John Piper is one of my favorite people to read or listen to becuase of the passion he has for Jesus Christ. I heard him at a conference back in college preach from Hebrews 11, the chapter that is commonly known as the "hall of faith". He said some things that rocked my world and really changed the way I viewed my christian faith. I used to think that Christianity was a safe religion and the Christ wanted to make my life better and give me things I desired....I know, pretty shallow. After hearing him speak I began to realize that Christ was everything but safe, yet he was infinitely worthy of being followed.
One of Piper's big sayings, and the title of one of his books, is "Don't Waste Your Life". Below are two video clips of Piper quotes that I have heard several times in my life and every time I hear them they sadden and motivate me simultaneously. They sadden me because I see how often I look to things in this life to give me purpose and satisfaction when only Christ can fullfill that desire. I so often settle for the simple when God has infinite satisfaction waiting for me. It motivates me because I serve a gracious God that has a good and perfect plan for my life.....and that excites me at my core. Who knows what he has in store for me or where I will be or what I will be doing........I can only dream and be willing to answer the call!!
I hope this sparks a desire in your heart to get busy living and to not waste your life.....it does in me!
So if you don't know...I am dedicating this blog for the next month to bring some awareness to the human trafficking issue in Atlanta.....now you know. A couple of weekends ago I had a friend came in town who wanted to see the movie "Taken". Having no idea what it was about I went and to my surprise it was about human trafficking....crazy how God works!
The movie is about a girl who visits Paris and is taken to be sold in the sex trafficking industry and her fathers quest to get her back. It's action packed and pretty violent in parts but I think it paints a somewhat accurate portrayal of the trafficking industry....I can't say for absolute sure but of what I have read it is reasonable. The movie has some pretty heavy scenes in it so if that bothers you, you've been warned! It has heavy scenes but the whole industry is a heavy subject and ignoring it is not an option. So with that said go check it out sometime....it's entertaining.....it's a guy movie.....and it shed's some light on a trafficking.
Lately, I have been getting into the whole running thing-I'm pretty much addicted to it right now! I started running because I wanted to get back in shape and feel a little better but somehow I ended up getting involved in what I am calling "the cause". I wanted to get involved with something where I could help people out that were less fortunate or were going through a rough time in life. What I ended up finding was something that I just couldn't walk away from and has changed me for the better.
I am running the Atlanta ING Marathon on March 29th with some people from my church, Perimeter. The whole reason we are running is to raise awareness and money for families effected by the sex trafficking industry. What I orginally thought was a small, isolated probelm I found to be a huge multi-billion dollar a year industry that effects thousands of women. Not only that but Atlanta ranks as one of the top cities in the world where young girls are caught up in trafficking. If you follow the link below you can watch a 1 minute video and look at some facts about the problem:
So, I am running to bring some attention the problem and hopefully raise some money to help families out. I want people to be aware of what is going on in the city of Atlanta so something can be done to end the problem. If you feel compelled to give financially to the "Justice Run" you can go the link below.
100% of the proceeds go to help families coming out of the trafficking industry. No pressure to give but I hope that you take the time to research some of the facts on trafficking so you can be aware.
I'll be using my blog to keep people up to date on what is going on with the run so check back in every so often if you interested.
“Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, ‘He won’t call me to account?’ But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you, you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.” Psalm 10:12-15
I'm a 27 year old living in Duluth, Georgia where I am trying to figure out what I was created to do. I am currently an athletic director of a private middle school....and yes, I wear shorts and a t-shirt to work everyday and get my summers off. Right now I am really into running-borderline addicted to it. The most important thing in my life is Jesus in whom I place all my hope and trust!
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
