Inside God's Best Magazine by dracy lockett

June/July

Contents

Palace Living

Temple Upkeep

Kingdom Reads

Let’s Break Bread

Man of Valor

Making A Joyful Noise

Fashion

About My Father’s Business

Financial Planning

Red Carpet Flair

The Truth About Relationships

Featured Article

A note from the editor…. So we meet again. I’m truly honored that you’ve taken the time to go Inside God’s Best. I pray that you find something inside that will inspire and uplift you. Inside God’s Best will be adding new articles and departments with each issue. Please feel free to leave a comment and let us know how we’re doing. Remember you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 NLT Dracy Lockett Publisher

Tips to Tackling Your Bathroom Renovation Renovation Inspiration Book Before you start unscrewing faucet hardware and stripping outdated wallpaper, do some background research on bathroom design! Flip through Town & Country, Architectural Digest, and other home design magazines and tear out beautiful bathrooms that catch your eye. Search online for bathroom design ideas, or visit Moen’s inspiration gallery for helpful tips, exciting trends and bright ideas to get your bathroom renovation rolling. Plan Your Bathroom Redo Budget If you’re gutting your bathroom, you’ll likely need the help of a professional contractor. But if you don’t have the money for a big overhaul, there are always budget-friendly ways to freshen up your bathroom without completely restructuring the space. Consider painting the walls a neutral color, adding new colorful accents with shower curtains and rugs, hanging a mirror, and installing new hardware and lighting. Keep It Simple: Stay Neutral Stay neutral – avoid trends! Keep permanent items such as the bath, toilet, and sink in white, and incorporate bright, bold accent colors in rugs, hand towels, art, shower curtains and other accessories. By adopting an all-white color scheme for your staple pieces, you’ll create a bathroom space that will last for years. Stay Classy: Use Classic, Timeless Materials Invest your money in things that never go out of style, such as white subway tile and a gray or

white marble countertop. Mirror, Mirror: Expand Your Space In a bathroom, mirrors aren’t just for examining your hair and makeup. A well-placed mirror can visually expand and brighten your space. If you’re lucky enough to have bathroom windows, capitalize on the natural light by hanging mirrors to reflect the light. A mirror in a unique shape, or hung in a dynamic frame, can be used in place of expensive artwork.

Lighten Up: Brighten Your Bathroom Mirrors will help reflect the natural light in the bathroom, but consider installing additional artificial light. Deemphasize unflattering overhead lighting by installing sconces beside or over your main bathroom mirror. Consider installing a dimmer for even more control over the lighting scheme. Update and Upgrade Your Hardware When you’re set on a sink, check out Moen’s faucet selector tool, which helps you pick the faucet style that best matches your personality! Describe your decorating style, input your price range, select the faucet finish and functionality, and Moen will narrow down the list of options based on your preferences.

www.thenateshow.com

The Great Substitute by Anissa Perkins Anyone who’s lived any amount of time will admit; life has its ups and downs. Life presents situations that require you to sacrifice and after you’ve sacrificed, you are sometimes still disappointed by the outcome. In an effort to lead disciplined lives we deny ourselves daily. We deny ourselves financially. “The budget says I can’t get that this week.” We deny our flesh its desires we know will result in death. Romans 8:12-13 says, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (NKJ) Or do we? Yes, we don’t curse, have sex outside of marriage, drink or smoke… but we substitute. Unfortunately our substitution in many cases is equally as harmful to our bodies as drinking and smoking. What is this substance we unnecessarily consume in excessive quantities and at inappropriate times? FOOD. We need food to live. Food provides nutrients and vitamins our body’s system needs to function. So what happens when we begin to use food for purposes other than satisfying hunger? We develop a dependency. It’s our comfort, our crutch. We turn to food for other solutions that it’s really unable to provide. When we’re sad and lonely, we turn to chocolate, which contains a substance called phenyl ethylamine, which promotes a similar chemical balance to the sensation of feeling in love. When we’re anxious, we may turn to breads, pastas or other carbohydrates, which in amounts of 25 to 50g can trigger the production of the mood-altering chemical serotonin. This eases anxiety within about 20 minutes, according to a nutritionist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a result of the inherent “feel-good” factor, we turn to these items more and more. In the long run, however, they can cause lethargy and weight gain, which make you feel worse. How do know if you use food as a substitute? Ask yourself why you are eating, are you truly hungry, is it mealtime? Are you upset, angry, or depressed? Do you feel like you are always sacrificing in your life, and you deserve something? Do you tell yourself, “It’s okay, it won’t hurt - you deserve it?”

What are some tips to stop using food as a substitute? According to Healthy Lifestyle…   

Whenever you’re about to eat, pause. Stop and think about what it is you’re really feeling at that moment. Anger, boredom, loneliness, entitlement? Keep a food journal. Log the feelings and emotions that prompt you to reach for the cookie jar, ice cream tub, potato chip bag, etc… Plan your meals and snacks as much as possible. Eat every 2 to 3 hours. Keep tempting

 

foods out of the house. Don’t eat if you’re not hungry, just because it’s mealtime. If you’re angry or upset, try not to eat for at least a couple of hours after the incident that caused you to become angry or upset. Recognize and acknowledge what it is you’re feeling. Work out the reason you’re using food. Is it a substitute for company, love, a relationship, an outfit, a promotion…? Once you have traced the root cause, then you will recognize what it is you need to do.

Slowly try to wean yourself off your dependence on food by making yourself wait 10 minutes before impulse, unplanned eating. Each time, add on another 5 minutes. Meanwhile, implement other substitute activities, go for a walk, tackle something on a “To Do List”, read, pray, etc. If you want to make yourself feel better, chose to reach for something good for you like cherries, rice, or lentils. According to scientists these foods contain tiny amounts of Valium-like chemicals. Although the amounts are probably too minuscule to have a pharmaceutical effect, they are filling and nutritious and help keep cravings at bay.

As always, be honest with yourself, be true to yourself, and DO SOMETHING.

Hill Harper, the New York Times bestselling author and star of the TV series CSI: NY, has just released his fourth book, The Wealth Cure. This is a book on financial literacy, but not in the traditional sense. This book deals with being responsible for your own actions and your attitude toward life's problems, both financial and emotional, and helps you understand your personal wealth factors.

This book by Grammy-winning, Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson is powerful. The inspirational advice given by Hudson will give anyone who reads it the courage to triumph over any trial or tribulation. Excellent read!

On Milwaukee.com 2011 Award Winner: BEST Romantic Restaurant (Finalist) If you love Middle Eastern food and have lived in Milwaukee for more than three years, you probably know that “Casablanca” isn’t just the name of a famous movie with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. It’s also the name of a great dining destination. For over 30 years, Casablanca has valued a rich tradition of serving fresh, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Chef Jesse Musa, a native of Jerusalem, grew up around exotic spices and a passion for exquisite yet simple food. It was his desire to bring warm hospitality and delicious Middle Eastern food to Milwaukee.

For more information on Casablanca visit them at www.casablancaonbrady.com

5 Cancers that Strike Men—and the Warning Signs No man is invincible, especially when it comes to health. Learn to detect and defend against the cancers most likely to attack men, and you'll be able to take the disease head-on if it strikes—and increase your chances of beating it.

1. Prostate Early signs: Usually there are none. A digital rectal exam can tell if your prostate is hard or irregular, and cancer is suspected with a high PSA (prostate specific antigen) level. False alarms: Urination problems—frequency, urgency, slow stream, incomplete emptying— can be related to prostate enlargement or narrowing of the urethra. The test: A biopsy if the PSA is high or its rate of change is high. But a spiked score can also be a sign of infection, which should be treated with antibiotics for 4 weeks. The cancer grows slowly; waiting is dangerous, says Christopher Saigal, M.D., a urological oncologist at UCLA 2. Lungs Early signs: Frequently, none. A cough that won't go away—or one that brings up blood—is often evidence the cancer is there. Also, chest pain that's always present and not influenced by movement, says Ezra Cohen, M.D., a medical oncologist at University of Chicago Medical Center. False alarms: Pneumonia. On a chest x-ray, both pneumonia and a tumor look white. The pneumonia will resolve, but you'll need another x-ray 4 to 6 weeks later. The test: Biopsy. 3. Colorectal Early signs: Blood in the stool. Never ignore it, even if it's a one-time occurrence. It could be a precancerous polyp leaking blood, and bleeding is the only early warning you'll receive. In more than half of cases, there is no sign, says Greg Enders, M.D., Ph.D., a gastroenterologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center. False alarms: In men under 50, bleeding is probably from hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, colitis,

or an abnormal blood vessel. Still, see a doctor. The test: A colonoscopy allows the doctor to check for large and small problems and remove polyps in the same procedure. 4. Bladder Early signs: Blood in the urine, which should always be checked, although if you're younger than 60, it's often a sign of kidney stones. Most bladder cancer only affects the lining. If it is caught early, it can be beaten, says Brian Rini, M.D., an oncologist at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute. False alarms: An overactive bladder or painful urination is more often a sign of an infection. The tests: A scope through the penis to look at the bladder and a urine test that detects cancer cells. 5. Lymphoma Early signs: Painless, swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpit, or groin. Nodes swell with infections, but if they don't subside in a week, have them checked. Also, unexplained weight loss over 1 or 2 months, pain in the node area after drinking alcohol, or generalized itching with swelling (without rash) could be cause for concern, says Cleveland Clinic oncologist John Sweetenham, M.D. False alarms: Nodes can swell because of an infection. The test: A blood test can occasionally pick up something, but a biopsy of the node is more thorough.

What do you think of when you hear franchise? Most of us think McDonald’s, Taco Bell, KFC or some other fast food restaurant. Well Two Men And A Truck is definitely not a fast food restaurant. And not only that they’re a Christian based company. Who knew? Here’s a snapshot of what you need to do if you’re interested in becoming a Two Men And A Truck franchisee.

Your Franchise Business What is it really like to own a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise? We know you’ll have many questions along the way when considering a new business opportunity like this one. We’ve worked hard to cover the bases for you. Take a look:

Your Customers Ask an average person if they’ve moved at all in their life and the answer is likely to be yes. Because moving is part of almost anyone’s life at one time or another, the market is wide open for a business opportunity like this one. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® offers home AND business moves, so you can easily generate additional revenue opportunities for your franchise. Here's the big thing: 96% of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® customers would refer TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® to their friends and family. That's powerful for your business.

Your Trucks We know...the idea of owning and maintaining a fleet of trucks can be nerve wracking. With TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, not only will you log ZERO hours behind the wheel of a truck, you won’t spend any of your time servicing it (if anything happens, it’s under warranty). In addition, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will provide you with key information to help facilitate your truck purchases – including a detailed spec sheet and opportunities for significant discounts. To get started, you only need 2 trucks!

For more information visit them at www.twomenandatruck.com

According to the Bible, wealth can be "deceitful." (Mark 4:18-19.) Those with wealth can mistakenly believe that they have no need for God or that they have full control over their own wealth. The Bible warns us not to store up our treasures here on earth but to store them up in heaven. (Matt. 16:19-20.) The Bible makes clear in I Sam. 2:7, that God is the one who sends poverty and wealth, so men ultimately do not have the power to hold onto their wealth if God chooses to send poverty.

Saving Money The ability to save money is the cornerstone of building wealth. In order to save money, you need to spend less than you earn. This is often easier said than done, but there are plenty of ways to help you begin saving money on even the tightest budget. Most likely, you have already established a savings account at your local bank or credit union, and you may have this linked up directly to your primary checking account to make transferring money to savings easy. A savings account is the most convenient place to save money, but it might not be putting your money to work. When using a savings account, it is important to look at the interest rate. Depending on where you bank and what type of account you have, you could be earning anywhere from less than 1% up to 4% or more. The problem is that many banks only provide high interest rates for significant balances over a certain amount. If you find you are only earning 0.65%, after accounting for inflation, you are actually losing purchasing power. The best thing about savings accounts is that they are completely liquid. This means you can access your money on very short notice. You may be able to go online and transfer money from savings to checking, withdraw from an ATM, or stop into your local branch. Even if you are saving money, you can always find ways to save more. Sometimes it is simply the little things that add up. Find out what your spending leaks are and learn how to trim those expenses so you can save even more money.

Call your credit card companies to cut interest rates on your card balances. Be creative when calling, tell them you want to transfer the balance to a competing credit company and have them work to keep your business. Look for better rates on phone, internet and cable services. Find competitors rates and call your current service, requesting that they beat or match those rates to keep your business. You can also call to "cancel service" and when they offer you a deal to stay, accept it. Use cash instead of credit cards. The average consumer will spend 16% less using cash than when paying with plastic. This is especially true in grocery stores where it is easy to justify buying extras. Make food from scratch and grow some of your own produce to save money on groceries. Making homemade bread is one of the best tips to save money, and the results are better tasting too (once you get practice). A simple garden with tomatoes and a few seasonal vegetables will help you save even more money. Never pay full price for clothing. Buy your new duds on sales, seasonal clearances, consignment shops and discount stores. Children's clothing can be found at yard sales and flea markets for incredible bargains. After you’ve identified where your money is going you should have a few spare dollars to put aside into your savings or a retirement plan like a 401(k). That’s a great start, but there’s another secret to saving money: paying yourself first. You’ve probably heard that phrase before, but it’s so common because it works. If you’re like most people you probably wait until your paycheck hits your checking account, you pay the bills, and buy the weekly groceries before deciding how much you can afford to deposit into savings. By then the amount may be small and you’re worried you might need those few dollars later in the week so you avoid putting any money into savings at all. Big mistake. You need to think of your savings just like you would any other bill. When your electric bill comes each month what do you do? You make sure it gets paid, right? That’s how you need to treat your savings account. If your goal is to save $100 a month then think of that as a $100 bill that needs to be paid. If you are thinking about this in terms of a bill you’re more likely to make that deposit and build up your emergency fund. Many people mistakenly believe the Bible views wealth as a vice. Having a lot of money, in and of itself, is not sinful. It is the "love" of money that is considered the root of all of evil. (I Tim. 6:10.) The Bible records multiple people whom God blessed lavishly with all kinds of riches, from Abraham (Gen. 13:2) to King Solomon (I Chron. 1:11-12).

Thousands gathered in Dallas to pay tribute to Bishop T.D. Jakes as he celebrates 35 years in ministry. The star-studded event was hosted by Tyler Perry and Soledad O’Brien. “A Triumphant Journey” was the theme for the nights event which was held at the state-of-the-art AT &T Winspear Opera House. Guest included Chaka Kahn, BeBe Winans, Mary Mary, Mike Epps, Emmitt and Pat Smith, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Gayle King, Jordin Sparks, Ledisi, Fred Hammond, Angela Bassett, Courtney Vance, Dr. Bernice King, Megan Good, Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Oprah Winfrey and many more. Accomplishing the impossible by keeping some of the night’s biggest moments a secret, wife Serita Jakes and daughter Sarah Henson enlisted the help of family, friends and staff. Bishop. Jakes, senior pastor of the 30,000 member Dallas-based church The Potter's House, was celebrated for a career spanning more than thirty years. A true man of God, his accomplishments in ministry and entertainment, as well as his dedication to humanity and family, were applauded in front of a packed audience of family, friends, parishioners, dignitaries, celebrities and fans. Inside God’s Best Magazine applauds and congratulates Bishop Jakes and wishes him another 35 years.

Photo credits, Naomi Logan Richard, TDJ Enterprises, The FrontPage Firm

Why Living in Sin Doesn’t Work Living together before marriage doesn’t work. Cohabitation doesn’t make marriages stronger. In fact, it usually has the opposite effect. Sure, modern society wants to believe that cohabitation makes sense, and plenty of singles assume they’ll be the exception to the statistics. But who has the better track record when it comes to sexual morality: our culture, or God’s Word? Many Christians wouldn’t personally consider cohabiting, so maybe you’re wondering why the topic is even up for discussion. We know it’s a sin, and we know God’s design for marriage is less about “being made for each other” and more about being true to a covenantal relationship. But we get lonely, don’t we, and apprehensive about our singlehood. Some of us may be feeling our defenses weakening, especially as the culture around us continues to embrace cohabitation. After all, the popular media that has saturated our lives elevates sex and pleasure over the biblical values of marriage, fidelity, and sexual purity. It’s becoming ever so antiquated for singles to live apart—and without physical intimacy!—before marriage. In terms of acquiescing to cultural norms, parts of evangelical Christianity have gotten to look more like the world than the Godly alternatives we’re supposed to represent. Abortion, for example, has already made its way into our communities of faith, and divorce has been with us now for decades. How much longer until cohabitation makes its inroads among us single believers? Taking a firm stand now can help delay—and even thwart—such a likelihood. Don’t Take Your Cues From Society First, however, let’s review the statistics. Studies show that today, more than half of all marriages start with cohabitation. Couples who wait until they’re engaged before they cohabitate have the same probability of divorcing as couples who move in together before ever discussing marriage. Indeed, even the degrees of morality on the cohabitation continuum don’t make much of a difference. It gets worse: if a woman gives birth before she’s married, or a man fathers a child before his first marriage, the chances they stay married are worse than for cohabiting couples who wait until after they’re married to have kids. Since premarital birthrates are rising in the United States, this can only mean that more and more kids will be raised in broken homes in the coming years. Strangely enough, women who claim to be Protestant now tend to have one of the lowest marriage survival rates, and women who claim no religious affiliation a higher rate. Many of us know the truth, yet we yearn to dabble in lifestyle patterns that weaken our resolve to abide by that truth. This is evident in far more scenarios than cohabitation, isn’t it? We figure that since grace is more powerful than our sins, we’re pretty much invincible when it comes to flirting with disaster. We’ve grown accustomed to misguided interpretations of the concept of “risk” and we misapply God’s

intentions for the role righteous risk should play in our lives. In other words, we let our culture dictate our appreciation of truth. For the vast majority of us believers who don’t cohabitate before marriage, do we refrain from the practice because we’re convinced that it’s wrong? Or mostly because it looks bad to our friends in church? We laugh about it when we see cohabitation depicted in movies and sitcoms, but shouldn’t such sexual sin kick us in the gut like some far less acceptable sin would? As singles increasingly defer marriage so they can establish their careers, and as society continues its return to revitalized—and pricey—urban centers from the cheaper suburbs, it may become easier to rationalize cohabitation as an economic necessity. Relativism always seeks the lowest common denominator, and believers in Christ need to be vigilant against trends that could turn against us. The Ten Commandments and Cohabitation But vigilance doesn’t mean legalism, does it? Making rules for the sake of rules may look like we’re doing the right thing, but it’s not the way God uses to preserve his holiness, and it’s not the way he tells us his people should operate. Take Heart, Fellow Singles! Throughout the history of the world, whether a married couple were saved or not, what has been the one thing characterizing every marriage that has lasted until death? It’s been commitment, right? And what can possibly be gleaned about commitment through cohabitation, which is a subtle antithesis of commitment? God knew this essential marriage component before he created Adam and Eve. True, they didn’t have a full-blown wedding with bridesmaids and limousines, but it’s the cultural trappings of weddings that have changed, not the requisite level of commitment. God’s instructions on this subject are not ambiguous, or open to relativistic interpretation. In fact, doesn’t cohabitation betray a lack of trust in God? It certainly supports the illusion that your intimate romances should ride more on your own strengths than God’s truth—hardly the basis for a sound marriage. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Gal. 6:7-9). Rather than looking wistfully at our friends who throw morality to the wind, or wondering if maybe some things in the Bible are too stringent for today’s reality, shouldn’t we rejoice that God has told us the best way? For our good, and his glory!

Tim Laitinen

An estimated 27 million humans across the world are modern day slaves, with the majority being women and children. Some have heard of this topic “Human Trafficking”, but, many have not. In this article we will discuss human trafficking (HT) on a general, international, and local level. You will be exposed to a world that is hidden in plain sight. A world that when exposed to many want to continue in life as if it was not happening, wishing that they never learned of this horrendous issue. On the other hand, some, very few in fact, will take action and help to stand for freedom for the victims of HT. As you read on, ask yourself, which one you will be; one that stands inactive, or one that stands up and fight for freedom? Let’s begin…. What Is Human Trafficking So what is human trafficking? Defined by an international anti-trafficking organization, The Polaris Project, Human Trafficking is defined as: “a form of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others. The factors that each of these situations has in common are elements of force, fraud, or coercion that are used to control people. Then, that control is tied to inducing someone into commercial sex acts, or labor or services.” The Trafficking Victims Protection Act legally defines HT as: a. sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age*; or b. The recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of subjection to involuntary servitude, peonage, debt bondage, or slavery. A victim need not be physically transported from one location to another in order for the crime to fall within these definitions. *In the case of minors in commercial sex, the existence of force fraud or coercion is irrelevant. ALL minors in the commercial sex industry are trafficking victims. One main key in determining if situations such as prostitution or individuals who are poorly paid is do they have the ability to leave or are they being kept to perform those services against their will. International and Domestic Trafficking Domestic trafficking is trafficking within a country, state to state, county to county, city to city or no movement at all. International trafficking is trafficking from one country to another, crossing international borders. As mentioned previously, according to research from Free the Slaves, an estimated 27 million individuals across the world are currently victims of modernday slavery with most being women and children.

800,000 people are trafficked across international borders each year with most being women and children. 17,000 to 20,000 victims from across the world are trafficked into the U.S. from abroad each year. Not all, but most victims of human trafficking in the United States are children. There is an estimated 100,000 commercially sexually exploited children that were born and raised in the U.S. with an estimated 300,000+ who are at risk of commercial exploitation. Reason people trafficked for? People are trafficked for a number of different reasons but the main reason are: sexual exploitation, forced labor, forced marriage, fraudulent adoption, child soldiers, human organ trafficking, and whatever else creates a profit. The most common placed HT occurs in the US are in Massage parlors, over the internet, residential brothels, street prostitution, strip clubs, escort services, and truck stops. Econ 101: Supply and Demand This is a no brainer; the reason trafficking occurs is because there is money to be made and there is a demand for the reasons previously mentioned. It’s the common way of supply and demand. Humans are widely available, so the supply is easy to get a hold of to meet the demand. Only illegal drugs produce more revenue than human trafficking and with the increased popularity of HT, sadly it can become the #1 illegal and most humanly damaging “business” in the world. The average age for sex trafficking victims is between the ages of 14 and 16 (mainly girls) with an increasing demand for younger children….yes you read correctly, THE DEMAND IS INCREASING FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN! This is disgusting, yet it is the reality of the world that we live in. In fact it’s the reality of the Milwaukee that we live in. Milwaukee A.K.A. “Pimp City” There have been a couple of cases in the news over in the recent years about human trafficking in the Milwaukee area. Do you remember the Brookfield couple that kept a lady in their home for years as their “servant”? Or the father and son duo that were pimping young women? Those were some of the more popular cases but there are many things that go unheard of by the public. According to a detective on the human trafficking taskforce, Milwaukee is known across the nation for “pimpin”. If a woman is caught prostituting in Las Vegas and they find out that she is from Milwaukee, she is arrested immediately. One of our board members has worked with several cases in Milwaukee where women were brought from Mexico to Milwaukee and were trafficked for their labor. Milwaukee is also a “fly-by” city where women are trafficked to Milwaukee and through Milwaukee from neighboring states and cities, such as Chicago (huge HT area), La Crosse, Green Bay, Appleton, Minnesota, and anywhere in-between.

The detective also informed us that pimps across the nation do not prefer “ghetto girls” but rather they prefer girls from the Midwest who are from the suburbs because they are not taught to survive through life, and are able to bring in more money. Wow! This is extremely shocking! Who would have thought that little ol’ Milwaukee and the Midwest would play such a major role in human trafficking, mainly sex trafficking, across the country!

No Voice. No Hope Again, HT is when someone is kept against their will and forced to do labor activities or for sex, etc. The average age of these victims is to 16 years old and the demand is growing for younger children. Let me ask you this question…what if this was your child? You have no idea where they are. You haven’t heard from him/her in months or even years. What if it was your 13-year-old daughter, strung out on drugs (a common thing that traffickers do to their victims is make them use illegal drugs) and forced to have sex with over 30 men a day? This is no exaggeration, these are real numbers! In no way do I intend to cause you to be fearful but we have to think in terms of this as far as what our response to this ridiculous issue should be. What if it was your wife? What would you do? What type of effort would you put into freeing her? I started Hope Investors after seeing the minimal action that local organizations took concerning this issue. With the down turn of the economy, many of those organizations no longer have any focus on HT because of the lack of funding. We cannot rely on the government to fund antitrafficking organizations because there can always be an issue where funding is cut. More importantly than that, freeing these slaves is the responsibility of the church. This issue crosses denominational lines and strikes us at a common place, a foundational truth that Christians should help to relieve human suffering, and as you have read, these modern day slaves are suffering in a tremendous way. Isaiah 58:5-11 NIV God is addressing the reason the people chose to fast and He explained to them what really mattered: “5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? 6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter —when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness [a] will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Ways to Help Other great causes such as breast cancer awareness, AIDS, and heart disease have hundreds of thousands of people who join together to raise awareness and donations about these very worthy issues. And because of the unity there “voice” is very loud and much progression in awareness, and prevention has been made. Those who are effected by breast cancer and heart disease, etc., are encouraged by these hundreds of thousands of people who work to raise awareness about what they are suffering with as supporters and this produces a tremendous amount of hope because they have support and they know that there are people who care and who are actively working to help make their life better and find a cure. With human trafficking, this is not the case. Victims have limited to no support as they are trapped in this life. Hope Investors wants to unite community organizations, churches, businesses, individuals, etc, over this issue. We want help set any differences aside and come together over a common cause because more can be accomplished this way. Together we can have a louder “voice” and speak out for those who are fearful to speak out for themselves. Without this voice, without coming together to raise awareness to help free these slaves, there is no hope for their freedom and restoration. Without your involvement, this cannot be done. God needs YOUR help to free them. It is our responsibility as the church to address this issue. What if it was your child, which one would you be; the one who stands inactive wishing they never learned that kids as young as 6 years old are forced to have sex with multiple men each day? Or are you going to be the one to stand up for freedom and justice? To contact us with questions on ways that you can get involved and give of your time and other resources, please visit our website hopeinvestors.org and view our contact us page and Human Trafficking page. Jarrett Luckett, President/CEO Hope Investors

If you have a need in your life take it to Jesus. If you need healing, a breakthrough, deliverance take it to Jesus. Most importantly if you need salvation Jesus is just a prayer away. If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior simply pray this prayer: Father in the name of Jesus I know that I’m a sinner and I’m lost without you. I believe in my heart that Jesus died on the cross and on the third day was raised again. So I accept you today to be the Lord of my life. Satan you no longer have any legal rights to anything about me. As of this moment I belong to Jesus Christ and I’m off limits to you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen! It’s that simple and if you believe in your heart the prayer you just prayed you are now saved!

Ways Help