Sin in Silence

It makes us uncomfortable to think about it, let alone talk about it, but statistics show that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence at some point in their life. Chances are you know somebody who has been affected by it - I know a handful of people. The destruction and pain is heart breaking - and it is an issue that I believe the church must acknowledge as real.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I admit, I don't know a whole lot about the issue, but I do know that it happens far too often to stay unspoken and unexplored. I invite you to watch Sin in Silence, a documentary about women who, in defending their lives found themselves in prison. Or if you don't have time, consider reading the article at Her.Meneutics.



If you are interested in learning how the church can help a good read is Healing the Wounds of Trauma. If you feel so moved, consider hosting a Swap for Good or sharing this documentary with a friend.

If you know someone who is experiencing domestic violence, don't let them suffer in silence. Know your local resources. Call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1 (800) 799-7233 for help or the 24 Hour Women Crisis Line at 503-235-5333.

Book Review: No Compromise: the life story of Keith Green

Keith Green was an incredibly INTENSE man. And I had to write that in capital letters because that is exactly what he was. He was always on a quest to find spiritual meaning, whether it was through drugs or sex or any sort of cult, he was all or nothing. Through his spiritual journey he comes across Jesus and decided to follow him. With his totally devoted personality, he starts to realize that Christian's aren't necessarily totally devoted. He sees a lot of holes and is perplexed. Instead of this driving him away from Christ, this does quite the opposite and he commits to loving and sharing the gospel with everyone he meets. Giving rides to hitchhikers just so he could strike up a conversation and opening his home to wounded people with no home was a regular act for Keith. Reading his story, written by his wife Melody, I couldn't help but get uncomfortable at the way he lived his life - how completely sold out he was to following Christ and how he continuously sought to bring others to Him. It was strange, but I felt convicted. Some may say I'm a little off the wall or somewhat radical, but I am nothing compared to Keith Green. His sense of urgency to share the gospel with people and live completely devoted to the cause is something that I have yet a ways to grow in.

If you're looking for a book that will make you uncomfortable, convicted, and inspired, this would definitely fit the bill.

Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven

"The hardest part of being a Christian is surrendering and that is where the real struggle happens. Once we have overcome our own desire to be elevated, our own desire to be recognized, our own desire to be independent and all those things that we value so much because we are Americans and we are part of this American culture - once we have overcome that struggle then God can use us as a part of His body to accomplish what the body of Christ was left here to accomplish" - Rich Mullins

I have been reading Rich Mullin's biography, An Arrow Pointing to Heaven for the past year and I really have to read it in parts because it is so convicting. Rich was man we all know as the guy who wrote "Awesome God" and other popular Christian songs of the 90's, but he was so much more than a musician. He was a man who wrestled with his own desires and had a heart for God. His heart, passion, and conviction is so inspiring and ultimately convicting. Most of the time he is quoted in this book, I really have to think about he is saying because it is so raw and full of truth. He was not one that sugar coated his life and made it seem like he had it all figured. When he struggled with something (and he was always struggling with something) he faced it head on - with all of the emotions and discoveries.

If you are interested in getting a glimpse of a man's life, who really was devoted and passionately in love with Jesus - I would definitely recommend reading his biography. Of course the irony of this is, he probably would have hated to have a biography made by him.