If Christ didn't come to condemn the world.... why then do we?

Just seeing John 3:16, many who read this will say the quote with no problem, but how many would recognize or recite John 3:17 with such ease? (If you can't recite it, then your job now is to look it up!)

In the past few decades, I truly feel the church has lost site of the fact that Christ didn't come to condemn the world and that we (the church) are now his representative here. As such, we too should not condemn the world. Does this mean that we should not declare things as sin, certainly not! We must identify sin, but unless the individual calls out to Christ as their salvation, then it would do them no good to try to live up to standards that the church is having trouble keeping.

Read now what the Apostle Paul says about friendship with sin Vs. friendship with the people Christ didn't come to condemn. 1st. Corinthians 5:9-13.

Bottom line in what I am saying - we know that the world is perishing (we as Christians can't stop this, it is God's plan!) That being said however; we need to love those that are currently condemned no matter what we may see as vice in their life. Furthermore, we need to hold those who claim Christ as Lord to a higher standard. When a brother or sister stumbles - we need to hold them to account as we lift them up. If they refuse to repent; then sadly they by definition have rejected not you, but Christ.

Thankfully there is Grace!

Contributed by Duke Clements

Join us for a congressional briefing on domestic minor sex trafficking

We got this from our friends at Shared Hope International.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

2:00 pm

538 Senate Dirksen building

You are invited to a briefing on the sex trafficking of minors in the U.S with a special introduction by acclaimed actor Mira Sorvino. This form of modern day slavery is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Over 100,000 children are trafficked for sex in the U.S. each year, according to recent estimates.

To learn more about this tragic problem, please come to the briefing at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 (the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing room.)

Briefing agenda:

Mira Sorvino: Welcome and introduction

Senators Ron Wyden and John Cornyn: comments on the re-introduction of the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act

Libby Spears, filmmaker - Director of the documentary film "Playground": brief commentary and viewing of the trailer for "Playground"

Panel of speakers:

Dr. Sharon Cooper, Forensic Pediatrician, University of North Carolina School of Medicine

Sgt. Doug Justus, Portland Police Bureau (ret.), former head of the Portland Police Department vice unit

Natasha, a Victims' Rights Advocate and sex trafficking survivor

Ernie Allen, President and CEO, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

We hope to see you there!

Update on the MD Human Trafficking Policies

Just received this mail from our friend @ the Polaris Project. I was at the Annapolis State House today and is exciting that this is really happening. Please get involved!!!

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2011 MARYLAND HUMAN TRAFFICKING LEGISLATION
March 1, 2011

The Maryland legislative session has reached its halfway point – and there are now 8 human trafficking bills under consideration! Below is a brief update, but as always if you have any questions please let me know!

The hearings are a great time for us to publicly push these important bills and show our strong support, but our work does not end with that. The Maryland committees do not vote the same day as the hearing, in fact, they may not vote for several weeks! Therefore, it is incredibly important for us to keep the pressure on. You can do this by looking up your legislators at http://mdelect.net/electedofficials and making a quick call to urge them to move these bills forward.

· HB 674 - Education - Human Trafficking - Awareness, Training, and Distribution of Materials Status: Hearing is scheduled for March 2 at 1pm in the House Committee on Ways and Means. Purpose: Directs the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Dept. of Education to provide training materials to educators in the public school system. The goal is to raise awareness and provide educators with the tools to identify any students who may be victim of human trafficking. What You Can Do: Please join us for the hearing on 3/2/11 at 1pm. Still looking for teachers to testify, but all are welcome! In lieu of that, please contact your delegates and urge them to support this bill!

· NEW!!!!! HB 1304 Posting the Human Trafficking Hotline at TruckstopsStatus: Introduced on 3/1/2011Purpose: Requires all truckstops, rest areas and bus stations in Maryland to post the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline. What You Can Do: The bill has not yet been assigned to a committee, but when it is, your testimony will be critical!

· HB 345/ SB 299 Human Trafficking Investigations (Wiretapping) Status: HB345 passed the House on 2/24, SB299 is pending in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.Purpose: Provide law enforcement with the additional tools to conduct surveillance and wiretapping in human trafficking investigations. What You Can Do: Please call and urge your senator to vote YES on SB299, and if your senator is on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, urge him or her to adopt the same amendments as the House.

· HB 266/SB 327 Human Trafficking Victim Protection Act Status: Awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees. Purpose: Provide the courts with the authority to order restitution for victims of human trafficking of convicted traffickers, and provides a system for victims of sex trafficking to remove convictions for prostitution if they occurred during the time they were trafficked. What You Can Do: Please call your senator and delegates (especially if they are on the House Judiciary Committee or the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee) and urge them to vote yes on a favorable report for this important bill.

· HB 418/SB 247 Human Trafficking - Asset Forfeiture, Labor Trafficking, Anti-Human Trafficking Fund Status: Awaiting a vote in the House Judiciary and the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committees. Purpose: 3 things: Adds “labor trafficking” to the human trafficking statute; creates asset forfeiture of all ill-gotten gains of a convicted trafficker; and creates the Anti-Human Trafficking Fund, where proceeds from forfeited assets will go, and in which law enforcement or victim service providers can apply for grants. What you can do: Please contact your delegates and urge them to ask Chairman Vallario to "bring HB418 up for a favorable report in committee". Additionally, if you have a moment more, please urge everyone you know to call their delegates too!


To look up who your legislators are go to: http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/ and for more info on the bills just go to http://www.polarisproject.org/what-we-do/policy-advocacy/pending-legislation and click on Maryland.
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Proclamation of the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

On December 22, President Barack Obama set January 2011 as the National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Instead of writing to the proclamation, I would like to post the declaration as it was released by the White House.

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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 22, 2010

NATIONAL SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, 2011
- - - - - - -BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation was founded on the enduring principles of equality and freedom for all. As Americans, it is our solemn responsibility to honor and uphold this legacy. Yet, around the world and even within the United States, victims of modern slavery are deprived of the most basic right of freedom. During National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, we rededicate ourselves to preventing and ending human trafficking,and we recognize all who continue to fight this serious human rights violation.

Human trafficking is a global travesty that takes many forms. Whether forced labor or sexual trafficking, child soldiering or involuntary domestic servitude, these abuses are an affront to our national conscience, and to our values as Americans and human beings. There is no one type of victim --men and women, adults and children are all vulnerable. From every corner of our Nation to every part of the globe, we must stand firm in defense of freedom and bear witness for those exploited by modern slavery.

At the start of each year, Americans commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, which became effective on January 1,1863, and the 13th Amendment, which was signed by President Abraham Lincoln and sent to the States for ratification on February 1, 1865. These seminal documents secured the promise of freedom for millions enslaved within our borders, and brought us closer to perfecting our Union. We also recall that, over10 years ago, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 renewed America's commitment to combating modern slavery domestically and internationally. With this law,America reaffirmed the fundamental promise of "forever free"enshrined within the Emancipation Proclamation.

We cannot strengthen global efforts to end modern slavery without first accepting the responsibility to prevent, identify,and aggressively combat this crime at home. No country can claim immunity from the scourge of human rights abuses, or from the responsibility to confront them. As evidence of our dedication to a universal struggle against this heinous practice, the Department of State's "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010" included America in its rankings for the first time, measuring our efforts by the same standards to which more hold other nations. Looking ahead, we must continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases within our own borders.

Although the United States has made great strides in preventing the occurrence of modern slavery, prosecuting traffickers and dismantling their criminal networks, and protecting victims and survivors, our work is not done. We stand with those throughout the world who are working every day to end modern slavery, bring traffickers to justice, and empower survivors to reclaim their rightful freedom. This month, I urge all Americans to educate themselves about all forms of modern slavery and the signs and consequences of human trafficking.Together, we can combat this crime within our borders and join with our partners around the world to end this injustice.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States,do hereby proclaim January 2011 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, culminating in the annual celebration of National Freedom Day on February 1. I call upon the people of the United States to recognize the vital role we can play in ending modern slavery and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

BARACK OBAMA
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Urgent Call-In Campaign for the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act

We need your help!

Senate bill 2925 just passed the Senate unanimously on December 9th. This bill, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden, tries to establish a grant program to benefit victims of sex trafficking.

Check out the status and the language here.

Amanda Kloer opened up a petition campaign in Change.org, and I strongly encourage you to take a look at her article. It gives the background of the issue, shows the number to call, and suggested language on how you can ask your Representative for their support. I have met so many people who asks how they can help when it comes to trafficking... and you can help here, right now!

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Urgent Call-In Campaign to Give Trafficked Children Shelter By Amanda KloerChange.orgDecember 13, 2010 Last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2010, which would provide critical resources to children trafficked for sex in America. Now, this desperately needed legislation must be adopted by the House before December 17, when Congress is expected to adjourn for the year. Join the National Call-In Campaign and ask your representative to make this legislation law, and give the gift of shelter, safety, and justice to trafficked children this holiday season To read the rest of the story, click here.

Human Trafficking != Prostitution

I must say that the topic of human trafficking, specifically awareness part of it, has made leaps and bounds in the past 10 years. It has come from bunch of people trying to define & clarify what it is, to something that you see (if you are paying attention) on daily basis on the Internet news. The progress of it reminds me of the advancement on the front of domestic violence... the term was introduced in 1977 and now everybody knows, and most importantly agree, that it is something not justifiable.

One thing that concerns me, however, is that majority of the people who have heard of human trafficking, including law enforcement personnel, equate human trafficking as prostitution cases..... well.... it's not true. There are girls and boys who are traded for sex, but also there are people who are traded for agricultural work, factory work... picking tomatoes, cotton... just as the days of slave trade in the US. Unfortunately most of the people in the US believes that "That type" of slavery is only in foreign countries.

A friend of mine forwarded me the following article from The Columbus Dispatch, which talks about an Ohio nail salon owner who was arrested in human trafficking case.... yes, people are trafficked to work at nail salons as well.... [Article]

People ask me frequently on how they can help when it comes to the crime of human trafficking... and I say the same thing over and over (which usually I get an uninterested response)..."Get to know your neighbor, your office mates, your waiters from the restaurant that you frequent... your sphere of influence, and care for them as they are your friends"... there is a reason why this crime is called the invisible crime, and if you want to help, that is the only way that you will identify the victims... and to eventually, set them free.

URGENT: Christmas Cards needed for children in Compassion projects

I got this note from Dave Wells / Compassion International. Do you think you can help? Can you imagine the smile on the face of the child that your letter will reach?

Hey everyone – this is LATE notice but if you can participate and/or spread the word:

We can collect letters and Christmas cards for children in our projects that have never received a letter! Send them to:

Compassion International
Attn Candy Entingh
12290 Voyager Pkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

BUT…they have to arrive at GMC by November 23^rd, in order for them to get into the system and arrive for each child to receive them BY Christmas.

There are over 1,400 children in HAITI alone who don’t yet have a sponsor! Just write out a card or letter leaving out any attempt to address a particular child by name and let them know you are praying for them and thinking of them this Christmas. Share your faith, share your words of love and encouragement – but be sure to share something! It will take just a couple minutes to write out a quick card.

Let others know and send as many as you can by this weekend!

For God’s children-

doug west
advocate relations - southeast
compassion international (http://www.compassion.com/)