God is calling forth a radiant generation—one who understands their call to live as light in the darkness. As an author and speaker, I spend much of my time traveling to college campus, interacting with young women who profess Christ, yet struggle to overcome the darkness of their culture. The lure of sexual sin, eating disorders, substance abuse and rampant materialism cripples their witness. After several years of ministering to this generation, I sensed God leading me to write Radiant, teaching women how to shine brightly in a dark world. 

One of the primary challenges I address in Radiant is the issue of the divided heart. While many students I meet may have grown up in Christian homes, made a profession of faith, and even love Jesus; their hearts are torn by the influence of culture and love for the world.  In the following excerpt from Radiant, I address the need for an undivided heart.

Like Samson, our culture desires to extinguish our light. The world’s seductive and deceiving agenda finds a megaphone into our homes through television. I’ve recently learned that the average middle school girl is exposed to roughly 280 sexual images a day. Images that reinforce with every frame that her value and worth as a woman are found in being used as a sexual object. Is it any wonder that an entire generation of young girls see themselves as usable goods and who feel ashamed of their virginity?  A divided heart is the result of the brainwashing that young women endure on a daily basis.

            It is my prayer that God will use Radiant to both challenge and equip young women to stand boldly and to shine brightly for His glory.  After all, Jesus did call us “The light of the world!”

Women today stand at a dangerous crossroads. On one side, there is the way of the world with a carefully crafted message beckoning us to follow (along with the masses) “the way that seems right to man” (Proverbs 14:12). This way says, “put yourself first,” “it’s all about you,” and “do whatever it takes to make you happy.”  While the world is terribly convincing and this way does, indeed, seem right…ultimately, as Scripture teaches, this “way” of seeking self-first leads only to death. What kind of death? Well, I’ll elaborate on that point more in just a minute.

The best-selling novel, Eat Pray Love depicts the world’s message in an enticing and beautiful fashion and if the reader isn’t discerning she can get sucked into its empty vortex and believe its lies. The blockbuster film based on this book releases today, starring the adorable Julia Roberts. Eat Pray Love is the biography of Elizabeth Gilbert, a woman dissatisfied with life who decides to ditch her loving husband and successful career to “find herself.”  

Gilbert sets out on a year-long journey to Italy, India and Indonesia in hopes of discovering life.  Her self-discovery quest follows the way that says “it’s all about you” to such an extreme that the philosophical religion/worldview that she embraces by the end of her journey is one that teaches that she, herself, is god.  She is ultimate reality…and that truth, life, and meaning lie within her.

I read Eat Pray Love while vacationing this summer. While the travel junkie in me loved revisiting some familiar places and the girl in me whose faced head on the issues of emptiness and longing understood her desire, I couldn’t stop myself from repeatedly getting frustrated, tossing the book on my beach towel, and telling my friends how I believe with all my heart that the message of this book is both seductive and deceptive to women.

I’ll make this simple and cut to the chase. Bottom line, …we are not god!

We are not the source of life. We are not ultimate reality. We are created by God and for God and true life is found only in knowing Him. This is the crossroads. Satan’s agenda to kill, steal, and destroy  (John 10:10) is perfectly seen in Eat Pray Love. With the temptation to find “life” Gilbert destroys her marriage and steps down a path that leads her to self-worship—the idolatry of independence, and self to the point of narcissism.

While reading this book, I thought of my mom. Raising seven kids, scraping by to pay bills and trying to keep her sanity amidst the chaos. Would it have ever occurred to her to ditch it all, run off to Italy, and eat gelato! Why yes!  I’m sure every woman in the world at times wants to run away from it all. But thankfully, my mom didn’t run. The reason? Because fundamental to her worldview was the belief that the world doesn’t revolve around her! She sacrificed and put the needs of others before herself, not because she wasn’t “evolved” or “enlightened” but because she “loved.” First she loved Jesus and then she loved her family.  She chose a different way, the way that says “no” to selfishness and embraces life in Jesus. And I’ll tell you one thing…I don’t know a woman in the world who has more joy.

That’s why I think the message of the world is so incredibly dangerous. The attack on women is subtle but deliberate. Tempting us to believe that happiness will be found if we seek ourselves first and ditch anything or anyone that hinder that pursuit.  This message plays out in all ages and generations and is the leading cause of addictions, affairs, abortions, abandonments, and abdication of roles.

I said at the beginning of this blog that women are at a crossroads. Yet, thankfully, there is another way we can choose, it is the way of Jesus…the way of life. Jesus invites us to follow Him.

 Friends, I’ll be honest, I’ve tried both ways. The way of the world with it’s deceptive lures that says, “It’s all about you,” and at the end of that path I discovered, me—my emptiness, my sin, my inabilities, my insecurities, Me. Me. Me. Me.  (Vomit!) Trust me, more of myself is not the formula for happiness. The reason? To seek life in self is the most miserable of all journeys.  As C.S. Lewis said, "Look for yourself, and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin, and decay. But look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in."

The way of Jesus is the way of real, abundant life because our souls find Something to eclipse the vulnerability of our finiteness.  We long to get lost in the Infinite, and that is exactly who Jesus is….Infinite, Glorious, Almighty, Sovereign, All—Goodness, All-knowing, All-Loving.  As Louie Giglio says, “He (Jesus) is the I AM and I am the i am not.”   To seek life in self is the most futile and bankrupt of journeys…leading only to despair and regret.

Following Him, seeking Him, trusting Him, and knowing Him is the way of abundant life. I’ve followed Him and worshipped Him in both Italy and India and in every country in between. Along the way, I’ve discovered the truth: When our souls are consumed with the One who spoke the world into existence and we are lost in worshipping Him, we discover our true joy, our true purpose, and our true reason for existence. Yes, girls, in finding Him, we find life!

It is my prayer for each of us that today we will all eat, pray and love…

Eat…The Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, the only One who satisfies the hunger of our souls. (John 6:35)

Pray…To the God who hears, the God who sees, the God who moves mountains to answer our prayers!  (Luke 11:1-10)

Love… Experience the ocean of grace and mercy that flow from God’s heart to yours in Jesus Christ, quenching the deepest desires for acceptance and questions of value and significance. After all, the Bible teaches,  “God is love.” He reveals what love actually is and it is His love alone that consumes hearts and minds and cast out all fear.  (1 John 4:7-19)

Jesus said…

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
 John 10:10

“I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6

John 1:14 The Message

I recently learned that I would have a great privilege beginning August 1^st. This honor is two-fold. First, I’ve been asked by my home church to teach a Bible study with one of my favorite Bible teachers, Dr. Jim DeLoach. He is a spiritual giant in my eyes and I can’t wait to serve with him and simply sit and learn from his vast wisdom. This man has taught the Bible longer than my parents have been alive!  The second part of this privilege lies in the subject matter, for we will teach through the Gospel of John for an entire year! I am so excited I can’t contain it! 

By far, John is my favorite book in the Bible. I know I shouldn’t have a favorite, but I can’t help it. No other book has impacted my life and transformed me as this book has done. Two words summarize John’s Gospel: Revelation and Redemption…and if you know me at all, you know I love when Jesus is revealed and a soul is redeemed.  

“Beholding His Glory” is a fitting name for this class because that is exactly what one does when reading this gospel…we behold Jesus…the One who is the radiance of God’s glory, the One who stepped on earth and dwelt among us, and the One who laid down His own life for our sins.

If you are in the Houston area on Sundays, and would like to join us as we behold His glory, the class meets at 11 am in the C Gym of Second Baptist Church, Woodway Campus.  For those of you who want to join this study, but can’t make it on Sunday mornings, Redeemed Girl Ministries will post the audio podcast to the  Teaching Blog. In addition, I will write a weekly devotional on John beginning August 1st.  To receive the devotional, subscribe to RGM’s Teaching Blog

 It is my prayer that we behold Jesus, the Light of the World!

Arthur W. Pink, one of the greatest theologians, once wrote concerning the Gospel of John, “In this book we are shown that the one who was heralded by the angels to the Bethlehem shepherds, who walked this earth for thirty-three years, who was crucified at Calvary, who rose in triumph from the grave, and who forty days later departed from the scenes, was none other than the Lord of Glory. The evidence is overwhelming, the proofs without number, and the effect of contemplating them must be to bow our hearts in worship before ‘the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.’ (Titus 2:13).”

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Redeemed Girl Ministries is thrilled to announce The Radiant Tour beginning Fall of 2010. This event is in conjunction with the release of Marian's latest book, Radiant: Living as Light in a Dark World. Our passion is to see a generation of young women live for the glory of Jesus Christ...radiate Christ's love and grace to the world so that others are drawn to His Light.

The event will feature teaching by Marian Jordan and worship leaders Donna Stuart, Jourdan Burks and Katie Warren. To bring The Radiant Tour to your campus or city, email info@redeemedgirl.org  or Contact Us

"Those who look to Him are radiant!" Psalm 34:5

Check out this video to learn more about Radiant. 

The Radiant Tour 2010 from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

Carrie Bradshaw’s now famous opening line of the movie Sex and the City said it best, “Every year, twenty-something women come to New York searching for the two Ls: Labels and Love.”  As I sat in the theatre — the same day that millions of women around the globe flocked to theatres for the long awaited movie release—I thought to myself, “That is sooooo true!”[1]  Although I’m pretty sure the screenwriter had no intention of writing a profound statement about the state of women’s souls, regardless of his intention, he nailed it. Young women today are indeed on a search, at times a desperate search, for labels and love.  Trust me, I know from personal experience.

Forget about Dior, Channel, or Prada, women are anxiously pursuing a bigger label than any of these names, one that defines them, tells them who they are, and what they are worth. This label is not found on the latest must-have handbag or pair of designer jeans, the label that women are really searching for is one that covers their hearts and reads “Loveable,” “Treasured” and “Adored.” 

And let’s be honest, women are flat-out looking for a love… one that makes them feel whole, accepted and complete.  This quest for love transcends dating relationships, friendships and even marriage, because even when all of these are present, there is still an ache, emptiness, and a hole in the soul that isn’t filled. So, the search continues…

My first book, Sex and the City Uncovered, is all about this search.  The search each one of us makes for “labels and love” and uncovers the solution to our quest by pointing us to a life defined by and filled by the love of God in Jesus Christ.

Since Sex and the City Uncovered was first published in 2007, I have spoken to thousands of young women across the nation at Redeemed Girl Ministries’ Girls’ Night Out events.  At these events, I tell my story of “looking for love in all the wrong places,” and how I, too, bought into the allure of the Sex and the City lifestyle, only to find more heartbreak, shame, and emptiness as a result. 

It never fails, following each talk I meet with young women, whose eyes are filled with tears, and listen as they tell me, “Marian, your story is my story.”  Sadly, until that moment, most of them thought they were alone in their pain. They go on to describe their regrets, their heartbreaks and their desire for a fresh start.  Each of these beautiful young women is confused, hurting, and ready for God’s love to fill the emptiness in her heart.

Here’s the deal, these girls are confused because the messages they’ve heard from media about what defines them and where they should find love has left them with emotional baggage and physical consequences they were not expecting. Life didn’t have the happy Hollywood ending. They are hurting because they are looking for love and acceptance in all the ways the world tells them to pursue it, and yet, they still haven’t found what they are looking for.  I can so relate to their turmoil and, therefore, I have no greater joy in life than introducing women to Jesus—the One who alone defines them and can fill their empty hearts.

Honestly, I had no clue what God had planned when He called me to share my experiences and write Sex and the City Uncovered. I didn’t know that He would so beautifully redeem my story of “looking for love in all the wrong places” so that other women could discover God’s unfailing love.

This book was originally dedicated to “every girl who is looking for love,” and it still is today.  It is my sincere prayer that God would use this book to reach millions of young women with His love and grace and that they would discover the true “label and love” for which their hearts search.

For His Glory,

Marian

www.sexandthecityuncovered.com

"Sex and the City changed everything for me, because those girls would just sleep with so many people."Lindsay Lohan

Candice Bushnell strikes again. In case that name doesn’t ring a bell, she is the best-selling author of the global phenomenon Sex and the City.  Taking a cue from Gossip Girl and Twilight, in her new book,The Carrie Diaries, Bushnell targets a much younger audience and takes readers back in time to discover Carrie Bradshaw as a student before her infamous life ”in the city.” People Magazine reports the book is "aimed primarily at teens." Bushnell stated in a recent interview that her reason for writing this prequel was her desire to explore the teenage years of her most popular character. While that may be the case, I see something else at work here… pure financial gain. Through this book, Bushnell will capitalize on a readership gold mine…teenagers with heaps of discretional income and a massive love for their fashion icon, Carrie Bradshaw.

The new Sex and the City audience is no longer women in their 20s and 30s. Nope. Today, the rabid fans are young women heading to high school dances and cheerleading tryouts, instead of career women heading to corporate meetings and cocktail parties. Frankly, the wanna-be “Carrie’s” and Samantha’s” are growing younger and younger each year.

When Sex and the City first hit the television airwaves via HBO in the late 90s, it was considered risqué and inappropriate for most audiences. One short decade later we find the television show on cable syndication at easy viewing times, and the biggest teen idol in our culture, Miley Cyrus, is starring in the movie sequel.  

So, what’s the big deal you may ask? The big deal is the powerful influence that Sex and the City and shows like it have on young women. Glamorizing a lifestyle that leads young girls down a path of destruction. Case in point, Lindsay Lohan.  A few years back, Lindsay cited Sex and the City as her favorite show as reported by Entertainment Media Corp:

“Even though Lohan was only 12 years old when the Sarah Jessica Parker-starring comedy started, the Mean Girls star admits she loves having open and casual relationships with men, like Sex and the City characters Carrie Bradshaw, Miranda Hobbs, Samantha Jones and Charlotte York.

She says, "Sex and the City changed everything for me, because those girls would just sleep with so many people."

Please don’t miss what Lindsay said about Sex and the City’s influence on her life choices.  She believed by watching the characters and the drama of the TV series that a girl can have sex with “so many people” and everything turns out just fine.

And how has Miss Lohan thrived because of this influence? Well…let’s see? The sweet freckled face girl who first won our hearts in The Parent Trap has now undergone several drug rehabilitation treatments, her brokenness is paraded across tabloid papers every day, she is currently facing jail time, and her once brilliant career has all but disappeared.

“Lindsay Lohan's career has pretty much vanished, as most producers consider her "not bankable.” http://www.worstpreviews.com/headline.php?id=17582&count=0#ixzz0mvjYeAAw 

As I’ve said to young women across this nation through my Girls' Night Out event, “The Sex and the City lifestyle appears glamorous and enticing on television, but real life is flat-out messy. In the real world, we don’t have the benefit of a director who can yell cut, or and editor who can simply erase the consequences of our choices. Real life has real consequences."

My heart absolutely breaks for young women. I know the lies they hear, and I know all too well the consequences that come from believing them. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.”  This scripture is so plainly seen in our culture today. The lifestyle of Sex and the City, which is so celebrated and glamorized, actually leads young women down a path of destruction. I"ve been there and I am passionate about telling young women the truth. 

 In my book, Sex and the City Uncovered, I expose the emptiness and heartbreak of the lifestyle and offer hope for women who are living in it.   The following is an excerpt from the updated edition of Sex and the City Uncovered. In this chapter I exposes the deception of the "sex without strings" myth and offer women truth that will set them free.  

http://www.redeemedgirl.org/templates/files/SATC Uncovered5.pdf  (copy and paste into your browser if link is broken)

To purchase click Sex and the City Uncovered.

First up was the story of some high school students who decided to get their kicks by posting vicious gossip and hateful comments about other girls in their school on a Facebook group. This act of bullying became national news due to the fact that a different girl in Massachusetts recently committed suicide because of her own dealings with “mean” girls.  News anchors, parents, psychologists and school principles are scratching their heads…confused as to why young women would act so cruelly and behave so meanly towards one another.*

By this point I was saddened for the young women, but was moving on with my day. Just then another news story flickered onto the screen. This was the oh-so-news-worthy drama that surrounds the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey.  Can we say catfight? These women are bickering, backbiting and passing around petty jabs over silly issues, making high school drama seem tame… each one fighting to outdo and outshine the other.  Not too different from the jealousy and insecurity going down in middle school cafeterias across the country.

As I contemplated the morning news it dawned on me that the same core issue spans multiple generations: our culture promotes insecure women desperate for attention.  The world sends a message that we should focus on self and fight hard to make ourselves #1. What upsets me is that we’ve turned this into entertainment and the next generation is lapping it up like water…hoping to quench the thirst of their souls for attention and love by emulating the seek-me-first attitudes that fuels reality TV.

Is there any wonder that in our fame-obsessed-me-first culture, high school students blatantly publicize their bullying acts on sites like Facebook and YouTube when networks like Bravo give grown women their own reality shows rewarding them with expense accounts, salaries, and a wardrobe that they can keep for the exact same cruel behavior? The problem with this message is that it makes for miserable people.  Why? We weren’t meant to be #1. 

The quarrels, fights, gossip, back-stabbing and drama are all the result of the human heart seeking to find love, life, identity, security and affirmation apart from God. These women (young and old – yes, Housewives, I called you old) have simply believed the lie that they will feel better about themselves if they can make others feel inferior. Or they will feel good if they make others feel small. The problem is that this twisted thinking doesn’t work.  The “me-first” agenda, which is the air our culture breathes, actually backfires, producing miserable and hurting people. In my book, The List, I address this issue directly:

Why are so many of us obsessed with fame? Why do we clamor for the spotlight? Why do we desire our name in lights? For one thing, we live in a culture that screams at us to make much of ourselves. To crave attention, to fight for the limelight, to be the one that is watched, applauded, and praised.  And the other factor is the desire “to be someone.” And clearly, our culture tells us, “you aren’t ‘someone’ unless you are famous.”

But is this right? Is fighting for our share of the spotlight why we were made?

To understand why we were made, we first must recognize the fact that we are, indeed, “made.” Created. Formed. Designed. Planned. Fashioned. We are not self-existent creatures. We did not create ourselves. We are the purposeful design of one who is the Creator of All Things. The Author of Life. The Holy, Awesome, and Majestic God of the Universe. The Bible says, “God made man in His own likeness.  He made both male and female. He breathed into the nose the breath of life. (And) Man became a living being." (Genesis 1:27; 2:7 New Life Version)

This awesome Being who revealed Himself to be God made each one of us. Mindboggling, I know. It is incredible to think about the fact that the one who spoke solar systems into orbit and who holds the universe together by his power, chose to create you and me…uniquely.

But why?

Why did He create us? The Bible is very clear on this point. Every person throughout history was created for the sole purpose of bringing glory to our Creator. Yes girls, we were created to shine! In Isaiah 43:6-7, the Lord says, “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by name, whom I created for my glory.” 

Did you notice the last part of that verse? God says that we were created for his glory, not our own. We are designed to make his name known, to lift high his praise, to turn the spotlight on his face. Like stars that light up the night sky, we are designed to shine—to reflect to the world that our God is incredibly glorious.  Author and speaker John Piper in his book, Don’t Waste Your Life explains this purpose by stating, “God created me—and you—to live with a single, all-embracing, all-transforming passion—namely, a passion to glorify God by enjoying and displaying his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life.”

We are created to make God’s glory known, yet we live in and struggle against a culture that claims that we (the created ones) are the center of the universe—not God (The Creator). Shining for God’s glory is a radical shift from the cry of the world that says, “make much of yourself!” Our education, marketing, and, sadly, even our parents have spent years programming our thinking to believe that we (the individual) are the most important person on earth.  Self-esteem is the highest virtue. Love of self is the utmost concern. It is not only common, but expected for people to place their needs and priorities above all else This begs the question, can we truly be “happy” or feel “content” if we aren’t doing the very thing we were created to do in the first place? I would argue that it is absolutely impossible. This is the fish out of water syndrome. Pursuing our own fame and glory turns the purpose of life upside down and ultimately leaves us completely empty and questioning what life is really all about. 

Rick Warren in his best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life hit the nail on the head with his opening sentence, “It’s not about you.” Ouch! But, as tough as that is to hear, I love his straight-shooting and matter-of-fact approach. He doesn’t break the news to us gently. Instead, Warren confronts our celebrity-seeking, me-first Generation with the hard truth—life is not about us. To know the purpose of life, we must begin with God and with the purpose for which we he created us—to bring him glory.

Here’s the incredible truth: when our lives are centered on God and His glory, an incredible transformation occurs…we become men and women who are secure, whole, and confident in Him.  The old adage is so true…bullies and mean girls are just insecure people looking for love.

When we center our lives on glorifying God, we are free. Free from the unrelenting competition, insecurity, jealousy, strivings, and drama that comes from fighting to be first. When we love God and are secure in His love for us, the compulsive need to be #1 is eclipsed by the reality of Who He is and His undeserved grace.  The beauty of this right ordering of life is the gift of joy and peace. The happiest people in the world are those who humbly seek to put God first, others second and themselves last.  Maybe that’s why Jesus said the “Greatest Commandment” is to simply “Love God and Love Others.”

To purchase The List:

http://www.amazon.com/List-Figuring-Prince-Charming-Happily/dp/0805446710/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272479734&sr=8-3

*For more on this story, see Katie McCall’s piece on ABC 13 http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/video?id=7371811)

As this season’s tour of college events comes to a close, it’s evident that God continues to work through Girls’ Night Out events all across the country.  From The University of Texas and The University of Tennessee to The University of Missouri, each school was a great success!

The Girls’ Night Out at UT (in Austin) was attended by over 300 girls!  Many long-time prayers (by sorority sisters) were answered as girls received Christ as their Savior for the first time.

The Girls’ Night Out at UT (in Knoxville) provided Marian with many great opportunities to minister one-on-one.  True transformation was seen as Marian encouraged and challenged each girl she spoke with and prayed over.

The University of Missouri event produced a great harvest of 97 salvations!  Praise God for moving in the hearts of so many girls this past season.  One more to go...UTSA tomorrow night at 7:30pm...please pray! 

February 3-5, 2010 RGM headed to the northwest region of the United States for two Girls' Night Out events. The first was held at The University of Idaho and the other at Washington State University. Hundreds of young women attended these events and learned, many for the first time, of God's amazing love. Please continue to pray for the staff and leaders of Resonate Church in this region as they follow-up with young women who placed their faith in Christ and as they lead book clubs for those who attended. 

Next stop...Boston! This place was extra special for Marian since her "hero" in the faith, George Whitfield, preached his last sermon here during the Great Awakening. Today, Boston is home to more universities than any other city and the students are in need of the Truth found only in Jesus Christ. Marian shared her story at a city-wide event held at MIT and at Wellesley University. Prior to the events, Campus Crusade staff gave out free copies of her book to college women in Boston. Here is a great picture that was captured on the subway of young women reading the book.

On February 16th over six hundred young women filled the ballroom at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington's Girls Night Out event. The Campus Crusade staff went over the top with making the night fun for the women in attendance. UNCW is known as "party school" so Marian emphasized the true life and joy that can only be found in a relationship with Jesus. Please pray for the Campus Crusade staff as they seek to disciple the young women who came to faith. 

I'm writing this in hopes that you all will join Redeemed Girl Ministries in prayer for this campus, and others like it, and lift up the evangelistic event that is being held there on April 20. Also pray for students who are facing the onslaught of lies and persectution, and for them to stand boldy for Jesus Christ.

Faith and Inheritance from Breakaway Ministries on Vimeo.

On Thursday, January 28th the RGM team pulled into Oxford, Mississippi for the long awaited Girls' Night Out event at Ole Miss. The Campus Crusade team did an incredible job of promoting the event, and a 1600 young women were in attendance. Praise God for the 114 girls who came to Christ at this event. Please continue to pray for the women of Ole Miss and the CC staff as they follow up with those who made decisions.

Hey Girls!

2010 is right around the corner and we wanted to give you an idea for a Redeemed Girl Resolution. In her book, The List, Marian Jordan writes, “The secret to true beauty is spending time each day with the Beautiful One (Jesus). There are many ways to have ‘Beautiful Time’ with the Lord.”

We want to encourage each of you in 2010 to make Beautiful Time with Jesus a top priority. On our website you'll find a page titled Quiet Time Tips...click here to go straight to it.

A favorite of Redeemed Girl Ministries is called the R.E.A.P. (Read. Examine. Apply. Pray.) method.  All you need is your Bible, a journal, a quiet place and an open heart. This method is best used with a Bible reading plan, which can be found at www.BibleGateway.com, as well as other sites that we have listed for you at www.RedeemedGirl.org.

Email us at info@redeemedgirl.org to let us know what you've learned or become our friend on Facebook (page name is Redeemed Girl Ministries) or follow Marian's tweets (her Twitter name is MarianJordan).

Happy Reading Redeemed Girls!

Redeemed Girl 2009 Year in Review from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

Redeemed Girl India Trip from Marian Jordan on Vimeo.

Team India is safe and sound! We've been immensly blessed with full days of ministry, but absolutely ZERO internet access. So...i'm just now able to catch you all up on all that we are doing. Let me just say that your prayers are being answered!!! God is moving here. We will be home in a few days, but i will post a few more times in the meanwhile to let you guys know about the incredible ministry happening here.

The entire team sends their love!!

Marian

What an amazing day for Team India.  The rain has finally cleared! In case you didn’t know, the Houston team somehow brought a hurricane to India with us (although they are called Cyclones here) and we’ve been in heavy rains for a few days. But we awoke today to beautiful clear skies and the temperature dropped a few degrees—the perfect weather for our first day of pastoral training. 

Biff and Adam are preaching on 2 Corinthians this week to a packed chapel filled with local pastors and men who are in pastoral training school, many of  whom drove from hours away to be taught the Word of God. Biff commented that he was “overwhelmed by the crowd” and loved seeing how “eager the men were to learn and grow in their walk with the Lord.” I had the joy to teach Indian women (ministry staff and wives) from my favorite book of the Bible—the Gospel of John.  We had so many women attend that we had to move the meeting outside. Praise God! Please continue to pray for the three of us as we work with translators and communicate God’s word to those hungry for it.

We have a week to go and we are already dreading the day that we will say goodbye to our girls. We just returned from our second evening with the young women at Grace Home.  Our goal this week is to teach the girls about their identity as Daughters of the King. We hope to encourage them with God’s love and to shape their thinking around His truth.  Tonight Jenny Gutierrez taught an amazing lesson about Ruth and Jennifer “Tank” Seals trained the girls to make gospel bracelets.  Check out the photo to see the swanky spin we put on an old standard…we know you all will want one too.

The past two days we’ve had the joy of working with kids rescued out of brothels, who are now living under the care and guidance of Godly men and women who nurture, protect, and provide for their every need.  These girls are redeemed in every sense of the word.

To watch them worship Jesus is a beautiful sight to behold. I’ve always thought that our love for Jesus is in direct proportion to our perceived need for Him. That old formula holds true: these girls absolutely love Jesus!  We don’t need to understand Marathi to understand the praise spilling from their lips.  

After our visit with the children at Faith Home we drove several hours through the Indian countryside to our next destination, Grace Home. We will be here for several days. The team is doing extremely well. Thank you for your prayers. We are all healthy.  Although I am personally being tortured with the news that two cobras (9ft. long) were recently spotted where we’re staying. (P.S.  I hate snakes.) The team loves to entertain themselves by telling me this info. Good times.

We are now at Grace Home (aka Cobra nest… I’m just kidding. We are very comfortable and the food is amazing that the women prepare for us.)  Upon arriving here we’ve been given new Indian titles.  “Uncle” is the title reserved for elders. “Didi” means older sister. “Dada” means older brother.

Biff  “Uncle”—He is an amazing pastoral leader. Our team truly looks up to him and appreciates the gentle spirit that God has blessed us with in him. Not to mention that he’s just hysterical. Please pray for Biff as he is teaching the pastors for the next few days.

Adam “Dada” & Jennifer “Didi” Seals—we love our mighty duo. On a funny note, you can pray for them because India has a no P.D.A rule. And if you know these two at all, you’d know that they like each other…a lot! So asking them to not hold hands in public was a big deal. :)  Seriously, please pray for Adam as he is also teaching the pastors and  for Jennifer as she is leading all of our crafts and activities.

Susanna “Didi”—she is a prayer warrior and truly brings God’s heart for the oppressed to our team. Please pray for her as she  teaches about Esther to the girls…encouraging them to become the future leaders of this country.

Debi “Didi”—Debi did a great job teaching with me last night as we instructed the girls about God’s incredible love for them. She asks that you pray that she not get overwhelmed with emotion about what these girls have endured, but to see their future and to offer them hope in Christ.

Jenny G. “Didi” –Jenny is a great asset to our team and brings a wonderful gift of compassion. Please lift us Jenny as she prepares to teach the story of Ruth to the young girls. Pray also for her peace in the face of wickedness. She specifically asks that you would pray that she can forgive the men who are abusing and using these women.

Marian “Didi”—Please ask the Lord to fill me more and more with His Spirit—for apart from Him I can do nothing.  I will teach the staff women and the girls every day for the next three days.  Pray for God to move and that translation would not hinder the teaching of His word.

Also, please pray for Ralph, the leader of Charasia, as he seeks the Lord for vision for the road ahead for the children God has entrusted to them.

This morning our team toured the RLD. Under the guidance of locals we walked through the narrow alleyways composed of ancient bricks and wooden shanties and walked up cramped and darkened staircases to view the “cells” where the women are kept in rooms barely large enough for an army cot.

How did they get here? Most were sold into slavery by their parents or husbands. With a promise of fortune to the families their daughters are handed over to agents who then sell them to owners. From that point on they are gone. This is their new normal. Now imagine a child born into this scene. What hope does this child have for the future? Pretty grim. Here the demand for young girls is insatiable and the “owners” expect the mothers to enlist her girl in the “family business.” She is after all simply a commodity in the hands of a broker.

The darkness can just about overwhelm you. Satan’s agenda to “kill, steal, and destroy” is clear. Hopeless is the word one wants to use….except for the one who knows Jesus. One bright spot in our morning was meeting the moms who’ve entrusted their babies with the ministry that we are working with. These mothers remember a life before their cell and want the same for their children. The contrast between their faces and the faces of the other women that we encountered was dramatic. Hopelessness is unmistakable. It weighs heavy upon the face. Yet, the mothers who lovingly asked about their children bore a different countenance…hope. Hope that their girls would be spared a life of slavery. Hope that their girls would be educated.Hope that their girls would have a voice.

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus God’s Own Son.
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah
Holy One.

This chorus played through my head as we wove our way through the dark alleys back to our awaiting cars. Everything we witnessed today is an affront to the God who made each of us in His own image. The abuse is a sin against His holy name. I firmly believe any act of justice and any work of freedom is an act of worship to the One who spoke each life into existence.

When confronted with depravity of this nature it makes you love Jesus all the more. Please pray for the women enslaved here and throughout the world. In this city alone, prostitution is a billion dollar industry. Most of these women will die before the age of 40 because diseases are so rampant. Please pray for India to be awakened to the sorrow that is at her steps.

Today begins our first official day of ministry. After a very short night’s sleep, the team awoke, packed, grabbed breakfast and is now flying to our next destination. Traveling from the hotel to the domestic airport gave us a glimpse of Mumbai—streets bustling with motorbikes, fruit stands and pedestrians blending with the constant sound of horns blaring as we passed by.

Today we will visit the (RLD) and minister to women who are still enslaved there. Please pray for our protection, for us to be Spirit led, for each of us to extend the love of the Father to these women, and for us to see everything through His eyes. After our time there we will then spend an afternoon with the children. 

As I’ve surveyed our team I realize we are all feeling the same emotion: uncertain. Uncertain about what we will see and experience…and uncertain if we are prepared for the days ahead. But in the midst of our uncertainty is a powerful certainty. We are CERTAIN that….

·      The Lord goes before us and He prepares our way….

·      Greater is He Who is within us than he who is in this world….

·      It is not by might, nor by power but by His Spirit….

·      He is before all things and in Him all things hold together…

I’m so grateful for the fact that despite how we feel, we can REST knowing that God is with us. He is mighty to save, and He is sufficient for all that we need.

Everyone here sends their love and gratitude for your prayers.

After months of planning and praying and after what seemed like an eternity on the plane…we finally landed in Mumbai! Thank you for your prayers for travel safety! They were definetly heard. We made it through the airport without a hitch!

I’ll post more soon….we are having internet problems today.

Over the past few years the Lord has awakened me to the plight of women enslaved by the sex trafficking industry. Across the globe women are taken from their families, imprisoned, and horrifically abused. Without a voice and with no hope of freedom, these women are prisoners to an institution that treats them as less than human. Through news outlets like Dateline NBC and Hollywood movies like Taken, this issue has become a hot topic. Yet is anything really happening to help these victims?

I recall thinking when I watched the movie Taken (a film about a girl abducted and sold into prostitution) how much the story mirrored the Gospel…depicting the passionate love of a father who fights to redeem his daughter from captivity. Sounds a lot like Jesus, doesn’t it? Luke 4: 17-19 tells us that Jesus took the scroll of Isaiah and found the place where it was written: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me For He anointed me to preach gospel to the poor, He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed. This is the heart of God. Knowing the Lord’s concern for the oppressed and His compassion for the captive, I knew He was stirring my heart to do something…. but what could one person do in the face of such evil? Thankfully, I’ve learned that we can rest knowing when God stirs our hearts to act, He is already at work…our job is to just be available.

Around this time a guest speaker (Ralph Borde, President of Charasia Ministry) visited my home church, Second Baptist of Houston, educating us on the work God is doing among women in India. He shared his desire for a team to come and minister to the very women that the Lord had placed upon my heart. The following is the vision he shared: “India has millions of women and children who are victims of the horrific prostitution industry. It is our goal to rescue children whose mothers are enslaved in prostitution, thereby saving the children from being forced into child prostitution, as well as providing an opportunity to witness to their mothers. Our hope is to bring many women and children out of their terrible bondage into a life where they know the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Of course I knew immediately that the Lord was calling me to go…after all, these are girls desperate for the redeeming love of Jesus Christ.

As usual, God’s timing and His plan are perfect! Everything worked out with my travel schedule and ministry obligations in order for me to lead the trip. Our mission is two-fold. We will teach and disciple the young women who’ve been taken out of brothels and the men on our team will train pastors who are planting churches across India. For more information about the ministry, please visit www.charasia.org. I joyfully write these words from a cramped airplane seat bound for India. Our team is amazing. We are small in number but mighty in Spirit. In the months of planning we’ve bonded and are of one heart and mind.

Please pray for us as we travel. Lift up the women and men that we will be serving and please check back here for updates each day. For His Glory, Marian In the photo is “Team India”—Biff Johnson (Pastoral Leader), Adam and Jennifer “Tank” Seals, Jennifer Guiterez, Debi Ostrom, Susannah Thorn and Marian Jordan (Team Leader)

*Pictures coming soon!

*Pictures coming soon!

"The ladies retreat, hosted by Second Baptist Church Cypress Campus at Carolina Creek Christian Camp, was a time of sweet fellowship and God's presence was strongly felt.  Marian taught on the book of Joshua and focused on becoming the woman God designed us to be by experiencing the abundant life we have in Christ.  I was challenged to continually set my mind on His truth and believe. We were all encouraged to find rest in the One that provides it, Jesus.  On Friday evening, after Marian spoke, we had a fun craft time with yummy treats and girl time!  What an amazing retreat!!"

-Jennifer Abbott, retreat coordinator

Marian loves going anywhere where she can say “Go Cowboys!” - although she was a little confused since she wasn’t in Dallas. When Marian arrived in Tulsa she was greeted by her good friend Kari Kennedy, who whisked her to Stillwater for the “Woman vs. Wild” event at Oklahoma State University.  After a quick stop by the home of famous country singer Garth Brooks, the event was under way with hundreds of girls eager to learn wilderness skills. Marian challenged them to walk by faith and trust God in the midst of trials and pain.

This event was special because of the time Marian was able to spend counseling girls in their moment of heartbreak and see God heal their pain. It was a late night filled with girl talk and pizza as Marian hung out with the planning team until the wee hours of the morning.

Marian and her friend Tonya departed humid Houston for the sights and smells of a glorious fall in Western Kentucky (unlike Houston, Bowling Green actually has 4 seasons!).  Driving from Nashville to Bowling Green and seeing the leaves turning colors and the beautiful countryside was such a great treat! Once in Bowling Green, the home of Western Kentucky University, Marian and Tonya were greeted by Campus Crusade staff member Jill McGuire and her amazing “Girls’ Night Out” planning team - a fun and crazy group of girls who have a passion to see God move on their campus. Wow, did they do a great job planning their event and getting girls to attend.  The room was packed and filled with a buzz of excitement.  Praise God for the number of girls that attended and indicated they wanted a relationship with Christ.

It was a late night and early morning as Marian had to be back in Nashville for two live TV appearances on Fox Channel 17 “Tennessee Mornings” and Channel 4 “WSMV” - where she promoted her latest book, The List.  Marian spent the rest of her time in Nashville catching up with friends and meeting with her publisher.

Redeemed Girl Ministries, in partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, hosted two Girls’ Night Out events at The University of Oklahoma - one campus-wide event and the other just for sorority girls at the Pi Phi house. For the sorority event, the planning team did a great job making the night fun for all with a fashion show and lots of goodies.  Marian spoke on the topic of understanding your identity in Jesus Christ.  She also spent time debunking many myths that define women as sexual objects.

While in town, Marian was able to catch up with Leslie Herring, a former student, who showed her around campus…thanks Leslie!  Marian was so encouraged by the campus-wide event where she met with students from all over the world….India, China, Russia, as well as Okies from Oklahoma.

Special thanks to Kelly King and Kristin Weir from the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and Amy from the Baptist Student Union at OU for making it such an incredible week for us!

Last week was packed full for us. Right after the event at Texas Christian University, RGM flew into Tulsa, Oklahoma and then drove to a small town named Talequah (you say it “tala-quaa”) for a Girls’ Night Out.  Talequah is the home of Northeastern University - alma mater of Carrie Underwood! Marian did a quick radio interview about her new book The List and then we met with the crew from the BSU about the evening’s event.  Many thanks to the The Baptist Student Union who did a great job getting the word out and the venue was packed. 

After Marian’s talk, there was a ton of door prizes to be given away…everything from spa products to hand-made blankets from women in local churches.  The girl’s had a great time and were very attentive to God’s truth. About 30 girls indicated on their decision cards that they wanted to know more about a relationship with Christ…so exciting!  The time was sweet and many girls came up afterwards sharing how much they needed to hear what Marian said and that they are going to begin living more like priceless treasures rather than trash.

The next morning found us up early, armed with Starbucks and heading to “Good Day Tulsa” where Marian was interviewed about Girls’ Night Out and The List. Although we are Texas girls we sure loved our time in Oklahoma!

“Girls’ Night Out” at Texas Christian University was so much fun for all!  RGM had been working a long time with Campus Crusade for Christ to have this event on TCU’s campus and we were so excited to finally be there.  The college leaders where amazing and we got to have dinner with them at McKinley’s (the cutest place with great chicken salad!) before the event.  It was special to hear from their hearts the prayers they had been praying for their campus.  

Marian spoke about true identity…confronting the lies that many girls believe about where they find their value and worth. Praise God for the great turnout—hundreds of young women participated and over 50 girls indicated that they were interested in beginning a relationship with Jesus Christ. Praise God for bringing many girls to hear the truth their hearts were thirsty for.  Just like all the other “Girls’ Night Out” events, please pray for the campus leaders as they go forth with follow-up and for the book clubs that are now beginning on the TCU campus.  

RGM always loves visiting The University of South Carolina!  This trip was Marian’s third time to visit for a “Girls’ Night Out”.  One thing that’s been incredible to see is the way God is moving through the Greek system…years ago there were no small groups and now there’s one (and in some places more than one!) in every sorority! 

The venue was packed for “Girls’ Night Out” and the event started with fun music and games and then Marian shared a great message.  The best part…53 girls indicated on their decision cards that they wanted to know more about a relationship with Jesus!  Please pray for these girls as they learn more about Jesus and grow in their faith.

P.S. Another great part about visiting Columbia, South Carolina…we get to see our dear friend Kitty Hurdle.  We love you Kitty!

Marian spoke vibrant truth into the lives of the girls and after the event we just about wiped out of every book we brought…the girls were so eager to learn more!  It was encouraging to hear that every sorority on campus is starting a bookclub with “Sex and the City Uncovered” this Fall.  Marian met with the leaders following the event to encourage and train them for leadership.  Then off we went to enjoy Mexican food with the leadership team at El Guapo. Funny name…yummy food. :) 

Looking over the comment cards from the evening, we found out that 34 girls wanted to know more about a relationship with Christ!  Praise God!  Please pray for the girls at UNT.

At the end of August RGM made our way to Memphis, Tennessee (via Little Rock)– home of Elvis Presley and many other cool people!  It was our very first trip of the “school” year and we were excited to visit Briarcrest, a christian school that invited Marian to speak to their student body – girls individually and boys, yes boys.

Once we arrived in Little Rock we loaded up our rental car and headed downtown for lunch. If you ever find yourself in Little Rock you must eat at The Flying Fish and when they ask “Do you want to make that snappy” say yes and they’ll give your fish a little “kick”.

Off to Memphis we drove, listening to sermons and music from our ipods or whatever was on the radio.  Sometimes we even watch movies...driver keeps eyes on road and passenger narrates.

The first event of the trip was planned for middle and high school girls and their mothers.  It was a great night! The next morning Marian had two sessions with the girls and one with the boys.  It ended up being a really sweet time and the students were so respectful and attentive.  God is really moving at that school and we pray the students will keep their eyes on Christ and not be brainwashed by the lies that the world feeds them.

Go Saints!!!

Dear Redeemed Girl Ministries Support Team,

We hope this letter find you doing well! As always, we thank God for you and your partnership with what He is doing through Redeemed Girl Ministries. This summer has been a great one, kicking off with Greek Summit, a Campus Crusade retreat for sorority girls from all over the southeastern United States.  Marian was asked to attend to encourage the girls in their faith (many of the girls came to know Christ through their schools’ Girls’ Night Out event). It was a refreshing time for all.  Marian arrived back saying, “It was encouraging to see how hungry the girls were to go deeper in their faith and take the next step. It was the vision of RGM coming to life…seeing redeemed girls who long to redeem girls and live for God’s glory.  At the end of my time there, I saw many girls surrender to the call God had placed on their lives.”

Next up for RGM was a six-week Bible Study at Second Baptist Church on the topic of Marian’s fourth book – yes fourth! – titled Radiance, a study about being radiant women in a dark world that seeks to mask our light. The Bible study was followed by a variety of conferences and church events, including Campus Crusade for Christ’s National Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado where Marian was asked to lead an afternoon seminar.

As the summer now comes to a close, we’ve been working hard to prepare for an exciting and packed Fall line-up.  November holds a new adventure as Marian travels to India to share the love of Jesus with girls there. The vision of the trip aligns with the vision of RGM – to see women transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ.  Please lift up Marian and the team members as they travel November 8-19. On top of the blessing of numerous opened doors for the gospel, God has blessed us with a great opportunity to expand our online presence.  RGM is currently finalizing a new and improved website, specifically designed with Redeemed Girls in mind!

Another big announcement for the Fall is the release of Marian’s third book titled The List: Figuring out Prince Charming, the Corner Office and Happily Ever After (B&H Publishing).  The List is set to release September 1^st, but if you’re eager to pre-order it you can visit Amazon.com and search “The List by Marian Jordan”.

God continues to encourage us as we walk the walk of Faith and follow His lead.  We are continually thankful for open doors to share God’s truth, financial provision for every need big and small, safety and protection while traveling, and our perfectly-sized office space.  On top of all that, we thank God specifically for each of you and for your prayers, support and partnership in taking God’s truth to girls in need.

For His Glory!

The Redeemed Girl Team