Pics from Saturday night's gig. Of course, there is a whole band, but i'm partial to the guitar player in particular. And the blissed pumpkin was created by a fan (who also happens to be a nephew).
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
my better half
Pics from Saturday night's gig. Of course, there is a whole band, but i'm partial to the guitar player in particular. And the blissed pumpkin was created by a fan (who also happens to be a nephew).
Saturday, October 28, 2006
x marks the spot
Municipal elections are coming up.
Booorrrring, right? I admit, in the past, a municipal election has triggered about as much excitement in me as...well, I was going to say watching grass grow, but I have been known on occasion to throw myself down on the lawn for exactly that purpose. How about - as exciting as Saturday afternoon TV? Or as exciting as my early morning Apologetics class in Bible College, many moons ago? Oh, here's a good one! As exciting as...
But I digress.
I do pay attention to federal elections, and even to provincial elections, mostly to get my blood racing in disgust and frustration over political maneuvering and deception. (Usually in the midst of some televised debate or say-nothing speech, there is a moment when I'm tearing my hair out and yelling at the TV screen. This is the moment Jeff chooses to sweetly remind me of my self-righteous admonitions for self-control when he's yelling at the Leafs.)
But municipal elections? How important can they be? After all, it's my own neighbours, people who live in the same place I do, who are running this level of government. People who presumably like the community, but who are at the mercy of the other levels of government anyway, so their power to change anything is pretty limited.
This year, I'm changing. I'm checking out websites, asking around, paying attention. It's more INTERESTING than I thought. (If you saw me in the audience during the televised debate, you might have thought I looked bored, but that's actually my gaze of wise and discerning intelligence.) And, almost certainly, more IMPORTANT than I thought.
It's tough to sort out the actual truth from the "you can't handle the truth" rhetoric. I don't quite understand all the issues. But I do live here. I pray for my community and its leaders. And I'm asking God for wisdom as I watch it all unfold, so that my vote is a thoughtful one.
God keep our land!
(any thoughts?)
Booorrrring, right? I admit, in the past, a municipal election has triggered about as much excitement in me as...well, I was going to say watching grass grow, but I have been known on occasion to throw myself down on the lawn for exactly that purpose. How about - as exciting as Saturday afternoon TV? Or as exciting as my early morning Apologetics class in Bible College, many moons ago? Oh, here's a good one! As exciting as...
But I digress.
I do pay attention to federal elections, and even to provincial elections, mostly to get my blood racing in disgust and frustration over political maneuvering and deception. (Usually in the midst of some televised debate or say-nothing speech, there is a moment when I'm tearing my hair out and yelling at the TV screen. This is the moment Jeff chooses to sweetly remind me of my self-righteous admonitions for self-control when he's yelling at the Leafs.)
But municipal elections? How important can they be? After all, it's my own neighbours, people who live in the same place I do, who are running this level of government. People who presumably like the community, but who are at the mercy of the other levels of government anyway, so their power to change anything is pretty limited.
This year, I'm changing. I'm checking out websites, asking around, paying attention. It's more INTERESTING than I thought. (If you saw me in the audience during the televised debate, you might have thought I looked bored, but that's actually my gaze of wise and discerning intelligence.) And, almost certainly, more IMPORTANT than I thought.
It's tough to sort out the actual truth from the "you can't handle the truth" rhetoric. I don't quite understand all the issues. But I do live here. I pray for my community and its leaders. And I'm asking God for wisdom as I watch it all unfold, so that my vote is a thoughtful one.
God keep our land!
(any thoughts?)
Monday, October 23, 2006
all dressed up
We went to a wedding on the weekend!
Long, beautiful drive there, with startling and poignant moments of watching snow drop slowly from pine trees, as a deer noted our passing.
Very long, rainy and foggy drive home. No poetic moments.
But in-between, it was great to hang out with old friends!
We also obtained access to the bride's office.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
a momentary view of my brain
I'm starting a week's vacation tomorrow. Yay! So I'm working frantically to get everything done before the end of today. And then what doesn't get done - well, presumably the world will continue without too much disruption.
Lately, there is a whole variety of sources which are offering my brain things to think about. There is G.K. Chesterton, with his 100-year-old book "Orthodoxy" which sometimes makes me laugh out loud, and sometimes goes right over my head, but definitely makes me think. His story of fairy tales and atheists leading him right back to Christianity is definitely a unique one! One thought that grabbed me, was a reference to the "lion laying down with the lamb"....we've all heard that, right? But, he says, we always think that the lion will become LIKE the lamb. But the real miracle would be if a lion could remain the lion he was created to be...and the lamb could remain the lamb he was created to be...and they could exist together. Hmmmm.
Then there's Brian McLaren, an American author and speaker of today. In one of his podcasts that I listened to recently, he remarks that he thinks pacifists might be ahead of their time - that the elimination of war is certainly something to aim for, even if perhaps it isn't possible right now. His entire seminar is quite thoughtful, especially in light of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Amish tragedy....
Then there is "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" - a new TV series that I am NOT recommending, because I never, EVER recommend TV shows or movies....it's just asking for trouble. But one of the main characters is a committed follower of Jesus, trying to walk out her faith in a network TV setting. Do I agree with everything she says or does? Of course not. But in real life...for those working in Hollywood, or the entertainment industry...it must be quite a challenge to not only walk out your faith, but to do your job well, WHILE you're walking it out. I appreciate Aaron Sorkin's willingness to portray a Christian as a serious character, not just a weird extremist or a joke.
What's in YOUR brain today?
Lately, there is a whole variety of sources which are offering my brain things to think about. There is G.K. Chesterton, with his 100-year-old book "Orthodoxy" which sometimes makes me laugh out loud, and sometimes goes right over my head, but definitely makes me think. His story of fairy tales and atheists leading him right back to Christianity is definitely a unique one! One thought that grabbed me, was a reference to the "lion laying down with the lamb"....we've all heard that, right? But, he says, we always think that the lion will become LIKE the lamb. But the real miracle would be if a lion could remain the lion he was created to be...and the lamb could remain the lamb he was created to be...and they could exist together. Hmmmm.
Then there's Brian McLaren, an American author and speaker of today. In one of his podcasts that I listened to recently, he remarks that he thinks pacifists might be ahead of their time - that the elimination of war is certainly something to aim for, even if perhaps it isn't possible right now. His entire seminar is quite thoughtful, especially in light of Afghanistan, Iraq, the Amish tragedy....
Then there is "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" - a new TV series that I am NOT recommending, because I never, EVER recommend TV shows or movies....it's just asking for trouble. But one of the main characters is a committed follower of Jesus, trying to walk out her faith in a network TV setting. Do I agree with everything she says or does? Of course not. But in real life...for those working in Hollywood, or the entertainment industry...it must be quite a challenge to not only walk out your faith, but to do your job well, WHILE you're walking it out. I appreciate Aaron Sorkin's willingness to portray a Christian as a serious character, not just a weird extremist or a joke.
What's in YOUR brain today?
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
are you in?
OK everyone, I’ve gone public. That’s right – I’ve told you where this blog is, and I’ve invited you to comment on it. Why? Because maybe it’s another way of building friendships. How? Click on “comments” at the bottom of each post – you can read what others have to say, and add your own thoughts…anonymously, if you prefer. Conversation won’t be happening in real time, but it will be happening nonetheless.
My suggestion…your own identity is your own business, but don’t give full names or photos or other info that would identify someone else, without their permission. You’ll notice that I’m “Patti in Canada”, and the only picture with a face on it is mine. One other suggestion – be nice. Don’t make me delete you!!
When, you might ask, are we getting a whole actual website for our church? Soon, I tell you, soon. It is actually being created by international experts in a top-secret lab deep in the jungles of Alaska. When the time is right – it will be revealed. And there will be much rejoicing.
In the meantime, it’s OK to converse outside the church walls, right? Even if they are virtual walls? Even if it’s just on my personal, unofficial blog? Yes – I thought so.
So, I repeat the question of last week: Think back to your Thanksgiving chocolate deliveries – is there a smile that stands out to you?
Or, let me toss out a few new questions:
Whose story would you like to hear at future Supper & A Story events? (first names only please!)
What does it mean to you to “go through the hole in the wall” that we’ve been talking about?
Come on, CF – I know you’re out there!
My suggestion…your own identity is your own business, but don’t give full names or photos or other info that would identify someone else, without their permission. You’ll notice that I’m “Patti in Canada”, and the only picture with a face on it is mine. One other suggestion – be nice. Don’t make me delete you!!
When, you might ask, are we getting a whole actual website for our church? Soon, I tell you, soon. It is actually being created by international experts in a top-secret lab deep in the jungles of Alaska. When the time is right – it will be revealed. And there will be much rejoicing.
In the meantime, it’s OK to converse outside the church walls, right? Even if they are virtual walls? Even if it’s just on my personal, unofficial blog? Yes – I thought so.
So, I repeat the question of last week: Think back to your Thanksgiving chocolate deliveries – is there a smile that stands out to you?
Or, let me toss out a few new questions:
Whose story would you like to hear at future Supper & A Story events? (first names only please!)
What does it mean to you to “go through the hole in the wall” that we’ve been talking about?
Come on, CF – I know you’re out there!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
pics & queries
We did it!
5 dishpans full of chocolates ...
5 dishpans full of chocolates ...
plus 166 helping hands ...
plus about an hour on Thanksgiving weekend ...
Cost: some money and time
Showing our neighbours the extravagant love of Jesus at Thanksgiving...PRICELESS!
Queries for You!
(you can post your thoughts anonymously - click "comments" below)
What word can we put on the wall to tell the story?
When you delivered the chocolates - whose smile do you remember?
Friday, October 06, 2006
a chocolate Thanksgiving
Love, love, love Thanksgiving weekend! My sister's cream cheese mashed potatoes, my mom's pies, my personal cornbread and sausage stuffing, then mercilessly defeating family members (including my nephew, who is quite good) at Monopoly - it doesn't get any better than this.
We always go for a walk on Thanksgiving Monday. It's just a walk in the woods, surrounded by fall foliage, but a smaller family member labelled it as a "turkey walk" several years ago, and the name has stuck. It's our favourite family event of the year.
Hey - anyone out there got any Thanksgiving traditions or memories?
Sunday, our church congregation is packing up chocolates instead of listening to a sermon. They go in little baggies, tied with a ribbon and a "Happy Thanksgiving" tag, and then we're delivering them to every apartment in the two buildings down the street. Many of the people there are new to Canada - wasn't the first Thanksgiving something about sharing food with newcomers...hmmm, that sounds familiar.If you're part of the chocolate delivery crew - let's hear your delivery stories!
A Happy Thanksgiving to You!
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