Protect What Matters Most
The fourth of July has come and gone, and every year we hear horror stories of people injured by fireworks.
This morning I opened a news article where a 15 year old boy made a bomb out of 200 sparklers. In the interview, his mom and aunt talked of how he did this every year.
I have to stop right there and ask the question: WHY would you allow your child to play with fireworks and make bombs? Why?
The mother and aunt were in tears, and rightfully so. Their precious loved one is in critical condition, having part of his leg amputated. As he is still in a coma, they are unsure if the boy will lose his vision as a result of the explosion. His friend was also injured in the explosion, and he has to return to the hospital to have metal removed from his eyes.
Protect what matters most!
Do NOT allow your children to play with things of this nature.
About three years ago, my family and I decided to stay in for the 4th of July. We purchased our own fireworks and decided to have a fun time at home celebrating. My husband was to be the one to set the fireworks up and light them. My daughters and I had our beach chairs reclined in anticipation of a fabulous show. The first few fireworks were just fine, but something went terribly wrong when the roman candle fell on its side and started shooting right at us! My daughters and I jumped up from our chairs and started running toward the house for cover. As I tried to run, I tripped over my chair, and instantly I felt a hard metal ball hit my leg. It stung, which only made me run faster with greater determination to get away from it. After the roman candle was finally empty and I made sure my children were safe, I vowed that we would never, ever attempt to do fireworks at home again! And, we haven’t. Thankfully, I was the only one hit, and it did not penetrate my skin.
The whole ordeal was frightening, to say the least. This incident happened with fireworks we bought at the store. I cannot imagine trying to make one yourself and having tragedy strike.
I know the mom and aunt are living with regret today having allowed the boy to participate in such an act. It is extremely sad that this has ultimately altered his entire life now.
Parents, please protect what is nearest and dearest to your heart – your children! Protect what matters most!
If you want to enjoy fireworks, go to a show where the experts handle all of it – every single bit of it! That way you and your family can kick back, relax, and enjoy the show. There are places all over our small community offering places for the family to enjoy the 4th of July fireworks. I’m sure they are in your area as well. It just is not worth it to risk doing it yourself at home OR making firework bombs.
Pray for the 15 year old and his family, as well as his friend that was also injured yesterday.
Freedom From Shame
Maybe you’re still carrying around “baggage” from something that happened in the past, or perhaps it’s a situation that you’ve just found yourself in that has you plagued with guilt and shame. The reality is that it does not matter when it occurred. The point is no one is immune to it. It reaches in and attacks the very core of who we are, often times dragging our sense of self worth down with it. I’m speaking of guilt, but more importantly, I am referring to shame. Trust me, there is a difference in the two.
Heather Davis Nelson speaks to the heart and soul in her book “Un-Ashamed – Healing Our Brokenness and Finding Freedom From Shame.”
Shame can come from any where; often times from how you feel about your body, difficult situations you may have encountered with a boss or coworker, or even something that happened in a relationship you were involved in. Other times, it can be something that was forced upon you, and now you are having to live with the aftermath. Extreme shame is also someone’s constant companion if they have a secret sin they are trying to keep hidden.
Ms. Nelson utilizes Brene Brown’s books in order to put her work in a biblical framework, and she explains that she does so since we live in a fallen world. Ms. Nelson strives to address the topic of shame with hope!
Allow me to quote directly from the pages of the book as the words speak volumes:
“Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging,” writes Brene Brown.
“Brown writes: ‘The majority of shame researchers and clinicians agree that the difference between shame and guilt is best understood as the difference between ‘I am bad’ and ‘I did something bad.’ Guilt = I did something bad. Shame = I am bad.’ Guilt is associated with actions while shame taints your entire identity.”
“Ed Welch, a professor and counselor at the Christian Counseling an Education Foundation (CCEF), fills this out in the following ways: “Guilt can be hidden; shame feels like it is always exposed.”
Let me just stop right there and say THIS is SO true! I know this section at the very beginning of her book spoke to my heart! This was just in the first few pages, too! Imagine what the rest of the book has in store – oh, you’re going to want to soak and bask in it!
Not convinced yet?
Allow me to share a little more, would you:
“To expunge guilt, confession and forgiveness are needed. Eradicating shame calls for a deep and pervasive antidote, one that will strike shame at its roots and transform the way you think about who you are and the relationships in your life.”
“We wear shame like a shield, hiding who we know ourselves to be and protecting ourselves from whom we fear others could be.”
Wow!
Now let me share something that brought hope forth out of these passages:
“Through union with Christ you are clothed with honor rather than shame, made part of a community to which you will always belong, and given a kingdom that cannot be taken away.”
I have been engrossed in this book so much that my daughter came in the other day when I was reading it inquiring as to the content. I shared some of it with her, and she would like to read this book after I’m finished with it. I’m telling you – everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from the wisdom that is imparted in this book.
Please enter our giveaway to have your very own copy of this book sent directly to your door. Even if you’re not struggling with any form of shame currently but know of someone that may be going through something like this, you could win this book in our giveaway to pass on to them. That’s food for thought. Some one out there NEEDS to hear the message this book brings forth! Won’t you enter?
Freedom from shame!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per
Caged No More
When I saw the movie Caged No More, I had no way of knowing the serious content this movie would bring to light. While I knew the movie was brought to us by the co-producers of God’s Not Dead and knew it would be moving, it wasn’t until the plot began to unfold that I realized this wasn’t just a movie. No, it happens every day – whether we like to think of the possibility of it or not. It’s out there; sex-trafficking.
I have two precious daughters that, due to their age and limited exposure to the world, think everyone is honest, true, and would not harm a hair on their head. That couldn’t be further from the truth in this cruel world. I’ve talked with them about how just because we’re good people does not mean that everyone around us is nor do they always have the best of intentions toward us. I’m honestly not trying to scare them or make them leery of everyone they come in contact with, but they need to know the dangers that are lurking in the dark shadows of this cold world. They are so innocent at this point in their lives, yet some where someone is seeking to harm young girls just like my daughters. This movie hit so close to home because I DO have two beautiful daughters who are my heart and soul, and I try with all my might to shelter and protect them.
In this movie, two young girls are taken and sold into sex-trafficking. The thought of it is purely sickening, yet the reality is this is someone’s life! How horrible to think of what they are enduring in dingy living spaces, dimly lit with hands of strangers touching their bodies violating them. Oh, dear God! Their innocence – stolen!
Several of my blogging friends have mentioned sex-trafficking on their blogs, in their Facebook messages, etc. in an effort to bring this topic that is only whispered about out into board daylight. It isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s OUR problem as a whole. We shouldn’t rest until every person that was forced into this form of slavery is freed!
Help us break the silence!
Please …
There are innocent victims that need you to be their voice. Help free them. You may think it doesn’t matter, you may not feel you have a big following to make this plea to, but every one that gets to talking HELPS bring light to this often avoided topic of conversation. We need your help, and we need you to be their voice.
If you haven’t seen the movie, I encourage you to stop into your local Family Christian and pick up a copy. Don’t let that be the only thing that you do, though. Remember, it isn’t “just” a movie. It is someone’s life!
If you suspect or know of someone that is involved in sex trafficking, please visit the National Human Trafficking Resource Center. You can report a tip, and you can even request services.
Help spread the word. Someone out there NEEDS your help!
Women are not objects to be lusted after, groped on, raped, beaten, used, abused, etc. We are not here for anyone’s pleasure, certainly not against our wishes!
Speak up and speak out about this!
While I did receive a copy of this movie in exchange for a review, I feel passionately about this. I hope you will see the urgency in this as well and vow to help do something about it!
