A Fresh Perspective

It's always good to gain a fresh perspective.  Sometimes that comes easier than at other times in life.  Serving lunch at Siloam Mission (a soup kitchen in downtown Winnipeg) was a good chance to put Christmas in perspective.  The line was quick and busy so I didn't have much of an opportunity to look up from the stuffing I was adding to each plate.  I was thankful for the gentleman at the end of the food line who, after adding a piece of dessert to each plate, wished each patron a good lunch.  He did what I could not and I was thankful that each person was acknowledged.  When I did have a second to glance up, most patrons had smiles on their faces and said many "thank you's" for the meal.  It's been cold in Manitoba lately and I complain as soon as I have to head outside, even for a few moments as I run from the house to the car.  After lunch, each of the patrons would be hitting the cold streets again, waiting until supper would be served and they can warm up.  In the midst of a season where it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of gifts and gatherings, it was good to be reminded of what's really important and see life through another set of eyes.

Canadian Sex Tourists

Check out the following Winnipeg Free Press article about Canadian sex tourists:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/asian-girls-harmed-by-canadian-sex-tourists-find-refuge-but-abuses-continue-184966961.html

Peace

“If there is to be peace in the world,

There must be peace among nations.

If there is to be peace among nations,

There must be peace in the cities.

If there is to be peace in the cities,

There must be peace between neighbors.

If there is to be peace between neighbors,

There must be peace in the home.

If there is to be peace in the home,

There must be peace in the heart.”

~Lao Tzu

'Tis the Season

Question:  What is better than walking up to the counter of your favorite coffee shop and finding out that someone else has covered your bill?

Answer:  Paying it forward by paying for the next person's!

'Tis the Season!

Ana

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQdkLosDisA

Come, Thou almighty King,
Help us Thy name to sing,
Help us to praise!
Father all-glorious,
O'er all victorious,
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.

www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/love-wins-in-newtown-184528851.html

We Cry for Justice

At a time when songs and messages are filled with "peace on earth" and "joy to the world", I'm finding it difficult to really grasp the hope of Christmas in light of the current state of our world.  There is something entirely wrong when the most vulnerable and least in our society are preyed upon.  When small children in Connecticut are repeatedly shot at close range; when women delivering polio vaccinations in Pakistan are attacked and killed; when BC sex trade women literally vanish into thin air and are treated as though they did not exist; when a 23-year old woman is gang raped in India where violence against women is largely ignored. . .we cry for justice!

In Luke 18:7 & 8a, Jesus said, "And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?  Will he keep putting them off?  I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly."

IKEA Winnipeg

For anyone who knows me, I have been waiting for the chance to hit IKEA Winnipeg since the moment it was announced that they were coming and today was finally the day!  The store did not disappoint - I actually found more than what I was looking for (big surprise).  It was strange though to go through the store and not figure out exactly what I should buy because I'm used to thinking that it will be months or years until I get back to the store (I've even planned holiday trips around where IKEA stores are located) - no more of that!!

P.S. - Apparently I promised my friend Rob that I would mention him in this blog and he's a little cheesed that I didn't so here's his shout out. . .wouldn't have shared my very first visit to IKEA Winnipeg with anyone else!

Happy 12~12~12!!

And you thought it was just another day. . .check out some fun facts about this day in history (lots of math going on!):

rt.com/news/features/december-12-marriage-doomsday-844

CNN: Operation Hope - Full Version

Check out the full version of CNN's Operation Hope at:

 www.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/freedom-project-operation-hope/index.html

Life After Escaping an Indian Brothel

Check out the following article by Natalie Kitroeff from The New York Times:

kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/10/life-after-escaping-an-indian-brothel/#more-11837

Shining ~ Sanctus Real

This is my new favorite Christmas song.  I heard it once and can't get it out of my head.  Love, love, love it!

The dawn of peace Christmas Eve, the final night the world would sleep,

Fearful of the dark, but there was a shining star leading

Wise men to a humble place, where they would find the Gift of Grace,

Laying before their eyes, hope had come to life.

The Light of the world was shining; the Light of the world was shining,

He came just like He promised; His love would not be silent.

Hearts would quake on Christmas Day, as they looked upon the Savior's face,

God became a man; they could reach and touch His hands.

The hands that made the blind to see, that carried the weight of suffering,

That washed away our sins, so we could be born again.

The Light of the world is shining; the Light of the world is shining,

He came just like He promised; His love will not be silent,

The Light of the world is shining, from heaven to earth He's shining,

He came just like He promised; His love will not be silent.

The world knows Christ is born, oh; the King of love has come,

And our hearts will be His throne, it is known, Christ is born.

Light of the world, leading us home, Shepherd of Hearts, come for His own,

The Light of the world is shining; the Light of the world is shining,

He came just like He promised; His love will not be silent,

The Light of the world is shining, from heaven to earth He's shining,

He came just like He promised; His love will not be silent, He's shining.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjGcGmmGM1A

Our Generation ~ Sean Quigley

From the guy who brought us the Little Drummer Boy last Christmas, comes:

www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_891156&feature=iv&hd=1&src_vid=IrNcD34KFhM&v=1KlHfZkVMbU

CNN: Operation Hope

 

 thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com

edition.cnn.com/2012/12/06/world/freedom-project-operation-hope/index.html

Life of Pi

I'm not sure why I missed out reading the Life of Pi about a decade ago (I've already ordered it from Chapters and it's on its way!) but went to go see the 3D movie this past weekend.  And it was so good I'm planning to see it again!  The graphics were amazing and the storyline was even better!  There's a lot to think about and I definitely recommend the movie (and I'm guessing the book as well).

On Our Knees

The advent season started yesterday and we began a little differently in my church. . .on our knees.  It was a humbling way to bring in this season - one I thoroughly enjoyed, even in the discomfort of it.  It brings back a lot of memories for me as a child.  On the rare occasion that I attended my grandmother's church, I was always taken off guard when, literally, the entire congregation dropped to the floor of the church for prayer.  We didn't do this in my home church and so it always surprised me when it happened.  As I grew older, it was something I looked forward to when I went to visit her.  As an adult, it was something that I thanked the congregation for.  It was in part because of those faithful prayers - and then people standing up and being the hands and feet to those prayers - that my grandmother, one widow of many in the church, was taken care of.

The Magnificat

I really enjoyed the Steve Bell trio that played some old favorites and some new Christmas songs last night.  But what I really appreciate about Steve Bell is that he can play with 2 other guitar players or the symphony orchestra, and he is the same person.  He has a great stage presence and his banter (sometimes serious, many times not) between songs is as much a part of the evening as the songs are.

Last night he referred to the passage from Luke 1:46 - 55 (The Magnificat by Mary).  He said that Mary is not the only person who God asked to dwell in.  At some point in all of our lives, He asks that of each of us:  will we allow the one who created us to dwell within us, and establish a relationship that we were designed for?

And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."