The following information is copied and pasted from this website. The enlarged and bolded print is my personal addition in order to draw as much attention as possible to the quote. A huge thank you to the law makers who believe this is necessary!

Tougher laws against human trafficking
in final stages for Texas

A new bill proposed by Senator Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, is in the final stages of becoming law. The last stage of Senate Bill 24 which passed in Congress, the House and is moving on to Gov. Rick Perry for his signature. If the bill becomes law it will be a loud and clear message that Texas does not tolerate slavery.

What the bill will mean for Texas. Tougher law around domestic sex trafficking and compelling prostitution. Accountability for people that benefit from trafficking which would include third parties who profit from trafficking. Mandatory for traffickers to register as sex offender. Terminating the parental rights if the parent trafficked their child. 

The bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Thompson who has filed HB 7 that will help end human trafficking in Texas. This bill is in the beginning stages and would establish punishment, and certain criminal and civil consequences of offenses related to the trafficking of persons and protections for victims of those offenses.

Gov. Rick Perry released a statement April 7  "Human trafficking is a deplorable and growing practice in Texas and across the nation. I commend Sen. Van de Putte and Rep. Thompson for their continued work on this issue, and applaud the House and Senate for passing this measure, which sends a strong message that we will not tolerate human trafficking in Texas. I look forward to seeing this important legislation reach my desk, and hope HB 3000 and SB 1436, which increase penalties for those who participate in this insidious activity, will soon follow."

Gov. Rick Perry has given a positive response to SB 24 and it seems that Texas will be one of the more progressive states in the fight against human trafficking. Putting this bill into law will be a major victory in the fight against slavery. A study done by Dallas Women's Foundation revealed that 250 under-age girls were trafficked in one month in North Texas. Hopefully, new laws in the state of Texas will be a deterrent and protect children from this horrible form of trafficking.

Still is God’s hand that leadeth me

Notes from the Pastor…

I am amazed that fire can be both frightening and comforting.  When in the back country, and especially when alone in the wilderness, fire can bring a sense of security; a sense of safety.  Paradoxically, when the winds howl and a spark hits dry timber, fire can be like a hungry dragon devouring everything in its path.
For those who were in the path of the White Fire, please know there are many prayers offered on your behalf.  I was surprised to find out that Sharon Watkins, the President and General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), knew of the Ruidoso fire and lifted us up in prayer.  When I talked to a friend of First Christian Church, Charlotte Lord, she expressed gratitude for all of our prayers, because it seemed that
Jesus himself kept the fire at bay from her home and horses.
Nevertheless, we know there are others who suffered great loss to property and structure.  Tangibly, First Christian Church in the coming days and weeks will join with other faith communities discovering ways we can show compassion to those who lost much.  If you know of an unmet need, please inform the church office; likewise, we will keep you abreast of any community efforts.

The emergency personnel assigned to the White Fire are quite optimistic; however, they expressed to the public:  “contained” and “extinguished” are two different things.  Therefore, let us pray for those fighting the fire —
May the Good Shepherd protect them, even though they work in the valley fraught with danger.  Let us pray for those who suffered loss  — May the Good Shepherd lead them beside the still waters of peace and restore their souls.
This week, let us take to our lips the “Prayer Hymn” that rang through our sanctuary on Sunday:
       He leadeth me: O Blessed thought!
       O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
       Whatever I do, wherever I be,
       Still is God’s hand that leadeth me.
Grace,
Pastor Ryan

Fire, Family, and a Birthday

On Sunday, April 3rd we packed our bag of essentials and prepared to evacuate. A wild fire ignited and, due to an incredibly windy day and drought conditions following a dry winter, rapidly spread through Ruidoso Proper into Ruidoso Downs near the racetrack and on East. Fire fighting and forest services from all over New Mexico have come to aid in relief efforts; we are so thankful for the help and that no human lives have been lost. Please pray for what has been lost: 5 homes, several barns and sheds, over 10,000 acres of land, and sadly one horse. We appreciate the prayers and concerns for our family. Our home and church are safe. From what I have seen Ruidoso is a beautiful town. Yes by scenery, but I mean by people. We heard from people all day Sunday offering help to anyone who may need it. One lady offered her spare bedroom for evacuees as soon as she knew her house was safe. Restaurants donated food to the designated shelter. And prayers were offered for our town literally from all over the country (thanks to communication via facebook).

Sunday was a frazzled day for me. The winds were constantly changing direction so no one knew which direction the fire would blow next. I waited for news all day. Will we need to evacuate? waiting. Will my house still be standing tomorrow? waiting. Should I be loading my car with everything I can get me hands on?  waiting. Am I too worried about "things"? waiting. I know these are all earthly possessions but if I don't use this waiting time to pack what I can, am I a fool?

Frazzled.

Monday, my husband wished me happy birthday and we looked around our home. It's still here. We're still here. Thank God! Let me clarify the God part. We prayed and asked others to pray but I don't think God listened to our prayers any more than he did to those who lost homes/property and more. I know God is here by the beauty of response. The people anxious to help each other, the hospitality offered to the displaced, and the great desire for our community to draw together for relief, aid, and compassion.

I am often confused by prayer, but I believe in the God I pray to. I also believe that more often than not, God answers prayers in ways we cannot expect or imagine. My new prayer for our town is that we would be unified through the fear we all shared on Sunday, unified through the relief most of us feel outside the literal line of fire, unified through compassion for our town folk returning to ashes. In unity, may we see Jesus. In unity, may we help rebuild, not just property but lives.

Ruidoso, we love you. I could not be more thankful for my family, my church, and my town. Realizing what you have and not loosing it, may be the best birthday present of all time. I now begin 26 thankfully aware.

"F" You

I love this! If you can't use the "F" word in church, then where?

Scandalous

Notes from the Pastor...

When I was a senior in High School I broke my left shoulder.  It was nothing too major; the only prescription was Tylenol and restricted movement for eight weeks.  I healed completely, but for a slight restriction when trying to pull weight from behind in a butterfly motion.  While the injury is not chronic, every once in a while it bothers me.  In the same way, John 4  – “The woman at the well,” has bothered me for years!

One of the more shocking elements to this story is the seemingly unqualified acceptance of Jesus.  Jesus challenges the woman to recognize who he is by illustrating his vast knowledge of her life choices without a hint of condemnation or required repentance.  In John 4:26, Jesus does  not say,
“I am the Messiah, now go get your life right – quit living in sin.”
These would be the words that you and I would use.  Contrary to such statements, Jesus’ work with the woman is cut short by the disciples’ interruption.  When the disciples returned to the scene “they were astonished that Jesus was speaking with a woman, but no one said, ‘What do you want?’ or ‘Why are you speaking with her?’”  We would suspect the disciples’ intrusion to be their entrance into the dialogue, but it seems that they stand silently bewildered.
Regardless of why the interruption takes place, the woman leaves without Jesus commanding repentance; moreover, she begins to work as a missionary – inviting her entire city to come and see the Messiah.

All of this leaves me to question some common “Christian” behaviors:
º   Is our acceptance of the “sinner” qualified by their willingness to repent?
º   Are we more worried about “right living” than recognizing who Jesus is?
º   Do we interrupt Jesus’ working in an outcast’s life because of our overt astonishment?

The first time Jesus reveals himself as the “I am” in the Gospel of John is to an outcast Samaritan woman; not to the disciples, not to the religious authority, but to an outsider.  It does not seem that followers of Jesus have a monopoly on the revelation of Christ.
May we not act with the egocentrism that would say otherwise.
May we join Christ’s work among the outsider and encourage the work of Christ in all of creation!

Grace,  Pastor Ryan

"As you continue to travel through Lent"

Notes from the Pastor...

Lent is a season of preparation; a time of intentional interruption to focus on God.  At the commencement of this season, on Ash Wednesday, we are told,

“Remember your sins and repent.”

If you are like me, Lent is both refreshing and depressing.  I try to break old habits and start new spirit yielding exercises, but then one day I sleep in too late, and I skip my morning Scripture meditation.  It is then that I am reminded of the other Ash Wednesday proclamation,
“You are dust…”
and dust is all I feel.
The goodness of guilt evades my conscience and the full weight of my humanness blows upon me like gypsum-choking wind.

In this state of dejected remorse I am reminded of the words of Father Zosima, the Elder, in The Brothers Karamazov:

"There is no sin, and there 

can be no sin on all the earth, 

which the Lord will not forgive the 

truly repentant! …Believe that God 

loves you as you cannot conceive; 

that He loves you with your sin, in 

your sin.  …Love is such a priceless 

treasure that you can redeem the 

whole world by it, and expiate not 

only your own sins but the sins of others."

As you continue to travel through Lent, may forgiveness supersede your acknowledged guilt, and may you find the peace of God’s great love!

Grace,
Pastor Ryan

I highly recommend...

... this book.

I was given this book for Christmas in 2007 by a dear friend and mentor. It's beautiful. There are two prayers - morning and evening - for each day of the month and a special morning and evening prayer for Sunday. This past November, I began an attempt to read at least one of the daily prayers and each day that I actually do, I am that much more blessed. John Baillie's gift of words attune my soul to the presence of God. Often, I remember one short phrase from the prayer for that day and repeat it throughout the day. What a blessing. I highly recommend this book of prayers and leave you with the phrase I will carry with me today:

"In loving let me believe and in believing let me love; and in loving and in believing let me hope for a more perfect love and a more unwavering faith, through Jesus Christ my Lord."