The Simple Pastor
By Phil Whittall, church planter, blogger & book reviewer
RT @lukedvd: Hope his resignation from the England manager job will allow @JoelVirgo to focus on his church duties #nomorehairdye 16 hrs ago
Lets Hans Rosling show you 200 countries over 200 years in just 4 minutes!
HT: Challies
Who says Swedes don’t have a sense of humour?
The words ‘remember the poor’ ring loud in the Bible (Gal 2:10) and in recent years have had plenty of resonance in the movement of churches I belong to. The Lausanne Paper: An Evangelical Commitment to Simple Life-style which is stirring me greatly at the moment says,
“We are shocked by the poverty of millions, and disturbed by the injustices which cause it.” One quarter of the world’s population enjoys unparalleled prosperity, while another quarter endures grinding poverty. This gross disparity is an intolerable injustice,—we refuse to acquiesce in it.”
I agree with that but the reason why Christians in the the rich nations of the world should be far more concerned about consumerism than they currently are, is not because of the poor. (more…)
The Prosperity Gospel from The Global Conversation on Vimeo.
HT: Out of Ur
The Movement of One Day’s Wages from One Day’s Wages on Vimeo.
Revealing isn’t it?
Jeremy wonders whether we can carry on consuming while Colin Beavan argues that Treating anxiety and depression could save the planet while Matt Hosier points out some of consumerism’s more silly statements when buying a shirt. Gareth reminds us that TV is not all it’s cracked up to be.
Here are 10 theses on social action and the kingdom of God while Kevin DeYoung begins a new series on social justice and the poor. While on the other side of the coin Warren Buffett wonders about the US financial recovery.
My friend Tim from Journey Beyond is taking part in an interesting protest on July 2nd, and you are all welcome to participate. Along with friends and colleagues, he will be scooping up 20 litres of water from the Thames and carrying it on his head to Number 10 Downing Street. Tearfund petition postcards will be handed to Gordon Brown, asking for better water and sanitation for the world’s poor.
“About 900 million people, out of sight, collect dirty water and carry it long distances everyday” Tim explains. “Imaging, in the height of rush hour, those ‘out of sight’ millions being made visible in central London!”
If you would like to join in, meet at Westminster Bridge at 8:30 on thursday 2nd of July, and have a look at this video to explain why this action is so necessary.
“Now, I am not a mathematician. In fact, its a little known fact that I actually got an “F” in 8th grade math and somehow still graduated Jr. High. But let’s think about about the equation that is presented here:
Severe trial + Overflowing joy + Extreme poverty = Rich Generosity.
Huh.”
Read the whole thing here
I recently joined in (just) on Blog Action Day which had poverty as it’s theme.
As you can see there was a pretty big spike on the blogosphere about this and that’s a good thing.
Head here for more info on it and think about signing up next year
I can’t think of anything that offends me more than the injustice of this kind of poverty. Why are children dying while we eat in restaurants and worry about our stocks, why is malaria continuing to kill thousands because people can’t afford a net that costs about a £1? Why? Why do we not care more? The political will to save the bacon of people who don’t know when to stop borrowing beyond their ability to repay is horrific in contrast with the political will shown to meet the Millenium Development Goals. God, I agree with Amos 5:24, ‘let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream.’
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way – and while I’m not sure all poverty will be done away, because humanity has an unlimited ability to find news ways of impoverishing itself eg Zimbabwe – there are some kinds that can be dealt with and done in imaginative ways.
Here are 88 ways you can do something about poverty and links to hundreds more.
Here’s something the better half and I have been thinking about – we want to get into farming in a big way. So we’re going to see how many goats, cows, pigs and chickens we can buy in 2009. Not for us of course, but for those in need. Try Tearfund’s Living Gifts this Christmas. There’s so much that can be said, so here’s my question – what one thing will you do consistently over the next 12 months to reduce world poverty? Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
NB: Sadly only two bloggers I read have posted on poverty today and that to be honest is disappointing. Here are my heroes of today
I knew Jeremy wouldn’t let me down and he didn’t with this helpful post and U2 sermons had this to offer which highlights the wastefulness of rich countries, the desperate plight of people in extreme poverty and the stupidity of it all.
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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