Today is the international observance of World Water Day. World Water Day is a nearly 15 year old initiative that grew out of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.
Check out the World Council of Churches statement on Water for Life.
Here are just a few sites gracing our world with cold cups of safe drinking water.
peace, dwight
Here’s a helpful essay by Miroslav Volf, titled “Christianity and Violence.” Volf delievered this as the 2002 Boardman Lectureship in Christian Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania.
Peace, dwight
Today is the Day for Peace
Watch and truly listen to this brief message from Kofi Annan. Many people around the world are observing a minute of silence in prayer for peace at noon today.
peace, dwight
Tomorrow (9/21) is the International Day of Peace. “The day,” according to Kofi Annan “is meant to be a day of global cease-fire. I call on all countries and all people to stop all hostilities for the entire day. I also urge all people around the world to observe a minute of silence at 12 noon. Let us hold in our hearts the ideal of peace.”
Please join me, and countless others around our globe in one minute of silence at noon tomorrow.
Peace, dwight
On behalf of emergent, Chris Seay sent out a link to a beautiful/powerful/emotional video download (made by Travis Reed) that tells the story of the loss of so many this week in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. The song is based on Psalm 137. The text and song were written by Lori Chaffer of Waterdeep and recorded for a unique worship project based on the retelling of the Psalms.
Lori, Waterdeep, Travis, Chris and Emergent – thanks for guiding our prayers.
peace, dwight
The photos, news coverage and personal stories of the devastation in the wake of hurricane Katrina are so unsettling – I find my heart and mind preoccupied with the chaos so many are experiencing. From the loss of loved ones and pets, to the homes, cars, photos, family heirlooms, and lets not forget the historic buildings and culture significance of the area for our Nation. The loss is staggering.
I find it impossible to imagine what it must be like to be huddled on the roof of my home with my wife and four year-old with no clean water just wondering when or if someone will find us. Or what it would be like to carve out a space in a stadium where you feel safe – how do you get comfortable in a stadium? What do you do when bridges are down and many of the major streets in a city are undriveable, with no electricity, no land lines, cell towers down, no Internet, no groceries, no clean water, no working sewage systems, what about hosipals, prisions, churches, malls, etc. How many small businesses will have to file chapter 11? How will this impact employment? What will this do to the poor, and those who were just beginning to get on their feet? Will the rich get richer in the wake of this dissasater? Simply overwhelming.
Just a few of the many channels through which you and I can activate our support.
American Red Cross 1.800.HELP.NOW
The Salvation Army 1.800.SAL.ARMY
Catholic Charities 1.800.919.9338
Samaritan’s Purse 1.828.262.1980
Grace and peace, dwight
Jennifer Goodson (one of my colleagues at MHGS) just publishing a powerful article titled:
“Exploiting Body and Soul“ in Sojourners.
peace, dwight
90 year old Brother Roger – spiritual father to countless Christ-followers throughout the world and the founder and Abbott of the Taizé Community - was killed during evening prayers yesterday, Tuesday August 16th, 2005 and he died immediately (read more).
May the Peace of Christ be with us all,
dwight
Here is a short clip of Elie Wiesel urging us to move beyond indifference – “fight indifference”. It seems to me that indifference is the fuel powering power. Indifference when combined with fear makes tyranny almost inevitable.
Incarnate-grace may be the Christ response.
peace, dwight
You’ve got to check out this article sex trafficking by Jennifer Goodson:
The Opposite of Free Love: Dispatches from the World of Human Trafficking.
peace, dwight