TIME TO LOOK UP! BUCKLE UP! IT’S 2014!

National Anthem, by Jonathan Gladding 

Ever have the phone ring and the person on the other end was the friend you were fondly thinking of?  This morning that was the case! We laughed, giggled and then concurred that our relocation to Connecticut was indeed a good thing. It was apparent that God had once again orchestrated it all. All being inclusive of our move from Florida, the East Coast ministry trek, the new friendships (never negating the cord connecting us to our tried and true friends), the laudable community partnerships, our abounding appreciation and enthusiasm for love, life and what seems like some fatal challenges. Literally it felt like doors were slammed in our face when I thought we’d instead be embraced. Too many days it felt like a bad dream. Good decisions seemed to have gone awry. Prayer has keeping power friends. When yours seem limp, other’s who know the virtue and power of prayer can certainly cover you!

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

I am grateful for how God allowed us to exert energy in preparation for our next level. It was as though we were spiritually matriculating. My heart must have been yelling, “New level, new level! So glad it’s our turn Lord!” Oh it’s no denying that we better not take credit for a step up or a door open. We are not that clever in raining down blessings! None of our life's story could have been self imposed-crafted with our intellect or maneuvers.

We were approaching the 2013 Christmas season-Richard and I were traveling (several weeks ago) on the freeway. I was joyously anticipating visiting my Mama and Grandmother in Atlanta (really overdue for a visit). I knew I could not be there for Christmas but wanted to begin creating a festive atmosphere in their home. And then there was a hiccup, a startling interruption. The visible highway markers and signs indicated that Hartford’s Bradley Airport was just down the road, possibly 20 minutes away and I’d be boarding the plane momentarily.  And boom, a car wreck-a wreck that was startling! It caused us to fear, shutter, scream, and wonder if this was our end, dying on the interstate. The result totaled our minivan and the offender’s compact car.  The small Volkswagen merging in the lane we traveled was all wrong! I don’t know what the driver’s problem was but it was terrible timing! And then it all became surreal, a seemingly slow motion video. The cars colliding, the metal crumpling, the axles braking, the front end torn up, the shock, the disbelief and there we were in the midst! But, Great God the three coiled guard rails sustained the impact of our van! It seems we bounced against the sturdy coils and Richard’s hands held tight to the steering wheel. And the saving grace was the coils appeared to nestle the Volkswagen from diving into the ditch or back into the oncoming traffic. Oh it could have been fatal with the loss of life or injuries, but here we are on this side of a new year, January 2014 alive-well! No broken bones, no fatalities!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Yes, mayhem occurred and we survived it all! God kept us! What a miracle.

Often our lives reflect that we've been banged up, crippled even. Folks think you’re in a daze still suffering from shock. Oh, but our gracious Lord and Savior allows us to survive an atrocity, a humiliation, a setback causing us to feel as though we’re abandoned, standing on the side of the road. Be confident that divine  help is on the way, even if it’s unsuspecting.

Next time you’re on life’s highway think of the coiled guard rails, the helping hands, sound advice, friendly stranger, the answer to prayer as a safety net! Think of it as a safety net representing the Father, Son and Holy Ghost-protecting us, cushioning the blow during startling incidences. Notice I did not say ACCIDENT? Our Heavenly Father causes no accidents, but saves us on countless occasions. I know you recall His rescuing mission, you! Take a moment and just reflect on your 2013 journey, incredible right? We are now very familiar, well acquainted with the realization that God’s mighty outstretched arm protects us!  Thankfully He beautifully ushers us from one season into the next. The year 2013 brought about new developments, uncertainties, new transitions, new relationships, but definitely a firsthand account of His love! Can I get a witness?

Breathe, look up and live. Buckle up friends it’s time for thanksgiving adoration and without a doubt it's time to embrace a faith filled 2014! Happy New Year!

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,” Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV)

Transformed by the Love of God, Linda Mose Meadows; Blogger, Motivational Speaker and Inspirational Author of: Destined To Receive: Reflections and Devotionals Celebrating The Love of God (Createspace, 2013) and Blessedness of Believing  A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises (Tate Publishing, 2007) 

 http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

 http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

 http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/   

BRAVE HEARTS

Expressive art creation: Turn It Up by Paul Goodnight

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech

There’s a burning in our hearts for change! Around the globe people from all cultures and walks of life have spearheaded a movement that is boldly declaring an end in the US and abroad to the atrocity of modern day slavery. Yes, human trafficking!

This evolving movement is like the drip on a leaky faucet-constant and unyielding; and that means freedom and relief for countless innocent souls.

Not only are there rallies occurring, but supporter’s are gathering in prayer first, producing movies like “I Am Slave”. This movie directed by Film Maker Gabriel Range certainly rattles our comfort zones and demonstrates how unsuspecting Sudanese families are destroyed today because their daughters are abducted, and bartered like grain in a sophisticated social slavery system. They are preyed upon in an underground slavery movement which is rapidly growing. But thank God for determined captives yearning for freedom and  the human rights advocates tirelessly galvanizing others. They are modern day resourceful trailblazers!

Because of these trailblazers, there are vanishing sleeping giants-awakening public educations forums are mushrooming, watchmen/watchwomen vigilantly guarding communities and creating unsuspected havens of safety. These Prayer Warriors are mightily flourishing. They are those that feel an urgency-an unction to address this social ill and it’s like a steam roller, rapid firing dominoes causing this evil to topple over! It may be gradual, but oh it's happening! Good results are occurring just ask Carolina Diplan founder of Home of Change. The Home of Change organization has locations in the United States, Netherlands, Dominican Republic and in Tajikistan, their motto is: Home of Change Restoring Freedom. Ms. Diplan joyfully attests to young girl’s lives being restored and hope birthed for those that had been well acquainted with the brutality of this modern day slavery. Prayers are being answered!

Adamant voices, many outcries of indignation, heartfelt prayers, exhaustive work, capital campaigns, goods, services, and techno savvy organizations are helping revitalize many once shaken communities. They have hunted down many of the human trafficking schemes. It’s a new season; Immigrants are not being victimized so easily. Trustworthy endeavors are more readily available than in the past years. So much good has come as a result of  these efforts to end this dastardly practice of human trafficking! Genesis 50:20 aptly pronounces:

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to

 accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (NIV)

Thank the Lord that many victims and their loved ones voices are not being permanently snuffed out-silenced. How do I know? Well I contend that if the Government Agencies and Non-Profit services that I recently learned of in Orlando are any indication of the host of resources and services that are birthed nationwide, we are certainly moving in a positive direction. So glad that I was invited and attended with friend Dr. Lorraine Harris (an the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member) the 5th Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Day: In Our Own Backyard. We ventured around Lake Eola meeting many committed civic and faith based organizers which I have listed below in Resource list, heard spoken artists and singer Evan Taylor Jones (who really crooned Bob Marley’s hit) and witnessed the outstanding Pop Shop and an uplifting skit performed by youth leaders of: It’s Yes School of Performing Arts. Truly it was a day of enlightenment dedicated to educating and eradicate modern day slavery!

The statistics are startling; reportedly there are 27 million slaves in the world. They are young children, teens and yes, even adults which have been abducted, bought and sold right under our noses-stolen from our midst without a trace. But with the help of many, freedom can be more than a dream. With prayers and gifted services slavery can be abolished and the guilty brought to shame. Here are a list of services which may be beneficial to you, your advocacy endeavors and interest groups. Help awaits you! 

I pray that freedom will be restored for brokenhearted victims and souls will be stirred to shine a light in dark places. Like everything, change starts with us! Our beloved Dr. Martin Luther King says: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere!”

SEVERAL RESOURCES* DEDICATED TO

 HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS

                                            (*Resources located in Orlando-Central Florida)

City of Orlando Police Department

Department of Children & Families

Mexican Consulate Orlando

Orange County Children’s Advocacy Center

Orange County Library System

P.P. Greater Orlando

UCF Victim Services

USCIS- US Citizenship and Immigration Services

360 Foundation

Amnesty International

Chapter 519

Born2fly Project

Boystown of Central Florida

Burning Hearts, Inc.

Child Rescue Network

Covenant House Florida, Devereux

Exodus Cry@OHOP

Florida Abolitionist

Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Forgiven Much Ministries

H.O.M.E.

Home of Change

Hope City Ministries of Discovery Church

Images of Glory, Inc.

International Justice Mission

Out of Life, Inc.

Releasing Chains

Students Against Slavery

Chapter of IAHTI

The Hope Mercy Love Foundation, Inc.

The Salvation Army Orlando Area Command

Trafficking In America Task Force

Victim Service Center of Central Florida, Inc.

Women At Risk International

Youth for Human Rights International

Youth With A Mission Orlando

Zebra Coaltion

Prayer of Hope:

Lord we are accountable to you, and endeavor to offer life changing help to those in need. Our hearts are burning with compassion! Save those and provide a lively hope to all that have been victimized, wounded and suffered at the hands of evil. Shine your light on all darkness and let no evil prevail. Give us grace and wisdom on what to do and how to make an impact for the good of your kingdom. Thank you for leading us with purpose and direction and most assuredly with the resources to do your will; we declare that we shall overcome! In Jesus mighty name! Amen, amen!

God Riches Blessings to You, Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Author of:
The Blessedness of Believing, A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lesson’s and God’s Promises

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/

http://eyesoffaithmagazine.blogspot.com/