Author: MJ

I love to write. It is my way of expressing my thoughts on life and everything along on this journey. I am a firm believer in the love of Jesus because he has changed my life. Ultimately my life is about living beyond the ordinary, normal, and mundane and doing something incredible with God working through me.

{Unmasked}

On By MJIn Awareness, ThoughtsLeave a comment

Once again I find myself at Starbucks with many books and journals and magazines open taking over an entire table, or in this case, the bar. That’s what they get for letting me come in while writing my thesis. I basically treat it as my (second) office. Today I read through a 300 page book called Unmasked: Exposing the Cultural Sexual Assault and I have to say that I have much to think about. My focus for my thesis right now is about human trafficking and thus, my heart is heavy once more. A common occurrence as of late. If you haven’t noticed, just read my recent blog posts. I wanted to share an excerpt of the book as it hit me really hard.

The roots of sex slavery can be found in our junior high hallways. We see those roots by observing the effects of the negative message of our culture on the identity of our daughters [referring to females]. The roots of sex slavery are also seen in popular entertainment that enshrines those same values. We have allowed our daughters to be sexualized, depersonalized, and objectified, creating an atmosphere in which sexual predators thrive. This objectification and sexualization of our daughters leads to the creation of a pornography industry, which, in turn, feeds a sex-slavery industry. When we permit the message that the primary value of a women is her sexuality to pervade our entire culture, how can we shocked when people act out on that indirect invitation to partake of what is being offered to them? The appetite of the western nations for sex slavery is a direct result  of this alteration of identity, this identity theft on a generation of young women. [Unmasked by Jim Anderson p. 29]

I actually had to reread the whole section multiple times. In today’s world, we wonder why things are so bad. We wonder and then justify sexual behavior in teenagers. The same goes for involvement in pornography and the sex industry. Yet, when it comes to sex slavery, we act as if it is only foreign or has nothing to do with us. When we allow a world of sexual misconduct, promiscuity, extremities in dress, or justification of other sexual behaviors, like Anderson referenced, we actually allow for and  endorse sex slavery…without really knowing it. I have many more thoughts on this and will probably write more later, but this was a definitely impacting book. Get a copy of it and read it! 

The Cause Within

On By MJIn ThoughtsLeave a comment

I believe everyone has something that, at their core, they would do anything for. I am not simply talking about  something that someone enjoys doing but instead I am referring to that which is in our deepest part of our being. Our dream. Our purpose. The cause within. If we look deep enough, we each have one.

I have often dreamt about what I could do for the world. Realistically, I feel like I cannot offer much. I have often wondered that if I could do anything, be anything, be a part of anything, what would that be? I am incapable. However, those are the lies we tell ourselves to keep us from moving forward. Those are the very things that prevent us from doing exactly what we must. For the past seven or so years I have had such a burden for the sex industry-women of the night, madams, brothels, strip clubs, and…human trafficking. I have written about this many times. Finally, after years of discontent in my heart and an increasingly deep passion about this, I MUST ACT!

I cannot sit by and pretend like I cannot do anything. I cannot stand idly by as women and children are being sold as commodities and merchandises, then left for dead. I cannot maintain inaction while women, girls my age, continue to work the streets and clubs to make money off the lust of others. I cannot pretend that pornography does not affect me…or you. Men, women, and children alike are being filmed for the sake of fueling selfish desire. Yes you may say they choose it, but many do not. Regardless, I cannot ignore this burning in my soul to stop this or die trying. With God’s help, power of his love, and victory and freedom he offers, I need to this. I have no other option.

This is my cause within.

 

1st Lt. David Johnson.

On By MJIn ThoughtsLeave a comment

Just this week, I got word from my sister that we lost a friend. Although I had only met him a few times, I had kept in contact with him from time to time. He was my sister’s friend. David Johnson, a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan this week while being on foot patrol with his platoon. He was 24 years old. He was a Christian. He loved the Lord. He loved his country. He died serving both God and country. I am honored right now to be an American citizen knowing that David died honorably as a solder fighting in what he believed God called him to be a part of- not the war, but serving his country. I am honored to have met him. To have known him. I am honored and deeply proud of him.

 {My sister Delana and David at her commissioning ceremony in 2008}

To be honest, I cried on the other end of the phone when I received word of his death from my sister. I cried, yes out of loss, but strangely out of joy. I know that sounds crazy. But I read something his parents wrote in the statement of his death. They were proud of his son for dying heroically while serving God undoubtedly. His death is a beautiful parallel to our call to follow Jesus Christ. David did what God called him to do. He was a soldier and man of God. He died serving God, doing exactly what God called him to do. It inspires me. Whatever God calls me to, I want to serve God with that same passion. Even if my life is not at risk like his was, I can serve God boldly just the same. I can live just as honorably as dying honorably. David surrendered his life to the cause: serving God with all of his heart, his soul, his mind, his strength. I pray that I can do the same in whatever God calls me to in my life.

My challenge.

On By MJIn Thoughts1 Comment

This year I have made several commitments to some crazy things. These commitments were not simple last minute decisions made in spontaneity, but with prayer and much thought. They are intense physical obstacles that I will have to overcome. To be honest, some of them scare me. No,terrify me. But as a friend lovingly reminded me, if I want to do something like crazy missions work, be on the Amazing Race, or Survivor, I need to step up my game and do something about it. Well, I am and yes it scares me. Yes, it is already difficult. Yes, it requires a lot of discipline on my part. And yes, I am going to follow through on what I commit to. So in light of some of my decisions for this year, I found some great verses as encouragement when I want to give up or quit. 

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13

“…Let us run with endurance the race that is before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”  – Hebrews 12:1

“For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”  -Hebrews 12:11

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? …so glorify God with your body.”  – 1 Corinthians 6:19 

“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  – 1 Corinthians 10:31

“He gives power to the faint and to him who has no might he increases strength…but they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength…they shall run and not be weary, walk and not faint.”  -Isaiah 40:29-31

“…So run to obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things…so I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control…”  – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”  – Colossians 3:23-24

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.”  – Psalm 105:4

In Your Arms

On By MJIn ThoughtsLeave a comment
My friend Marlena, is one of the most talented musicians I have ever met. She is just one of those people that when you meet them, you know they have greatest within them. Incredible, untamed, driven, anointed talent. Yup, she is definitely one of those. I had the pleasure to spend two of the hardest months of my life with this girl in Italy working with sports and athletes. Two months that kicked our butts and challenged us in ways we never would have on our own. During that time, everyone on our team was challenged internally. We each had to look inwardly and examine those areas of ourselves that we know need work or help. Our pasts. Our presents. Mistakes and failings. But also our accomplishments, dreams, desires. All of our hearts on the surgical table. Marly, just two years since Italy, has matured far beyond her years, in ways that astound me. She is a worship leader in California, and I believe one of those worship leaders that could care less about the stage, the microphone, or the even audience. She cares about God. She cares about writing songs that honor him and not herself. Below are the lyrics to her latest song. I hope she does not mind that I am posting these. But I was so touched by these lyrics, which are not just simple words, but instead the echoes- the cries of so many people’s hearts. Read these lyrics, and just worship. You don’t need to hear the song to have the worship. Let her words, lead you to His heart. Whatever your place might be in life, whatever discouragements, challenges, frustrations, hopes, or dreams may be, seek God. His love, mercy, and grace. I hope and pray that as you read these lyrics, you are touched.

~~~~~~
“In Your Arms”
Marlena Copado

I see, my face, cupped in the hands of grace
My eyes are shut, I need you
And I know that You have me, I know that You have me …

I am, face down  humbled in silence, I’m found
Though I am scared, I’m not alone, You’re with me

I know that You have me, I know that You have me
In Your arms, in Your arms
You break through the sadness, You break through the dark,
I can hear You calling through the pain in my heart
And I know that You have me, I know that You have me, in Your arms 

I have, no other cost, my pride, I lay here now
I stand, in Your victory, come take me

I know that You have me, I know that you have me
In Your arms, in Your arms
You break through the sadness, You break through the dark,
I can hear You calling through the pain in my heart
And I know that You have me, I know that You have me, in Your arms 

I know that I’ll have those days, I will fall and I will stray away, but I need You
I know that I’ll have those times, I’m okay and I think I’m fine, but I always need You  

I know that You have me, I know that you have me

In Your arms, in Your arms
You break through the sadness, You break through the dark,
I can hear You calling through the pain in my heart
And I Know that you have me, I know that You have me, in Your arms
~~~~~~ 

Sacred Romance After Tragic Betrayal

On By MJIn Biblical Application1 Comment

 Love of newly weds cannot be expressed in just simple words. It’s something that is defined by passionate actions and the embracing of your beloved. The tender kiss says it all. But what happens when your beloved has the affection of another? What happens when that love is stolen from you? The one you gave your heart to gives their heart to another. Yet it is not only their heart that they give, but their body. In the bonds of marriage you became one, and yet only you remain faithful. Your beloved desired more affection, and more love. Prostituting them self, day after day they are found in the arms of someone else. And you do nothing except take them back.

This is the tragic love story of Hosea, the prophet who married a prostitute. Each night he sat waiting for Gomer, his wife, to return after just giving herself away to another man. And each night he fell in love with her more. With each moment he was separated from her, he desired her all the more. He desired to kiss her and hold her, even though she ran to the arms of other men. She reached a point of such betrayal against her covenant with Hosea, that she sold herself into sexual slavery . However, Hosea, so desperately in love with her, bought her back and took her again into his arms. With each act of prostitution, Hosea felt he could not resist his love for her. This is the tragic romance of Hosea.Though Hosea was in the middle of his own case of tragic love, there is a greater tragedy. The same concept remains: a great love betrayed. God, our creator, desires to be our beloved. He wants our whole heart. This love He has for us is intoxicating and beautiful, just like that of any newly weds. It has passion. Yet we betray this passion. We were created by God to be only His, but we prostitute ourselves to other passions. We may not physically prostitute our bodies like that of Gomer, Hosea’s wife, however, we withhold the entirety of ourselves from God. We ignore His love and passion. Negating His love, we deny it by going to other sources. We all want fulfillment, something to satisfy our desires of love and affection. In spite of this, we completely turn our backs on the one true source of happiness and joy. No passion is ever greater than the passion of God. God created us, therefore, we are His first love and He is ours. He realized long ago that we betrayed His love. But He has never betrayed His love for us. He yearns for us to return. He painfully watches us as we prostitute our lives with some other fulfillment like an addiction, a relationship, or a talent. What He offers to us is His sacred romance. Even night after night of us ignoring Him, He will take us back into His arms. Nothing can satisfy our desires like that of God’s love.

This acknowledgment of God’s passionate, sacred romance breaks my heart because I realize that each day and each night, I potentially betray the love of my beloved-God. I resort to some meaningless answers that continually leave me yearning for more. Nothing has ever satiated by longing for more. Each time I go to a supplemental fulfillment, I recognize that my God is waiting for me, broken by my tragic betrayal, yet He is ready to take me back. I can’t begin to comprehend why He would want me back after such acts of adulterous, disloyal betrayal. Yet No matter how much you have prostituted your life, your love, He yearns for you!!! His passion never fails. His love never fails. He offers to me-to everyone- His sacred romance even after tragic betrayal.

**this is a great song showing the heart of God and His love–He is ruined without our love…**
[“One Love” by Yvonne Parks]

How long I have waited for you,
for you have stolen my heart

Now I am ruined for anything less
I could live forever in your arms
My heart belongs to only one love
My beloved, My beloved, My beloved
I am yours and you are mine

{Break Every Chain}

On By MJIn AwarenessLeave a comment

My thoughts are not quite focused right now. I am all over the place. I am burdened. I am filled with discontent. Not for myself. For children and young girls that are trafficked into slavery. All over this world. Brokenness. Rape. Disease.

My heart aches tonight for these victims. There is a nameless, faceless generation of kids growing up to be adults way too fast, to lose their childhood and innocence brutally, and die before they hit their mid 20s. Girls are sold by their families. They might be kidnapped. Businessmen coerce them for their pleasures. Their homes are not homes at all, but brothels of hate, rape, and bondage.

Do not be deceived in thinking this does not affect you. Do not be naive or ignorant. If you view porn more than a few times, you are encouraging sex-slavery because many of the pornographic images and videos are that of sex slaves, boys and girls, men and women whose innocence was taken from them brutally. That is but one example of this world  disguising the filth and perversion with something that justified as harmless. IT IS NOT HARMLESS! These kids, these girls, these women, these men are people. They are someone’s child. They are human not a commodity!

To you Christians who read this, it is our duty and responsibility. We cannot sit idly by pretending as though sex-slavery is only foreign, and not that big of a deal. It is one of the largest industries in the world. It is growing. I am fully convinced that if the sex trade did not exist, our world would not be in any form of economic crisis. Our nations are driven by lust, greed, and selfishness and it is taken out on little girls. Instead of celebrating their sweet sixteen they are trying to cope with AIDS or HIV while having to service 10 men in a row. Something needs to be done.

 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
to break the chains of injustice,
get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
free the oppressed,
cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
sharing your food with the hungry,
inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.'”
Isaiah 58:6-9 [The Message]

I honestly believe that Jesus restores. His life and death stood for restoration, hope, and freedom. LIBERTY! So many studies done around the world by secular and Christian organizations show that there is almost no long-term change in a rescued girls’ life if they do not counsel the victims through spiritual and emotional healing. JESUS IS THAT HEALING! I believe His name is the name that brings healing. These victims can be restored to life. They can be free from bondage, physically and spiritually. It is our job, as believers in Christ, to stand firm in what he stood for- lived and died for- that His name is the hope victims like these need.

{Check out this book about the sex trade in India}

A POW’s forgiveness towards Japan

On By MJIn ThoughtsLeave a comment

“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan…”

President Roosevelt continued with, what I would imagine, great pain and sadness in his heart as he addressed the nation about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Our nation in a single day lost thousands of men and women- service and civilians. Our nation was hurt. Wounded at our heart. Shortly after the attacks our nation retaliated in explosive force [literally] by something called the Doolittle Raids. The retaliation involved a mere 16 B-25 “Mitchell” bombers with 80 airmen total. Not much of a fight in comparison to the 300 that Japan attacked Pearl with. But our men of the Raiders bombed military establishments in Japan. However, unlike any other mission, the Raiders could not return to the aircraft carriers but to land…they had no choice but to crash land in China in hopes of avoiding the Japanese that had infiltrated the Chinese border. We lost some of the Raiders that day. Most returned home. Eight men became POWs, held captive by a merciless enemy.

This is one of their stories. I cannot help but be moved by this man, one of the POWs. He experienced Pearl and the tragedy along with the rest of our nation. He experienced the bombing over Japan. Such vengeance and hatred overwhelmed his heart. He wanted the Japanese to die painfully and without mercy. When his bomber was crashing over occupied China, he and his crew had to parachute out. For 40 months, Staff Sergeant  Jacob Daniel DeShazer was held prisoner by the Japanese, tortured and facing death every single day. For 40 months he had no idea when his death would happen, although he thought it was certain. For 34 of his 40 months, he awaited death in solitary confinement.  Most of the other POWs had already died. Only 3 made it home when the American armies invaded and freed the camp.

He was not the same man.

Physically DeShazer was malnourished, sick, and nearly dead. Mentally the isolation could have made him crazy. Mentally he could have given up a long time before he did. But Spiritually…something had changed. During his imprisonment, he needed a glimpse of hope- to which he finally received a Bible from his prison guards. They figured it would not matter. They figured it was only a book requested by a prisoner awaiting death. Though he only physically had the Bible for 3 weeks, God began to work on DeShazer’s heart. He saw the messages and stories of the Bible as reason enough to survive, and reason enough to not give up, and as reason enough to believe in a God that was greater than his imprisonment. In August 1945, DeShazer was freed and made his voyage home to America. He married and attended school…to be a missionary.

How can someone who had once be filled with such hatred toward the Japanese, been a prisoner of the Japanese, tortured and nearly killed at the hands of the Japanese decide to be a missionary to the Japanese? For DeShazer, it was the simple fact that God loves and he had to be that love to to his previous captors.

I find his story so incredible. How can I not be moved by the legacy of a man that lived out the forgiveness of Christ? In his forgiveness toward Japan, one of the leading Japanese officers of the Attack on Pearl Harbor came to know Jesus Christ. I have to believe that because of men and women like DeShazer, that my purpose is beyond myself and my situation, good or bad, can be used to glorify God, bringing hope to many. So on this day of December 7, remember this history. Remember those who died and fought valiantly. Remember the soldiers who defended our nation in one of the greatest wars in world history. But also remember the stories of men and women like Jacob Daniel DeShazer who chose to forgive the enemy that hurt him the greatest, because just as Christ died for him, he also died for them.