Monthly Archives: October 2009

Three friends and I are heading into the mountains for a 24 hour retreat… I am amazed at the colors on the trees… The beauty of the creation…

regular readers know that when the blog goes silent, its cuz I’ve allowed myself to get on the overwhelmed side of scheduling… I have…

I just posted a comment by Al, and his words spurred a response from me about (what might be called) following Jesus in faith and reason… check out the comments on “Capitalism”…

I’m heading out on a 30 hour retreat with a couple of guys in a few minutes… I go on this retreat hoping to connect more deeply with the Lord as I prepare for my next trip. More about the trip in the days and weeks to come…

and I am IN the heartland!

Hey you praying folk… would you pray for my beloved Sweet Anna? FRI update from airline: her flight to Seoul landed on time! Pray that her bags made it and for her to get over the HUGE jet-lag that 13 hrs gives you. THX!

I listen to Radio IQ all the time. BBC world service while shaving in the morning and in the afternoon when going from place to place. In mid morning as I am heading from one meeting to another, I sometimes catch part or all of the Diane Rhem Show. Yesterday I was packing Sweet Anna’s bags for her trip and I was intrigued by the interview of Ralph Stanley who hails from Southwest Virginia. There are bits of what he calls Mountain Music and stories of his background. It takes you to a time and place that are far different from the here and now. Indeed, I have roots back there near Southwest Virginia and I suppose this is why this resonated so much with me. Perhaps you would find it interesting, perhaps not… give it a listen. For those teaching ESL, I think that portions of this could be interesting to listen to and discuss.

At CEO, we are trying to do what we can for the poor in several of our partnerships. But I think that we ALL need reminding (I  really overuse that word, don’t I?) from time to time of numbers. This daily chart (this blog has turned into an Economist promo blog… ) shows a troubling event in the trend of chronic poverty.

I once made a student really upset in the school I used to teach in. He was not used to a Bible teacher calling into question the biblical nature of capitalism. I suggested that socialism may be a more New Testament approach. I thought if there were no effect of the Fall on man, that there would be a great deal more sharing and no hungry children, etc. But of course its a silly statement isn’t? Since we are living with the results of the Fall, we have to operate in a world of brokenness which includes apathy and greed. I think that these are the two things (among others perhaps) that keep capitalism from really working.

“I want more”

and

“I don’t care”

But, I must say that, having seen socialism (and the aftermath of communism) up close, capitalism seems like the system that has the potential for the most justice.  But this is dependent on those who have willingness to be caring and giving (either of themselves, opportunities or their resources) to those who have less. Caring enough about the needs of others to give away something of themselves.

Along these lines is a new film by Michael Moore. I’ve not seen it, doubt if I will, but an interesting review of it is available here. If you read the article, think about the last sentence.