I am sure you have heard me beat this drum. I would apologize for this . . . . but I think the 99% would get pretty pissed . . . and if I were God, I would be pretty pissed.
You are in the top 1% of wealthy people in the world. The top 1% . . . . (Actually you are probably higher, but this should catch all of us since you simply need a household income of $40-$50k to hit the 1%)
This really makes me think about how I seem to live paycheck . . . .
Check it out at:
http://www.globalrichlist.com/
(It's interesting, someone making $10/hr. is in the top 5% . . . . do we train our kids to think of 'menial labor' jobs in this light?)
Also some interesting facts
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_inequality
P.S. God can see the whole world.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Ephesians 5
Ever since we read Ephesians 5 in church I have been reflecting on it:
The way of love ... not a hint ... children of light .... rise from the dead .... be very careful how you live .... sing to the Lord ... always giving thanks.
Heavy stuff. No real studying needed here, just some surrendering ..... just some joining hands with the Spirit.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse
The way of love ... not a hint ... children of light .... rise from the dead .... be very careful how you live .... sing to the Lord ... always giving thanks.
Heavy stuff. No real studying needed here, just some surrendering ..... just some joining hands with the Spirit.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Friday, September 13, 2013
Hedging Our Bets
So long as we imagine it is we who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way about—He is looking for us. —Simon Tugwell
Can it possibly get any more uncertain than this? We so long for life to be better than it is. We wish the beauty and love and adventure would stay and that someone strong and kind would show us how to make the Arrows go away. We hope that God will be our hero. Of all the people in the universe, he could stop the Arrows and arrange for just a little more blessing in our lives. He can spin the earth, change the weather, topple governments, obliterate armies, and resurrect the dead. Is it too much to ask that he intervene in our story? But he often seems aloof, almost indifferent to our plight, so entirely out of our control. Would it be any worse if there were no God? If he didn't exist, at least we wouldn't get our hopes up. We could settle once and for all that we really are alone in the universe and get on with surviving as best we may.
This is, in fact, how many professing Christians end up living: as practical agnostics. Perhaps God will come through, perhaps he won't, so I'll be hanged if I'll live as though he had to come through. I'll hedge my bets and if he does show up, so much the better. The simple word for this is godlessness. Like a lover who's been wronged, we guard our heart against future disappointment.
Edlredge
Are you guarding your heart, or have you given it to God? Answer truthfully, it's a very important question, that he and you both know the answer to already . . . . how can we do anything (Love God, Love Others, be sanctified, etc.) without this first.
Can it possibly get any more uncertain than this? We so long for life to be better than it is. We wish the beauty and love and adventure would stay and that someone strong and kind would show us how to make the Arrows go away. We hope that God will be our hero. Of all the people in the universe, he could stop the Arrows and arrange for just a little more blessing in our lives. He can spin the earth, change the weather, topple governments, obliterate armies, and resurrect the dead. Is it too much to ask that he intervene in our story? But he often seems aloof, almost indifferent to our plight, so entirely out of our control. Would it be any worse if there were no God? If he didn't exist, at least we wouldn't get our hopes up. We could settle once and for all that we really are alone in the universe and get on with surviving as best we may.
This is, in fact, how many professing Christians end up living: as practical agnostics. Perhaps God will come through, perhaps he won't, so I'll be hanged if I'll live as though he had to come through. I'll hedge my bets and if he does show up, so much the better. The simple word for this is godlessness. Like a lover who's been wronged, we guard our heart against future disappointment.
Edlredge
Are you guarding your heart, or have you given it to God? Answer truthfully, it's a very important question, that he and you both know the answer to already . . . . how can we do anything (Love God, Love Others, be sanctified, etc.) without this first.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Our Situation
Let me say this again: the story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it. I hope you are beginning to see that more clearly now. Otherwise, much of the Bible will not make sense to you. Much of your life will not make sense to you.
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isa. 45:2-3)
Let me say this again: the story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it. I hope you are beginning to see that more clearly now. Otherwise, much of the Bible will not make sense to you. Much of your life will not make sense to you.
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isa. 45:2-3)
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Now that's music to my ears!
These kind of stories absolutely ROCK!
Lives in a house of concrete and sheet metal, and makes it to the National Symphony at 18. Can I get a Pabama!?
http://blog.worldvision.org/sponsorship/former-sponsored-child-makes-guatemalas-national-orchestra/
Lives in a house of concrete and sheet metal, and makes it to the National Symphony at 18. Can I get a Pabama!?
http://blog.worldvision.org/sponsorship/former-sponsored-child-makes-guatemalas-national-orchestra/