I have made it back to Africa. I am in Dar es Salaam.
I sadly have to say my joy turned to sadness within 4 hours. I went with three others to run some errands and on our way back we saw people screaming and trying to put out a fire. A Daladala, a minivan which carrys many people as transport, somehow caught fire. Before we knew it a women with a badly burned baby came running to our car. As I sit in the front I looked back and saw the skin dripping from the baby while she cried "mama mama." We are arrived as Dar es Salaam University hospital and soon after another car arrived with another baby, and 2 adults who had been burned.
I wish I could have started with something better but T.I.A. (This is Africa)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
A response to a friend...
The big picture is not looking good. It is overwhelming. There are people in this world who are very powerful and only care about their interests.
This is what I have come up with and I think it works for me...for now. I am one person. I have the choice to make this world a better place by the time I leave it or make it worse. I choose to make it better. I am one person. I can live differently even if others don't or say it is stupid the way I live. People have lost the meaning of chershing life and seeing God in one another. What has happened to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."? What if people lived this way? What if people loved God and loved People? Instead of use God and use Peope?!
Too many people tell others that it is ok in certain circumstances to kill. I disagree. People kill with direct actions and indirect actions. Someone tells someone to kill someone or they will kill them. Just like rebel groups. What if the kids said no, I will not kill. They will probably be killed but still they didn't kill. Gangs in America kill others for street cred. and it is accepted. It's ok to kill in war. American soldiers are "hero's" for killing. Has there ever been a good war or a bad peace? Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?
All I got to say is that another world is possible. Things have been going wrong for far too long. It IS overwhelming.
I am one person and you are one person. What does this mean? To me it means that I can fight for change. I can fight for justice. I can love people, no matter what. I can give up my life for someone else but I won't take a life. I am capable of doing what is within my means. Even if this world gets worse I can say that I did what I could to make this world a better place. and in a way you have. You have affected lives. You have loved with a love that doesn't make sense to this world.
This quote is on my wall, "when we treat others with love, we help them to see God. When others treat us with love, it reminds us of how God loves us. One of the greatest things we can do to remain in God and to remain aware of God's love for us is to simply love each other."
Look at the way people interact with one another on a daily basis. This is becoming hard to find. People have become complacent and don't genuinely care about others. People look our for their own selfish gain. This needs to change. But first we have to change it in ourselves and then it may ripple towards others.
Too many people in America are concerned with the American dream. They want the luxuries, the tight ride, the big house and the retirement. What if we sacrificed that? What if financially we "loved our neighbors as ourself"? How different would things look? People buy homes and give hundreds of thousands of dollars to banks in INTEREST! and many many "christians" have fallen into this load of crap!
overall: we can change ourselves. We can't feel responsible for changing others. If we felt that way we would be belittling God. If God is as big and powerful as we hear then He is the one that can and does change hearts. even without us. Learn to live selfless. Don't deceive yourself. Leave this world a better place with the way you choose to live life. That to me is worshipping God.
This is what I have come up with and I think it works for me...for now. I am one person. I have the choice to make this world a better place by the time I leave it or make it worse. I choose to make it better. I am one person. I can live differently even if others don't or say it is stupid the way I live. People have lost the meaning of chershing life and seeing God in one another. What has happened to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."? What if people lived this way? What if people loved God and loved People? Instead of use God and use Peope?!
Too many people tell others that it is ok in certain circumstances to kill. I disagree. People kill with direct actions and indirect actions. Someone tells someone to kill someone or they will kill them. Just like rebel groups. What if the kids said no, I will not kill. They will probably be killed but still they didn't kill. Gangs in America kill others for street cred. and it is accepted. It's ok to kill in war. American soldiers are "hero's" for killing. Has there ever been a good war or a bad peace? Why do we kill people who kill people to show that killing people is wrong?
All I got to say is that another world is possible. Things have been going wrong for far too long. It IS overwhelming.
I am one person and you are one person. What does this mean? To me it means that I can fight for change. I can fight for justice. I can love people, no matter what. I can give up my life for someone else but I won't take a life. I am capable of doing what is within my means. Even if this world gets worse I can say that I did what I could to make this world a better place. and in a way you have. You have affected lives. You have loved with a love that doesn't make sense to this world.
This quote is on my wall, "when we treat others with love, we help them to see God. When others treat us with love, it reminds us of how God loves us. One of the greatest things we can do to remain in God and to remain aware of God's love for us is to simply love each other."
Look at the way people interact with one another on a daily basis. This is becoming hard to find. People have become complacent and don't genuinely care about others. People look our for their own selfish gain. This needs to change. But first we have to change it in ourselves and then it may ripple towards others.
Too many people in America are concerned with the American dream. They want the luxuries, the tight ride, the big house and the retirement. What if we sacrificed that? What if financially we "loved our neighbors as ourself"? How different would things look? People buy homes and give hundreds of thousands of dollars to banks in INTEREST! and many many "christians" have fallen into this load of crap!
overall: we can change ourselves. We can't feel responsible for changing others. If we felt that way we would be belittling God. If God is as big and powerful as we hear then He is the one that can and does change hearts. even without us. Learn to live selfless. Don't deceive yourself. Leave this world a better place with the way you choose to live life. That to me is worshipping God.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Life transformation: selfish to selfless
Last night I watched a movie and it has caused me to think about the meaning of human life. Many of our current actions towards others come from past situations. Many people react due to past pain, suffering, and at times even happiness. I always ask myself, “Do I care so much for others that I will give myself up for them?” This is a simple question to ask but not as simple to do. I believe the action of this comes from the conditioning of our hearts. Through the years I have seen many hearts hardened from past experiences. Through this humans have become disconnected.
The movie I watched focused on a man who lived through a painfully tragic situation. He felt responsible for the death of seven people. When you watch the scene of the accident one might say that he was selfish. The definition of selfish is:
concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for other
While driving his car he seemed to be more concerned with the message on his phone then with the safety of his wife or even other possible drivers on the road.
Through this tragic event his life changed and I saw his heart change. It was as if he became a humanitarian:
1. One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist.
2. a person who has the interests of mankind at heart
The story line followed his journey of finding people, good people, to help. He felt as though he took seven lives and because of this he felt like he needed to change seven lives to make things right. He gave up his needs and interests for others. He gave up body parts for others to be well. He once was selfish but then he became selfless:
1. Having no regard to self; unselfish.
2. putting other people's interests before one's own
Through all of his experiences I saw meaningful relationships formed; lives being changed. In his heart he was more concerned with the interests of mankind over anything else. He gave up his life for others.
Relationships are important. People are important. More important than we can even imagine. Imagine if we all lived somewhat like this? Imagine how much of a transformation in this world we would see. Imagine mass amounts of pain turned into joy and happiness. I can see it.
Why aren’t we all humanitarians? People who have the interests of mankind at heart. Instead of being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for other.
Many times I have heard that it’s great that I am a humanitarian. I think why aren’t we all? Is it really not meant for all people? To me that thought is crazy.
A little while back I was talking to my friend and she told me about a friend of hers who was showing a group of friends his pictures from his military tour of Iraq. He told her she shouldn’t look at a certain picture because she is a humanitarian. The picture was of a soldier holding an Iraqi head, no body attached.
Like I said before: why aren’t all people humanitarians? What will it take to see all people living in a way where they put other people’s interests before their own? Many might say this is impossible. I say, “why?” I say, “It is possible.”
Do you care so much for others that you will give yourself up for them?
The movie I watched focused on a man who lived through a painfully tragic situation. He felt responsible for the death of seven people. When you watch the scene of the accident one might say that he was selfish. The definition of selfish is:
concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for other
While driving his car he seemed to be more concerned with the message on his phone then with the safety of his wife or even other possible drivers on the road.
Through this tragic event his life changed and I saw his heart change. It was as if he became a humanitarian:
1. One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist.
2. a person who has the interests of mankind at heart
The story line followed his journey of finding people, good people, to help. He felt as though he took seven lives and because of this he felt like he needed to change seven lives to make things right. He gave up his needs and interests for others. He gave up body parts for others to be well. He once was selfish but then he became selfless:
1. Having no regard to self; unselfish.
2. putting other people's interests before one's own
Through all of his experiences I saw meaningful relationships formed; lives being changed. In his heart he was more concerned with the interests of mankind over anything else. He gave up his life for others.
Relationships are important. People are important. More important than we can even imagine. Imagine if we all lived somewhat like this? Imagine how much of a transformation in this world we would see. Imagine mass amounts of pain turned into joy and happiness. I can see it.
Why aren’t we all humanitarians? People who have the interests of mankind at heart. Instead of being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself: seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for other.
Many times I have heard that it’s great that I am a humanitarian. I think why aren’t we all? Is it really not meant for all people? To me that thought is crazy.
A little while back I was talking to my friend and she told me about a friend of hers who was showing a group of friends his pictures from his military tour of Iraq. He told her she shouldn’t look at a certain picture because she is a humanitarian. The picture was of a soldier holding an Iraqi head, no body attached.
Like I said before: why aren’t all people humanitarians? What will it take to see all people living in a way where they put other people’s interests before their own? Many might say this is impossible. I say, “why?” I say, “It is possible.”
Do you care so much for others that you will give yourself up for them?
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean
I am going back to Africa.
For how long? Indefinitely. As many of you know, Africa stole my heart with my two trips to Uganda. I always thought that’s where I would go again for a longer period of time but I also didn’t want to limit where I would go.
Where am I going this time? I am going to Tanzania. I will be working in a village called Chamwino, which is 25K East of Dodoma (the unfinished capital of Tanzania), which is Central Tanzania in East Africa.
What will I be doing? A lot. This is still being figured out but it looks like I will be overseeing development projects, learning Kiswahili (Swahili), teaching English, help with avoiding financial corruption, and numerous other tasks.
How did this come about? Well, I met a 75 year old woman who has fallen in love with Tanzania and knows they could use some help. Her church has partnered with a church in Chamwino and they would like to help expand the educational opportunities there. In the village people have their tribal language and they also know swahili (it’s learned in Primary school) but not many know English. One would learn English in Secondary school but many have not had the opportunity to get that level of schooling. In Africa there are a lot of primary (elementary) schools but a lot less secondary (high) schools. This has made it extremely hard on the people to get out of poverty.
What is the hope? Well, I would be taking the place of a man named Kedmon. In March he is coming to Seattle to get his doctorate and then return to his home village. The hope is to have education from preschool to doctoral studies within a closer area. Kedmon could come back after his studies to teach at the University of Dodoma or somewhere else close by. My understanding of it all is to have all levels of education within a certain amount of kilometers to make it easier on the people in the area.
Why do I say I could be there indefinitely? Kedmon’s doctorate could be 2-5 years. Would I stay that whole time? I don’t know. Would I be needed that whole time? I don’t know.
Right now, I am working to pay off my student loans so I will have no financial debt when I leave. I downgraded in cars so I no longer have car loans. I think I can be out of debt sometime in early 2009 but I am looking to be in Tanzania by July 2009.
This position is NOT paid. I have to have enough money set aside for an unknown amount of time. I am hoping to raise my support (initially for a year) and have people, once again, be a part of my trip.
What are the total costs? I want to be completely honest so here is the breakdown for a year:
Monthly living expense:
$100 A MONTH FOR HOUSING. $7 A DAY FOR FOOD, INCLUDING WATER AND SOFT DRINKS, CANDLES AND FIRE WOOD (EST. $200 A MONTH). TRANSPORT TO DODOMA PERHAPS TWICE A MONTH AND PERHAPS ONCE A MONTH TO DAR COULD BE ESTIMATED AT $40 A MONTH AND CELL PHONE CHARGES PERHAPS $20 A MONTH AND OTHER GENERAL EXPENSES PERHAPS $40 A MONTH (SOAP, BASIC MEDICINES, ETC.).
A TOTAL OF $400 A MONTH
Overall costs:
1. INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT PLUS VISA $3,000
2. Shots $500 +/-
3. LIVING ALLOWANCES $5,000
4. EXTRAS $500
A TOTAL OF $9,000 FOR THE YEAR.
Depending on how much I can set aside after paying off my debt I am looking to raise about $6,000 or less. I think I should be able to set aside a good chunk of money…
There are a few options to raising support. Please consider one of the following:
1) make a one-time donation to help get me there and other related costs. This can be done by sending a check, made out to me, to 1881 NE 169 St., Shoreline, WA 98155. Or by sending money through PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2119186)
2) Commit to making a monthly donation each month. This will open up the possibility of me being able to stay longer. Once I am gone the easiest way will be through Paypal.
3) Throw an Acholi Beads house party (the proceeds help me to get to Tanzania and the women of Uganda and you get great jewelry!)
If you are able to help in any way (financially, prayerfully, or opening your home to gather) that would mean so much to me.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Karl
For how long? Indefinitely. As many of you know, Africa stole my heart with my two trips to Uganda. I always thought that’s where I would go again for a longer period of time but I also didn’t want to limit where I would go.
Where am I going this time? I am going to Tanzania. I will be working in a village called Chamwino, which is 25K East of Dodoma (the unfinished capital of Tanzania), which is Central Tanzania in East Africa.
What will I be doing? A lot. This is still being figured out but it looks like I will be overseeing development projects, learning Kiswahili (Swahili), teaching English, help with avoiding financial corruption, and numerous other tasks.
How did this come about? Well, I met a 75 year old woman who has fallen in love with Tanzania and knows they could use some help. Her church has partnered with a church in Chamwino and they would like to help expand the educational opportunities there. In the village people have their tribal language and they also know swahili (it’s learned in Primary school) but not many know English. One would learn English in Secondary school but many have not had the opportunity to get that level of schooling. In Africa there are a lot of primary (elementary) schools but a lot less secondary (high) schools. This has made it extremely hard on the people to get out of poverty.
What is the hope? Well, I would be taking the place of a man named Kedmon. In March he is coming to Seattle to get his doctorate and then return to his home village. The hope is to have education from preschool to doctoral studies within a closer area. Kedmon could come back after his studies to teach at the University of Dodoma or somewhere else close by. My understanding of it all is to have all levels of education within a certain amount of kilometers to make it easier on the people in the area.
Why do I say I could be there indefinitely? Kedmon’s doctorate could be 2-5 years. Would I stay that whole time? I don’t know. Would I be needed that whole time? I don’t know.
Right now, I am working to pay off my student loans so I will have no financial debt when I leave. I downgraded in cars so I no longer have car loans. I think I can be out of debt sometime in early 2009 but I am looking to be in Tanzania by July 2009.
This position is NOT paid. I have to have enough money set aside for an unknown amount of time. I am hoping to raise my support (initially for a year) and have people, once again, be a part of my trip.
What are the total costs? I want to be completely honest so here is the breakdown for a year:
Monthly living expense:
$100 A MONTH FOR HOUSING. $7 A DAY FOR FOOD, INCLUDING WATER AND SOFT DRINKS, CANDLES AND FIRE WOOD (EST. $200 A MONTH). TRANSPORT TO DODOMA PERHAPS TWICE A MONTH AND PERHAPS ONCE A MONTH TO DAR COULD BE ESTIMATED AT $40 A MONTH AND CELL PHONE CHARGES PERHAPS $20 A MONTH AND OTHER GENERAL EXPENSES PERHAPS $40 A MONTH (SOAP, BASIC MEDICINES, ETC.).
A TOTAL OF $400 A MONTH
Overall costs:
1. INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT PLUS VISA $3,000
2. Shots $500 +/-
3. LIVING ALLOWANCES $5,000
4. EXTRAS $500
A TOTAL OF $9,000 FOR THE YEAR.
Depending on how much I can set aside after paying off my debt I am looking to raise about $6,000 or less. I think I should be able to set aside a good chunk of money…
There are a few options to raising support. Please consider one of the following:
1) make a one-time donation to help get me there and other related costs. This can be done by sending a check, made out to me, to 1881 NE 169 St., Shoreline, WA 98155. Or by sending money through PayPal (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=2119186)
2) Commit to making a monthly donation each month. This will open up the possibility of me being able to stay longer. Once I am gone the easiest way will be through Paypal.
3) Throw an Acholi Beads house party (the proceeds help me to get to Tanzania and the women of Uganda and you get great jewelry!)
If you are able to help in any way (financially, prayerfully, or opening your home to gather) that would mean so much to me.
Thank you for being a part of my life.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
Karl
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Greed
Last night I watched a movie with my buddy called "The Big One." It is a Michael Moore documentary about the tour publicizing his book Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American, in which he criticizes mass layoffs despite record corporate profits. Among others, he targets Nike for outsourcing shoe production to Indonesia.
This lead me to looking at www.responsibleshopper.com and the informaiton it has about Nike. In 2005 the Nike CEO was said to have made nearly $17 million in total compensation. I was shocked and looked at the website to find a whole lot more then I really wanted to see...
http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/ceou/index.cfm
The link above is the CEO pay database.
The chief executive officers of large U.S. companies averaged $10.8 million in total compensation in 2006, more than 364 times the pay of the average U.S. worker, according to the latest survey by the United for a Fair Economy.
Here's the real eye opener:
Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.
What is greed? Greed is the selfish desire for or pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others.
Corporate capitalism is a term used in social science and economics to describe a capitalist marketplace characterized by hierarchical, bureaucratic organizations which are legally required to pursue profit. All or most of the means of production are owned by the corporation.
So, when I see these extremes my heart drops. Where do I turn to for truth and answers? I turn to my Father's word.
First off, I know not all CEO's and people who give into the corporate latter believe in God and submit to his word but there are most likey quite a few out there that claim Christ as their King.
His word talks about the rich and the poor:
Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV)
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Matthew 6:19-24
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 19-16-22
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
James 5:1-6
1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
Acts 4:32-35
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
When I read Acts 4 I think about if Jesus' way looks like a corporate system, or is he showing us something completely different??? I see something completely different...
Mark 12:41-44
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
Does Jesus look at money the way we do? Here in Mark He says the lady who gave almost nothing in our eyes gave more then the rich people who gave out of their wealth. If you ask anyone today who gave more, most people would say the rich man. Would Jesus agree with you?
I write this because I wonder what we are doing. What have we done? and what have we become? When will we stand up and rise up agaisnt the injustices of this world that we give into?
I myself am trying to make a change. I work at Peet's Coffee and Tea because I love interacting with people. Last night I found out my CEO makes about $700,000 a year. He makes my 2 week salary in 2 hours!!!!! Something is horribly wrong. If my CEO takes an unexpected day off the company still brings in half a million dollars. But if all the little people (the barista's and managers) take an unexpected day off at the same time the company looses half a million dollars!!! SO, looking at this situation who is more important? The little people!!!! If we are that important for this company then why do we struggle to live while he lives so well???
This isn't the way of Jesus.
We can't say "God why are you letting this happen?"...Because his response would be, "why are you letting this happen? You are my hands and feet."
This lead me to looking at www.responsibleshopper.com and the informaiton it has about Nike. In 2005 the Nike CEO was said to have made nearly $17 million in total compensation. I was shocked and looked at the website to find a whole lot more then I really wanted to see...
http://www.aflcio.org/corporatewatch/paywatch/ceou/index.cfm
The link above is the CEO pay database.
The chief executive officers of large U.S. companies averaged $10.8 million in total compensation in 2006, more than 364 times the pay of the average U.S. worker, according to the latest survey by the United for a Fair Economy.
Here's the real eye opener:
Almost half the world — over three billion people — live on less than $2.50 a day.
At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.
What is greed? Greed is the selfish desire for or pursuit of money, wealth, power, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others.
Corporate capitalism is a term used in social science and economics to describe a capitalist marketplace characterized by hierarchical, bureaucratic organizations which are legally required to pursue profit. All or most of the means of production are owned by the corporation.
So, when I see these extremes my heart drops. Where do I turn to for truth and answers? I turn to my Father's word.
First off, I know not all CEO's and people who give into the corporate latter believe in God and submit to his word but there are most likey quite a few out there that claim Christ as their King.
His word talks about the rich and the poor:
Proverbs 30:7-9 (NIV)
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Psalm 82:3-4
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.
Matthew 6:19-24
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Matthew 19-16-22
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
James 5:1-6
1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. 2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.
Acts 4:32-35
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
When I read Acts 4 I think about if Jesus' way looks like a corporate system, or is he showing us something completely different??? I see something completely different...
Mark 12:41-44
41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
Does Jesus look at money the way we do? Here in Mark He says the lady who gave almost nothing in our eyes gave more then the rich people who gave out of their wealth. If you ask anyone today who gave more, most people would say the rich man. Would Jesus agree with you?
I write this because I wonder what we are doing. What have we done? and what have we become? When will we stand up and rise up agaisnt the injustices of this world that we give into?
I myself am trying to make a change. I work at Peet's Coffee and Tea because I love interacting with people. Last night I found out my CEO makes about $700,000 a year. He makes my 2 week salary in 2 hours!!!!! Something is horribly wrong. If my CEO takes an unexpected day off the company still brings in half a million dollars. But if all the little people (the barista's and managers) take an unexpected day off at the same time the company looses half a million dollars!!! SO, looking at this situation who is more important? The little people!!!! If we are that important for this company then why do we struggle to live while he lives so well???
This isn't the way of Jesus.
We can't say "God why are you letting this happen?"...Because his response would be, "why are you letting this happen? You are my hands and feet."
Monday, August 25, 2008
Actions speak louder than words
I have been thinking a lot about how we as Americans and as Christians live here in America. When people come to know Jesus we find out that he has called us to a higher standard. Jesus' 2 greatest commandments were "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:37-40)
In Matthew 15:8 Jesus says "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
When we think of 'love your neighbor as yourself' do we only think of the family next door? As Christians we should believe that all people, no matter where they are on this planet, are our brothers and sisters. They are our global neigbhor's. This is the body of Chirst.
I sent my buddy a text, it read: "The things we buy. Won't we don't know won't hurt us...only others."
Our "blessings" here in America in reality are causing harm and pain to our brothers and sisters throughout the planet because we have given into the American way or if you want to call it "the American Dream."
Many of us like Chocolate. When buying it we don't think twice of who was working on the Cocoa farms. We don't realize that it was children forced to work. Do we consider fair alternatives? Usually not, because it takes too much effort.
Here in America we love our brand new clothes. Do we think about who made it? Do we consider if they have rights? Are they in servitude? These are our brothers and sisters they we may never know but that doesn't mean we don't have to care.
Jesus said to Love your neighbor as yourself. When I think of this I ask myself "If I were in their situation would I want someone to help me?" My answer has always been "yes." and this causes me to think and live differently.
There is a website called Responsible Shopper. The link is: www.responsibleshopper.com.
You can go to this website to see what companies are violating our brother's and sister's human rights and many other things. Until we start living differently we won't see this world change. Ghandi said "Be the change you want to see in the world."
At least 27 million people are in servitude today. More than any other time in history. America is about 9% of the world's population but we consume over 50% of the world's resources. That is not a good thing for this earth or the people that live on it.
A few weekends ago I went to an IJM (International Justice Mission) advocate training. International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.
At the training I was blown away by a few things: 1) the snacks were M&M's 2) the beverage was Coca Cola 3) It was at a megachurch where when people left they were saying "wow! look at this, this place is awesome!
My response: This comes from Responsible Shopper "Hershey, along with M&M's/Mars, dominates the $13 billion dollar chocolate industry, much of which comes from the Ivory Coast. It has been found that children have been forced or tricked into leaving their homes to work as indentured servants on cocoa plantations. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 children work on these plantations, some as young as 11 years old. The children work an estimated 80 to 100 hours a week. The Ivory Coast is said to provide 43 percent of the industry's cocoa.
Labor unions have filled suits against Coca-Cola, alleging that in Colombia, workers at Coca-Cola bottling plants have had their safety threatened and even been murdered by Colombian paramilitaries for trying to unionize."
and lastly when it comes to the megachurch and the response of the attenders...
Matthew 13:1-2 says "As he was leaving the temple, one of the disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher! what massive stones! What magnificent buildings!' 'Do you see all these great buildings?' Replied Jesus. ' Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
I am not too sure Jesus would be too happy. As we entered the building I wanted to cry and I think Jesus would without a doubt be weeping if he entered the building as well.
The positive thing that came from this is that I wrote to the person at IJM and he told me that they made some bad calls and they, as an organization, are looking at how they can live differently. So they can "practice what they preach."
If we want to end slavery, we can't do things in our life that add to it.
James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
It time to stop talking and start acting.
In Matthew 15:8 Jesus says "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
When we think of 'love your neighbor as yourself' do we only think of the family next door? As Christians we should believe that all people, no matter where they are on this planet, are our brothers and sisters. They are our global neigbhor's. This is the body of Chirst.
I sent my buddy a text, it read: "The things we buy. Won't we don't know won't hurt us...only others."
Our "blessings" here in America in reality are causing harm and pain to our brothers and sisters throughout the planet because we have given into the American way or if you want to call it "the American Dream."
Many of us like Chocolate. When buying it we don't think twice of who was working on the Cocoa farms. We don't realize that it was children forced to work. Do we consider fair alternatives? Usually not, because it takes too much effort.
Here in America we love our brand new clothes. Do we think about who made it? Do we consider if they have rights? Are they in servitude? These are our brothers and sisters they we may never know but that doesn't mean we don't have to care.
Jesus said to Love your neighbor as yourself. When I think of this I ask myself "If I were in their situation would I want someone to help me?" My answer has always been "yes." and this causes me to think and live differently.
There is a website called Responsible Shopper. The link is: www.responsibleshopper.com.
You can go to this website to see what companies are violating our brother's and sister's human rights and many other things. Until we start living differently we won't see this world change. Ghandi said "Be the change you want to see in the world."
At least 27 million people are in servitude today. More than any other time in history. America is about 9% of the world's population but we consume over 50% of the world's resources. That is not a good thing for this earth or the people that live on it.
A few weekends ago I went to an IJM (International Justice Mission) advocate training. International Justice Mission is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems.
At the training I was blown away by a few things: 1) the snacks were M&M's 2) the beverage was Coca Cola 3) It was at a megachurch where when people left they were saying "wow! look at this, this place is awesome!
My response: This comes from Responsible Shopper "Hershey, along with M&M's/Mars, dominates the $13 billion dollar chocolate industry, much of which comes from the Ivory Coast. It has been found that children have been forced or tricked into leaving their homes to work as indentured servants on cocoa plantations. It is estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 children work on these plantations, some as young as 11 years old. The children work an estimated 80 to 100 hours a week. The Ivory Coast is said to provide 43 percent of the industry's cocoa.
Labor unions have filled suits against Coca-Cola, alleging that in Colombia, workers at Coca-Cola bottling plants have had their safety threatened and even been murdered by Colombian paramilitaries for trying to unionize."
and lastly when it comes to the megachurch and the response of the attenders...
Matthew 13:1-2 says "As he was leaving the temple, one of the disciples said to him, 'Look, Teacher! what massive stones! What magnificent buildings!' 'Do you see all these great buildings?' Replied Jesus. ' Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
I am not too sure Jesus would be too happy. As we entered the building I wanted to cry and I think Jesus would without a doubt be weeping if he entered the building as well.
The positive thing that came from this is that I wrote to the person at IJM and he told me that they made some bad calls and they, as an organization, are looking at how they can live differently. So they can "practice what they preach."
If we want to end slavery, we can't do things in our life that add to it.
James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead."
It time to stop talking and start acting.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Role models/consumers = sweat shops
Venus Williams, 50 Cent, Yao Ming, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Donovan McNabb, LeBron James, Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi, Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, David Beckham, Kevin Garnett, Reggie Bush, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Peyton Manning...
the list goes on and on.
It seems as though we often look up to athletes/celebrities as wonderful people who are doing great things. We love to watch them on tv and many can't get enough of them and the gossip about them....
Do we really see what's going on??? Adidas, Nike, Reebok, and many other companies give huge endorsements to these people. Do we really think how this can be? How can these corporations make so much to endorse these people?
Well, it seems as though most of them pay workers in other countries less than adequate wages. It is all about profit and we, as consumers, are a huge part of this. I am guilty of this too. I am becoming better educated about this.
Look at what we're wearing? Where does it really come from? Who made it? Do we really care? We often believe that what we buy is ok but it's not. Why have corporations neglected the most important part of the chain? The people who make the products! Without these people the products would exist! But the money hungry just want more money. And we give in. Look at most things we buy. The people who run companies like this just want to make even more money no matter the costs.
It is time to open our eyes. Become educated.
Check out the link below. It is a 20 minute clip about a group in the UK trying to educate people about sweatshops and attempting to bring an end to this issue.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4437068924602860186&q=the+case+for+solidarity&ei=s3UKSOuUKp6W4ALLkqy6BA&hl=en
the list goes on and on.
It seems as though we often look up to athletes/celebrities as wonderful people who are doing great things. We love to watch them on tv and many can't get enough of them and the gossip about them....
Do we really see what's going on??? Adidas, Nike, Reebok, and many other companies give huge endorsements to these people. Do we really think how this can be? How can these corporations make so much to endorse these people?
Well, it seems as though most of them pay workers in other countries less than adequate wages. It is all about profit and we, as consumers, are a huge part of this. I am guilty of this too. I am becoming better educated about this.
Look at what we're wearing? Where does it really come from? Who made it? Do we really care? We often believe that what we buy is ok but it's not. Why have corporations neglected the most important part of the chain? The people who make the products! Without these people the products would exist! But the money hungry just want more money. And we give in. Look at most things we buy. The people who run companies like this just want to make even more money no matter the costs.
It is time to open our eyes. Become educated.
Check out the link below. It is a 20 minute clip about a group in the UK trying to educate people about sweatshops and attempting to bring an end to this issue.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4437068924602860186&q=the+case+for+solidarity&ei=s3UKSOuUKp6W4ALLkqy6BA&hl=en
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