I have a few things I have been wanting to share with you. This is a multi-purpose post…it will combine several bits of information all in one post. Kind of a grab bag sort of post.
First, let me share with you that I get very excited when I hear of new groups doing the Legacy study. I WANT TO BE THERE WITH THEM on their first night to help kick off the study. When it is feasible, I go and help kick off study groups, but, alas, I cannot physically be with most groups. I am very excited to share with you that I now have a DVD specifically designed to accompany the Legacy Bible study.
Ideally it would be used on the first night of Bible study for groups doing From the Trash Pile to the Treasure Chest: Creating a Godly Legacy. On the DVD, I talk about the importance of building a godly legacy and give an overview of the Legacy Bible study. The DVD is for sale on my website along with the Legacy study workbook and Leader Guide. The cost of the DVD is $9 which includes shipping.
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Second, a fellow blogger, Gina Smith, wrote an in-my-face post recently on how we use our hormones as an excuse for our behavior. In it she challenged us/me to stop that stuff and take responsibility for our words and actions. Ya’ll, what woman has not blamed silly/ugly/rude/ridiculous behavior on PMS or menopause at one time or another? Hmmm, surely I do not see any hands waving in the air. Of course, we all have. And it is not just women, as you will see when you read the post. I really think we all need to read her post. To that end, I am linking to it. Head over, read, and be convicted!
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Third, are you aware that human slavery still exists? Yes, it does. Right here in the good old U.S of A, as well as around the world. It exists in the form of sex trafficing and it involves children as young as 7 and 8 years old. Does that turn your stomach? I hope so.
Consider these statistics from a recent post over at Internet Cafe Devotions:
- § A child is trafficked every 30 seconds. – UNICEF
- § The average age of entry into commercial sex slavery in the United States is 13 years old. – United States Department of Justice
- § Human Trafficking occurs in 161 out of 192 countries. – The United Nations
- § Pornography is a 96 billion dollar per year industry. – The Internet Filter Review
- § Up to 96% of women in prostitution want to escape but feel they can’t. – United Labor Organization
- § Human Trafficking is a 32 billion dollar per year industry. – The United Nations
- § In some countries it is estimated that 70% of men purchase sex. – Victor Malarek; The Johns
- § Over 27 million people are enslaved around the world. This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. – Kevin Bales; Free the Slaves
Very soon, a documentary, entitled Nefarious I, Merchant of Souls, will be out detailing the horrors of this kind of slavery. Again from the post at Internet Cafe Devotions:
Nefarious, Merchant of Souls, is a hard-hitting documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery. From the very first scene, Nefarious ushers you into the nightmare of sex slavery that hundreds of thousands experience daily. You’ll see where slaves are sold (often in developed, affluent countries), where they work, and where they are confined. You’ll hear first-hand interviews with real victims and traffickers, along with expert analysis from international humanitarian leaders.”
Here is the trailer for the documentary:
Nefarious: Merchant of Souls Official Trailer from Exodus Cry on Vimeo.
It is be difficult to watch, but we must not turn away. We must educate ourselves, pray, and take action against this hideous thing.
One of the ways I am taking action is by giving to a wonderful organization who works with women and girls who have been in the sex trade industry. I give a tithe of the profits from the sale of the Legacy workbook, DVD, and Leader Guide to Wellspring Living. If you have purchased any of these materials, you have given to Wellspring Living. Wellspring Living is a Georgia based organization started by Mary Frances Bowley. Go to Wellspring’s website to learn more. Get involved—for heaven’s sake!
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Thank you for stopping by and reading OR for subscribing to my posts via email. I so appreciate you and the encouragement you give me. God bless each of you.
