it should not surprise us to hear that when governments from South Africa to China turned from wealth redistribution to private wealth creation through private property, free markets, and free trade, productivity replaced extreme poverty at stunning rates. The Economist reports that between 1990 and 2010, global extreme poverty fell by half from 43 percent of total population in developing nations to 21 percent. This change did not result from international aid, which tends to retard economies, but from economic growth.

What can an ordinary person like me do to help the poor?" When people find out at parties and social gatherings that I am a development economist (and yes, we economists do attend such events), often they ask me this question. For a long time my response was the same: "Perhaps sponsor a child?"

Some American Christians scare me. Passionate blog posts about offensive words like "the voiceless" and beautiful photos of homemade clothing and inspiring essays about living off the land inspire me to make more informed choices. But they also make me nervous about my ignorance after years of being outside this milieu and evolving language. They leave me with a pressing question and, at the same time, provide part of the answer.

Before you go out and get that ‘must have’ summer outfit that’s on sale, consider how much blood there might be on it. How much suffering and death is required so that we consumers can get a good deal on our clothes? How about more than 1,000 deaths? The death toll in the massive factory collapse in Bangladesh is now at 1,127. After 19 days, authorities in Bangladesh are ending the search. There are perhaps twice that many injuries, many of them very severe. But change is coming to Bangladesh.

This CNN video, featuring Ur's own Daniel Darling, gives some stats and background on where evangelicals stand. But like many other issues (immigration comes to mind), is there a divide between evangelical leaders and laity on gun control?

Some pro-abortion folks today are a little upset at a series of undercover videos released by Lila Rose, a modern-day crusader for the sanctity of human life, and her group, Live Action. Live Action describes itself as "a new media movement dedicated to ending abortion and building a culture of life." The videos are entitled "Inhuman: Undercover in America's Late-Term Abortion Industry." While not as grisly as the stories coming out of Gosnell's house of butchery, these videos nonetheless show the chilling and callous attitude of late-term abortion providers.

At a time when the Senate is considering the modernization of our immigration laws, they should also take measures to ensure the U.S. strengthens protections for those fleeing persecution. Christians and other faith groups are being targeted in many places around the world. Ethnic and political persecution is a significant problem as well.

The worst countries for religious freedom are either Muslim or atheist. (Burma is Buddhist.) We understand about Islam, but atheists like to present themselves as tolerant. What does it tell us that no countries of Christian heritage are on the list?

The evangelical "Pray for Reform: 92 Days of Prayer and Action to Pass Immigration Reform" campaign called on Congress in a press call on Wednesday to pass meaningful legislation in the next 92 days, throwing further support behind the current momentum in Congress to finally pass a immigration reform bill. The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, explained in the press call that the number 92 is significant for evangelicals because the Hebrew word for immigration is mentioned 92 times in the Old Testament.

Like many in the pro-life community, I watched in horror as the FBI raided Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic back in 2010. As much as I wanted to turn away from the gruesome descriptions of the carnage that took place at his hands I felt compelled to read the stories and acknowledge the tragedy of so many precious lives lost.