"ONE" Day More
I don't know if I helped anyone else enjoy it, but I enjoyed worship today. The sermon was also one I connected with. Mike has been on an extended kick about being in the world and active among all of God's people rather than just those we are like. I really wonder what this says about some things Christians champion like home-schooling or Christian schools or country clubs or other such things. I graduated from a Christian school myself (although it also bore the nickname of North Judge Ely Reform School) and perhaps in doing so was sheltered (although I rather doubt it). It is just interesting to think about things that are separatist in their very nature in light of being missional. I know that's probably controversial, but Jesus was kind of funny that way.
Speaking of controversy, how about I stick my foot in it a little deeper and come out against the "ONE" Campaign as I currently understand it. I have actually been thinking and praying about this notion of Third World debt forgiveness for a while now, and I see a danger there. Using Africa as an example, we are not talking about a poor continent. Rather, we are talking about a continent that is rich in natural beauty and resources but populated with an abundance of poor people. These people have been victimized by wealthy oppressors and increasing the power of these oppressors has served to further create hardships for the poor. I fear that to merely obliterate debt obligations might increase the power of the unscrupulous instead of helping those in need. I think debt forgiveness can only be done successfully if controls are established and enforced that allow the countries in question to be governed by the people so they are the ultimate beneficiaries. I suppose that to some this might sound like a transaction in exchage for democracy, but to do something without the proper controls would be irresponsible and true example of the paving potential of good intentions. Guarding against this would create an environment wherein trade and commerce could thrive and jobs would be created for many rather than wealth for a few.
The song we were looking for on SMILE was "Smile." I know, it was a real stretch. THe words are:
Smile and the world smiles with you sing a song
Don't be dreary. Just be cheery all day long.
Whenever your trials your troubles and your cares
Seem to be more than you can really bear
Just smile and the world smiles with you sing a song!
I know that one because I used to be a Kiwanian but that is for another blog. Anyway, nobody got that one. The next topic is ICE CREAM. Go for it (but don't get any on you).
**This just in: I have a really pretty wife. Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging.**
Right now I am listening to four little giggling girls sing karaoke back in Michal Kate's room. They are singing the following lie: "We Got the Beat." It is very cute, but they scatter like scared rats if you try to go in there and watch.
That's all for now.
Speaking of controversy, how about I stick my foot in it a little deeper and come out against the "ONE" Campaign as I currently understand it. I have actually been thinking and praying about this notion of Third World debt forgiveness for a while now, and I see a danger there. Using Africa as an example, we are not talking about a poor continent. Rather, we are talking about a continent that is rich in natural beauty and resources but populated with an abundance of poor people. These people have been victimized by wealthy oppressors and increasing the power of these oppressors has served to further create hardships for the poor. I fear that to merely obliterate debt obligations might increase the power of the unscrupulous instead of helping those in need. I think debt forgiveness can only be done successfully if controls are established and enforced that allow the countries in question to be governed by the people so they are the ultimate beneficiaries. I suppose that to some this might sound like a transaction in exchage for democracy, but to do something without the proper controls would be irresponsible and true example of the paving potential of good intentions. Guarding against this would create an environment wherein trade and commerce could thrive and jobs would be created for many rather than wealth for a few.
The song we were looking for on SMILE was "Smile." I know, it was a real stretch. THe words are:
Smile and the world smiles with you sing a song
Don't be dreary. Just be cheery all day long.
Whenever your trials your troubles and your cares
Seem to be more than you can really bear
Just smile and the world smiles with you sing a song!
I know that one because I used to be a Kiwanian but that is for another blog. Anyway, nobody got that one. The next topic is ICE CREAM. Go for it (but don't get any on you).
**This just in: I have a really pretty wife. Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging.**
Right now I am listening to four little giggling girls sing karaoke back in Michal Kate's room. They are singing the following lie: "We Got the Beat." It is very cute, but they scatter like scared rats if you try to go in there and watch.
That's all for now.
4 Comments:
The thing with the African countries having debt is that some of their debts were imposed on them by the World bank. We will give you this money to do the projects we think need to be done in your country. Sadly many of those things (highways and such) did not stimulate the economy in the said countries and only increased the nation level of poverty. I understand where you are coming from but having spent a very breif time in Africa, I think debt reduction or resolution is the only way that these countries will be able to make it. I just don't like the precedence it sets. Will all nations decide that we should forgive their debts? Hard issues with no easy answers!
"Your love is better than ice cream..."
-Sarah McLachlan
Sorry, all I got is the song Bill Cosby and his pre-tonsillectomy patients sang while waiting for Johnson to get back from surgery: "Ice cream! We're gonna eat ice cream!"
um...how 'bout:
I'm your ice cream man, stop me when I'm passin' by. Van Halen
'Cause I'm the ice cream man, I'm a one-man band. I'm the ice cream man, honey, I'll be good to you. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
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