Exciting News

Just got an e-mail from International Justice Mission, one of my favorite slavery-fighting groups:

We are very excited to announce the launch of IJM’s new Web presence. The site www.ijm.org was designed to give you unprecedented access to the work and people of IJM. As we work together to end slavery and oppression, we hope this new front door to IJM provides the resources and inspiration to unite and strengthen all of our efforts.

The enhanced technical capacity of the new site provides many avenues to explore IJM’s work, including expanded multimedia options, casework stories, first-person accounts from field staff and agency information by region and casework element.

The site’s frequent updates will keep you informed of exciting developments – whether they occur in Africa, on the Hill, in a congregation or at a Campus Chapter meeting.

Go check out the new site, and if you're so inclined, sign up for an e-mail or make a donation. These folks are doing great things!

Let Freedom RIng ...

Last Sunday, I watched Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech in its entirety, something I've probably not done since high school.

First, I'd never realized how much of his theme comes directly from Scripture. Freedom and justice are not exactly side issues in the Bible. It's easy for us to overlook the Bible's influence in America's fight for human rights, but it's clear that King drew heavily from what God has to say about the issue.

Second, a few tears rolled down my face as I realized that what he was saying about the oppression of African Americans in my country still applies to plight of the enslaved around the world. The fight for equality in the United states has not been won. It's better, but we're not there. And it feels that the fight on behalf of the enslaved has barely begun.

But King painted a vision of the world where freedom would ring from every mountaintop, to every valley, to every person. He quoted the Bible when he said, "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together."

This is God's vision for His creation. And it inspires me to keep crying out to Him to show me how to bring justice and freedom to His world. I know that can't do it on my own. I know it won't be fully enacted until Jesus returns. But I know that this is God's theme: That all the oppressed—both physically and spiritually—would know freedom, justice and mercy; that they would see His love and compassion for them; that they would see His love through us as we fight for them.

If you would like to read the entire speech, click on the title of this post. I believe there is also a link to the video.

Thanks, and a very late Happy MLK Day to all.

Go Ahead—Get Angry at God!

The other day I started writing a post about having a major argument with God during the past year or so. It was a struggle, so decided to set it aside for a bit. Then a friend of mine sent me a link to an audio clip from her church. Sara Groves spoke to their women's group recently about her own argument with God as well as how and why she is involved with ending slavery in the world.

You're probably tired of reading my references to Sara, but these days she's right on the money. Bear with me! Her introduction is aimed toward women, but hang in there because the stories she tells after that are powerful. She makes essentially the same point I was fighting to make about being angry at God about what we see in the world. Then she sings, so really, this is better than my post. I promise you I will never sing.

If you've ever been ticked off at the horrible things you've seen, I challenge you to listen to this audio clip. Then go have your own fight with God and see what He says. If you listen closely, He will answer.

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

If you live in the Carolinas and want to fight slavery, join us this week for the third gathering of the Carolina Clapham Circle. Visit my friend Bob's blog and fill out the information box on the left side of the page. He'll send you details about the meeting. We are eager to discover what we can do in our own neighborhood to fight this evil.

Great New Song for Free

Each week, iTunes posts one free song on their "Discovery Download" page. This week they are featuring a great song by Sara Groves, who I've mentioned recently. The song is called, "When the Saints." It's her response to the continuing problem of slavery.

The song won't be available long, so go to the iTunes store and find the "FREE on iTunes" section at the bottom of the home page and click on Sara's picture.

The entire album will be released next week. I've already ordered my copy.

Sara is one of few Christian singers who can talk about life without being preachy or trite. Even if Christian music isn't your thing, try this song. You won't be sorry.

Another Voice

Singer Natalie Grant is taking matters into her own hands when it comes to slavery.

Yay, Natalie!

Every person who joins this fight encourages me. I liked Natalie's music before, but I'm gonna have to get my hands on a CD now.

An Open Letter to Sara Groves

Some of you gentle readers may identify with this letter:

Dear Sara,

Please stop stalking me. I know you are doing it. This is the only way I can explain how your music describes my life, down to the very detail; how, when I am at my lowest points and stonewalling God, your music points me in the direction that leads out of the funk without surrendering my intelligence; and why I have spent innumerable commutes to work and church listening to you with tears pouring down my face.

And now I understand that you are getting involved in the fight against slavery.

Copy-cat.

Seriously. Have you been following around behind me the past five years as I've traveled and seen the despair, the evil, the darkness—then witnessed how the hope of Christ rises above it all, giving peace and joy to the most destitute when I expect them to curse God and wish for death? You can't look away and do nothing, either?

This quality of yours is why I have loved every CD you've produced, since you brought "Past the Wishing" to your first concert at my college. How I wished I had $15 that night. How I mooched that CD off of people who did until I scraped the cash together for my own copy. And now, I pre-order your CDs ASAP. I am an online groupie. And I am thrilled to see that modern-slavery has pushed you to act. We're happy to have you on board. I'm pretty new here, myself.

Now, please tell me how you knew about my life now when you wrote "The Other Side of Something" album some 3-odd years ago. Still can't figure that out ... . Also, have you been handing your notes on me to my pastor? He's been suspiciously prescient lately, too.


Sincerely,
Burkinator