Micah 6:8

China Still Up to it's Old Tricks

Three young boys in China's southwest Gangxi province on September 14, 2003. (Photo: Peter Parks/AFP-Getty Images)

I was reading some stuff on the net and it looks like China is still one step ahead us in their complete disrespect for human life. I found this article via blogicus on how the Chinese government recently forced an abortion on a pregnant woman. They did this because they wanted to give her the death penalty but their laws prohibit giving the death penalty to pregnant woman. Another article that I came across on world press says that the Chinese government is offering cash incentives for families that have girls. The reason for this is that because of their one child policy (a policy that restricts the number of children people can have) baby girls are more likely to be abandoned, aborted or sold so that the family can have a second try for a boy. Boys are favoured because they can provide financial stability for the family and are thought to carry on the family name better. This devaluation of girls has caused the boy-girl ratio to become disproportionate. While this story doesn't directly show the evil of the Chinese government it does indirectly do this. The cash incentive is only necessary because the years and years of a repressive law is starting to show it's effects. Also, the simply way of curbing the problem would be to remove the policy and let nature takes its course.

I wondered if these articles were worth posting as there is nothing we can do to help this situation (besides praying) but I opted to do so anyways because I thought that it doesn't hurt to point out the affects that a society wide unappreciation for the unborn can have. We need to see that Canada and other western countries never reaches this point. I think that the only reason we haven't is that our governments are not as repressive. I think their society devalues the unborn no more than our does. Let this cause us to shudder.

"Tickle Our Ears Prophet"

I mentioned in my last post that I have noticed that many churches seem to focus their sermons on encouraging messages that make the flock feel good without encouraging deep change. I was thinking about this a little more and I think that the following verses applies:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge; Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of the evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Tim 4:1-5

I've had people label me militant, negative and extremist in the past. Often what I say is negative because often what I see is negative. We live in a sick world and the church is very sick as well. I'm not about the start telling people that the church is doing a good job when I just don't think it is. I'm going to correct, rebuke and encourage righteousness. The prophets carried a negative message because the situation that they were in was negative. I imagine that they were labeled militant, negative and extremist from time to time too. Giving comforting little "chicken soup for the soul" type messages only make people feel comfortable and content. Why would I want to do that?

Conflict

We were talking about conflict in our church group yesterday about how conflict is handled within our culture and within the church. Within the church we have a morbid fear of conflict. Our consumeristic approach to church leads people to leave a church when interpersonal conflict arises. Because of this many church leaders fear creating conflict and desperately work to produce a sense of peace within the congregation. Sin is not dealt with in many of these situations because it means that conflict will arise. In many churches that I have been in, sermon after sermon is about God's love, grace, peace or other good things but without equal attention given to our sin and responsibilities this lead to lazy sinful Christians. Then when someone is actively sinning they are often excused to avoid conflict. There are definitely some sins that get attention and for the most part will be dealt with such as adultery or alcoholism but when was the last time you saw someone disfellowshiped for greed? 1 Cor 5:11 says that they should be.

Another problem is that we keep people at an arms length because when people get too close then conflict will inevitably rear it's head. This weakens our ministry to others. We are to be united in Christ and this unity is a powerful witness to the world. As people are hungry for community united inviting Christians are a powerful way to draw people to the gospel. I know that it was the loving nature of Christians that drew me to Christ. Imagine how much more powerful our witness would be if we were united in deep love for one another.

What I don't know is where the line between confrontation and accepting the other the person where they are should be. My family never had any problem confronting each other over anything that even slightly annoyed us (usually in a not so nice way). I'm trying to learn when to bite my tongue and when to speak up for the truth.

The Public School System Sucks

I just read a wonderful criticism of the public school system by John Taylor Gatto. I've been sold on the idea of homeschooling for a long time but this has just reminded me of some of my reasons. I think that one of my main goals as a parent is to raise children that can think. If they can think then they can grow and change throughout their entire lives. When I debate the issue of abortion with people I can't believe how many people are really stupid. They seem completely incapable of following a logical argument. It also amazes me how people are sucked in by political propaganda. It seems fairly obvious to me that the public school system does not teach children to think. The vast majority of people don't seem to be able to believe anything that is not the opinion of the majority. I think that we are trained to conform.

Well, I think that I'm done my little rant now. I'll write more of my opinions on this later.

Poor are Amongst Us

One thing that I never realized before recently is that there is real poverty here in North America. I assumed that people that struggled to feed themselves had made previous bad decisions that left them in bad space. I was recently awoken to the fact that I had been very wrong in my assumption.

Joel and I used to live in on the top floor of a house. While we were living there we had some refugee couple move in below us. The man, Ali, was from Iran and his girl friend Christina was from Mexico. We got to know them and have a built a friendship with them. Ali and Christina recently separated. When Christina left Mexico she had to leave her children behind with her mother. They just arrived yesterday after 14 months. Christina is in a very difficult situation now. Her children are just here as visitors so she will get no aid from the government for them. She only works 14 hours per week for minimum wage. Welfare will see that she gets at $510/month but that's not enough for family when that is probably the cheapest you can rent a one bedroom apartment for. Her English is pretty good but she has had trouble finding more work because she doesn't have Canadian experience and she has an accent. Her children won't be able to go to school here because they are only visitors so she will also have to consider child care while she is working. At the end of the month she has to find a place to live that will accept her children because she can't afford her current place now that she has separated from Ali. I don't know how she is going to manage. It was tough enough for me to find a job as Canadian. It's also quite difficult to find a place to rent when you have children. She said that when she called and told them that she had children they said, "no children, no pets". She thought that it was great how her children were considered equal to animals.

This situation has left me realizing just how fat and happy my life really is. I will probably never have to flee the country. I'll probably won't be away from my children for a over a year. I will probably also be able to eat as much as I want. I will probably never even need to get a job again. There are people within our midst that need our help, love and support. The poor are not just out there in Africa but they are right here. I can't sit on my money, time or other resources when there are people that God loves suffering that I can help. You can help these types of people too. Don't just send your old clothes to refugee centres. Go to a centre and meet some people and invite them for dinner. Build a friendship with a refugee. Become vulnerable and pour your life into these people. As a bonus, a lot of refugees are well educated and can offer a two way friendship. Please consider helping someone in a meaningful way today.