ijm | Mental Post-Its

February 7, 2016
by kristiporter 1 Comment

#IFgathering2016: Quotes and Notes

Just got back from Austin! It was a fun event, and I loved making new friends and discovering new speakers and resources. God showed up and big and small ways, as He always does. He is faithful.

It was a powerful statement to see over 2,000 women gather, get equipped and be unleashed to live God’s calling on their lives. And there were over 100 countries watching from over 2,000 live streams all around the globe! It is quite the community.

Here are my notes from a number of the speakers. And if you’d like to watch the live stream recordings, they are free until tomorrow evening at www.live.ifgathering.com. Enjoy!

Jo Saxton

Jesus is the redeemer of your life. Jesus is the one who restores your purpose.

Jennie Allen

When you have nothing to prove and nothing to protect, you have freedom.
We are like Peter. We are zealots and sinners.

Ann Voskamp

There is a space and place for you at the table. There is no disgrace.
Jesus first miracle was at a table, a gathering.

Eugene Cho

John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There are a lot of theological issues we can disagree on, but this isn’t one of them.
Is it possible that we’re more in love with the idea of follow Jesus than actually following Him?
John 13-17
- To follow Jesus is to know that He loves you.
- To follow Jesus means that we hear His voice.
- To follow Jesus is to love people.
- To follow Jesus is to usher in the Kingdom of God. (Gal 3:28)
Listen to the Holy Spirit first.
If you believe the grass is greener on the other side, maybe the Holy Spirit is telling you to water the grass you’re standing on!

Bianca Olthoff

In following Christ, and in times of trial, we may not understand the why, but we must know the Who.
John 11:1-32 (Lazarus)
- The challenge in the midst of the chaos is to still believe.
- When we change our posture, and fall at the feet of Jesus, we are changed.
- If he doesn’t heal, will you still believe?

Vivian Mabuni

Let the Bible be your primary source of Truth.
Read your Bible with intention.
Read like the Word points you to God, not for what you can get out of it for yourself.
We tend to think of the fruit as the blessing, but the vine is the real blessing—our relationship with Christ.

Rebekah Lyons

The Bible gives you what you need to push back the darkness.
There is a boot camp required for the next phase of what God wants you to do.

Esther Havens

When time is short, pick one scripture to meditate on throughout the day. Also try an audio version to have the Bible on the go.
What would happen if we didn’t care about being known (famous), but only about making God known?

Margaret Feinberg

Color or mark up your Bible, if needed. Make it yours.
It takes seven years to produce the first fruits/wine at a vineyard. It takes perseverance.

Shelley Giglio

Luke 8:1-3, 17:11-17
- Mary Magdalene was cured of demons, and she was also present at the death and resurrection of Jesus. He surrounded himself with all kinds of people.
John 19:25
- Sometimes we don’t know what to say or do for hurting people, but we can simply be near them.
John 20:11-18
- We can be saved by Jesus, but sometimes we don’t recognize Him.
- Mary didn’t recognize Him until He called her name.
- The next thing He said to her was, “Go.”
- Your role in the Kingdom is at its best when you can tell people about Jesus.
- Believe. Engage. Respond.

IJM Staffer (We were asked not to give her name.)

Isaiah 61 (a garment of praise from brokenness)
Pain turned into hope.
If the speaker’s life had gone perfectly, or as she wanted, she would never have been part of this work.
Sometimes we are more ok with letting our flesh rot than showing another person and asking them for help.
We’ll search for anything, even garbage, to cover up our pain. (part of her personal story)
Giving a garment of praise to someone else, sharing it, is life-giving.
We need to be a source of God’s love to those without hope.
Quoting Gary Haugen, “If the bad guys are ganging up, why can’t we?”

Melissa Russell

IJM is making slavery too hard to do good business.
Holding people accountable to crimes is what will change the system.

Jen Hatmaker

Jesus told his disciples to love well again and again. It sounds easier than it is.
Some people we find easy to love, and can easily leave God out of it.
Loving the hard people is what points others to God.
Jesus loved everyone with touch, presence, proximity, dignity and as a friend.
When we love people well, we love them as friends and equals. There is no agenda.
Power, fear and superiority keep us from loving others well.
God’s Truth will provide you with the how and why of loving well. If you get push back, you’re probably doing it right.
Jesus was scandalous and reckless with His love!

Angie Smith

I don’t want to have spent my life trying to look like other Christians instead of trying to look like Christ.
Story of Isaac’s almost sacrifice (Genesis 22) is the first time the word, “love” is used in the Bible. And the same word/context is used later to describe Jesus’ sacrifice.
2K years later, Jesus was crucified in the same area as God provided the sacrifice for Abraham and Isaac.
In times of testing, have you been more focused on the thicket or the cross? We aren’t promised the ram, only the Lamb.

David Platt

John 17
Where has God placed you? Recognize your unique place.
- God loves people not only so much that He gave us His son, but He sent you our uniquely and with authority. Don’t keep this love to yourself!
Realize what’s at stake for those around you.
- It may sound hateful to say to others that Jesus is the only way out of Hell, but if you believe it, it’s hateful not to share it.
Remember the simple purpose God has given you: make disciples.
- Jesus’ revolution revolved around 12 men.
- You don’t need a blog or movement or website or to be famous: you just need to make one disciple. What if we all just made one each?
- Love makes you do strange things!

Jennie Allen

We exist for the glory of God and the good of the people.
Jesus walked in surrender and obedience.
Acts 2:42
Its not about what happens in this room at this event. It’s about what happens when we leave.
People need to see a compelling reason in you for why they should know Jesus.

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Special shout out to Be The Bridge! Join us in racial reconciliation!

November 21, 2014
by kristiporter 1 Comment

I’m Buying HOPE, JOY and PEACE This Holiday Season

This is a repost of a blog I did last year about this time because it’s a message that still resonates strongly with me, and I hope it will with you too. May your holiday shopping be full of hope and happiness for all.

A few months ago I read Pursuing Justice by Ken Wytsma. I wasn’t expecting the book that it turned out to be, but it was still very good. It sort of turned out to be a Bible study on justice. I would definitely recommend it, and not just for those passionate about the issue like me, but even for the mildly curious. I learned a lot and will be marinating on it for a long time to come.

There were a few things mentioned in the book that stuck with me, but none more than what I wanted to share with you now. Did you know that it costs approximately $21 billion to get clean, safe drinking water to everyone in the world? If you weren’t aware, almost 1 in 7 of the world’s population doesn’t have access to this most basic need. $21 billion. I know, right, it sounds like a lot—like a whole lot! It sounds like scratching our heads and calling summits and raising money and finally reconciling ourselves to the fact that $21 billion is impossible to find in a world drowning in debt. Sometimes it sounds like giving up.

And then I found out…

The National Retail Federation estimates that over $600 BILLION will be spent in November and December this year. I’m sorry, what? That’s just this season. When I think about it, that makes me sick. In fact, the contrast in those two numbers has literally haunted me since I’ve read the book.

I think about people I know that rush around trying to buy gifts, any kind of gifts, for the people on their Christmas list. Mostly those are close family and friends, but usually there’s at least one obligatory gift on there as well. I think of gifts that aren’t bought out of need, but out of courtesy. I think of the stress so many people feel when it comes to the holidays. It seems to be more about putting anything under the tree that caring about what it is, as long as you’ve checked that box.

Something. Has. To. Change.

I love the holidays. I love the chill in the air, and the warm drinks. I love watching Christmas movies. I love decorating my apartment. I love seeing twinkle lights go up everywhere. And I love buying gifts. Gift giving is one of my love languages. It makes me happy to see the look on people’s face when I give them a gift. In fact, the anticipation of seeing their faces when I give them the gift makes me happy! I have always tried very hard, whether it’s a birthday or Christmas, to find the perfect gift that will make the recipient smile. It’s a challenge that I relish.

And, if I do say so myself, I’m pretty good at it. But the last few years, ever since pursing justice myself and learning more about supply chain and slave labor, I’ve tried to challenge myself in a new way. I try very hard to find not only gifts of meaning, but gifts that do good or do not perpetuate slave labor. I’m also an environmentalist, so I try to cut down on packaging and reuse when possible. So, really, I thought I could pat myself on the back from up on my high horse—until I read those statistics.

Now I’m trying to figure out how to do more. I can’t completely give up gift-giving, because I love it so much, but there is more I can do. For one thing, I can help educate you. What if we all started buying differently? What if we started contributing more and consuming less? What if we took a hard look at the real difference between shopping and giving? What if the presents had real meaning, not just for the recipient you know, but those who created it or will benefit from the purchase? What if?

Here is an awesome video by Advent Conspiracy to help illustrate. In fact, they have a lot of great personal and church resources to help you explore this idea. I’m looking forward to reading their book this season.

As I said, I don’t have this all figured out, but I’m trying. I want to contribute, not just consume. I want buy better and think better and live better. And even more, I want that for everyone else. I want it for you, and those you know, and those around the world who don’t have clean water or adequate shelter or who live in fear. We all share this world.

The holidays are a season of hope. Hope, joy, peace—we see those words written on everything this time of year from cards to commercials. What if they weren’t just platitudes? What if we added those to our Christmas list? What if, when we started buying gifts, we kept those three words in mind? Will the things we buy this season promote hope or joy or peace? If not, then let’s not buy them. Find a better alternative. I bet there’s one out there.

Here are a few places to help you get started:

Purchasing on Amazon? Use Amazon Smile

Purchase with Purpose

World Vision Gift Catalog

Fair Trade USA

Ten Thousand Villages

Charity Water

Kiva

Living Water International

International Justice Mission Gift Catalog

Notes From a Thoughtful Life

The Good Shopping Guide

Ethical Consumer

There are so many more, though, so keep looking! And if you need to go the department store route, you could even institute your own TOMS-esque one for one model. For example, if you give someone a shirt, donate one as well. Challenge each other to be better, think creatively and give more.

Give gifts that tell stories, and write yourself a new one in the process.

______________________________________

And here’s a great article from the TODAY Show about families who try to put more meaning into gifts and the holidays.

Here is another from LearnVest, a money budgeting site if you’re looking for a more frugal point-of-view.

One more from journalist/activist, Nick Kristoff, whom I greatly admire.

DID I MISS YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE? PLEASE ADD IT IN THE COMMENTS SECTION! I’D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT.

(Note: Amazon links are affiliate links.)

March 15, 2014
by kristiporter 3 Comments

The Justice Conference: Highlights

Two weeks ago I headed to LA for The Justice Conference. Any excuse to head to SoCal is a good one, but this event on social justice issues was extra special to me, and at the top of my vacation list this year. So, it made for a great trip!

I posted my Pre-Conference Highlights last week, and now I’ll move on to the main event, held at the beautiful Orpheum Theater. It was a really great day, full of fantastic information, inspiring speakers and like-minded camaraderie.

Ken Wytsma, President of Kilns College and Founder of The Justice Conference

When everyone speaks in a prophetic time, we can’t hear the prophetic voice.
Remember the poor with deep respect.

Donald Miller, Founder of Storyline Conference, speaker and author

It’s hard not to filter your theology through advertising, which says you’re lacking something.
Jesus wants us to experience a deep sense of meaning, not necessarily to be comfortable and happy.
God is in the business of redeeming hard things.

Nicole Baker Fulgham, founder and President of The Expectations Project

Education is a pathway out of poverty.
Educated creates engaged citizens.
Education gives kids purpose.

Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Director of Equal Justice Initiative

1. We need to commit ourselves to proximity. We must get close to those we want to serve. It will show you things you’ll never otherwise see.
2. Change the narrative. Behind every un-truth, there is a narrative saying it must be this way.
3. Be hopeful to create justice. Sometimes it’s easier to be faithful than hopeful.
4. We have to choose to be uncomfortable.
I do what I do because I’m broken too. God is there for the broken. I understand the broken because I am one. God’s grace and mercy fills the broken places.
We will not achieve justice with just the thoughts in our minds.

Lynne Hybels, Author of Nice Girls Don’t Change the World

Sami Awad, Executive Director of Holy Land Trust

Marcel Serubungo, Church Mobilization at World Relief Org

There is nothing that works in the Congo but the local church.
What makes our work different? Jesus.
You achieve greater results through love.
You can’t give away what you don’t have.
Don’t try to do something. Do something.

Justin Dillon, Founder/CEO of Made in a Free World

Justice is it’s own art form.
Embrace your vulnerability.
The world doesn’t need more information, it needs an invitation.
Make a world you want to live in.
Strive toward the better version of yourself.
We’re “shoulding” all over everyone. Stop the should and do.
Don’t think problems, think solutions.

Rich Sterns, President of World Vision

Jim Wallis, President and Founder of Sojourners

Noel Castellanos, CEO of CCDA

Our faith is connected to the issue of injustice.
Immigration reform may be the next Civil Rights movement.

Eugene Cho, Founder of One Day’s Wages, Lead Pastor of Quest Church

John 1, Woman at the Well
What we do isn’t in isolation. We are representatives of the Kingdom of God.
Justice must also do us, not just us doing justice. Otherwise, we just commercialize and commoditize it.
People aren’t projects; they are equals.
We must learn from those we serve. Place yourself in their narrative to catch a glimpse of who they are.

Stephen Bauman, President and CEO of World Relief

Your calling begins with a complaint. There is something you can’t stand for anymore.
Our faith will live by justice.
We need another reformation. God’s reformation is done through His people.
Reformation: a recovery of Truth from the periphery with sacrificial love.
What we consider the edges, God considers the center.

Gabriel Salguero, President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (and wife)

We cannot romanticize the work of justice.
1 Kings 19 (Fire down from heaven)
Too many times we think justice work is calling fire down from heaven. But the reality is much more mundane that than. There are small, daily jobs to do.
Motivation matters. Check yourself.
To stay grounded, stay connected to people.
We must fight giants: ego, exhaustion and emotional toxicity.
Too often we think justice is talking AT people. Our justice work has become disembodied. It should be incarnational and not third-party.

Bernice King, American Baptist Minister and World-Renowned Speaker, Daughter of Martin Luther King Jr.

Conflict is a weapon of growth.
True peace is not the absence of tension, but the presence of justice. – MLK
Never forget God is on the side of justice. Start there and keep it in sight.
God made from one brotherhood all nations.
MLK’s strategy of nonviolence will always work because it’s based on Jesus.
Courageous people are nonviolent.
Nonviolence shouldn’t seek to defeat people, only injustice.

Bethany Hoang, Director of the Institute for Biblical Justice for International Justice Mission

Justice begins in the heart of God.
We must stop and pray. We are often too busy or in a rush to action to do it, but it will best equip us.

N.T. Wright, Professor at University of St. Andrews, Retired Bishop of Durham, UK, Author

Justice is what love looks like.
We need discernment because when we think we’ve got justice down, we become arrogant. (Tower of Babel)

Lynne Hybels, Author of Nice Girls Don’t Change the World

Ask, “What is mine to do?” and let God help you figure it out. Otherwise you may be overwhelmed by all the causes and issues that need us.
God will empower you to do what is yours.
God created all the beauty in this world. Fight for it and help it flourish.

That’s all I got! Hope you enjoyed my notes. Fingers crossed that I’ll be able to attend The Justice Conference again next year. It’s a great event, and I recommend going!

December 12, 2013
by kristiporter Leave a comment

2013 As An Abolitionist

It was a big year to be an abolitionist. I really wish I’d been ready for it! There were milestones and celebrations and remembrances—some worldwide, some national and some just for me. Over and over, I was given opportunities to honor the work that has been done, rejoice in the part I’ve played, and prepare for the fight still ahead.

Here’s a look back:

150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation
150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address
50th anniversary of the March on Washington
50th anniversary of the death of JFK
Passing of Nelson Mandela
Got more involved with Not For Sale Georgia.
Took Out of Darkness training, and began volunteering for Solomon House.
Attended Lobby Day.
I heard Jason Russell speak for the first time.
I heard Mary Francis Bowley speak for the first time.
I heard Rebecca Stevens and John Richmond speak, both new to me.
Gave $25 to Kiva to help lift someone out of poverty, a factor in those at risk for slavery.
Saw Lincoln in the theater
Release of the movie, The Butler
Release of the movie, 12 Years a Slave
I read a lot of great books on the movement.

Overall, it was a good year to be an abolitionist. I feel really confirmed in playing a role to end slavery.

Looking forward to see what 2014 has in store.

November 23, 2013
by kristiporter Leave a comment

Shopping vs. Giving

A few months ago I read Pursuing Justice by Ken Wytsma. I wasn’t expecting the book that it turned out to be, but it was still very good. It sort of turned out to be a Bible study on justice. I would definitely recommend it, and not just for those passionate about the issue like me, but even for the mildly curious. I learned a lot and will be marinating on it for a long time to come.