Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Men don't read?

A couple of years ago, Wired magazine had a report on what men between the ages of 18-34 do and do not do.  They love the internet and short forms of non human communication (66%) and video games (60%) and do not like to read books (46%) or magazines (43%) or go to bars (33%) or see movies (20%).  So essentially it seems that men prefer e-media and men who read books are a rare sector. Is this true? 

living like slaves

Pr Ryan spoke on the freedom that Jesus offers yet how many continue to live like slaves. One great illustration was the ball and chain and how the chain is in our hands. We have to choose freedom even though it's been provided. Reminded me of this true story.
 
New York Times reporter Nicholas Kristof chose two Cambodian prostitutes and attempted to buy their freedom from their brothel owners. He selected young women who were there against their will, willing to tell their story, and actually wanted to leave prostitution. The first woman, Srey, was simple. For $150, Kristof left with the girl and a receipt. Srey Mom's situation proved more difficult, since the brothel owner demanded more money. Kristof writes: "After some grumpy negotiation, the owner accepted $203 as the price for Srey Mom's freedom. But then Srey Mom told me that she had pawned her cellphone and needed $55 to get it back.
"Forget about your cellphone," I said. "We've got to get out of here." Srey Mom started crying. I told her that she had to choose her cellphone or her freedom, and she ran back to her tiny room in the brothel and locked the door. Even the owner of the brothel begged her to "Grab this chance while you can," but Srey's Mom refused to leave.

What freedom do you continue to refuse because of the "comfort" of the vice? "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free..." Gal 5.1.