Social Justice

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.

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.

Take Action Bible

Conversant Lifestyle — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 07:18:36 -0700

Last year ConversantLife is partnered with Thomas Nelson, Inc. and World Vision in a unique and biblical campaign called "God's Word in Action." Through this comprehensive campaign, Thomas Nelson's Bible Group pledged $100,000 to World Vision to help eradicate poverty and preventable deaths among children.

As a follow up to this inspiring campaign, Thomas Nelson has introduced the Take Action Bible as a way to encourage everyday people and families to put their own faith into action by serving Jesus somwhere in the world, whether it's at home or abroad.

"If you had asked me a year ago if I would travel to a third world country to build a home for someone who did not have a home, my answer would have been, 'Not right now.' Ask me that same question today, and my answer would be, 'Absoluely yes.'" Such is the dynamic testimony of Jason and Lisa, who traveled with seven friends to Haiti, where they built two homes in connection with a local church.

Encouraging stories like these can be found in the new Take Action Bible from Thomas Nelson. The Take Action Bible features 15 real life stories and 48 full-color pages showing people who are putting their faith into action. Whether it was putting up a lemonade stand to raise money for missions, or actually relocating to the mission field, here are people who are showing their faith by their works (James 2:18).

There are two versions of the Take Action Bible: one for adults and another for teens. Both feature the New King James Version and text notes, a Concordance, and a Bible reading plan.

Thomas Nelson has provided an excerpt of the Take Action Bible, which you can access by clicking here.

Troy Davis & The New Jim Crow: It Could've Been Me

Daniel Hodge — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:50:40 -0700

As I sit here stunned and a bit silenced, I’m befounded by the decision to murder a man with no physical evidence, witnesses who recant their testimony, another shooter identified, and a pile of evidence pointing to doubt in the murder of an off duty police officer, Mark MacPhail. If you are unfamiliar with what has been happening here, then simply type in Troy Davis into any search engine and read up on the facts. Kevin Powell, Lisa Guerrero have written some amazing pieces and Jasiri X has had an amazing push for the stay of execution for Troy Davis that you can read as well.

My problem here is twofold: 1) the lack of justice for African Americans—in particular—in this country (this is a historical problem; if you are new to this I highly recommend taking an African American history class ASAP) and what the life of one young Black male is worth in this country of ours. 2) What is the response of the Christian community in the face of death? Christians—particularly conservatives—will argue until the day is done that there is a “right to life.” But what life? And what about those who are innocent but have been accused of a crime they didn’t commit? Do we stand silent in that? How do the politics of race come into play in these issues?

Therefore, I am reminded of Howard Thurman’s question for Christians who are impotent to act in the face of racial, class, and social injustices: “Is it the impotency due to a betrayal of the genius of the religion, or is it due to a basic weakness in the religion itself” (Jesus and the Disinherited preface)? My prayer is that it is just the betrayal.

What we have here is an extreme injustice. As Kevin Powell so eloquently pointed out, in the brutal murder of Oscar Grant by a White police officer—who was caught on tape indecently, shooting Grant in cold blood while handcuffed—gets less than 2 years; yet in a case surrounded with doubt and no physical evidence, a man is put to death.

Now, don’t get me wrong, the family of Officer Mark MacPhail is also suffering. It is a damn shame that a man who was coming to the rescue of another man being beat is killed—that too is a travesty and an atrocity. And, indirectly, the family still has no justice—relatively speaking. The killer is still walking the Earth.

In the end, is death the answer? Is the killing of another person the logical conclusion of justice? I ponder those questions, because the police officers who killed friends of mine, students of mine, and parents are still walking the Earth as well. Do I want death for them? I cannot say as of yet, so I too struggle with these issues. I do know that revenge killings are not the answer; yet they are woven into the social fabric and philosophy of this country.

As a Black man living in this country, I don’t fear getting blown up by some terrorist. I don’t fear some guy on a tape telling “me” that he wants to “kill me.” I don’t fear “terrorism” in its popular state. I don’t fear the overthrowing of our government by Muslim idealist. Let me tell you what I do fear. What happened to Troy Davis (and the countless amounts of other Black men in this country of ours) is what I fear…every day. As a Black man, you are always 1 foot away from the prison industrial complex; you are one breath away from being accused of something you didn’t do, but because someone “saw” you, you’re guilty. I fear the “justice” system in this country and that it will probably never produce “justice” for me in my lifetime. I fear that even a simple misdemeanor on my record will keep me from gainful employment; even with 4 degrees, 3 books, publications, and a list of stunning references. I fear being pulled over every single time; because I never know when it will be “my turn.”

I am Troy Davis. I know Troy Davis’ in the communities I work in. I’ve known Troy Davis in my classroom. I’ve seen Troy Davis in the store being looked at as a thug, simply because the messages that others have seen in the media about him are dominant in their minds.

This death is an atrocity. I cannot say it any other way. The execution taking place in a state with a history of racism and prejudicially biased decisions behooves the critical mind to ask what else is going on behind the scenes. Moreover, how does a Christian respond with Christ’s love in the face of such carnages? How does Thurman’s question reside with those who call themselves followers of Christ? What if we, in the Christ following community, actually took up a cause to truly engage the injustice of racism, sexism, and the prison industrial complex? Would it make you too “liberal” in the face of your friends? Or can we stand together on this issue regardless of social face?

I for one am ready to make this place a bit better for the little girl I call my daughter to live in. My prayer is for Troy Davis’ family. I pray for the family of Officer Mark MacPhail. I pray for our country as we are headed into a future unlike any other. I pray for the madness, hatred, and ignorance enveloped within racism that it would begin to be undone for some who are in positions of power, privilege, and with resources and that they would act…now.

Godspeed Troy Davis.

Simple Giving – Do the Easiest Thing First for 9/11

Christian Buckley — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:22:56 -0700

Simple Giving – Do the Easiest Thing First

As we come to 9-11 it is easy to think big but it is better to think small.

Inevitably when I speak on my book Humanitarian Jesus the question comes up – “How do we actually start giving ourselves away? How do we start serving our neighbor?”

I think the problem is that when we try to tackle slavery, water, poverty, or massive trauma like 9-11, Katrina, etc. it is difficult to find a foot-hold. We see the “big guys” making huge impact. Million dollar gifts, bailing out on life and diving in as a volunteer, shifting giant organizations to a new focus. These are all very good – but not the fundamental basis of humanitarian investment.

Look at it another way. I was on the board of a charity some time back and the issue of giving was on the table every meeting. The organization had a couple of “big” givers that made up about 60% of the small budget. I was against that. I wanted to find a way to get small donations from lots of people rather than lots of donations from a small group of people.

The solution is in the many not the few, which by the way is the model of my latest endeavor – www.thegluenetwork.com.

I have heard many people give answers to the “how to” question like find an organization to support, volunteer at a local non-profit, start a church program. Again these are good but not the start.

My answer? Do the easiest thing you can think of today to impact someone else’s life. Not the hardest or most important or even the most humanitarian. Just the easiest thing that is not about you. Around Easter this year I heard a Jesuit Priest share an idea for Lent. Don’t stop anything but rather simply care to “bother” about a simple thing you normally ignore. Smile at someone who is hurting. Really say thank you to the person at the counter. Open the door to the store. Pause to send the email to a friend. Pray for one more person every day.

Yesterday I did two. I paid $1 for a firefighter’s super big gulp that was in line behind my son and I and just said thank you as I walked out of the store. I also looked a homeless person in the eye rather than looking away at the corner – “I see you and acknowledge our common bond.” Don’t applaud, these were easy. But they are real and personal.

As we come to 9-11 it is easy to think big but it is better to think small.

www.911day.org is an interesting place to start.

"It is easy and free to participate. All you need to do (joining millions of others around the world) is observe the anniversary of 9/11 by performing good deeds, supporting charitable causes, volunteering and engaging in other acts of compassion".

Make it about them and not you. That is the heart of Christ and would be a great place to start.

Rescued from Hell on Disneylands Doorstep

Carrie Nye — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 13:48:21 -0700

"Once we started looking for it - and almost stopped ignoring it - we started finding it everywhere." - Sergeant Craig Friesen, head of Anaheim's vice unit.

The CNN Freedom Project site headlined an incredible story of justice and bravery today. The setting of the story told is geographically in my backyard. Literally steps from the “the happiest place on Earth” (Disneyland, Anaheim), a 17-year old girl was trapped hell on Earth; child prostitution. Friesen, working as an undercover, arranged to meet the child at the Disneyland Hotel for what she thought was a typical day in her life servicing “Johns” with sex. God had a different plan in store for her today! Friesen and his team from Anaheim PD showed up, arrested the pimp and treated the girl, and another girl they were able to locate, as victims of human trafficking and not as criminal prostitutes.

You can read the story here.

The Orange County task force is one of 42 federally funded human trafficking task forces across the United States.

Lt. Derek Marsh of Westminster (the city where I spent most of my childhood) PD, had this to say about spotting human trafficking: "Human trafficking goes against why you become a police officer, why you're a human being. It's really an ethical imperative. There's really nobody who can stand seeing a child or a woman or a man exploited. It's who you are when you go to serve the public as a police officer. You're trying to make it easy so that everyone has an equal opportunity to have their shot at making something of themselves. And human trafficking takes that dream and twists it."

Lt. Marsh was also one of the panelists at the Justice, Worship That Matters to God conference that took place last Sat. in Chino, Ca. More on this conference to come…

I’m so encouraged by this news of the aforementioned article today. It’s time out nation wakes up to the reality that prostitution is a human trafficking victims hell. It’s time we revaluate our laws and change them where they need to be changed. We cannot continue to slap a pimp on the wrist for exploiting our nation’s children and the children of those who may have been brought here under false pretences, yet end up in a brothel. It’s sick and we must use our freedom to speak out against the evil in our neighborhoods and use our vote to eradicate slavery in our country. We must stop glorifying pimps (Pretty Woman for example) and call it is what it is: slavery.

I encourage you to check out your county and see if there is a task force in place. If there is not, contact your local congressman and law enforcement and hound them with the need for one until it happens.

A short while back, the Los Angeles PD, was planning to shut down their vice unit due to budget cuts. The police chief was inundated with pleas to keep the vice unit active. It worked! He recognized the communities phone calls, emails and signatures and saw the need for the unit to stay put and he decided to look elsewhere for ways they could cut back.

The OCHTTF (and I presume the other 41 task forces) are more than willing to help other counties set up a task force of their own. They’ve already begun to replicate in other counties throughout southern California.

Want to do something today to help end slavery?

Ask your senator to support the TVPRA! There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today - more than any other time in history. But there is a simple step you can take now to ensure that this number starts to change.In 2000, Congress passed an innovative bill called the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to combat modern-day slavery around the world. This year, the law must be renewed in order to sustain the life-saving programs it established. Please urge your Senator to endorse the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2011. Take action and contact your Senator today!

Give A Damn? Update 8_9_11 (Lots of GOOD news)

Give A Damn — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:56:12 -0700

I will jump right into whats going on! Since the last update, we have put most of our focus into making our Advanced Screening on Aug 14th, 2:30pm at the Tivoli (considered by many the best independent theater in Saint Louis) a success!

Thus far we have over 200 people committed on facebook and have been all over the local news. Today I was live on Ch.2, yesterday Rob and I were on Ch.5, and yesterday we also had a fabulous article in the local paper. This Thursday we will be on Ktrs 550AM with McGraw Milhaven at 9am and then on Friday we will be on the local NPR news station around 11am. Follow our twitter if you want to know the exact details when we find out more!! Thinking we might come close to selling out the 400 seats:)

Also, we have decided on our new name, but want to wait til we have all our graphics figured out so we can unveil it in a stylistic fashion. Next update, we will fill you in!!

We are still working on our tour and our different events. Currently working on the details for Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Phoenix, Vegas, LA, Columbia, MO and a number of other places. Let us know if you want us to do something in your city! Locally, we will definitely be screening the film at Meramec on Sept. 28th and at Washington University on Sept 17th.

A couple goodies for you guys. I have attached a sample of our composer Ian's music in a previous blog. It adds so much to the film and we are so thankful to have him on the project.

Last of all, I have included a blog that shares more of my heart over this past year as we have kept dodging waves of obstacles in this project, and have come up stronger each time. Thanks so much for you support over the last few years!!!

Thanks,
Dan Parris
Director of Give A Damn?
http://www.giveadamndoc.com

Sample of Our Composer Ian Perry's Music

Give A Damn — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 19:40:13 -0700

Justice: Worship that Matters to God

Carrie Nye — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:56:53 -0700

Next Saturday, August 13th I'll be at Calvary Chapel Chino Valley church in Ontario, California. Since February of this year, I've joined forces with a handful of others to plan and prepare for a free conference we're calling Justice: Worship that Matters to God. The inspiration behind the event stems largely from Mark Labberton's book, The Dangerous Act of Worship.

The Dangerous Act of Worship is, without a doubt, one of the most challenging books I have read in regards to my own Christian walk and my understanding of what it means to worship God with my life.

Read this quote from the book and you'll see what I mean.

"If relinquishing control to God is what truly happens as we gather in worship, then it ought to be producing lives that are being transformed to look like Gods life. Then, the more that our worship services lead us into lives of worship, the more we would demonstrate this by attending to the neglected, loving our enemies and remembering those in prison."

Like I said, it's a challenging, eye-opening read that I highly recommend.

So with the book as the backdrop and theme, over the past 6 months or so, a free conference on justice and worship has culminated. The speaker line up is awesome with representatives sharing from International Justice Mission, Street Light Phoenix and Ryan Ries of the Whosoevers. A host of workshops will also be offered and will be led by organizations such as World Vision, Live2Free, Treasures, IJM, yours truly and many more.

The workshop I will be facilitating is called Recognizing Injustice. Before we can recognize injustice, I think we must understand what justice is and where it comes from.

There are over 130 verses on justice in the Bible. In fact, Psalm 89:14 says,

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.

At the very core of God's heart, is justice. Justice is the quality of being just or fair. It's the principle of moral rightness. Injustice is a perversion of God's justice for his people. Check out what Gary Haugen says about injustice in his book Just Courage.

"The sin of injustice is defined in the Bible as the abuse of power by taking from others the good things that God intended for them, namely, their life, liberty, dignity, or the fruits of their labor. In other words, when a stronger person abuses his or her power by taking from a weaker person what God alone has given the weaker person - God judges this as sin. And what has God alone given to all of His children? God has given life, liberty, dignity, and the increase that flows from a person's love and labor. Accordingly, when more powerful persons abuse their power by stealing those good things, they commit the sin of injustice."

In order to recognize injustice, I believe we must move closer to the heart of God and allow his justice to become part of our DNA. You might be thinking, 'this sounds really great in theory but how can I practically do that in my daily life with all of life's responsibilities and chaos?'

I think the answers can be found in the Spiritual Disciplines. Namely, the discipline of keeping a Sabbath, the discipline of prayer and the discipline of worship.

I'm looking forward to the conference for a number of reasons. Over twenty organizations will be there as part of the exhibit and all are fighting against the work of injustice. I'm excited to see so many great groups get together and work and pray to usher in more justice in an unjust world. I'm also excited that Law Enforcement wil be present. Living lives of justice means we have to be educated and know the facts about the injustice taking place in our communities before we can ever begin to fight it.

I'm also looking forward to the times of corporate prayer and worship with the attendees. Forever Found will be leading the group throughout the day in worship. Forever Found is an awesome organization that uses musical gifts and talents to build awareness of the problem of injustice and hope to its victims in aftercare programs.

So if you find yourself just east of Los Angeles next Saturday, come by and check out the conference. It's going to be an incredible day that I hope inspires us all into action and leads us one step closer to Gods radical heart of justice.