“Follow Me” – A Better Way To Live

This is LOVE…

STOP THE TRAFFICK — Fun Run/ 5K

I am so proud of my wife (@GabChesnut) and the Milestone Women who pulled off the “Stop The Traffick” run/5k here in Keller, TX on April, 21, 2012. Without any run-event experience they pulled off what race partners called the best first time run event they’d ever seen. Approximately 400 runner/walkers, friends and family in support, great volunteers, and a perfect morning, made this a great success.  Their goal from the beginning was to raise money, raise awareness, and get out in the community. All three were accomplished superbly!

Great sponsors knocked out the event cost so that all of the registrations fees went directly to the cause – stopping the traffick. Several community sponsors and two major sponsors, First Eye Care, and Urban Air Trampoline Park really played a big part in the success of the event.The total money raised will be announced this June at the Milestone Women’s annual womens’ conference.

The theme of the conference is “Love Out Loud” and that is exactly what they are doing by being a voice for the the voiceless victims of human trafficking. The race also stirred a local voice as covered by the Star Telgram article you can view here. This June, Milestone Women will present a big check to conference speaker Christine Caine that will go to her organization The A21 Campaign to stop human trafficking.

ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING 

Human Trafficking: is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation, forced labor, and or a modern-day form of slavery.

 

• 66% of the victims are Women, 13% Girls, 12%Men, 9%Boys

• Sexual exploitation is by far the most commonly identified form of human trafficking (79%), followed by forced labor (18%).

• There are 1.39 million victims of commercial sexual servitude worldwide³.

• Human trafficking is the second largest global organized crime today, generating approximately 31.6 billion USD each year. Specifically, trafficking for sexual exploitation generates 27.8 billion USD per year².

• Research was gathered by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2009, 155 Countries Participated in research, nearly all larger states participated. http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Global_Report_on_TIP.pdf

BUT, David strengthened himself in the Lord.

Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.

- I Samuel 30:6

6 Christmas Memory Makers For Your Family

Angel Tree, Grapevine Mills Mall, Dec ’10

Christmastime locks memories in a child’s mind that last a lifetime. You may not remember everything as a kid, but you do remember Christmas. As parents, we can intentionally create memories for our kids that will shape their futures. Here are six, fun, meaningful and intentional memory makers we’ve been doing with our family.

1. Christmas Services:

There is no better way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with the family than to attend a Christmas Production or Christmas Eve service at a local church. The whole family gets dressed up, nerves get tested, and emotions get tense as everyone scurries to make it on time and composed. I love this, because it makes a memory, a fun memory about going to church together and the whole family hears the Good News of Jesus!

Milestone Church’s Christmas Services

Production: Dec 16th 7pm, Dec 17th 3pm, 5pm, 7pm, Dec 18th 9am, 11am, 1pm

Christmas Eve: Dec 24th, 1pm, 3pm, & 5pm

 

2. Christmas Light Excursion:

Pick up, or pack up some hot chocolate, put on some Christmas music and have some fun. Score the houses 0-10 and get everyone involved. If you have gifts to deliver to friends, then make that your route as you elf around the city.

3. Angel Tree

This is a great way to take kids focus off themselves and bring some joy to another. Adopt an Angel(s) the same age as your kid(s), then go shopping for the desired gift. As you shop, talk about how special this will be for the kid you’re buying for. Throughout the rest of your Christmas celebrations, talk about these kids and pray for them.

4. Christmas Movies

There are so many fun Christmas movies to watch as a family. Whether it’s Frosty or Santa Clause, Elf , or Rudolph , the main things is the memory. Get out the blankets, pop some popcorn and curl up on the couch. Embrace the moment because too soon our kids will be watching these movies with their kids.

5. Interactive Nativity Story

If you have a Nativity set, this is a great way to get the kids involved in the real story of Christmas. Read the Nativity story right out of the bible and as each character is introduced; have your kids place that character in the Nativity setting. You can even have your kids repeat some of the key dialogue from each character.

• Luke 1:26-38 (Angel Gabrielle, Mary)
• Luke 2: 1-20 (Joseph, manger, animals, Baby Jesus, shepherds)
• Matthew 2:1-11 (Wise men )

6. Birthday Cake for Jesus

Make a cake with your kids to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Let them decorate it how they think Jesus would like it. Sing Happy Birthday if you’d like, then eat it up!

What ideas or traditions do you have?

My name is…. The Initiators Impact

Initiator in action

About a year ago I was at a school function for my kids called “Donuts With Dads.” I think you get the idea. Dads bring their kids to school and eat donuts in the gym while our kids run around with their friends. It was a great time and I met some really cool guys, but as I was driving away I had a thought…. “Nobody introduced themselves to me.” I was feeling a little insecure about it and as I began to think more about it, another thought came in… “I can’t remember if anyone has ever introduced themselves to me?” You see, I am usually the one making the introduction, the initiator.

This was the first time I realized the importance of initiators. These are the people who get the conversation going, make the approach, hold the eye contact, or extend the hand. Initiators do this over and over again never knowing how the other end is going to receive it. There could be great connection or great rejection and it’s a risk every time. But here’s the thing, relationships are worth the risk, and they never have a chance until someone takes the initiative.

You can be an initiator. It is activated inside you when a desire for relationship is stronger than your nerves or insecurities. As a Christian I am looking for as many opportunities as possible for God to use me to impact someone. I call them divine intersections, when someone’s life path intersects with mine. Maybe God has it set-up for them, or maybe he has it set-up for me? Neither of us will know until someone becomes an initiator.

God’s View of Success