Poverty is not created by the poor. It is created by the structures of society and the policies pursued by society. Change the structure as we are doing in Bangladesh, and you will see that the poor change their own lives.
I also believe that providing unemployment benefits is not the best way to address poverty. The able-bodied poor don't want or need charity. The dole only increases their misery, robs them of incentive and, more important, of self-respect."
Muhammad Yunus from the book banker to the poor

Muhammad Yunus has quite the room too talk since he is the one who invented (or at least pushed) micro loans. Micro Loans have helped free millions from poverty. Perhaps simply giving to the poor is not always the best idea? On a similar subject, maybe we should rethink this idea of social security? I do not change soon though, for ideas like that don't get you elected.

It's all been said before, and better than I could...

?The Christian life is more than difficult; it is humanly impossible to live. Only Jesus Christ can live it through you as He dwells within you. The Christian life is not a person imitating Christ; rather, it is Christ imparting His life to and living His life through the person. The Christian life is not what you do for Him; it is what He does for and through you. He wants to think with your mind, express Himself through your emotions, and speak through your voice, through you may be unconscious of it.? ? Bill Bright

I think once we truly understand this concept that Bill presents to us, daily time with God will no longer be a struggle; for we will see that like breath is to life, prayer & scripture is to the believer. Any person saying he is saved by the blood of Christ and no longer needs to pray is like the idiot who says he is alive and therefore no longer needs to breath. We breathe so we stay alive, and the same is true of prayer and our spiritual lives. It wasn?t until I grasped this that my relationship with Christ really deepened, and I will confess that I still have to be reminded of it.

Innocence...

I watched a movie the other night called ''the end of innocence" with Michelle Pfeiffer & Daniel Day Lewis (I think he is a great actor by the way and yes, I do enjoy a good chick flick now and then). The movie was a PG romance genre, and to my delight had no sex in it whatsoever. No sexual jokes, and nothing that would prevent me from watching it w/ my parents. The movie itself did not threaten one?s innocence. On a side note, I recognize that the previous statement is a minimalist question. A better question to ask would be does this help me glorify or better my Walk with Christ. So many times I catch my self asking minimalist questions like I am trying to walk the fence or something. One?s faith is a lot stronger when they ask maximalist questions. Anyway, back to innocence. The word seems almost obsolete in Americans vocabulary today. I feel that I am so far from innocence. Is innocence important? In Matthew 10:16 Christ says to His Disciples, "I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves.? Can innocence be regained? Philippians 2:13-15 " It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God's children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world " Isn't that Interesting? Not through our trying do we please Him, do we be innocent, do we obey him. It is God at work in us that enables such innocence, He has the power to give innocence back to us. It makes sense, for how can dead flesh (our old self) produce anything living or qualities that living beings share.? It cannot, and that is why we need the life of Christ within us to produce life. It is so simple yet I still keep trying to pray more and read more. Without his strength it just doesn?t happen. Allow me to encourage you today to ask God for Innocence. Such a quality will enable Christians to stand out amongst a world where innocence is considered a negative connotation, and then you may get more opportunities to ?give a reason for this hope that you have (in Christ)?.