Prof. Carlos Z

A New Examination of Human Rights

2008-05-13T22:39:00.009-04:00

In the debate on human rights: states, individuals, and institutions have the tendency to conceptualize rights according to the Western view. They fail to consider the notion of rights has also been explored and developed in African, Islamic, Asian, and Latin American countries.

Countries from the South seem to agree that human rights are important on a universal level. They differ from the West in terms of how rights are promoted. Human dignity is at the core of the cultural ideals of these regions; thus, it is essential that the rights of the collective as well as its needs be met. Jack Donnelly and others argue the concept of human rights is best interpreted using a constructivist theory. The theory acknowledges that rights are not given to man, but they arise from human action and represent the choice of a particular moral vision (Donnelly 1985). This theory “accords with the sociological view that human rights are a social phenomenon, a creation of the human mind” (Howard 1995B, 15; also seen in Howard 1995A).

The conception of political rights is a Western product, which is slowly making its way through the developing world. A compromise between the West and the rest is required to ensure that all rights are promoted. The West must be sensitive to the cultural needs of developing nations and realize that a dialogue is more persuasive than an imposition of those ideas. Chandra Muzzafar (1994) acknowledges this importance by calling for a move “from Western human rights to universal human dignity” (4). Moreover, she states:

“Main stream human rights ideas…have contributed significantly to human civilization in at least four ways. One, they have endowed the individual with certain basic rights such as the right of free speech, the right of association, the right to a fair trial and so on. Two, they have strengthened the position of the ordinary citizen against the arbitrariness of power. Three, they have expanded the space and scope for individual participation in public decision-making. Four, they have forced the State and authority in general to be accountable to the public” (Muzaffar 1994, 1; Muzaffar 1999, 25-26).

The ideal of global justice is articulated in what is known as ‘humane governance.’ This idea incorporates the concepts of political economy and human rights. This idea examines positive and negative trends along several main focal points or normative concern: security in relation to international and intranational violence; economic well-being in relation to standard human needs and degrees of inequality within and among societies; and the depth and breadth of democratization, including economic and social aspects of human rights and the extent of environmental protection as it relates to present and future conditions (Falk 2000). Jack Donnelly states that its “dangerous to deny differences between civilizations where they do exist or to exaggerate their extent or practical importance” (Donnelly 2002, 105).

The reasoning behind the change in policies is due to a series of elections in Europe in the late 1990s and early part of the 21st century. The result is minimizing emphasis on neo-liberal political orientation of economic globalization and a call for the re-establishment of social Europe or a ‘Third Way’. (Falk 2000; Giddens 1998) Anthony Giddens, a prominent sociologist, is one of the originators of this new ideal. He takes the foundational concepts of Marx, Durkheim, and Weber and applies modern-day realities as discussed in this paper. Giddens argues that the best way forward politically is to borrow ideas from both neo-liberal and social democratic orientations to shape a new level of politics that is both business-friendly and socially empathetic. This avoids the dogmatic extremes of both the unconditional deference to market forces and uncritical endorsement of the welfare state (Giddens 1998).

Falk says the Third Way aims to minimize the intrusiveness of the state without overlooking the special needs of the poor and jobless (Falk 2000). Very important to note that “as long as human rights are conceived as universal human rights, they will tend to operate as a globalized localism, a form of globalization from above. To be able to operate as a cosmopolitan, counter-hegemonic form of globalization human rights must be reconceptualized as multicultural” (de Sousa Santos 1999, 219).

Donnelly, Jack. 2002. Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice. 2nd Edition. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.

---. 1985. The Concept of Human Rights. London, UK: Croom Helm.

Falk, Richard A. 2000. Human Rights Horizons: The Pursuit of Justice in a Globalizing World. New York and London: Routledge.

Giddens, Anthony. 1998. The Third Way. Cambridge, Eng.: Polity Press.

Howard, Rhoda E. 1995A. “Human Rights and the Search for Community.” Journal of Peace Research. 32: 1-8.

---. 1995B. Human Rights and the Search for Community. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

Muzaffar, Chandra. 1999. “From Human Rights to Human Dignity.” in Debating Human Rights: Critical Essays from the United States and Asia. edited by Peter Van Ness and Nikhil Aziz. London, UK: Routledge.

---. 1994. “From Human Rights to Human Dignity.” Presented at JUST International Conference, ‘Rethinking Human Rights’ at Kuala Lampur.

de Sousa Santos, Boaventura. 1999. “Towards a Multicultural Conception of Human Rights.” Pp. 214-29. in Spaces of Culture: City, Nation, World. edited by Mike Featherstone and Scott Lash. London, UK: Sage.

The following the list for May SyncroBlog:

ul>

Adam Gonnerman on href="http://igneousquill.blogspot.com/2008/05/may-synchroblogbloggers-
unite.html" target="_blank">Guantanamo Bay in the eyes of God.

Julie Clawson on http://julieclawson.com/2008/05/14/human-
rights-and-christian-comfort/" target="_blank">Human rights and Christian
comfort.

Steve Hayes on http://khanya.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/human-
rights/" target="_blank">Human rights and Christian faith.

Steve Hayes (again!) on href="http://khanya.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/human-rights-and-amnesty-
international/" target="_blank">Human Rights and Amnesty
International.

Alan Knox on http://assembling.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-charade-
is-event-of-season.html" target="_blank">My charade is the event of the
season.

Sally Coleman on href="http://sallysjourney.typepad.com/sallys_journey/2008/05/if--bloggers-
un.html" target="_blank">If.

Sonja Andrews on http://www.calacirian.org/?p=822"
target="_blank">Human wrongs.

Cobus van Wyngaard on href="http://mycontemplations.wordpress.com/2008/05/15/christianization-and-
humanization-and-our-task-in-zimbabwe/" target="_blank">Christianization
and Humanization and our task in Zimbabwe.

Janice Fowler on href="http://gracexpectations.blogspot.com/2008/05/voice-overs-needed-or-wake-
up-speak-up.html" target="_blank">"Voice overs needed" (oe "Wake up --
speak up").

Bryan Riley on href="http://charisshalom.fjministries.com/2008/05/15/bloggers-unite-for-
human-rights/" target="_blank">Bloggers unite for human
rights.

Anybody Out There

2008-04-12T15:16:00.010-04:00

A couple of weeks ago while driving to New Hamsphire to teach at FPU I was listening to one of my favorite CDs from the 1990s, Anybody Out There by Burlap to Cashmere. I became quite emotional since it dawned on me how the title track is so relevant today with the levels of global poverty and injustice in the world today. The problem is that it seems very little with the exception of the might dollar compel us to act. What make matters worse the Christian Church, the entity which should be striving to address the social justice problems is so wrapped up with their doctrines, rules and pettiness.

The message of Jesus was quite simple, love your God as yourself and love your enemy. Moreover, one accomplishes such as task by being relational with others and respecting the spirit of the law. What has happened is like the song says we have become deaf and dumb to those who are suffering. Yes there are examples of servitude World Vision and Compassion International, however they are the exception. True we have are jobs, bills, kids, and other daily worries, but we are connected to every man, woman and child as children of God and what impacts one impacts another.

We think to ourselves its sad that women in the Sudan are being raped, the thousands that were slaughtered in Rwanda in the mid 90s or the hungry children on the streets of Calcutta. Why is that my concern? Its our concern because in the eyes of every man, woman and child is our savior Jesus. As Christians we are compelled to act whether its giving money, going on a mission trip, serving at a soup kitchen or signing a petition. If we don't the following could happen again:

When the Nazis came for the communists,

I remained silent;

I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,

I remained silent;

I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,

I did not speak out;

I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,

I remained silent;

I wasn't a Jew.

When they came for me,

there was no one left to speak out.

The following are links to the syncroblog on Social Activism and Christianity
Prof Carlos Z. with Ramblings from a Sociologist
Phil Wyman at Square No More - Salem: No Place for Hating Witches
Mike Bursell at Mike's Musings
Bryan Riley at at Charis Shalom
Steve Hayes writes about Khanya: Christianity and social justice
Reba Baskett at In Reba's World
Cobus van Wyngaard at My Contemplations: David Bosch, Public Theology, Social Justic
Cindy Harvey at Tracking the Edge
Alan Knox at The Assembling of the Church
Matthew Stone at Matt Stone Journeys in Between
John Smulo at JohnSmulo.com
Sonja Andrews at Calacirian
Lainie Petersen at Headspace
KW Leslie: Shine: not let it shine
Stephanie Moulton at Faith and the Environment Collide
Julie Clawson at One Hand Clapping
Steve Hollinghurst at On Earth as in Heaven
Sam Norton at Elizaphanian: Tesco is a Big Red Herring

Life of An Adjunct Professor

2008-03-22T11:41:00.005-04:00

Its been about 7 months since I began work as an Adjunct Professor for various schools within driving distance from my apartment in Danvers, MA . April of 2007 I was told by my boss at the time(Chair of the Dept of Sociology), he was replaced by a colleague of his in July that my services would not longer be needed. I was hurt since I had made a effort above and beyond of my responsibilities. Nevertheless, I swallowed my pride and applied for a serious of teaching jobs that would help support me and the over-priced cost of living in New England. In the Fall of 2007 I worked for 3 different schools. One in New Hampshire near the Vermont Border; and two in the North Shore, one that was an 8 week course and the other that lasted the semester. I had been told by colleagues and friends alike try to avoid the Adjunct life. I was not sure what that meant but I can tell you 7 months into that I understand completely.

It means commuting 3-5 hrs a day driving to teach 2-3 courses in fields of study that very different from my academic training. It means not being able to connect with your students that way you would like because you want to avoid driving too late and being tired. At the same time it means not being able to connect with the institution one works at either by attending a talk, sporting event or social activity at that institution. Do I regret it, thats hard to say since there were circumstances that made my decisions for me.

This semester I have continued to work at that New Hampshire institution, teaching Spanish language and culture courses; one institution in Cambridge and starting next month another institution in Charlestown. This semester is better in regards to the courses I am teaching, plus the students are more receptive.

There is a chance I may move from the area which would break my heart, but the life of Adjunct is not one for the light-hearted and as a man who loves teaching and connecting with my students I want my life back.

Iraq, Who is Impacted the Most

2008-03-17T23:32:00.005-04:00

I am presently looking at CNN on a Tuesday evening and the headline is Iraq, Success or Failure? That to me seems beside the point. Since our current president decided to invade this Middle Eastern country, 5 years ago, the bigger question is who has been impacted the most. Let's see: 1. The price of gas is over $3 a gallon (as of yesterday when I drove into Salem, MA its $3.13); 2. Consumer prices have risen dramatically parallel to the rise in gas prices (my rent will increase $20 more dollars a month); 3. 3500+ U.S. men and women have lost their lives and thousands more have been injured physically and mentally; 4. Thousands of Iraqi men, women and children (estimates 100,000 to 350,000); 4. Civil Liberties guaranteed by the constitution have been revoked all in the name of battling terrorism; 5. The U.S. is hated more today than when our current president came into office in 2000(France, Germany, Bolivia, Ecuador, etc); 6. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in 2005(not enough National Guard troops since they are in Iraq); 7. Osma Bin Laden has he been captured; 8. Guatanamo Bay Secret Prisons; etc.

The list can go on. One of my conservative friends (MC) will defend the actions of our current president and I respect his opinion, but the fact is that Iraq does not equal 9/11. Also the situation of Afghanistan is worsening since all our troops are elsewhere. Iraq is the Vietnam of the 21st century, hopefully we will learn our lessons before anyone else is impacted.

Election 2008

2008-03-14T20:11:00.004-04:00

The 2008 Election is history in the making for the U.S. Either a woman or a black man will be the democratic nominee against Sen. John McCain of the Republican Party. Both these groups have been under-represented in all aspects of society. Women did not received the right to vote until the 1920s, blacks waged a civil rights campaign for over a decade in order to receive the rights entitled to them after the end of the Civil War in 1865. Despite all that women make only 80 cents to every dollar a man makes. Blacks and other minorities are segregated in neighborhoods that are under-funded violence prone. I am not saying anything new. However, U.S. society if they do not wake up and find out for themselves the truth in regards to politics may miss out on making history. As a spiritual and liberal latino I am extremely excited. Change is what the U.S. needs and if we do not pay attention we may let that change pass us by.

Prayer for One of the Gathering

2007-06-04T14:53:00.000-04:00

On Wednesday, the son Elijah Wyman, son of my dear friend and Pastor Phil will undergo a kidney transplant. I want to extend a virtual hug and an over ambundance of prayer. A saying goes, what effects one affects everyone. As a member of the Church, The Gathering this event impacts everyone of us. If one wants to donate to help with the cost of this surgery which I am sure will be a lot, please do so at http://elijahwyman.com/rottenkidneys.html

My family and myself wish you all the best and you will be in our prayers.

Tag You Are It

2007-05-22T09:05:00.000-04:00

I have been tagged by the Why Man and here are my responses. I tag Rivera Blog and Dr. James ,

I will only tag two to be gentle to the blogosphere: So you'll have to answer these questions dudes.

1. Male or Female: male

2. Married or Single (or religious): Single but hoping to be taken

3. Dream vacation: Barbados, barefoot on the beach

4. Birthplace: Aruba, Netherland Antilles

5. Area I live in currently: Danvers, MA close to The world's coolest city - Salem, MA

6. Someone you wish you could meet: Karl Marx

7. Biggest "pet-peeve": Lack of communication

8. Favorite Religious devotion: Lectio Divina is nice and my night prayers

9. Favorite Saint (besides the Blessed Mother): Saint Jude

10. Favorite sport that you play: Soccer and Tennis

11. Favorite food: Arroz con Pollo

12. Tridentine or Novus Ordo: Novus Ordo

13. Would you (or are you) home school or public school: Neither Catholic or Mainstream Protestant School

14. How many kids do you have: none, hopefully two in the future

15. Ever been in an auto accident: Yes, twice

16. Ever seen a pope in person: Nope.

17. Languages that you know fluently: Spanish, English and almost in Portuguese

18. Last movie you saw in theatres: Georgia Rules and Spiderman 3

19. Favorite Blog: Square No More, Why Man and John Smulo

20. Your thoughts on Barney, the Easter bunny, and Santa Claus: Evil, Needs to be gone since Easter is about Christ and keep the jolly guy.

SynchroBlog - Christianity and Film

2007-05-15T22:48:00.000-04:00

Steve Hayes was the impetus behind this month's SynchroBlog topic about Christianity and Film. I don't watch enough movies to even have come up with this topic, so I needed a more movie-manic personality to get me to post about it. Below are the links to the people who will be writing about this subject. As expected Spidey rules the web here as he does elsewhere.

Steve Hayes ponders The Image of Christianity in Films
Adam Gonnerman pokes at The Spider's Pardon
David Fisher thinks that Jesus Loves Sci-Fi
John Morehead considers Christians and Horror Redux: From Knee-Jerk Revulsion to Critical Engagement
Marieke Schwartz lights it up with Counter-hegemony: Jesus loves Borat
Mike Bursell muses about Christianity at the Movies
Jenelle D'Alessandro tells us Why Bjork Will Never Act Again
Cobus van Wyngaard contemplates Theology and Film (as art)
Tim Abbott tells us to Bring your own meaning...?
Sonja Andrews visits The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Christ in Spaghetti Westerns
Steve Hollinghurst takes a stab at The Gospel According to Buffy
Les Chatwin insists We Don't Need Another Hero
Lance Cummings says The Wooden Wheel Keeps Turning
John Smulo weaves a tale about Spiderman 3 and the Shadow
Josh Rivera spells well with Christian Witchcraft
Phil Wyman throws out the Frisbee: Time to Toss it Back
Sally Coleman is Making Connections- films as a part of a mythological tradition
Dr. Kim Paffenroth investigates Nihilism Lite

Internal Grace

2007-05-07T00:51:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, God for People Who Hate Church Conference took place. It was quite successful and insightful. However, something happened on Saturday morning which for the most part was extremely shameful and put a small sour note to start the conference. Even though I offered a public apology and I asked and was given forgiveness. I felt my heart break in two, as well as sorrow for extremly disappointing those who love me from the Church.

Many individuals have been extremely concerned telling me: Do not beat yourself? Let it go if not the Devil continues to mess with you. We love you and realize life is messy.

Here is the problem even though through the death and resurrection of our Lord we are accepted the way we are and grace allows us to redeem ourselves, how do I forgive myself and allow grace to enter my heart. How do I create or allow INTERNAL GRACE to set in. Nothing I have done to attempt to make amends gives me the atonement and comfort I seek.

I guess only time will heal my wounds. I write this posting not for answers, but to seek insight into Christ's workings. I try every day to walk down that path of righteousness and even though I stumble, I get up. Sometimes I guess it seems its not enough.

Again I say, I am confess to you all bloggers that I have sinned through my own heart, my thoughts, my words, what I have done and what I have failed to do. I ask for forgiveness and grace to continue to fight the battle for the Kingdom. Amen

Pagan and Witch Panel

2007-05-05T14:45:00.000-04:00

Having many questions about why a 5 year old orthodox jewish girl cannot play with her bff since she is catholic? Why don't Dogs go to heaven? Such questions are posed by neo-pagans/witches on the panel and why they rejected the standard Church and questioned God. Also these experiences led the women on the panel to search for connection or pursuit for authenticity in the spiritual realm. That realm is polytheistic where there are multiple deities and they are honored. Honor of a deity or deities is essential to acknowledge our connection to the supernatural

There are many different types of witches/pagans/druids from the Celtic background to the aborigines from the Australian outback. Despite the differences they all are trying to reach the top of the mountain and come to a common ground. Common ground is where Christians and Pagans must come to in order to begin a relational dialogue.

One of the jokes is people believe that people during Halloween, witches will eat children, suck the life force out of people. In the past they were like hookers promoting themselves until they moved inside of their stores. Its a shame that these individual have been misrepresented who are just partaking in their religion which is just a little different.

Neo-Paganism today is a blanket term, we all believe the same thing its just a matter of the practice according to Suzy Wade. Sounds like Christianity, we basically believe the same thing we just come to the goal in different ways.

Finding God Outside the Church

2007-05-05T12:42:00.001-04:00

On a panel, key emergent voices are huddled together in the hopes of trying to discuss ways to find and proclaim God's way in unorthodox means.

Karen Ward states that in her ministry, they bring the redemptive purpose to parties that they sponsor. The party takes place and Jesus comes in slowly

Jay Baker, he states that in a conversation with an atheist. The atheist says that he does not believe in God since he has a problem with hell. How can God be so living and at the same time if you do not believe in him then you will be barbecued.

Other people discovering the Gospel is an argument presented by Tony Jones rather than presenting the Gospel to others. By allowing Christianity be a mosaic it brings a beautiful color into the masterpiece. So a ministry like the Gathering is creating a beautiful mosaic where atheists, pagans, witches and others bring the magnificent color for its culmination.

Jim Henderson and Atheists

2007-05-05T10:15:00.000-04:00

9:00-10:00am: Jim and his wife talked about Simplicity Spirituality and how we can be closer to God and develop a closer relationship to Christ.

Interacting with Christ is quite easy; come to him with an open heart. Be not afraid . This is kind of like studying sociology. Come with an open-mind and be prepared to put one self in their place in order to understand their predicament better(sociological imagination).

10:00-11:00am: Panel on Atheists by Jim Henderson

The argument is that they are humanists and heavy on scientific background. The ideal is if you cannot refute then it cannot be truth. Sociology argues that human behavior can be predicted using statistical analysis, however its important to note that within the field: quantitative vs qualitative(argument over deep understanding vs finding truth); the field can be quite understanding by using ethnographic skills and obtaining a deep insight in the issue being studied.

Those on the panel applaud Pastor Phil for developing warm relations in order create dialogue and discussion.

Jim Henderson

2007-05-04T20:01:00.000-04:00

No one gets bored and trying to get Christians to be 'normal', Jim Henderson on why he picked evangelism. That strikes an accord since Church can be blah sometimes at the sametime, many Christians are looked at as judgemental hypocritics, who talk the talk, but have a hard time walking the walk.

Jim Henderson says: To call people lost is what is done behind people's back and not in their face. This sheds an insight into the fact that Christianty has backstabbed those who do not believe. They offer their hand, but as they pat your back they plunge that judgemental knife into one's back.

As a sociologist the actions of people who do harm to those they do not agree makes no sense. They expect to hold power over them by saying you will be damned if you do not accept Christ. But power relations have no business in the spreading of the word of Christ. Bureacracy and rationalization as expressed by Weber corrupt and damage the message of Christ. Love and Fellowship are the keys to this endeavor.

"Jesus called for the Kingdom and the Church appeared", that is scary since they have not made much progress and need another 2000-5000 years to get the message right.

In talking about his experiences in India, he discusses how some of the people become followers of Jesus and rally for the ending of the Caste system. The tackling of social injustice and human rights is the start of dialogues which allows us to reach souls and love them through Christ. A step forward is crucial. If we begin with Buddhism, then Paganism, ultimately if it leads to a spiritual experience and continues dialogues, then Christ will come.

The Opening

2007-05-04T18:43:00.000-04:00

Its T-minus 17 minutes until the opening of the God, For People Who Hate Church. The Opening will be Phil and some members from Church singing the the Gargoyle Song followed by a talk by Jim Henderson. Wish us luck and God Bless to everyone.

The Breeze

2007-05-04T16:09:00.000-04:00

Like the winds which are blowing through the trees on this beautiful friday afternoon, so is the word of Christ that will be debated and dialogued.

4:10pm: People have had lunch at the Wyman's and they are returning back to the Church. Its less than 3 hrs until the opening of the conference. The Streams Gang as well as us members from the Church are quite excited. In the corner Carly is drawing a mural of a gargoyle, Stephen R and John Smulo are talking on the couches, and Karen Ward and Beth are reading the materials that came with their registration packet. Its quite quiet at the Church, but the voice of the voiceless will be heard soon(Atheists, Pagans, Witches and possible Satanists)

The emergent voices had lunch and realized that they are coming from different parts of the country. Northwest, West-Coast, the South, etc.

Like the song by Dar Williams, the Christians and the Pagans, we are coming to getting wherever there is common ground.

First Day Part II

2007-05-04T13:58:00.000-04:00

Well its still very mellow, no news. Met with John Smulo and Jim Henderson. Very cool guys and myself, as well as the church are looking forward to their comments.

2:03pm: At this juncture the Streams gang are doing Dream Interpretation outside of the Church and in the inside they are setting up the audio for tonights grand opening, as well as the music.

"Hi from the Gather-violachick Elizabeth!"

Until the next posting.

First Day

2007-05-04T12:05:00.000-04:00

Hello People,

Today is the opening of the God, For People Who Hate Church Conference at my Church, The Gathering. The gang from Streams have arrived and so have the Olive Branch Booksellers who are setting up. The next 2.5 days will be a opportunity to dialogue with Pagans, Wiccans, Neo-Pagans and others who have felt excluded by the Church for the last eons.

I will be joining with others in blogging live from the conference as well as volunteering in different venues.

Its 12:08pm and Ben Harper is playing in the background and people are settling in.

New Version of Footprints

2007-04-30T11:13:00.000-04:00

This new version of the "footprints" story really caught me off guard at the end...What a blessing.

FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends.

Now you pray: "Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You." "That is correct." "And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely." "Very good.. You have understood everything so far." When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way." "Precisely." "So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first." There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice. "You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4).

It's not WHAT you have in your life, but Who you have in your life that counts... Think about that.

I ASKED GOD

I asked for a flower,
He gave me a garden.
I asked for a tree,
He gave me a forest.
I asked for a river
He gave me an ocean.
I asked for a friend,
He gave me "YOU."

Poverty and Aids

2007-04-25T21:16:00.000-04:00

I am sitting in front of the TV watching a special American Idol, Idol gives back(its to raise funds for charities both here in the U.S. and in Africa). It saddens me that on a Global, as well as National level; poverty and AIDS continue to increase at a dramatic rate. There are some countries in Africa that have 1/3 of its population with HIV/AIDS, a third. That is not right. Also in Africa malaria kills kids every 30 seconds, that is ridiculous. The Western nations have an obligation due to the exploitation they caused through colonization to remedy the situation. Due to NAFTA the middle class is disappearing in the U.S. with jobs disappearing and transfer to the Global South. This can anger anyone with a conscious.

If anyone is looking to make a difference, one can log on to www.one.org

Comments about The Gathering

2007-04-25T12:54:00.000-04:00

Upon looking at Pastor Phil's blogs regarding the ministry of The Gathering, as well as how his former denomination turned their backs on him and the small community in Salem. I am very saddened and joyous. Sad that the true message of Jesus is spit on because the actions of a Church are not status quo. Joy, that despite the hurdles confronted by this Church they are radically altering the Christian landscape in this Post-Modern Environment(using a concept by Brian McClaren) and I am proud to be there for the ride and see what happens. Hopefully the bumps and bruises(Phil tends to leap before looking) will make us better servants of out Lord Jesus Christ.

Here is a link to this incredible church: http://www.salemgathering.com/index.html

First Blog Ever

2007-04-25T12:40:00.000-04:00

Okay people I have now entered the world of Blogging. Kind of Strange. Anyways, my first duty is to promote an incredible conference coming up May 4 - 6 2007 in Salem, MA. Clicking on this will allow one to find out more about what will happen, register and so forth.