Rev. Rodney Frederick

Thetus Tenney
Two Altars

Gap Standers

No More is a movement reaching to make others aware of abuse that goes on in the world; most of all, it is a movement that wants to bring an end to such abuse as domestic and sexual violence. It is with an urgency that I desire to awaken us, in every part of the world-–be it in one’s personal world or in another’s world-–people need to be aware: There is hope beyond every horrific circumstance, no matter who would suppress one to believe that abuse should be ignored and forever held to a bondage of silence; rest assured, there are movements that can help bring freedom: such as No More and Firstborn Ministries.

There is a bondage that keeps victims from moving forward into a place of healing: believing his or her current circumstances cannot change due to the powers that be in their lives. Therefore, they live with a feeling that they could be in worse circumstances; yet, knowing they are deprived in comparison to what they know reality should be for them: relative deprivation.

relative deprivation: The conscious feeling of a negative discrepancy between legitimate expectations and present actualities (380).

Silence and lack of knowledge about domestic violence and sexual assault play a large part in why they persist. Simply wanting to help is a huge step toward ending the shame and stigma that survivors are burdened with. Learn how to recognize DV/SA, what to do when you see it and how to stop it before it happens. (https://nomore.org)

Amber grew up, part of her life, in a small town in southern Missouri. Her social environment taught that it was not Christ-like to take a stand against an authority in one’s life. Sadly, when she was in her early teens, she was summoned by her pastor for private counseling sessions (the pastor felt there were things that were keeping her from having an experience with God) and when the pastor began to see that he was making Amber uncomfortable he would always manipulate her to silence: she was too afraid to step forward, as he had intimidated her young mind with false analogies . . . . Amber knew his behavior was not the reality of what a true Christ-like-person should have, as taught by her mom and former pastor; nevertheless, frozen in silence she didn't know how to reach out for help--until her parents found out through another victim. And, only then did things change for the young girl.

Yes, Amber was saved from even greater duress because someone stepped forward.

Thankfully, illustrations such as the story of Amber’s are often shared when someone is wanting others to join up with them to help support a cause, such as No More’s website and Firstborn Ministries.

Within No More’s pages are opportunities for victims-of-abuse to share their story, find resources and support; along with pages that educate about the many scenarios of abuse that one may find his or herself in.

Movements, such as No More are created and are utilized through resource mobilization: “The ways in which a social movement utilizes such resources as money, political resources, access to the media and personnel” (380).

Above all else, it is imperative that those who are personally suffering from abuse (past or presently) become aware–through stories such as Amber’s and the resources such as "No More" and Firstborn Ministries–that there is help and a new life away from abuse. Such awareness awakens people to their personal dilemmas–who may be in denial or false consciousness--causing them to step forward and to help create new movements, such as No More and Firstborn Ministries.

false consciousness: Marx Describes an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect their objective position (381)

Years Later:

“Hello?” Amber listened to what the caller was telling her. While the caller spoke, she reflected back on the events that the call was stirring back to memory; however, she was not distressed as she was reassured that others would no longer become his prey, by what the caller stated:

(Paraphrased)

“The leaders of the Organization have sent in private investigators due to some families stepping forward. We heard from an individual that you had experienced . . . we wanted to let you know that his license has been revoked . . . he’s no longer allowed to pastor . . . .”

Reflecting back to that day, Amber knows she witnessed godly, people standing-in-the-gap . . .

'What will we do to stand in the gap for others, near and far?'

(L.D.B.)

Barbara Hilderbrand

Ever feel unaccepted?

“When God has selected you, it doesn’t matter who else has rejected you, or neglected you. God’s favor outweighs ALL opposition.” - Author unknown

The angel Gabriel was sent by God to visit Mary (Luke 1:26-28), and he had three high compliments for her: (1) “You are favored highly, (2) the LORD is with you, and (3) among all women, you’re blessed.”

We have no information as to Mary’s mother, and scarcely more about her father, but one thing is apparent: she was RAISED RIGHT. Mary was still young—a virgin—but it is evident that her character was already well-balanced. When Gabriel declared her to be “highly favored” (meaning: lovely, charming, especially acceptable), it wasn’t just his observation—this was a message from Almighty GOD. Her behavior, demeanor and reputation were apparently above average. Today, we might say that Mary was proclaimed by the angel … to be “an angel.”

Although—from Gabriel’s assessment—Mary was attractive physically, faithful spiritually, and well-loved socially, YET mentally, she became troubled at his very first words. She was “cast in her mind”—lost in thought and presuming up a storm. (And Gabriel hadn’t even gotten to the bombshell message that he came to deliver!) But that’s when he said, “Mary, FEAR NOT!” In other words, “STOP! Let not your heart be troubled over what you know nothing about yet! The FACT is: you have found FAVOR—you are a FAVORITE—with GOD! You found GRACE in His eyes because He found GRACE in YOU!!” Something more than prettiness and popularity—even more than piety. A gracious God discovered in her a special GRACE—He observed that she was already qualified in her spirit to handle the most difficult assignment ever given to a woman.

What is GRACE? The Greek word: χάρις, which is transliterated “charis,” appears in the Greek New Testament as “grace” no less than 130 times. In short, it means God’s divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life.

But the related word that Gabriel used when he called Mary “highly favored” was χαριτόω—“charitoo.” This special form of grace is mentioned only twice in the Greek New Testament. FIRST, as referred to above, when God sent Gabriel to tell Mary that she was blessed, chosen, and (ACCEPTED) highly favored; and, SECOND, when God inspired Paul to write to the Church (in Ephesus) that WE are blessed, chosen, and ACCEPTED (highly favored)!

Read it for YOURSELF! Take this as a special GOD-inspired message to YOU today! “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath BLESSED (YOU!) with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath CHOSEN (YOU!) in Him before the foundation of the world, that (YOU!) should be holy and without blame before Him in love: to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made (YOU) ACCEPTED (“highly favored”) in the beloved.” (Ephesians 1:6-8 KJV)

Sometimes, like Mary, we become “cast in our mind”—unsure, insecure, full of questions. Anxious before we even know what to be anxious about! But God, who knows the future, sees something in us that perhaps no one else—not even we ourselves—can see. He sees GRACE through which, by His Holy Spirit, He has already prepared us—prequalified us—for what is coming. Just like Mary. As we are IN Him, and He IN us, we already possess the grace to face our future—to endure what we must, to persevere beyond our ability, and to accept the uncertain and unknown from the Hands of the All-Knowing One. Be at rest, dear one, “casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on HIM, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (1 Peter 5:7 AMP)

He knows, He cares, He goes before us, and He has already given us everything we will ever need—to handle anything we will ever face. In this new year and beyond, whatever the circumstance du jour happens to be, let us declare, “Behold, I am Your handmaid, LORD! Come what may—I am blessed, chosen, and ACCEPTED! I AM one of Your FAVORITES!!”

Rev. Rodney Frederick

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