Welcome Atheists.

January 19, 2013 / Erin Kirk / 6 Comments

Lately, I’ve been reading atheist blogs because I am fascinated by faith in all its forms.

I’m not interested in shouting over who’s right or wrong – there are enough people doing that. Rather, I’m interested in how people decide what to believe.

An avid rejection of church behavior (Christian in particular) seems to fuel many of the blogs. The Crusades, the antics of Westboro Baptist Church, the flaming mess that is the homosexuality debate in America, all seem foremost in the minds of a lot of bloggers.

I get it. My conscience recoils at that behavior too, and for years, it helped me rationalize my rejection of God. But had I shut out the noise and read what Jesus and his disciples actually said, I might have seen things like this:

You my brothers and sisters were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:13-14

The Bible has a lot to say about love, but I’m not sure you’d know that by casually observing the church. Where in scripture does it say, Christians must deliver a constant public service announcement about the justice of God?

Yes, I believe in the God of justice before whom we will all stand and explain ourselves, but I also believe in the God of love and mercy. And if, as the Apostle Paul says, it’s the kindness of God that leads men to repent, and we’re so concerned about the repentance of others,

why aren’t we kinder?

So, my intention with this space is to highlight people living the freedom, kindness and love of God, whether they call it that or not – the sort of love that makes the world more fragrant and beautiful, like orange blossoms do in spring.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Foster

Look at this cop giving socks and shoes to a homeless guy. Is he a Christian? I don’t know, but he is doing what Jesus said: Love your brother. Clothe him.

Yes, the Bible is controversial and demanding, it always has been. Of course there are things in it I wish were not, but conventional wisdom is overrated. I love that Jesus is still defying conventional wisdom:

Stop grumbling.
Forgive your enemies.
Don’t be proud.
Pray for people who persecute you.
Trust Me.
Give money away.
Feed the poor.
Worship God.
Serve one another.

It could take the rest of my life just to get that right, so I really don’t have time to get that splinter out of your eye. I’ve got a big log in my own.

Ultimately, holiness is always an inside job, and when it’s done well, it’s illuminating. God willing, those are the people you’ll find here.

So welcome to a conversation about freedom and love. I follow Jesus Christ but I welcome atheists, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims to the conversation. Welcome gays and lesbians. Welcome hunters and PETA activists, left-wing, right-wing and whatever the Tea Party is. Welcome all you who are heavy laden and weary.

Let’s go find some rest.

The New Year Got You Feeling Pruney?

January 6, 2013January 6, 2013 / Erin Kirk / 8 Comments

“Meh”

I haven’t posted in a few days because my mind has been a stinking, burbling cesspool of negative mental energy and I figured I’d just keep it to myself.

I think New Year’s Day can be harder than people admit. What if you don’t feel eager, motivated and confident about the future? Even my favorite bloggers are bubbling with enthusiasm for the goals they’ve set, the ten pounds they are sure to lose and the sheer excitement to see what Jesus will get up to in 2013.

Me? I’m just…Meh.

And I’m a Christian. I’m supposed to be full of joy regardless of circumstances.

Today, Pastor Dennis nailed what I already suspected was the problem: I’ve run out of gas. I’ve gotten out of my routine and haven’t spent my regular time meditating on the word of God. I’m like a plum that’s dropped to the ground, and absent my connection to the tree, I’m shriveling into prunedom.

Well now, isn’t that a lovely corner to paint yourself into? I got addicted to Jesus and now if I don’t get enough of him I’m a mopey, shriveled up mess. There is no Before Christ available to me anymore.

Making matters worse, I am reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers, a book about life in the Mumbai slums, which makes for feel guilty for whining because I have literally NOTHING to complain about.

Thanks Dennis!

But from time to time when I can’t figure out how to act, I remember to look at the gospel and find out what Jesus did. It helps. Today, Pastor Dennis pointed us to Mark 1:35 wherein Jesus got up before the sun, alone, talked to God and waited for direction.

Can it be that simple?

Yes, it can. I know because for two years, I got up at 5:30 and spent two full hours reading the bible and praying before starting my day. That time was arguably the hardest period in my life, yet this practice held things together like a good pair of spanx.

It is no different now. It’s still about practice and without it I get sloppy. Like Dennis said this morning, God is just waiting for me to stop freaking out and lock eyes with Him, so He can remind me what joy is, and how to do it.

I know I can’t do this without God, yet, amazingly, I still try.

Sometimes the New Year isn’t about grand gestures and plans; sometimes it’s just about setting the alarm.

How You Can Fight Sex Traffickers – Right Now.

December 4, 2012March 4, 2013 / Erin Kirk / 5 Comments

Did you know the average cost of a human slave in 1809 (adjusted for current inflation) was $40,000? Today, it’s $90.

There are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world now, more than at any other time in human history, and every sixty seconds a child is sold for sex worldwide. I know this is freaking you out. But if you’re like me, you’re stymied by how to respond effectively.

Good News! I have a way.

Today I partnered with The Exodus Road, a Christian non-profit doing counter trafficking work in SE Asia. Last week they put out a call to bloggers to not only help them raise money in a tech-savvy way, but to keep this boiling injustice front and center, where it belongs.

Here’s why I like Exodus Road:

They believe there are three main tasks at hand. Prevention. Prosecution and Restoration. Fewer people were tackling prosecution of human traffickers, so they dug in there. They partner with teams of investigators and local law enforcement to conduct under-cover surveillance and raids on brothels, bars and theaters where children, sometimes as young as seven, are sold for sex.

“By decreasing the profitability of the trafficking industry for the criminal, we will eventually slow the mechanisms that make the exploitation of women and children so lucrative.” -Exodus Road.

Here’s The Plan:

Equipping their investigators for one raid, with cameras, GPS etc. costs Exodus Road $1400. I’m thinking three raids or more!

So, until Christmas, (22 days from now) I am going to fundraise for them and write about it. This is my way of putting my money where my mouth is on this blog. I talk about sexual slavery and justice and the love of Christ all the time, but it requires action. Will you join me? The donate box will take you to their secure, non-profit funding site (here’s their guidestar report ) where you can use a credit card. It also tracks our progress as a team. But wait….It gets better.

Exodus Road plans take two of their bloggers to SE Asia in January to see their operation firsthand. They’ll take one blogger who raises the most money and one who engages the most donors. Don’t you think that should be me? I do.

Not only that, each raid we fund will be our own. I will be able to talk to the people involved about our case (within reason) and its outcomes and report it back to you. That way you don’t feel like your donation goes into some mysterious charity maw. This is boots on the ground work, using the amazing tools available to us on the internet.

My God we live in incredible times. Will you help me? Donate. Reblog this. Post it to Facebook and Twitter. Let’s go ruin some dirtbags together!