One of the top five questions I get about justice would be,
"What do you think about the whole going green thing?"
I rarely answer, just sigh...
In my world it's a loaded question that gets off into questions about global warming and the carbon footprint of my to-go dinner. It seems like we are arguing about the insignificant stuff (to me) and are missing the bigger picture of stewardship. Taking care of precious gifts: nature, resources, and each other's health.
If someone is looking for more I point them to the Cornwall Alliance or Tracey Bianchi whose book Green Mama was released from Zondervan on March 1st, 2010. I had the privilege of meeting her and she is the real deal. Green Mama is similar to Mercy Rising that it is helping us find simple, everyday solutions to larger than life issues.
FREE BOOK! ALERT!
What do you think? Green Mama asks, "How green are you?" Light pale aqua? Dark Forest Green?
Post a comment and I will draw one winner to win a copy of this amazing book.
Showing posts with label Question of the week. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Question of the week. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Haiti...Is it OK to turn the channel?
I think I can finally write about Haiti. It was too hard at first. The pictures were devastating and I ached for those children with my ties to Compassion International.
A good friend commented that she still feels helpless. She has contributed to the Haiti relief and it still doesn't feel like enough. There are no easy answers. My only thoughts are pray, give, and then turn off the news. I want to guard against being desensitized, emotionally overloaded, or worse, entertained.
I hurt so much for the people of Haiti, but some of this "news" feels like exploitation of sacred, private moments.
What do you think? How do you cope with disaster in this magnitude?
A good friend commented that she still feels helpless. She has contributed to the Haiti relief and it still doesn't feel like enough. There are no easy answers. My only thoughts are pray, give, and then turn off the news. I want to guard against being desensitized, emotionally overloaded, or worse, entertained.
I hurt so much for the people of Haiti, but some of this "news" feels like exploitation of sacred, private moments.
What do you think? How do you cope with disaster in this magnitude?
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The Blind Side
We tried to get into a different movie, but the Christmas crowd was something I didn't count on. I wasn't expecting much from the previews. Mushy films aren't my thing coupled with the stereotypical "white conservative family saves urban black boy".
It was a pleasant surprise to find good writing, clean edits, and quirky dialogue. And despite myself I resonated with a scene where the leading lady went to bed smiling. Her husband whispers, "This doesn't have anything to do with the new boy, does it?". She says, "No, it has everything to do with him."
2009 has been hard, but good. At the end of the day what keeps me smiling when it seems too much to give is what I have received from the letters from my sponsored child in Tanzania and the warm little hands in mine at the inner city church ministry.
What has kept you smiling in '09?
It was a pleasant surprise to find good writing, clean edits, and quirky dialogue. And despite myself I resonated with a scene where the leading lady went to bed smiling. Her husband whispers, "This doesn't have anything to do with the new boy, does it?". She says, "No, it has everything to do with him."
2009 has been hard, but good. At the end of the day what keeps me smiling when it seems too much to give is what I have received from the letters from my sponsored child in Tanzania and the warm little hands in mine at the inner city church ministry.
What has kept you smiling in '09?
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Entertained by Someone's Pain
I happened upon a documentary about stained glass windows at King's Chapel College in London. The art was fantastic, I settled into a quiet research project, not prepared for a huge shock.
In the glass windows there is a scene where Jesus is being beaten and the crowd and soldiers are mocking him, while the aristocratic class watches. A quaint little nun (documentary guide) draws your attention to one of the women, leaning outside the window, observing the scene while resting on a cushion/pillow. The aristocrat is making herself comfortable while watching Jesus being beaten.
The nun's commentary went on to say that this is what it is like sometimes watching the news from the comfort of our homes. Are we far past ignoring someone else's pain, to the point of being entertained by it? She mentioned that if we aren't praying or giving or helping in someway, but are watching, we are being entertained.
The shock of that statement still hasn't worn off although I watched that documentary last month. My eyes are open about how "reality tv" and the "news" has permeated what I think I have the right to view in someone else's life.
Am I being entertained by someone else's pain? Probably yes. Has my mind fully wrapped around what that means? Not yet.
In the glass windows there is a scene where Jesus is being beaten and the crowd and soldiers are mocking him, while the aristocratic class watches. A quaint little nun (documentary guide) draws your attention to one of the women, leaning outside the window, observing the scene while resting on a cushion/pillow. The aristocrat is making herself comfortable while watching Jesus being beaten.
The nun's commentary went on to say that this is what it is like sometimes watching the news from the comfort of our homes. Are we far past ignoring someone else's pain, to the point of being entertained by it? She mentioned that if we aren't praying or giving or helping in someway, but are watching, we are being entertained.
The shock of that statement still hasn't worn off although I watched that documentary last month. My eyes are open about how "reality tv" and the "news" has permeated what I think I have the right to view in someone else's life.
Am I being entertained by someone else's pain? Probably yes. Has my mind fully wrapped around what that means? Not yet.
Monday, February 16, 2009
How do you do it? ....Courageous giving in a fearful economy...
This question has rattled around in my brain for a couple weeks. Recently my husband found out that he and his co-workers are being laid off. What do I really believe about giving when it hurts?
How do you give courageously in a fearful economy?
Leave some practical tips and have a great day!
How do you give courageously in a fearful economy?
Leave some practical tips and have a great day!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Question of the week... hobbies
Have you used a hobby, sport, or fun activity as a way to make a difference?
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Friday, January 16, 2009
Question of the week... A hand out or a hand up?
Do you give $ away to the needy or do you give to charities helping the poor work to change their lives?
Why?
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Wednesday, January 7, 2009
How much is enough?
Questions of the week...
How do you know it's time to start cleaning out your stuff?
How do you decide where it goes?
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