The Mark of Our Generation

For the sake of simplicity, let's just include everyone alive today as "our" generation.

Tonight I heard a compelling interview with Bono (for the second time, actually, but I still loved it), in which he stated that our generation could be known as the generation that eradicates stupid poverty.

It's not such a great feat, you know. Women were given the right to vote. Racism ended in the States. Apartheid ended in South Africa. While all these things ultimately amounted to a political decision, it took an entire nation of paradigm shifting to make them possible.

The AIDS crisis and ensuing poverty are not a simple matter of political decision. There are complex factors involved, and convincing a government to change it's policy is a tiny fraction of the problem.

But perhaps if our generation truly bonded together to do something, we could effect change.

Bono said something to the effect of... "the world is malleable, it can be wrestled from fools". Let's be a part of the movement to end extreme, "stupid" poverty.

www.joinred.com <- a campaign that dedicates half of the profits from special (RED) Products to the Global Fund, which fights AIDS
http://www.worldvision.org/resources.nsf/main/AidsTest.html/$FILE/AidsTest.html <- a quiz on AIDS... I learned a lot from taking it

Divine Romance

Check out the song Divine Romance by Phil Wickham:
http://myspace.com/philwickham then click on "Divine Romance"
At the risk of violating copyright laws, I won't print the lyrics, instead I'll let you enjoy the whole song.

I discovered it on the mySpace of a friend who just got married, and all the attendants walked in to that song, so I was reminded of how much I love it.

But it's also so pertinent to where I'm at right now. The officiating pastor at the wedding talked about how marriage on earth is simply a picture of the reality of Christ loving us. He shared the image of how in the Old Testament times, the betrothal would last a year, then the groom would march through the city with the best man blowing a ram's horn going to claim his bride.

As a girl, I've often struggled with the desire for romance and feeling loved, cherished and beautiful. But as God and I have talked about it, He's shown me that He created me with those desires because HE intends to fulfill them. Marriage here on earth is all good, I'm sure, but ultimately if I'm not fulfilled knowing that God loves and cherishes me, then I'm not going to be fulfilled by anything.

So, Mom and Dad, next time you give me trouble about being at the age where I should get married, I'd like to remind you that I am already betrothed.