In Her Shoes?

Isaiah 9:6 says, "Unto us a child is born..." And because Jesus came and lived and died, that makes every child precious. Especially the millions of women and girls being trafficked as slaves in the sex industry around the world. That's why every week in December, at Toledo First Church we're collecting a second offering to benefit The Daughter Project (click here for more info) which is a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls recover from the trauma of human sex trafficking and preventing the trafficking of girls in Toledo. They believe God is outraged not only by those who enslave others but also by those who are able but unwilling to help the victims. Will you join us in helping them? What would happen if we gave these children as much for Christmas as we are spending on our our own? Watch this sobering video below if you're not sure yet.

Unto This Child As Well?

Did you know that according to the United Nations, 25 million people are being trafficked today? It is the 2nd most profitable activity in the world for organized crime. The FBI says 15k people are trafficked into the USA every year. Nearly 2k of our own Ohio youth are enslaved by sex traffickers last year making Toledo, Ohio number one per capita and number four nationwide for sex trafficking!!!

To combat this evil, we're going to have guest speakers adding to my Advent remarks each week. Rep.Teresa Fedor will be here next from Columbus. She's a politician using her voice and influence to stop trafficking. Sister Sandy from S.T.O.P. will be next followed by Jeff Wilbarger from The Daughter Project (click here for more info) the third week. Though we are still behind in our 2011 local church budget needs, we will unashamedly be collecting an additional offering each week to help this organization help more children. Their goal is to build and operate a recovery home for adolescent girls who have been rescued by law enforcement agents.

100% of monies payable to Toledo First marked The Daughter Project on the memo line will be donated (click here for mailing address). Thanks for considering spending AS MUCH on these kids this Christmas as you do on your own kids or grandkids. Below is thought provoking music video. Selah!!!

What's Love Look Like in Public?

"Never forget justice is what love looks like in public" - Cornell West.

A Song About Child Trafficking?

This song isn't originally about the trafficking of children. But the slide show is. Selah (which mean pause and calmly think about)

Is A Better Day Coming?

Love this vid from ShareFaith. Enjoy!!!

Psalm 100?

Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people. Enter his gates with thanksgiving. Go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. - Psalm 100:3-4 (NLT) Graphics from ShareFaith. Get your own subscription here.

Giving Thanks and Trusting Jesus?

I hope YOU can join me this Saturday, November 26, @ Toledo First Church @ 11am (click here for map and directions or go to www.tfsda.org to watch online) for a very special service based on giving thanks and trusting in Jesus. This service will be participatory and involve many prayers, testimonies and songs of faith and trust. Specifically, we will be praying for Jim and Anna, Emmett and Eniko, Burg and Lu and others who are facing life-defining challenges.

But it won't be the same without you!!! So as Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) says, "6Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

Please help me spread the word by inviting your friends and family since what they experience may help them think about prayers of request, prayers in general, and our trust in Jesus in new ways. May you and your families experience an abundant measure of joy and peace and renewed faith and trust in Jesus this holiday season!!!

Must War Heroes Carry Guns?

Desmond T. Doss didn't think so. The Conscientious Objector is a multiple award-winning documentary which tells the incredible true story of a World War II hero who never once touched a firearm. It is an inspiring and life-affirming account of a peaceful man whose religious beliefs spurred him to renounce all weapons and, in the process, allowed for him to save countless lives as a medic on the front lines. Eventually, his heroism led to being a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.