2011 Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Lobby Day

It’s time to register for the 2011 Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Lobby Day at the Georgia Capitol with Street GRACE, A Future Not A Past, and Wellspring Living on February 1 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Get ready to make a real difference in the lives of exploited children in our state. Thank your legislator with written notes, make your voice heard, and join together in an awareness-raising show of support for children victimized by CSEC. Registration is free and easy; simply go to streetgrace.org.

Justice, Mercy & Opportunities!

Wonder how you can live out your faith? Explore these many opportunities!

Faith Communities Responding to Domestic Violence
November 17 | Doubletree Hotel (2061 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta)
Religious leaders are frequently the primary contact for support and aid following physical abuse by an intimate partner. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. participants in this one-day dialogue with nationally recognized speakers, will build on their own insight and experience as they explore the dynamics of domestic violence, effective responses to victims and abusers, and local resources available to faith communities. Registration is free. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided. Please RSVP by Tuesday, November 10 via email to taylort@gcadv.org or call 404-209-0280 for more information.

Here is another one:

Prison Ministry, Thresholds will provide a two-day training to certify volunteer mentors on consecutive Saturdays, November 14 and 21, 2009, from 8:30-3:00 each day, at Marist School. Thresholds is a structured program using mentors working one-on-one in training prisoners prior to their release in the art of thoughtful decision making. For more information and to apply, contact Jim Powers, Volunteer Coordinator, jfpowers@bellsouth.net or 404-312-2067

You can also check this out:

Visit RaiseMeUp.org to learn more about this national campaign. On the Georgia pages learn how to get involved to help children in our state. You don't have to raise a child to raise them up. You just have to raise your hand and say you'll help.

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? ~ Micah 6:8

I Wanna be a Sheep!

I Just Wanna Be a Sheep
Words by Brian M. Howard*

Chorus:
I just wanna be a sheep
Baa, baa, baa, baa
I just wanna be a sheep
Baa, baa, baa, baa
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
I just wanna be a sheep
Baa, baa, baa, baa

Don't wanna be a goat, nope
Don't wanna be a goat, nope
Haven't got any hope, nope
Don't wanna be a goat, nope

Don't wanna be a hypocrite
Don't wanna be a hypocrite
They're not hip to it
Don't wanna be a hypocrite

Don't wanna be a Pharisee
Don't wanna be a Pharisee
They're not fair you see
Don't wanna be a Pharisee

Don't wanna be a Sadducee
Don't wanna be a Sadducee
'Cause they're so sad you see
Don't wanna be a Sadducee

Just wanna be a child of God
Just wanna be a child of God
Walkin' the same path He trod
Just wanna be a child of God

Do you remember singing this song during Vacation Bible School or maybe with your youth group? I began to wax nostalgic several days ago when a friend shared with me a couple of youtube video clips and then told me about an upcoming mission trip. This all made me remember and reflect on my pre-clergy days, those days when I believed with all certainty that as a member of the laity I was entitled to care by my pastor whenever I needed it, owed right instruction on the Word of God, and privileged to abdicate all responsibility of my eternal soul to someone other than myself. Those days were carefree and happy child-like days!

Now, this does not mean to say that I wasn't doing something for the kingdom of God. For several years I went on various mission trips. I traveled to Mexico and Venezuela with other missionary's and helped with the construction of several cement block simple form churches. We did outreach with the families and the children by having VBS. Why, we didn't even ask for a single donation to participate in these programs and we bought all the material in our own home town! I will acknowledge that I received as much as I gave through this work (as is often the case when we give a portion back to God, no matter how small the portion). I received relatively cost-free trips to Mexico and Venezuela. I had the opportunity to visit parts of the world that I never would have traveled to under normal circumstances. I made friends and long-lasting relationships with neighbors and fellow church members, and my self-esteem grew in leaps and bounds whenever I was asked to go on another mission trip because I was "needed". So, I was helping to grow the kingdom of God! Wasn't I?

As I reflected deeper, I recognized that the answer to those questions was a resounding "YES"! I was growing the kingdom of God - just not in the way I thought I was doing it. (Surprised?) What I have come to realize is that my kingdom growing was in my own heart and in my personal spiritual growth. As my baby steps of study, prayer and service helped me grow in my relationship with God, my witness to His love and grace began to touch others that he placed in my path, like a ripple in a pond when a stone is thrown in. Many opportunities have been given to me to talk to others and to example my faith. But more than that, I have developed a friendship with God. I am a sheep that knows the sound of my shepherd's voice. Isn't that one of the ways we can grow the Kingdom of God - by wholly becoming immersed in a relationship with our creator and being a witness to His voice?

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd." ~ John 10:14-16


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