tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post117138426277849862..comments2023-09-12T10:30:11.935-04:00Comments on Thoughts of Man: Major Faith Struggle: Part 2Tony Arnoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-54630465287651515822007-02-20T13:26:00.000-05:002007-02-20T13:26:00.000-05:00Like I stated, I am not nay saying Bono or his wor...Like I stated, I am not nay saying Bono or his work, I am just careful to make sure that any impact is real and measurable, and that the source of the improvement is clearly understood.<BR/><BR/>I like Bono and more power to his work.<BR/><BR/>BTW, thanks for joining in the discussion. That is the whole purpose of this blog. Promote discussion that aids growth.<BR/><BR/>TonyTony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-61367551760132102022007-02-19T23:32:00.000-05:002007-02-19T23:32:00.000-05:00jmg, you misunderstood what I was trying to say. ...jmg, you misunderstood what I was trying to say. What I meant was, one person can make a tremendous difference. And I didn't mean by financial contributions. What you said about helping people you come into contact with (as you said) is EXACTLY what I was talking about.<BR/><BR/>I was just trying to give an example of what one person can do. Tony, I'm not sure you're aware of the impact Bono has had. The One Campaign just successfully lobied congress for the authorization of a huge sum (I forget the exact amount) on behalf of world hunger. His goal is to help eliminate world hunger in his life time--and he believes it will happen.<BR/><BR/>Not to be overly critical, but I believe the attitude of "no matter how much I do or pray, horrible things will still happen" is historically the type of thinking that has allowed some of histories most horrendous travesties.<BR/><BR/>Who will stand up for the poor and oppressed if not God's people?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-81159734275138808982007-02-19T14:55:00.000-05:002007-02-19T14:55:00.000-05:00Anonymous, I am cautious on stating that a high pr...Anonymous, I am cautious on stating that a high profile person is having a big effect on an issue. I am not saying a high profile person does not have an effect or cannot have an effect, but I think we should be cautious in our conclusions.<BR/><BR/>There is no doubt that someone like Bono, or others, get a great deal of press on an issue and it can seem like they are having a big effect, but one must actually look at results to see if a big change has resulted and can be traced to a source.<BR/><BR/>What were the statistics before the person got involved? Did they change significantly over time and if so, what was the exact source of this change?<BR/><BR/>I am not knocking any celebrity for their causes or actions, but there is a huge difference in being vocal about a cause while continuing in your celebrity endeavors and giving up your entire life to live among the suffering and serve them, ex. Mother Teresa.<BR/><BR/>Now, I have little doubt that Bono has probably done more for the suffering than I have, given his resources and taking his expression of heart at face value.<BR/><BR/><BR/>JMG, I liked your answer.Tony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-23106475577336014682007-02-19T13:15:00.000-05:002007-02-19T13:15:00.000-05:00Sure, I can contribute to all the worthy causes ou...Sure, I can contribute to all the worthy causes out there, but poverty and injustice will still exist, and it's going to keep existing until Jesus gets back. No matter how much I do, or how much I pray, these horrible things will still happen. That's no excuse for me to do nothing, but it does tell me that my focus needs to be on those around me and on what I can do to help those I come directly into contact with. I think that more would get done if fewer people were content to just write a check to a faraway charity.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-60192832379405660482007-02-18T22:54:00.000-05:002007-02-18T22:54:00.000-05:00JMG,Can't do anything about it? The ONE campaign?...JMG,<BR/>Can't do anything about it? The ONE campaign? Look at what one fired up rock star is doing. C'mon! Allow the injustice and the rage you feel against it motiviate you to ACT. If God is active in suffering it is through the actions of his people delivering his justice in this world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-11563756501614676932007-02-17T10:15:00.000-05:002007-02-17T10:15:00.000-05:00Thanks Bobby. I remember reading your post but fel...Thanks Bobby. I remember reading your post but felt inadequate to comment at the time. I will revisit it.<BR/><BR/>TonyTony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-21355715882056669602007-02-17T01:16:00.000-05:002007-02-17T01:16:00.000-05:00I think it is a struggle for any thoughtful ... an...I think it is a struggle for any thoughtful ... and FAITHFUL person. It is one that is reflected frequently in Scripture if we have eyes to see.<BR/><BR/>One of the greatest of texts is Psalm 88. Here is pathos indeed. I interacted with Ps 88 and Night in a blog right before Christmas called "Dark Night of the Soul." I think you might find it interesting. Let me know if you read it. I would appreciate your thoughtful opinion.<BR/><BR/>Shalom,<BR/>Bobby Valentine<BR/>http://stoned-campbelldisciple.blogspot.comStoned-Campbell Disciplehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00807468566670784346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171474584418424222007-02-14T12:36:00.000-05:002007-02-14T12:36:00.000-05:00You make a really good point, JB. Even though I li...You make a really good point, JB. Even though I like to be informed about what's going on in the world, it is of little use to worry about it because I can't do anything about it. I can only try to be a good influence in my own circle of existence.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171427010504998122007-02-13T23:23:00.000-05:002007-02-13T23:23:00.000-05:00If we had lived 200 years ago, we would have likel...If we had lived 200 years ago, we would have likely known what was happening around us--and little else in the world at large. Is information a blessing? I like what your mentor says--some things I cannot handle and be what God wants me to be. <BR/><BR/>Aren't spiritual mentors a true blessing??jettybettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04351615360394477260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171386181945936942007-02-13T12:03:00.000-05:002007-02-13T12:03:00.000-05:00Anyone who doesn't like peaches needs all the pray...Anyone who doesn't like peaches needs all the prayers he can get.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171385436601395532007-02-13T11:50:00.000-05:002007-02-13T11:50:00.000-05:00Good. Because I don't like peaches. But I will ta...Good. Because I don't like peaches. But I will take all the peace you can pray me.Tony Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05497055762329338990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171385099852083422007-02-13T11:44:00.000-05:002007-02-13T11:44:00.000-05:00Um, that should be "peace" and joy.Um, that should be "peace" and joy.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379368.post-1171385022744559102007-02-13T11:43:00.000-05:002007-02-13T11:43:00.000-05:00I didn't want to say this the other day, but I did...I didn't want to say this the other day, but I did not read the news stories that you linked to, mainly because I did not want those mental images. I think that if I didn't limit my exposure to such things, I would be a mess. Jesus bore the pain of this cruel world so that I don't have to. I just have to have faith that justice is coming, and in the meantime, I have to do what I can to spread peach and joy.JMGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163521274652768781noreply@blogger.com