It's about time ...

Assembly of First Nations' Grand Chief

Phil Fontaine standing in front of St Peter's

in Vatican City

awaiting his private audience with

Pope Benedict.

Despite the criticism being lobbed at Pope Benny,

this marks a significant watershed for Canada's First Peoples,

as Chief Fontaine noted quite eloquently,

it's time to continue moving forward.

Today's adventure ...

These are banana boxes ...

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If you are involved in the distribution of food and help to the poor, you are no doubt familiar with banana boxes ...

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They are convenient, ubiquitous and they come in quite handy ... you can pack about 40 lbs of non-perishable foodstuffs in an average banana box, and are able to use the convenient handles to shlep it around.

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Banana boxes also help gather, move and distribute perishables like bread, fruit and veggies ...

.

This week I've been spending a lot - and I MEAN A LOT - of time with banana boxes ...

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The regular delivery driver for Samaritan House Ministries - the main food bank in town - has been on holidays, and I have volunteered to drive in his absence ... I have a WHOLE new respect for the work that he does ...

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My day starts at 7 am with a pick up at a local grocery store and continues with a schedule of stops ALL over town picking up bread and baked good, produce and milk for distribution through the food programmes run by Samaritan House Ministries ...

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Yesterday and today I filled and moved dozens and dozens of banana boxes filled with date expiry baked good, produce that caused Ms. H to declare: "sick, there's mold on those ..." and hundred of kilos of root vegetables donated by a local Hutterite colony ...

.

Tonight my back is sore, my knees and shoulders are aching, and I have pains in nooks and crannies I didn't know could have pain ... but I feel good about being able to see in such a first hand way the important work that agencies like Samaritan House do in places like Brandon ... one of the staff at Samaritan House has gone on record saying - "all of this ... (the food distributed to the poor in Brandon) ... is garbage that we keep out of the local dump ..."

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She's right ... without our pick up today, hundreds of pounds of bread, muffins, cakes, donuts and other baked items would simply get tossed in a dumpster and sent to the garbage dump ... instead the people in Brandon who NEED help to survive, are being given food that they gladly use ... without our pick up today a hundred pounds of bruised, over-ripe and damaged produce would get tossed in a dumpster and sent to the dump ... instead it is cleaned up and given to people - some of whom get ONLY this "fresh" produce - to enjoy!!!

.

I would gladly endure whatever aches and pains I feel tonight over and over because I know that when I back the truck up to the loading dock at a local grocery store - the food that I haul away is going to be used and appreciated by those in need who live all around me in Brandon ... it's exhausting and tiring ... but it is SOOOOOOO worth it ...

.

It helps keep things in perspective ... it's NOT about photo opportunities and press announcements - it's about helping those in need and helping to feed, clothe and house the poor and vulnerable ... maybe one day our bureacrats and our politicians will get it and we'll no longer need places like Samaritan House !!!

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In the meantime - one banana box at a time - we keep feeding people ...

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Happy 100 days !!!!!

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Let's hope the next 2822 Days

are just as great !!!

Catching up ...

I've been getting caught up on my writing lately ...

Click here to read my latest contribution to the Wheat City Journal (it's a reflection piece on some of the experiences I had in Ottawa at StreetLevel 2009)

Then click here to read my latest sermons over at Meditative Moments.

A blast from the past ...

This weekend, Noahkila and I were watching Jeff Dunham videos on Youtube and on dvd ... the whole concept of ventriloquism has fascinated me since my childhood when Edgar Bergen and his pals Charlie and Mortimer made appearances on television shows like The Muppet Show.

Noahkila stumbled across this catchy little gem of the late Paul Winchell and his pal Jerry Mahoney singing a duet ... both Noahkila and I really want to know how both voices were singing simultaneously ... It's sweet and delightful - enjoy:

Now it's Good Night Friend ...

Whether we know her as

Vera,

Maude,

Dorothy,

or

the bar-tender on Tatooni

Yes, that's right - in the late 70's

Bea Arthur was among a group of

actors who starred in a

Star Wars Holiday TV special.

It is apparently one that

Mr Lucas wishes to forget EVER got made.

But in honour of the passing of

the highly entertaining

Bea Arthur,

I offer a resurrected scene from that unusual special:

THANK YOU GOD !!!!

This man could have been the president of the US of A ...

Thank God that President Obama won the election, and not just because of WHO would have been V.P. had McCain won ... but because after EIGHT years of stupidity in the White House the United States not to mention the WORLD needed an intelligent leader who is AWARE of what is happening in the world.

Today Mr. McCain showed us CLEARLY how he and Mr Obama are different, and Mr McCain falls into the SAME camp as former President Bush ...

According to Mr McCain, despite the official record of 9/11 never noting a connection between those responsible for this horrid crime and Canada - the longest (formerly) undefended border between the USA and Canada was part of the 9/11 problem ... McCain, despite ALL of the evidence to the contrary has STATED that the 9/11 suspects entered the US through Canada!!!

All I can say is - THANK GOD, this man is NOT the President of the US, but is fast becoming nothing more than a dottering old fool!!!!

Check out the story here from CBC - McCain defends Napolitano, insists 9/11 perpetrators came from Canada

118 ...

Maj. Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa

died today in Afghanistan.

Prayers for her family,

for her comrades.

Lest we forget.

Customer satisfaction and email...

A couple of weeks ago I bought a set of corelle dishes for my little house ... as I unpacked them I noticed a flaw in the moulding for one of the coffee mugs. I took note of the customer contact info on the box and sent off an email to the company more to tell them about the flaw than anything else. I wrote and said that I thought their quality control people might appreciate knowing about the flaw and with a description of where it was on the mug, I noted that I would replace the mug later when I was at a store selling individual pieces in my pattern.

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I received an email back within a couple of hours thanking me for the email and for letting them know about the flaw. The writer then said - "rest assured, we will be sending you a replacement mug immediately, and ask that you NOT use the damaged mug to avoid the possibility of injury should it fail when full of hot liquid."

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A day or two later I decided on a quickly dinner when I was at the local grocery store. I picked up a Michelina's frozen entree of glazed roast turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. I paid for my dinner and brought it home to pop it in the microwave.

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I was disappointed to discover when I opened it that not only was the meal NOTHING like the photo on the box (I wasn't really expecting it to look THAT GOOD!!), but it had almost no turkey meat and the stuffing was nothing more than crumbs. The gravy and the potatoes were okay - but the three tiny pieces of meat which were the size of a quarter, a nickel and almost a dime, along with the seasoned bread crumbs and dust that was supposed to stuffing was disappointing.

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I again checked the customer service contacts and sent off an email, again saying simply - "I thought your quality control folks might want to know ..." and I described the meal.

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The next morning I received a very nice reply from Michelina's apologizing for the meal, thanking me for letting them know so they can follow up on future meals, and promising to send me coupons for other Michelina meals.

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Yesterday an envelope from Michelina's arrived with a second letter of apology and two coupons for free Michelina entrees.

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Today a box was left on my front porch by FedEx that amongst the bubble wrap and pre-packaged air bags was nestled a replacement mug for my corelle set.

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My intent was not to get something for nothing, but merely to let the respective companies know that there was some room for improvement. Their gracious response is not only appreciated, it helps win me over as a loyal customer when it comes to future purchases.

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Thanks Corelle.

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Thanks Michelina's.

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I recommend contacting companies, not demanding something be done, but letting them know where and how they can improve their products - that way we ALL benefit !!

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Recipe for Lamb Curry ...

Find two packages of lamb chops buried in the bottom of freezer,
Thaw.
Place single layer of lamb chops in shallow baking dish.
Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes.
Preheat oil in a large deep dutch oven with garlic and onion sprinkled generously on bottom.
While lamb is cooking peel and chop 3 large or 6 small potatoes, 3 large or 6 small carrots, and 3 stalks of celery.
Place layer of lamb chops in large deep iron dutch oven cook pot.
Add layer of chopped veggies.
Cover with curry sauce
Place layer of lamb chops and remainder of veggies in pot.
Cover with remainder of curry sauce.
Place lid on pot and put in oven at 300F for afternoon.
Serve spooned over steaming basmati rice.

This was described by Noahkila as - "meat that just melts in your mouth!"

It was YUMMY !!!!

It begs the question ...

How did the hijacker in Montego Bay get a gun on board the plane???

Obviously, even the Jamaican media is asking THAT question:





Editorial cartoon has been borrowed shamelessly from The Jamaican Observer

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty !!

It's hard to imagine our reigning Sovereign

Elizabeth

is

83 years old today.

Yet, she is.

Happy Birthday Your Highness,

from the loyal citizens of your realm!!!

and

may

you

have

many

MORE!!!

Good night ...

I'll let Elmo and Andrea have the last word for today:

Eccentricity (and laziness):

She escaped out of the house sans leash, after supper and wouldn't come back ... our neighbour across the street brought out his full grown brown boxer, and Flute happily followed the two of them into their backyard for a play ...

After 30 minutes of full contact wrestling we put the leash on Flute and brought her home ... she drank deeply from her bowl ... then crashed ... ON THE COUCH (where she's NOT to be), using MY PILLOW !!!!!!

Now she's snorting and twitching and having a dream about something ... her front paws are flailing the air like she's wrestling again ...

Life with Flute is many things - but it is seldom dull !!

On Tonight's Menu ...

The entree for tonight's dinner consists of a small roast of beef (not sure what kind - I found it in my freezer today while looking for meal inspiration !!), steamed brocolli, mixed veggies and a macaroni and cheese casserole prepared by Ms H. herself.

It's a lovely way to end the day ... and it makes my house smell wonderful !!!

And now a word from our readers ...

I found another reader's comment about the God Doesn't Hate Goths posting from January 2007, that I noted in a post last night ... This young person's comment inspired me - people like Kelsey are WHY I blog ...

All I can say is - Thanks Kelsey !!

Hey! I found myself feeling very uplifted when reading the above article. I am an athiest, but I in no way hate peacefull Christians, or any other religion for that matter. I am so used to recieving words of hate from Christians! At school, I am sometimes frightened to tell people that I am a non-believer, because I know that I will quite possibly be made fun of or yelled at. It's really nice to see that all religions and non-believers (because Atheism is NOT a religion) can get along and accept our differences, knowing that what matters is what is inside.-Kelsey, 14-

DAYENU!!!! A reader comments ...

Tonight when I signed in I was wrestling with the - WHY? of blogging ...

My life is in a place of unbelievable uncertainty. The Gospel of I DON'T KNOW, is what undergirds all that I am doing right now. I am happy and content, but I have no idea what is in store for me, or where my path is leading. I have before me, some enormous decisions that will affect not just my life, but the life of others around me ...

Recently I was asked in a less than friendly tone - "why do you blog?" and I will honestly say I struggled for an answer ... I blog partially for a release ... I blog for the creative exercise it represents ... I blog because I enjoy it ... and I blog because I feel that what I have to say from my reading, my reflection and my experiences is worth sharing.

In short - I blog for those who happen by here to read what I have to say.

After 2200 or so posts, I have had quite a lot to say about many things. Sometimes I've been thoughtful and reflective, other times I've ranted and roared and raged ... and I've hit almost every point in between. I will not apologize for the rants and the rages - they are what they are, and they have come out of circumstances that gave rise to them.

Looking back there are few postings that I honestly wish I hadn't written. The one notable exception that came in the wake of feeling beaten and rejected by a Group of people that I had foolishly and unwisely given TOO MUCH of myself was pulled ... it still exists, but is no longer for general consumption or posting ... I wish I hadn't written it only in so far as it would colour the opinions that many had of me subsequent to it ... instead of looking at the causative (some of them long standing toxicities) factors that lead to the posting, instead the finger of judgement came to rest firmly on me, and I was tired, convicted, crucified and left to die for daring to speak out and state that something was broken in "the kingdom."

I have no doubt that my blog irritates many ... I kind of enjoy that ...
I have no doubt my blog is a causitive factor in feeling feared and rejected by some within the church ...
and I have no doubt that my blog is regarded by many vested in the structures that are The Church, as an irritant, a foolhardy way of communicating, and a waste of time (yet these same people seem to be repeatedly drawn back like a moth to the proverbial flame !! - Go figure !!)

But the reason I persist in Blogging is because I have come to realize that I am NOT your average, run of the mill, milque toast, warm pink fuzzy preacher ... I am an exceptional (I'll leave it to my readers to drawn their own conclusions here about WHAT kind of exception I may be) preacher with a formidible intellect and I will NOT be cowed into submission for political expediency. I will bite my tongue for only so long ... I was raised in a family who call a spade a spade and will readily point out foolishness and stupidity, while accepting the redirection of fingers back in our own direction. I also know I can and will ask the questions others are thinking, but NO ONE DARES to ask for fear of offending others ...

My attitude is - To hell with it, either piss or get off the pot ... if you say it BLOODY DO IT!!! or shut the hell up once and for all ...

To me it is all about consistency - live your faith. (period - full stop !!) Hypocrisy has no room in my world ... don't put on airs and don't pretend to be above reproach when your closet is full of skeletons you dread having exposed !!

It's THAT simple.

I blog because I want to share my ideas and say to those outside the Church we are not all wishy-washy, hypocritical, wimpy, nerdy, political animals ... some of us are real people.

I write for the real people in ministry - the tribe who moves amongst the politically ambitions whilst they posture and strive for prestige and privilege and pats to their fragile egos.

But most of all I write to share with others - mainly those outside the church who deserve to hear that the Church is not what they think. There are new thinkers who love to dance outside the box and celebrate their faith without fear, hesitation or the nonsense that has marked the journey for so long ... I write to proclaim to the world thatthe prophetic message that has echoed throughout history is ALL ABOUT welcoming in ALL people, not just the few deemed worthy by those who fill the collection plates.

I KNOW that idea offends many - the one Bill Hicks poked fun at in his comedy when he said - "look at me, I have alot invested in this - look at the lines of worry on my face ..." - they need to be offended so they realize that they have become like Amos' fatted cows of Bashan who crush the widows and orphans (both figuratively and literally) under thier heels ...

I BLOG to share my ideas with the world - and you can like em or leave em ... it won't change my ideas ... and treating me with anger and contempt merely proves the close mindedness of the Church I rave against ... I BLOG to proclaim a faith of openess and dialogue, NOT dogma and adherence.

But tonight I found a readers comment that reminded me why I BLOG. A young man from the states paid me a strong compliment when he wrote the following in response to my posting from January 2007 entitled - God Doesn't Hate Goths:

You know, it's people like this Rev RG Green that give Christians a bad name.

It is people like Rev RG Green that are part of the reason for so many youth are straying for the church these days. It's people like him that give God a bad name.

One of my gothic friends told me about the website one day, and the instant I opened up the first page, I couldn't stop shaking. I couldn't believe that somebody who calls himself a Man of God could say hurtful things to these people and to take scripture and use it for evil, and who takes the name of the LOVING God and turns it into HATE! It sickens me!

It's people like You, however, that give Christians a GOOD name. You've shared with the world that god loves everybody no matter who they are. God does not care about the way anybody looks or dresses unlike humans who base everything based on outwardly appearance (1 Samuel 16:7).

People like Rev RG Green need to get their facts straight, and realize that God loves the whole world of people!

I thank you so much for your encouraging words and hope that others that have become victims to this godhatesgoths.com website will find your website/blog and will read and realize the truth.

Thank you.
Your brother in Christ,
-Wesley-

I BLOG because it is about THE TRUTH, not the status quo, and one day I won't have to explain myself, nor defend myself because those ardently defending the status quo will realize the stupidity and futility of their actions ... in the mean time: Thanks Wesley, I appreciate your kind and wise word ... you myspace site is worth a visit by my readers !!

Blessings upon YOU my brother!!!

Rev. Shawn

This week, I learned I'm NOT crazy ...

This past week I had occasion to be sitting with a young man who is about Noahkila's age talking to him about some stuff, when I was approached by a member of Minnedosa United Church who began asking questions in a tone that can ONLY be described as snotty, hostile and angry.

I smiled and answered the questions in a civil tone doing my utmost to be a duck and let it roll off my shoulders, as I've advocated many many times ...

The person then turned to the young man and began asking him questions in the same tone ... he looked stunned, but answered politely.

The young man was then asked - "what's your name again?"

He answered and when the person asking realized that he was NOT Noahkila, their tone changed and softened and they became ALMOST friendly ...

When they left the young man turned to me and said - "what the heck was that ALL about?"

"They thought you were Noahkila," I answered.

And still the "powers that be" maintain that Minnedosa is a friendly place and that I am imagining things when I say that nastiness and brutishness prevail ... hmmmm, I now have two others who witnessed it for themselves !!

I can say I haven't been making this stuff up for the last three years and I AM NOT CRAZY!!

Too bad the Presbytery who were so gung-ho to maintain the status quo and let peace prevail by railroading me out of town won't swallow thier pride and DEAL with the REAL problem in Minneodsa instead of being a good ostrich and saying - "it's ALL better NOW !!!"

But such is the ways of the Church ...

Hump Day ...

My day began at 5:30 am when somebody crawled up onto the bed, then stretched across my sleeping person to nuzzle my chin and caress my cheeks with kisses ...

"Do you need to go outside?" I asked in the darkness.

The answer was MORE kisses to the cheek, and the thump-thump-thump of her tail ...

Aside from having my day start TOO EARLY ... atleast it started in a reasonably pleasant way ...

Since then, I've done laundry, scrubbed my kitchen floor (my slippers sticking to it was a hint it NEEDED to be cleaned), started a pot of chicken soup in the slow cooker, swept the living room floor for the third time since Monday night, got the kids out the door for school, and wrote an article ...

All in all, it's been a good day so far ...

Why our troops are in Afghanistan ...

It is a tale of two young women ... both have lost thier lives in a far away land ... both at the hands of those who no longer value human life, and who foolishly see ideological lunacy as the ONLY solution ...

The first young woman was 19 when she and her fiance decided to elope ... they fled their parents homes only to be hauled back to thier family village where they were tried, convicted and EXECUTED by the Taliban, in a southern province of Afghanistan where the conservative clerics continue to hold control. (the CTV story is here) There is little that one can offer to this story except the realization that the day this story broke, another young woman, this one from Canada made the news.

Trooper Karine Blais was aged 21 when after two weeks on the ground in Afghanistan, she was killed by the detonation of an improvised explosive device that left four of her comrades wounded.

Today many Canadians will wonder why we are in Afghanistan ... the story of these two young women helps to remind us of the answer to that question ... I am no fan of this war ... I remain a dedicated pacifist, but I am a realist.

Our soldiers are in Afghanistan to put and end to the violence that has ended BOTH of these young lives.

We know Trooper Blais' name ... the other young woman is nameless, but no less important in this discussion ... after hearing of her death at the hands of the Taliban, we are left with only one option ...

Our soldiers and aid workers are there on OUR behalf to build a better society. Otherwise 117 Canadian soldiers have died in vain ...

117 Simply too damned young ...

.

Trooper Karine Blais

21 years of age,

died in Afghanistan Monday April 13th 2009.

She is the 117th Soldier to die in Afghanistan,

and the second female.

Thoughts and prayers

for her family,

and for her comrades who were wounded

in the explosion that took her life.

.

Lest We Forget

117 ...

.

Trooper Karine Blais,

age 21

of the 12th Armoured Regiment of Canada

based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier in Quebec.

She was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment Battle Group

when an improvised explosive device detonated,

killing Blais

and wounding four of her comrades.

Blais is the second female to be killed in Combat

in Afghanistan.

We pray for her family,

her comrades,

the wounded,

and

as we remember the fallen,

we pray for PEACE.

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Lest We Forget.

Who says Ignorance is BLISS?????

I was reading the news online today when I came across a story about a Peace Activist who refused to partake in the 2006 Census ... it struck me as an odd ... then I read who provides the computer and software support to Stats Canada to collect, compile and analyse the data.

The gentleman at the heart of this story has a legitimate grievance here - Todd Stelmach sees his refusal as an expression of his faith and his pacifist stance.

Hearing about Lockheed Martin's involvement, and their background as an arms producer, I find myself agreeing with him ...

Additionally, the question why a CANADIAN company couldn't be contracted to provide such a sensitive service to Canada and its citizens is worth raising ... but most importantly - why is an International Arms Producer providing computer and software support to Census Canada?????

I believe that this is one of those issues that EVERY CANADIAN needs to become involved in ...

It's been a good run ...

Every once in a while Canadian Television comes through with a programme that is both memorable and entertaining ... in the past we've had King of Kensington, The Beach Combers, The Friendly Giant, The Littlest Hobo, Due South, Mr Dress-Up, Fraggle Rock, and other shows that brought a distinctly Canadian tone to the airways ...

Then a half a dozen years ago comedian Brent Butt pulled together a show about the small Saskatchewan Community of Dog River ... focused on the gas station-diner: Corner Gas and The Ruby, the show brought Brent, Wanda, Lacey, Oscar, Emma, Davis, Karen, Hank and the other residents of the community to International prominence and made us laugh along the way ...

Tonight Corner Gas ends it's run ... It's going out while on top ... and if the chatter in the media and online is any indication, it is a show that will most definitely be missed ... I have the complete dvd set of Corner Gas seasons, and play them frequently ... there is something sweet and endearing about the whole crew ... and their adventures and misadventures are a delightful way to pass a couple of hours any time of the day ...

Thanks for the Memories Corner Gas, and thanks to Brent Butt and all those talented people who brought that corner of Saskatchewan into our lives every week ... it was an awesome run. We're sorry to see it end!!

Gotta Love 70's TV Programmes ...

I'll happily admit it - I'm a geek ... I love technology ... I love watching old TV shows on dvd ... and I love many of the things that designate me as a "Geek!!"

Over the last couple of months I've been watching the first five seasons of Hawaii Five O on dvd (season five arrived as a gift at Valentines Day !!!).

Watching the Jack Lord and his crew fighting crime in Hawaii has made me appreciate what a radical (and VERY GOOD) programme Hawaii Five O was ... they had episodes on pornography, drug use - from heroin to marijuana, homosexuality, gang violence and a wide myriad of other issues that you seldom see in modern tv programmes much less one that began it 10 season run almost 40 years ago !!!

The content of the episodes has at times been startling and remarkably frank and blunt, but what I've enjoyed most of all is seeing the cast of characters who have made their appearances in supporting roles ... many of Hollywood's biggest names have played a part somewhere in the Hawaii Five O pantheon ...

Today though, seeing Andy Griffith playing a hapless villain was a bit of a stretch ... yet as the episode (I'm a family crook - don't shoot) unfolded the character he played seemed more Mayberry than Honolulu ... I suppose that's the danger of typecasting ... from Mayberry to Matlock ... Griffith remains the quintessential "Every man"!!

Signs of Spring ...

I needed some groceries for supper ... instead of hopping in the van and driving:

I got my bike out ...

It was good ...

Just for fun ... X 2 !!

Okay ... some days I have a hard enough time just walking much less thinking about using a skipping rope ... these girls are NOTHING short of impressive ... check it out:

Just for fun ...

You can't go wrong with Laurel and Hardy with a little Santana thrown in for good measure ...

This is ONE of my favourite videos:

Signs of Spring ...

So, on Thursday morning, I'm sitting at the computer in my living room trying to get some writing assignments done when suddenly my living room sounds like someone is using a jack hammer outside my window ...

Listening closely I realize it is some member of the wood pecker family of birds ...

Intrigued, I grab my camera and head outside to have a look and try for a photo ... I'm assuming from the noise that it MUST be a pileated woodpecker or one of the big members of the family ...

Eventually I spot the LITTLE fellow responsible for the HUGE noise on the top of the telephone pole in my front yard ... the nuthatch was perhaps 4 inches in length and offered the world a sign of spring that was truly breath-taking ...

My one regret is that he wouldn't hold still long enough for a better picture ...

My Good Friday Prayer ...

Holy One, in this time and place, be present to us in the silence,

The silence of death,
the silence of the tomb,
the silence of tears welling in our eyes,
the silence of weeping stifled and held – resting bitter on our tongues …

In the darkness of the journey we hear
the whimpering cries of those who know and who have experienced
violence,
sorrow,
suffering,
and death …

In the darkness of the journey the names of places like Sudan,
Afghanistan, Gaza, rise to our lips … the smoke of conflict
and violence lingers, hanging over us, clouding our eyes...
... reminding us that our human family cries out for peace …
a living peace …
not the peace of quiet graveyards
but a living peace of Shalom …

In the darkness of the journey the rawness of events torn from recent
headlines fills our eyes with tears …
shootings …
abuse of children …
kidnappings …
violence against women …

as we hear the litany of horrors the shadow of the cross falls across us
and we are reminded of the bitterness of our brokenness before you …

In the darkness of the journey the savagery of sounds of suffering
echo through our soul …
the pounding of nails …
the slap of flesh against flesh …
the rumble of earthquakes and falling homes …
the shattering of river ice riding the icy flood waters
the jarring of weapons and explosives …
the piercing of crying and weeping …

as the sounds recede we are left in a place of silence …
deep gut-wrenching silence …

In this place of silence O Holy One …
a place of discomfort and unease …
a place where the only the uncertainty of this moment rests
within our souls …

in this place O Holy One, our companion - be present to us …
Grant us the strength not to flee to the easy place of warm light
and shallow comfort …
Grant us the courage not to run from the silence and the darkness,
Grant us the faith to know that even here …
in this place …
in the darkness …
in the silence …
in the shadow of the cross …
in the quiet of pondering in our hearts what we have done
to you …
to each other …
to your children …
to ourselves …

Grant us in this place O Holy One the comfort
to know that even in the deepest darkest shadowed places in our world you are there …
Hear our prayers this day O Holy One …
Hear our prayers of sorrow and sadness …
Hear our prayers that are marked by tears and weeping …
Hear our prayers that rise from the bitterness of suffering and pain …
Hear our prayers that rest on our tongue unspoken …
Hear our prayers …

On this day as the shadow of the cross falls across us
and leaves us in the deep dark doubt of uncertainty …
be our companion in our journey …
be present to us …
be with us …

This we ask in your name O Holy One …
For it is in Your name we pray …

Reincarnation ???

.

I read Marley and Me quite a while ago,

this week we rented the dvd and watched it.

The general consensus is

Marley has been reincarnated:

.

*SIGH*

It's official ... we've joined the minions following the Twilight saga ... Ms. H has watched the dvd a dozen or so times and is now reading the book ... Noahkila has watched the dvd a couple of times and wants the book ... Beetle has watched the dvd but so far hasn't shown interest in the book ...

Numerous conversations in our house have involved the story line, the characters and the accuracy of the whole Twilight universe ...

I guess it was inevitable ...

Words of Truth in Holy Week ...

They often say - "out of the mouths of babes" for those unexpected moments when a truth is stumbled upon, and in the midst of our laughter we hear words that cause us pause ...

"What is Easter all about?" asks the foolish minister.

"Chocolate, candy, coloured eggs and bunnies," offers an eager young person. Then after a pause he adds quickly and quietly, "Oh wait that's NOT the answer you want to hear. You want us to say Jesus right ??"

How do you reply to that?

Fridge Magnets are a glimpse into the soul ...

.
.
This morning over at I Can Fly, Just Not Up, Candygirlflies offered a posting that included a musing on the various magnets to be found on her fridge ... I was impressed. Many of them would fit right in on my fridge and in my philosophy of life ... It got me thinking though ... my fridge is COVERED with magnets as witnessed by the photo above ... even with the splitting of the ever growing collection of fridge magnets into two household sets, my fridge is as covered as M's ... (I wonder if they are like Tribbles, and breed when the lights are dimmed ... ???)

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I offer a few of my favourites ... magnets that speak the thoughts of my soul, statements that are reflective of my world view and most of all: that tell more about who I am than anything I could ever write here, or elsewhere:

Class Act ...

I'm not a fan of Country Music - I've admitted to that previously ... I will however also admit there are certain Country and Western musicians who have won my respect for showing a strength of character. The Dixie Chicks have been amongst that category for their outspoken honesty around the Bush administration and the consequences of speaking a TRUTH.

This past week, I've been following a story about Charley Pride, a country musician I know by reputation more than exposure to his music.

It seems that a woman in Leduc Alberta heard of Pride's upcoming concert and went online to buy tickets for herself to attend ... when the credit card bill came through she paid in excess of $1200 for TWO tickets worth about $138!!!!

The story is at CBCnews.ca (click here to read it) - so I won't revisit all the details ... the outcome that vaulted Charley Pride into the category of a "Class Act" in my opinion was his trip to Edmonton to pay Mrs Sharp back the money she lost out of his OWN pocket, he gave her two front row tickets to his show, and spent some time visiting with the gob-smacked woman.

NOW, Mr Pride is expressing his outrage at those who would use people like him to glean excessive profits from the unsuspecting ... after reading the follow up story on CTV.ca, I can't help but say - Charley Pride is DEFINiTELY a class act!!!

Way to Go Mr. Pride !!!!
I'm sure Mrs Sharp will enjoy her concert experience!!!!

For your inflight reading pleasure ...

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Feel free to pop over to Meditative Moments for my latest sermons - from today and last Sunday ... I'll get some of the past sermons posted soon ... but for now - the latest musings I have to offer ...

Click here to head over to Meditative Moments.
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AMEN !!!!

"If you belonged to a political party or a social club that was tied to as much bigotry, misogyny, homophobia, violence and sheer ignorance, as religion is - you'd resign in protest. To do otherwise is to an enabler, a mafia-wife." - Bill Maher

This morning I finally watched Bill Maher's Religulous.

One word: AMAZING.

Two other observations he made stood out for me - one when he thanked a group of truckers for being "Christ-like not Christian" and when he said to the same group - "I preach a gospel of I DON'T KNOW."

This film is a must-see for everyone who stands in a pulpit or purports to be in any form of ministry ... it's about using the brain that our Creator has given us, and opening ourselves up to the fullness of the Holy, or as Gandhi said - TRUTH in our world, rather than a narrow view that has marked EVERY religion of humankind.

Bill Maher speaks a truth that we ignore at our peril ... Any faith that precludes mystery and doubt and simply not knowing is dangerous and close minded, be it liberal, conservative or any where in between ...

I LOVED the aside bits where "officials" came and expressed clear displeasure with what Maher was up to - my only question was - "what are THEY afraid of??" If what we believe is rational, intelligent and true, why would we fear some one raising legitimate questions ... Personally, I'm coming to see MORE faith in people like Bill Hicks, Bill Maher, Kevin Smith and others, most of whom are interestingly comedic in their orientation, who have courageously and boldly poked fun at religious close-mindedness by asking the TOUGH questions and casting light on things we won't talk about in most Churches ...

Bring on the questions, and let's revel in the doubt ... to do otherwise is a disservice to humanity and to the Holy/Truth ...

41 Years Ago Today ...

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Forty One Years ago today ,

a life ended,

a dream persisted,

and

the world slowly moved forward.

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Today

the dream remains,

the life is remembered,

and

the world continues to move slowly forward.

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I like Bill Hicks' take on it:

"... the fact we live in a world where John Lennon was murdered,

yet Milli Vanilli walks the f---ing planet. You know? Bad choice.

Just from me to you, it wasn't a good one. But isn't that weird,

we always kill the guys who try and help us.

Isn't that strange that we let the little demons run amock, always?
John Lennon: murdered.

John Kennedy: murdered.

Martin Luther King: murdered.

Gandhi: murdered.

Jesus: murdered.

Reagan ... wounded.

You know. Bad F---ING choice!!"

- Bill Hicks November 1990-

Spring is REALLY here ... even if it doesn't seem like it

I heard it before I saw it ...

The peep-peep-peeping of a robin filled the backyard while Flute and I went out for her morning constitutional ... I finally spotted the robin the branches of a crab apple tree two yards away, pecking at the fruit that hung in the tree over the winter:

THE FIRST ROBIN!!

Despite the ice and snow that covers EVERYTHING right now, and the cold temps (hovering at -2C (28 F) as I write this) it would appear that SPRING is truly on its way ...

I'm thinking I'm going to figure out what robins eat and spread some of whatever it is around the yard so the poor little critter won't starve.

Here's hoping the temps go up and the snow melts and spring finally pushes away a very long cold winter !!

OH YEAH !!! The world is changing !!!!!!

I was floored when I found this story online today: "Michelle Obama gets the Queen to break protocol."

Getting and Giving the Queen a HUG !!!

This is hilarious and wonderful ... and proof that the Obama's are bringing tremendous change to our staid little world of ours ... I can't imagine the thoughts of the "little grey men" as Diana called those who oversee the royal protocal and all that it entails ... no doubt a few blood pressures shot through the ceiling with a muttered - "WE DON'T DO THAT!!"

I think this is just awesome !!!

Issue Number TWO !!!!

Click here to read issue number two of Westman Parent -I was fortunate to have three articles and several pictures published .... see if you can tell which pics are mine ...

Why ?? Random questions for Hump Day

Why do we applaud when an jet lands safely ?? Isn't that what the pilot is paid for ??

Why do we offer standing ovations at mediocre theatre productions ?? Aren't standing ovations for exceptional productions ??

Why do we bother with stop signs and traffic lights ?? Don't most people just ignore them anyway ??

Why are executives of money losing super-corporations still being paid generous bonuses ?? Aren't bonuses supposed to be for a job well done ?? Is losing BILLIONS of dollars, and putting thousands of people out of work to please shareholders REALLY a job well done ??

Why is it SO DAMNED hard for people to accept responsibility for themselves ??

Why is droopy pants and ball caps worn askew a fashion trend ?? Maybe I'm a curmudgeon, but that USED to be something those who take pride in their appearance tried to AVOID ...

Why do they wrap coconuts in plastic to sell them in a supermarket ??

Why do they have to place HUGE warnings saying "Contents Hot!" on our cups of coffee ?? Wouldn't we complain if the coffee WASN'T hot ??

Why do we let our public discourse be guided by a media who is largely reactive and ill-informed, rather than led by educated, enlighted and INTELLIGENT and informed voices that can see the big picture rather than today's sound byte installment ??

Today ... and the path ahead ...

Today I will pack up the last of my stuff from the office that has been my "home" for the last 13 months, and I will once again launch myself into the uncertainty of being under-employed.

I can look back on 13 months of having done something to address the many needs that arise from the poverty, homelessness and the housing crisis that is gripping Brandon. I've gotten to know the names and stories of those who are directly affected by these issues. I've raised the profile of the work of agencies seeking to help. AND I've taken time to understand the complexities of poverty, hunger and homelessness in Brandon ...

I wish I could say that the last 13 months have changed something ...

We've put new ideas out there
We've pulled together some new partnerships
We've started some programmes and projects that will in time make a BIG difference

But at the end of the day the status quo is maintained and the talk of "change" continues with little movement to suggest, much less indicate any substantive change in the way things are to the way things need to be ... the middle managers are happily entrenched, they back slap each other at the airport while heading off on their mid-winter vacations and BELIEVE they are doing "SO MUCH" to address the needs of the people ...

Meanwhile, homelessness continues ... the housing crisis deepens ... and talented, capable people who want to make a difference are simply walking away ...

I can fortunately look back on the my last 13 months and KNOW that I did what I could under the restrictions and limitations imposed on my position - AND I've been privileged to help bring into being several partnerships that WILL continue to help those in need ... and maybe that's the best we can do ...

Today is a hard day, not because I'm out of a job ... that I can cope with ... it's a hard day because after 13 months I've realized how entrenched things really are, and the things I've raged against in the church are equally present in the greater community and too many people of good intentions will simply shrug thier shoulders and say - "what can we do?" when they realize the levels of incompetence and dysfunction that operate in our illustrious bureacracies ...

One day change will come ... regretably, not today ...

As Rev. Jesse used to day - "Keep Hope Alive !!"