Lynne Hybels is a Dangerous Women

I read an interesting article today. You may also find it interesting, and I hope disturbing.

Did you know that …

Seventy percent of the world’s extremely poor are women.

Almost 80 percent of all refugees are women and their kids.

Every year, as many as four million women and children are sold for the sex trade or to work as slaves.

Here’s another bit of information that shakes me: Prior to the 20th century, 90 percent of the casualties of war were soldiers. That soldiers die in war is tragic, but in the last century “collateral damage” has turned tragedy into insanity. Now, worldwide, approximately 90 percent of the casualties of war are civilians and an estimated 75 percent of them are women and children.

And consider this all-too-common scenario in the developing world. An unfaithful husband infects his wife with HIV. The husband runs off and the young mother becomes sick with AIDS. While her sons continue going to school, her daughters stay home to care for her and cook and clean for the family. When the mother dies, her property is taken over by her male relatives, and her children are taken in by some woman — often a grandmother so poor she can’t provide even the necessities for her grandkids.

Many such orphaned girls, uneducated and desperate, become prey for sugar daddies who promise food or education in exchange for sex. Tragically, many of these girls become infected with HIV and the cycle continues. This helps explain another sad statistic: that worldwide, 60 percent of those infected with HIV are women.

I have been shocked to discover how many of the world’s tragedies and injustices disproportionately impact women and girls. Overall, women and girls are the least valued, least fed, least educated, and least protected people group in the world.

I am proud of Sally, my wife, I count her as one the dangerous women in the world, as she passionately works for changes on the issues that discontent her heart.

Read more on dangerous women at http://www.lynnehybels.com/

It's been a while...

It has been a while since I last blogged.

The culture of TSA is to always be active, to be an activist for TSA and on behalf of God, but I have learnt that the energy and mission in being an activist, comes from being first a disciple and worshipper of God’s greatness. We are activist for, disciples of, and children born of the Cross.

As Salvos we need to be worshippers.

I enjoy worship songs from the Vineyard tribes, particularly Canadian and those from the UK. I came across the lyrics to a newly released CD entitled Sweetly Broken, and have included the title track below...

To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of it’s suffering I do drink
Of it’s work I do sing.

For on it my Saviour, both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees,
And I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I am sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserving life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees,
And I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I am sweetly broken, wholly surrendered