Dragging myself into the discussion...

Glenn Beck.


Though his words are outrageous, I can appreciate one thing that he said. He pointed out that many Christians do not understand what “social justice” or “economic justice” means. In working on my capstone this semester, I have learned a lot about how “justice” has been interpreted from Aristotle til the present. Granted, I have more questions than answers, but I have learned that the term “social justice” can be quite vague. What is this justice we are called to? Perhaps this is a future series of blog posts that will be filled with yet more questions... Yet in the midst of this all, we are still called to seek justice. We need to know what we mean when we seek to follow what we have been called to as part of God’s kingdom. In fact after writing these words I read an article by John Schmalzbauer (that I do NOT claim to agree with completely) that addressed this very issues.

Stanley Hauerwas’ name is being brought into the discussion as one who does not believe that there should be “social justice,” but for very different reasons. While I am still trying to understand exactly what he means by this, perhaps this quotation will leave a sense of where he is coming from.

“What makes the church ‘radical’…is not that the church leans to the left on most social issues, but rather that the church knows Jesus whereas the world does not. In the churches view, the political left is not noticeably more interesting than the political right, both tend towards solutions that act as if the world has not ended and begun in Jesus. Big words like Peace and Justice, slogans the church adopts under the presumption that, even if people do not know what ‘Jesus Christ is Lord’ means, they will know what Peace and Justice means, are words awaiting content. It is Jesus’ story that gives content to our faith, judges any institutional embodiment of our faith, and teaches us to be suspicious of any political slogan that does not need God to make itself credible…Most of our social activism is formed on the presumption that God is superfluous to the formation of a world of peace with justice.” — Stanley Hauerwas

That’s about all I can pull out of this Glenn Beck thing, I don’t even feel like I can address the things he said – to think that the gospel deals with only souls, and is separated from the present-age is too ridiculous too imagine. Yet history has shown that pendulum can easily swing either way on the popular interpretation of the gospel. Is there anyone who has taken him seriously?

Stephen Colbert had some interesting things to say

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Glenn Beck Attacks Social Justice - James Martin
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Reform

Check out the “million Christians for social justice” on the sojourners website.
It is fascinating watching the discussion go on – “to do social justice” or not to…
Is it a questions of semantics or is it something bigger?

The conspiracy

Okay.

So I may not necessarily like the title, because the word has been used continuously in an attempt o be "different."

Linguistics aside, this is onto something.

We watched this video last week in chapel. Along with several others,

as we were invited by Brian Zuniga to be a part of:

The Advent Conspiracy.

This is more than just the "reason for the season."

It's a crazy thought.

To really value giving more than receiving - so much so that we may never see the results or appreciation of the gift we have given.

We wonder and talk - How can we be a part of the "Christmas Spirit" while not participating in the consumerism that it entails?

As you figure out what that looks like for you during this season, there are some options that the website offers that are interesting.

If you really enjoy gift giving, make sure that your gifts are fair trade!

Some options are:

Ten Thousand Villages in Pasadena.

Trade as One (on online store)

Give a goat through (or many other survival necessities) through World Vision.

Provide a micro-enterprise loan through Kiva.

Buy freedom and support lawyers through International Justice Mission.

Donate and help build a well through blood:water mission.

Also, let your favorite brand names know that you don't support products that are slave-made.

I feel like this conversation is just beginning...

The curtain has been torn

Matthew 27 tells the story of the final hours of the life of Jesus.

The few chapters before narrate the story of the time leading up to it.

Why is it that our minds, when suffering and sad, seem so detached from the real person of Jesus that lived and walked this earth?

In reading this last week I am overwhelmed with the sorrow and agony that Jesus went through.

In his silence when he was mocked.

In the words of rebellion against this world that he said, and was mocked for.

In his prayers of deep emotion, for the sake of the Glory of God... so that we may be saved. 

I am going to be writing a paper for a class on CS Lewis, entitled, 

"Eternity, Justice and the Cross" in which I am going to be researching two of Lewis' works (and several other texts) to explore how our desire to have purpose and for social justice, is inspired by and hinges on the truth found in the cross. 

I will share my findings along the way.

This is what has been on my heart lately. The desire for social justice in itself is not what makes us good, or even what inspires change. BUT when it is a natural response and desire of our hearts because of the view of grace that we see in the glory of the cross, we find eternal meaning in each orphan defended, child rescued, and broken comforted. 

The curtain has been torn. We do not need to work for peace with God. He has given it freely to those who believe :) 

Quote for the day:

"All history comes down to Jesus, and all history flows out from Jesus"

~Dr. Thom Wolf

Thought for the day

"Justice means much more than the sort of thing that goes on in law courts. It is the old name for everything we should now call 'fairness'; it includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all that side of life. And Fortitude includes both kinds of courage - the kind that faces danger as well as the kind that 'sticks it' under pain. 'Guts' is perhaps the nearest modern English. You will notice, of course, that you cannot practise any of the other virtues very long without bringing this one into play." 

from Mere Christianity CS Lewis

Not related pictures:

My Best Friends are studying in London for semester. 

Bust first, they took a trip across Europe... here are some photos from their journey :)

The Pulse.

With the paralysis gone from my literary endeavors, the most recent read has left the blood pumping strong from my heart to the rest of my body.

What could cause this sudden recovery?

“Terrify no more” by Gary Haugen (President of International Justice Mission).

For those of you who are passionate about human rights and social justice issues (which – Praise JESUS – many of you are) I highly suggest this book.

While I have read a few books/articles that are very descriptive and emotional about the horrendous atrocities that are going on it the world, this book targets sex trafficking specifically in the nation of Cambodia, also highlighting cases in Kenya, South America and South Asia.

Rather than dramatize the situation, Haugen does an incredible job of describing the world of the slums of Cambodia. The book details the story of how IJM first became involved, and brings the reader to see the intensity of the world involved of accomplishing their three-fold purpose in the sex-trafficking focus. (I am summarizing here)

 

1. Get the girls out.

·      The book focuses on the work they have done to get under-age children out of the brothels. Here Haugen talks about “the one” mentality. He takes the reader to understand how important it is to truly see each “one” girl that is rescued as a victory – for the kingdom of God. Each individual child is a child of the Creator God, and therefore is worth it.

2. Find aftercare

·      THIS is crucial in the rehabilitation of girls that have been through things no child should ever even hear of. Not only have some of the girls had to have intercourse with several thousands of men leaving them at risk to numerous STD’s… it leaves them with emotional scarring and self-esteem that amounts to seeing themselves as a possession, rather than a loved and precious child of God.

3. Seek Justice for the perpetrator

·      The system will not be penetrated if the girls are merely taken away. The men and women who are keeping them captive must see that this is something that is going to have dire consequences if continued. And so, they do whatever it takes in working with the government of the country in question to enforce laws that the country by itself has had a difficult time enforcing. For example, they have done immense work in partnering with the Cambodian government to crack down on those selling young girls: something which is already outlawed in the system, but for many reasons nearly impossible to enforce. Unless something is done.

 

 I have read the statistics before. Seen and heard stories of what is going on. A few things about this book have resonated, disturbed or encouraged me deeply…

 

Haugen talks about how many people ask “Where is God” when they see and hear of the incredible evil that is going on. After being in the middle of the scene of the crimes, Haugen has come to ask himself instead, “Where are Gods people.”

Where are we? I may be too hard on myself at the moment, but I get to a point sometimes where I begin to wonder.

Are we all talk?

Mostly talk?

We (the current college-age generation) are taking steps to “prepare” us for the chance to “make a difference”… and it is a weird place to be. How do we know that the opportunities are not all around us to be active now – and we are simply ignorant of them?

What exactly is the “difference” that we are trying to make?

 

I understand and believe whole heartedly that Jesus is calling us daily to live in surrender to him – as light and hope in even our southern California world where darkness is masked but everywhere. That does not change the fact that there are certain things that stir my heart.

The descriptions of 14 year old girls, who have grown up knowing nothing else other than how to “wear a mask” so that she will not be beat for not smiling enough for her customers pleasure.

The evil that is in this world in sickening. In talking with my dearest friend, we discussed why she found “The Dark Knight” so disturbing, to the point where she would call it a scary movie. The human mind and body is capable of much.

Batman is not inherently evil. It is a movie: purely entertainment.

But it makes a good, and even scary point… that there is a dementia of evil that I do not understand. We always hear that good conquers evil.

As a follower of Jesus I know this to be true! I believe it, have seen glimpses of it, and feel it deep inside of me. The Glory of the Kingdom can never be diminished.

Haugen quotes Edmund Burke when he said that “All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”

He gives the example of the Rwandan genocide, and reminds the reader that history is simply the story of yesterdays today (I am paraphrasing).

So today my friends,

I would like to hear… Or even just ask you to think with me as I ask myself…

What am I doing today to be a part of the Lord bringing justice rescue and healing to his children around the world.

 

Please keep the following people in your prayers:

Merrick in India (comes back on the 31st!)

Tyler in Ecuador (comes back on the 25th!)

The Kenya Team (comes back on Aug 4th)

Tim Buskey (comes back sometime in December!)

Rose Drive Rwanda team (leaves tomorrow)

International Service Projects

The Girls around the world that are crying out for hope.

Those at IJM that are using these lives to be a part of their rescue.

 

Here are a few pictures of Indian Life, courtesy of the incredible photographers Zack Ewing.

Consumer.

We are American.

Our very definition gives us the title as a consumer. I am not taking this opportunity to say whether that is bad or good... It is simple a fact.

The bad comes in when we realize we are ignorant consumers.

Do we know... DO I KNOW... where the clothes I am coming from were made? Could I be supporting the mistreatment of children of God, by what I choose to wear?

Merrick got the opportunity to hear Shane Claiborne speak a few weeks ago at Vanguard. He shared a story of a boy working at a clothes factory. This boy had a face disfigured by a large gash that went down his face. He told the story of how he got it: He had not been working fast enough so the boss had strucken him. When he began to bleed on the clothes, his boss got a match and burned the gash shut so that the bleeding would stop.

This story is sick. It sounds fake: made up for a shock factor. And yet it is the reality of many sweatshops that exist in the world today. Sweatshops that produce the clothes that we choose to put on every day. I am still trying to wrap my mind around what this means. Research which companies have fair trade. Find out about other conditions which are unfair and what I can do to have a part in change.

Here is a blog I found that reports current fair trade issues.

I have had no motivation to write a few papers this week... so my time has been spent here. It is a list of hundreds of sites of companies that only use fair trade and organic products.

There are even organizations that exist to organize boycotts and keep companies accountable.

We have probably heard about the wal-mart contreversy in their unfair wages and use of sweatshop clothes, but did we know that target is not much better? And Forever 21 as well?

I am not trying to spread bad things about these companies, I recognize that they are owned by people just as human as myself... and I am still trying to find the truth. It is so hard to sort through everything, but I am convinced that as a Christ Follower I cannot blindly support the injustice that is THRIVING in this industry.

I would love to hear your thoughts. This is a conversation that is only beginning

On becoming an adult.

I am officialy a slacker. I have no time in my day to make it to Whittier to vote in the Primary's. The thing that has been on the top of my conversation and mind for the past two months... and I am not going to be voting. Why, you ask?
Several reasons, which some would call excuses, and I would agree with.

1. "Absentee Ballot" had a negative connotation in my mind (with no factual basis.) Now I understand, and will be filling out the form for the official election this November
2. It did not hit me that "Super Tuesday" was actually on a Tuesday (my busiest day of the week, when I do not get out of class until 9, and only have abreak from 5-6) thus... not enough time to take the 60 or the 91 to my hometown of LA county.

Is it terrible that I am still not convinced that there is one candidate I am willing to support?
Or that I even have a party to identify with? Perhaps I should just pick one and stick with it... and be confident. Alas the endless struggle to find my own political identity.

In other news

Lent is rapidly approaching (It actually begins tomorrow!) Today should be "Fat Tuesday". I have not chosen to participate in that particular tradition. Since when did it become a tradition anyways? World Vision has created a 40 days of justice journey for those who wish to participate.

I have been reading "The Good News about Injustice" By Gary Haugen. More to come on that later... Reading sounds more attractive than blogging at the moment, my thoughts will have to be put on hold.