I don't know whether to be saddened or maddened by the idea of what passes for 'poverty' to-day. A recent study indicates that folks in the United States who live below the so-called 'Poverty Line' own their own homes with air conditioning, a car, cable television, and cell phone (among other luxury items)--and the vast majority report that they never worry about from where their next meal will come. I have a difficult time acknowleging that as 'poverty.'
As Brian Franklin can attest from his mission trips to Peru and especially India, there are folks who truly fit the definition of POOR in the world--if you dare look for (or at) them. During the 1930's Charles Lindbergh travelled the world--more so out of desperation to escape the American tabloid media than out of a sense of adventure, though the latter played its part--and his descriptions of what he saw would prick even the most hardened of hearts:
Calcutta struck us with the full force of the poverty of India's masses. Human life had here sunk to levels we had never seen before. Ragged, hungry people milled back and forth on filthy streets. Cripples sat on curbstones. Scabby, thin-legged children followed us with outstretched hands. At night, we stepped around stretched-out sleeping bodies on the sidewalks close to our luxurious European-style hotel. "You never know the difference," we were told, "but sometimes one of them is dead."
THAT, my friends, is poverty--poverty in body and spirit.
I pray, Lord, that my people never know such poverty; but above all, I pray that we would continually praise Your name for the blessings you have bestowed upon us--blessings we do not deserve--and that we will find joy, contentment, and thanksgiving in all circumstances, whether in plenty or in want.
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Ron Paul won the Fox News Debate Poll hands down!!
Oh, they tell me that He smiles on His children there,
And His smile drives their sorrows all away;
And they tell me that no tears ever come again
In that lovely land of uncloudy day.
Oh, the land of cloudless day,
Oh, the land of an unclouded sky,
Oh, they tell me of a home where no storm clouds rise,
Oh they tell me of an uncloudy day.
~ Willie Nelson, Uncloudy Day
“We’re kicking a** in Iraq.” ~ Our Christian President
But these go to ELEVEN!!
I TOLD you I had a giant head as a child!!
The Ladies Against Feminism offer sage advice to the men of the Church: 'Patriarchy has been dubbed a movement, primarily by opponents within the Church. I'm not sure why they object to the idea that a wife ought to submit to her husband, since the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church. The idea is not exactly a new one and Paul, being inspired, said some pretty smart stuff. Apparently they see dangers in Paul's position. Do they think God took a break from inspiration here and Paul kept right on talking?'
For the hunters out there, here are some photos of Craig Biggio's deerstand in South Texas. (He is second baseman for the Houston Astros for those who don't recognise his name.)
I don't know how he gets any hunting done in the midst of all that luxury!
'No man is fit for the care of souls, except he is deeply imbued with scriptural piety and grace. He must have a faith firm as a rock, and humble as strong, with profound submission to the divine will, which will calm him amidst all delays and all discouragements that God will bless his own word in his own chosen time. He must have that self-abnegation which will make him willing to bear the evil repute of an unfruitful ministry, if the Lord so ordains, and unblenchingly refuse to resort to any unauthorised means to escape this cross. He must have the moral courage to withstand that demand of ill-considered zeal in his brethren, parallel to the ardor purus civium juvenium in politics. He must have the unflagging diligence and love for souls which will make him persevere in preaching the gospel publicly, and from house to house, under the delay of fruit. Nothing can give these except large measures of grace and prayer.' ~ Rev. R. L. Dabney, Spurious Religious Excitements
Will you look at that 1989 Hair?
(Still, I make no apologies for the teal bowtie!)
1 comment:
Man, you think the air conditioner or the TV would scare off the deer. All they need now is a motion activated pivoting gun turet mounted on top, then they wouldn't have to interup their poker game to get some meat.
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