Aung San Suu Kyi and Grace, a thought that changed the world

Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi

In 1990, after her party swept the majority of the Burmese elections, Aung San Suu Kyi was expected to become the next democratically elected Prime Minister of Burma.

Instead of a peaceful transition to her leadership, she was denied the results of the election and she’s faced oppression from the ruling regime and spent 15 of the last 21 years under house arrest.

She was released earlier today.

20+ years of oppression and today she walks free.

“The release of political prisoners is the most important thing for all those who truly wish to bring about change in Burma.” – Aung San Suu Kyi (via e-mail from Amnesty International)

During their U2 – 360° Tour, U2 has been dedicating their song, Walk On, in support of Aung San Suu Kyi and those living under oppression everywhere.

With her release, U2 has issued a statement regarding the release of Aung San Suu Kyi today…

I thought they beautifully summed up the ideas behind a Love Insurgency…

“For a life denied the basic freedoms, she has lived so vividly in the minds of her people and supporters and accomplished so much. By putting the people of Burma’s interests above her own, she has lived in stark contrast with her oppressors. Her struggle has become a symbol for all humanity, of what we are capable of – best and worst. Her very grace so infuriating to the bully government whose brutish gorging of the country’s rich resources have left the people of Burma poor and hungry.

May we all lives that put the interests of others above our own.

May we live lives in stark contrast to our oppressors.

May we all live lives so full of grace and love that we infuriate those who wish to oppress us.

And may we all live lives that prove, beyond a shadow of doubt, that love wins!

A few thoughts on the 4th of July

My friend Angus Mathie over in Scotland sent me a question a few weeks back…

I am preaching at a local church, coincidentally, on the fourth of July. I have been reading from a photograph of the Declaration of Independence. I realize that I am asking a lot but is it possible to inform me what this Day means to you as a US citizen and how does the average person celebrate the Day?

I do not want to put you to a lot of trouble but I am really interested in your point of view. Please don’t be concerned about my reaction to anything you would say as I don’t cherish Britain’s colonial past at all.
With love, Angus.

Thought I’d share my thoughts here as well…
Continue reading A few thoughts on the 4th of July

We interrupt this broadcast…

I was debating on if I’d stay up and watch U2 on Letterman tonight, or simply let the DVR do all the work.

As I was thumbing through my Google Reader before heading to bed I’m glad I made another stop at Homebrewed Christianity.

Cornel West via WikipediaTripp shared a series of videos put together by Jamie Moffett, of Cornel West at Eastern University (the alma mater of both Jamie Moffett and Shane Claiborne ).

The videos are broken into 10 minute segments and will take you about an hour to watch all the way through – but I’m certain you’ll learn a lot and take a lot away from them. If you don’t… well….

Anyways, take some time to watch them. Chew on what Cornel West has to say. Think about Scripture and “how then shall we live.” Then share your feedback. I’m anxious to hear what you think. Good or bad.

One nugget that really stood out to me…

“The black freedom struggle is the best example of bringing together the quest for unarmed truth and unconditional love in the face of American Terrorism for 400 years. Instead of a Black al-Qaeda you get Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther.”

Thanks to Jamie for sharing the videos and thanks to Tripp for posting them on his site.

12/365 freedom

12/365
12/365
Originally uploaded by Jonathan D. Blundell.

freedom

i am not for sale.
you are not for sale.
no one should be for sale.

trafficking is…
to be taken against your will, bought, sold and transported into
slavery for sexual exploitation, sweat shops, child brides, circuses,
sacrificial worship, forced begging, sale of human organs, farm
labour, domestic servitude. 80% of all victims are women and girls,
50% are children.

trafficking is…
where family members and friends deceive parents to release their
CHILDREN or SELL them FOR AS LITTLE AS $20 EACH, selling
them on to local gangmasters or serious organised international
trafficking rings.

trafficking is…
growing. 2–4 MILLION men, women and children are TRAFFICKED
across borders and within their own country EVERY YEAR. more
than one PERSON is trafficked across borders EVERY MINUTE,
which is equivalent to five JUMBO JETS every day. a trade that
earns twice as much worldwide revenue as Coca Cola.

trafficking is…
where victims usually suffer repeated physical abuse, fear, torture
and threats to families to break their spirits and turn them into
saleable commodities. a person can be sold and trafficked
many times.

www.notforsalecampaign.org
www.stopthetraffik.org

God’s Spirit is on me;
he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”

A New Law

Everytime I listen to Derek Webb’s Mockingbird album something else grabs me.

don’t teach me about politics and government
just tell me who to vote for
don’t teach me about truth and beauty
just label my music

don’t teach me how to live like a free man
just give me a new law

i don’t wanna know if the answers aren’t easy
so just bring it down from the mountain to me

i want a new law
i want a new law
gimme that new law

don’t teach me about moderation and liberty
i prefer a shot of grape juice
don’t teach me about loving my enemies
don’t teach me how to listen to the Spirit
just give me a new law

what’s the use in trading a law you can never keep
for one you can that cannot get you anything
do not be afraid
do not be afraid
do not be afraid