2010 Love146 Advocacy Trip

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Sokcho - true beauty in Korea, found!

see the slideshow here

It must be understood, after nearly a year of living somewhere, life becomes, well...life. This is just what we do; sure it's only for this year, but "special" just isn't encountered anymore. After a year, you've kinda seen it all. Until you realize you haven't.

Submitting to this attitude of, "there is no more 'special,' let's just get through this year" does little to motivate continued blogging. In three weeks we will have returned to life in Colorado, and we will be retiring this blog; I have little reason to believe whatever readers we do have, will be interested to hear about our Barnes & Nobles' adventure after a pit stop by Illegal Pete's burrito shop.

I guess I'm just making an excuse for the trend of declining blog posts this year. This may be our only post this month while 7 of the 12 months in 2009 saw seven or more; that's averaging nearly two per week - how did we do that??

But I really am digressing here, sorry.

Sokcho! You looking at these pictures?? These two shots (handy work of my beautiful wife, and separated by a mere twenty minute bus ride) do a fantastic job of encompassing what this little seaside/mountain town is.

Now, I have seen my fair share of the United States. And as far as my memory can stretch I can't recall a single location that offers what Sokcho does, in the way it does.

Mountains that rival even the Rockies and a rocky coastline whose pounding white surf is reminiscent of Northern California or Washington. Absolutely beautiful; God's creation knows no equal. And to cap it all off, the mountains and coast are less than 3 miles apart!

Oh, and for anyone coming from "life" in the Seoul area, the best part of Sokcho will literally hit you in the face the moment you step off the bus: fresh, clean, salty sea-air! Oh the joys! (For the Coloradoians, the experience may be lost on you, but as for us, the lungs and sniffer have been pleading to return ever since.)

Now, I know what you're dying to ask, "Did we eat the fish?"

"Yes," and "No." While we did take advantage of being right on the coast (the only unpolluted coast of the entire Korean peninsula), we skipped the sun dried specialty you see in the digital image and opted for the more palatable (by our standards) option of fresh sushi.

Quick geography lesson for anyone who may not know: the Korean peninsula is located smack in the between polluted China and pristine Japan (no bias here, seriously, we loved China). The result is a heavily polluted sea and coast to Korea's west and the picturesque refreshment that is it's eastern-coast. Garbage in, garbage out; we avoid the seafood here in the Seoul area as the capital is located a stone-throw from the west coast.

The short weekend trip will truly be remembered as an all-time favorite among all the seven domestic trips we pulled off this year. Traveling with some of our favorite non-Korean, Korea friends, Kevin and Erin is always a blast (full of political, social, theological debating) - it was fantastic sharing the memory with them.

Next adventure: Japan - bug us to get the photos up. Oh, and remind me to tell the story of my fist-fight with a Korean Mafia guy, seriously.

Love and Justice be your Passion

-by Stephanie-

Upon deciding devotion to such a worthy and necessary cause as the abolition of child sex-slavery I knew there would be many obstacles. I expected there be a level of derision and refutation from those who may be ignorant of this evil. I knew there would amount some danger, whether physical or emotional, that would arise from this decision. I rather expected that many would be disinclined to act or get too involved for fear it may disrupt their comfort or perhaps they were overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation and found it hard to move whatsoever.

On other occasions I expected, or rather hoped, that some fellow Christians, who were to choose not to act, would be the ones who have found another worthy calling to devote their passion and time to. This, I am sad to say, I have not found as often as would be hoped. I know many amazing men and women of God, but it seems we as a people tend to make excuses for inaction. I know I have, and to my shame I admit, many times. But it is not for us to feel ashamed and wallow in self-pity.

I believe that there are many evils God would call us to stand against. To fight against

I don’t want to convince anyone to walk in a way not from the Lord. God has given boundaries of authority to each of His followers. Some will be called to full time ministry. All will be called to minister in some capacity. I believe that saying we are simply to go about our lives and bring Jesus to those around us, while a good sentiment, degrades the teaching of the gospel if this is put forth from a heart that wishes to continue in comfort. We are to take Jesus to the ends of the earth (Matt 28:19-20). But how are we to bring Jesus? By words alone? No. By action and in truth (1 John 3:18). We are not the salt of the earth if we only proclaim Jesus yet do not do what He says (Matt 7:21).

Our desires and passions should reflect God's. The church is Jesus’ bride just as I am Micah’s. Being married, I find that what is of most importance to him gains a greater importance and value through my eyes as well. This is how it should be, and this is how it ought to be with our desires and God’s desires. We know what is important to God simply by reading the Bible. We know that He is love. We know that he is Just. Love and Justice are two forces that hold a great significance, importance, and value with God. Therefore, these things should, day by day, become of greater significance in our lives and in our thought.

Love and Justice are what we should strive for. The Spirit will reveal different avenues in which these passions can be put into action. I am only naming one because this is the one the Spirit has placed the greatest emphasis upon in my life: to work for the abolition of sex-slavery which, in my opinion, is the worst degradation of mankind. If we allow this to continue we permit and enable the Image of God to be dragged through the mud. We are all made in God’s Image. Each life is of great importance.

I am not calling you to my calling, for it is not mine it is God’s. This calling is to love and justice, love and justice for not only fellow believers but all human beings. Everyone has innate worth solely because in essence we are God’s creation. This calling is one for all Christians. We are all called to feed the hungry and help the widow, regardless of where our particular passions lie and we must not forget it (James 1:27). I assure you, I do not forget this in my desire to rid the world of the atrocities of sex-slavery, and I hope we all continue to remember. But we should go beyond that to labor for what is of importance to God.

We can save no ones soul. It is God and God alone who can (John 14:6). But we must help those who cannot help themselves (James 2:14-17). We must define “laboring for the kingdom” in a way that is not simply abstract religious jargon that no one can enact pragmatically. We are called to obey Christ (John 14:15) not just verbally proclaim Him. He did not only deal with spiritual salvation. He healed the sick and cast out demons! Yes, we ought to be concerned with the spiritual well being of those we seek to help but we must also deal with their physical needs too! (James 2:14-17 again.)

Pray for a passion. Do not close our ears. The Spirit will give us the desire if we would but allow! In the meantime, we must not scoff at any injustice or malice, but put on the breastplate of righteousness and the belt of truth and march out against the enemy for God in protection of His precious children (Eph 6:13-17).

Let the little children come to me. And do not hinder them.

for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.
(Matt 19:14)

A Daily Prayer for Freedom

Note by Micah:

The Spirit has been teaching me more and more the power of prayer, and I have learned the impact of specific prayer, and we have been taught since we were quite young the importance of praying Scripture, it is our Sword with which we fight, not against the flesh and blood of this world, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. If you take the time to pray through this, I assure you of great things. Please also note, I can take not credit for this prayer, it is taken from Waking the Dead by John Eldredge.

Taken from Waking the Dead by John Eldredge 

My dear Lord Jesus, I come to you now to be restored in you – to renew my place in you, my allegiance to you, and to receive from you all the grace and mercy I so desperately need this day.  I honor you as my sovereign Lord, and surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you.  I give you my body as a living sacrifice; I give you my heart, soul, mind, and strength; and I give you my spirit as well.

I cover myself with your blood – my spirit, my soul, and my body.  And I ask your Holy Spirit to restore my union with you, seal me in you, and guide me in this time of prayer.  In all that I now pray, I include (my spouse, and/or my children, by name).  Acting as their head, I bring them under my authority and covering, and I come under your authority and covering.  Holy Spirit, apply to them all that I now pray on their behalf.

Dear God, holy and victorious Trinity, you alone are worthy of all my worship, my heart’s devotion, all my praise and all my trust and all the glory of my life.  I worship you, bow to you, and give myself over to you in my heart’s search for life.  You alone are Life, and you have become my life.  I renounce all other gods, all idols, and I give you the place in my heart and in my life that you truly deserve.  I confess here and now that it is all about you, God, and not about me.  You are the Hero of this story, and I belong to you.  Forgive me, God, for my every sin.  Search me and know me and reveal to me any aspect of my life that is not pleasing to you, expose any agreements I have made, and grant me the grace of a deep and true repentance.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and choosing me before you made the world.[1]  You are my true Father – my Creator, my Redeemer, my Sustainer, and the true end of all things, including my life.  I love you; I trust you; I worship you.  Thank you for proving your love for me by sending your only Son, Jesus, to be my substitute and representative.[2]  I receive him and all his life and all his work, which you ordained for me.  Thank you for including me in Christ,[3] for forgiving me my sins,[4] for granting me his righteousness,[5] for making me complete in him.[6] Thank you for making me alive with Christ,[7] raising me with him,[8] seating me with him at your right hand,[9] granting me his authority,[10] and anointing me with your Holy Spirit.[11]  I receive it all with thanks and give it total claim to my life. 

Jesus, thank you for coming for me, for ransoming me with your own life.[12]  I honor you as my Lord, I love you, worship you, trust you.  I sincerely receive you as my redemption, and I receive all the work and triumph of your crucifixion, whereby I am cleansed from all my sin through your shed blood,[13] my old nature is removed,[14] my heart is circumcised unto God,[15] and every claim being made against me is disarmed.[16]  I take my place in your cross and death, whereby I have died with you to sin and to my flesh,[17] to the world,[18] and to the Evil One.[19]  I am crucified with Christ, and I have crucified my flesh with all its passions and desires.[20]  I take up my cross and crucify my flesh with all its pride, unbelief, and idolatry.  I put off the old man.[21]  I now bring the cross of Christ between me and all people, all spirits, all things.  Holy Spirit, apply to me (my spouse and/or children) the fullness of the work of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for me.  I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my life.

Jesus, I also sincerely receive you as my new life, my holiness and sanctification, and I receive all the work and triumph of your resurrection, whereby I have been raised with you to a new life, to walk in newness of life,[22] dead to sin and alive to God.[23]  I am crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me[24].  I now take my place in your resurrection, whereby I have been made alive with you,[25] I reign in life through you.[26]  I now put on the new man in all holiness and humility, in all righteousness and purity and truth.  Christ is now my life,[27] the one who strengthens me.[28]  Holy Spirit, apply to me (my spouse and/or my children) the fullness of the resurrection of Jesus Christ for me.  I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my life.

Jesus, I also sincerely receive you as my authority and rule, my everlasting victory over Satan and his kingdom, and I receive all the work and triumph of your ascension, whereby Satan has been judged and cast down,[29] his ruler and authorities disarmed,[30] all authority in heaven and on earth given to you, Jesus,[31] and I have been given fullness in you, the Head over all.[32]  I take my place in your ascension, whereby I have been raised with you to the right hand of the Father and established with you in all authority.[33]  I bring your authority and your kingdom rule over my life, my family, my household, and my domain. 

And now I bring the fullness of your work – your cross, your resurrection, and ascension – against Satan, against his kingdom, and against all his emissaries and all their work warring against me and my domain.  Greater is he who is in me than he who is in the world.[34]  Christ has given me authority to overcome all the power of the Evil One, and I claim that authority now over and against every enemy, and I banish them in the name of Jesus Christ.[35]  Holy Spirit, apply to me (my spouse and my children) the fullness of the work of the ascension of Jesus Christ for me.  I receive it with thanks and give it total claim to my life.

Holy Spirit, I sincerely receive you as my Counselor, my Comforter, my Strength, and my Guide.[36]  Thank you for sealing me in Christ.[37]  I honor you as my Lord, and I ask you to lead me into all truth, to anoint me for all of my life and walk and calling, and to lead me deeper into Jesus today.[38]  I fully open my life to you in every dimension and aspect – my body, my soul, and my spirit – choosing to be filled with you, to walk in step with you in all things.[39]  Apply to me, blessed Holy Spirit, all of the work and all of the gifts in pentecost.[40]  Fill me afresh, blessed Holy Spirit.  I receive you with thanks and give you total claim to my life (and my spouse and/or children).

Heavenly Father, thank you for granting to me every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus.[41] 

I receive those blessings into my life today, and I ask the Holy Spirit to bring all those blessings into my life this day.  Thank you for the blood of Jesus.  Wash me once more with his blood from every sin and stain and evil device.  I put on your armor – the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the readiness of the gospel of peace, the helmet of salvation.  I take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, and I wield these weapons against the Evil One in the power of God.  I choose to pray at all times in the Spirit, to be strong in you, Lord, and in your might.[42] 

Father, thank you for your angels.  I summon them in the authority of Jesus Christ and release them to war for me and my household.[43]  May they guard me at all times this day.  Thank you for those who pray for me; I confess I need their prayers, and I ask you to send forth your Spirit and rouse them, unite them, raising up the full canopy of prayer and intercession for me.[44]  I call forth the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ this day throughout my home, my family, my life, and my domain.  I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ, with all glory and honor and thanks to him.

[1] Ephesians 1:4  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

[2] Romans 5:8  God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

[3] I Corinthians 1:30  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

[4] Colossians 2:13  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

[5] II Corinthians 5:21  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

[6] Colossians 2:10  and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

[7] Colossians 2:13  When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins

[8] Colossians 3:1  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

[9] Ephesians 2:6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

[10] Luke 10:19  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

[11] Ephesians 1:13  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

[12] Matthew 20:28  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

[13] I John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

[14] Colossians 2:11  In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ,

[15] Romans 2:29  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

[16] Colossians 2:15  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

[17] Romans 6:11  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

[18] Galatians 6:14  May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

[19] Colossians 1:13  For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,

[20] Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

[21] Ephesians 4:22  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;

[22] Romans 6:4  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

[23] Romans 6:11  In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

[24] Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

[25] Ephesians 2:5  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

[26] Romans 5:17  For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

[27] Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

[28] Philippians 4:13  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

[29] John 12:31  Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.

[30] Colossians 2:15  And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

[31] Matthew 28:18  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 

[32] Colossians 2:10  and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

[33] Ephesians 2:6  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.

[34] I John 4:4  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

[35] Luke 10:19  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

[36] John 14:16  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever--; Acts 9:31  Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

[37] Ephesians 1:13  And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,

[38] John 15:26  When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.   John 16:13  But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

[39] Galatians 5:25  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

[40] Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.

[41] Ephesians 1:3  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

[42] Ephesians 6:10-18  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

[43] Hebrews 1:14  Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

[44] II Corinthians 1:8-11  We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Pray and Give to save lives in Haiti

Hello Friends and Family,

No doubt you have heard of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that has already claimed thousands of lives. Thousands more are severely injured and the established hospitals are in heaps of rubble upon the ground.

It is a sad thing to see, and if you are anything like us your hearts mourn for these people. We are all made in the image of God.

Also, if you are anything like us, sometimes it is hard to know what to do and how to help. Prayer is the most effective and powerful thing we can do, but we can NOT stop there.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
-James 2:15-16

Doctors without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been, and is currently in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Currently, all donations are going directly to Haiti. For more information, read this short update here.

A vast majority (87% in 2008) of funds raised go directly into the field to save lives. You can give, knowing every dollar is used wisely.



There are other ways to directly contribute and help, this is just one option.

Thank you for thinking beyond yourself and helping save these lives.


Our best to you,

-Micah & Steph

Truths behind a foreign Christmas

-by Steph-

This Christmas resulted in a very strange sensation. The holiday cheer and jovial atmosphere, which usually accompany Christmas, were severely lacking. There were some Christmas trees and garlands, lights, and "Merry Christmas" signs, I will grant you that. However, the spirit of the season was perceptibly absent. In a country not founded upon Christian principles, any meaning to a Christian holiday is exorcised. The department stores decorate and publicize Christmas, but by much of the populace it is unwanted. In fact, I would say it is appreciable that in a society that is undecided about their religion they do not accept a holiday simply because it is commercially pushed upon them. I was actually surprised at how many of my students knew that Christmas was the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Granted, many did still say, “Santa Claus” was the reason for the season, but this falsity happens often in America as well.

I suppose the thing that was most interesting to me was that not one of my students said they would be opening presents on Christmas. Some said they got some money, but most said they would simply be sleeping and relaxing on their day off from school. When I asked why, many said it was because they were not Christian, and therefore did not celebrate. I appreciated that. It’s how it should be. I mean, I don’t celebrate Hanukkah because, well, I’m not Jewish. People shouldn’t celebrate Christmas if they are not Christian. In America, Christmas has become such a commercial commodity it’s hard for us to break free of that stigma. It definitely was fun getting a boatload of presents as a kid, but I think I lost what it really meant while frolicking in fields of ripped wrapping paper and toys.

Our Christmas was small and quaint this year. Just a Christmas Eve party with friends and Christmas day spent with the one I love most in the world, apart from Jesus. A sparse Christmas with a few presents from family, but we really felt blessed with what we were given.

We would have loved to be with our families, though. We missed the huge Christmas Eve bash with the Zisch’s. We missed Christmas morning with my mom and her delicious egg soufflé. We missed Christmas Day with the Redfields and playing Dutch blitz and eating Lisa’s delicious culinary masterpieces.

I didn’t feel put out because I missed the presents we would have gotten. (Although, I’m not gonna lie, it is still fun to open gifts.) I didn’t feel gloomy because I didn’t receive fake “Merry Christmas” greetings from people who don’t have any concept of what that truly means. What I missed most from home were the traditions of our family and the 11 o’clock candlelight Christmas Eve service.

It’s interesting how being in a country that has no ties to a holiday can make you more aware of what that day is really about. These things I conceptually have known for some time, but never been able to attempt putting them in to practice because I’ve always been enveloped in corrupted, commercial culture. It was easier this year to simply be thankful for my Savior, and grateful for His sacrifice, because there was no fat guy in a red suit to obscure the manger.

Question in the Abstract

Hey I've got a question. I would like to hear people's opinions: What does it mean to 'love God'? Is it pragmatic or emotive? Emperical or abstract? When someone says they love God, what is denoted by those words?

 

-Steph-

Captive

-note by Micah-

A powerful and heart wrenching masterpiece of poetry by Stephanie.

If this does not move you, I pity your soul.

Read it here.

TED India on child sex-slavery and rehabilitation

If you do nothing else today, WATCH THIS.

Sex industry rampant in Bucheon

Stephanie's poignant description of Bucheon, South Korea's pervasive sex industry, at StopChildSexSlavery.blogspot.com.

Read it here.