Rest for the Rest of us

There it is... the evidence. Last month, I was invited to Hawaii to speak on how Christians can fight human trafficking. With that said, *Please feel free to insert sarcastic commentary here___________________ . For example, "Are you really working?"; "Glad that you are SUFFERING for Jesus." Anything along those lines would suffice.

But seriously, Thank you all for your prayers!

Though my trip was a refreshing change of pace from New York City, I came with a mission; namely to preach Christ's Kingdom mission and how we can join him in His work. As I met with University of Hawaii students for their annual retreat called the "Gathering," I challenged them to fight human trafficking by loving those most vulnerable to it. To do this, they were invited to: 1) join Christ the King as he brings his Kingdom (Luke 4); 2) recognize that we are called to love those who are vulnerable (Luke 10:25-37); 3) know that we may become discouraged. Actually, scratch that... we WILL become discouraged. So the only option for us is to pray like the widow for God to bring justice (Luke 18). 4) Believe that when Christ returns, he will bring justice (Matthew 25).

As a result of this conference, two students came to trust Jesus as the King of their lives. Many of the other students were equipped to love their neighbors in an intentionally practical way.

Though loving the "least of these" can be exhausting and exacting, Christ will not love us anymore, if we do it. Yes, I just said that. Please feel free to read it again. The Gospel (Christ's life, death, and ressurection in OUR place) shows us that we are loved because of what Christ has DONE for us, not what we do. Therefore, we can rest in Christ, as we work to love the "widow, orphan, and sojourner."

It's true that not all of us will go to Hawaii... but we can all find rest. Jesus reminds us of this truth in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.…

How can you partner?

1. Pray

Pray that I will continue to remember that God's love for me should always be my primary motivation.

Pray that God would continue to give opportunities to share this vision.

Pray for me as I speak at an event during the convening of the UN on monday.

Pray for me as we prepare to launch "Let My People Go."

Pray for me as the LMPG teams expands.

Pray for LMPG as we develop our logo and website.

Pray for me as I work with students and churches from Syracuse U, Boston, and Nashville next week.

Pray that God will continue to raise up leaders in churches to lead in justice.

Pray for me as I am given more opportunities to write and speak in different venues.

2. Give

Please consider joining this ministry team as a monthly financial partner. Remember God, to whom you are ultimately giving, can multiply your gifts beyond what you can ask or imagine. Click the "give to end trafficking" button to learn more.

3. Share this ministry with your friends

Share this update with friends on Facebook, Twitter, or by email. Thank you for partnering.

4. Let's connect.

To the left are several ways that we can connect. I look forward to talking soon.