a dark chocolate-salted-caramel chocolate bar (my new favorite) or any other chocolate for that matter, we should know where that chocolate came from. Unfortunately cocoa fields in Ivory Coast (a West African country where a vast majority of the world’s chocolate hails from, is also home to thousands of child slaves working the cocoa fields. I don’t know about you, but as much as I love a good piece of chocolate, I’ll pass on it any day if it means ending the demand and therefore the need to enslave children to satisfy a craving.

Fortunately modern day slavery has caught significantly growing media attention and is no longer an issue largely ignored. Actually, it’s quit the opposite. Ten years ago it was difficult to find products not made on the backs on the slaves. Today that is not the case. There are many places to which we can buy products and be confident no children, woman or man was enslaved for it.

Here are a few things we can do to make sure what we are buying is legit and not made by slaves:

1. Read the Bible and Pray. The most important thing we can do, those of who are Christ followers, is seek God and learn what his stand is on justice and injustice. Check out the Justice Journey Handbook for some study help. "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you." -Ps. 89:14 And read Is. 58. It will knock your socks off.
2. Educate yourself. The Polaris Project is a great place to start. Learn the facts and the realities of modern day slavery. Be aware of what products come from what countries in the world. If you’re a big coffee drinker like me, do the research and find out where the coffee you’re buying comes from and make sure it’s slave free.
3. Get involved. Contact your local police department and inquire about any human trafficking task forces in your area. Get in touch with your local church to see if they are aware of the issue. If not, point them to step 1 and learn together as a church. Discover what’s already going on in your area and help out.
4. Talk about it. It’s a social age. Use social media to help others know and understand the issues. Show a film on human trafficking in your home and have a discussion after about ways to get involved. Offer to speak about it at your church, school or tupperware party.

January 11 is national anti-human trafficking awareness day. Slavery is not a politically issue. It’s not a race issue or a people group issue. It’s not something that only happens in Southeast Asia or in developing countries. Modern day slaves exist in every part of the world, regardless of color, political association, economics or religious affiliation. And by the products we buy, we’ve now the marks of slavery have made their way into our homes.

Slavery has been around for a long time but it doesn’t mean it should continue to be around.

As mentioned, tomorrow is National Anti-Human Trafficking day. I’d love to know about what activities or events you might be participating in to help spread awareness and advocate this week or this month.

I have listed below a starter list of online companies from which we can make purchases of clothing, jewelry, bags, etc. What company do you know of that you can add to the list?

How many slaves do you own? Take the survey and find out.

Etsy

Better Way Imports

International Sanctuary

International Princess Project Punjammies

Shop at markets that sell local grown produce and fish

Shop to Stop Slavery

Slavery and What We Buy

Not for Sale

“It has been called by a great many names and it will call itself by yet another, and all of us had better wait and see what new form this old monster will assume.” –Frederick Douglass

Uganda Trip Highlights

Dave Sterrett — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:21:19 -0800

Thank you Community Fellowship Church in Staunton, VA and all of my ministry friends who sponsored my Ugandan trip with my father and Larry Barrett. We left on December 12. The previous two weeks were some the busiest of the year as I wrote four papers for three graduate courses I was taking at University of Dallas, as well as grading dozens of short papers from online students at Liberty University. We connected in Washington D.C. and then London and finally to Uganda.

When we arrived, it took us hours to get settled, because our original hotel room was overbooked. We only received a couple hours of rest, before we showed up to Back to the Bible Institute in Kampala. Honestly, I had no idea how I was going to stay awake. Our driver who took on what felt like a crazy excursion through Kampala of dodging of people, random obstacles in the street, motorcycles sometimes with up to three people on the back, cows, and children. This however, did not keep me from wanting to fall asleep. However, when we arrived, I looked in the building, the orphanage, then looked at the faces of five hundred African young adults in their twenties who cheering and giving us the warmest welcome. Their friendly and enthusiasm woke me up immediately and automatically I felt an adrenaline rush. They were the reason we were on this trip. Then the leader of Back to Bible Institute, Alex Mitala, who is currently leading about 20,000 born again churches stood up to welcome us. Alex spoke in English with his translator speaking fervently in the native Lugandan language.

Alex started addressing students from every region of the country. He then started talking about my father, Clay, whom they call “Boombah” which is the Lugandan word for “Mud.” He started telling these students that Boombah and his team were here in train them to be prepared for biblical living and doctrine. Alex started naming all the regions in which students were represented and he told them, “Boombah has been there. He’s trained your home pastors.” Alex continued, “You in the south of Uganda, Boombah’s been there too. He has trained your pastors. Boomhah’s been in the West. Boombah’s been to the East. He has been coming to Ugandan since 1987. Now he has brought his son, Dave and friend Larry.” The young people exploded in applause.

As I listened to Alex, I really felt encouraged by the work that my dad has done. I was only seven years when my father took his first trip. I still remember him returning and giving me a large African drum, that wouldn’t pass airport inspections today. But I as I listened to Alex, I really felt grateful for God’s work through my father in working with Ugandan pastors. Then Alex encouraged the young people not to just sit with those from their own region but to get to know people from other parts of the country. I was so grateful that CFC funded the transportation of bus passes for these young people to come to Kampala. For some of them, this was their very first time to the capital city.

I felt an urgency to preach. After dad and Larry spoke for a couple hours, they fed us. I actually liked the food. The pineapple was my favorite. After lunch, I spoke for a couple hours. I spoke on, “What is truth?” and gave a brief introduction to the Christian practice of apologetics, which means to provide an intelligent defense for the faith. I told young Ugandans that the economy continues to grow that the generation that they are training will have greater opportunities for travel, education, medicine, and business that previous generations under dictators did not experience. I told that them that these opportunities were good, but along with, they will be exposed false teaching like naturalism in science courses that teaches that all of reality is only material or natural. I warned them they would be exposed to atheism but also other forms heretical Christian faith like Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses, and that it would be very important for them to have a Christian worldview. I also said that as they practice law, medicine, business or even go into politics, that they will need to use their minds to the glory of God. I told that apologetics was important for three reasons. 1) To Shape Culture. 2) Evangelism. 3) To stay strong in the faith, when the emotions aren’t there.

The students were very responsive. As we continued to teach, Larry talked about the importance of having a daily Bible reading plan, but also to be faithful, accountable and obedient to the older leaders in the church. Dad spoke in greater detail about Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnessess. He also gave a talk about recognizing what Christ did for each on the cross. One evening we also met with Pastor Joel and talked on the ratio about importance of relationships, marriage and purity. Joel’s radio show is on one of the largest stations in Ugandan and goes out to a several million listeners.

At Back to the Bible, Alex’s school has about 1800 orphans and Joel’s school has several hundred orphans as well. The orphans come from all around the country. Some of their orphans came from the Northern African and were victims of Joseph Coni, the terrorist who lead Lord’s Resistance Army, and forced children to shoot their parents. Last year, when Dad spoke on forgiveness, he remembered meeting one young man who had to shoot his parents and another young lady who was brutally raped multiple times. Both of them experienced a new freedom through Christ’s forgiveness. These students are trained with the English language, as well as mathematics and science.

Out 84 schools in the region, the students at Joel’s school and orphanage were ranked number one in academic testing. Joel, like Alex is a visionary leader and both oversees the educational training of the children and also serves in preaching and pastoral leadership. Both men are constantly raising up young leaders and sending them out and rapidly multiplying. At Joel’s school, the students also learn different trades. We are very thankful for the electricity that Community Fellowship provided for his school. The students also learn trades that will provide for them financially. Both Joel and Alex as well as another leader named John all encourage their students work hard. At the youth conference, we worked with Joel, Alex, and John to encourage their young pastors to be willing to work another job as well. Larry, my father and myself have at different times in our lives have worked other jobs to support our income.

On the final Sunday, Alex had brought in another group for training. These 150 students were children of Pastors. They were probably about fourteen years old or so. I talked about some of the struggles of being a the child of a minister. I encouraged them to respect their parents, but pray for their parents as well. I told them that their fathers will make mistakes and might let them down, but I encourage them to forgive their fathers and ultimately trust God. The three points that I emphasized to them through a long teaching mixed with my own stories and the example of Joseph’s life was to 1. Know what you believe. 2.) Know Why it is true. 3) Forgive as Christ forgave you.

The students were very attentive and took notes. Alex then encourage called them out and asked them to repeat what I taught. I was very encouraged with how each student got up and boldly and clearly recited what I said. One student remembered my own talk more accurately than I remembered myself. I was very impressed with the details that a couple students remembered.

I walked away, knowing that the work of this trip was very important because the Ugandan young people were hungry for teaching. As we sat in the home of one of the lead pastors John and talked with him and Alex, we asked what was the need for Uganda. They encouraged us to come back and provide training for youth pastors. Alex explained that in the history of the country, there have been many conferences but never have Americans come over and provided the type of conference with doctrinal training and the leaving behind of material. For this tip, we had written an 80-page booklet for the youth pastors to study, take notes, and then take an extra copy back to their home pastors. We also gave them our books, Why Trust Jesus? and Safeguards for the Saints.

Dad told Alex that we want to continue to work under them and we don’t want to just be dogmatic with what we think is best. Alex told Dad that we need to continue to provide training for youth pastors and pastors in the areas of doctrine, Christian living, Bible study, apologetics and marriage. Alex asked if we could train another five hundred youth pastors next year. He said that Americans pastors often want to come over and either do big scale evangelism events or do church planting multiplication training. Alex said that they definitely don’t need help in either one of those areas. The Ugandans have many gifted leaders in evangelism and church planting. However, he emphasized that they needed deeper training in doctrine, apologetics and Christian living.

First, I want to thank everyone who sponsored this trip. Second, if you have funds to help with their orphanages and schools, they can certainly need your help. Third, on one of our trips Joel’s rented van broke down. If anyone would like to buy Joel a newer used van, please let my father know. Fourth, please pray if we should lead another conference like this next year in 2012. I am very open to returning, but we will want to pray about it and ask God to give us wisdom.

That Important...but Invisible Line

Rick Bundschuh — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:09:54 -0800

A good friend of mine is the top dog in an outfit that does incredibly good things for the poor wo try to survive in the dusty folds just across our borders. He lives very modestly and drives a used four-wheel drive SUV as is apt for a mission ministry that survives off of the generosity and sacrifice of others.

A life long bachelor, he has given his years to God’s service and the needs of the poor, and as such, has deeply inspired many. So much so that one day a wealthy supporter pulled him aside and handed him the keys to fancy sports car.

“This is for you” he said, “If anyone deserves it, you do”.

For several months my friend drove this gift around, marveling at its speed, handling and luxury.

But the whole time there was a queasy feeling in his gut.

“I pull up to a church in this car to talk about the poor and something doesn’t feel right” he said to me, “I know that this car was a gift and cost me or the ministry nothing, but you can feel the perception of others when they see me driving it.”

The apparent incongruity between the appearance of wealth and my friend’s mission fairly soon caused him to return the car back to the donor. (Who had a hard time seeing the issue, by the way)

There was an invisible line, unspoken, undefined, but very real that had been crossed. At stake was his credibility and ultimately the credibility of his organization.

Fair? Not really.

Judging and jumping to conclusions? Of course.

Understandable? You decide. And while you are deciding consider this:

Now it is not common knowledge, but the CEO’s of two of the largest Christian child sponsorship organizations may have crossed this invisible line. One draws almost a half a million per year and the other just under $300,000 not including fees for speaking etc.

Do they deserve it? Surely, they manage millions of dollars in gifts each year and must navigate the touchy political situations needed to distribute the funds.

Is it on par with what other CEOs of Non Profits make. Absolutely, in fact compared to outfits such as the Red Cross, it is much less.

But…do these salary levels bother you, even a little bit? Does this information cast a shadow on the mission they are promoting? Does it make you want to sacrifice a bit less?

Yeah, I thought so. Me too. And our family and church are deeply invested in helping the poor via child sponsorship programs and this won’t change. But I do have a queasy feeling in my gut.

There is some kind of incongruity that is hard to explain.

Would you be able to explain it to someone like my daughter, a college student, who during her winter and summer break runs out to get jobs and goes without buying new clothes in order to pay for the three “refrigerator kids” she has supported since High School?

I thought not.

Which is why I have not told her about the CEO salary of the child sponsorship program she is supporting.

I don’t know what I could say that would make sense to her, buoy up her palpable disappointment or head off the invitation to cynicism.

Because we both know that there has been the crossing of some sort of invisible line.

And by the way, my good friends who work for these organizations will no doubt be appalled that I am putting this information out in a heavily read blog. They will tell me that children’s sponsorship will be hurt because of this.

And if they are right, they will have illustrated with great clarity the presence of that important but invisible line their very organization has tried to ignore.

Hope, Peace, Eek the Cat and Christmas

Carrie Nye — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:42:15 -0800

It’s funny how memories or experiences past find their way into present thoughts. Lately I’ve been thinking about a particular moment in my past that I have had difficulties putting reason to.

On a fall day in 2003, I found myself at a Mother Theresa hospice and orphanage called House of Peace located just outside the city walls of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. I was with a team from my local church at the time and we were there to visit with the children at the orphanage and to sit with and visit those spending their final days at the hospice. All of who had AIDS.

When we walked into the hospice, there were a few ill men lying on the springs of beds without mattresses. We wondered down a dimly lit hallway where a woman was lying down on again a bed of springs and without a mattress or any type of cushion support for that matter. Then we walked into a room where a handful of dying women laid on the same mattress-less beds. One woman was asleep on the tiled floor.

The group I was with was instructed to pair up with someone and walk through the rooms and pray out loud for each person who was sick. I was paired up with my friend Tami. We stood for a moment and took in what we were seeing. Women, literally skin and bones, wide eyed and life less surrounded us. The room reeked of death and it was just about more than I could stand.

Tami looked to me to start praying. I was speechless. I was motionless. I literally stood there in shock and then without warning, the floodgate that was my tears opened and began to flow down my face. I couldn’t pray. My words were insufficient. I was surrounded by death and overwhelmed by need for Jesus.

This past Advent season I longed for Jesus in a way like I haven’t before. I’m always excited in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas about celebrating the coming of Jesus as the baby born of a virgin in barn like conditions. I love the Christmas story for the scandal of it, the chaos of it and the absurdity of God’s plan in it all. Logic has no place in the story and for that reason I absolutely love it and I love celebrating it.

But like I said, something was different this year. I actually felt not only excitement and joy over the coming of Jesus as a baby; I felt a longing and a need for him in a new and profound way.

***

This past year I watched a lot of loved ones, loose loved ones. I watched as my mom cared for one of her closest friends as her 18-year-old son was a victim of malpractice which has resulted in him becoming permanently brain damaged and since exists only in a coma like state. Later in the year, this same close friend of my moms was diagnosed with terminal stage four cancer. My mom attended her memorial a few weeks ago.

A close of friend of mine lost both her step dad and mom to cancer in a matter of 3 weeks time.

My dad lost his dad after years of my dad and mom caring for him weekly.

An old friend and former coworker took his own life in October.

My mom’s dad was told in October that he had 10 days to live. We just celebrated Christmas together thankfully, however, the thought of death looms above.

A few close friends of mine went through painful miscarriages.

These events are those personal to me and they’ve brought up memories and thoughts over that day in the Congo as I stood among the dying calling on the presence of God with my tears and heartache.

And it is the presence of God that I absolutely longed for this Advent. Through all the loss I watched my family and friends experience this past year, I needed to lean on the Author of life come as a baby in a manger. I needed to call on the Creator and Giver of life because without him all in life is meaningless. My need for this Jesus was so blatant this year, it overwhelmed me and I found myself daily crying out like Eek the Cat saying “Kumbaya" Lord. Come by me Lord Jesus. And praise God that’s exactly what Jesus did when he was born that Christmas day so many years ago. He came to us. Emmanuel, God is with us!

I recently heard a Pastor friend say Jesus is hope with flesh on. He said the power of presence overwhelms words themselves. Before Jesus was born among men, God’s people followed him by obeying his spoken word. When Jesus came, God himself made his presence known with them. He gave life to his words. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John. 1:14. This is Christmas!

So this past Christmas day, I read the Christmas story out of the Bible with my husband. I spent the day with some family and I praised God for his presence among my friends and family who have experienced so much loss this year and for his presence in my own life.

Most things in life do not make sense. The loss I saw in Congo continues to invade my mind from time to time. The loss I watched my parents and friends experience this year won’t be the last of loss in this life. And the good news is that Jesus has come and dwells with us through all of life’s confusing, chaotic and difficult times.

In 2012 I know there will be more loss, more death, more chaos, more trials and more heartache. And through it all there will be Emmanuel. God is with us!

May we all live out our belief that Jesus is hope in the flesh in 2012 beginning with me. May we all find the Hope that Jesus brings in a house of peace. Happy New Year!

*One of the sisters serving at the House of Peace

**The House of Peace sign that hangs above the front door of the hospice

***A few of the very cool kids living at the orphanage at the House of Peace

What Can a Free $1,000 Do? Lots if You Use It.

Christian Buckley — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:30:15 -0800

What Can a Free $1,000 Do? Lots if You Use It.

No joke. This post is about you and your friends giving away thousands of dollars of someone else’s money - $10 at a time. I can’t tell you how many “thousands” (legal details blah blah blah) but its lots.

What:

$10 free that you can invest in a humanitarian project of your choice. Take our spare change and your spare time (its only 10 minutes) and give hope. No strings attached. No gimmicks. Just $10 free for you to invest in the world. No assembly required and its safe for kids.

Why:

About the time I started writing Humanitarian Jesus I also helped found The Glue Network – a new way of empowering people to impact need by finding new sources of funding like brands and companies to supply the money.

This isn’t just another great website that tells you that you need to get involved in hunger, disease, the environment and poverty by showing you those things and educating you about why you should care.

This is about us doing all of that, but then taking the next step of handing you money – real money – and then letting you choose what matters to you.

The idea was pretty simple. Give one person real money and allow them to invest it in a real way to impact lives.

The simple truth is that we have to get more engaged. If You Don’t Care About One Thing You Will Care About Nothing.

How:

This is a code worth $10 : GLU-fjcc8-WRIIB

Using it is easy and should take just a few minutes. Take the code, go to The Glue Network and follow the steps.

Use it with your spouse or kids. Pass it along to your friends. Spend all our money! PLEASE!

At Glue we continue to believe that love requires action. It starts with us, continues to our friends, and ends with someone in need receiving: medicine, an education, food, clean water, joy, and hope.

So take our money, take a few minutes, and take the first step in changing the world.

Merry Christmas

Christian

The Glue Network