I have yet to see it because previews are not being shown, but the Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad inspires. It inspires controversy, that is.

Not that controversy is a bad thing even when it is misplaced or wrong headed. Sometimes that special added attention can help people focus with laser-like precision on the topic at hand, allowing what is being said to penetrate their hearts.

The Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad is amazing for a number of reasons.

Firstly, it is being brought to the airwaves by Focus on the Family, a well known Christian family values organization. Focus, as many of us like to call it, is headed by James Dobson, a licensed psychologist. Dobson’s radio show and related media ministry works to build up families on biblical grounds though I won’t argue the fact that some psychology is brought in. Focus is a non-profit organization and they are strongly pro-life.

Secondly, the way that the ad came about is amazing. Focus would never had considered purchasing such an ad which costs $2 million to air the 30-second spot. But, anonymous donors have funded the entire cost of producing and running the commercial, which means no ministry funds were tapped.

Thirdly, Tim Tebow is a remarkable young man. You likely know him as the Heisman award-winning quarterback who recently finished up his college years with the Florida Gators and will be playing in the NFL next fall. But he is also a Christian, something he proudly and actively shares with all. Take a look at the black outs (smudges) under his eyes when he is playing and you will see a bible chapter and verse featured. Talk about being bold!

Fourthly, Tim’s mother, Pam, is quite a woman. When she was pregnant with him, her doctor advised to abort her child because of possible complications with the birth. She was told that she might die in delivery, but chose life instead. Of course, that decision has certain wrongly named pro-choice people rankled who fear that Tebow’s message might convince people not to abort. Oddly, if you call yourself pro-choice, then what is wrong with choosing life?

Partnership Praised

Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, said the chance to partner with the Tebows and lift up a meaningful message about family and life comes at the right moment in the culture, because “families need to be inspired.”

“Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” Daly said. “They live what we see every day – that the desire for family closeness is written on the hearts of every generation. Focus on the Family is about nurturing that desire and strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

If you are planning to watch the New Orleans Saints take on the Indianapolis Colts in South Florida this Sunday, keep your eyes peeled for the ad. It will be run once, I am not sure when, but let’s pray that it has the intended effect of touching lives for Jesus Christ.

Source: Focus on the Family

Popularity: 16% [?]

This past Friday tens of millions of dollars was raised on behalf of Haiti thanks to a telethon called Hope For Haiti Now. That two hour star-studded event preempted most network shows in a bid to raise much needed funds to help people whose lives were shattered when a devastating earthquake shook their tropical island nation two weeks ago.

Are You Listening?

A number of Christian music artists have also been doing their part to help Haiti, coming together recently to record a song, Are You Listening? The song, written by Kirk Franklin as a tribute to Haiti eight years ago, but only recorded just this past week is a moving plea for help. “Artists United For Haiti” is itself packed with stars with BeBe and CeCe Winans lending their voices along with Shirley Caesar, Natalie Grant, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Jeremy Camp, Stephen Hurd, and so many others joining in.

The Gospel Music Channel (GMC) played the song over and over again on Friday evening just before the Hope For Haiti Now event started. “Are You Listening?” is available for download through Verity Records for just $1.29 with the proceeds going toward assisting organizations at work in Haiti including the Red Cross. You can also find the single through iTunes with major retailers such as Wal-Mart carrying the song after January 30.

Kirk Franklin Shares

Speaking about the song Kirk Franklin shared, “This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”

Click on the logo for more information or head over to Verity Records to purchase your copy.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Kudos to The Salvation Army for going where not enough Christian organizations decide to tread: the world-renowned Christian organization founded by William Booth in 1865 in England is shining a bright light on the problem of human trafficking.

Trafficking In Persons

Also referred to as Trafficking in Persons (TIP), this scourge is much more widespread than what many people may think and includes boys coerced to join armies at a very young age, girls sold into slavery as prostitutes, and people forced to work in labor camps among others. The Salvation Army “…believes that the abuse and exploitation of human beings through any form of human trafficking is an offense against humankind and against God.”

To that end, the Christian mission has been broadcasting a television commercial to bring attention to the plight of people bound up in slavery, including one featuring child soldiers. I have included a YouTube clip for your review.

YouTube Flick

I’m not surprised that The Salvation Army is involved and to this degree in fighting human exploitation. William Booth and his wife Catherine worked the hard scrabble streets of London to reach out to society’s rejects. Back then, the established church usually shunned street ministry, but the Booths did not. Prostitution was a huge issue in Victorian England, with vulnerable girls and women having no place to escape.

The Salvation Army opened up 117 homes to protect the weak and was instrumental in raising the age of sexual consent from 13 to 16, though not meeting their goal of raising it to 18.

Over time, The Salvation Army helped to change public perception in England and now through its operation in the United States they want to broaden the field to bring attention to the problem on a global scale.

Four Core Areas

Today’s effort focuses on four core areas: legislative and policy initiatives, awareness raising and training, prevention efforts, as well as the development and provision of trafficking survivor services.

I dug a little deeper and discovered that The Salvation Army’s current human trafficking awareness campaign actually started in the 1990s, although it took a commercial on the Gospel Music Channel (GMC) last night to speak to me about their involvement. Yes, I was touched by what I saw and decided right then and there to share with WordJourney readers this information.

It may be the Christmas season, but I can’t think of a better time of the year to air the plight of those who are suffering. After all, Jesus came to set the captives free including those bound up in the sin of human trafficking (Isaiah 42:7).

Related

The New York Times: Despite Tough Laws, Few Trafficking Arrests

Los Angeles Times: Slavery’s staying power

The Wall Street Journal: The Failure of Anti-Trafficking Efforts

Popularity: 32% [?]