Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Must Read Thoughts on Tipping
THE STORY
In recent weeks I went out to eat with a fellow who clearly had no concept of what to tip. He must have thought he knew what he was doing because he didn’t waste any time writing in a $2 tip for a $27 tab on the credit card slip. In my opinion the server would have had to of thrown the food in my face to deserve such a measly tip! In actuality she was an incredible server: great demeanor, timely service, no mistakes, relentlessly refilling glasses, and the whole bit.
THE THOUGHTS
-- 20% is now the expected tip. Gone are the days of 15% tipping. This comes from my own experience as a server and the informal research of having talked to other servers from different parts of the country. Whenever I was tipped less than 20% (and felt as though I had done a good job) I felt rather shafted.
-- Keep in mind many servers make around $2.13 an hour before tips, AND they have to share those tips with busboys and bartenders and the like.
-- Tipping is a wonderful opportunity to be generous. If my server does a solid job I thoroughly enjoy tipping them more than 20%.
-- If you can’t afford to tip well, then you can’t afford to eat out. Stick with McDonald’s or maybe Panera Bread.
And as for the rest of the story . . . after the other fellow left I went back in and handed our server a $5 bill. We both shared the knowing look that said, “What a jerk.”
We all tip, so what are your thoughts?
# posted by pk : 6:33 PM
Comments:
Yep, they deserve 20% because, as you told me once, they can really make or break the whole event. If the service is not good, that can unfortunately become the conversation topic instead of what you wanted to be talking about.
Because my friends were servers I understand the situation in America; however, I must say I love Japan because tipping is seen as an insult there (they also get paid more). It's great!
paul -
i enjoyed your thoughts. brandon was a server for years while we lived in minneapolis. it is HARD to support a family on a server's income, especially when people cannot be counted on to reward good service with a decent tip.
brandon and i have always tipped high. we enjoy making our servers day - especially when they make ours!
-natalie
i enjoyed your thoughts. brandon was a server for years while we lived in minneapolis. it is HARD to support a family on a server's income, especially when people cannot be counted on to reward good service with a decent tip.
brandon and i have always tipped high. we enjoy making our servers day - especially when they make ours!
-natalie
I'm all for tipping big. I think you've hit the nail on the head when you say, "If you can't afford to tip well, then you can't afford to eat out."
People don't think of the tip as part of the bill. They think of it solely as a curteousy.
People don't think of the tip as part of the bill. They think of it solely as a curteousy.
Tipin' cool. Tip jar NOT COOl. I'm thinkin' about putting a tip jar outside my cubicle.
# posted by 
: 11/01/2006 1:58 PM
: 11/01/2006 1:58 PM
Love the post Paul. And for goodness sakes, if you use a coupon (say, buy 1 meal get the 2nd free) tip as if you had paid for both meals!
I think you should tip well especially with good service. I don't think you should NEVER tip unless the service is downright aweful and extreme.
When I got married, I used to fight over the tip with my hubby. My hubby being Canadian, I found out that Canadian waiter/ess get minimum wage (not to be confused with waiters wage) plus tips.
So I said "Ahhh your not super frugal like I thought!"
However, I thought that 15% was good. I guess moving back to the southern side of the border tells me I am not all the knowledgable on what a normal tip should be. 20 % who knew?? I always gave 15% or above.
But lets be honest. Those that were waiters/tress will always be good tippers. You know how if feels to be shorthanded and so you give. At least I do.
When I got married, I used to fight over the tip with my hubby. My hubby being Canadian, I found out that Canadian waiter/ess get minimum wage (not to be confused with waiters wage) plus tips.
So I said "Ahhh your not super frugal like I thought!"
However, I thought that 15% was good. I guess moving back to the southern side of the border tells me I am not all the knowledgable on what a normal tip should be. 20 % who knew?? I always gave 15% or above.
But lets be honest. Those that were waiters/tress will always be good tippers. You know how if feels to be shorthanded and so you give. At least I do.
This may be wrong, having never been a server I don't have the inside scoop, but I have always felt that the tip was something the server had to earn. It seems that many people will still tip "well" (15-20%) if the service isn't that great. I usually say that an average server will get 15% and poor or good service will make the tip go down or up as a result. If I get fantastic service, I have no issues tipping 20% and often more, but in my mind the server has to earn the tip. But hey, servers out there, correct me if I am wrong.
I didn't know recent visitor Mark Schmerse was such a poor tipper. I figured he would have been more generous.
Nice post. :)
Nice post. :)
Oh your a jerk, why did you have to mention panera, man that would be a fantastic treat here in RC. Your not really a jerk, but panera can get pricey, real quick.
Adios
swarty
Adios
swarty
# posted by : 11/02/2006 3:36 PM
: 11/02/2006 3:36 PM
Oh dear. You just brought back bad memories...a very elderly relative came to stay with me for a week. We went to an out of state resturant. He insisted on paying. He left a $1 tip. I frantically searched through my purse hoping to throw in some more money but was completely out. I apologized profusely to the waitress. She just glared. I spent the rest of the week following this relative around with a wad of small bills.
Mandy
Mandy
And some of us "waiters" are really ministers in disguise, trying to bring the gospel to a group of disenfranchised, addicted, left-for-broke single moms and dads, whose biggest worry is how they are going to buy diapers and pay the babysitter for that very night.
And most of us, while doing this, are paying off college loans so we can go get a masters of divinity or theology. Tip well!
And most of us, while doing this, are paying off college loans so we can go get a masters of divinity or theology. Tip well!
# posted by : 11/14/2006 8:50 PM
: 11/14/2006 8:50 PM
I ALWAYS tip well..even if the service is poor.
I always think in my head that maybe they're having a bad day..everyone's allowed that right?
I also make the habit of writing a little encouraging note...
Might make their day a little better...
And...if I were living on a waitress salary there would probably be money problems..and that would put me in a bad mood anyway..
I always think in my head that maybe they're having a bad day..everyone's allowed that right?
I also make the habit of writing a little encouraging note...
Might make their day a little better...
And...if I were living on a waitress salary there would probably be money problems..and that would put me in a bad mood anyway..
Let me make this clear: I tip. Not only do I tip, I tip appropriately. Yay, now I'm truly American. Ok. That being said..."if you can't tip well, stay home"...? Seems maybe the only ones deserving of compassion are the servers. It's as if no poor, well meaning joe ever wanted to take his wife out and only had $30 on him because his little church had cut his health insurance and things were tight but, after all, it was their anniversary...yes, I tip. So should you. There's no reason for people who can do so abundantly not to. But share the compassion for people on both sides of the register. Which have you been? A stiffed server? Then be aware and
be willing to give grace to anyone, and only those, who deserve it. And if a little pastor from a struggling church ever takes you out and tips 15, or even 12, percent, then be as gracious to that pastor as you are to servers.
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be willing to give grace to anyone, and only those, who deserve it. And if a little pastor from a struggling church ever takes you out and tips 15, or even 12, percent, then be as gracious to that pastor as you are to servers.
# posted by : 11/25/2006 3:47 PM
: 11/25/2006 3:47 PMMonday, October 23, 2006
It's Coming...
Fourteen months from now thousands of students will get their world rocked in Orlando, FL at the next International Wesleyan Youth Convention: SetApart07.
We're looking for people to be a part of our grassroots movement who will:
1. Pray Often - That lives may be changed
2. Make Two Fringe Contacts - Encourage folks to come
3. Tell Your Story - How have conferences/camps impacted your life
4. Jump Online - Participate on the Message Boards
# posted by pk : 11:20 AM
Comments:
I love the video. Thanks for adding to the exposure for that. Kara got the letter and it blew her mind that a letter sent to every Wesleyan church in North America was signed by her "little brother."
I bet John Wesley would have loved that video. Hey lets make a MTV video to attract people to our conference and while we are at it lets make our site look as worldly and as MTV as we can. What happened to the power of God?
# posted by : 10/24/2006 7:23 PM
: 10/24/2006 7:23 PM
Nice vid!!
Seriously. I L'edOL at the previous comment. Is that for real? I mean, who cares what John Wesley would think of that video! ;)
Seriously. I L'edOL at the previous comment. Is that for real? I mean, who cares what John Wesley would think of that video! ;)
That video was tight. I love the take on culture and being "setapart" ... it'll be interesting to see how that comes together in the conference.
I personally think John Wesley would have shown the video at the start of one of his services at "The Foundry."
Anon might want to look up a little history on Wesley... his methods were pretty unconventional and "worldly" at the time. :-)
-DD
I personally think John Wesley would have shown the video at the start of one of his services at "The Foundry."
Anon might want to look up a little history on Wesley... his methods were pretty unconventional and "worldly" at the time. :-)
-DD
Thanks Dave for your thoughts. I agree with you. Amidst converting bar tunes to hymns, preaching in the fields, and using lay ministers I really think a flashy video would have been right up his alley.
But more important than whether Wesley would have liked the video is whether students in 2006 will connect with the message of the video . . . and the message of living for something more.
But more important than whether Wesley would have liked the video is whether students in 2006 will connect with the message of the video . . . and the message of living for something more.
I tend to agree with Dave and Paul that the goal of this convention is to help students live into the gospel of Jesus Christ. If we can aid that cause through a well constructed video, then I am happy. Although, perhaps Anon unknowingly brought up a good point that should be discussed and that is, to what point can Christians "baptize" culture. I suppose this is H. Richard Niebuhr's Christ and Culture conversation all over again but let's say that there's a video skit at the conference that spoofs a show on MTV. While the skit may be humerous in itself, it yet depends in part on those students having some knowledge of MTV shows (which we probably would not want them to watch). So, perhaps that's a question I'd love for people in youth ministry to deal with so I can glean from their wisdom.
p.s. I was corrected the other day by my friend who has a masters in music. While studying the Wesleys, he discovered in his studies that the Wesleys used bar tune form for their music, and not actual bar tunes. What difference this makes is beyond me.
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p.s. I was corrected the other day by my friend who has a masters in music. While studying the Wesleys, he discovered in his studies that the Wesleys used bar tune form for their music, and not actual bar tunes. What difference this makes is beyond me.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Wake-up Call
"There are places where life expectancy approaches medieval rates, where birth defects are the norm not the exception, where children's asthma rates are measured above 90%, and where mental retardation is endemic." --BBC Article on high pollution areas (check it out HERE)
Terrorism aside, my hunch is that the average American perceives the world to be a safer, healthier, and all around better place to live than any point in history. We're not shocked when we hear the names on Good Morning America of folks living well over 100 years old. Advances in technology and medicine make us confident that these are the best days the world has ever seen for overall health.
Though this may be true in our country, we're sadly mistaken if we believe that's the case around the globe. It's well documented that 1 billion people live on $1 a day or less. A few months ago I was shocked to find out that 3 billion people - half the global population! - live on $2 a day or less. It doesn't matter what technological or medical advances are made in rich suburbia if over 20% of the world doesn't have access to clean drinking water!
America needs a wake-up call. We've always been a nation known for our ingenuity. Let’s be creative in how we level out some of the absurd inequalities in the world. Where one is born shouldn’t determine whether one lives past the age of 35.
FACT: Life expectancy in the nation of Zambia (found in sub-Saharan Africa) is 35 years.
FACT: Life expectancy in the United States is 78.
Terrorism aside, my hunch is that the average American perceives the world to be a safer, healthier, and all around better place to live than any point in history. We're not shocked when we hear the names on Good Morning America of folks living well over 100 years old. Advances in technology and medicine make us confident that these are the best days the world has ever seen for overall health.
Though this may be true in our country, we're sadly mistaken if we believe that's the case around the globe. It's well documented that 1 billion people live on $1 a day or less. A few months ago I was shocked to find out that 3 billion people - half the global population! - live on $2 a day or less. It doesn't matter what technological or medical advances are made in rich suburbia if over 20% of the world doesn't have access to clean drinking water!
America needs a wake-up call. We've always been a nation known for our ingenuity. Let’s be creative in how we level out some of the absurd inequalities in the world. Where one is born shouldn’t determine whether one lives past the age of 35.
FACT: Life expectancy in the nation of Zambia (found in sub-Saharan Africa) is 35 years.
FACT: Life expectancy in the United States is 78.
# posted by pk : 9:30 PM
Comments:
ahh...
If we are experiencing a renaissance of environmentalism as it so (for now) appears, how will Christians (who have started to embrace it) develop a theology of the environment? Will it be focused on the poor? On endangered species? On sustainable economics? What value will we place on saving species / ecosystems for their own inherent value, even if they are commerical or directly related to us as economic beings? These are things we'll have to work out.
If you've got a lot of time, check out Grist's "Poverty and the Environment" series (http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/02/13/pate/index1.html). This one is taking me several sittings...
If we are experiencing a renaissance of environmentalism as it so (for now) appears, how will Christians (who have started to embrace it) develop a theology of the environment? Will it be focused on the poor? On endangered species? On sustainable economics? What value will we place on saving species / ecosystems for their own inherent value, even if they are commerical or directly related to us as economic beings? These are things we'll have to work out.
If you've got a lot of time, check out Grist's "Poverty and the Environment" series (http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/02/13/pate/index1.html). This one is taking me several sittings...
You're right Adam. Someone could easily say, "I'm waking up to the importance of valuing our environment" and yet be clueless of how to best go about living that out. My hunch is that you have plowed into that one more than the average Joe; I wonder what your thoughts are at this point? Also, that link looks amazing, like a full-on class!
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Friday, October 13, 2006
(Project) Red
Have you heard of (Project) Red yet? Well zillions of advertising dollars are being spent to make sure that if you haven’t, you will soon. (Project) Red is revolutionary, coupling together a new business model and a strategic way to help the world's poorest people. The idea is to get some of the most successful corporations in the world to boost their sales by giving a percentage of their profits to the global fight against AIDS in Africa. What has already been successful in Britain (to the tune of tens of millions of dollars already being raised for great causes), is now sweeping into an American shopping mall near you.
Bono, co-founder of this concept alongside Bobby Shriver, describes it well, “We've moved from the philanthropy budgets to the marketing budgets, and guess what, there's no comparison in size. We now have some of the most creative people in commerce -- Steve Jobs, the marketing people at Gap and Motorola -- all working for the world's poor. That is so, so cool."
If you had all the fame, finances, and charisma imaginable, how would you go about changing the world? That seems to be the question that Bono is daily living out in front of our eyes. It’s inspiring.
Check out this article to read more.
Also, check out my post "Our Responsibility to the Needy Brother."
# posted by pk : 8:17 PM
Comments:
My only hesitancy with this campaign is that it is encouraging Westerners to consume more, with a slightly higher price as a donation. Wouldn't a donation for the same expense (and no produc) do more?
I suppose the counter argument is that people are going to buy these products anyway, which is true for a certain %. I guess we'll see how it goes... Overall, this is certainly better than apathy. Cheers.
I suppose the counter argument is that people are going to buy these products anyway, which is true for a certain %. I guess we'll see how it goes... Overall, this is certainly better than apathy. Cheers.
The cure for AIDS was to abstain from sex between males, abstain from sex outside of marriage, and abstain from sharing drug needles with homosexuals and those who got AIDS in these ways above.
Having ignored this moral solution (especially in Africa) we now must try to protect the children as one third of the adult population in many African countries gets wiped out as the natural consequences of immorality. As always, the innocent suffer most from the immorality of adults.
I am not against this project but as Christians we need to see it as a backup plan to God's first plan. And we should remember that as we pay more for things because Bono has coerced busines to "pay up or get smeared" we are helping people who ignore God's laws. We can do it, but it was not God's plan.
Having ignored this moral solution (especially in Africa) we now must try to protect the children as one third of the adult population in many African countries gets wiped out as the natural consequences of immorality. As always, the innocent suffer most from the immorality of adults.
I am not against this project but as Christians we need to see it as a backup plan to God's first plan. And we should remember that as we pay more for things because Bono has coerced busines to "pay up or get smeared" we are helping people who ignore God's laws. We can do it, but it was not God's plan.
You're right RightWingWesleyan, between a complete end of all immorality and flawless medical practice around the globe AIDS would be extinct on planet earth within a matter of decades. Now while we wait for those two things to fall into place, every respectable person I've ever heard talk about battling the AIDS pandemic insists on a balanced approach - whether speaking from a Christian or nonChristian perspective. Sex education (including teaching abstinence), accessibility of condoms and other forms of protection, as well as medication (and research for new medications) for those who are sick are all key components. And guess what, they all cost money.
I'm with you Adam, I have reservations about this "cop-out" form of helping folks in need. But, at least the people who will buy the $150 Gap jackets anyway will now be saving lives too.
And for the record, no one's paying more. The iPod Nano is $199 whether it's red or white.
I'm with you Adam, I have reservations about this "cop-out" form of helping folks in need. But, at least the people who will buy the $150 Gap jackets anyway will now be saving lives too.
And for the record, no one's paying more. The iPod Nano is $199 whether it's red or white.
i am really torn about this - i just posted on it to get some feedback actually. i admire bono's heart, and i sincerely believe his passions and am inspired by this. but i must admit, i am a little bit embarassed that this is what it takes to motivate a fairly apathetic america. response seems to be greater on our part when we get something out of it, especially if that something is particularly trendy [how many people could actually explain the meaning and political process behind the one bracelets]. i am usually not this much of a skeptic, but it poses a definite question of motivation, compassion, and perhaps longrun stewardship. i am guilty as charged. is consumerism consuming the innaugurated eschatology that we are preaching? is it even possible for the two to exist? either way, it is surely better than nothing. so i guess kudos are in order for bono who acts on impulse and passion instead of taking due process to think of a way to bring the kingdom the most effectively but bringing nothing all the while.
Hey man. Thanks for always bringing posing questions of world significance.
I have to side on the air of caution, as most of your readers. My biggest thought is when all this money is raised, will it be lost in the endless crap or will it actually get to those that need it most. I would like to think the first, but with recent actions by Clinton and Bush and thier money not getting to New Orleans victims, how in the world will be we sure it get to Africa.
My thoughts, your world.
swarty
I have to side on the air of caution, as most of your readers. My biggest thought is when all this money is raised, will it be lost in the endless crap or will it actually get to those that need it most. I would like to think the first, but with recent actions by Clinton and Bush and thier money not getting to New Orleans victims, how in the world will be we sure it get to Africa.
My thoughts, your world.
swarty
# posted by : 10/16/2006 9:48 AM
: 10/16/2006 9:48 AM
[As seen on Kate's blog.]
I'm in the win-win camp on this one. Sure, life would be a lot better if we all gave our surplus money to those in need (as the Bible seems to point to over and over and over again) and thus (Project) Red would not be necessary. BUT, millions of people are dying while millions of others are buying $150 coats at the Gap and $199 iPod's from the Apple store. So why not tap into those millions of dollars to connect the spenders with the ones dying??? For the love, let's let the consumeristic, selfish, fashion & media motivated folks save a life for once! That doesn't have to stop you from buying a $5 shirt at Goodwill and giving your surplus to World Vision (or whatever) directly.
I'm in the win-win camp on this one. Sure, life would be a lot better if we all gave our surplus money to those in need (as the Bible seems to point to over and over and over again) and thus (Project) Red would not be necessary. BUT, millions of people are dying while millions of others are buying $150 coats at the Gap and $199 iPod's from the Apple store. So why not tap into those millions of dollars to connect the spenders with the ones dying??? For the love, let's let the consumeristic, selfish, fashion & media motivated folks save a life for once! That doesn't have to stop you from buying a $5 shirt at Goodwill and giving your surplus to World Vision (or whatever) directly.
i actually didn't post on Project Red because I assumed you would.... I wanted to hear what you and your readers had to say.
My feelings are as follows:
I hate mass consumerism and materialism. However - as mentioned by others, there are people out there who are happy to throw a couple benjamins towards an article of clothing. not being one of them, i find ideas such as the "mocha club" www.mochaclub.org much more appealing. i like to give my money away to good causes. but in that vein, i'd rather give $150 to buy meds than get a coat and send $10 to buy meds.
Of course,there are lots of GAP shoppers. They will buy a t-shirt with the word "InspiRED" on it happily and feel as if they are doing their part to promote health in Africa. And I applaud that. After all they could have bought a $28 t-shirt that says "Your boyfriend is a good kisser." :)
All in all - why not? Why not promote the idea of a little giving while we're busily spending? Why not have huge corporations take a tiny slice in profits in order to benefit the world as a whole?
I like it. And though I'm not going to hurry out to buy the "UncensoRED" shirt - I'll pat on the back those that will.
And I think the RED Ipod is pretty.
My feelings are as follows:
I hate mass consumerism and materialism. However - as mentioned by others, there are people out there who are happy to throw a couple benjamins towards an article of clothing. not being one of them, i find ideas such as the "mocha club" www.mochaclub.org much more appealing. i like to give my money away to good causes. but in that vein, i'd rather give $150 to buy meds than get a coat and send $10 to buy meds.
Of course,there are lots of GAP shoppers. They will buy a t-shirt with the word "InspiRED" on it happily and feel as if they are doing their part to promote health in Africa. And I applaud that. After all they could have bought a $28 t-shirt that says "Your boyfriend is a good kisser." :)
All in all - why not? Why not promote the idea of a little giving while we're busily spending? Why not have huge corporations take a tiny slice in profits in order to benefit the world as a whole?
I like it. And though I'm not going to hurry out to buy the "UncensoRED" shirt - I'll pat on the back those that will.
And I think the RED Ipod is pretty.
I saw this campaign first on Oprah. I thought it was a great idea. Sure its giving into consumerism/materialism. But the truth is people will buy it anyway and so it might as well go to a good cause.
I am so proud of Bono never giving up and working on helping the African people.
It really is sad when it takes hardly any money, but yet people are doing nothing. So I am glad that people are stepping up.
I am so proud of Bono never giving up and working on helping the African people.
It really is sad when it takes hardly any money, but yet people are doing nothing. So I am glad that people are stepping up.
sorry guys, i think i disagree (but i am allowed that, right?)... i feel kinda iffy about the whole thing ever since the gap employee (attractive african american gap employee wearing a red shirt -- hmm... marketing?) approached me and asked me to purchase a pin...
something just seems "off" to me. i know this will be misunderstood (so why am i saying it??? good question....), but humanistic causes and approaches to "saving the world" are not always Christ's solutions. I really do believe Bono has an amazing heart and love for people... but some money is not going to "fix" a problem. Some medicine isn't even going to fix a problem. We are fixing the wrong problem. Yes -- love is the solution. Money isn't. medicine isn't. a red shirt isn't. oprah isn't. bono isn't. love is. christ's love is. it is the ONLY thing that will make an eternal difference.
by the way, i bought the pin. i also think that sometimes it is okay to just "buy the pin" -- so i did :)
something just seems "off" to me. i know this will be misunderstood (so why am i saying it??? good question....), but humanistic causes and approaches to "saving the world" are not always Christ's solutions. I really do believe Bono has an amazing heart and love for people... but some money is not going to "fix" a problem. Some medicine isn't even going to fix a problem. We are fixing the wrong problem. Yes -- love is the solution. Money isn't. medicine isn't. a red shirt isn't. oprah isn't. bono isn't. love is. christ's love is. it is the ONLY thing that will make an eternal difference.
by the way, i bought the pin. i also think that sometimes it is okay to just "buy the pin" -- so i did :)
oh, paul, one thought -- you said you were "win/win" with this one because finally someone is saving a life.
question: what good is accomplished by saving the body while letting the soul perish?
yikes, sorry. just wondering.
love ya buddy.
question: what good is accomplished by saving the body while letting the soul perish?
yikes, sorry. just wondering.
love ya buddy.
perhaps thinking about my morals about consumption only serve as a distraction to the real problem of getting money to those who desperately need it. (like congress talking about gay rights and flag burning so that we never have to talk seriously about the poor in america or education or healthcare.)
I could give my money straight to the cause. but i don't. and my guess is neither do nearly all the people commenting on this blog.
so thanks bono. thanks for just doing something - and for making life better everyday for people who truly live in hell on earth.
I could give my money straight to the cause. but i don't. and my guess is neither do nearly all the people commenting on this blog.
so thanks bono. thanks for just doing something - and for making life better everyday for people who truly live in hell on earth.
# posted by : 10/17/2006 2:12 PM
: 10/17/2006 2:12 PM
Hey Bek--
Appreciated your thoughts, and of course you're always allowed to disagree . . . even invited to do so ;-)
I agree with you more than you might think. Money won't "fix" the problem. Love is the solution, Christ's love at that.
However, I see Jesus kind of love displayed in passages like Matt 25:34-40 and Luke 14:12-14 (or even Deuteronomy 14:28-29). On the flipside, Jesus seems to have pretty harsh words for those who won't care for the poor and needy - check out Luke 16:19-31 or Luke 12:15-21.
There's no wiggle room in my mind on whether God calls us to care for the poor and needy. Bono's (Project) Red has already and will continue to raise millions of dollars for the Global Fund. And if you check out the Global Fund website you'll find that they are supporting over a million AIDS orphans, keeping millions more from becoming orphans through retroviral medication, and have already given needed counseling and education to over 62 million people. So are initiatives like (Project) Red the only way to share Christ's love? By no means, but I sure wouldn't want to get in the way of the needy being cared for.
So Bek, maybe it is something like this: if we don't save the body (millions dying in Africa), then possibly it is our soul that is perishing.
Appreciated your thoughts, and of course you're always allowed to disagree . . . even invited to do so ;-)
I agree with you more than you might think. Money won't "fix" the problem. Love is the solution, Christ's love at that.
However, I see Jesus kind of love displayed in passages like Matt 25:34-40 and Luke 14:12-14 (or even Deuteronomy 14:28-29). On the flipside, Jesus seems to have pretty harsh words for those who won't care for the poor and needy - check out Luke 16:19-31 or Luke 12:15-21.
There's no wiggle room in my mind on whether God calls us to care for the poor and needy. Bono's (Project) Red has already and will continue to raise millions of dollars for the Global Fund. And if you check out the Global Fund website you'll find that they are supporting over a million AIDS orphans, keeping millions more from becoming orphans through retroviral medication, and have already given needed counseling and education to over 62 million people. So are initiatives like (Project) Red the only way to share Christ's love? By no means, but I sure wouldn't want to get in the way of the needy being cared for.
So Bek, maybe it is something like this: if we don't save the body (millions dying in Africa), then possibly it is our soul that is perishing.
The red iPods are the same price? Excellent! I'm all for it...
But I'll still be buying shirts at Goodwill... I hope.
But I'll still be buying shirts at Goodwill... I hope.
Creativity, consumerism and a generation's desire to be cool...taken captive and re-channeled towards those in need. Shrewd as snakes, innocent as doves. Plus, a t-shirt that can change the world? Now that's an idea...and the only way Sarah will let me get away with buying another t-shirt.
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Monday, October 09, 2006
Stand Up
Monday, October 02, 2006
Travel & Adventure Book Recommendations...
One of my favorite reads is a good travel or adventure book. I am an adventurer at heart (maybe all of us are) and turning the pages of these sorts of books captivates and inspires me like few others can. I’m sure every good book I’ve read came to me in the way of a recommendation at some point, so I’m just passing on the favor.
(In no particular order.)
A Walk in the Woods – Bill Bryson and his buddy Katz attempt to hike the 2100+ mile Appalachian Trail . This was the first book I ever read that made me laugh out loud until I was in tears. If you like this one then you’ll like his other books: In a Sunburned Country, I’m a Stranger Here Myself, or others.
(In no particular order.)
Walk Across
Worldwalk – In the 80’s Steven Newman drew a line around the globe and walked every step of it (the land parts that is). Being a journalist by trade, his literary skills surpass that of many other adventurers.
The Wild Muir: Twenty-two of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures - Each adventure is taken from Muir's books and journals. This man from the late 19th and early 20th centuries changed the way our country (and world?) looks at our natural environment. 14 of the 22 stories scored a 7 or higher (out of 10) by my rating scale. You’ll enjoy this book. Write me to find out which were my favorites.
Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer’s account of the 1996 Everest disaster. If you like drama and you want to learn what it takes to climb the world’s highest mountain, it’s all here.
What books/authors would you add? What have been your favorite travel/adventure books? I can’t wait to hear your recommendations!
# posted by pk : 12:47 PM
Comments:
Hey, I'm Kris..a new blogger:)
Yep I agree with you on the adventure thing. Some feel it, some don't.
I also agree on some of the books from your list (the ones I've read): Into Thin Air (#1 book), Into the Wild (not may fav).
I'd also mention: Touching the Void, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Live, The Climb, Left for Dead...etc...
I'm currently reading "Measure of a Mountain" by Bruce Barcott.
Come see my blog..I have some nice pics..
Yep I agree with you on the adventure thing. Some feel it, some don't.
I also agree on some of the books from your list (the ones I've read): Into Thin Air (#1 book), Into the Wild (not may fav).
I'd also mention: Touching the Void, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Live, The Climb, Left for Dead...etc...
I'm currently reading "Measure of a Mountain" by Bruce Barcott.
Come see my blog..I have some nice pics..
Thanks for the tip Kris. I ordered Measure of a Mountain at half.com for less than $5. I can't wait to get it.
Anyone else have some recommendations?
Anyone else have some recommendations?
I just finished "Fools Rush In" about a guy who travels into the heart of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War. It's AMAZING. A good mix of travel, adventure, politics and war. Also, "Dark Star Safari" is about a guy who travels by land from Cairo to Capetown. REALLY good so far.
The Dreamer is a great movie that would make for an excellent book! Ha!
(inside joke)
(inside joke)
# posted by : 10/07/2006 11:57 PM
: 10/07/2006 11:57 PM
Great list... read 'em all except the Muir collection (on deck). I need to go out to my backpacking barn and copy down my collection for you...(thanks to Marj Elder's summer book-buying trips for the past five years.)
Coach--
Thanks for Worldwalk; that was all you. Great gift! (Also, my hidden hope in writing this post was that you would "go out to [your] backpacking barn and copy down [your] collection for [us]". ;-)
Thanks for Worldwalk; that was all you. Great gift! (Also, my hidden hope in writing this post was that you would "go out to [your] backpacking barn and copy down [your] collection for [us]". ;-)
Great list here Paul! I'd suggest adding Sigurd Olson, the northwoods philosopher.
Also -- the story of John Wesley Powell. There are a couple of good biographies about him. He was a Wesleyan Methodist preacher's kid -- explored the Grand Canyon, and helped found the National Geographic Society.
Also -- the story of John Wesley Powell. There are a couple of good biographies about him. He was a Wesleyan Methodist preacher's kid -- explored the Grand Canyon, and helped found the National Geographic Society.
I LOVE Bill Bryson. I've read almost all his books!
remember that time you, me, Mark and Jess went to B&N In Ft. Wayne (when you found that cap on the highwah) and i was reading you guys parts of one of his books in my best that i could put on english accent?
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remember that time you, me, Mark and Jess went to B&N In Ft. Wayne (when you found that cap on the highwah) and i was reading you guys parts of one of his books in my best that i could put on english accent?
