Peace in the midst of darkness

I brought canvases and some paint into the "classroom" for Bridging the Gap last week, to paint with the kids before promise group, and then the christmas party. I thought it would be a good idea to have the kids paint what PEACE looked like to them - what did it make them think of, or see? Most of the kids got the idea, though i had to explain it multiple times as they continued to trickle into the room. One painted a scene from the beach in Jamaica, one painted a picture of a "benjamin" saying "its all about the money" and one sat in his own sort of world through the hour, painting and using charcoal - creating quite an impressive, although a bit offsetting piece of art.

There were large splotches of dull colors of green and black and grey with words such as "confusion" "anger" "depressed" and then in the midst of them all, sort of off in a corner was the peace sign.

As i watched, and thought about it for a bit, I realized, isn't that what Christmas is all about? it is about peace - the prince of peace - entering into the midst of fear and anger and darkness and confusion... oppressive rule, poverty, genocide. Jesus was born into this broken world, and he brought light and hope - not completely eliminating the darkness... yet. His plan this time around is beyond my understanding. All i know is he walked among the broken, the sick and the needy. And I think if we want to find him today, to find where he is "arriving" - it is in that same spot. We probably don't have to look far - not even beyond ourselves to find brokenness. But there are others hurting, and needs far greater where we can go and join in the work of redemption that Jesus is doing here now - and the ultimate victory WILL come one day.

check out this post for Advent written today - along a similar vein: http://cotcboston.org/advent/2010/12/23/day-26-christmas-carol-undone-by-sam-albertson

I have been thinking about this for some time. Entering the darkness is hard, yet it is where we find Jesus at work - we find we are given the privilege of being his hands and feet! and we find the enemy is not happy! He would much rather us keep running into "safe" winter wonderland scenes... forgetting the real, hands dirty with down-to-earth love and mercy that Christmas truly is about!

Merry Christmas! Emmanuel - God with us!

Freedom Cards are returning - with new and awesome art!! we will have a link up live soon... for ordering and such :)

I love the connecting of creativity and art with fighting injustice and ending slavery!

freedom cards

Classic Collage 3x5 folded card

Unique party invitations and greeting cards by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

thoughts from the global forum

over the last week ive been trying to grasp time to process and reflect on my time at the global forum - and it hasn't been easy. A gathering of hundreds of abolitionists is in some ways easy to describe – and at the same time impossible – it is exciting, inspiring, challenging and even overwhelming – but overall awesome. And due to the fact that there is SO much going on all at once - it is impossible to capture it all in a blog post. So - here goes - as a snapshot:

This year there was even more of an air of excitement and a resolve to move forward than last year I think… conversations were constantly digging deeper and questions from the audience were helping to unpack challenging and systemic problems - seeking solutions.

Panels ranged from Law enforcement, data collection, social media, and civil engagement, to effective business solutions to keep aftercare sustainable – and presenters came from all across the country and around the world. A definite highlight of the forum was having the modern-day hero Kru Nam there in person with us! She spoke in her gentle spunky way – inspiring all who listened to follow her example and “be the change you want to see” as Brant Christopher’s song “march out” says. The last day of the conference Kru Nam received a gift of $150,000 from NFS for further construction on the village she is building for kids rescued from brothels in the big cities of Thailand! It was so exciting to know that now more kids would be safely housed, and would have access to classrooms for a school, and a community center of sorts for the village! Wednesday night musicians gathered to perform an awesome collection of pieces for the “Abolitionist Concert” –amazing, inspiring talent!

Through the many conversations I had with other state directors, attendees and panelists, I gathered a common thread of the importance of working across often constructed boundaries – and the urgency understand and overcome to things that are separating us in this movement – or else it will not last. We need to stand strong – and stand together! To learn how to help others, and be able to communicate how in turn, they can help us out – mutual benefit. As one of the panelists put it: “beware of the plague of the grand unifying theory of the universe – no, we can’t all be in sync at the same time! Yet… we must work to cultivate a global ideology against slavery!”

(this was reinforced last week when i was talking with Ben Skinner (author of A Crime so Monstrous) and he shook his head at the fractioning happening globally, but especially at the local level - saying "this has to stop - or the movement will fall apart")

So Be encouraged – much is happening! And be challenged – there is more to be done – and You have a part to play in this!

more info and reflections: notforsalecampaign.org

be strong

Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!

Joshua 1:9

My pastor pointed out - God says BE strong and courageous - not FEEL strong... sometimes we may not feel very strong or courageous - but that's ok. We are called to BE strong - in His strength- and to step forward into what He is calling us.

this week i haven't felt all that strong. I realized the close proximity to violence - as we were doing outreach a guy boasted he had shot another guy in the leg earlier that sunday morning... a girl at the promise group bible study tonight is from the street where four people were shot and killed last week... one of the guys killed was the cousin of the boyfriend of another girl who was at Promise group.

the pain and the violent tragedies are not insular. What happens across the city does affect us - and through the web of relationships, we are connected.

"Tug on anything at all and you'll find it connected to everything else in the universe" - John Muir

today in Staff meeting at EGC we talked about ecosystems -interconnected, balanced, cycles - and what does a gospel ecosystem look like? what does it mean to think about the vitality of the church in terms of a healthy ecosystem? What is the pollution that causes sickness? what keeps the balance regulated? We must recognize everyone comes with differing perspectives - which can change the definition of things. The fruits of the spirit are produced in a healthy spiritual ecosystem - connecting through relationships - between us and God, between each other, and between us and nature. Sin is not an element of the system, but rather unhealthy relationships - brokenness introduced, affecting the entire system.

We are all operating in complex systems all the time - and our goal should not be to try harder to understand these systems - but to enter in and engage them - be conscious of the reality, and learn.

in the moment

wow- a lot is going on! I was telling a friend- i wish there were 2 more hours tagged onto each day to process and reflect the rest. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to blog, or even write. Perhaps it all goes back to prioritizing.

i have a quote on my wall that says "when God made time, he made enough of it"

so - how do i choose to use this time i have been given? these moments... all flying by, just as fast, or slow as the last... only in this moment do i have the ability to act - to do - to be.

What does it mean to fully live in each moment- while at the same time, fully resting in God's love- soaking in the reality that He loves me - and wants me to just be with Him... to praise - to love back - to just BE.

God cares about the brokenness, injustice, pain and suffering happening right now all over the world -and down the street- he does. and yet at the same time, he cares about me. What?! about molding and creating me into this design he has in mind. To heal and work through my weaknesses, to teach me to love more fully, to trust more deeply, to step forward more courageously into the calling. And sometimes this means stepping back from the front lines of battle. again - it doesn't make much sense in some ways -but think about staying healthy and balanced.

His arm is long enough - to reach the brokenness of the world- to reach me. (Isaiah 59:1)

St. Theresa’s Prayer: May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.’

~~~~~

we were sitting at the kitchen table today after lunch with a friend - she is wanting to get off the streets. off drugs, away from selling her body - to a new life - to let God heal and transform - she wants it - but she can't seem to break out of the cycle of running back to what she knows, as soon as she gets close to leaving the life she wants to leave. What is "comfortable" to her is brokenness - under the bridge - drugs- survival - fights. How to learn to be out of her comfort zone - in a space where there is quiet - so that God can work to heal her?? layers of pain built up over 20 years of running the streets. She needs to get out of this space where there is always a back exit from the spaces she has gone for help. She can run right back to what she knows, and is "good at" i might add.

In really wanting to be community - we choose to be there for others- to listen, to support, to love, and to say - "stand strong! stop running! maybe that means leaving everyone and everything you've known- and going to a place far away. Maybe you need to eliminate all the exit strategies and escape routs from healing." so loving, might be saying to leave.

being in community is beautiful - it is hard - it is painful sometimes - yet such a blessing to see God working in the lives of those around you - and having the privilege of being a small part :) Earlier today it was awesome to see God at work in so many lives! A girl came on the van to church with us who just turned 18. She is staying out at a shelter - and is getting ready to go into the Army to be a cook. She's so young - so vulnerable. I pray God keeps her safe and continues to draw her near to His grace and peace through the craziness of life that she is in right now.

The sermon today was on Joshua 1 - and God's continual reminders to Joshua to be Strong and Courageous! Do not be terrified - do not be discouraged - for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!!

we don't have to feel courageous - we are commanded to BE courageous. very different things really. I think i often tell myself i need to feel strong and courageous - and when i don't, i feel like im failing to be who God is calling me to. It is exactly in those moments of feeling weak - yet stepping forward in courage - where God's strength and glory is seen!

I feel like yesterday was an example of that. I wasn't particularly feeling strong - yet because of an incredible team and God's grace - we pulled together an awesome event - Boston's first Free2Walk!! over 130 people came, and walked through Boston's history of abolition - and hopefully everyone found tangible ways they could stay involved in the movement today.

So moving forward from that -and networking the boston community - it requires me to step forward - to act in God's strength - even if i don't always feel it.

Each moment - be strong. soak in His love and remember- if you gain the whole world (end slavery - poverty- injustice), yet have not love - you gain nothing.

faith based

Faith-Based; based on faith
grounded on things hoped for, unseen, intangible, yet a foundation unshakable. A trust in something other than our own ambitions, non-profit business plans (aka make no money) and the screaming needs of this world.
to base our plans on faith is to say we don't know. we don't understand everything. we have faith in One who is all-knowing, who has the blueprints, the game plan, the final victory - won already actually. hmm.

we are saying our efforts do not add up to anything on their own
our foundation is outside of ourselves, and our focus and entire reason for existing is for a greater cause - it is a calling - a call to restoration, and redemption - to join in the process of "I make all things new"
we are in line with the backwards nature of a kingdom whose king came and lived among the poor, in an occupied land, who called his followers to give up everything they held close in this world, to love their enemies, do good to those who hurt you, pray for those who persecute you, turn the other cheek and don't put on pious shows like "whitewashed tombs". The heart matters. the motivation matters. the intent - and the inner, secret, whispers of your heart matter in this kingdom. the poor are blessed, the weak are cared for, the oppressed are set free and renewed.
we base our organizations on the faith that this king is bringing this kingdom here and now -and one day it will come completely!
True Justice will be shown, and righteousness will rule. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and self control will be the norm - as Jesus Christ's redeeming blood washes over those who confess our brokenness, and trust in His rule as Lord and King.

on this we base our faith.

on this our work is faith based.

may it not be said or experienced that "faith based" means walls and rules and regulations, "holier than thou" judgments, oppressive head beatings with the bible, or discrimination against the very ones who Jesus came to love and to care for. anyone can have compassion, and want to make a difference in the world - there is no need for faith to fight for a cause - and i believe we can and must work together with others who do not share a faith in this King - yet we must remember we are fighting for something far greater than a cause - and our motivation is different - our perspective is on a higher vantage point - our strength comes not from ourselves.

"in Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light my hope my strength my shield. This cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm..."

thoughts?

stand there

July 5, 2010. What is going on? You are searching for answers. But confusion has come. This has affected your peace of mind. You have begun to rely excessively upon your intellect and reason. The Lord says rely not on your own thinking or wisdom. You have been given the mind of Christ. You are hidden in Him and He lives within you. Therefore, your resources are without limit to gain supernatural knowledge of all things pertaining to you. God's wisdom is a free and an abundant gift. Settle down here beside Me. Everything is alright in the Father's house. You are here with Me and I am with you.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NASB) "But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." Ras Robinson


sometimes God says to just be! Be still and know that I am God.

"don't just do something, stand there!"

this is so backwards from what everyone is telling us all the time - what we are telling ourselves - what our value is measured by - what our worth is. We are programed to DO and DO some more until we are burnt out and run ragged - and people say "oh wow, they truly have been sacrificial - what a servant's heart" and they uphold this twisted martyrdom as heroic! I listen to it too! But, i have come to realize, running ourselves into the ground is not what God is looking for. Yes, he wants us to give ourselves up - He wants our all - but he want us to take care of that "all". He wants us to realize we can't do it - to come "to the end of ourselves" but long before we are burnt out - Rather than keep licking the last drops of water out of ourselves, He wants us to surrender to His abundant flow of living water - that He will generously pour into us so that we never run dry. WE never run dry - from HIS supply. WE don't have the answers, but HE does - and he wants to give them to us - in his time and as he will... if we would just come sit and rest by him. watch what he is about - learn to see with His vision - the complexity takes shape, rather than chaos and a mad tangle of spaghetti. He is there to comfort and He has a plan.
I rush around trying to fit it into a box - and he wants to burst through all boxes - to show himself to be more than we can ask or imagine!
I want to accomplish tangible goals to appear that im "doing something"
He says the waiting, watching, building relationships and 'random' conversations are just as valuable
I want to figure things out
He says listen
I want to pour myself out - to give - to be busy - to meet the needs
He says, His grace is sufficient. Rest. recognize He alone can bring healing
I want to know where im going
He says he will open the right doors when the time comes - take one step at a time. or even, there is a time to stand still.
Im tired of confusion!
Its not confusion - it is a melody - a tapestry - a masterpiece - you need only to step back and see.

Oh Lord, give me the eyes to see what you see! Help me to keep focused on your face - as i step into the waves -may i not fear the wind and waves, but see only you before me - and not even care that im walking on water. You are my strength and my song, my ever-present help in trouble.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths!
Proverbs 3:56

celebrate freedom

as we have cook-outs, watch fireworks, sing old "patriotic" songs - what is this "freedom" we celebrate? This independence for our country - this blessing of God we invoke - liberty and justice for all?
Who is given freedom? and on the backs of what lives? with the slave labor of who's ancestors and the destruction of who's land did we "boldly go west"
I suppose i listened to the songs we were singing a bit closer this year- trying listening as a wold-citizen - not 'Euro-centric' 'white' 'Caucasian' - or whatever term you like - American. Also, listening with the realization that freedom, justice and liberty never has truely been for all - there always seem to be the "except for..." category - or the ignored and pushed aside populations within our boarders.

"My country tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died!
Land of the Pilgrim's pride!
From every mountain side,
Let Freedom ring! "

The Pilgrim's pride means the first people's stolen land? Sweet land of liberty - yet when the declaration of independence was written, the rights of every man was pretty much just talking about white protestant property owners. Where were the rights for the women, the people of all different shades of skin , and those not wealthy enough to own property?
Thankfully things have changed - slowly - and slavery is now "illegal" around our "sweet land of liberty" nearly 200 years later! yet it still exists - people are still being bought and sold outright.
in a different light - people are held in debts, in greed, in consumerism, in lies and corruption... This land is not a pretty picture in many ways.

There is a place for thankfulness for the blessings we have - and yet always to remember there are others from whom these very blessings may be denied. How will we use our freedom to help others gain theirs?
We can praise the natural beauty of the country - yet remember we have a responsibility in caring for it -and remembering the hard truth of history. What is our role now in bringing healing and reconciliation? how will we take care of this earth, and the people on it?

Ultimately as Christians the boarders around us are not to be held onto so tightly. Our first allegiance is not to the United States of America, but "to a King and a Kingdom" as Derek Webb writes. Our citizenship is not here, but in Heaven - and our first goal is to reach others with the good news about Jesus - to offer that hope and true freedom - not to find ways to block our boarders and arrest those hear without papers, or without a voice to explain. Now, im not getting into all that -but just to think.

How might we better serve those around us, and bring a bit more truth to the phrase "sweet land of liberty"? The truth is, America is uniquely positioned in the world to make an impact for good - and more importantly, Christ has commanded his followers to be positioned in the world to make an impact for good - and for His kingdom!

May we pray for our broken country - and pray for our broken world - and pray how we might be called to step up and take action in our communities to bring Christ's healing and true freedom!

past labels

What do you think of when you hear "teen prostitute"?

what do you think of when you hear "sexually exploited child"?

the power of words is amazing - associations, generalizations, stereotypes - often we put people, things, institutions, whole social systems in boxes - into things we try to make sense of, dismiss, or demonize. What are we really accomplishing? how do we move past these labels to humanity? to truth - even ugly truth. How do we recognize the victim and reach out with support for empowerment, rather than turning the other way saying "thats all they were good for anyway". That is ultimately what we are saying if we stop and think about it - when we don't care that a young girl from Uphams Corner goes missing - when we don't want to face the back of the Pheonix and recognize the exploitation happening there, but rather shut it fast. When the media gets all upset about a white girl from the suburbs with wealthy parents who gets abducted, and nothing is mentioned about the hundreds of girls who go missing from our city's poorest communities. This is not ok.

I went to an all day training today through "My Life My Choice" - much of these thoughts comes from processing the training.
something interesting from the training...

Who is at Risk?
girls at risk for recruitment into CSEC (commercial sexual exploitation of children) are girls who:

• Are under 18 years old
• Walk to school or to the stare alone
• Own or have access to a computer
• Are attracted to consumer goods
• Desire to develop romantic relationships
• sometimes feel insecure
• feel misunderstood
  
• fight with their parents
• sometimes feel their parents don't care
• want more independence
• test boundaries and take risks

question: According to this list, who is at risk for recruitment into CSEC? Know anyone - especially any teens that fit those?

exactly - this could happen to anyone! which is why we must continue to get the word out! and, we must watch out language and move past harmful labels.

in the quiet

in the quiet of the night - the city still is moving. there are voices yelling outside, sirans blaring down the street, a baby cries - too hot to sleep.
I wonder how many people around the block from where i sit are worried about tomorrow's food and shelter - or if they will be pregnant, or hurt again when their boyfriend wakes up. do they dare leave? no.
I sit and wonder what my role is - in this city - in this world - as a voice for the voiceless, speaking up on behalf of the estimated 27 million in slavery today - there are so many different things needing to be done! the problem is HUGE and complex and interconnected!! Yet - it does not overwhelm God. He has declared that it will end - and he is bringing that to pass - he has choces to use us- his people! will we stand up and fight this battle with him?
As I process and learn to listen to His leading - i hope this space will be a place of reflection and sharing of what im learning. I hope you find it helpful or at least encouraging.

the problems can seem huge and overwhelming, but I serve a God who has a plan, and I have been given a peice of that to do. Only a peice. I can go to bed tonight handing him the rest - not carrying it on my sholders. He promises he will never sleep - so I will let him watch over all the problems and issues and conserns tonight.
I heard that word of wisdom from my friend E.

I am thankful for friends. For community. For the freedom to let go and let God lead me where he will - I can stay in this space of uncertainty and flexibility. it is a gift for right now. And i am glad. It can be hard- but i am learning.
there is a deeper purpose for my existance than I may assume. God's kindom is coming - and is already here - and I am called to be a part of that. It is coming as upsidedown and backwards as one could imagine - and so we are called to be last - to be the servant - to be poor and lowly and there to seek His face. to Love. to be filled with Joy!

Joy is a powerful thing. Never loose it.