Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Customary

Customary

Matthew 8:2: And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3: And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4: And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

 

Clean or No Contact

Under the covenant, a leper was required to be declared clean by the priest.  Also, he was required to stay away from other human contact.  Jesus supported the law.  Even knowing the man was no longer a leper, Jesus asked him to handle it according to the custom of the people.  He was not interested in putting fear in people or disturbing the custom without need.  He is considerate of others, their customs, and the law of the land.

 

ACT!  How can you honor a custom of someone you know?  Is there a custom in your workplace that you have been violating?  Think about it.

 

PRAY!  Father, give me the sensitivity of Jesus to customs.  In my limited life, I only see through my filters.  Help me to see what is important to others.  Help me to build their comfort so that they might receive the rich treasure of Jesus in me.

                                                                                                                                                    

 

The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is concerned about assisting the faith community in effective measures in serving the community.  I invite you to take a day and dedicate time to learning, meeting others, and open discussion.  These issues discussed on this day are a concern and a responsibility for each faith leader. 

FAITH COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT SEXUAL & INTIMATE PARTNER ABUSE  

Space is LIMITED! Register by October 15,2010.

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Organization:____________________________________________________________________

Phone #:________________________________ E-mail:__________________________________

Fax registration information to (405) 524-0711 or email to amy@ocadvsa.org

Featuring Keynote Speaker Phil Larson, Prayer Metro!

Phil has worked in the faith community in Oklahoma and nationally for three decades. Leadership in fathering initiatives among hundreds of congregations and community organizations communicates his passion for healthy families. PrayerMetro undergirds pastors with prayer and personal counsel. A unified force of people of faith alongside government, education, business, and community establishes social stability and peace.

Thursday, October 21, 2010 from 9:15am—2:00pm

Moore Public Library—Conference Room "A"

225 S. Howard, Moore Ok, 73160

Forum is free and lunch will be provided at no cost to participants.

Following the Keynote there will be a panel discussion on sexual abuse,

human trafficking, and more! The panel will include Phil Larson from Prayer Metro, Ann Lowrance from OSU-OKC, Mark Elam from OATH, Deb Stanaland from YWCA, and Jennifer McLaughlin from OCADVSA.

Intended audience: Faith Leadership, Lead Ministers, Youth & Children’s Ministers, Board Members.

Phil Larson, as a minister of the Christian gospel for over 30 years and a businessman and a child abuse investigator, has worked in many situations involving various Christian denominations and differing sizes of congregations.  He has counseled pastors, women, men, and children damaged and damaging.  Incidents in congregations involving leadership indiscretions and abuse are many times hidden and unresolved.  Children abused turn into adults in pain.  The danger is to both male and female.  There are simple protections that can be taken to remove exposures and temptations.  These are responsibilities.   Getting a good program of education in place for ministers, board members, and youth and children's workers is simple and effective.

 

N. Ann Lowrance, MS, CDSVRP, has worked with victims of violent crime for almost 30 years.  She is currently Department Head of Social Services and Assistant Professor of Crime Victim Survivor Services at City.  She has directed domestic violence and sexual assault programs in Oklahoma and .  In her 16-year service with the State of Oklahoma, she was responsible for domestic violence and sexual assault programs throughout the state, and the mental health response to the bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in .  Ann holds a Masters degree in Family Relations and Child Development from , and has post graduate studies in Psychology of Women.  She has spoken extensively at state and national events on the subjects of domestic violence and sexual assault, has served as an expert witness and has published on both subjects.  She has also presented on victims of crimes and response to disasters.  Ms. Lowrance was cited by the United States Department of Justice for "Outstanding Dedication and Service to Crime Victims".  The Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault named an award in her honor.

  

 

Mark Elam became aware of human trafficking in 2005, and traveled to , South Asia and the to work with organizations that rescue girls from sex trafficking. His international organization, Angel Eyes, helps support safe houses and prevention centers in , and the with teams on the ground working to rescue and restore victims of sex trafficking. While raising awareness and support for the global problem, Mr. discovered that human trafficking and child sex trafficking is happening here in as well.  Mr. visited several of the Dept. of Justice Task Force cities to learn from them what our federal government is doing to combat this problem here in and then implemented that plan here in July 2008, forming the Coalition O.A.T.H. – Oklahomans Against Trafficking Humans. In the first year of operation O.A.T.H. has partnered with over 60 federal, state and local organizations to service victims of trafficking found here in . In February of 2009 O.A.T.H. was asked to become the state-wide coalition to bring awareness, education and training about the subject of human trafficking and to assist in networking law enforcement agencies, service providers, NGO’s, business leaders and the faith community in providing care for trafficking victims.  Additionally Mr. moderates the Central Oklahoma Human Trafficking Task Force and the Tulsa Human Trafficking Task Force where they are currently working active cases within our boarders 

 

 

                                

 If we can pray for you regarding anything in your life, please let us know.  Our greatest blessing is to bless others in prayer. .  www.prayermetro.com   Phil@prayermetro.com

 

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