Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
One.org - Fighting Extreme Poverty
One.org, which I am a compassionate advocate of, commissioned the Vote '08 campaign campaign to address global inequities in health and standard of living. The findings have been released and are interesting. Fighting extreme poverty matters to just about everyone.
Some of the data:
- There is bipartisan support for Presidential candidates who support measures to improve disease prevention, reduce hunger and improve education.
The majority of both Republicans (62%) and Democrats (77%) would be more likely to support a candidate who supports saving 15,000 lives a day by fighting the world’s most devastating diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Similarly, the majority of both Republicans (60%) and Democrats (76%) would also be more likely to support a candidate who supports reducing by half the number of people in the world who suffer from hunger and live in extreme poverty, which would mean 300 million less hungry people each year. Additionally, 54% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats would be more likely to support a candidate who supports providing greater access to primary education for 77 million children who are not in school with a special emphasis on girls.
The majority of Republicans (52%) and Democrats (80%) also supports new approaches to how the United States provides foreign assistance, such as increasing micro-credit to help people start small businesses, and doing more to eliminate corruption to make sure the economies of developing nations thrive and that help goes to the people most in need. In short, members affiliated with both parties (73% Democrats / 62% Republicans) would be more likely to support a candidate who supports increased investments in foreign assistance programs and working with other countries to strengthen national security.
(Source here)
It's nice to see that a tide is turning. We really can be the first generation to end extreme poverty.
Some of the data:
- There is bipartisan support for Presidential candidates who support measures to improve disease prevention, reduce hunger and improve education.
The majority of both Republicans (62%) and Democrats (77%) would be more likely to support a candidate who supports saving 15,000 lives a day by fighting the world’s most devastating diseases including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Similarly, the majority of both Republicans (60%) and Democrats (76%) would also be more likely to support a candidate who supports reducing by half the number of people in the world who suffer from hunger and live in extreme poverty, which would mean 300 million less hungry people each year. Additionally, 54% of Republicans and 75% of Democrats would be more likely to support a candidate who supports providing greater access to primary education for 77 million children who are not in school with a special emphasis on girls.
The majority of Republicans (52%) and Democrats (80%) also supports new approaches to how the United States provides foreign assistance, such as increasing micro-credit to help people start small businesses, and doing more to eliminate corruption to make sure the economies of developing nations thrive and that help goes to the people most in need. In short, members affiliated with both parties (73% Democrats / 62% Republicans) would be more likely to support a candidate who supports increased investments in foreign assistance programs and working with other countries to strengthen national security.
(Source here)
It's nice to see that a tide is turning. We really can be the first generation to end extreme poverty.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
The Soundtrack of My Life
I am part of a men's group that is focusing on missional discipleship. Part of the process is listening to our own story. To engage this we each went back and created a CD of songs that helped tell the story of our lives. We could only choose 13 songs and each had to tell a story. The process was fascinating to say the least.
I first started with about 40 songs that really meant something to me, songs that I would listen to if I were stranded on an island. And then I began the strange process of really asking which songs were part of my journey. Which songs really meant something?
Here's the final list.
- Born On The Bayou (Creedance Clearwater Revival) This is the first song I can remember in my life. My parents used to take us on an long drive to Los Angeles to see my grandparents in the back of a VW station wagon. My parents had an 8 track of their music and we wore it out.
- Back In Black (AC/DC) This is the first real rock album I remember listening to. I can remember listening to it for the first time in my cousin Hugh's bedroom on an old album player. This was the best song on the album and has stuck with me over time.
- Don't Stop Believing (Journey) My sister and I used to travel 40 minutes to high school in her old Monza. She had a killer stereo and we used to sing this song at the top of our lungs. One of the most inspirational songs ever.
- Alive and Kicking (Simple Minds) This song got me through high school. I reminded me not to give up and that I was still here.
- Shout (Tears For Fears) Another anthem song that we used to shout at the top of our lungs on the way to ski trips to Tahoe. I can remember the road trips with Glenn and Tim and the constant need to rewind the song on the tape player.
- Been Caught Stealing (Jane's Addiction) This song represents the period in my life when I threw caution to the wind. Mostly in Los Angeles. The dark period. Lots of mind bending substances. But a killer sound.
- Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz) The beginning of my redemption period and journey back to wholeness. I've listened to this song at least a thousand times. It's the simplest way way to speak the Gospel.
- Brother (Alice In Chains) This was the song that marked my dark night of the soul. I was listening to this song when I overdosed on LSD. Not a fun night, but it became an important part of my journey.
- August 30th (Delirious) There are many songs that were an important part of my journey of redemption, but this one stands above the rest. It is my redemption song. It speaks to my soul in a way that few songs can reminding me that my Father will always love me.
- Alive (P.O.D.) When I first heard this song I realized that I had captured the very essence of what it meant to believe. This song is drenched in life and the recognition of what it means to be alive.
- One Love (Mary J. Blidge/U2) I heard this song (about 40 times) in Italy the week it came out. It was on heavy rotation on MTV Italy. The best cover of a U2 song ever. Pure Gospel. It spoke to me in way that
I cannot describe. Love is the only way.
- Holy Spirit (Nate Sallie) This song is one of the best worship songs EVER, from my perspective. It is gospel, epic, glorious and real, all at the same time.
Reading this list reminds me that I'm on a journey, and a great one.
So what's on your list?
I first started with about 40 songs that really meant something to me, songs that I would listen to if I were stranded on an island. And then I began the strange process of really asking which songs were part of my journey. Which songs really meant something?
Here's the final list.
- Born On The Bayou (Creedance Clearwater Revival) This is the first song I can remember in my life. My parents used to take us on an long drive to Los Angeles to see my grandparents in the back of a VW station wagon. My parents had an 8 track of their music and we wore it out.
- Back In Black (AC/DC) This is the first real rock album I remember listening to. I can remember listening to it for the first time in my cousin Hugh's bedroom on an old album player. This was the best song on the album and has stuck with me over time.
- Don't Stop Believing (Journey) My sister and I used to travel 40 minutes to high school in her old Monza. She had a killer stereo and we used to sing this song at the top of our lungs. One of the most inspirational songs ever.
- Alive and Kicking (Simple Minds) This song got me through high school. I reminded me not to give up and that I was still here.
- Shout (Tears For Fears) Another anthem song that we used to shout at the top of our lungs on the way to ski trips to Tahoe. I can remember the road trips with Glenn and Tim and the constant need to rewind the song on the tape player.
- Been Caught Stealing (Jane's Addiction) This song represents the period in my life when I threw caution to the wind. Mostly in Los Angeles. The dark period. Lots of mind bending substances. But a killer sound.
- Let Love Rule (Lenny Kravitz) The beginning of my redemption period and journey back to wholeness. I've listened to this song at least a thousand times. It's the simplest way way to speak the Gospel.
- Brother (Alice In Chains) This was the song that marked my dark night of the soul. I was listening to this song when I overdosed on LSD. Not a fun night, but it became an important part of my journey.
- August 30th (Delirious) There are many songs that were an important part of my journey of redemption, but this one stands above the rest. It is my redemption song. It speaks to my soul in a way that few songs can reminding me that my Father will always love me.
- Alive (P.O.D.) When I first heard this song I realized that I had captured the very essence of what it meant to believe. This song is drenched in life and the recognition of what it means to be alive.
- One Love (Mary J. Blidge/U2) I heard this song (about 40 times) in Italy the week it came out. It was on heavy rotation on MTV Italy. The best cover of a U2 song ever. Pure Gospel. It spoke to me in way that
I cannot describe. Love is the only way.
- Holy Spirit (Nate Sallie) This song is one of the best worship songs EVER, from my perspective. It is gospel, epic, glorious and real, all at the same time.
Reading this list reminds me that I'm on a journey, and a great one.
So what's on your list?
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