I have been writing about some of the injustices I see in the world and aim to campaign to reduce it’s impact. Part of the answer is to have stronger laws and stronger law enforcement to eliminate them. Another part of the answer is to make people aware so that injustice becomes unacceptable. But what is the root cause of injustice? There is no avoiding the fact that we are dealing with human nature at the deepest level.
Category: Compassion
My dream of 10 years ago
Well here I am in Los Angeles for the Justice Conference. In looking through my notes I found this – which I wrote 10 years ago. My dream has widened a little but in reading what I had written a thrill overcame me because I am still dreaming!
“I dream of a day when all the people of the earth will have a chance to flourish. When all, regardless
The Justice Conference
I am extremely excited to be going to the Justice Conference in Los Angeles, California, at the end of this week. (Feb 21-22 2014).
The are expecting up to 8000 people and I am sure it will be an amazing event. I am expecting to be inspired by what I hear and experience. So watch out, and expect exiting and relevant blog articles in the future.
Here is a short taster video. Please watch it and be inspired too.
George
Loving ourselves before loving humanity
Jesus affirmed the Old Testament law: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Italics mine). The implication here is clear: how we love and treat other people, is linked very closely to how we love and treat ourselves. I must admit that I have often emphasised the first part – loving our neighbour – and ignored the second part – loving ourselves. If we don’t love ourselves we do not have much basis for loving other people. We may feel uncomfortable about the idea of loving ourself. Connotations include selfishness, and “looking after number one”. But there is a place for loving, and caring for, ourself so that we are free to love other people. In this article I want to explore this in more detail.
God loves justice
There can be no doubt that God loves justice. In the Bible justice is often linked with righteousness (right living) and mercy. I am not talking here about justice in the context of judgement of wrong-doers. I am talking about Justice in the way we treat our fellow-men who may be poor, disadvantaged or weak.
Justice and Righteousness
“But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24)
Compassion or Justice
As we look at the world around us, we see so much suffering, and so much injustice. There are a number of ways we can react to this suffering. We can get involved in a charity which seeks to address the problem. Alternatively we may choose to join an action group which seeks to resolve the problem directly through campaigning for justice. Which is the best way? Sometimes we hear someone say that we need to get to the root the problem not just apply sticking plasters. Someone else will say that this is all very well, but until the problem is eliminated, we must meet the needs through compassion and love. I the rest of this blog I will say that we need both approaches. Continue reading “Compassion or Justice”
Nelson Mandala’s words live on
The world is saddened by the death of Nelson Mandela. I could say so much about this man, but the best tribute I can bring is to remember some of the words he spoke and then to act on them. He was only a man, and like us all his life is limited, but his words live on …
Racism
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. (1994 from his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom)
Here are some more of the words he spoke which we should remember and take to heart: …… Continue reading “Nelson Mandala’s words live on”
Heidi goes to Sri Lanka
I was in Sri Lanka visiting a mobile clinic run by Heidi. I had to drive up a muddy track with trees on one side and a drop on the other side. As I was driving up the hill an ox cart came the other way. Heidi thought the situation was hilarious! As I got hot and bothered trying to manoeuvre so the ox could get by, Heidi laughed and laughed! It was typical of her sense of humour.
It all started about 22 years ago when Derek Brown, our church leader, asked me to speak to Heidi and see Continue reading “Heidi goes to Sri Lanka”
Compassion and Justice 