Comments on: Hope and Despair for Haiti

By: Jenny McDonell

Jenny McDonell — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:19:47 +0000

I didn't miss your point when you compared the person to the dog- you missed my point about how there is NO connection-there are lots of people willing to help other people, lots of people with different causes. That's great.
Why not complain and draw conclusions about people who do nothing for the betterment of anything other than their own personal profit? Like the government and huge corporations? and i do not understand how you say you are tight with Jesus and you think you (…humans) are better than animals. Why do you think he called us lambs of God? Says we are his flock? A dove the symbol of peace? Sparrows the only living thing to visit him while he was hanging on the cross? Arrogance is not going to make you a better anything.
If you knew the Jesus I know, you'd think twice about thinking you were better just because you got to be a person this time around. Open your mind. Don't be afraid.

By: Some Food for Thought on Haiti | a nourishing home

Some Food for Thought on Haiti | a nourishing home — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 03:42:56 +0000

[...] Underlying Tragedy by David Brooks, NY Times Columnist Hope and Despair for Haiti by Julie Clawson, Mom and Activist A Numbers Game by an AID worker named Tris The Truth About [...]

By: .elise.anne.

.elise.anne. — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:03:44 +0000

(nice decision to leave that comment up, with an explanation. i agree.)

I too will add my thanks for the post. If you want to read more about the Haitian/DR conflicts, which are horrible and add to Haiti's impoverished reality, check out the book The Farming of Bones by Edwidge Danticat.

peace.

By: Some Food for Thought on Haiti « A Nourishing Home

Some Food for Thought on Haiti « A Nourishing Home — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:07:07 +0000

[...] Underlying Tragedy by David Brooks, NY Times Columnist Hope and Despair for Haiti by Julie Clawson, Mom and [...]

By: Julie Clawson

Julie Clawson — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:52:47 +0000

I will leave Steven's disturbing post up as evidence why people like Pat Robertson need to be confronted for spreading unbiblical values and fearmongering lies.

By: Steven Sienkiewicz

Steven Sienkiewicz — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:00:26 +0000

Turn on the TV and you will see an outpouring of Christian love for a people who are truly suffering. Rather than pontificating from your own comfortable place, do some research and I'm sure you will find that there are plenty of athletes as well as people from all walks of life contributing to the relief effort. It is an outpouring from all over the world. That is how a christian responds to these things. I want to be clear that when I say christian I mean one who is in personal relationship with God in the spiritual realm, not a member of a "religion".
Spiritual leadership however has to point toward some hard truths in a time of watered down people pleasing liberal theology. If we read Ecclesiastes we can see that everything has a time and a season. It is common knowledge that voodoo is practiced freely in Haiti. Granted not everyone practices it, but everyone allows for its existence without protest. Voodoo is not Godly and God does not approve of it. Look toward the united States, for around fifty years we have allowed people to manipulate our government into slowly eradicating the Christian foundation of our country. The result is that now our rights as Christians are being stripped almost at will in favor of pandering to Islam, atheism, gay rights and a host of other "alternative" lifestyles. God's protection cannot stay over us if we continue to let this happen. Same with Haiti. God's word has been delivered there, but largely ignored.
It is my opinion that Pat Robertson was correct in his conclusion but incorrect in his delivery, because it only allowed the sensationalism of the new American press to capitalize once more on making fools out of Christians. In other words, he cast his pearls before swine.
I haven't heard his whole diatribe but if he didn't speak love and compassion to the lost it's a huge error. But nevertheless no man can serve two masters.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:57:02 +0000

When one pays over 1/2 a million for a race horse or use Operation Blessing airplanes for their diamond mines in Zaire…..

Hello, America…..PAY ATTENTION!

Pat is dedicated to, uh um…Pat. He believes in prosperity of the pulpit on the backs of the pew.

I recently read a comment on taking Israel out of Egypt and how long it took, to take Egypt out of Israel. Interesting concept. One we as American Christians need to think about.

By: Shelly

Shelly — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:43:20 +0000

Julie, Thank you for your words.
I work with a school in the Dominican Republic. As a staff we are working to involve our students and their families in the relief effort. There is a long history on the island of hate and mistrust between Haitians and Dominicans. Although the two nations share a small island there is little connection that their futures are tied up together.
As we pray for Haiti (hopefully coupled with giving toward rebuilding) let us pray also for tender hearts of their neighbors in the DR. Haiti needs the worlds help but most certainly it needs the help of their neighbors to the east.
For those looking to give to a cause that will go straight to those in need, Filter Pure Filters (or Auga Pure) is one I would recommend. Operated out of the town I live in, they are committed to providing safe water for the underserved. The ceramic water filters are produced here in the DR by local potters and distributed to families in need. With the current crisis in Haiti Filter Pure's director is looking to take a large quantity of filters over as soon as funds allow. These filters will help provide clean water that is so desperately needed right now. I encourage folks to take a look: http://www.filterpurefilters.org

By: marian

marian — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:29:06 +0000

Julie, I agree with so much of your post. I totally understand and admire the passion about injustice and the desire to see the church respond with God's heart for people in word and action. Especially understand the frustration over the stupid things people say and think and do while calling themselves Christian.

I also believe within the "church" especially we must be careful of the distractions. If one thinks there is a "evil" one…..who is out to lie, steal and destroy…..than we must be aware of the subtle trickery he uses to corrupt and cause us to miss the heartbeat of God. That's true in relationships. Many of us are outraged by Robertson's comments….I was too but though we absolutely should rise and say we disagree, language, tone, and action is important. Let's ask ourselves What do we do in our lives, our words, our actions, that brings shame to the "cause of Christ"? Pray for Him, Yes. Be angry, ok. Say it was wrong, yes. Point out facts, absolutely. But is there a line we should not cross? Do the words we say, bring healing and peace, to Haiti, or to the church, or to the world, or to ourselves? Do the words we say, bring restoration gently less we also do something stupid that reflects poorly on Christ? I know it's worse because of his "position" but as stupid as that was, unless we can say truthfully, our words and actions don't bring shame, should we go there in harshness and judgment? And even if we can say that, should throw stones? Maybe it's because I think "words" are seeds we sow and reap harvest just like actions, but I don't think so.

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 03:06:14 +0000

Great post, Julie. It is all just so overwhelming. This morning I was listening to public radio and hearing the account of how many Haitians the humanitarian workers expected to die of thirst today. I heard this while I was turning on the faucet to get drinking water to wipe down my countertops.

Ugh. What we've done to this world.

I lost it. My daughters were getting breakfast and pulling on snow pants, all the while trying to make out my tearful explanation of why I was so sad. I felt like somehow standing in solidarity with brothers and sisters in pain so I fasted for the rest of the day. Such a tiny thing, but at least it was something. Our home church has ongoing partnerships with ministries in southern Haiti, to which we will give financially as well.

Thanks for helping to put words to what I've been feeling, Julie.