tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post1928882877459914750..comments2024-01-11T22:42:27.863+11:00Comments on Matron Down Under: Something to PonderAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07969357513275063157noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-867970772006921122009-04-07T10:31:00.000+10:002009-04-07T10:31:00.000+10:00What gets me is the role that borders play in all ...What gets me is the role that borders play in all this--both in the way governments respond and in which particular cases of suffering stir people's sense of responsibility.<BR/><BR/>If there were families competing with rodents for food in Maryland or Oregon, incredible resources would be brought to bear on the situation--from government, community groups, and individuals. I think most are happy to sacrifice when "our people" are in need. But the enormous question is, Who are "our people?"<BR/><BR/>It reminds me of the expert of the law who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. When the discussion turned to "Love your neighbor as yourself," the man asked, "And who is my neighbor?" <BR/><BR/>Jesus answered with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, which not only gave an example of above-and-beyond compassion but also cast a hated foreigner as the good neighbor. I think this might be the answer to the "our people" question.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11154351095467482965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-72496992802423188162009-04-07T07:29:00.000+10:002009-04-07T07:29:00.000+10:00Hey guys! Sorry--fixed the links! Thanks for the h...Hey guys! Sorry--fixed the links! Thanks for the heads-up. That's what you get for posting while stone drunk. ;)Does ice cream make you drunk?<BR/><BR/>And Beck--yes, Compassion and World Vision (which I added a link for) are totally legit. Compassion has been around for at least 50 years, and World Vision for a long time, too. I believe you can also sponsor children through Unicef, for those looking for a more secular option. I tend to like church-based programs, because local churches are woven into the communities there--they're aware of needs on the ground and it's something that whole families are a part of.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07969357513275063157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-38880470027645155632009-04-07T05:33:00.000+10:002009-04-07T05:33:00.000+10:00Just this weekend I was talking to a guy who works...Just this weekend I was talking to a guy who works in microfinance for people in developing countries, and he was saying the same things. Definitely sobering.<BR/><BR/>And so Compassion Int. is a good charity? I always think the sponsor-a-child things on TV are suspect. And Bsouth is right, your links are broken. Fix it!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06517252487552392654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-3012486063743616412009-04-06T23:33:00.000+10:002009-04-06T23:33:00.000+10:00p.s. - thank you for the cutes. They made me smil...p.s. - thank you for the cutes. They made me smile!<BR/><BR/>I think you need to check the link in your post - I had a little trouble getting to the compassion website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-16339494085530506722009-04-06T23:30:00.000+10:002009-04-06T23:30:00.000+10:00Thank you. You are very good at putting things in...Thank you. You are very good at putting things into perspective. I'll check the link out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-55934698032962685932009-04-06T22:11:00.000+10:002009-04-06T22:11:00.000+10:00Whew. Thanks for this morning's reality check.Whew. Thanks for this morning's reality check.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8897882981515430685.post-49150834587616747072009-04-06T21:23:00.000+10:002009-04-06T21:23:00.000+10:00Wow, That is truly horrifying. And I know I person...Wow, That is truly horrifying. And I know I personally fuss over saving money for this and that. We are really so incredibly fortunate. Thanks for that Amy, will check out that link as I ponder too.Maihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08124772311017392063noreply@blogger.com