First-Ever Human Trafficking Blog Awareness Month
That headline up there is a complete and utter figment of my imagination. No such monster exists.
Except in my mind. And Don and Jill Dudley’s mind.
Let me explain.
Four days ago Don Dudley [of You See Dry Bones fame] emailed me and a handful of bloggers and asked if we’d like to use our blogs to raise awareness for human trafficking in the month of May.
I thought it was a great idea for two reasons.
One, human trafficking is a horrific crime. Twenty-seven million people are enslaved today, often as sex slaves. This includes children.
Human trafficking deserves attention.
The other reason I though raising awareness on human trafficking was a great idea was because I’ve never really stood for anything on my blog outside of a clear, graceful articulation of the cross of Christ.
That’s a good thing. But it’s time I elevated my eyes off of my orthodoxy and put my doctrine to work.
While this isn’t much, and I’m not 100% sure how this blog awareness is supposed to look like, I think blogging about it and asking people to do something [see list below] is a great start…
And this is where I need your help.
1. If you’re a blogger, devote three or four articles to human trafficking this month. Point back to Jill’s original post on human trafficking. At least her website. [This is what I'll be doing.]
2. Go visit Not For Sale an organization devoted to freeing modern-day slaves. Blog about their site.
3. Google “human trafficking” and bone up on the topic. If this is your first exposure to it, you’ll be astonished by what you learn.
4. Donate to an organization like NFS.
5. Pray for an end to modern-day slavery.
6. Create a team at your church or business or home to raise money or awareness. You can even do this as a family.
7. Finally, give me some more ideas on how we can raise more awareness on human trafficking and make the “First-Ever Human Trafficking Blog Awareness Month” not only a reality, but a success.
Next Monday I’ll share my story on how I first learned about human trafficking and hope you’ll do the same. So start thinking about that.
Remember, if you’re a blogger, blog about this topic this month. At least once. Four times would be great.
Now, got any ideas on how we can make this month a success? Please share and do your part. Thank you!
Link Happy [Favorite Posts before 5.1.10]
I’m breaking two laws today.
One spoken. The other unspoken.
The spoken law I am breaking has to do with a vow not to post on Saturday.
I’m making an exception since I’ve been posting only four times a week instead of five.
The unspoken law is about a personal pledge not to do posts devoted to sharing articles I like.
I reserved Twitter and Facebook for that.
But since I’ve abandoned Twitter and Facebook until May 23, my main source for sharing favorite articles is gone. So I’m sharing here.
Enjoy.
Survey: 72% of Millenials ‘More Spiritual Than Religious’
Little here to encourage you. Most notable: “Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes, half no.”
Confession of Faith Guanabara
Brazilian blogger Jorge Bessa says it’s one of the oldest confessions of faith of Reformation era–written by four missionaries sent by John Calvin to the newly-founded Rio de Janeiro. [Click on the American flag to translate to English.]
Grilled Squid
Drawn to this article by the headline and sub-headline. That’s the headline up there. Here’s the sub: “A ghastly day on Capitol Hill for Goldman Sachs’s top brass.” Why I like the Economist.
Mind Over Money
Darling little 60-minute show by PBS on the battle between behavioral scientists and rational economists over this question: Can markets be rational when humans aren’t? Great sidebar resources, too.
Breaking Things Down to Particles Blinds Scientists to the Big Picture
I quote: “We want to believe we will understand nature if we find the exact right tool to cut its joints. But that approach is doomed to failure. We live in a universe not of clocks but of clouds.”
The Challenge of Writing about David Foster Wallace
I was immediately charmed when I learned DRW wrote a 1,300 page, heavily annotated, footnote dense novel. Then I read it. Thinking writing about him is hard? Try reading him.
By the way, do you mind if I do more posts like this? Yes or no? Give me your opinion. I’m thinking of doing more.
What Are You Reading? And Why?
I’m always curious to know what books you are reading–helps me discover titles I might have never uncovered.
I’m also curious to know WHY you are reading those particular books.
In return, I like to share what books I’m reading in hopes I might introduce you to something new.
By the way: I’m trying to read 100 books this year. But guess what? I’m hopelessly behind.
[Let that be our little secret.]
Nonetheless, in my delusional quest to read 2.25 books a week perhaps I’ll break last year’s record…[which might be a little hard to determine since I never kept track of the books I read last year. Oh well.]
Anyway, here are the six books I’m working through right now.
Old Testament [Out of the Apologetics Study Bible
Hoping to read this in about a 5 week period. By the way, does each book of the OT count as one book? If so, then I’ll have read 33 books in 5 weeks. [Please tell me it does!]
Why I’m Reading It: I don’t think a mature Christian you make without a solid understanding of the OT under your belt. So I make reading it an annual event.
Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament
Book-by-book survey of the OT. Reading it in lockstep with the OT.
Why I’m Reading It: See the above reason.
Coaching for Improved Work Performance
A business book geared for managers hoping to increase productivity. Insights so far: managers need employees more than employees need them and work is simply “renting a certain behavior.” In my case, writing behavior.
Why I’m Reading It: I always want to be better at what I do. At this time it’s being a better editor.
Paradise Lost
John Milton’s classic tale of the Fall. I have to confess: I’m actually listening to it. But you can, too. For free: Paradise Lost at LibriVox.
Why I’m Reading It: Never have. And I love the rich language. As a writer, this is important. I’d recommend all writers to read classics like Paradise Lost. [Or listen to it.]
City of God
St. Augustine’s classic defense of the Christian faith. Reading about 3 pages every morning, which will take me the entire year. In just 300 pages though I’ve got an extensive education on pagan religions and Platonism. Didn’t expect that. [I like those little surprises.]
Why I’m Reading It: I don’t interact with ancient texts [history in general] enough, which restricts my understanding of my faith. Hoping to bridge that gap.
Statistics Demystified
One of those DIY books on the branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. It’s got a freaky cover. [So says my kids.]
Why I’m Reading It: I’ve always been fascinated with mathematics. But woefully ignorant of the topic. Plus, I like to learn about things wildly out of my field and exercise parts of my brain that are asleep.
So, what are you reading? And why? Also, are you a library fanatic? [I am.] Or do you prefer to buy books? New or used? I look forward to comments.
Everything You Know about 1 Corinthians 13 Is Wrong
You can’t find a more popular portion of the Bible than 1 Corinthians 13.
It’s the bubbly “love” chapter, clamping down on the biblical meaning of love.
Or so you think.
First Corinthians 13 at first blush is perfect for weddings. Hallmark cards. Little plaques above your kitchen sink [where ours hangs].
Who wouldn’t love the simplicity of “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude”?
It carries a certain charm–an almost mystical hold on us when it comes to love.
I once found this chapter in an anthology of love poems, alongside the likes of Lord Byron and Kahlil Gibran. Unusual bedfellows if I ever saw any.
Never the Purpose of 1 Corinthians 13
I know during one of my crankier moments in life [that extended from birth to MAYBE just a couple of weeks ago] I memorized this chapter in hopes that it would manage to make me a more kinder, gentler man.
It didn’t work.
Why? Well, it was never intended to be a charter on sweetness. Or seventeen habits of highly-sentimental people.
Paul intended it to be a lot dirtier than that.
Just think were the chapter is embedded…in between two very tough chapters on spiritual gifts.
But you’re still being very narrowed minded if you leave it at that. You must step back even further.
Think about Who Paul Was Writing To
First Corinthians 12-14 are couched in a letter to who? The Corinthians. A self-absorbed, smug, stingy set of church members.
That means while writing his letter hunched over, pen in hand and brow furled bent on setting the Corinthians straight, Paul didn’t sit back and say, “I feel like writing a splendid little reverie on love. Barnabas, did you hear that? I’m going to write a love poem!”
No.
He intended chapter 13 to serve much like God intended the ten commandments to serve: a schoolmaster who drives the disobedient to Christ.
Think about this: Paul is saying, “You think you know what love is? You don’t have a clue what love is. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful….”
In other words, 1 Corinthians 13 is a reprimand. Not an elegant poem that gives us the warm and fuzzies.
A Good Sermon on 1 Corinthians 13
Alistair Begg makes this point in a wonderful series on 1 Corinthians 13. He explains that taken in isolation, 1 Corinthians 13 is often abused, as I noted above.
But once you understand Paul’s original meaning and purpose behind the chapter, you’ll appreciate the chapter so much more.
In the end, 1 Corinthians 13 is a statement against the popular notion [that still holds today] that love is out of our control.
Paul declares that godly love is manly and willful:
It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
It takes guts to endure all things.
What to Do Next
But Paul’s point in the end is that we will never measure up to the standard laid out in 1 Corinthians 13. There is only one person who did such a thing. Jesus Christ.
And what that means is that we will always struggle with this love–a love that never ends–until we humbly submit to the only living person who ever fully and completely fulfilled the law of love–Jesus Christ.
Does this mean you throw out that plaque hanging over your kitchen sink? No. It means you look at it and remember that you will never measure up to that standard until you bow down to the very lord of love–Jesus Christ.
Two Reasons Why We Need to Correct Our Views on Love and Sexuality
Yesterday’s candid post on the Song of Songs prompted some interesting comments.
My wife said: “Ummm, babe, I think someone just hijacked your blog.”
Yes, I take that as a compliment.
My buddy Scott said, “This is by far the toughest sentence I have ever read.” He was referring to this statement:
Contrast this with the ephemeral, capricious and shallow character of contemporary loveand you see God’s vision for marriage involves a volitional, muscular emotion that has a singular and solitary intent to honor the object of it’s affections.
That’s actually my most favorite-ist sentence. And yes, I take his comment as a compliment.
Richard DeVeau’s comment is a different story.
He said, “Perhaps it’s my age, but when I read about apples, raisins, figs, walnuts and spices, I only think about pie.”
That nearly brought my yogurt through my nose.
Then another good buddy said, “Very well done. I feel that this is one of the most beautiful books of The Bible.”
I have to agree.
Finally, there’s Rob’s comment…a comment which pointed out that our silence on the topic of love and sexuality has led the culture to dominate and define it.
This is not good. Rob went on to say:
[Songs] clearly shows that sex, and even boyish giggle inducing when you talk about it sex, is a glorious & God-honoring blessing to man and woman and the only stipulation is within the hedge of protection provided by marriage.
In other words, sex within in a monogamous, heterosexual marriage is not only part of God’s original plan for creation [and indeed, a pivotal ingredient if we are going to succeed in this thing called "our cultural mandate"]–but it can also be erotic, deeply emotional and ultimately satisfying.
Rob closes his comment with two penetrating questions. Questions I want you to respond to:
How many Christian couples do you know that struggle with this? How many unbelievers do you know that have gotten a flawed view of sexuality from the church and that’s lead to them dismissing Jesus altogether?
I have to confess that my own view of sex within a Christian marriage has been distorted in the past. It wasn’t until pastors like Piper and Driscoll and a book by Kostenberger
This brings to mind something Grudem expresses the “Introduction” to his Systematic Theology
That’s not easy to do. But it’s part and parcel of developing a mature Christian mind.
And while the second question might sound shallow and baseless and somewhat offensive to an agnostic or atheist, it’s really not.
The reasons for dismissing Jesus and Christianity are often emotional and moral–not intellectual. Thus a flat, flawed view of sex within Christianity amounts to a dull, boring life…
“No thanks,” the non-believer might say.
That’s why I think it’s important to get this topic right–both for the believer AND the non-believer.
On the one hand a healthy, Christian view of love and sexuality avoids frustration and division within a marriage. Instead, it invites joy and unity.
On the other hand it allows us to control the cultural conversation and express a genuine benefit to unbelievers [not that we're trying to attempt to bribe them...merely taking an excuse away] about the passion and bliss found in Christian love and sexuality.
So what about you: Do you struggle with what love and sexuality look like within a Christian marriage? Besides reading and studying a book like Songs, how have you attempted to remedy that? And do you know anybody who’s dismissed Jesus and Christianity because of a flawed view of love and Christian sexuality?
I look forward to your thoughts. Brutal and all.
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