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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Monday,
July 17, 2023
Kraybill
Church Road Traffic
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"Sound
Of Freedom"
Message
summary:
Our daily text
may appear to
be a call of
action to us
but it is
actually a
prayer to God,
"Rescue the
weak and the
needy; deliver
them from the
hand of the
wicked"
(Psalm 82:4).
That should be
both our
prayer and a
call to
action!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
"Rescue
the weak and
the needy;
deliver them
from the hand
of the wicked"
(Psalm 82:4).
We
live on a
quiet country
road. Over the
last several
years our
neighborhood
has changed
with several
younger
families
moving in with
children. What
a delightful
sound to hear
the pleasant
noise of happy
children
playing. Last
night our
special needs
21 year old
neighbor was
driving her
nieces and
nephews around
on a golf cart
adding to the
sound of
childhood
joys. A
tractor trail
is right
across the
road from us
where
Brooksyne
often walks
the dogs, but
it's also
where our
neighbors
often drive
their golf
carts with
children and
grandchildren
on board.
But
we are
reminded that
in so many
places there
is not the
sound of
joyful
children. On
Friday we saw
the movie,
"Sound Of
Freedom",
which deals
with child sex
trafficking.
It presented
the true story
of a dedicated
man, Tim
Ballard, who
rescued a
brother and
sister (and
many others)
from sex
trafficking
enslavement.
It was very
suspenseful
and has a
"happy"
ending, at
least for the
children
rescued.The
name of the
movie comes
from a scene
after a group
of children
are rescued
and you can
hear the happy
sounds of
children's
voices, which
are described
as the "sound
of freedom".
Human
trafficking
all around the
world is huge
and yet it's
an evil
operation run
in an
underground
dark world
which we can
barely fathom.
Where we live
we see no
evidence of
such
atrocities,
but there is
apparently a
lot we don't
see, even
locally. North
Star
Initiative, a
very active
ministry right
here in
Lancaster
County, works
to rescue and
provide
restorative
services to
female
sex-trafficking
survivors.
Specific
references of
childhood sex
trafficking
are not
mentioned in
the Bible (at
least that I
could find).
However early
in Genesis and
throughout the
Bible we do
read of
prostitution,
often dubbed
the world's
oldest
profession,
and today many
prostitutes
are
essentially
victims of
trafficking.
Evidence
abounds of
man's
sinfulness;
broken
marriages and
families,
drugs and
alcohol,
pornography,
and more
contribute to
the lack of
restraint that
leads to such
a breakdown in
the social
order and sin
always leads
to a
"continual
lust for more"
(a phrase from
Ephesians
4:19). How
different it
is when God's
commands are
obeyed, "Flee
from sexual
immorality"
(1 Corinthians
6:18).
Numerous
times in my
ministry men
struggling
with the
addiction of
pornography
have sought
forgiveness
and come to me
for biblical
counsel and
accountability.
Thankfully I
have seen
evidence of
victory.
Interestingly,
I can still
remember these
conversations
even from
years ago.
However
I don't recall
ever talking
to a man who
confessed to
using
prostitutes
though it
occurs to me
there must be
millions out
there who do
and I likely
encounter them
without
knowing it.
And even more
sordid is to
imagine the
many who abuse
children:
physical,
sexual, verbal
or otherwise.
Our
daily text may
appear to be a
call of action
to us but it
is actually a
prayer to God,
"Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4). That should be both our prayer and a call to action!
"Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82:4). That should be both our prayer and a call to action!
Be
encouraged
today, (Hebrews
3:13)
Daily
prayer:
Father,
Scripture
makes it
abundantly
clear that we
are to love
children, not
just our own
offspring but
all children.
Scripture
warns that "whoever
causes one of
these little
ones who
believe in Me
to stumble, it
would be
better for him
to have a
heavy
millstone hung
around his
neck, and to
be drowned in
the depth of
the sea";
that "fathers
are not to
provoke their
children to
wrath: but
bring them up
in the nurture
and admonition
of the Lord."
Help us to
befriend the
helpless, to
be a lifeline
to any child
that in
danger, and to
deliver him or
her from the
hand of the
wicked, in the
name of Jesus
we pray. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"First
Things
First" Click
to watch on
YouTube
Consumed By
Fire We
have been
enjoying this
song and its
simple
message.
Brooksyne read
that they are
three brothers
in their
thirties from
Wagoner,
Oklahoma, near
Tulsa and very
near where we
often have a
family reunion
at Sequoyah
State Park
along Fort
Gibson Lake.
I
don’t wanna
love what the
world loves
I don’t wanna chase what the world does
I only want you
I only want you
I don’t wanna chase what the world does
I only want you
I only want you
First
things first
I seek Your will
Not my own
Surrender all my wants to you
Keep the first thing first
To live Your truth
Walk Your ways
Set my eyes
Lord I fix my face on you
All my desires reversed
To keep the first thing first
I seek Your will
Not my own
Surrender all my wants to you
Keep the first thing first
To live Your truth
Walk Your ways
Set my eyes
Lord I fix my face on you
All my desires reversed
To keep the first thing first
"Understanding
the Scope of
Human
Trafficking"
Click
to watch on
YouTube
Nita Belles,
Focus On The
Family
Additional
thoughts on
"Sound Of
Freedom":
Like
just about
everything
these days
this movie is
being
politicized,
specifically
being
criticized by
some on the
left for being
right
wing!
Now admittedly
my views are
right wing but
for the life
of me I can't
see how you
would
politicize
this movie.
It's mainly
set in
Columbia,
South America
and based on a
true story.
So
trying to be
discerning I
sought to find
out what the
criticisms
are. I checked
out a movie
review site
called "Rotten
Tomatoes"
(includes
trailer) where
the audience
(as of
7/16/23) gave
the show a
100% positive
with 10,000 +
verified
ratings.
But
critics gave
the film a 72%
(still pretty
good).
Among the
negative
reviews:
A
"Top Critic"
from CBS
radio: "A
blandly
competent
thriller that
finds an easy
way into your
feelings since
it deals with
child
trafficking (a
grave subject
matter that
has been
tragically
co-opted as a
rallying cry
for
xenophobic,
pro-Trump
types). My
Note: I
can't imagine
how messed up
this man's
mind is!
Another top critic from Rolling Stone: "To know thousands of adults will absorb Sound of Freedom, this vigilante fever dream, and come away thinking themselves better informed on a hidden civilizational crisis… well, it’s profoundly depressing. Worse still, they’ll want to spread the word." My Note: Yes I guess it would be dangerous to spread the word like I did in this message. What world does this critic live in?
Another top critic from Rolling Stone: "To know thousands of adults will absorb Sound of Freedom, this vigilante fever dream, and come away thinking themselves better informed on a hidden civilizational crisis… well, it’s profoundly depressing. Worse still, they’ll want to spread the word." My Note: Yes I guess it would be dangerous to spread the word like I did in this message. What world does this critic live in?
Another
top critic
writes, "While
the
cinematography
and acting are
all solid, the
way the
trafficked
children are
depicted is
made to
exploit our
emotions, and
the end
credits
explain why:
To continue
the Operation
Underground
Railroad
(O.U.R.)
mission." My
Note: I
looked up Operation
Underground
Railroad
which appears
to be a
legitimate
organization
fighting
childhood sex
trafficking.
Imagine being
opposed to
efforts to
stop this!
Other
reviews manage
to find racism
and white
supremacy
(it's just too
convoluted to
explain how)
and for some
it was
concerning
that the movie
had mild
religious
overtones such
as speaking of
"God's
children".
Another critic
said it
doesn't tell
the full
story. Well of
course it
doesn't and
doesn't claim
to. Others
assert it's
just a
conspiracy,
whatever that
means!
My
summary view
on the reason
for the
negativity:
1)
Sadly it's
come to the
point that if
one side is
for something
some on the
other side
feel they must
be against it.
Early on this
film was
promoted by
Christians so
for some the
knee jerk
reaction was
that they must
be against it.
2)
The negativity
may be
promoted by
business
interests
since this
film is is not
from the
Hollywood
elite and its
popularity is
seen as a
threat.
3)
The business
aspect of
child
trafficking is
huge and much
money is made
and would be
lost if it
were stopped.
The show
pointed out
that it has
passed arms
trading and
soon will pass
the drug trade
at the rate it
is going.
4)
There are
those who want
to sexualize
children and
remove the
stigma
(actually the
God-imposed
restraints).
Just look at
what's
happening in
schools with
teaching
little
children the
unimaginable.
Note
from Friday's
message on the
dangers of
deception with
AI and
"Deepfakes":
Longtime
friend Jim
Gambini
pointed out
this video
example of how
convincing
deepfakes can
be: "Simon
Cowell Sings
on Stage?!"
Click
to watch on
YouTube
Today's
"One
For The Road"
message by our
friend Richard
Dresselhaus
offers a
perspective
related to
today's
message:
Lawlessness.
It’s a sign
that these are
the last days.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
Violence on the streets goes unchecked. Stores go out of business because of thievery. People assume that possession of goods is a right – regardless of their ability to pay.
But it should not surprise you. As the commandments of God are laid aside...lawlessness continues unabated.
The only hope is a great spiritual awakening. What is needed is a new heart – reflective of an empowered conscience…a return to God’s Word…and a spirit of deep repentance.
And as you embrace these truths...and live them…you are doing your part to war against lawlessness.
“Indignation grips me because of the wicked who have forsaken your law.”
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves…”
Violence on the streets goes unchecked. Stores go out of business because of thievery. People assume that possession of goods is a right – regardless of their ability to pay.
But it should not surprise you. As the commandments of God are laid aside...lawlessness continues unabated.
The only hope is a great spiritual awakening. What is needed is a new heart – reflective of an empowered conscience…a return to God’s Word…and a spirit of deep repentance.
And as you embrace these truths...and live them…you are doing your part to war against lawlessness.
“Indignation grips me because of the wicked who have forsaken your law.”
Saturday
I took a bike
ride along the
Conewago Rail
Trail that
joins the
Lebanon Valley
Rail Trail at
the country
line.
Canna
lily bloom
along the
trail
Ester
took a photo
of Randi and
Walter
Waldvogel
fellowshipping
with us after
we enjoyed a
late breakfast
following our
worship
service and
Sunday School
class (ABF).
It has been
quite some
time since we
caught up with
these dear
friends so it
was extra
special to
visit together
again.
This
morning's
sunrise as
seen high
above our
neighbor's
corn field in
our back yard.
We often post
sunsets as
seen setting
above the corn
field from
across our
front yard. We
are very
grateful for
the past 21
years that God
has supplied
us with very
good neighbors
and rural
beauty all
around us. We
do not take it
for granted!
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In considering support we are so pleased when we hear from you, our readers, that our messages are a source of teaching and encouragement to you. We also urge you to consider the mission aspect of these daily teachings that are freely available and read by many all over the world.
To
donate
directly
online
click here.
(This will
open to a page
that
designates the
offering
to: STEPHEN
&
BROOKSYNE
WEBER -
700001-237376 SERVING
IN SPECIALIZED
CHAPLAINCY)
If
you desire you
can also
donate
directly
through PayPal
using this link.
This will open
to a page that
states
"Brooksyne
Weber". We
keep this
option
available due
to the
familiarity,
convenience,
for
international
supporters,
and for those
who may not
need an
official
receipt. You
can also set
up for
recurring
donations.
Thank
you,
Stephen
&
Brooksyne
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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