Here's where it begins - information. I receive emails almost daily from Lisa Thompson who works for The Salvation Army's Initiative Against Sexual Trafficking. Daily I'm disgusted at humanity and the idea that we will tout human beings as something to be bought and sold and that we will continue to glance over the problem as if it doesn't affect us. The truth is sexual immorality walks into our homes and lives daily and we don't even recognize it. So, now it's our chance to fight back. It might only be a small way to take a stand but it's a stand nonetheless. I'm posting below an article sent to me by Lisa from The Observer about a tourist company marketing tours through the Red Light District for FAMILIES!! Children under three get to go for free. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm also posting the address underneath the article where you can write the company to tell them of your outrage. It's not enough to get angry sometimes our righteous indignation calls for action.
For justice,
Joy
***************************
Red light tour condemned as 'sick'
Gemma Bowes
Sunday November 13, 2005
The Observer
Thomas Cook, Britain's longest running tour operator, is launching family tours to see prostitutes touting for trade in Amsterdam's red light district. The night-time excursions, which include a briefing about the 'system' from a former prostitute, are open to children of any age, and the company boasts 'under threes go free'.
Last week parents and charities working to protect women in the sex industry reacted with shock and disbelief when alerted to the tours by Escape.
'It is sick to propose a "prostitution tour" not only for adults, but even more so for children,' said Esohe Aghatise, the European representative of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW), which campaigns against sexual exploitation of women.
A press release issued by Thomas Cook to announce the new 'Walking Tour Dark Amsterdam' describes how the two-hour tour, leaving at 8pm, will take visitors 'deep into the famous red light district, accompanied by a reliable and trustworthy guide, offering a fascinating insight into the oldest profession in the world!'
The brochure details what is included in the experience: 'Begin with a drink at a prostitute information centre where a former prostitute will explain the system and answer any questions you may have. Then head for the Wallen (red light district) and see for yourself.'
Adult tickets for the tour cost £12, though parents may be relieved to know children's tickets only cost £6. When asked what age range the child ticket covered, a spokeswoman said the prices apply to those from four to 12, and under threes go free.
CATW argues that taking children to see prostitutes is 'highly irresponsible' and risks traumatising them. The organisation estimates that 50-85 per cent of women in prostitution experience violence and debilitating injuries, and that more than 80 of those working in the Netherlands are of foreign origin, with most of them likely to have arrived there as victims of sex trafficking.
Dr Janice Raymond, co-director of CATW, said: 'Thomas Cook Tours treats prostitution as harmless fun. Women are sold as commodities in the Dutch sex industry, and Thomas Cook charges tourists to view the marketable products and chuckle at the human merchandise.'
Thomas Cook said it has introduced the tour in its 2006 Thomas Cook Signature Cities and Short Breaks brochure in response to feedback from clients.
'We have added this excursion to our programme so that our clients who do not feel comfortable or safe walking through the red-light district on their own can do so with an experienced guide, not only to escort them but to share his/her knowledge of this city's colourful past and present,' said a spokeswoman.
Thomas Cook needs to hear from you. Click the topic drop down box and select feedback. http://thomascooknew.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/thomascooknew.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=99
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
On to more important things...
I couldn't sleep tonight. It's 12:30 a.m. and not a wink in sight. I tried but my sheep must've been off for the holiday. I kept dwelling on a comment anonymous left. Anonymouse - just so you know, you also made it to my friend Phil's blog at www.phillaeger.com. However, I think we've talked enough about the brand. I've come to realize that it can't do much. What I have realized is that I can and I've reposted anonymous' comment here because he or she's comment is the point - isn't it? I've shortened it because there were two questions in the comment but I want to focus on the first and here it is:
"I guess a much bigger question I would be asking doesn't have to do with the branding (although I think it's an aweful slogan) and that is, "Why is it the only people describing the Salvation Army as a soul winning community are the individuals within the movement and only in coversations with each other. The coversation never goes outside into the market place so to speak. The Army does a great job using a religious language when it is talking to itself and never when it engages the world. That to me should be the bigger question."
So, really my post is a question to the wide world if anyone is willing to respond: how do we engage the culture in conversation - a conversation that matters? What does it sound like? What does it look like? I don't think I'm talking about one of those hey I just met someone on a plane and they asked me what I do or where I go to church questions. That's perhaps an easy question but not really one that engages. I'm talking about what does the conversation look like in lifestyle, in habit? Perhaps that's where we should start. I don't think the branding will change many things but I know I can. I'm a foot soldier after all and that's where all wars are won - on the front lines.
I'm just wondering if we can begin a conversation here - where it counts.
Thanks,
Joy
"I guess a much bigger question I would be asking doesn't have to do with the branding (although I think it's an aweful slogan) and that is, "Why is it the only people describing the Salvation Army as a soul winning community are the individuals within the movement and only in coversations with each other. The coversation never goes outside into the market place so to speak. The Army does a great job using a religious language when it is talking to itself and never when it engages the world. That to me should be the bigger question."
So, really my post is a question to the wide world if anyone is willing to respond: how do we engage the culture in conversation - a conversation that matters? What does it sound like? What does it look like? I don't think I'm talking about one of those hey I just met someone on a plane and they asked me what I do or where I go to church questions. That's perhaps an easy question but not really one that engages. I'm talking about what does the conversation look like in lifestyle, in habit? Perhaps that's where we should start. I don't think the branding will change many things but I know I can. I'm a foot soldier after all and that's where all wars are won - on the front lines.
I'm just wondering if we can begin a conversation here - where it counts.
Thanks,
Joy
Thursday, November 17, 2005
I've been Branded
I know that I'm perhaps a day late and a dollar short posting about the "Doing the Most Good" branding almost two weeks (maybe more) after Cory did but I just went through the branding process and have a few thoughts to share.
All of the branding didn't really bother me before I went to the Branding meeting. I had people explain it to me as a promise to the public which I still believe it is. People kept telling me that they thought it was boastful - I'm not sure I ever thought it really was. I just kept my mouth shut about all of it - one way or another (except for questions here and there) until I had been through the meeting and heard what they had to say.
Now, I'm angry. Perhaps a little more than I need to be but I'm still quite ticked. I almost made it all the way through that stinking meeting without any objections and then they showed a video of Stan Richards who is obviously the founder of the group who came up with the branding. He began talking about getting a vision for people in the organization to live by - okay, I can do that. I can always ask myself if I'm doing the most good. Not a problem. Then he said that the next thing they do in order to come up with the brand is categorize in one word the organization or company which they are branding. For The Salvation Army the word they chose to describe us was CHARITY. I was angry - still am. We are a charitable organization but only because of the message we preach about the Good News of the gospel. It seems like every time I turn around we, The Salvation Army, are choosing not to let people know about who we serve when we have the opportunity. Why couldn't the stupid brand be about more than doing the most good with people's time, resources and contributions and be about doing the most good to win the world for Christ! That's why we do what we do and for the life of me I can't get past the thought that this isn't going to help. I will always have to tell my friends that we're not just a red kettle and a Thrift Store which this branding is supposed to help alleviate. I didn't see how but perhaps I will over time. Why is it that we chose to spend 12.7 million dollars on advertising last year and will continue to do so in the future and never EVER mention why we're the SALVATION army or spend a dollar trying to get that word out? Kelly asked the question that I'm asking. Not about funds but about how this will help people know we're a church and the answer that was returned was that it's up to us! Right, so, I get the responsibility to tell my sphere of friends, neighbors, whoever that we're a church ALL BY MYSELF? I love doing that - don't have a problem with it. In fact I feel it's my duty. Yet, the entire country gets a chance to hear about the other things we do and not why we do them through the media. That seems equal.
Perhaps we're putting the emPHAsis on the wrong syLAbell - concentrating our energy, our money, our time on the wrong part of the mission - the services, instead of why we offer the services in the first place.
Just my thoughts. Could go on and on but I think I'm beginning to beat a dead horse.
Are we doing the most good?
Joy
All of the branding didn't really bother me before I went to the Branding meeting. I had people explain it to me as a promise to the public which I still believe it is. People kept telling me that they thought it was boastful - I'm not sure I ever thought it really was. I just kept my mouth shut about all of it - one way or another (except for questions here and there) until I had been through the meeting and heard what they had to say.
Now, I'm angry. Perhaps a little more than I need to be but I'm still quite ticked. I almost made it all the way through that stinking meeting without any objections and then they showed a video of Stan Richards who is obviously the founder of the group who came up with the branding. He began talking about getting a vision for people in the organization to live by - okay, I can do that. I can always ask myself if I'm doing the most good. Not a problem. Then he said that the next thing they do in order to come up with the brand is categorize in one word the organization or company which they are branding. For The Salvation Army the word they chose to describe us was CHARITY. I was angry - still am. We are a charitable organization but only because of the message we preach about the Good News of the gospel. It seems like every time I turn around we, The Salvation Army, are choosing not to let people know about who we serve when we have the opportunity. Why couldn't the stupid brand be about more than doing the most good with people's time, resources and contributions and be about doing the most good to win the world for Christ! That's why we do what we do and for the life of me I can't get past the thought that this isn't going to help. I will always have to tell my friends that we're not just a red kettle and a Thrift Store which this branding is supposed to help alleviate. I didn't see how but perhaps I will over time. Why is it that we chose to spend 12.7 million dollars on advertising last year and will continue to do so in the future and never EVER mention why we're the SALVATION army or spend a dollar trying to get that word out? Kelly asked the question that I'm asking. Not about funds but about how this will help people know we're a church and the answer that was returned was that it's up to us! Right, so, I get the responsibility to tell my sphere of friends, neighbors, whoever that we're a church ALL BY MYSELF? I love doing that - don't have a problem with it. In fact I feel it's my duty. Yet, the entire country gets a chance to hear about the other things we do and not why we do them through the media. That seems equal.
Perhaps we're putting the emPHAsis on the wrong syLAbell - concentrating our energy, our money, our time on the wrong part of the mission - the services, instead of why we offer the services in the first place.
Just my thoughts. Could go on and on but I think I'm beginning to beat a dead horse.
Are we doing the most good?
Joy
Monday, November 14, 2005
Non-profit Brothel
I know everyone else will post this but I can't leave it off. I'm disgusted at humanity right now and our intent on continuing the slave-trade and the desire to demoralize humans as product. We will use any excuse to make prostitution legal. We will come up with any way possible to continue to subject women, men, boys and girls to its harm and call it good.
Here's an article from the Vancouver Sun on the legalization of prostitution and the ability to make a brothel non-profit. Like that could ever happen!
Vancouver councillor calls for city to open a non-profit brothel
November 10, 2005
Vancouver Sun
VANCOUVER (CP) -- A Vancouver councillor is calling for the establishment of a non-profit brothel, owned by the city, to help drug-addicted prostitutes.
Tim Louis told The Vancouver Sun's editorial board that he favours a red light district to help protect calls "survival" sex trade workers.
Louis, of the left-wing Committee of Progressive Electors (COPE), said there would be many benefits of a brothel being run on a break-even basis, with the availability of medical services and drug treatment.
Another COPE councillor, David Cadman, said he would want to study the idea of setting up a city-run brothel and get a lot of public dialogue.
Sam Sullivan, the mayoral candidate for the centre-right Non-Partisan Association, said he was appalled by Louis's comments.
He said the "the goal should be to help these women get out of the survival sex trade, not keep them in it."
Sullivan said he doesn't want to "get into the business of being a pimp."
But Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, who is vice-chairman of a parliamentary committee examining the need for legislative reform on prostitution, said she's not surprised by the suggestion.
Davies said the committee wants law reform that focuses on the issues of exploitation and harm.
The committee, which held cross-Canada hearings and interviewed sex trade workers and municipalities, will issue its recommendations within weeks.
(Vancouver Sun)
Here's an article from the Vancouver Sun on the legalization of prostitution and the ability to make a brothel non-profit. Like that could ever happen!
Vancouver councillor calls for city to open a non-profit brothel
November 10, 2005
Vancouver Sun
VANCOUVER (CP) -- A Vancouver councillor is calling for the establishment of a non-profit brothel, owned by the city, to help drug-addicted prostitutes.
Tim Louis told The Vancouver Sun's editorial board that he favours a red light district to help protect calls "survival" sex trade workers.
Louis, of the left-wing Committee of Progressive Electors (COPE), said there would be many benefits of a brothel being run on a break-even basis, with the availability of medical services and drug treatment.
Another COPE councillor, David Cadman, said he would want to study the idea of setting up a city-run brothel and get a lot of public dialogue.
Sam Sullivan, the mayoral candidate for the centre-right Non-Partisan Association, said he was appalled by Louis's comments.
He said the "the goal should be to help these women get out of the survival sex trade, not keep them in it."
Sullivan said he doesn't want to "get into the business of being a pimp."
But Vancouver East MP Libby Davies, who is vice-chairman of a parliamentary committee examining the need for legislative reform on prostitution, said she's not surprised by the suggestion.
Davies said the committee wants law reform that focuses on the issues of exploitation and harm.
The committee, which held cross-Canada hearings and interviewed sex trade workers and municipalities, will issue its recommendations within weeks.
(Vancouver Sun)
Your Money Counts
This past weekend I was able to spend Saturday helping Kelly refloor her kitchen. I love the renovation scene. We didn't get any of the new tile laid but the demolition took it's toll on my body. Yesterday I spent the afternoon in bed. This afternoon I'm going back. I have to see it through. Besides, although it's painful, it's fun too. It's also cool to spend time like this with my friends.
This morning Marty and I finished our Crown Financial Class. For 10 weeks we've been waking up at 5 a.m. to be at work by 7 to attend this class. That's probably one of the most disciplined things I've ever done but the rewards are well worth it. We've learned much over the course of the class about budgeting, paying off debt and setting short and long term financial goals. We've started seriously depending on the Lord to take care of our finances because we were failing miserably when we did it in our own strength. We now take care of these things together instead of separately and we consult each other about purchases. We're seeking to learn to be content in our situation and I believe we'll get there as long as we keep trusting the Father. I'm not saying that we've got it all under control but I know we've come a long way in the process and we still have a long way to go but it just doesn't feel like a burden anymore. While it doesn't sound like fun, I would recommend the Crown Financial Class to anyone - married, single, old, young. It's well worth 10 weeks of your life. I would even recommend it if you feel like you've already got your financial house in order. The reminders are always helpful.
I know that's kind of a boring post for the day but I just wanted everyone to know what the Lord's been teaching Marty and I lately. He's seriously taken care of a HUGE concern for us and I'm incredibly thankful. If you struggle in this area, this class is definitely worth the time and the effort.
Here's to getting out of debt,
Joy
This morning Marty and I finished our Crown Financial Class. For 10 weeks we've been waking up at 5 a.m. to be at work by 7 to attend this class. That's probably one of the most disciplined things I've ever done but the rewards are well worth it. We've learned much over the course of the class about budgeting, paying off debt and setting short and long term financial goals. We've started seriously depending on the Lord to take care of our finances because we were failing miserably when we did it in our own strength. We now take care of these things together instead of separately and we consult each other about purchases. We're seeking to learn to be content in our situation and I believe we'll get there as long as we keep trusting the Father. I'm not saying that we've got it all under control but I know we've come a long way in the process and we still have a long way to go but it just doesn't feel like a burden anymore. While it doesn't sound like fun, I would recommend the Crown Financial Class to anyone - married, single, old, young. It's well worth 10 weeks of your life. I would even recommend it if you feel like you've already got your financial house in order. The reminders are always helpful.
I know that's kind of a boring post for the day but I just wanted everyone to know what the Lord's been teaching Marty and I lately. He's seriously taken care of a HUGE concern for us and I'm incredibly thankful. If you struggle in this area, this class is definitely worth the time and the effort.
Here's to getting out of debt,
Joy
Friday, November 11, 2005
Small Group
Last night was small group. Four women get together at Maggie's house and we're working through the book The Sacred Romance. Last night's discussion was about "The Message of the Arrows." Basically we talked about the things from the past that have struck our hearts and caused pain and along with it sent a message to us that is untrue - i.e. I'm not good enough, I'm a failure, etc. It was a good night. While we all shared really deep things from our past and the atmosphere was heavy at times, I left last night knowing that I had been in the presence of three beautiful women and in the presence of God. I knew that He was blessed at the fact that we were sharing our hearts with one another and our lives. I continue to come back to the fact that He is a God of relationship and He desires for us to be in community with one another. What I'm blessed by is that He saw my needs before I knew them and decided to place me in this group.
I'm also blessed that others have decided to choose this path too. I want to say thank you to Kelly for making this happen and to everyone else for enriching my life every week.
I love you guys,
Joy
I'm also blessed that others have decided to choose this path too. I want to say thank you to Kelly for making this happen and to everyone else for enriching my life every week.
I love you guys,
Joy
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Microwave Recipes!
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Pictures from the Trip
I didn't have enough pictures to show you the finished product here but I can in the next couple of days. This is the picture of the pit we cleaned out and sealed. It was one of the main drains for the corps but the Lieutenents' sons also lived in a room that shared a wall with this pit. Unfortunately the mold which was growing on the outside of the pit had crept into their room. So, we cleaned the walls to their room and the pit and then sealed the pit. I hope it holds off the mold for a while.
We were also able to waterproof their roof. It didn't look so bad from the outside but the huge waterspot on the inside said differently. It rained every day before we arrived and we were afraid we might not get a change to get this project done but we didn't see a drop the entire time we were there.
I don't know if you can tell from this picture or not but the chapel we started with was not the chapel we ended with. In the beginning the floor was loosely covered with three pieces of carpet that had the seams showing - so we took them up and laid cement and waterproofed the floor. Then we added carpet.
I believe this last picture is of Joe hard at work. He gets paid the big bucks you know!
This is just a picture of the last day of laying cement. Thank goodness I only had to do this for one day. I had some serious nose problems after I breathed in all of that cement dust.
We were also able to waterproof their roof. It didn't look so bad from the outside but the huge waterspot on the inside said differently. It rained every day before we arrived and we were afraid we might not get a change to get this project done but we didn't see a drop the entire time we were there.
I don't know if you can tell from this picture or not but the chapel we started with was not the chapel we ended with. In the beginning the floor was loosely covered with three pieces of carpet that had the seams showing - so we took them up and laid cement and waterproofed the floor. Then we added carpet.
I believe this last picture is of Joe hard at work. He gets paid the big bucks you know!
This is just a picture of the last day of laying cement. Thank goodness I only had to do this for one day. I had some serious nose problems after I breathed in all of that cement dust.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Changing Leaves
I went out tonight to get some things from the store and for the first time this season the air outside actually felt and smelled like Fall. The smell and the feeling aren't really something describable but everytime they happen a wave of nostalgia washes over me. This is my favorite time of year.
As I drove I remembered living not too far from here on Mapleton Drive. I remembered raking leaves into piles in the neighbors yard only to have them wonder if my mom and dad put me up to it. I remember how one particular Fall all ChristyAnn and I would do was jump on her trampoline and make up dance routines to M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch This." That all changed the next year because she had gone to summer camp and gotten rid of all of her "non-Christian" music. Even then I wasn't that big a fan of burning music. I remembered how every school year I would come home after the second or third day and crawl up in my mother's lap and cry and cry because I couldn't do the work. It was all too hard.
In High School Fall meant football games and eating at Denny's afterward. It meant trips to the beach on the weekends and Marching Competitions at Disney World. It meant Homecome (whether it was a dance or not) and lots of pictures.
Fall always meant new. It meant I was beginning again - new friends sometimes, always new challenges (some I thought I couldn't handle), new romances every once in a blue moon, new chances to grow.
What I don't remember was worry. I don't remember ever worrying while I was jumping on ChristyAnn's trampoline - unless there was homework to be done. I could face the next day with certainty because my entire future didn't hang on it - just a grade or two. I could trust that everything was going to be alright.
Today, as I reminisced I realized why I loved Fall and why so often there is also a little bit of sadness in the air. Fall used to mean change - change that always produced growth. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really growing and how to mark it. I used to have a marker (Washables if you must know). Fall also reminds me of a time when I used to have childlike faith. I believe that's what the Lord is teaching me right now as He leads me into something new - childlike faith. It's a simple trusting with wide, sparkly eyes and laughter. It's a faith that doesn't hold on to the edges or strain to see what's around the corner but basks in the moment.
Those are the two things I want this fall - growth and childlike faith.
Happy Oranges and Yellows,
Joy
As I drove I remembered living not too far from here on Mapleton Drive. I remembered raking leaves into piles in the neighbors yard only to have them wonder if my mom and dad put me up to it. I remember how one particular Fall all ChristyAnn and I would do was jump on her trampoline and make up dance routines to M.C. Hammer's "Can't Touch This." That all changed the next year because she had gone to summer camp and gotten rid of all of her "non-Christian" music. Even then I wasn't that big a fan of burning music. I remembered how every school year I would come home after the second or third day and crawl up in my mother's lap and cry and cry because I couldn't do the work. It was all too hard.
In High School Fall meant football games and eating at Denny's afterward. It meant trips to the beach on the weekends and Marching Competitions at Disney World. It meant Homecome (whether it was a dance or not) and lots of pictures.
Fall always meant new. It meant I was beginning again - new friends sometimes, always new challenges (some I thought I couldn't handle), new romances every once in a blue moon, new chances to grow.
What I don't remember was worry. I don't remember ever worrying while I was jumping on ChristyAnn's trampoline - unless there was homework to be done. I could face the next day with certainty because my entire future didn't hang on it - just a grade or two. I could trust that everything was going to be alright.
Today, as I reminisced I realized why I loved Fall and why so often there is also a little bit of sadness in the air. Fall used to mean change - change that always produced growth. Sometimes I wonder if I'm really growing and how to mark it. I used to have a marker (Washables if you must know). Fall also reminds me of a time when I used to have childlike faith. I believe that's what the Lord is teaching me right now as He leads me into something new - childlike faith. It's a simple trusting with wide, sparkly eyes and laughter. It's a faith that doesn't hold on to the edges or strain to see what's around the corner but basks in the moment.
Those are the two things I want this fall - growth and childlike faith.
Happy Oranges and Yellows,
Joy
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
I Heart Mexico City
I returned home yesterday from Mexico City with one pair of clean underwear, an entire suitcase of stinky clothes (no comments please team), a few souvenirs and an overwhelming knowledge that I had been and still am in the presence of God.
Before leaving and even during the first part of the week that we were there I wasn't expecting much from the Lord. I was just glad to be out of the country and a part of another mission trip. I really looked forward to it but I really thought it would be just another mission trip.
Throughout the course of the week what I learned was that God answers prayer that I don't remember uttering; he allows us to be a part of experiences that will forever teach us; he brings us into contact with other believers to strengthen His body of believers; he puts in frong of us impossible situations because He wants us to understand who completes the work.
The beginning part of the week was normal. We went to church on Sunday and began our construction on Monday - removing old flooring, laying cement, waterproofing the roof, cleaning away some mold and mildew in a room and a pit that backed up to the room, sealing the room, laying carpet. All these things we worked on all week long. None of us could have ever imagined that we would get them finished, not to mention the fact that eight out of the eleven of us got sick during the last part of the week. He truly completed all of these tasks.
Here's where it gets cool though. Wednesday and Thursday we were able to partner with a group in Mexico City called Casa Alianza (Covenant House). This organization works with street children. They go to them, play games with them, teach them about the dangers of drugs, sex trafficking, rape, living on the streets and then offer them a better choice - the choice to come and live at Casa Alianza. The deal is however, that in order to live at Casa Alianza, the kids have to be willing to leave behind their drugs. On Thursday I went to Casa Alianza. Because everything up to this point in the trip had been routine for me, I was really hoping that the Lord would challenge me this day - speak to me, change me, something. I had placed all my eggs in one basket for the Lord to do his part. So, we get to Casa Alianza and Emanuel and I are teamed up with Fransisco and Erika. We leave Casa Alianza to go talk to Juan about coming back to the crisis center with us. We find him curled up under newspaper right outside of a metro station asleep and can't convince him. Fransisco and Erika promise to come back on Saturday. The next stop is supposed to be at a hospital where a young boy had been admitted because he had swallowed the inhalent that most of the children who live on the street use. On the way there however, we found two boys sleeping at a metro station so we stopped and played uno with them for a while. Then Fransisco and Erika convinced them to come back to Casa Alianza with us for a shower and a change of clothes. Fransisco headed on to the hospital to visit the boy who swallowed the inhalent. When we got to the crisis center we simply played more games with Julian and Gabriel (the two boys) and then Erika walked them through some of the dangers of living on the street. They had just run away from home the day before and when asked said that no one would miss them. I was really hoping that they would choose to stay at the home but they just wanted the clothes and food and to return to the metro station. After that, Emanuel and I didn't leave the home. It was 12 and we weren't supposed to return to the children's home where we were staying all week until 5:00 and we were through for the day. When the other team returned I was so disappointed. They hadn't stopped all day. They had encounter after encounter with children who were huffing while talking to them, children who wouldn't give up their drugs, they played soccer with some. They just didn't quit until they came back to Casa Alianza. I was upset that I hadn't had a better day - that was supposed to be my challenge. That was the day I told the Lord to speak to me! When we returned to the Chidlren's Home I journaled some. I asked the Lord, no, I told the Lord that if that wasn't going to be the day that He needed to speak to me another day. Then, however, he removed a veil from my eyes and began to teach me things I hadn't thought of until then. He showed me that I continually ask for more while I'm in the States and when He gives me that gift - it isn't good enough. I need to be thankful for what He gives. He revealed to me that ministering to street children wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Playing games with them was easy and I could do it! That wasn't something I expected. He showed me the fluidity those who work at Casa Alianza have. They had an appointment with someone else when they stopped to play Uno with those two young boys. If it had been me, I might would have kept going hoping they would be there on the way back. They understood the importance of every single child and they trusted that every single one would get visited that day. Then, the most important lesson I learned from those that work at Casa Alianza that day was persistance in the face of addiction. I learned what it looks like to keep hoping even when it seems like there is no hope. I saw what it must look like for the father to continually come after us. The folks at Casa Alianza offer so much more to these children than what they have - clean clothes, shelter, food, rehabilitation, and most importantly a future. Most of the time these children reject their offers because they want to remain where they are, where it is comfortable. It was an incredible picture to me that day of the God who pursues us.
Friday we finished the floors in the church and on Saturday we got to go to the Pyramids that the Aztecs built. Only two civilizations in the world built pyramids - the Egyptians and the Aztecs and I got to climb one of them. What a cool day - despite a sunburn on the back of my legs.
Then Sunday came. Gamaliel spoke that morning on Isaiah 6:1 - 8. What's funny is that I was content. I had learned my lesson (or so I thought) and had forgotten (almost) that I told the Lord to speak to me since he hadn't on the day I went to Casa Alianza (even though he obviously did). What's cool is that the Lord didn't forget my prayer and was faithful even though I didn't need him to speak or at least I didn't think I needed him to. Anyway, Gammy spoke and he talked about the Lord asking all of us the question "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" He talked about how the day he went with Casa Alianza he forgot that those children were dirty and stunk but remembered that the Lord loved them. He talked about the hard places that the Lord calls us to. I remembered then how I heard a sermon once about the verses after verse 8 where God tells Isaiah what He wants him to do. He tells him he will preach and preach and their hearts will get fat and that He will weed them away until only a stump is left. I just kept thinking about how it's not always easy what God calls us to do. Then I realized what I had been doing. I had been taking away what I promised the Lord. A long time ago I said to the Lord what Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" When I was young he called me to be a missionary and since then he has been confirming it. The hard part however, is that Marty and I's callings don't line up and we have a hard time trying to figure out how it will work. So, Sunday morning I realized that what I had been doing was conditioning my response to God. I was telling him that perhaps short-term missions is what He's called me to do. I was telling him that perhaps since the challenge is harder at home that perhaps incarnational ministry is what He's called me to do. Sunday mornig he struck my heart. He told me that I couldn't do that anymore. I had given him all of myself a long time ago and I couldn't take it back. He wasn't taking His calling back - I couldn't take myself back. I was trying to figure it out on my own. He convicted me of that too. It's about trust and faith and allowing him to work it out.
All week long I kept remembering the verse, "Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We never could've asked for or imagined the things that we accompished at the beginning of the week. We never could've even imagined a team like ours fitting together like it did. We never could've asked for anything that the Lord freely gave to us. When I got home I realized that's what the Lord wants me to claim for my life. I can't ask for or imagine big enough the things that He's going to give me. I can ask for the small - which is what I'm doing now and it seems huge but I know He'll give me more than that. I can't wait! I just have to hold on for the ride.
Bring it on Lord! Bring it on!
Before leaving and even during the first part of the week that we were there I wasn't expecting much from the Lord. I was just glad to be out of the country and a part of another mission trip. I really looked forward to it but I really thought it would be just another mission trip.
Throughout the course of the week what I learned was that God answers prayer that I don't remember uttering; he allows us to be a part of experiences that will forever teach us; he brings us into contact with other believers to strengthen His body of believers; he puts in frong of us impossible situations because He wants us to understand who completes the work.
The beginning part of the week was normal. We went to church on Sunday and began our construction on Monday - removing old flooring, laying cement, waterproofing the roof, cleaning away some mold and mildew in a room and a pit that backed up to the room, sealing the room, laying carpet. All these things we worked on all week long. None of us could have ever imagined that we would get them finished, not to mention the fact that eight out of the eleven of us got sick during the last part of the week. He truly completed all of these tasks.
Here's where it gets cool though. Wednesday and Thursday we were able to partner with a group in Mexico City called Casa Alianza (Covenant House). This organization works with street children. They go to them, play games with them, teach them about the dangers of drugs, sex trafficking, rape, living on the streets and then offer them a better choice - the choice to come and live at Casa Alianza. The deal is however, that in order to live at Casa Alianza, the kids have to be willing to leave behind their drugs. On Thursday I went to Casa Alianza. Because everything up to this point in the trip had been routine for me, I was really hoping that the Lord would challenge me this day - speak to me, change me, something. I had placed all my eggs in one basket for the Lord to do his part. So, we get to Casa Alianza and Emanuel and I are teamed up with Fransisco and Erika. We leave Casa Alianza to go talk to Juan about coming back to the crisis center with us. We find him curled up under newspaper right outside of a metro station asleep and can't convince him. Fransisco and Erika promise to come back on Saturday. The next stop is supposed to be at a hospital where a young boy had been admitted because he had swallowed the inhalent that most of the children who live on the street use. On the way there however, we found two boys sleeping at a metro station so we stopped and played uno with them for a while. Then Fransisco and Erika convinced them to come back to Casa Alianza with us for a shower and a change of clothes. Fransisco headed on to the hospital to visit the boy who swallowed the inhalent. When we got to the crisis center we simply played more games with Julian and Gabriel (the two boys) and then Erika walked them through some of the dangers of living on the street. They had just run away from home the day before and when asked said that no one would miss them. I was really hoping that they would choose to stay at the home but they just wanted the clothes and food and to return to the metro station. After that, Emanuel and I didn't leave the home. It was 12 and we weren't supposed to return to the children's home where we were staying all week until 5:00 and we were through for the day. When the other team returned I was so disappointed. They hadn't stopped all day. They had encounter after encounter with children who were huffing while talking to them, children who wouldn't give up their drugs, they played soccer with some. They just didn't quit until they came back to Casa Alianza. I was upset that I hadn't had a better day - that was supposed to be my challenge. That was the day I told the Lord to speak to me! When we returned to the Chidlren's Home I journaled some. I asked the Lord, no, I told the Lord that if that wasn't going to be the day that He needed to speak to me another day. Then, however, he removed a veil from my eyes and began to teach me things I hadn't thought of until then. He showed me that I continually ask for more while I'm in the States and when He gives me that gift - it isn't good enough. I need to be thankful for what He gives. He revealed to me that ministering to street children wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. Playing games with them was easy and I could do it! That wasn't something I expected. He showed me the fluidity those who work at Casa Alianza have. They had an appointment with someone else when they stopped to play Uno with those two young boys. If it had been me, I might would have kept going hoping they would be there on the way back. They understood the importance of every single child and they trusted that every single one would get visited that day. Then, the most important lesson I learned from those that work at Casa Alianza that day was persistance in the face of addiction. I learned what it looks like to keep hoping even when it seems like there is no hope. I saw what it must look like for the father to continually come after us. The folks at Casa Alianza offer so much more to these children than what they have - clean clothes, shelter, food, rehabilitation, and most importantly a future. Most of the time these children reject their offers because they want to remain where they are, where it is comfortable. It was an incredible picture to me that day of the God who pursues us.
Friday we finished the floors in the church and on Saturday we got to go to the Pyramids that the Aztecs built. Only two civilizations in the world built pyramids - the Egyptians and the Aztecs and I got to climb one of them. What a cool day - despite a sunburn on the back of my legs.
Then Sunday came. Gamaliel spoke that morning on Isaiah 6:1 - 8. What's funny is that I was content. I had learned my lesson (or so I thought) and had forgotten (almost) that I told the Lord to speak to me since he hadn't on the day I went to Casa Alianza (even though he obviously did). What's cool is that the Lord didn't forget my prayer and was faithful even though I didn't need him to speak or at least I didn't think I needed him to. Anyway, Gammy spoke and he talked about the Lord asking all of us the question "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" He talked about how the day he went with Casa Alianza he forgot that those children were dirty and stunk but remembered that the Lord loved them. He talked about the hard places that the Lord calls us to. I remembered then how I heard a sermon once about the verses after verse 8 where God tells Isaiah what He wants him to do. He tells him he will preach and preach and their hearts will get fat and that He will weed them away until only a stump is left. I just kept thinking about how it's not always easy what God calls us to do. Then I realized what I had been doing. I had been taking away what I promised the Lord. A long time ago I said to the Lord what Isaiah said, "Here am I. Send me!" When I was young he called me to be a missionary and since then he has been confirming it. The hard part however, is that Marty and I's callings don't line up and we have a hard time trying to figure out how it will work. So, Sunday morning I realized that what I had been doing was conditioning my response to God. I was telling him that perhaps short-term missions is what He's called me to do. I was telling him that perhaps since the challenge is harder at home that perhaps incarnational ministry is what He's called me to do. Sunday mornig he struck my heart. He told me that I couldn't do that anymore. I had given him all of myself a long time ago and I couldn't take it back. He wasn't taking His calling back - I couldn't take myself back. I was trying to figure it out on my own. He convicted me of that too. It's about trust and faith and allowing him to work it out.
All week long I kept remembering the verse, "Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We never could've asked for or imagined the things that we accompished at the beginning of the week. We never could've even imagined a team like ours fitting together like it did. We never could've asked for anything that the Lord freely gave to us. When I got home I realized that's what the Lord wants me to claim for my life. I can't ask for or imagine big enough the things that He's going to give me. I can ask for the small - which is what I'm doing now and it seems huge but I know He'll give me more than that. I can't wait! I just have to hold on for the ride.
Bring it on Lord! Bring it on!
Friday, October 14, 2005
Isolation vs. Community
At the Catalyst Conference we watched a video about a group of families who share a house. Each family has a floor, they share a common eating space and they always share meals. These families, mind you, are not just married couples. They are married with children. They help raise each other's children and walk through life together. Sounds ideal, right?
On closer inspection, I thought, how would I feel about one of my friends disciplining my child? In essence, that's what they're allowing each other to do. How would I feel about always having someone else in my house - sharing meals, sharing living space? Who would do the dishes? Would there be rules and if so, someone, if not, everyone would break them. How often would there be fights? How often would I actually get along with my friends once I started to live with them?
One of the speakers at Catalyst (I think it was Bill Hybels but I can't be sure) said, "Young adults speak so openly about community and how you long for it but I rarely see you live it - take part in it." Ouch.
I want it. I talk about it. I desire it. But I live in isolation. I don't know my neighbors and I know that if I lived with any of my friends there would come a time when we would come close to losing our frienship.
Then I think, isn't that why we should choose community though? I can like you as long as your nice to me and as long as I show you everything that's great about me. Can I love you through your sin? Can I love you through your faults?
Marriage is a form of community - I can't choose to walk away from Marty. We're in this forever. But my friends? My neighbors? If you get on my nerves I can just walk away from you until it blows over. That's just not true friendship really. That's not true relationship. That's not true community.
It wouldn't be pretty, true community. However, I honestly believe that if the world could see a picture of community among Christians they would be drawn to Christ. They would see a love that passes from the superficial into what matters - the bone and the marrow.
I guess these are just the beginning thoughts and I haven't really come to any conclusion. I know I'm not ready to move into a house with another set of married friends. I know community looks different in different settings but what I'm tired of is talking about it and continuing to live in isolation.
Where does the rubber meet the road? Where do we begin?
On closer inspection, I thought, how would I feel about one of my friends disciplining my child? In essence, that's what they're allowing each other to do. How would I feel about always having someone else in my house - sharing meals, sharing living space? Who would do the dishes? Would there be rules and if so, someone, if not, everyone would break them. How often would there be fights? How often would I actually get along with my friends once I started to live with them?
One of the speakers at Catalyst (I think it was Bill Hybels but I can't be sure) said, "Young adults speak so openly about community and how you long for it but I rarely see you live it - take part in it." Ouch.
I want it. I talk about it. I desire it. But I live in isolation. I don't know my neighbors and I know that if I lived with any of my friends there would come a time when we would come close to losing our frienship.
Then I think, isn't that why we should choose community though? I can like you as long as your nice to me and as long as I show you everything that's great about me. Can I love you through your sin? Can I love you through your faults?
Marriage is a form of community - I can't choose to walk away from Marty. We're in this forever. But my friends? My neighbors? If you get on my nerves I can just walk away from you until it blows over. That's just not true friendship really. That's not true relationship. That's not true community.
It wouldn't be pretty, true community. However, I honestly believe that if the world could see a picture of community among Christians they would be drawn to Christ. They would see a love that passes from the superficial into what matters - the bone and the marrow.
I guess these are just the beginning thoughts and I haven't really come to any conclusion. I know I'm not ready to move into a house with another set of married friends. I know community looks different in different settings but what I'm tired of is talking about it and continuing to live in isolation.
Where does the rubber meet the road? Where do we begin?
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
The Catalyst Conference
Last Thursday and Friday I was able to attend the Catalyst Conference where I got to hear Andy Stanley, Louie Giglio, Donald Miller, Malcolm Gladwell and Erwin McManus speak. I've just been going through my notes and I'm overwhelmed at the knowledge God imparted to me through these speakers in just a short amount of time. I want to make sure I unwrap it all and do so slowly so that I don't miss anything but for today I wanted to share with you the notes I took from Erwin McManus' session. By far, he was the one who spoke to me the most and I believe he is speaking to the church. He is a prophetic voice for this time. So, I thought I would share.
John 9. This is the Scripture verse where Jesus heals a blind man by putting spitting in the dirt, making mud and putting it on his eyes. Then he tells the blind man who now has mud all over his face to go to the pool of Siloam and wash it off. Right! How does the blind man get there? Why doesn't Jesus just touch him and heal him? Erwin explained that the word Siloam means sent. And here's where it starts to get really good.
We're all chasing daylight - like the blind man. Sometimes we're just like the blind man, walking around with mud caked on our face but we all must go to the place we're sent. Jesus won't do everything for us - he wants us to go. He's sending us. There are some things Jesus leaves for us to do. Many times it doesn't make sense to anyone else except us.
Then Erwin said there are five paradigm shifts the church has to make in order to stop being relevant and to start leading the way! We let culture dictate our order, our programs, our ministry. We need to be leading the way, not trying to catch up. He said that the following five things will enable us to lead the way.
1. We need to shift from standardization to uniqueness. We're known for standardization. We tell people they have to become like everyone else. We lose our instinct for what's real. If you want to find out God's unique fingerprint on your life go where Jesus is.
2. We need to move from utility to creativity. We plug people in rather than try to light them up. (I think this one was my favorite one) Move from visionary to visional. Move from a dream God has given us to a people who God has given dreams! We need to become a people who believe in the passionate gifting of every human being. Become the place where people discover that people were created to create. The sin that is consuming us is average. The defining moment of this movement is that it would be full of dreamers and visionaries.
3. We need to shift from homogeny to diversity. We need to be a place where we actually start liking people (yikes) - people different than us. You want people to go to church with you but you don't want people to live their lives with you. You want the church to be a lie. People don't leave their tribes without their leaders. Make space for leaders who are different than us. Homogeny communicates that we are everything. People should be your highest value. Go out and love them into a relationship with God.
4. Reject pragmatism and move toward mysticism. People are becoming increasingly spiritual and people are walking away from the church because they don't consider the church spiritual enough. We are intrinsically spirits and we know stuff we don't know how we know (he gave the example here of Peter knowing Christ was the Son of God and Jesus told him there was no other way he could have known that than by the spirit). Step into the invisible reality of the kingdom of God. You know when you love someone? You can't test that. We need to become a movement of mystical warriors. People are looking for evidence that you have been with God.
5. Shift from conviction to compassion! (My heart sang and was convicted all at the same time over this one.) The Holy Spirit convicts. He tells us to go and be compassion and wrap them in this insane love. People without God are asking if love really exists.
All this that is happening is to bring him glory - even if we have to go there with mud on our face.
Woohoo! Go Erwin! That's all I wanted to say for the rest of the day!
John 9. This is the Scripture verse where Jesus heals a blind man by putting spitting in the dirt, making mud and putting it on his eyes. Then he tells the blind man who now has mud all over his face to go to the pool of Siloam and wash it off. Right! How does the blind man get there? Why doesn't Jesus just touch him and heal him? Erwin explained that the word Siloam means sent. And here's where it starts to get really good.
We're all chasing daylight - like the blind man. Sometimes we're just like the blind man, walking around with mud caked on our face but we all must go to the place we're sent. Jesus won't do everything for us - he wants us to go. He's sending us. There are some things Jesus leaves for us to do. Many times it doesn't make sense to anyone else except us.
Then Erwin said there are five paradigm shifts the church has to make in order to stop being relevant and to start leading the way! We let culture dictate our order, our programs, our ministry. We need to be leading the way, not trying to catch up. He said that the following five things will enable us to lead the way.
1. We need to shift from standardization to uniqueness. We're known for standardization. We tell people they have to become like everyone else. We lose our instinct for what's real. If you want to find out God's unique fingerprint on your life go where Jesus is.
2. We need to move from utility to creativity. We plug people in rather than try to light them up. (I think this one was my favorite one) Move from visionary to visional. Move from a dream God has given us to a people who God has given dreams! We need to become a people who believe in the passionate gifting of every human being. Become the place where people discover that people were created to create. The sin that is consuming us is average. The defining moment of this movement is that it would be full of dreamers and visionaries.
3. We need to shift from homogeny to diversity. We need to be a place where we actually start liking people (yikes) - people different than us. You want people to go to church with you but you don't want people to live their lives with you. You want the church to be a lie. People don't leave their tribes without their leaders. Make space for leaders who are different than us. Homogeny communicates that we are everything. People should be your highest value. Go out and love them into a relationship with God.
4. Reject pragmatism and move toward mysticism. People are becoming increasingly spiritual and people are walking away from the church because they don't consider the church spiritual enough. We are intrinsically spirits and we know stuff we don't know how we know (he gave the example here of Peter knowing Christ was the Son of God and Jesus told him there was no other way he could have known that than by the spirit). Step into the invisible reality of the kingdom of God. You know when you love someone? You can't test that. We need to become a movement of mystical warriors. People are looking for evidence that you have been with God.
5. Shift from conviction to compassion! (My heart sang and was convicted all at the same time over this one.) The Holy Spirit convicts. He tells us to go and be compassion and wrap them in this insane love. People without God are asking if love really exists.
All this that is happening is to bring him glory - even if we have to go there with mud on our face.
Woohoo! Go Erwin! That's all I wanted to say for the rest of the day!
Friday, September 30, 2005
I took a trip to the beach last week. While hanging out with my family was incredible - some other really great stuff happened. So, here they are.
I realized that for far too long I have been placing my worth in earthly terms and seeing myself perhaps how other people do or don't see me instead of trying to hear and understand how my Father sees me. I've really got to start listening to him speak his love for me more often. A couple of weeks ago I read the verse in Psalm 139 that says, "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Say what? I have never praised him for that. If anything I have only cursed him for how I am made. I've praised him for who He is but never for who I am. But His word says I should so - I'm going to start. My earthly relationships hinge on how well I understand how much He loves me. I can't give something I don't understand.
The other thing I learned is that understanding my self worth is a part of the freedom He gives through His spirit. When it comes to freedom I'm really not grasping the full picture. You know that commercial where the girl is walking down the street listening to an MP3 player that is also her cell phone and her shadow is dancing around like crazy? Most of the time I feel like that's me. Like there's this other person just dying to get out and start dancing but she can't because I'm restricting her to the rules that have bound me for so long - the rules of church, the rules of what you're supposed to look like as a good girl, the rules of how much you're supposed to be involved and what you are or aren't supposed to say. All she wants to do is dance - there's praise in that, praise to the Father and good church girls just don't dance - even when the song that's playing is a praise and worship song. So, I'm working on understanding the freedom God gives and how to use it to edify the church. There's an entirely new ball of wax.
The last thing God rekindled in me was the desire He has always seemed to blow on. After months of simply being - he reminded me this week of my place within His will as servant and friend and that neither one of those titles are inactive - but active and require great faith and perhaps huge amounts of trust to be carried out. I'm not okay with the idea that there are 33,000 people dying of malnutrition everyday and that I spend most of my time every week in an office building where I do little to change that fact. I'm not okay with the idea that there are even more people who don't know the love of my Savior and are dying without him and I do even less about that! My sin of inaction was overwhelming this week. I've been asking him for years now to use me. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. I want out of my comfort zone. I want out of a comfortable life and into something that makes a difference.
What I'm grateful for is that while the Lord was speaking to me about faith - He was also speaking to Marty about faith. I'm so glad I have a husband who is seeking the same way I am and that we're both after something that we understand is bigger than ourselves.
How about you? What's the Lord saying to you right now?
I realized that for far too long I have been placing my worth in earthly terms and seeing myself perhaps how other people do or don't see me instead of trying to hear and understand how my Father sees me. I've really got to start listening to him speak his love for me more often. A couple of weeks ago I read the verse in Psalm 139 that says, "I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Say what? I have never praised him for that. If anything I have only cursed him for how I am made. I've praised him for who He is but never for who I am. But His word says I should so - I'm going to start. My earthly relationships hinge on how well I understand how much He loves me. I can't give something I don't understand.
The other thing I learned is that understanding my self worth is a part of the freedom He gives through His spirit. When it comes to freedom I'm really not grasping the full picture. You know that commercial where the girl is walking down the street listening to an MP3 player that is also her cell phone and her shadow is dancing around like crazy? Most of the time I feel like that's me. Like there's this other person just dying to get out and start dancing but she can't because I'm restricting her to the rules that have bound me for so long - the rules of church, the rules of what you're supposed to look like as a good girl, the rules of how much you're supposed to be involved and what you are or aren't supposed to say. All she wants to do is dance - there's praise in that, praise to the Father and good church girls just don't dance - even when the song that's playing is a praise and worship song. So, I'm working on understanding the freedom God gives and how to use it to edify the church. There's an entirely new ball of wax.
The last thing God rekindled in me was the desire He has always seemed to blow on. After months of simply being - he reminded me this week of my place within His will as servant and friend and that neither one of those titles are inactive - but active and require great faith and perhaps huge amounts of trust to be carried out. I'm not okay with the idea that there are 33,000 people dying of malnutrition everyday and that I spend most of my time every week in an office building where I do little to change that fact. I'm not okay with the idea that there are even more people who don't know the love of my Savior and are dying without him and I do even less about that! My sin of inaction was overwhelming this week. I've been asking him for years now to use me. I'm beginning to sound like a broken record. I want out of my comfort zone. I want out of a comfortable life and into something that makes a difference.
What I'm grateful for is that while the Lord was speaking to me about faith - He was also speaking to Marty about faith. I'm so glad I have a husband who is seeking the same way I am and that we're both after something that we understand is bigger than ourselves.
How about you? What's the Lord saying to you right now?
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Thursday, September 22, 2005
I hate this feeling. Failure. It comes out of nowhere most days. It sucks the most when you've really been trying hard to accomplish something - to conquer that which seems to keep tripping you up. And there you are again - flat on your face, feeling as if nothing has been learned. This struggle is hard.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Found this here
I found this great article this morning on the armybarmy blog. Stephen Court posted it but I don't want anyone to miss it. So, I'm going to put it here as well. It's an article an aethiest wrote to a newspaper. He's also written a book on the Booths. See what you think.
Faith Does Breed Charity We atheists have to accept that most believers are better human beings. Roy Hattersley By Guardian Newspapers, 9/12/2005
Hurricane Katrina did not stay on the front pages for long. Yesterday's Red Cross appeal for an extra 40,000 volunteer workers was virtually ignored. The disaster will return to the headlines when one sort of newspaper reports a particularly gruesome discovery or another finds additional evidence of President Bush's negligence. But month after month of unremitting suffering is not news. Nor is the monotonous performance of the unpleasant tasks that relieve the pain and anguish of the old, the sick and the homeless - the tasks in which the Salvation Army specialise. The Salvation Army has been given a special status as provider-in-chief of American disaster relief. But its work is being augmented by all sorts of other groups. Almost all of them have a religious origin and character. Notable by their absence are teams from rationalist societies, free thinkers' clubs and atheists' associations - the sort of people who not only scoff at religion's intellectual absurdity but also regard it as a positive force for evil. The arguments against religion are well known and persuasive. Faith schools, as they are now called, have left sectarian scars on Northern Ireland. Stem-cell research is forbidden because an imaginary God - who is not enough of a philosopher to realise that the ingenuity of a scientist is just as natural as the instinct of Rousseau's noble savage - condemns what he does not understand and the churches that follow his teaching forbid their members to pursue cures for lethal diseases. Yet men and women who believe that the Pope is the devil incarnate, or (conversely) regard his ex cathedra pronouncements as holy writ, are the people most likely to take the risks and make the sacrifices involved in helping others. Last week a middle-ranking officer of the Salvation Army, who gave up a well-paid job to devote his life to the poor, attempted to convince me that homosexuality is a mortal sin. Late at night, on the streets of one of our great cities, that man offers friendship as well as help to the most degraded and (to those of a censorious turn of mind) degenerate human beings who exist just outside the boundaries of our society. And he does what he believes to be his Christian duty without the slightest suggestion of disapproval. Yet, for much of his time, he is meeting needs that result from conduct he regards as intrinsically wicked. Civilised people do not believe that drug addiction and male prostitution offend against divine ordinance. But those who do are the men and women most willing to change the fetid bandages, replace the sodden sleeping bags and - probably most difficult of all - argue, without a trace of impatience, that the time has come for some serious medical treatment. Good works, John Wesley insisted, are no guarantee of a place in heaven. But they are most likely to be performed by people who believe that heaven exists. The correlation is so clear that it is impossible to doubt that faith and charity go hand in hand. The close relationship may have something to do with the belief that we are all God's children, or it may be the result of a primitive conviction that, although helping others is no guarantee of salvation, it is prudent to be recorded in a book of gold, like James Leigh Hunt's Abu Ben Adam, as "one who loves his fellow men". Whatever the reason, believers answer the call, and not just the Salvation Army. When I was a local councillor, the Little Sisters of the Poor - right at the other end of the theological spectrum - did the weekly washing for women in back-to-back houses who were too ill to scrub for themselves. It ought to be possible to live a Christian life without being a Christian or, better still, to take Christianity à la carte. The Bible is so full of contradictions that we can accept or reject its moral advice according to taste. Yet men and women who, like me, cannot accept the mysteries and the miracles do not go out with the Salvation Army at night. The only possible conclusion is that faith comes with a packet of moral imperatives that, while they do not condition the attitude of all believers, influence enough of them to make them morally superior to atheists like me. The truth may make us free. But it has not made us as admirable as the average captain in the Salvation Army. © Guardian Newspapers Limited
Faith Does Breed Charity We atheists have to accept that most believers are better human beings. Roy Hattersley By Guardian Newspapers, 9/12/2005
Hurricane Katrina did not stay on the front pages for long. Yesterday's Red Cross appeal for an extra 40,000 volunteer workers was virtually ignored. The disaster will return to the headlines when one sort of newspaper reports a particularly gruesome discovery or another finds additional evidence of President Bush's negligence. But month after month of unremitting suffering is not news. Nor is the monotonous performance of the unpleasant tasks that relieve the pain and anguish of the old, the sick and the homeless - the tasks in which the Salvation Army specialise. The Salvation Army has been given a special status as provider-in-chief of American disaster relief. But its work is being augmented by all sorts of other groups. Almost all of them have a religious origin and character. Notable by their absence are teams from rationalist societies, free thinkers' clubs and atheists' associations - the sort of people who not only scoff at religion's intellectual absurdity but also regard it as a positive force for evil. The arguments against religion are well known and persuasive. Faith schools, as they are now called, have left sectarian scars on Northern Ireland. Stem-cell research is forbidden because an imaginary God - who is not enough of a philosopher to realise that the ingenuity of a scientist is just as natural as the instinct of Rousseau's noble savage - condemns what he does not understand and the churches that follow his teaching forbid their members to pursue cures for lethal diseases. Yet men and women who believe that the Pope is the devil incarnate, or (conversely) regard his ex cathedra pronouncements as holy writ, are the people most likely to take the risks and make the sacrifices involved in helping others. Last week a middle-ranking officer of the Salvation Army, who gave up a well-paid job to devote his life to the poor, attempted to convince me that homosexuality is a mortal sin. Late at night, on the streets of one of our great cities, that man offers friendship as well as help to the most degraded and (to those of a censorious turn of mind) degenerate human beings who exist just outside the boundaries of our society. And he does what he believes to be his Christian duty without the slightest suggestion of disapproval. Yet, for much of his time, he is meeting needs that result from conduct he regards as intrinsically wicked. Civilised people do not believe that drug addiction and male prostitution offend against divine ordinance. But those who do are the men and women most willing to change the fetid bandages, replace the sodden sleeping bags and - probably most difficult of all - argue, without a trace of impatience, that the time has come for some serious medical treatment. Good works, John Wesley insisted, are no guarantee of a place in heaven. But they are most likely to be performed by people who believe that heaven exists. The correlation is so clear that it is impossible to doubt that faith and charity go hand in hand. The close relationship may have something to do with the belief that we are all God's children, or it may be the result of a primitive conviction that, although helping others is no guarantee of salvation, it is prudent to be recorded in a book of gold, like James Leigh Hunt's Abu Ben Adam, as "one who loves his fellow men". Whatever the reason, believers answer the call, and not just the Salvation Army. When I was a local councillor, the Little Sisters of the Poor - right at the other end of the theological spectrum - did the weekly washing for women in back-to-back houses who were too ill to scrub for themselves. It ought to be possible to live a Christian life without being a Christian or, better still, to take Christianity à la carte. The Bible is so full of contradictions that we can accept or reject its moral advice according to taste. Yet men and women who, like me, cannot accept the mysteries and the miracles do not go out with the Salvation Army at night. The only possible conclusion is that faith comes with a packet of moral imperatives that, while they do not condition the attitude of all believers, influence enough of them to make them morally superior to atheists like me. The truth may make us free. But it has not made us as admirable as the average captain in the Salvation Army. © Guardian Newspapers Limited
Friday, September 16, 2005
Morning Blend
This morning I went to Starbucks. I ordered something much closer to desert than coffee. I asked them to make it "light" so that I wouldn't feel bad about my choice. Then....oh, and then....they let me call it breakfast!!!
Oh how I love Starbucks!
Oh how I love Starbucks!
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Leading from the Margins
I never read links. Hardly ever. But the article linked to the title is worth the read. It was relevant to me anyway. I hope you enjoy!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)