FOOD FREEDOM DAY 2008
Canadians enjoy one of the lowest-cost food baskets in the world. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture calculated that in 2007 it took just 37 days to acquire the income needed to cover annual food expenses, on a per capita basis. In observing Food Freedom Day those that support farmers can acknowledge their role in providing one of the safest and most affordable food supplies in the world, despite the decline in their share of every food dollar we spend. Visit http://www.cfa-fca.
ca/pages/home.php to find out more about Food Freedom Day 2008.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
radio suits my pallette...palete . . . pilates? i don't know how to spell that
OK, so I will be on the stellar UofW Radio Station, CKUW, on Wednesday morning (Jan 30th) to promote MSC's Social Justice Fair.
the show I am appearing on starts at 8 am, but I don't think I'll be on air until like 8:10 or so. probably 10-15 minutes worth of airtime.
i really hope I don't sound like a dork.
You're welcome to listen, if you are even up at that time. 95.9 fm. If you are outside of Winnipeg, you'll have some problems listening as the signal strength is pretty low. But you can listen online, if you wish.
First time on radio. Let me know if I sound semi-intelligent.
Bre
the show I am appearing on starts at 8 am, but I don't think I'll be on air until like 8:10 or so. probably 10-15 minutes worth of airtime.
i really hope I don't sound like a dork.
You're welcome to listen, if you are even up at that time. 95.9 fm. If you are outside of Winnipeg, you'll have some problems listening as the signal strength is pretty low. But you can listen online, if you wish.
First time on radio. Let me know if I sound semi-intelligent.
Bre
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
On The 23rd Psalm
In “pastures green?” Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.
And by “still waters”? No, not always so;
Oft times the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o’er my soul the waves and billows go.
But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispers to my soul, “Lo, it is I.”
So, where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter I shall know,
Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so.
- Author Unknown
In “pastures green?” Not always; sometimes He
Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me
In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.
And by “still waters”? No, not always so;
Oft times the heavy tempests round me blow,
And o’er my soul the waves and billows go.
But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry
Aloud for help, the Master standeth by,
And whispers to my soul, “Lo, it is I.”
So, where He leads me, I can safely go,
And in the blest hereafter I shall know,
Why, in His wisdom, He hath led me so.
- Author Unknown
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Anarchists in the Aisles?
Check out this article - super interesting, amusing, and thought-provoking. Enjoy. I especially liked the part about the Bible-moving.
The medium is certainly the message.
Until next week,
Bre
The medium is certainly the message.
Until next week,
Bre
Sunday, January 06, 2008
truth (?)
God is hidden in suffering. The great gift of God to humanity is that Jesus is present in the sacrament of the poor.
This is a true sacrament, and like all sacraments, It is a question of believing in this mystery. The tragedy is that the world doesn’t know that the poor are a sacrament. They (do not) see the poor as those who arrange and bring order. That is why the rich, the “have’s,” remove themselves far from the poor. They don’t see the poor as the sign of God, as sacrament, as the presence of God-with-us, as those who will free us, heal and illuminate us, as those who will bring the interior unity we crave, lead us into the heart of God.
Jesus came to serve the poor. So he became poor. The good news is announced not by the one who serves the poor, but by the one who becomes poor.
- Jean Vanier
(as published in Geez Magazine, Spring 2007)
This is a true sacrament, and like all sacraments, It is a question of believing in this mystery. The tragedy is that the world doesn’t know that the poor are a sacrament. They (do not) see the poor as those who arrange and bring order. That is why the rich, the “have’s,” remove themselves far from the poor. They don’t see the poor as the sign of God, as sacrament, as the presence of God-with-us, as those who will free us, heal and illuminate us, as those who will bring the interior unity we crave, lead us into the heart of God.
Jesus came to serve the poor. So he became poor. The good news is announced not by the one who serves the poor, but by the one who becomes poor.
- Jean Vanier
(as published in Geez Magazine, Spring 2007)
Thursday, January 03, 2008
pretty cool christmas gift
Christmas Day! Meet Tegan Zion Woligroski.
She's cute. So am I. So are Ryan and Crystal.
She's cute. So am I. So are Ryan and Crystal.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
uncommissioned plug
Aqua books, my favorite used bookstore in the 'peg, currently located in the Exchange district, is moving to the downtown core. AND they are opening a bistro. This will, I think, nicely fill the hole that will be left once McNally Robinson ditches the downtown core for the big box area of polo park.
The owner has created a fun, informative, and amusing video about the move. Check it out here. He's pretty funny.
Also, they host ideaExchange, a lecture/discussion series on spiritual and Christian issues. Super challenging stuff gets thrown around. They have podcasts on their website. Definitly not light listening - it's pretty deep.
They are also amusing. Recently, Aqua books got into a spat with Campbell Soup company for using the Campbell's soup logo on their t-shirts. Check out the letter exchange here. Glad to see some people still have a sense of humor, and I am even more glad some people decide to fight corporate anality (yes, i think i just made up that word. It fits). Check out the info, it's fun.
Cool place. I recommend it.
The owner has created a fun, informative, and amusing video about the move. Check it out here. He's pretty funny.
Also, they host ideaExchange, a lecture/discussion series on spiritual and Christian issues. Super challenging stuff gets thrown around. They have podcasts on their website. Definitly not light listening - it's pretty deep.
They are also amusing. Recently, Aqua books got into a spat with Campbell Soup company for using the Campbell's soup logo on their t-shirts. Check out the letter exchange here. Glad to see some people still have a sense of humor, and I am even more glad some people decide to fight corporate anality (yes, i think i just made up that word. It fits). Check out the info, it's fun.
Cool place. I recommend it.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Merry Christmas.
Yep. Merry Christmas, friends.
Here's a little treat for you, from myself and a few close friends.
Click here.
Here's a little treat for you, from myself and a few close friends.
Click here.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Crisis of Faith? Or Faith Itself?
I came across this article while waiting at my chiroprator’s office. Mother Teresa’s Crisis of Faith.
It is quite a long article; if you do not have time to read it, I will summarize; Mother Teresa spent over 50 years in what the author calls spiritual darkness. An excerpt of Mother Teresa’s writing:
“Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Child of your Love – and now become as the most hated one – the one – you have thrown away as unwanted – unloved. I call, I cling, I want – and there is no One to answer – no One on whom I can cling – no, No One.”
At times she also expressed questions as to the very existence of God.
My strongest reaction from this article came not from the fact that Mother Teresa felt spiritually estranged from God, but from the claims and response of the author of the article to her writings. David Van Biema claims that Mother Teresa’s outward expressions of love for God - her commitment to devote her life for him, and her inner, most private doubts and feelings are “a startling portrait in self-contradiction.”
It is on this point where my soul reacts strongly. I think the author has missed the purpose of Mother Teresa’s life, and that his reaction to her deep struggle stems from a serious misunderstanding of faith.
I believe that doubt is an intricate part of faith. I also believe that pain is an intricate part of faith. It does not surprise me that Mother Teresa felt this pain, asked these questions, and wrote these words. In the same breath, it does not surprise me that she held fast to her God. In spite of (or, I might even suggest, because of) her pain, she still clung to Christ, and continued to use her hands and her heart for his work on earth.
I respectfully think that the author of this article wrongly assumes that love and estrangement cannot exist in the same relationship.
My dance with Christ has, over the years, jumped all across the spectrum. At times we play together, laugh together. Explore together. At other times, times which I find no less meaningful, we seem as separate as East is from the West. I understand that longing and that pain which Mother Teresa writes about. But there are no moments (well, ok, very few moments) where I would not consider myself to be His child, to be in an intimate relationship with Him, to speak of Him as my All, even though I feel painfully estranged from Him at that moment. I can understand why this can sound like somewhat of a contradiction, especially to someone who has not chosen to take on a journey of faith. But from my experience, it is all part of the same. Faith is a mystery. To try to unpackage it completely; to reduce it to linear rules of love and relationship is to limit its fullness as well as its beauty.
I don’t always feel close to Christ. There are days and moments where I am overwhelmed with frustration, tears, and anger which stem directly from this seeming divide. But I do not believe, in any way, that these feelings and longing are sinful, unique, or even unnecessary. I trust that Christ has me in his arms. And it is that trust – that faith – which prevails over all doubts and feelings.
We are connected. Always.
Near the end of Mother Teresa’s life, she did not move from the feeling of spiritual darkness. But, she wrote these words:
“for the first time in . . . years – I have come to love the darkness.”
“I just have the joy of having nothing – not even the reality of the Presence of God.”
“If this brings you glory . . . with joy I accept all to the end of my life.”
She eventually took joy in her professed state of darkness. And that is a powerful testament.
May her testament bring you hope. It brings hope to me.
Bre
It is quite a long article; if you do not have time to read it, I will summarize; Mother Teresa spent over 50 years in what the author calls spiritual darkness. An excerpt of Mother Teresa’s writing:
“Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Child of your Love – and now become as the most hated one – the one – you have thrown away as unwanted – unloved. I call, I cling, I want – and there is no One to answer – no One on whom I can cling – no, No One.”
At times she also expressed questions as to the very existence of God.
My strongest reaction from this article came not from the fact that Mother Teresa felt spiritually estranged from God, but from the claims and response of the author of the article to her writings. David Van Biema claims that Mother Teresa’s outward expressions of love for God - her commitment to devote her life for him, and her inner, most private doubts and feelings are “a startling portrait in self-contradiction.”
It is on this point where my soul reacts strongly. I think the author has missed the purpose of Mother Teresa’s life, and that his reaction to her deep struggle stems from a serious misunderstanding of faith.
I believe that doubt is an intricate part of faith. I also believe that pain is an intricate part of faith. It does not surprise me that Mother Teresa felt this pain, asked these questions, and wrote these words. In the same breath, it does not surprise me that she held fast to her God. In spite of (or, I might even suggest, because of) her pain, she still clung to Christ, and continued to use her hands and her heart for his work on earth.
I respectfully think that the author of this article wrongly assumes that love and estrangement cannot exist in the same relationship.
My dance with Christ has, over the years, jumped all across the spectrum. At times we play together, laugh together. Explore together. At other times, times which I find no less meaningful, we seem as separate as East is from the West. I understand that longing and that pain which Mother Teresa writes about. But there are no moments (well, ok, very few moments) where I would not consider myself to be His child, to be in an intimate relationship with Him, to speak of Him as my All, even though I feel painfully estranged from Him at that moment. I can understand why this can sound like somewhat of a contradiction, especially to someone who has not chosen to take on a journey of faith. But from my experience, it is all part of the same. Faith is a mystery. To try to unpackage it completely; to reduce it to linear rules of love and relationship is to limit its fullness as well as its beauty.
I don’t always feel close to Christ. There are days and moments where I am overwhelmed with frustration, tears, and anger which stem directly from this seeming divide. But I do not believe, in any way, that these feelings and longing are sinful, unique, or even unnecessary. I trust that Christ has me in his arms. And it is that trust – that faith – which prevails over all doubts and feelings.
We are connected. Always.
Near the end of Mother Teresa’s life, she did not move from the feeling of spiritual darkness. But, she wrote these words:
“for the first time in . . . years – I have come to love the darkness.”
“I just have the joy of having nothing – not even the reality of the Presence of God.”
“If this brings you glory . . . with joy I accept all to the end of my life.”
She eventually took joy in her professed state of darkness. And that is a powerful testament.
May her testament bring you hope. It brings hope to me.
Bre
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
What is justice without love?
Glad to see such controversy, Zac and Chris. Thanks for the respectful dialogue.
Onto other matters:
Jeremy John and I have very different stories and backgrounds. Interestingly, we have come to similar conclusions about some significant issues. Check out his thoughts below:
So I seek to change the world by loving others. I seek to change structures and hearts, focusing on the latter. I don’t believe structural change will matter unless it is undertaken with pure and loving hearts. The political arena is a battleground for good and evil . . . The real battlefield is the human heart, where the struggle to love and forgive others takes place. Jesus didn’t end the oppression of structures by setting up a Jewish state. Instead, he lived and died for love and truth. He won the greatest victory over oppression by simply ignoring its power to rule over him, even its power to take his life.
I still get outraged at injustice, but I try to avoid letting indignation turn into hatred towards systems or the people in them. Such hatred is as destructive as the system that it seeks to destroy.
Where I was once cold and angry, focused on structures, I am now warmer and focused on people. I read and write less about politics, but I am more involved in groups working for change. I used to be very critical of political groups, and was therefore somewhat of a loner. Now, I forgive the faults as best I can and I just show up. I care less about facts or about proving the current government has lied or manipulated than I do about working with people, for people. My belief in the need for social justice has not changed, but now I come from a place of love rather than a place of justice. And what is justice without love?
- “Salvation in Ill-Fitting Blue Pants” Jeremy John. Geez, Winter 2006.
Onto other matters:
Jeremy John and I have very different stories and backgrounds. Interestingly, we have come to similar conclusions about some significant issues. Check out his thoughts below:
So I seek to change the world by loving others. I seek to change structures and hearts, focusing on the latter. I don’t believe structural change will matter unless it is undertaken with pure and loving hearts. The political arena is a battleground for good and evil . . . The real battlefield is the human heart, where the struggle to love and forgive others takes place. Jesus didn’t end the oppression of structures by setting up a Jewish state. Instead, he lived and died for love and truth. He won the greatest victory over oppression by simply ignoring its power to rule over him, even its power to take his life.
I still get outraged at injustice, but I try to avoid letting indignation turn into hatred towards systems or the people in them. Such hatred is as destructive as the system that it seeks to destroy.
Where I was once cold and angry, focused on structures, I am now warmer and focused on people. I read and write less about politics, but I am more involved in groups working for change. I used to be very critical of political groups, and was therefore somewhat of a loner. Now, I forgive the faults as best I can and I just show up. I care less about facts or about proving the current government has lied or manipulated than I do about working with people, for people. My belief in the need for social justice has not changed, but now I come from a place of love rather than a place of justice. And what is justice without love?
- “Salvation in Ill-Fitting Blue Pants” Jeremy John. Geez, Winter 2006.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Eternal Forces
Again, relativly old news, but I would really like to hear your response.
The "New" (well, now old, 'cause I am slow) Left Behind video game. Check out the video:
Check out this response from Alternet.
Questions:
1. What is your reaction to the game itself?
2. AlterNet's responded to both the game itself and Left Behind's requests of the Christian community. What is your reaction to their reactions?
Looking for responses. Zac, I'm counting on you for sure. :-)
The "New" (well, now old, 'cause I am slow) Left Behind video game. Check out the video:
Check out this response from Alternet.
Questions:
1. What is your reaction to the game itself?
2. AlterNet's responded to both the game itself and Left Behind's requests of the Christian community. What is your reaction to their reactions?
Looking for responses. Zac, I'm counting on you for sure. :-)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
27 . . . but i don't feel a day over 30.
thanks for everyone's well wishes and cheesecake for my numerous birthday celebrations around the city. I love you all. I still have more birthday celebrations to come. thanks, friends!
How are you all? Hmmm?
Do you know that bears aren't hibernating anymore? This is actually relativly old news, but still relatively shocking.
D'ya like how I snuck in that fun environmental fact during my ramblings about myself? Yes, it is a gift.
Pretty much I am ranting. I'm done now.
B
How are you all? Hmmm?
Do you know that bears aren't hibernating anymore? This is actually relativly old news, but still relatively shocking.
D'ya like how I snuck in that fun environmental fact during my ramblings about myself? Yes, it is a gift.
Pretty much I am ranting. I'm done now.
B
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
100 mile sweetness
A number of friends and acquaintances of mine are doing the full-blown 100 Mile Diet.
The 100 Mile Diet is a commitment to only eat foods that have been grown AND processed within 100 miles. Pretty much anything that grows in Manitoba, and doesn’t leave it before hitting the grocery shelves.
The purpose of this is many; basically I will sum it down to a few main parts. 1) Eating locally drastically decreases environmental damage 2) Eating locally aids in the pursuit of food justice (The way food is processed is important; a number of food processing methods and global market considerations hurts people in Canada and abroad in numerous ways, including economically and physically. By knowing where your food comes from, you can have more choice in how it was produced and who was hurt or helped).
Around 140 people have signed up for this challenge, which lasts 100 days. It’s about 40 days in, I think.
The impact of this challenge has been amazing. And not only on the participants – there have been a few really cool things which has happened.
1. People have become more aware. Not only those who have signed up for the challenge, but the media has caught on and spread the message. Additionally, a number of people have been asking local stores for certain items, or letting them know that they are unable to shop at their store for the whole 100 days. Grocery owners definitely take notice of these things.
2. I have seen this wonderful, calming change, and courage, in those who have signed up for the challenge. They are truly hard core, and I admire them a lot. It’s not nearly as easy as it sounds, and it doesn’t sound easy. It is so intense. Everything which goes into a dish they need to ask questions about. They have had to put in so many hours of planning and work canning and preserving food in order to not starve throughout the 100 days. They have done this with much grace and respect to those who are not 100 mile dieters. In addition, they are so generous. I have been asked to a number of 100 mile meals, which blows me away, because the food availability that they can eat is relatively scarce. I would be tempted to hoard. But they do not.
3. I have changed. Their courage, and I do mean courage, has inspired me. I have also learned that I am not as hard-core local as I thought I was. I have become more aware of lots of issues. For example, lots of products which I thought were local really aren’t. “Made in Manitoba” merely means that the end process occurred in Manitoba – the ingredients aren’t necessarily 100% local, or local at all! It is very humbling to be asked to someone’s house for dinner, and not be able to find ANYTHING in my house which I can offer for the meal. I came close with Manitoba honey, but then found that it was slightly spiced with Moroccan cinnamon. Crap.
4. I truly believe, and this experience that I see my friends doing has re-enforced, that eating is truly a spiritual activity. I challenge everybody to truly consider this. Our bodies are temples, and we need to treat them as such. Monitor the crap that we put into it. Secondly, when we realize the impacts of what we eat has on other people, both far away and locally, eating becomes far more meaningful. I can’t express how meaningful those meals are that I have had with my 100 mile diet friends. The table takes on another dimension; one which is almost sacred. It deepens the conversation, and enriches the relationships around the table. Eating has become a spiritual movement of sorts. That’s awesome.
Thanks for reading.
B
The 100 Mile Diet is a commitment to only eat foods that have been grown AND processed within 100 miles. Pretty much anything that grows in Manitoba, and doesn’t leave it before hitting the grocery shelves.
The purpose of this is many; basically I will sum it down to a few main parts. 1) Eating locally drastically decreases environmental damage 2) Eating locally aids in the pursuit of food justice (The way food is processed is important; a number of food processing methods and global market considerations hurts people in Canada and abroad in numerous ways, including economically and physically. By knowing where your food comes from, you can have more choice in how it was produced and who was hurt or helped).
Around 140 people have signed up for this challenge, which lasts 100 days. It’s about 40 days in, I think.
The impact of this challenge has been amazing. And not only on the participants – there have been a few really cool things which has happened.
1. People have become more aware. Not only those who have signed up for the challenge, but the media has caught on and spread the message. Additionally, a number of people have been asking local stores for certain items, or letting them know that they are unable to shop at their store for the whole 100 days. Grocery owners definitely take notice of these things.
2. I have seen this wonderful, calming change, and courage, in those who have signed up for the challenge. They are truly hard core, and I admire them a lot. It’s not nearly as easy as it sounds, and it doesn’t sound easy. It is so intense. Everything which goes into a dish they need to ask questions about. They have had to put in so many hours of planning and work canning and preserving food in order to not starve throughout the 100 days. They have done this with much grace and respect to those who are not 100 mile dieters. In addition, they are so generous. I have been asked to a number of 100 mile meals, which blows me away, because the food availability that they can eat is relatively scarce. I would be tempted to hoard. But they do not.
3. I have changed. Their courage, and I do mean courage, has inspired me. I have also learned that I am not as hard-core local as I thought I was. I have become more aware of lots of issues. For example, lots of products which I thought were local really aren’t. “Made in Manitoba” merely means that the end process occurred in Manitoba – the ingredients aren’t necessarily 100% local, or local at all! It is very humbling to be asked to someone’s house for dinner, and not be able to find ANYTHING in my house which I can offer for the meal. I came close with Manitoba honey, but then found that it was slightly spiced with Moroccan cinnamon. Crap.
4. I truly believe, and this experience that I see my friends doing has re-enforced, that eating is truly a spiritual activity. I challenge everybody to truly consider this. Our bodies are temples, and we need to treat them as such. Monitor the crap that we put into it. Secondly, when we realize the impacts of what we eat has on other people, both far away and locally, eating becomes far more meaningful. I can’t express how meaningful those meals are that I have had with my 100 mile diet friends. The table takes on another dimension; one which is almost sacred. It deepens the conversation, and enriches the relationships around the table. Eating has become a spiritual movement of sorts. That’s awesome.
Thanks for reading.
B
Monday, October 15, 2007
Global Justice Film Festival!
5th ANNUAL GLOBAL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, November 2nd, (registration begins at 6:30 pm)
& Saturday, November 3rd, (registration begins at 8:30 am, films begin at 9:00 am)
The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue
For program information, ticket information, and other useful details, go on-line to: http://www.globaljusticefilmfestival.ca
For those concerned about Global Justice, it is often difficult to keep up with the many issues facing us today. Documentary films are an excellent resource for keeping informed and sensitive to the reality of people’s lives as they strive for justice.
The Global Justice Film Festival has a line up of 18 films that deal with a range of topics, with a central theme of what is happening to our natural environment. Some of the main films include An Inconvenient Truth, Toxic Trespass and Dead in the Water.
Other films this year include Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Shameless: the Art of Disability and Finding Dawn (about missing aboriginal women in Canada).
The Festival will open Friday evening with the film, The Ecological Footprint. The evening will include a panel discussion on environmental issues and entertainment with local singers Paul and Susan.
or pick up printed programs at:
Faculty of Theology, U of W
All Assiniboine Credit Union Locations in Winnipeg
UMFM Radio Office, 308 University Centre, U of M
Mondragon Bookstore and Coffe House, 91 Albert St
Festival sponsors on the Global Justice Film Festival Coalition are:
· AVEL (Audio Visual Educational Library) United Church of Canada,
· KAIROS (Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives) Cambrian Agassiz Region,
· Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace,
· Council of Canadians - Winnipeg Chapter,
· Amnesty International, Group 19,
· U of W Faculty of Theology,
· Project Peacemakers,
· Menno Simons College,
· CUSO,
· St. Mary's Road United Church Foundation,
· Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC)
· MATCH International (Winnipeg Chapter).
Friday, November 2nd, (registration begins at 6:30 pm)
& Saturday, November 3rd, (registration begins at 8:30 am, films begin at 9:00 am)
The University of Winnipeg, 515 Portage Avenue
For program information, ticket information, and other useful details, go on-line to: http://www.globaljusticefilmfestival.ca
For those concerned about Global Justice, it is often difficult to keep up with the many issues facing us today. Documentary films are an excellent resource for keeping informed and sensitive to the reality of people’s lives as they strive for justice.
The Global Justice Film Festival has a line up of 18 films that deal with a range of topics, with a central theme of what is happening to our natural environment. Some of the main films include An Inconvenient Truth, Toxic Trespass and Dead in the Water.
Other films this year include Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Shameless: the Art of Disability and Finding Dawn (about missing aboriginal women in Canada).
The Festival will open Friday evening with the film, The Ecological Footprint. The evening will include a panel discussion on environmental issues and entertainment with local singers Paul and Susan.
or pick up printed programs at:
Faculty of Theology, U of W
All Assiniboine Credit Union Locations in Winnipeg
UMFM Radio Office, 308 University Centre, U of M
Mondragon Bookstore and Coffe House, 91 Albert St
Festival sponsors on the Global Justice Film Festival Coalition are:
· AVEL (Audio Visual Educational Library) United Church of Canada,
· KAIROS (Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives) Cambrian Agassiz Region,
· Canadian Catholic Organization for Development & Peace,
· Council of Canadians - Winnipeg Chapter,
· Amnesty International, Group 19,
· U of W Faculty of Theology,
· Project Peacemakers,
· Menno Simons College,
· CUSO,
· St. Mary's Road United Church Foundation,
· Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC)
· MATCH International (Winnipeg Chapter).
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
AIDS and hamburgers
Is anybody interested in going to see Stephen Lewis speak at the Pantages on November 12th? It's $25 and tickets run out early, so let me know very soon. More info can be found by clicking here. He's supposed to be an amazing speaker. For those of you who don't know who he is, he was the UN special envoy to HIV/AIDS in Africa.
On a seperate note, I would like to share something which disturbs me greatly. Please click here.
On a seperate note, I would like to share something which disturbs me greatly. Please click here.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
look! i learned how to embed!
You need to check out this video. It's a good visualization. Winnipeg has a very active Amnesty International Letter Writing Chapter which meets once a month, if you are interested!
Amnesty Letter Writing Video - from Amnesty International
Amnesty Letter Writing Video - from Amnesty International
Monday, September 17, 2007
too long . . . again
Hey y’all.
So I have anemia. Which is why I’ve been so sickly and tired lately. And sort of look like a vampire. But that should be fixed eventually when my red blood cells start to replenish.
It’s been an interesting summer. Sometimes I find that when you pray you get what you ask for, but you hate the results. But I guess that’s fair.
So some of you have regularly kept up with asking me how my summer experiment went – a few months ago I had posted that I was going to see if I could serve God by doing things which I enjoyed, and to not do “ministry” or other things merely because I thought I should.
That’s been good, let me tell you. There has been a few things which I was not able to let go of due to prior commitments. But in general my experience has been very positive. I have learned lots about myself and about my complexes (perhaps I should say, numerous complexes). This was a surprising learning. My intention was to learn about my actions and not necessary learn about myself.
I have learned, in a more concrete way, that I truly, deep down, consider myself to be the saviour of the universe. Likewise, I have learned that I truly, deep down, don’t consider my spiritual or emotional health to be as important as anybody else’s.
Neither of these are healthy.
First of all, I can’t save the world. My actions over the last few years, busy-fying myself to death, would seem to suggest that I am trying desperately to do just that. I need to learn to sit. Focus on where God has placed my hand and my heart, and do what I can where I am
Secondly, I am a hypocrite. It sounds all humble and selfless to consider others more important than me; to sacrifice my own emotional and spiritual health in order to give, give, give to others. But what this really boils down to is that I do not practice what I preach. If I try to drill the importance of self-care to others, and don’t focus on that myself, than something is wrong. It occurred to me one day that I really don’t think that I am worth the time to focus on myself. I don’t think it’s that I am trying to earn those heaven points by focusing on others; truly this is a result of myself not respecting or thinking my own spiritual or emotional health a valuable thing.
This is bad.
So I realized this. And then came a blood infection. I literally thought I was going crazy, being exhausted all of the time. But was diagnosed, and it makes a lot of sense.
My life in the last month has pretty much been working and sleeping. Which was fun and refreshing for a bit, but now is pretty boring. I have been forced to take my experiment to another step and have let go of many of my volunteer commitments and many extracurricular activities.
I had prayed that I would be able to find a way to simplify my life. And now it seems I am forced into this situation. Which sucks, but is really good at the same time. I guess I asked for it.
So I enter this new year (us academic working types consider September to be the main year milestone, not January) with a new outlook and new commitments. Please keep me to them.
1. I will limit myself to 2 ministries – the SCM and Faithworks. That is busy enough. And my involvement in these 2 ministries will be strictly limited to ways in which I feel passionate and excited about doing.
2. I will take the time to value myself as I value others. I will find hobbies and ways to strengthen my spiritual and emotional well being. This includes spending time with soul-giving friends (yes, you), and really taking hobbies seriously. This semester it is drumming and learning about Politics. That’s awesome. I will also spend intentional, not guiltified time feeding my spiritual life and continuing my dance with Christ in whichever way suits that particular day. Fun.
3. Things feel better in 3’s, but I honestly don’t have anything for this point. Perhaps I will commit to . . . oh, wait. I remember. I have also learned that I have a body. And that my body is intrically connected to my soul. So I will treat my body better and eat better as well as take the time to gym at least twice a week, starting in October.
So there we go. Sickness, sadness, but good things too.
Thanks for reading,Bre
So I have anemia. Which is why I’ve been so sickly and tired lately. And sort of look like a vampire. But that should be fixed eventually when my red blood cells start to replenish.
It’s been an interesting summer. Sometimes I find that when you pray you get what you ask for, but you hate the results. But I guess that’s fair.
So some of you have regularly kept up with asking me how my summer experiment went – a few months ago I had posted that I was going to see if I could serve God by doing things which I enjoyed, and to not do “ministry” or other things merely because I thought I should.
That’s been good, let me tell you. There has been a few things which I was not able to let go of due to prior commitments. But in general my experience has been very positive. I have learned lots about myself and about my complexes (perhaps I should say, numerous complexes). This was a surprising learning. My intention was to learn about my actions and not necessary learn about myself.
I have learned, in a more concrete way, that I truly, deep down, consider myself to be the saviour of the universe. Likewise, I have learned that I truly, deep down, don’t consider my spiritual or emotional health to be as important as anybody else’s.
Neither of these are healthy.
First of all, I can’t save the world. My actions over the last few years, busy-fying myself to death, would seem to suggest that I am trying desperately to do just that. I need to learn to sit. Focus on where God has placed my hand and my heart, and do what I can where I am
Secondly, I am a hypocrite. It sounds all humble and selfless to consider others more important than me; to sacrifice my own emotional and spiritual health in order to give, give, give to others. But what this really boils down to is that I do not practice what I preach. If I try to drill the importance of self-care to others, and don’t focus on that myself, than something is wrong. It occurred to me one day that I really don’t think that I am worth the time to focus on myself. I don’t think it’s that I am trying to earn those heaven points by focusing on others; truly this is a result of myself not respecting or thinking my own spiritual or emotional health a valuable thing.
This is bad.
So I realized this. And then came a blood infection. I literally thought I was going crazy, being exhausted all of the time. But was diagnosed, and it makes a lot of sense.
My life in the last month has pretty much been working and sleeping. Which was fun and refreshing for a bit, but now is pretty boring. I have been forced to take my experiment to another step and have let go of many of my volunteer commitments and many extracurricular activities.
I had prayed that I would be able to find a way to simplify my life. And now it seems I am forced into this situation. Which sucks, but is really good at the same time. I guess I asked for it.
So I enter this new year (us academic working types consider September to be the main year milestone, not January) with a new outlook and new commitments. Please keep me to them.
1. I will limit myself to 2 ministries – the SCM and Faithworks. That is busy enough. And my involvement in these 2 ministries will be strictly limited to ways in which I feel passionate and excited about doing.
2. I will take the time to value myself as I value others. I will find hobbies and ways to strengthen my spiritual and emotional well being. This includes spending time with soul-giving friends (yes, you), and really taking hobbies seriously. This semester it is drumming and learning about Politics. That’s awesome. I will also spend intentional, not guiltified time feeding my spiritual life and continuing my dance with Christ in whichever way suits that particular day. Fun.
3. Things feel better in 3’s, but I honestly don’t have anything for this point. Perhaps I will commit to . . . oh, wait. I remember. I have also learned that I have a body. And that my body is intrically connected to my soul. So I will treat my body better and eat better as well as take the time to gym at least twice a week, starting in October.
So there we go. Sickness, sadness, but good things too.
Thanks for reading,Bre
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)