God’s Children Not For Sale

July 7, 2023 Gracie

God’s Children Not For Sale: The Sound Of Freedom Movie

Have you seen the “The Sound of Freedom” movie yet?

Please go see this movie, and take your age-appropriate family members.

It’s up to us to spread awareness in order to finally put an end to the sick and demonic atrocity of child trafficking.

According to the gruesome statistics, an estimated two million children are trafficked every year to become sex slaves. (Sound of Freedom movie, n.d.)¹

Two million.

Let that sink in.

That’s a bigger number than the entire population of San Diego . . . or Dallas, etc. (worldpopulationreview, n.d.)²

The “Sound of Freedom” movie is based on the true story about the heroic efforts of former special agent Tim Ballard and others to rescue the innocents. Ballard is also the founder of Operation Underground Railroad.

Jim Caviezel (of “The Passion of the Christ”) and Mira Sorvino are two of the award-winning actors starring in this powerful film.

Right now only 0.4% of human trafficking victims are ever discovered and either rescued or exited themselves. We all have to do more. – Mira Sorvino, actress.³

God’s Children – Not For Sale

Did you know that the sex slave trade is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the world?⁴

Did you know that the U.S. is the number one consumer of child porn/trafficking?

This isn’t just an overseas thing among impoverished nations, this is happening in your own hometown.

Every single day.

The kids feel abandoned and afraid of their captors – with no hope of a way out.

That should break our hearts.

So, What Can We Do?

Here are some ideas for your consideration:

Go see the movie “Sound of Freedom” before it disappears in theaters.
Don’t forget to stay in your seats for the Special Message at the end of the film. A QR code is offered where you can “pay it forward” to buy a free ticket for others to go see this movie.
Encourage others to go see it . . . friends, church groups, neighbors, etc.
Consider donating to Operation Underground Railroad.
Talk to your kids about “stranger danger” and have a family safety code word they can use over the phone if they are in danger.
From the ourrescue.org website: “It is vital for parents, young adults, teens, and children to know the signs of grooming so they can recognize when someone may have ill intent.”
Enroll your kids in a self-defense class.
Talk to your kids about texting personal information with people you and they don’t know. Adult strangers have posed behind fake ID photos as teenagers to get their next victims. You would be shocked at how easy this all is.
Have your local Crime Stoppers phone number in your contact list.

The Sound of Freedom Movie

God bless everyone involved with the making of this important film.

Children belong to God and it is our duty to keep them safe.

It is our duty to warn them about this “tsunami of darkness” infecting every city and town in America and all over the world.

# # #

¹ Two million children statistic. From “Sound of Freedom | Theatrical Trailer for July 4 | Angel Studios” [YouTube]. May 11, 2023, Web. Accessed July5, 2023. Retrieved from: Sound of Freedom Movie trailer.

²300 largest cities. (n.d.). From World Population Review. Retrieved from “The 300 Largest Cities in the United States by population 2023.“

³ Mira Sorvino interview. “Sound of Freedom actress Mira Sorvino: ‘My heart burns’ to end sex trafficking.” [The Gazette]. July 5, 2023, Web. Accessed July 3, 2023. Retrieved from: Mira Sorvino interview

⁴ Operation Underground Railroad interview. “The Ultimate SACRIFICE of One Father That Saved Thousands of HUMAN TRAFFICKING Victims.” [YouTube]. [2:30 – 2:33]. June 1, 2020, Web. Accessed July 3, 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiFiXsKGR8I

Our Exceptional God

Independence Day 2023

July 3, 2023 Gracie

Independence Day 2023: A Day to Celebrate AmericaHello friends!

On this Tuesday, Independence Day 2023, we’d like to wish you and yours a very Happy July 4^th!

May you have a blessed day and never forget the sacrifices of our forefathers in the founding of America.

Thank You Heavenly Father for this country

and for the freedoms we have enjoyed for so long.

Let Freedom Ring!

Our Exceptional God

It’s A Baby!

June 27, 2023 Gracie

It’s A Baby!

Usually when a TV commercial comes on, my husband and I grab the remote to quickly scan past it.

In my humble opinion, many commercials these days just aren’t interesting, inspiring, or funny anymore.

But recently we saw one that captured our attention.

I have to give props to Focus On the Family for this one.

Thank you Focus On The Family for focusing on an important issue in our day.

The commercial, “It’s A Baby!”, speaks for itself.

Every one of us, born and unborn, is made in God’s image.

We’re special to God.

This isn’t a political matter, it’s a God issue.

In this beloved verse from Psalm 139, the author confirms God’s creative power and sovereignty over all things.

It’s A Baby – Children Are a Gift From the Lord

How about some positive news from corporate America?

Recently I read an article about a company that now offers a “baby bonus” for its employees – $5000 for any employee who will have, or adopt a baby.

My prayer is that more companies will follow suit, or come up with their own incentives to protect innocent lives in expectant families.

That’s the kind of news that gives me hope for corporate America after all.

Also, if you’re a mom-to-be struggling with some issues and wanting someone to talk to, you can call 1-800-A-Family.

You are not alone.

# # #

Our Exceptional God

Distractions in the Skies

June 20, 2023 Gracie

Distractions In The Skies – Do You Believe in UFOs?

If you’ve watched the news lately, then you’ve probably heard that UFOs (commonly known as Unidentified Flying Objects) are back in the headlines again.

There’s another name for them too – UAP, which stands for Unexplained Anomalous Phenomenon.

No matter what you call them, this fascination with mysterious UFO/UAP sightings has reached a fever pitch lately.

Several television shows, YouTube videos, and more are dedicated to the hunt for extraterrestrials – all of which encourage viewers to believe the idea that “aliens are among us.”

So, do you believe?

While you’re pondering, let’s take a look at how popular that question is.

One sample on a popular search engine produced over 225,000 results for the query, “Do UFOs exist?”

Granted, there are some very compelling accounts from people claiming to have seen UFOs overhead, and now viral reports of a recent sighting in a family’s backyard.

Fascinating indeed, but as Christians, here’s where we need to pause.

Distractions to our Faith

Don’t we have enough distractions to our faith?

I’m not here to prove or disprove the existence of UFOs. I’m not an expert on those things.

However, my objective here is to issue a sincere warning instead.

Let’s start with Scripture.

Check out this verse from Ephesians where Paul instructs them to put on the full armor of God to protect them from spiritual warfare.

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11, (NASB).¹

Whether we’re talking about the mid-50’s AD, or our current day in 2023, nothing has changed. The Evil One has not gone away.

As believers, we’re to be ready for spiritual warfare, and this includes the battle for our minds and hearts.

UFOs and UAP Distractions in the Skies

UFOs and UAPs – are they simply aberrations, or real sightings?

Whatever they are – the bottom line is that they are not of God.

It’s heartbreaking that so many people will easily reject the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (actual historical facts), and yet without question, believe in aliens coming here from outer space.

I remember some research I did awhile back which indicated that when Christians are raptured, a world in chaos will try to explain this “taking away” of millions of believers.

Considering what we know about space and life and the world as the Bible portrays it, we already have an explanation for so-called alien activity on Earth. Reports of “close encounters” describe the ethereal, transient, deceptive, and malevolent. Accounts also record that encounters with supposed aliens can be stopped by a real, authentic call to Jesus. Everything points to the activity of demons, not extraterrestrials. In fact, it is plausible that the “powerful delusion” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:11will involve an alien-abduction theory to explain away the rapture. – Got Questions.org.²

We must be discerning as we hear news reports about more signs and wonders that are sure to come in the years ahead.

As intriguing as these phenomena are, they are also demonic distractions to our spiritual walk.

We were forewarned about this in Scripture.

However, despite the dark times up ahead for us as Christians, there is Good News.

No – it’s great news!

Our redemption draws near.

# # #

²Quotation from gotquestions.org, from “How would it impact the Christian faith if it was discovered that aliens exist? n.d., para. 6. Web. Accessed June 19, 2023. Demonic in origin

Our Exceptional God

The Best Way to Wait on God

June 13, 2023 Gracie

The Best Way To Wait On God For Answers To Our Prayers

Let’s face it: waiting can be hard.

I admit, I’m not a huge fan.

But as you know, God doesn’t always answer our prayers right away.

Not only that, sometimes His answer is “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes He answers, “wait.”

“Wait” can be just as hard as a “no” answer.

Even so, that is not the time to give up praying!

The best way to wait on God is through continuing to pray.

If you are praying with right motives, then keep on keeping on.

And While You’re Waiting . . .

Think about it – it takes a lot of trust on our part to even get on an airplane.

Every time we board a plane we trust that the pilot has the knowledge and skills to bring us safely to our destination.

On a grander and eternal scale, God has the controls and always has our best interests at heart.

Taking a look back in history: our Heavenly Father Himself wanted the captive Jews in Babylon to remember His promises as delivered by the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah’s letter to the people, they were assured that God’s intentions are never evil, but through Him there is a future, a glorious end to forward to.

Fast forward to modern day: how quickly that we too can forget that God is faithful in the center of our storms.

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11, (NASB).

We may not see or understand how God is working behind the scenes, but we can trust that His timing and His answers will always be perfect.

Poet M.S. Lowndes eloquently describes the struggles we face as we wait on God.

Wait With Faith

Lord, you have faithfully shown me
So many times before
And this time is no exception, Lord,
And simply can’t be ignored

That you know all that concerns my life,
Everything your eyes do see
You always come through at just the right time
To meet my every need

For nothing escapes your watchful eye,
No problem that we may cross
But so often, Lord, it seems as though
There’s a delay in your response

I know it’s a testing of our faith
To wait so patiently
You stretch us so our faith may grow,
Though we want it instantly

But it’s for our good that you respond
In your time, not in ours,
For if you didn’t – we’d stay as infants,
Getting everything right now

For us to grow more Christ-like,
We need to learn to wait,
For often that’s the answer to prayer
And builds us up in faith

So I thank you for the answer to come
As I hand it over in prayer
Thank you that you’re still working on me
And my breakthrough’s drawing near.

# # #

²Poetry courtesy of M.S. Lowndes. “Wait With Faith.” [online post]. From Heavensinspirations.com, ©M.S. Lowndes, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, n.d. Web. Accessed June 8, 2023. https://www.heavensinspirations.com/wait-with-faith.html

Our Exceptional God

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