oh oh oh

oh, oh, oh, in the end it's all about the dough.

It's funny how no matter where you end up, money is the clutch. In high school it was all about getting enough of it to look cool at school. Or to pay for gas to get you around to social events & play chauffeur (albeit, those were the days when gas cost 0.97/gallon at the Plum Street Arco). In college, it was the key to social events: tickets to a show, dessert out with the girls. In ministry we spent great deals of time & effort raising it and fighting for it to help sick, hungry and oppressed children (remember Joselito? Osni?). And now, in academia, it's all about applying for funds--selling yourself on paper and in interviews to secure limited $$ to fund world-changing research. In light of the current "financial crisis," money seems to be weighing even more heavily on our minds than usual.

For two weeks now I've been arranging text and formulating arguments to fight for funds in the world of research. From grants to fellowships, I've been hard at work. This morning I get to take time out to write a few fighting words for funds for an organization I gave two years of my life to serve full time. Children of the Nations is having to cut back programs. They are preparing to let go staff. As they depend on the generosity of people with extra pocket change, they are now experiencing the financial stress alongside their financially strapped donors, with less pocket change than in times past. Please, if you can, send them a check. Their mission is clean and effective: feeding, educating and providing medical care for the poor and destitute in Africa and the Caribbean. See their plea at http://www.cotni.org/news/130.

During church membership group last night (yes, we are in the process of becoming full members) we discussed the meaning of "salvation." That God is continually bringing salvation to our world. Not just to people, but to the environment--to all living creatures. To cultures and theories. To the entirety of life. What's the definition of salvation? Originally, in the greek, it was synonymous with "healing." To save means to heal. Taking part in the healing of the world... this is something we get to join in as people of God. Whatever that means for you. And we, in turn, get to have the confidence that "everything will be all right."