The Journey

What happens when Iran is in Turmoil

It's an ineresting turn of events in Iran.  Only a year ago, the west was worried about nuclear weapons in this large part of the middle eastern world.  Now, a country in turmoil over the validity of a national election, Iran is once again at the center stage of the headlines.  What do you think about free elections in Iran?

Church People Surveyed more Likely to Torture

It's a black eye in U.S. history.  The Iraq prison called Abu Gharaib, where U.S. soldiers were taking pictures of compromising acts of torture for the prisoners during the early years of the Iraqi conflict, has brought so much attention to an international debate.  The current administration is standing strong against torture, while others are calling the stand a weakness in the U.S. military.  The debate is easy to see. 
1.  If someone has information that could save innocent lives....
2.  What measures are we prepared to take to extract that information?

A recent survey shows that the more someone attends church, the more likely they are to favor torture.  The survey read that More than half of people who attend services at least once a week -- 54 percent -- said the use of torture against suspected terrorists is "often" or "sometimes" justified.

So my question...

Is this what people of faith want to be known for? 

Are we ready to accept the facts given that if we hold people in prison, we who are labeled Christians, are more likely to use methods of extracting information that compromise seeing someone as human?

I'm not advocating either side of the debate.  I don't know what I think about this.  In fact, i'm still trying to wrestle this one in lieu of my faith coupled with the fact that I believe in consequences for actions. 

The current article made me cringe a little.  Is this right?  Or wrong?  Let's talk about it. 

For more information on the survey see, The CNN.com article

AIDS.

It's hard to go to Africa and not talk about AIDS.  It's a continent that is being ravished by the spread of the disease, and most people don't know anything about it.  I heard one analyst say that 60% of the population of Africa is well under 40 years old.  It's a problem, and I believe it should be of some concern to believers here in the U.S.

Unfortunately it kicks over another taboo of discussion in evangelical circles.  Of course it's gotten better in the last 10 years or so, but there's still a hidden social wall of non-discussion that keeps us from trying to help people that are dying from something they may know nothing about.

I've heard people say, "Well, I'm not a doctor, what can I do?"

Or they slide to, "It's God's judgment on a nation that has turned their back on Him."

Maybe the worst of all are the population advocates who adhere to the, "Finally we're going to level out global population levels and live on a sustainable planet."

REALLY???

Are we ready to resign the deaths of millions of people away to our narcissistic, un-educated, form of religious judgment?  These are human beings we're talking about, not a chicken farm on the outskirts of Fayettville, Arkansas. 

So when the news ramps up stories about Pope Benedict commenting on the use of condoms in on the continent, we need to be aware of what's going on. 
When the musicians begin rallying together to raise money, we need to know what they're raising money for.
When we see the U.S. government pledge 48 billion to fight AIDS in Africa, we need to be able to account for the money and see the results of the cash flow.  (I know that's a difficult assignment in lieu of the current trillions that are flowing out of the government right now to save failed banks, sketchy insurance giants, and car dealerships that can't turn a dime.)  But nonetheless, we need to know and be aware.

One of the greatest parts about working with teenagers is that I get to see the one's who are going to be the next Doctors, Lawyers, Statesmen, and Relief Agency Leaders.  I have the chance to educate students to see the absolute necessity in talking through hard issues.  Whether it's sexual disease, abortion, or the use of capital punishment in our justice system, we owe it to the students to be able to stand on Biblical principles to go and make the world a better place.  Right?  I mean, isn't that what we're doing here.

I guess the honest reason I'm writing about AIDS today is to just continue to fan into flame the ideas that help people get over the taboos of culture so we can identify, and care for, those in need today. 

I saw first hand how the U.S. is helping Rwanda in it's fight against HIV/AIDS, and I'm telling you it was an incredible moment to stand and be an American.

(if you want to read more, check this out in the recent Christianity Today Article) 

 

The Economy is Literally Killing

I just got off the phone with a friend in Hong Kong who is one of my heroes.  He's one of the busiest guys in the world as he manages one of the largest multinational companies in China, but he's still able to find time to give food to the poor.  In fact, he's responsible for feeding thousands of people everyday. 

He told me they are going to Dumaghetti this week to talk about how the economic crisis is effecting the viability of their programs, and his heart for the poorest of the poor in the world was never more evident. 

As I've said thousands of times before, this will never be a place where we promote only our little lot in the Kingdom of God.  I hope that we can be a place where you can hear a comprehensive need for the gospel to go forward.  That's why I encourage you to stop for a bit, watch this video, and if you wish to give to a ministry that is literally keeping people alive, be sure to visit Care Ministries and help to save lives today.

 

Sometimes I Feel Helpless

(http://www.bbc.com)

Sometimes when I watch Global events, I feel helpless, almost like I can't do anything to help those who suffer.  It's quite an impotent feeling when you watch the new reporters continue to reveal the tanks, missiles, planes, and death happening on both sides of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. 

(http://www.bbc.com)

I know there are two sides to every story, and so today I'm compelled to call on us here at andybraner.com to pray for those involved. 

Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:43-48)

May we pray today for our fellow brothers and sisters involved in another violent rebellion. 
May the innocent be shown mercy.
May the leaders have wisdom and insight to stop it.
May we find the courage to pray for those we don't understand, and truly find what it means to be "the sons of our Father in heaven."

Cuba, a national product of a belief system

I recently met up with a good friend who was born in Cuba, and he's been taking me to school concerning implications of a revolution almost 50 years ago. 

Fidel Castro came into power half a century ago, and some of the people who live in Cuba today don't know any other face of their countries leadership.  It's quite amazing. 

My friend tells me of today's Cuba, "It's like walking back into the 1950's, as if time just stopped."  he claims.

"Why do you think Cuba has been isolated from the progress of the rest of the world?"

"Andy, Raul Castro just allowed cell phones in the country last year.  What do you think?"

It's quite amazing to think about.  A whole nation, under the rule of a dictator.  It's like here you have one of the beautiful islands in the world; and time just stopped!

I know this blog isn't about the geo-political issues around the globe, but I think it's interesting that the religious belief system, steeped in atheism, has bound a whole nation to one leader, and a system that allows for it's own resources...the only source of innovation and all in a world more connected than any other time in history. 

On my daily news cruise I saw the BBC reporting the last 50 years of Castro reign as basically an oppression.  Workers make $25 a day, vehicles are all the 1950's Chevy look, and the buildings are in a radical state of decay.  Why?

It would seem that a nation with so much to offer the world, would be able to harness the resources of the country so it would be a paradise destination for vacationers. 

It would seem a nation with so much affinity for sugar cane and coffee would have the corner on the market for exporting to the U.S. and Mexico. 

But something's not right.

I wonder if the belief system the Castros have bought into has anything to do with the "struggling" they have to continue work through.  (a direct quote from Raul Castro)

I wonder if the removal of any source of morality, and the freedom accompanied with the system accompanying the God's story of the Universe has anything to do with a country that's Frozen in time?

I don't know.  I was just thinking this morning that as more people buy into the belief system of freedom and reconciliation, forgiveness and grace; the more progressive a country becomes. 

They have the ability to look each other in the eye and give the benefit of the doubt. 
They strive to uphold core values of life and property. 
They see a bigger picture of the world, and it seems like those nations that start out focusing on God's system, seem to do better. 

Just a thought. 

What do you think?