Congolese Refugees Western Uganda | Photo by TKnoxB http://www.flickr.com/photos/tkb/17063791/
So I’m a bit torn…
The a 30-minute video from Invisible Children started rapidly making it’s way around the web on Wednesday morning.
As of mid-Wednesday morning it had 6.8 million views on Vimeo and 4.2 million on YouTube. The latest stat I heard on Thursday is the video’s been viewed close to 40 million times now.
I think it’s safe to say “It’s gone viral.”
Immediately after I saw it, I shared it on each of my networks – and was prepared to share it here on my blog Monday morning (as an added reminded for folks to watch it if they haven’t already). Continue reading KONY 2012 and the Insurgency of Love
As part of Open Lines on Power Talk last night, we asked the listeners, “when is it Ok for Christians to protest?”
Is there a point when Followers of Jesus should stand up, wave their picket signs and protest for a cause? And if so, where do your draw the line between simply quiet, peaceful protests and civil disobedience?
While protesting is generally protected as a right here in the US, is it the most effective use of time and energy?
We had some interesting points brought up by the callers but I’d like to get your input as well.
Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can’t murder murder.
Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can’t establish truth.
Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can’t murder hate.
Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that…
We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but the positive affirmation of peace. We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the dis-chords of war.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
– Martin Luther King Jr.
Today, I’m reminded of the speech President Bush didn’t give on Oct. 1, 2001.
The speech was written by Brian McLaren as an illustration on the different path America could have chosen in a post 9/11 world (the above quote from Martin Luther King was included in the speech).
I encourage you to read it the entire speech. To chew on it and consider how different the last 10 years might have been had the speech been given.
Gov. Rick Perry and I after a 2006 interview | Photo by Perry staff member
Amid budget shortfalls and huge cuts predicted in public education (K-12 and higher ed) it’s interesting that I came across this bit from The Texas Declaration of Independence.
it is an axiom in political science, that unless a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self government
The statement was made in support of Texas’ reasons from seceding from Mexico, citing no educational system had been put in place in Texas at the time, even though the resources where definitely there.
My friends Kari McHam and Jana Vanderburg have just put together a short video detailing some of the work their doing — caring for and loving on the women in Waco’s adult entertainment industry.
Through Porcelain Dolls, they’ve built a number of real relationships with the “un-loved” in their community and have witnessed some serious life changes in some of the women as well.
Over the weekend the girls took part in a Valentine’s Day outreach and also recently gave away 3 computers to several girls who are trying to further their education.
I’m so proud of their efforts in stepping out and loving the unloved!
Watch the video and consider how you might get involved to help…
