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I've known about Human Trafficking for a few years now...through these great small sessions and seminars in the Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters. They taught me how I actually live in the # 1 city for human trafficking in the United States, yes...Atlanta, GA...It was quiet heart breaking to know that these children are around my own daughter's age...6-12...and how they are horribly abused. Did I ever do anything about it you say? Unfortunately, all I could do was pray and donate money.
Yesterday...while attending my usual Wednesday meeting's at Fusion (Victory World Church), we had a great speaker, although for a short period of time, the Holy Spirit touched my heart through this speaker in a deep way....so deep that I cannot express it in words.
Mr. David Batstone, author of "Not for Sale" and president of Not for Sale Campaign...
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/who-are-we.html didn't give a huge lecture...it was more of a brief feeding of knowledge into our Spiritual brain, but a rude awakening to those hearts who had no idea all of this was happening at home. What threw me back, wasn't the trafficking humans nightmare since it wasn't new to me, but that Atlanta, GA is the # 5 city in the world for human trafficking. Especially since I actually chose to raise my daughter in this city over Los Angeles, CA where I was born and raised. My heart broke in tears while thinking, okay I grew up around gangs, drugs and many destructive families, and yes I'm sure even afar prostitution. But to receive the eye opener of how children are being trafficked for sex at such an early age and humans in general in OUR OWN BACKYARDS!
I remember having the same feelings at the Salvation Army seminar, but yesterday God planted a seed in my heart, ideas, a Spiritual feeling sensation that I can actually do something. This wasafter Mr. Batstone and Mike, one of our church's small group leaders, filled us with so much research, knowledge and yes why not, rubbed off that feeling that even little me "Can make a change".
So I ask you, my family in Christ, a prayer request....it's a planted seed, so help me pray for the Holy Spirit to guide me in all...I can't explain much yet, but please pray.
In addition, here a couple of websites I took note of while Mr. Batstone & Mike spoke. I haven't gone through all of them, but it's great researched information; hope you're impacted even if it's in a small way to help.
http://www.notforsalecampaign.org/
http://www.slavelaborproject.net
http://www.freetheslaves.net
http://www.slaverymap.org/ (Find it in your own city through this website, more are added weekly)
Thank you very much for taking time off to read this and I hope all churches, regardless of religion, come together as what we are...One Body of Christ...to end the reality of these children's living nightmare.
God bless you all...!
Elizabeth
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As some of you know (either because you know me or have read my previous blog), I’m being tested with many trials. Therefore, now more than ever I’ve hold on to God’s promises and word of standing by my side and walking with me until I find light in all my dark valleys! By the way, I’ve already had Victory in Christ with one of those trials…Amen to the power of God…now a few less to go!
Well for the last few days I’ve been sent messages of God through my own 7 yr old (8 this month) daughter. About a week ago, my youngest sibling was visiting me and we were in my room talking about many trials in our lives and simply girl talk; when out of no where Stephanie, my daughter, comes in to say “Mom remember we walk by faith and not by sight”. Yes, I had your same expression on my face “what”? I know we both always talk about Jesus (God) and always say our nightly prayers, but how is it that my 7yr old (almost 8…can’t forget to emphasize that…jeje) would come up to me and out of the blue say something that fitted in my life so well…? So I asked “baby where did you hear that from”? She replied “Mommy our teachers at church taught us that, so don’t ever forget it okay and she said it again…We walk by faith and not by sight”. I said “Yes baby, I will never forget it and thank you” and simply hugged her with all my might, because I knew she’d been sent by God as His little messenger!
Okay, so you say what a blessing right? Well read this...
I’ve been having problems after problems with my truck and it just doesn’t stay fixed; on some afternoons while driving back home I get frustrated not because of the traffic, but because I could hear how my poor truck is struggling and I know it’s crazy, but it breaks my heart and frustrates me into a gloomy face. Although I keep listening to praises and worships for my God to keep saying to myself “He is in this battle with me” and although I try to keep a straight face, my princess always notices it when I get to the after-care program to pick her up.
Well yesterday, once we got home and started putting our coats, backpacks, etc…away my daughter asked me “mommy did you have a bad day at work…are you okay”. I immediately apologized and explained that I was very frustrated with my truck, because it was my only transportation and means to work, which is what supports us both and that unfortunately I needed to take it back to the shop this week. Surprisingly once again, my daughter taught “ME” a lesson. She said “Mommy you have to remember to let Jesus take care of your truck, you have to remember that Jesus wants us happy and He will make sure everything goes well, so just LET GO and LET IT TO GOD”. I’m even more in shock then the previous message God sent me, because I’ve been trying to do that with many things in my life and in the flesh it’s been hard, so for my princess to tell me that (the message told to me by others too), almost broke me into tears, but instead I rejoiced in the Lord and said “Yes baby and thank you so much for the reminder” and then I kissed her until she couldn’t stop laughing…jeje!
I briefly shared this with a friend and he thought it was a good idea to post a blog, so here I am…. Although I truly don’t like to write much because I don’t know where to stop….jeje…I hope you enjoy this blessed little story and that God touches your heart in the only way He can…Amen!
God loves you and so do I...!
Elizabeth
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Have you ever had the urge to scream…?“It rains, it pours, but God it’s storming…please help”
A very famous line among us Americans… “When it rains it pours” and in Latin America a similar phrase that I grew up with…“Señor aprietame pero no me ahorques”! For years I believed that this Spanish phrase had actually came from the Bible, until I discovered that it was an abbreviation of the words from God in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Well for a few months now I’ve gotten the urge to scream for many unfortunate reasons; my heart, soul and life are going through many trials and so I screamed to God “Lord it’s storming”! “I can’t go on”! “It’s impossible” “I can’t find a solution, I don’t understand” “But Lord I don’t have any strength, I just can’t”! “I am so worried and frustrated; I feel all alone”! “Lord are you there?” “Please answer me”! God answered me through His word:
When I said “Lord it’s not only pouring its Storming”…
God says “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” 1 Corinthians 10:13
When I said “I can’t go on”…
God says “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me” 2 Corinthians 12:9
When I said “It’s impossible”
God says “"What is impossible with men is possible with God…” Luke 18:27
When I said “I can’t find the solution, I don’t understand”
God says “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6
When I insisted in the flesh “But Lord I don’t have strength”
God says “You can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you" and "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” Phillipians 4:13 & 2 Corinthians 9:8
When I kept thinking “I’m so worried and frustrated, I feel lonely”
The Lord so wonderful and merciful says “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you and.…Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” 1 Peter 5:7 & Hebrews 13:5
What did I do and still do after reading these words that are so bold, full of wisdom and love? Read it and read it about a thousand times until my heart, mind, body and soul feel it profoundly. My flesh is stubborn, so I need to read God’s words until my hearts make it come to life and until all my troubles are left to the feet of our Lord! I praise God for His wonderful words! Have you ever walked through those dark valleys? Have you screamed at God “Lord its Storming please help”? Share your testimonies so that we may all read how God’s word can come to life even today! I look forward to your uplifting testimonies! God loves you and so do I…! Thank you & God bless you all! Elizabeth
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| Mychurch.org home page says...http://www.mychurch.org/ "What type of churches can I find here? MyChurch is reserved for Christian churches that follow the Nicene Creed". Nice Creed.... http://www.creeds.net/ancient/nicene.htm
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
I grew up in a Catholic Church...until I discovered Christ at a whole different level for around 4 years now in a Christian environment. I don't like to be labeled "religiously". I just believe in ONE mighty God, follow His word as much as possible, AND FOCUS ON MY RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST ABOVE ALL!
I didn't start this blog to create chaos, but with the hope of clearing up my confusion as why this website has that statement; in other words "Does it mean everyone is Catholic on this website"? Well I'm 100% sure that answer is "NO", so why the statement? Be gentle with your explanation...remember God loves you and so do I...!
Blessings! |
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