Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 9

National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

I have written about slavery and human trafficking before, and I’ve always been appalled by the fact that these things happen. But it’s always been something that didn’t affect me; it was something I was adamantly opposed to, but something I never thought could happen to anyone in my world.

Then last year I made a new acquaintance, a lovely lady that I had some business dealings with. She was a kind and thoughtful person and was always responsive to messages and calls. Then suddenly I couldn’t reach her. There was no response to voicemails I left or to emails I sent. Months later, she returned to work, and later she told me the bare outline of her story. She could never talk about it without falling apart, so many of the details are vague or missing.

My acquaintance had two adult daughters; one was the single mother of an eight-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son. The beautiful, vivacious young lady���I’ll call her Judy���attended a business event at a hotel one night, and that ordinary activity sealed her fate. She was targeted by human traffickers and stolen into sex slavery. After a while, she had thought she had a chance to escape and managed to call her mother to come pick her up at a designated location. She never made it, though. She was caught sneaking out and murdered. Now her mother, who is also caring for a severely handicapped husband, is caring for her two precious grandchildren, who don’t understand why their beloved mother isn’t ever coming home.

Contrary to popular misconceptions, Judy was not a substance abuser, a homeless person, or a promiscuous woman. She had a good job, hence her attendance at this business event, and a nice home, and she was doing well on her own with no help from her ex-husband. She was young and beautiful, and she lost her life trying to avoid losing her freedom.

I didn’t know Judy, but hearing her mother talk about her was heartbreaking. It made me realize that anyone can be a victim of traffickers. We think no one we know would be a victim; drug addicts, teenage runaways, homeless women, troubled people���those are the people that are vulnerable to slavery and sex trafficking, but that’s not always the case.

And who makes human trafficking so profitable? Men who would never sexually abuse a woman but who have a secret addiction to violent porn on the Internet. Women who want bargains in fashionable clothing that are affordable only because they are made by forced child labor. Families who hire domestic workers who are not legally able to work in this country, so they are made to work extremely hard for miniscule wages.

When I was growing up, magazines like Playboy and Penthouse filled the forbidden desires of men. Now, those are tame compared to the porn that is available online. A man doesn’t have to go into a store where someone from church might see him buy a magazine. He can bring up the internet in the privacy of his home and see vile and violent sex acts where women and even children are viciously assaulted to satisfy the dark desires of millions of men who don’t ever think about the damage done to the victims.

The first step we need to take to prevent slavery and trafficking in persons is to be aware that it is happening all around us. To get more actively involved, take some of the actions in this list of 20 ways you can help fight trafficking.

Slavery and human trafficking don’t just affect other people; they can happen to anyone anywhere. It’s time to put a stop to these abuses.

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Religious Freedom Day

January 16 is Religious Freedom Day. The First Amendment to the Constitution gives everyone in this country the right to worship���or not���as they choose. Today our religious freedom is at risk. We should have freedom to practice our faith in our neighborhood, schools, businesses and workplaces. If a baker is forced to bake a special cake celebrating something his religion deems sinful or an employee is not allowed to wear a cross or a hijab or whatever symbolizes her faith, religious freedom is being infringed. We need to stand strong for everyone to have freedom of religion or freedom will continue to erode until it’s gone.

Lord God, give Your people wisdom and courage to stand for freedom of religion for ourselves and others. The loss of religious freedom for anyone will lead to the loss of religious freedom for all of us. Open our eyes and hearts. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

On Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we say “thank you” to all law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to serve and protect.

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The Star in the East

Yesterday was the twelfth day of Christmas, and today is The Epiphany, or the Manifestation of
Christ to the Gentiles. Not many people observe the Twelve Days of Christmas anymore, and often when they are addressed���perhaps in a special sale in a department store���usually they are celebrated before Christmas. However, from early days pf Christianity, the twelve days were the days between Christmas Day and Epiphany.

We often see Nativity scenes or pictures of baby Jesus in the manger with the shepherds and the Magi all worshipping Him together. Actually, the Magi or Wise Men didn’t appear until later; they visited Jesus in a house, not a stable.

There are many legends about the Magi. Sometimes they are described as kings, sometimes as Wise Men, sometimes as Magi (which means wise and knowledgeable men who study the stars). Tradition says there were three, but Scripture doesn’t tell us how many there were. Names have been assigned to them by legend, but we have no idea what their real names were. Some theorize that they each came from a different country and couldn’t even speak to each other. There are also opinions on the star the Wise Men followed. Astronomers and others research the history of comets and other phenomena to try to discern if the star in the east coincides with any known cosmic event. And there are many more theories, legends, and myths.

None of this really matters. It may be fun to imagine who the Wise Men were, where they came from, the significance of the gifts they brought, their names, their relationships to each other …. But the Bible doesn’t tell us any of that because we don’t need to know it. The only important details of the story are that men who were not Jews traveled a very long way to worship Jesus.

The Epiphany commemorates the arrival of those Magi, who followed the star to worship baby Jesus. This feast day is also known as The Manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, because the Magi, who were not Jews, were the first Gentiles to worship Christ, demonstrating that the promises of God are for all mankind. Jews typically expected the Messiah to come to rescue them from oppression. They didn’t expect that the rescue would be not of an enemy army or oppressive leaders but rescue from sin and death���and the promise of eternal life. And the promise wasn’t just to Jewish people or the Jewish nation but to the entire world.

Anyone anywhere can have eternal life if they choose to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. God didn’t tell us where the Magi came from; they represent other nations and peoples���you and me. Even if we weren’t born a Jew, we have the same promises from the same Lord as the Jews do.

Epiphany isn’t widely celebrated in churches today. I think it deserves recognition. We should celebrate that these three (or more or less) Magi (or kings or wise men) followed a star to worship baby Jesus. As a result, we see that we Gentiles can have the same salvation as the Jews can. Hallelujah!

O GOD, who by the leading of a star didst manifest thy only-begotten Son to the Gentiles; Mercifully grant that we, who know thee now by faith, may after this life have the fruition of thy glorious Godhead; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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New Year’s Resolutions or Work-ons?

The calendar has turned over to another year. People are making resolutions and looking forward to a better life. But will flipping a page on the calendar really make a difference?

Unrealistic expectations are a sure way to be disappointed. A friend of mine doesn’t make resolutions, but she chooses “work-ons.” Following her example, I am not going to resolve to post on my blog once a week and on special occasions. Instead, I have decided to “work on” posting more often and especially posting on significant days. If I made it as a resolution, I would be disappointed the first time I missed a week or two and would be inclined to give up. But if I’m “working on” posting more often, I haven’t failed if I miss a week. I will just continue to “work on” posting more often, and hopefully, I will reach the point that I’m posting as often as I would like.

The last couple of years have been tough for everyone. The pandemic has disrupted our lives and our future plans. The economy has made it harder for many to make ends meet. Our resolutions or work-ons won’t change those problems. We have to do the best we can in the circumstances we are in, maybe finding new ways to stretch a dollar to feed our families or activities to make restrictions more tolerable.

There is, however, one very important thing we can do. We can choose our attitude. We can focus on the negative���on the things we don’t like, the hardships we face, the difficult people we encounter���or we can choose to focus on the positive. Instead of complaining because our food budget doesn’t go as far as it used to, we can find creative recipes with less expensive ingredients that our family enjoys just as much as old favorites. If we aren’t allowed to visit a sick relative in the hospital because of COVID restrictions, we can try to bring them cheer through cards, letters, phone calls, or whatever is allowed. In the midst of a difficult situation, we can look for the good.

This year, I’m going to work on focusing on the positive, looking for the good in every situation, choosing to be happy even if life is not ideal. I hope you do the same.

O MOST loving Father, who willest us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of thee, and to cast all our care on thee, who carest for us; Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which thou hast manifested unto us in thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

1928 Book of Common Prayer

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Merry Christmas!

On this holy day, may we all celebrate the Incarnation of our Lord with humility, reverence, joy, peace, and above all, love.

As we open gifts, let us remember that the greatest Gift that has ever been given is Jesus Christ, the Messiah, our Lord and Savior. He came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He gives us not only abundant life in this earthly existence, but eternal life in a heavenly existence.

Jesus came to become the ultimate, once-for-all, everlasting Sacrifice. He died on the cross to atone for our sins. He died once and was resurrected to eternal life to save us from eternal damnation.

Although He has always been and will always be divine, He emptied Himself of His omniscience, omnipresence, dominion, and power to come to earth as a helpless baby who grew into a miracle-working adult who gave Himself willingly to death on the cross for our sake.

Today, we may exchange presents, eat lots of food, enjoy visits with relatives, participate in fun activities and hobbies with family and friends. Certainly, this is a day to be merry, to have fun.

But in the midst of the fun, food, and fellowship, let us remember why we are celebrating. We are thanking God for sending His Son to die for us. We are worshipping our Lord and Savior who gave us salvation. We are remembering that we are totally dependent on the Holy Trinity���Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We are looking ahead to the return of Jesus coming with the clouds for us to be with Him forever and forever.

GOD, who makest us glad with the yearly remembrance of the birth of thine only Son Jesus Christ; Grant that as we joyfully receive him for our Redeemer, so we may with sure confidence behold him when he shall come to be our Judge, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer

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The Christmas Story

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ���Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.��� And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

���Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!���

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ���Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.��� And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

~ Luke 2:1-20

The Christmas story is so familiar to us, the familiarity can sometimes dull the meaning and impact for us. We may not recognize how God orchestrated everything perfectly. Caesar Augustus probably thought it was his idea to have a census, but he didn’t come up with it on his own���God gave him the plan. There was no room in the inn, because God wanted His Son to be born in a very specific place. The angels didn’t appear to random shepherds; they appeared to the shepherds who raised the sacrificial lambs for the Temple. The sign, especially given for those shepherds, led them to that particular place���the Tower of the Flock, the birthing room for the lambs for sacrifice. Immediately after birth, the tiny lambs were wrapped tightly in swaddling cloths and laid in a manger so they were not hurt themselves. Lambs for sacrifice in the Temple had to be blemish-free so this cave was set up to keep the newborn lambs that way. Jesus was the one-time, perfect, blemish-free sacrifice. Animal sacrifice had to be repeated over and over again, needing an endless supply of perfect lambs. Jesus’s sacrifice was once for all; no one or nothing else was ever needed again.

Father God, thank You for sending Jesus to be our permanent, forever sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. In His name. Amen.

Photo: jamesgroup/DepositPhotos.com

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Self-Editing Tips from 13 Years Ago Still Useful

Thirteen years ago, Dani Greer brought together a group of editors to create a blog that would become an amazing resource for writing and editing advice. Although I was unable to keep up with posting regularly on The Blood Red Pencil, I am delighted to say that I was of the editors who posted in the first month of the blog’s existence.

My first post on the blog was Ten Tips for Self-Editing. Although it was written thirteen years ago, I think you’ll still find it helpful. I hope you go read my post as well as the others that are just as relevant now as they were in 2008.

I’ve also written a series of posts about editing. The series begins with What Is Editing? Each post has a link in the series. You might also enjoy Editing: Turning Dreck into Prose.

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Goodbye to a Month of Months

November is recognized as National _____ Month for a number of causes. Below are a few of significance to me; each with a link to a search page showing posts I’ve written on the subject in previous years.

Since the linked pages are search results, there will be a few irrelevant posts included and some relevant posts excluded. There will also be some duplication as I often covered multiple “months,” such Alzheimer’s Awareness and Family Caregivers, in the same post. I invite you to scroll through the searches and read the posts that interest you.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Family Stories and Lifewriting Month

National Adoption Month

National Diabetes Month

National Family Caregivers Month

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The Promises of God: Advent Devotional

During Advent and Lent, I generally follow a Bible reading plan. I journal a short meditation and write a brief prayer on each day���s reading. I publish the devotionals in a future year.

Download The Promises of God in PDF to read online or to print or your computer printer. I hope you are blessed by these Scriptures, thoughts, and prayers during this holy season.

In the past, I have published the devotionals in a print book and donated the profits to Love for Least, ���sharing the compassion of Christ with an unreached world.��� To make the devotionals available to more people, I am publishing them electronically without charge. I wholeheartedly support everything Love for the Least does, and I encourage you to learn more about the movement at https://lovefortheleast.org. I pray that what you learn will encourage you to support their work.

May His blessings abound in your time alone with the Lord.

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