http://www.internationalartsmovement.org/events/2012/jan/05/3442

“A Walk Across the Sun” is an Oprah Magazine top title of 2012 to check out. It is a fictional story that sheds light on the subject of Human Trafficking.
For more info on IAM (International Arts Movement) go to: http://www.internationalartsmovement.org
For more info on “A Walk Across The Sun” go to:http://corbanaddison.com/

As always, this poem was written in real time while listening to the lecture, all editing was done before the lecture was complete.
The sections are broken up as introduction, reading an excerpt from the book & then a Q&A time afterward.
If you enjoy, please share the link with your friends and subscribe. Do not repost without consent from author (a.k.a. Me) Thanks – Adjoa
—

“I do whats in front of me” – Mother Teresa

—
Introduction:

I can look at a few and see the impact
By raising my voice with a script
A story unraveling to share what is happening
and the statistics could make you sick.

But I choose to speak hope, though it is overwhelming
though is seems the issue will not end
I choose to believe that man is born free
although slavery has been the trend.

So, what will we do? Visualize what will be,
By looking at the past, we can say

The stories that were, once again will be,
And we CAN look forward to the day.

When the hope that we aim for, will not disappoint
for we have fought this issue before

We must be willing to bring again to the light,
the same things that once brought a war.

—
Book Reading:

“Come with me”, said the man
I didn’t understand
why he took me & wisked me away.

I joined the rush
and jumped on the train
following all that this stranger would say.

And I heard them barter
for a cost I knew not,
The reason? My body, now his.

I followed
without any guidance from them
until I rebelled… and his hiss…

was a slur, and a slap
and shove toward a place
where he told me my role as a whore.

All that I once knew,
the life I once had,
I knew in that moment no more.

—
Q&A:

The oldest red-light was the district I saw
Before me, eight girls were my choice
I posed as a customer, but left ‘fore the act
Just so I could be a voice.

Trafficking is a human issue
Although we might not see its mark.
Its lingering beneath the world that we know
and making its move in the dark.

-
Q&A with Corbin & IJM (International Justice Mission) Representative Holly Burkhalter.

http://www.IJM.org

We always think government is the problem
But we work with the systems that protect.
If we want to be there for the people,
We must commit to see their needs met.

By working WITH governments, although they are broken
We bring about change with each case.
And trying to change that history of fear,
toward authority that the people face.

We, IJM, work with what is
Try not to replace, but to aid
To make good of the reason, the government’s there
it’s not to make people afraid.

-

The poor are the victims
cause they’re vulnerable
They in turn become prey, its true

But ANYONE at any economic state
can fall into this, maybe YOU!

Maybe you, whether rich, or middle class
could be like this child, a slave.

So lets now be hopeful that we can make movement
that will bring a long lasting change.

We’ve seen these changes, and what it took
was community with all hands involved

To end this abuse and this crime we must see
its a problem that CAN be solved.

First off its ILLEGAL, Unlike slavery before
And if words gets around we can see
its something we CAN fight with a force
until our intolerance breaks them a free.

-

Popular culture glamorizes pimping
and “pretty woman” with such an appeal.
That shows only the wealth, & the beauty & lust
but in the long run is far from real.

We look to Sweden, offering social services to prostitutes,
throwing pimps & purchasers in jail.
Going after demand, and profit margin
To show them, human’s aren’t for sale.

-

So what can we do? The every day individual?
We can ask our government to support.
Slavery Eradication at home & abroad
and not be afraid to report!

-

“A Prostitute stands a 40% greater chance of being killed on the job, than any other profession”
“Sex Trafficking is a $32 Billion industry.”

For more information on how you can help go to: IJM.org & http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/

- Adjoa Skinner

http://www.adjoaskinner.com

For more on Brain Chan check out his book “The Purple Curtain” and One Thing Church

For More on Blank Slate Era check out: https://www.facebook.com/BlankSlateEra

Thanks to Kevin Yap for hosting this wonderful evening on November 12th!

This is my poetic interpretation of Rev Brian Chan’s talk… as with most of my blogs it was written in real time whilst he spoke.

- Adjoa

Big Bucks are spent on beauty

provocative and perceived

as pleasing and attractive

Only based on what we’ve seen

Beyond surface deep,

we long for beauty the soul can feel

Something we find pleasure in

and something that is real.

Holiness, purity, righteosness

a truth that sets us free

Oh how they beautiful

showing a pre-fallen humanity

Love is the highest form of beauty

intangible in form

it has nothing to do with a fair face

or a body that they adorn.

For the reality that we perceive

has imperfections when its true

Dismissing all your problems,

escaping that which transforms you.

Does not create a perfect world

for perfection becomes old

How do we account for beauty’s definition

is it only what we’ve been told?

If its purely subjective

that YOU define what beauty is

But if it is objective

than its something outside of our skin.

And in your journey to beauty

you wrestle and you fight

To get to righteousness, love, redemption

and mimic, yes, emulate its light.

the perception of beauty tells us that we,

fall short so very far

And we can never be content

with the way we are.

This is so we might know brokenness

one that leads us to be cleansed

for we see the need for redemption

when we view life through a lens

that creates from a worldview

that longs to right reflect

the beauty of a subject

we live eternally to know its depth.

- Adjoa Skinner

Thanks for reading.

Please subscribe and share the link for this poem to others if you enjoyed it

1) Lynn Aldrich

The first job of the artist

is to stay interested and engage.

In the act that she’s creating

and have faith as her base.

Then build upon that foundation

build & change & form

In the great creation,

loving well & loving warm

Exalting over nature

confronting what we’ve done wrong

and listening to the rhythm of life

and hearing its significant song

we fail to fix the problem

on this island we call home

That we populate to excessiveness

to show we’re not alone.

2) John Chan

How to be unique

with many hands on deck and loud

about their voice now being heard

and wanting to be proud.

Of what they have and where they live

but the social brownfields lie

only to be walked across

and slowly watch grass die.

And so we bring a beacon

in a mobile enigma seen

So it can be noticed by

every living being.

Its our black box canopy

that lights and shades and shows

400-500 people what the artist

below it knows.

We take on a brownspace

fill it with art and life

What once was ugly vacant space

only good to fly a kite.

3) Ellen F. Davis

I reflected on these words,

Active love greater than One

And by the one and mean the self

whose stronger than the throne

The throne of grace that speaks out love

and love thats free and full

The throne of grace we’ve come to know

that never takes a toll.

-

Satisfaction with the goodness of God

He sets large mountains and small seeds

For hos glorious He shines

in the largest and smallest deeds.

4) Makoto Fujimura

I do often what I do not enjoy

talking about my own canvas

So today I’ll speak of the fields

outside of ground zero now grasslands

To find the stil point of the turning world

as T.S. Elliott spoke

To stay within the eye of the storm

to Live in this dream fore I woke.

to see exactly what my portion

was within this pie

to start to understand my part

and let the art ignite.

Not now in flames, but water

and then the Tsunami came

and in thanks I remembered,

I can walk on water when I just call His name.

- Adjoa Skinner

For more information go to:

www.makotofujimura.com

Intro:

Lack of humanity within our lives

our education and world view

And the canaries of the culture

are the artist in me and in you.

Poet before Pastor

our words are so often like art.

If when we read the Word of God

Yet cannot hear His heart

Beat in a pattern thats rhythmic and bright

Beat with a heavy, felt weight

To love on all creation

instead of not caring, so fate

shows how we have neglected the land

and how we have clouded the sky

the challenges grow greater

with every day gone by.

When we look at the lack of God’s word

spoken creatively and free

We begin to see the lack

thats apparent within you and me.

Prophecy is not there to shock

although it can bring awe

Prophecy is the cry that says

I looked to Him and saw,

Light beckoning me to beauty

finding pleasure in the ordinary things

to do the work we have to do

but in a way that gives us wings.

—–

LECTURE

The Art Of Prophecy, The Prophecy of Art

“He Shines In All That Is Fair” – Dr. Richard Mouw

—————————————–

Common grace and particular grace

contrast in their actions and flow

The rain, the restrain, the unbelievers

still move in grace that they know.

And our struggle is that the Holy Spirit

takes us toward the blessings we find

But yet in the same body lies the curse that we know

as we carry on with our lives

Yet in reality we wrestle,

with common grace and common curse

They take us to a place where we,

end up not better but worse.

Worse than those who don’t know better,

who don’t have the Spirit, yet live

in such a way where they love freely

with such compassion they can give.

While we the redeemed have a call to redemption

we have a call of grace

That carries us to perceive not the why,

but calls to the first trace.

Of where we felt uncomfortable

enough to move despite

the curses of our own comfort

to tread toward the city of light.

No we cannot eliminate

the pain of discomfort and fear

Or be taken from the situation at hand,

cause its messy in the place God is near.

Patience, commitment, dedication

in every task that we find.

Bringing out the answers

for the questions that dwell in the mind.

Seeking the highest level of excellence,

through the process of dancing between

The lack of our perfection

in the light of the perfection we’ve seen.

A power that passes through us,

intangible in its form

A vehicle of beauty,

an offering that can’t be scorned.

Artists participate in activity

that is moving to mend and to make

Sense of the situations,

that every person can’t shake.

Art is practice of articulate love,

That’s aware of the truth of the world.

It echoes the Son who follows the Prodigal

every man, woman, boy and girl.

- Adjoa Skinner

We’re here to have a dialogue

It starts with Ellen and Mako

So we thank God for this start

here and now to fill our souls

Thank You its a privilege

to be here among you all

This opportunity is a special gift… now I recall

How the phenomenon of prophecy

is identified in this landscape

So different from the biblical times

but still alive today with active faith.

And Mako has been working

in and through the world we know

that God continues to confirm,

its through creativity we show…

Like the prophet Jeremiah,

Who spoke for a hell of a long time

Within what would seem as a hopeless situation,

Yet Jeremiah spoke from the Divine.

“I’ll have compassion on Him” Says the Lord

as we ask “which is the good way”

The fruit of our designs reveal

if we have accepted Yahweh.

The fruit is the by -product

of the disciplines a prophet keeps

And tears sometimes do follow

As we heard the prophet weep.

Bearing pain, With God, through pain

naming the sin, to lament, then frame

the words of the Divine

when seeing them we find.

That God made a garden

and Jeremiah knew to speak less

for the God of the earth, spoke loud and clear

and His actions said it best.

And so the prophet Jeremiah

We know bears the pain of insight

That God’s chosen Ones, His Creation

might break from the darkness of night.

Occupying the space

between God and those He loves.

Is a place Jeremiah contested,

questioning if God was too far above.

Had the distance blinded God from the cries of of His people

who confessed (well, complained) in lament.

Jeremiah the prophet so conflicted within

never reconciled nor content.

But sought to build and plant through,

confessions and cries of the keepers.

Keepers of fields, workers of the land

that were no longer seekers.

But fighters set in disaster

where the heart of the city cried out.

And God replied to them, “My people,

so skilled in foolishness about”.

Harvest has passed, summer is over

and we have not been saved.

“Don’t You know how I love you?” cried God,

He roared like a Lion enraged.

Am I the Lion, said God’s chosen people

Ripping God’s work intro shreds?

or am I the Lion?, said Jesus the Savior,

before up to heaven, he was sent.

- Written in real time during Ellen F. Davis’ lecture

–

For more info on the Brehm Center Lectures check out:

http://www.brehmcenter.com/activities/events/annual_brehm_lectures_2011/

———

“Its easier to do better than ugly, than it is to work to get back to the original beauty.” – Erwin McManus

“Breaking through to the beautiful takes more work and is more invasive…” – Erwin McManus

“(when coming to study the scriptures) The Posture we should have is like a little child.. not like a PHD.” – Erwin McManus

“Intellectual arrogance is not the goal. The things that change us come through simplicity.” – Erwin McManus

(these quotes are probably not perfect, they are just what I heard & tried to write while he was speaking…quickly… they’re probably not verbatim.)

——————-

a Poetic interpretation of Erwin McManus’ teaching on the book of Romans at Mosaic Hollywood, Saturday October 8th,2011

Anyone can get it

If they have a mind to use.

The conversation comes from heaven

but all human beings can choose.

To take the truths while moving

from the peaks to valleys deep

The scriptures are revealed

to each person that will seek.

To understand the words of God

as poetry and history

To step into the narrative

asking the Spirit to help you see,

the essence of the story

and how we interpret life

not through orthodoxy or heresy

but a truth that cuts like a knife.

Tradition should not usurp

what we know as truth by faith

And His Holy Spirit guides us

with a love we can’t escape.

Not by logic, nor by reason

not by blinded hope

but by the truth, written on our hearts

to aim & keep our scope

For we cannot change patterns

in our daily things to do

If we cannot see the work of God

And let Him shape us anew.

- Adjoa Skinner

Written while listening to Erwin’s introduction to the teaching on Romans. As always these poems are written in real time and completed when the speaker is done speaking.

Feel free to comment, re-post the link to this blog, share the link to this post with friends etc if you have been blessed by it.

This encourages me to keep writing. Thanks Adjoa

for more info on the speaker go to: www.FathersHouseTrust.com

For more info on HRock church go to: http://hrockchurch.com/

- As always this poem was written in real time and wrapped up before the speaker finished. I had to wrap this one up quick cause I had to play keys right after….. ENJOY!

——–

On The Lord’s day, all the roman empire

was declaring that Caeser was god.

But John was worshipping the God of heaven

when he heard heaven talk.

Write down everything you see

I have unveiled whats real

The Son of God is Jesus

Although this truth has been concealed

The Holy Spirit has come forth

to speak so you can write

Subtly and in fiction

that will somehow shed a light.

Wisdom of the Serpent

Innocence of doves

Released to be creative

with a capacity to love.

The Father’s house has libraries

of California’s size

And if we look to heaven

to see through the Father’s eyes

We can see the stories

and we will hear the songs

we can be the instruments

for whom the world does long.

When we create in Trinity

Idea, Implementation, Interaction

We have access to the thoughts of God

and can watch the world’s reaction

To the subtle, not so obvious,

irresistible scroll

That can be bitter to taste at first

but does not take its toll.

Upon the Spirit, for the moment they heart it

they see the vision clear.

Because you were a vessel

And the angels came so near.

That even those who didn’t know the Father

felt angel’s wings,

Fluttering about them

and heard the angels sing.

So write down what you see

and allow His discipline to guide

Then faith will give you increase

now share His Words & do not hide

Do not hide the heaven’s

from the children that are longing to…

Understand the Spirit

that rests in me and you.

- Adjoa Skinner

I hope you enjoyed this. Feel free to pass on this link to your friends!

Please, rate, review, and respond. I appreciate knowing that you were blessed by reading as much as I was blessed by writing.

God bless and God speed!

For more on Mosaic LA check out: http://www.mosaic.org

—-
“the difference between stress and anxiety… stress you understand the source, but with anxiety you don’t.” – Erwin McManus

-

Buddha’s statue was put on the table

it sat in our Latin home

and we thought as we rubbed its belly

with him there we were not alone.

And years later I realize I learned from this

by hearing the beliefs of others

that their perspective on the the faith that they follow

was of worth, they were sisters and brothers.

For we all stand as seekers so human

and we fall to our knees in disgrace

As we share in common, a central question

when it comes to our journey in faith.

How does the God of creation

allow all this hurt on the earth

How come the kindest of people

Have suffered since the day of their birth.

It takes me back to this Buddha who said

Life is suffering, thats all that it is.

When I realize finding Christ doesn’t mean riches,

a good name, health, or finding bliss.

So I’ve learned to admire this statement,

that Buddha proclaimed, a truth Bold.

Indeed life has hardship and disappointment

and suffering never grows old.

And as for these idols we worship,

both Jesus and Buddha said stop…

Stop bowing to nothing and expecting something

to come out, it all is for naught.

And the prison of reincarnation

is something we have to break from

Even the monks of Tibet who believe Solomon

“everything has already been done”

And there’s nothing new, whats our purpose

and why do we seek happiness?

In the things that never fulfill our desires

instead they just leave us a mess.

But dying to every passion?

Do you really want to give up on love?

When love is the driving principle

that was commanded by God far above,

far above the emotions that hurt us

far above all the pain that we feel…

Hung God’s Son on the cross, loving freely

as He suffered a pain, raw and real.

The Buddhists think despair will overcome them

for all is done and they must wait for second life

But the truth is, we need not suffer in the now

when Love brought a truth and a Light.

For just as the day ends and light dies

we die to ourselves and our pain

When we see ourselves within the likeness of God

and we find ourselves marked by His name

Come brother and sister, come fellowship in

the passions of love that are deep.

And lose the anxiety, and risk to desire

the greater things, that you can keep.

- Adjoa Skinner

Thank you for reading. If you like this, feel free to share this link with others, comment, rate or like. I’m always encouraged to know if you enjoyed this so that I can continue sharing it with you into the future. God Bless and God speed, Adjoa.

for more info on ONE go to: http://www.oneonta.org

—-

The outpouring of the Spirit

Just like the book of Joel

Everyone received it

a Spirit that would not take toll

But gave free and abundantly

despite the wrongs they had done

No matter who a person was

they could now sing Salvation’s song

That all might prophecy and know

the view that God could see

So they’d do the work he started

to set all people free.

Not by power, nor by might

by Christ’s all powerful Spirit

To grow in the sure foundation

that this Gospel is for all who will hear it.

For what is our hope, our joy and our crown

where we glory in His midst

What is the good gift that we give

my brethren it is this…

that we are being transformed

by the Spirit of truth and of love

we are being transformed in His image

Yes, this Go that is above,

every worry and hurt and situation

every good deed we try to live out

we are being transformed to share

this love with all those around.

Reaching the world that we live in

with unveiled glory that shines

the light of the beauty of fellowship

from the invitation that we find.

In One who breaks us free from captivity

and releases us to love and to live,

a dream far beyond what we’d imagined

a dream that He has, and we give.

- Adjoa Skinner

Written during the sermon. Please feel free to share this link and other poems I have written. I hope these bring you joy and strength though your day. Like it? Leave a comment! Thanks

ONE Worship Service @ 11:30am – Oneonta Congregational Church, September 11th, 2011

For more info on ONE Worship go to http://www.oneonta.org

—-

“The Secret things belong to our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, to observe all the words of this law….” - Deuteronomy 29:29

God reveals Himself to us

in little sufficient ways

to show us that our life was never meant

for all the days.

Forever is a kingdom

that cannot be this earth

forever is the heaven

that we long for since our birth.

All while our free will fights our soul

and wants to be like God

We eat the fruit and choose the wrong

& not thinking we’ll be caught.

Power doesn’t equal good

when in our fleshly hands

Although we try to have it all

to justify our plans.

Even if our plans include

to hurt our fellow man

with our fallen righteous mindset

we can judge… when no we can’t.

And this will overwhelm us all,

that we DON’T hold the control

But hold only a faith that knows

a love that won’t take toll.

So let us have assurance

that what has been revealed

cannot be touched by evil

no matter how close evil feels.

the light of our salvation is a beam

that shines amidst

The dark cloud of segregation

that says “it has to be like this”….

- Adjoa Skinner

http:///www.adjoaskinner.com

Thank you for reading.

Please pass on this link to friends if you want to share the message.

God Bless and God speed,

Adjoa