Bono - We can't fix every problem, but the problems we can fix we should.
Bono is going to give an update on where he sees the Church in relation to the global fight against AIDS and poverty in comparison to his last interview 3 years ago.
The Church has done incredible things in the past 3 years. It was the sleeping giant, but he didn't know that the giant could run that fast. The Church is waking up and making a difference now. He is irked because he is used reacting against the Church. Now he can't and he doesn't know what to do! Malaria deaths are down 50 percent in Rwanda. 2 million more people are getting the treatment that they need in Africa.
Pastors are giving testimonies of how their churches are now engaging with the problems around the world and how God is using them. They realized that they must act - they must impact the poor and disenfranchised of the world. Look for where God is working and join in with Him. Things have changed. A mark of spirituality is when people release their resources to bless others.
Bono wrote "Where the Streets Have No Name" in Ethiopia in a village where there were feeding stations and mothers were bringing their starving children and laying them down to die.
Amazing story about a church in California that pulled together to help children in Africa. Through sacrifice, they raised over $600,000. I couldn't write about it at the time because I was crying so much.
Hybels and Bono - We could not find $25 Billion to save hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa, but governments came up with hundreds of billions of dollars to bail out the banks.
Hybels is nailing Bono on why he is not involved in a local church. Bono is squirming. He is saying that he is suspicious of denominationalism and cannot take lifeless ceremony. He want authenticity, honesty, and humility. He is comfortable where everyone is welcome, no matter their background. Honesty is required.
Bono - this work is hard. There is always resistance in the journey of equality. Where do you draw the line of empathy? Who will you stay separated from based on your prejudices?
Our generation's cause is to end poverty and make poverty history. It is not okay to have a child die for lack of a 20 cent immunization. It is not okay for a child to die because he has no food in his belly.
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ME: Bono is right. Things are changing. The Church is beginning to awaken to the implications of the gospel in regard to the poor and those in need. We have ignored this for too long to focus only on the vertical aspect of personal salvation. Then, we have focused on ourselves. But, God calls us to love others sacrificially.
Some of us are getting this. When the Church as a whole gets this, the world will be changed in many ways.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Thanks for these notes, Alan. They're great.
Posted by: Mike | August 08, 2009 at 07:24 AM