My 20th for the 27 Million

"Slavery is Wrong. You know it. We know it. As a country, we've officially known it since 1863. But here's something you might not know -- Slavery still exists. We want every man, woman and child to know that there are 27 million men, women and children, just like them, living in the shadows. In brothels. In factories. In Quarries. Working as slaves. In 161 countries. Including our own. We are here to shine a light on slavery. No more bondage. No more sex trafficking. No more child laborers. No more, starting now." - End It Movement

For a few years now, I've known that slavery still exists. I've raised awareness, given money, even tried my hand at writing a few songs about it (and, believe me, it's just as difficult and depressing as it sounds). But I always have a desire to do more. Yet what can I do? I'm not rich, I don't have much influence, I've never been particularly courageous.

Then I learned about the International Justice Mission's FreedomMaker. The International Justice Mission, or IJM, is one of several organizations working to end slavery. They also seek to bring justice to widows in danger of having their property stolen from them and those in prison who have been wrongly accused. FreedomMaker is a tool which anyone can use to start a campaign to raise money for IJM and support their work to bring freedom and justice to the oppressed. People have "given up" special events, telling people to donate money to the organization instead.

So that's what I'm doing. I'm giving up my 20th birthday. Because there are a lot more important things in this world than me getting presents. And this is most definitely one of them. I felt it was important to extend an invitation to you. If you're willing, and if God is leading you, I would appreciate your help - whether that's with donations, spreading the word about my campaign, or just raising awareness about modern-day slavery. It's time to end this, and I would be honored if you would be a part of that with me.

You can view my campaign at www.ijmfreedommaker.org

Reasons 5004-5052 today,

(Finishing Proverbs!),

Looking at who He is

And praying that my heart

Continues growing to look a little more like His:

5004. He detests differing weights (Proverbs 20:10)
5005. He detests differing measures (Proverbs 20:10)
5006. He made ears that hear (Proverbs 20:12)
5007. He made eyes that see (Proverbs 20:12)
5008. Dishonest scales do not please Him (Proverbs 20:23)
5009. A person's steps are directed by Him (Proverbs 20:24)
5010. In His hand the king's heart is a stream of water (Proverbs 21:1)
5011. In His hand the king's heart is a stream of water that He channels toward all who please Him (Proverbs 21:1)
5012. A person may think their own ways are right, but He weighs the heart (Proverbs 21:2)
5013. To do what is just and right is more acceptable to Him than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3)
5014. He is the Righteous One (Proverbs 21:12)
5015. He takes note of the house of the wicked (Proverbs 21:12)
5016. He brings the wicked to ruin (Proverbs 21:12)
5017. There is no wisdom that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
5018. There is no insight that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
5019. There is no plan that can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:29)
5020. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with Him (Proverbs 21:31)
5021. He is the Maker of the rich (Proverbs 22:2)
5022. He is the Maker of the poor (Proverbs 22:2)
5023. His eyes keep watch over knowledge (Proverbs 22:12)
5024. He frustrates the words of the unfaithful (Proverbs 22:12)
5025. He will take up the case of the poor who are exploited because they are poor (Proverbs 22:22-23)
5026. He will take up the needy who are crushed in court (Proverbs 22:22-23)
5027. He will take up the case of the poor who are exploited because they are poor and will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:22-23)
5028. He will take up the needy who are crushed in court and will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:22-23)
5029. He will exact life for life (Proverbs 22:23)
5030. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall (Proverbs 24:17)
5031. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble (Proverbs 24:17)
5032. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall and disapproves (Proverbs 24:17)
5033. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble and disapproves (Proverbs 24:17)
5034. He sees those who gloat when their enemies fall and disapproves and turns His Wrath away from the enemies (Proverbs 24:17)
5035. He sees those whose hearts rejoice when their enemies stumble and disapproves and turns His Wrath away from the enemies (Proverbs 24:17)
5036. It is His Glory to conceal a matter (Proverbs 25:2)
5037. He rewards those who give food to their enemies when they are hungry (Proverbs 25:21-22)
5038. He rewards those who give water to their enemies when they are thirsty (Proverbs 25:21-22)
5039. Those who seek Him understand what is right fully (Proverbs 28:5)
5040. He gives sight to the poor (Proverbs 29:13)
5041. He gives sight to the oppressor (Proverbs 29:13)
5042. Whoever trusts in Him is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25)
5043. Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from Him that one gets justice (Proverbs 29:26)
5044. He has gone up to heaven and come down (Proverbs 30:4)
5045. His hands have gathered up the wind (Proverbs 30:4)
5046. He has wrapped up the waters in a cloak (Proverbs 30:4)
5047. He has established all the ends of the earth (Proverbs 30:4)
5048. Every word of His is flawless (Proverbs 30:5)
5049. He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him (Proverbs 30:5)
5050. He rebukes those who add to His words (Proverbs 30:6)
5051. He proves a liar those who add to His words (Proverbs 30:6)
5052. His Name is dishonored when those who become poor steal (Proverbs 30:9)

Counting 10,000 Reasons to worship Him: 

(Sylvia's already made it to - past - 10,000!  So amazing to think of who He is like this!)

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Counting in community:

Thankful for
 - A relaxing weekend
 - Time with family
 - Convicting sermons
 - Recounting a bit of what God's done in my life
 - Seeing old friends
 - A break from the computer
 - Much-needed rest
 - Intercessory prayer