Sunday, September 30, 2007

Great Poem!

A friend sent me this inspired by a word from God on waking up from the slumber of the culture of comfort... I say, bring it on Jesus - keep me awake at all costs!

i don’t want to fall asleep again
i’ve spent so long just trying to wake up
whatever it takes
driving down a dark highway
falling asleep at the wheel
i crank the tunes, stick my face out in the freezing wind
and scream with everything in me

i scream to ward off the slumber that rises
it always tries to creep in and rolls over
like a cozy blanket next to a fire
so inviting and mesmerizing
when eyes begin to blur and droop
lulled by the distant roar and familiarity

the blast of cold air catches in my lungs
and i gasp, the scream rising again
i get uncomfortable as my fingers
begin to turn blue gripping the wheel
window open in the dead of winter
and I am fully alive

a legion of eye-candy invades my senses
and tries to rock me to sleep in its arms
yet I begin to kick with one foot and then the other
and before I know it I’m running fast
and far away from its false comfort

knowing pain because it keeps me awake
sharpens my senses and my eyes discern
the very slumber that tried to turn me away
now its time to rob the grave
and breathe life on the bones that lay sleeping
a challenging intrusion
just to remain fully alive
-by Tanya Morrison

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Pray For Pakistan...


Leader of The Salvation Army in Pakistan murdered
Colonel Bo Brekke, Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory, was shot and killed yesterday, Thursday 27 September. The incident occurred in the THQ compound in Lahore in the early hours of the evening. Information to date points to an individual act of criminality. There is nothing to suggest that this is related in any way to terrorism. It is reported that a man has been arrested on possibly related charges.

The incident occurred at about 6.30 pm local time while Colonel Brekke was working alone in his office. The colonel’s wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, was in London at the time, attending meetings at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters.

A Norwegian by birth, Bo Brekke, who was 50, was commissioned as a Salvation Army officer in May 1980 and appointed in charge of the Army’s work in Brevik, Norway. The following year he transferred to local Salvation Army leadership in Denmark, the homeland of his wife. After two years in Denmark, Bo and Birgitte returned to Norway and served there until transfer to Sri Lanka at the beginning of 1987. They returned to Norway in 1993, serving there for the next two years.

Having developed a deep love for South Asia and its people, Bo and Birgitte Brekke in August 1995 were appointed as regional leaders to Bangladesh. Under their leadership the work of The Salvation Army flourished there and in 1997 the then Major Bo Brekke was appointed as Officer Commanding, with Birgitte serving alongside him as Command President of Women's Ministries and Command Youth Officer.

The late summer of 2002 saw a further change of culture and working environment as Bo and Birgitte were appointed as divisional leaders of the North Scotland Division in the United Kingdom Territory, followed by service respectively as Chief Secretary and Secretary for Mission Development in the Eastern Europe Territory. It was from there that, almost exactly one year ago (15 September 2006) Colonel Bo Brekke was appointed as Territorial Commander of the Pakistan Territory.

At the time of her husband's death, Colonel Birgitte Brekke was attending meetings at International Headquarters. She immediately flew to Norway to be with her two sons, Benjamin and Bo Christoffer, and other family members. She was accompanied by her sister who had come to London to see Birgitte while she was visiting IHQ.

General Shaw Clifton, world leader of The Salvation Army, said: ‘Colonel Bo Brekke was a Salvation Army leader of unusual and distinctive talents. Both he and his wife, Colonel Birgitte Brekke, were known for their hearts of compassion towards the marginalised. Their service together in many lands has been marked by creativity and imagination in order to reach out to the poor, giving them dignity, and also to share their personal faith as Salvationists in the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour. I have known the Brekkes for many years and have always admired them greatly. Bo Brekke was my friend. I feel blessed to have known him and to have witnessed first hand how he and Birgitte have faithfully served the needs of others.’

General Shaw Clifton and Commissioner Helen Clifton, World President of Women’s Ministries, will in due course conduct the colonel’s funeral in Oslo, Norway.
----
Pray for the family. Pray for the territory. Pray for justice. Pray for the General.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Slave Chocolate.

here's one man who took on the system... any others out there?

Thursday, September 27, 2007

School of Rock


I wondered aloud as I watched The School of Rock last night about the fascinating and effective tool of inclusion that Jack Black employed in his efforts to spread the joy of rock'n roll (ht: nm). I've a hunch he might be on to something strategic. Many people have spoken of the need in this generation to 'belong to believe' instead of the whole 'believe to belong' traditional approach to mission... Jack Black seems to embody this in his technique. From kids, to rockers to principles and parents... Black really embraces them into his 'culture' and wins them over with his passion and zeal - and reckless abandon to rock. I wonder if we were that convinced of our spirituality and freedom if more people might just want to belong and then become believers? Now that would be something to rock out about!

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

JUST LOSE NOW!


Register your team today at justsalvos.com - pay date is Jan. 31st... so there is plenty of time to get your team sorted!

Why?
Our excessive pleasures (chocolate, coffee and sex) are what enslave millions of people (mostly children) in the world’s largest slave trade ever. Our excessive behaviour also enslaves us through obesity and desire. This progression of oppression needs to be confronted. As we confront our own enslavement it can lead to freedom for everyone in the cycle. Let’s join together to stop the oppression in our own lives and then share that freedom with those trapped in the current slave trade.

Join a team of people committed to justice. We will shed our excess so that others can be free. To do that we each pay to join a JustLose team and the entry fees are sent to a trafficking project that is freeing those trapped at the other end of the slave chain. This is a friendly competition - a race to freedom. The prize will be fun (there will be a declared winner) but everyone involved will win by breaking the cycles of slavery in an excessive world.

Who?
Team of 10 committed to lose so others can gain.

How Much?
$1,000 per team to enter (that's $100 per person/that's $5 per week)

How?
Each member of the team sets a goal of percentage of body weight to lose (eg, if you are 70kgs and you want to lose 7, that’s 10%)
Everyone is accountable to one another. We suggest a weekly weigh in at your cell group or other weekly get together.
At the end of the time, the team that has lost the highest percentage of body weight ‘wins’.
JustLose is about focus on heath, self-sacrifice and spiritual responsibility. Weight loss should be a combination of exercise/activity and a balanced, healthy diet.
Teams should also consider what lifestyle choices need to be sacrificed for the sake of justice.

Winning
The Corps/Community team that ‘wins’ will have all the entry fees counted towards an earmarked trafficking project that aims to free those caught in the slave trade.

When?
JustLose is run over 5 months every year.

Health Stuff
0.5-1.0 kgs per week is the recommended healthy weight loss. Those with questions and medical conditions should consult their doctor before commencing any weight loss/exercise programme.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Light of the World


Praise the Lord for around 300 Salvationists who gathered on the International Day of Prayer for peace in Melbourne. We contemplated the scriptures, we pleaded with the Lord - young and old, all of us united for one purpose - to ask God for peace. And what a request in these violent days.... we boldly believe for God's Kingdom to come NOW as it is in heaven. I'm working for the reality of the Lion and the Lamb - together. As we left the building we lit our candles and silently witnessed to the power of peace. Following the banner - Peace on Earth and behind us, Jesus Is Our Peace - we prayer walked to the steps of Parliament (past a brothel - surprising a few 'clients' on their way out!) where we spent some time in silent prayers for the victims of violence and war in the world (90% of whom are civilians - mostly women and children). Then we declared ourselves to be peacemakers by reciting together the words of St. Francis - Lord make me an instrument of Thy Peace.
What a grand day for The Salvation Army. We literally were the light of the world - God grant that this is just the beginning of many more opportunites to bring His Kingdom here.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Love


I am convinced that love is the most durable power in the world. It is not an expression of impractical idealism, but of practical realism. Far from being the pious injunction of a Utopian dreamer, love is an absolute necessity for the survival of our civilization. To return hate for hate does nothing but intensify the existence of evil in the universe. Someone must have sense enough and religion enough to cut off the chain of hate and evil, and this can only be done through love.
-Martin Luther King, Jr. 1957

Friday, September 21, 2007

extreme rich-poor divides

(HT:PL) Here’s a quick selection of shocking photos / google maps links to start the day. they all illustrate an extreme degree of wealth divide in different parts of the world.
(above: check out the size of the tennis courts in comparison to the size of the housing on the left)
the shantytown area in the photo is called paraisópolis favela, which bizarrely translates as ‘paradise city’.
CHECK OUT THE SITE FOR MORE:

McGinty: New prostitution laws by Christmas


The report below is bad news for the prostituted persons in Australia - not to mention the many traffick victims that are hidden behind the legal wash! Although the initial arguement of legalizing prostitution suggests it's in the best interest of the prostitutes themselves, that arguement doesn't stand up to demonstration - anywhere. Everywhere they have legalized prostitution - the problems have only gotten worse and the results for women trapped in a life of oppression are horrific. Trafficking also flourishes in countries that have legal protection for pimps. I'm trying to figure out how to best mobilise the Salvos to fight this current evil... but for now - get informed... read more.
If you'd like more information on WHY LEGALIZING PROSTITUTION IS NOT THE ANSWER check out this link
Posted Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:11am AEST
Updated Wed Sep 19, 2007 8:29am AEST
Attorney General Jim McGinty says new prostitution laws should be in place by Christmas. (Getty Images: Sean Garnsworthy)
The Attorney General, Jim McGinty, is confident new prostitution laws will be in place by Christmas, despite the Liberal Party's plan to fight the legislation.
Under the legislation, brothels would be able to operate legally for the first time and it would be up to local councils to approve them.
The Liberals yesterday decided to oppose the Bill over concerns it will lead to a proliferation of brothels in the suburbs.
Mr McGinty says the legislation has the support of police and councils and he is positive it will be approved by Parliament.
"I'm confident there is a majority in both houses of Parliament to be able to pass this legislation," he said.

"This is legislation we have to have to be able to put the health of sex workers and their clients on a proper basis and be able to regulate local government planning considerations and most importantly be able to put police beyond corruption.
"This is about making a tough decision but a necessary one. A police Royal Commission said we should legalise brothels to avoid corruption. This has been something on the agenda for government's of both political complexions for quite some time now. It takes a strong government to be able to deliver these changes."
Greens MLC Giz Watson says the Liberals' concerns are unfounded.
"That's just a bit of political stirring and fearmongering about this issue," she said.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The War College announces...


The latest announcement of the new War College sessional name: Conquerors
This Session in The War College follows a noble history that includes:
Death and Glory (03-04)
Martyrs (04-05)
Holy ____ (05-06)
Revolution (06-07)
Incendiary (07-08)
and Training College Sessions such as
Conquerors Ever (1910)
Conquerors (1926)
Hallelujah.

It is based in two texts:
Romans 8:36-38 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us;

Romans 6:2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

Do you know anyone who would benefit, as you have from a year of training and fighting?
Contact thewarcollege.com for more details.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Interest free for people facing crisis


Adelaide Advertiser
Monday 17/9/2007 Page: 54 Section: Money
Region: Adelaide Circulation: 191,250 Type: Capital City Daily
Size: 84.12 sq.cms. Published: MTWTFS

Interest free for people facing crisis (ANTHONY KEANE) (Hat tip JK!)
INTEREST-FREE loans will be offered to people suffering from a financial crisis through a new program run by the Salvation Army and Savings & Loans Credit Union.
A 12-month pilot program will provide loans of up to $1000 to cover costs such as
whitegoods, medical equipment or supplies, hot water systems, funeral costs, and courses to improve employment prospects.
Strict eligibility criteria
- including willingness to participate in financial counselling will apply to the loans, which have an 18-month maximum term. Salvation Army divisional commander Major Dennis Rowe said financial difficulties could have "farreaching and devastating consequences".
"These loans will enable us to end the downward spiral and support these families
or individuals through a difficult period in their lives," he said. Savings & Loans is providing $50,000 for loans and $15,000 for financial counselling.
Chief executive Greg Connor said the program was part of the Adelaide-based
credit union's focus on corporate social responsibility.
"As a member owned organisation, we don't have the pressure to make big profits, which meanswe can focus on giving back to the community through programs such as this," Mr Connor said.

ok - so I'm thinking GREAT JOB! AND, why not more of it... how 'bout a national JUSTSalvo bank for the poor? just thinking outloud... and taking a page from Booth (over a century ago) and YUNUS (just the last few years modelling this in Bangladesh).

Monday, September 17, 2007

War and Money


"The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing wars - must be broken, or we shall be plunged into darkness of annihilation."- Martin Luther King JR
I was shocked to find out the Australia spends 55 million dollars a day on it's military efforts in the world. It's not that I hate the military it's just that there are so many things more worthy of the investment... housing, food, efforts towards peace... it actually makes me think of the things I spend my own money on. Is it ok for me to spend a hundred dollars on an ipod when people are starving to death? I've been reading The Intercessor a biography of Rees Howell - he had a principle he lived on for his whole life about meeting every need with the money he had... if he saw someone in immediate need - he met it with all he had... then the Lord constantly provided for what he needed. Simple but profound. I know a kid who'se a lot like that - fully open handed. It's cool. I'm a Rees Howell wannabe. Peace out.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Peace on Earth

if you are near Melbourne on Sept. 23rd at 7:30pm come to 69 Bourke St... we are going to pray for Peace on Earth.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

What WE think of abortion - by the women who had them...


By EIMEAR O'HAGAN and RUTH KELLY 13th September 2007
Amanda Platell reignited the abortion debate:
On the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act, the debate as to how late a woman can leave it before she terminates her pregnancy has been reignited. Yesterday in the Mail, Amanda Platell argued that the current 24-week limit should be cut. But what do women who have had abortions think? Here is one: six more to come. . .
REGRETS
Sarah Giles, 27, works in sales for a computer company. She lives with her boyfriend, Mike, 29, an estate agent, in Northampton. She says:
I think the abortion limit should definitely be reduced to 13 weeks. I was only six weeks pregnant when I had my abortion, and even then I had bonded with my baby.
Seeing the foetus on the scan - which you have to have before they will carry out the procedure - was unbearably moving. It was two years ago and I haven't been the same since.
I'd been going out with Mike for a year and a half when I got pregnant. We weren't using contraception and he freaked out. He said we didn't have the money, that it was too soon in our careers, and it would ruin our lives.
At the time, I agreed. My parents divorced when I was young and I hardly saw my father, and that's not what I wanted for my child. I wanted to be married, in a stable, loving relationship, with plenty of money.
We agreed that I would have an abortion, but I was unprepared for how I would feel about my baby, and about how I would be treated at the clinic. There were about 20 of us in at the same time, and we were herded about like cattle. It was horrible.
I had a general anaesthetic, but when I came round I was lying on a recliner chair surrounded by the other girls in the waiting room, many of them sobbing hysterically. It was like a scene from hell. There was pop music blasting out from the office, and the staff were chatting loudly, ignoring us. All I could think was: "Get me out of here."
· Why I, as a feminist, abhor how the abortion law has been so abused
After an hour, I was allowed to go home. My boyfriend drove me back as I sobbed helplessly. I was bleeding heavily, and two days later I was still in pain and bleeding.
A month after the abortion, I went to my GP to get antidepressants. I couldn't sleep - I felt awful.
Today, I still have a huge sense of loss and feel that we did the wrong thing. Mike and I are still together, although the abortion nearly split us up.
I hope that one day we'll get married and have children together - but I will never forget. Even today, I see pregnant women or happy young mothers with their babies and think: "That could have been me. It makes me cry.


Tuesday, September 11, 2007

China's prejudice...


The Chinese government says it is drafting new laws to tackle the growing gender imbalance caused by the widespread abortion of female foetuses.
The practice is already banned, but new rules are expected to set out specific punishments for parents and doctors.
China's Family Planning Association (CFPC) has revealed the extent of the imbalance - in one city there are eight young boys for every five girls.
Experts fear the phenomenon could have unpredictable social consequences.
Some believe that with millions of men unable to find a wife, there could be risks of increasing anti-social and violent behaviour. - [Including sex trafficking - Lisa]

Boys preferred

China's one-child policy, and a traditional preference for male heirs, has led many couples to try to ensure that their single offspring is a boy.
Some pay for illegal ultrasound tests to discover the sex of a foetus, and abort it if it is female.
"The root cause is traditional thinking that boys are better than girls, especially in poverty-stricken areas," Song Jiang, a population expert at Beijing's Renmin University, told the Xinhua news agency.
"Those people expect boys to support the family."
After God created women He said 'very good'. I agree...

Saturday, September 8, 2007

mary poppins london cast: PRACTICALLY PERFECT

I've found the perfect holiness theme song... enjoy!

Friday, September 7, 2007

Statement from Micah Challenge Australia Panel of Reference


To the leaders of APEC,

Greetings and welcome to Australia. Meeting as leaders of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, you act as representatives of around 41% of the world’s population. A unique gathering, APEC brings together some of the most wealthy countries in the world as well as developing countries, many of which face significant and emerging challenges for sustainable human development.

We urge that you measure the success of your deliberations and the effectiveness of policies you adopt by the benefit they bring to the poorest and most vulnerable within (and without) the borders of the 21 APEC countries. We believe that every APEC initiative should be assessed against this standard. Economic growth and free trade are not ends in themselves, but merely servants in the task of reducing poverty and achieving sustainable and equitable human development.

We ask you to be mindful of the commitments world leaders have already made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Your deliberations occur in one of the wealthiest cities of a region where 700 million people live in absolute poverty. We believe that now is the right time for APEC to advance genuine human security, take stock of progress against these anti-poverty goals, and to work to remove the scandal of “abject and dehumanising” poverty.

At your meetings, you will also consider climate change – a global human, economic, environmental and moral challenge. Our warming world can no longer afford to pay the price of our carbon-intensive industries, economies and lifestyles. We ask you to focus your discussions on the need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance international cooperation through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Developed countries must take swift and significant action to reduce emissions. They must also share technology and resources to assist developing countries pursue clean development paths and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Developing countries must make every effort to pursue clean development and environmental sustainability. All must work to address the needs and rights of the poorest and most vulnerable as they are affected by climate change.

A major focus of APEC is on facilitating economic cooperation and trade liberalization. Fair, multilateral trade rules are needed if poor nations can grow their economies and we ask that you work to revive the Doha round of negotiations of the World Trade Organisation.

We greet you in the name of the One who “upholds the cause of the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry… and sustains the fatherless and the widow” and pray that your deliberations are positive and just.

Micah Challenge Panel of Reference

Prof Michael Adams; Dave Andrews; Pastor Phil Baker; Steve Bradbury; Bishop George Browning; Gen Eva Burrows; Rev Dr Ross Clifford; Rev Tim Costello; Bishop Glenn Davies; Jack de Groot; Pastor Peter Downes; Rev Dr Dean Drayton; Hugh Evans; Dr Philip Freier; Rev Mike Frost; Rev Keith Jobberns; Dr Les Fussell; Alistair Gee; Father Brian Gore; Pastor Joy Graetz; Rev Prof James Haire; Bishop John Harrower; Rev Gregor Henderson; Alan Hirsch; Pastor Brian Houston; Dr Ian Jagelman; John Jeffries; Carolyn Kitto; Fuzz Kitto; Linda Kurti; Rev Dr Thorwald Lorenzen; Rev Ray Minniecon; Rev Dr Gordon Moyes; Paul O’Rourke; Rev Graham Paulson; Rev Dr Peter Carblis; Rev Paul Perini; Paul Peters; Bishop Pat Power; Dr Brian Rosner; Donald Shanks OBE; Tom Slater; Pastor Gary Swenson; Canon John Thew; Greg Thompson; Kim Vanden Hengel; Glenda Weldon; Ross Wilson; Dr Mark Zirnsak; Darlene Zschech

GPS Alarm Shoes for Sex Workers


Where would a good prostitute be without her (or his) signature platform shoes? In trouble, that's where. The Aphrodite projects has taken steps to protect street-walkers with Platforms. The shoes have a built in audible alarm to scare off attackers, and when the alarm is triggered, the prostitute's position is transmitted to either the police (in places where prostitution is legal) or to sex worker's rights groups.
The GPS unit uses APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) a system which uses amateur radio frequencies to send data, which, ironically, was first developed at the United States Naval Academy (all the nice girls love a sailor).
The shoes are a concept right now, albeit a working one, and can be tried out at the Gallery Aferro in Newark, New Jersey in September (15th, 22nd, and 29th). Mens and women's sizes will be available, and orders will be taken for custom builds.
Us? We're just waiting for the GPS/Google Maps mashup to help with our kerb-crawling habit.
Product page [Aphrodite Project via Neatorama]
By Charlie Sorrel August 24, 2007 | 7:08:11 AMCategories: Apparel, GPS

LISA THOMSPON (anti-trafficking rep. for the Salvation Army in the US) writes:
Underlying this article is a very fundamental truth: prostitution is inherently violent. I hardly think a pair of "alarm shoes" is going to change that. The article I just circulated about Ipswich discussed the murder of 5 women in prostitution. God only knows how many other women in prostitution have tragically met the same fate. Brothel rooms with panic buttons, alarm shoes -- they speak to the same thing -- prostitution is an institution where males feel that money gives license to their violence.

Abolition!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

THE Salvos Positional Statement on Social Justice - International


Social Justice

The Salvation Army as an international movement and an evangelical branch of the universal Christian Church, believes that all people are made in the image of God and that each person, in the eyes of God, has value, worth and dignity.

The Salvation Army has from its inception applied Biblical principles to the social problems presented by humanity and society, and this continues to be our work. We believe that Jesus Christ is the answer for humanity's deepest need.

The Bible consistently emphasises justice, and particularly social justice.

in how people are treated
in the just division of resources
in how people relate to each other
in caring for others
(Zechariah 7: 9-10)

Jesus taught the two-fold responsibility - to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,strength and mind, and your neighbour as yourself.

The Bible teaches against:

the luxury of the rich and the deprivation of the poor
pride and arrogance
indifference to the needs of others
oppression and exploitation of the poor
institutional corruption
It teaches:

responsibility and accountability for others out of our love for God.
(Romans 13: 8-10)

The Salvation Army recognises that poverty can never be completely eradicated, but acknowledges its Christian responsibility to the powerless and those suffering economic hardship. We therefore have as our purpose, to glorify God, to bring others to know Him and to so live and work in society that each person has the opportunity to live with worth and dignity.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

We Are All Prophets Now


In a stirring serman delivered August 5th, 2007 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Robert Jensen speaks of the prophetic role of God's people for our time in a serman entitled, "responsibilities and risks in the prophetic voice": here are a few sections.

"We should instead understand the prophetic as the calling out of injustice, the willingness to confront not only the abuses of the powerful but our own complicity. To speak prophetically requires us first to see honestly -- both how our world is structured by illegitimate authority that causes suffering beyond the telling, and how we who live in the privileged parts of the world are implicated in that suffering."

"To speak prophetically is to refuse to shrink from what we discover about the injustice of the world. It is to name the wars of empire as unjust; to name an economic system that leaves half the world in abject poverty as unjust; to name the dominance of men, of heterosexuals, of white people as unjust. And it is to name the human destruction of Creation as the most profound human crime in our time on this planet. At the same time, to speak prophetically is to refuse to shrink from our own place in these systems. We must confront the powers that be, and ourselves."

SOUNDS LIKE ROBERT WOULD BE A FAN OF JUSTLOSE (check out the group on facebook for more details - website coming soon).

"That process is not easy, especially in a culture that offers those of us who are privileged a steady stream of rewards for suppressing these thoughts and not facing these struggles. It is easy to turn away from injustice and turn to supermarkets with endless shelves of food, to glasses overflowing with wine, to television's stories that lull us to sleep on those nights when food and drink have not erased completely our troubling thoughts of the world."

"It's also not easy to speak prophetically because in unjust systems the people who carry out the system's orders usually don't seem to be bad people. The corporate CEO who throws workers out of their jobs to increase profits also is a great softball coach on the weekends. The colonel who orders cluster bombs dropped in civilian areas, ensuring that children will die for years to come, also is a caring parent. The real estate developer who destroys habitat to put up McMansions also keeps a lovely garden at home."

if you'd like to read the whole thing here's the link: http://www.monthlyreview.org/mrzine/jensen060807.html

Sunday, September 2, 2007

armybarmy must read (ht sec)



a bold rip-off of armybarmy but a must read (check out the link as well:
"As interest grew in serving in India, Tucker prepared a memorandum of instruction to all new candidates for service in India (they came by the hundreds), and St.John Ervine considers it one of the most heroic documents of mankind: Service will be a matter not merely of being willing to go anywhere, but of wishing to live and die for the particular race to which you are sent. You will be absolutely alone and under close scrutiny. It will be essential to learn at least one Indian language. You must leave entirely and forever behind you all your English dress and habits. Officers will be barefoot. You will avoid the English quarter, but will always live among natives – sometimes in a cave, a shady tree, or someone’s veranda – or in a mud hut 16 by 10 feet. You will cook as they do, and wash your clothes in the stream with them. You have nothing to fear from the climate. The people are different and intensely religious. . Find out what their thoughts are before you share yours. And if you are planning to return, don’t go. We would not think of sending anyone out who did not plan to make it a life work (Ervine, God’s Soldier, Vol I, page 576).

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Jesus walks by kanye west

He does walk with us... how 'bout we walk with Him?