In the Presence of Danger

Yesterday morning, one of our mothers was robbed at knife point after dropping her children off at Roots & Wings.

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Pregnancy Obstacle Course (Just kidding – part of an object lesson at our last parenting class)

Just around the corner, as she walked to work. She was not injured but very shaken up. They took her purse, wallet, house keys, everything she was carrying.

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People often ask us, are we afraid?

We move to a country being torn apart by corruption, drugs, and violence. We live in a city plagued with organized crime. We spend 12 plus hours a day in a community ridden with theft and brutality.

Or, at least that’s what many people see.

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The kids aren’t the only ones who must memorize Scripture. So proud of our winning team – they successfully unscrambled three verses correctly.

We are a non-profit. We are caring for the poor. We are practicing the art of saving families. We are giving our time and energy away for the greater good. We are raising little world changers. We are passionate and relevant.

That’s what we see.

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“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”

My heroes have always been the ones that stood in the gap and fought for the oppressed. The ones that bravely and boldly looked danger in the eye for the sake of the lost.

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Two things you need to know about fighting for the broken and the lost: you will come face to face with evil. 

But evil isn’t always holding a knife. Evil isn’t always black and white. The favorite tactic of evil is manipulation. It lies and deceives.

It makes you second guess yourself and wonder if you’re fighting the right battle, and you will always have others trying to convince you it’s not possible or worth the risk.

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But being a Christian isn’t meant to be safe, or comfortable, and it’s often dangerous business.

Following Jesus means we’re called to act. If we’re not fighting, if we SEE and turn away, what does that say about our faith?

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Two, as the wise Hudson Taylor said, “God’s man in God’s place, doing God’s will to God’s glory, will never lack in God’s support.”

His protection alone is sufficient, and with Him our defense is sure. We firmly believe that.

And when all is said and done, there is something so magnificently greater that awaits us. Therefore we boldly say, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”