tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post4278255480864989417..comments2023-04-09T04:01:24.705-04:00Comments on Reeds in the Wind: This May Sting a BitThe Reeds in the Windhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12861913317985600596noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-92104475721405192792009-09-17T04:50:51.784-04:002009-09-17T04:50:51.784-04:00Hi Chuck,
Thanks for writing. I think it would t...Hi Chuck, <br /><br />Thanks for writing. I think it would take a long time to respond adequately to your thoughtful note. I'll say this: If I'm reading you correctly, it appears you are postulating that complex, overwhelming injustices ought to take a back seat to "all our own responsibilities." This implies that certain injustices are not already "our own" responsibility. Indeed, you seem to separate responsibilities into three categories-- the ones you claim "for yourself"-- school debt, career seeking. family, and in a second camp, responsibilities that are "less yours"-- like your church or community, and the third camp are apparently classified as "overwhelming-- too big to boil" responsibilities that maybe you ought to let somebody else tackle. I hope I'm accurately summarizing your premise, although I believe that while this is a common perspective among Christians, it is not the kind of life Jesus was talking about or the kind of life required if we are to transform or reclaim much beyond ourselves. And while I certainly agree with you that "the path on how to help is not always easy to see--" I would humbly state that one of the reasons the path is unclear is because we've cluttered it with the choices we have made, choices all about "our responsibilities," but choices that often have nothing to do with righteousness or justice.<br /><br />I would not presume to speak into the way you live your life, but the little I know suggests you yourself are grappling with how to live more in keeping with the implications the gospel. That is great, because that spiritual grappling makes you more available to the voice of God. When that happens, you'll have to make choices between what you are convinced is a right path, and what you will have to abandon if you take it. When that day comes, it will be a defining moment in your life. It will be one of those "sheep or goat" moments. Maybe it has already come?<br /><br />Chuck, the fact that you are struggling at all suugests you are looking at a right path. It took me about 15 years after I became a Christian at 21 to actually see where my path might be leading me, and to walk with more confidence on it. Keep struggling, but as you figure out the right next step-- take it. It leads to the Abundant Life.<br /><br />BobThe Reeds in the Windhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12861913317985600596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-58083273727593753782009-09-16T22:40:27.674-04:002009-09-16T22:40:27.674-04:00Bob - thx for the great comments. Just a couple o...Bob - thx for the great comments. Just a couple observation/comments.<br /><br />1. When reading your post, I couldn't help but think of the phrase 'can't boil and ocean' - because that is what it seems like when one looks at all the poverty as you described. I think you'll agree that it's overwhelming. Instead we try the little we can do admist all our own responsibilities we have with work and family. For many it's helping out at their local church or in their community, short term mission projects or donating to an organization like world vision.<br /><br />2. The path on how to help isn't always easy to see for some of us - and it get complicated by the push to get established in ones career or to pay off schooling debt. As we have discussed with Renita earlier this year, placing a nurse overseas - easy. Placing some guy like myself with a business degree and sales background - not so obvious.<br /><br />Thx & looking forward to your reply or next post.<br /><br />Chuck MAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-43641382129569336402009-09-16T04:49:11.255-04:002009-09-16T04:49:11.255-04:00Anon--
Your question sounds rhetorical, but if yo...Anon--<br /><br />Your question sounds rhetorical, but if you mean it, there are many many people "helping." There are many success stories, many examples of how to help. Africa's rise may take many decades-- as did countries in the West, but it is rising. More organizations now understand how to walk alongside people and governments plagued by poverty. But you are correct, the solutions are not found in "throwing money at the problem." That's because the "problem" is not primarily economic. Do some homework of your own on what works, but I'll give you a hint: Its about establishing long-term relationships of authenticity and mutual transformation. <br /><br />Thanks for giving it some time.<br /><br />BobThe Reeds in the Windhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12861913317985600596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-60832469098393626872009-09-15T11:34:15.019-04:002009-09-15T11:34:15.019-04:00So what can be done to help? Throwing money at th...So what can be done to help? Throwing money at the problem hasn't helped.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-17682061537016555002009-09-15T11:06:33.554-04:002009-09-15T11:06:33.554-04:00Great Post!! I have tweeted this entry and linked ...Great Post!! I have tweeted this entry and linked via my blog as well. <br />Do you have an email list that we could be added to? <br /><br />rebecca.caswell@weavingfamilies.comRebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08589987416662662981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-4691788451903438072009-09-15T09:29:29.837-04:002009-09-15T09:29:29.837-04:00whoops sorry, didn't realize it wouldn't p...whoops sorry, didn't realize it wouldn't put my name as well. this is holly bechiri, from g.r.artwordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978300938430938690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-6653482226606073372009-09-15T09:23:22.351-04:002009-09-15T09:23:22.351-04:00PS By the way, I agree also that US racism introdu...PS By the way, I agree also that US racism introduces a whole other dynamic into the mix in the States. Although tribalism continues to actively oppress millions through Africa. We got a lot of work to do!<br /><br />Hey, I found a great cartoon on racsim while researching this piece. How do I get it to you?The Reeds in the Windhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12861913317985600596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-30554190735834861032009-09-15T09:18:05.681-04:002009-09-15T09:18:05.681-04:00Cannons--
Be writing you soon. Thanks.
Artwords...Cannons--<br /><br />Be writing you soon. Thanks.<br /><br /><br />Artwords--<br /><br />Couldn't agree with you more. In fact, I got some of those stats from an organization known for devaluing the plight of the American poor. People-- including certain Christians use this propaganda to bolster their indifference. But I think it also confuses Christians of good will. I'm glad you added your piece.<br /><br />Thanks. By the way... who are you?<br /><br />BobThe Reeds in the Windhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12861913317985600596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-91728343798547126162009-09-15T08:50:36.803-04:002009-09-15T08:50:36.803-04:00thanks bob! this is great.
it's important fo...thanks bob! this is great.<br /><br />it's important for us also to keep in mind that statistics have a way of misleading us-and i believe the stats you shared about americans in poverty is designed to help us not feel bad about our fellow man caught in poverty right here. yes, they are different animals, but they share similarities:<br />"It means anger and frustration and humiliation and despair" here too. it means the accompanying drugs and prostitution and criminal activity here too.<br />having lived in the ghetto in spain and a "ghetto lite" here in the u.s., i can see some differences:<br />1)the u.s. is, overall, a more dangerous place to live. this is more acute in areas of poverty.<br />2)a lot of american poverty has its roots in racism. this is not to say that there isn't racism, classism, etc in other parts of the world. but i would argue that racism based on a history of slavery is a more difficult beast to overcome than racism based on warring tribes or other abuses of power. <br /><br />so... this to say, yes i agree the issues of poverty surrounding you in ghana Are more acute than here. you are right. but we Don't have to go to africa to see poverty bad enough that we as christians should be spurred on to action: we have put on our blinders right here in the u.s. globalization or not, it's disgusting how the religious have stopped being Christian.artwordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978300938430938690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-435580068422997209.post-39389759077511375332009-09-15T01:24:35.737-04:002009-09-15T01:24:35.737-04:00Thanks for yoru post Bob. We would be back in Afr...Thanks for yoru post Bob. We would be back in Africa in an instant. Your post brought alot of meaning to us.<br /><br />How is your support holding out? Many people are having trouble in that area. Take care, and write back if you can. <br /><br />Cannons<br />jtbsasj@yahoo.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com