"Find me a woman who loves beer and I could conquer the world" Kaiser Wilhelm II
Oh Wilhelm how did we miss each other?
"It's a good thing he never met you or the first world war would have turned out a little different." David Bretherick
Surely there's another man out there who wants to conquer the world with a woman who loves beer. No world war necessary.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
capitalism: a love affair
This afternoon I saw Capitalism: a love affair, the new Michael Moore documentary. It was disturbing and interesting all at the same time. The main point of the movie is that capitalism will be the end of America and the country needs to reestablish itself along democratic lines. Moore really did show that each person exercising their right to vote does make a difference. When the masses work together they really can execute change. The movie showed the power of unions to establish fair work places. Moore also shows that true biblical Christianity and the message of Jesus do not align themselves with the conservative American right. That was refreshing.
In discussion following the movie we concluded that Capitalism really isn't the problem. Unionization and the assembly of the people are not the answers. Democracy is not the answer. The underlying problem is our selfish, greedy hearts and, as my pastor would say, the answer is Jesus and his ability to transform us. It sounds so Sunday School but really, if you really sit down and think about it, submitting ourselves to the transforming power of Jesus and His message could only result in good for us and for all those around us. Because we would then be walking in grace and putting others before ourselves, making sure the widow and the orphan are clothed and fed and doing all things out of love, standing up against injustice, loving God with all our hearts and souls and minds, loving our neighbours as ourselves and doing everything we can within our power to live in peace.
Now, I completely understand that that isn't reality and won't ever happen here on earth but I can do my part. I can work towards being a person who is everything listed above so my neighbour will be cared for. As a nurse, I can do everything within my power to make sure that universal health care remains a reality in Canada so that the street guy is in the room next to the politician and they are getting the exact same excellence of care simply because they are both human beings. I can allow the message and presence of Jesus to change me. I really do think it's my only hope.
In discussion following the movie we concluded that Capitalism really isn't the problem. Unionization and the assembly of the people are not the answers. Democracy is not the answer. The underlying problem is our selfish, greedy hearts and, as my pastor would say, the answer is Jesus and his ability to transform us. It sounds so Sunday School but really, if you really sit down and think about it, submitting ourselves to the transforming power of Jesus and His message could only result in good for us and for all those around us. Because we would then be walking in grace and putting others before ourselves, making sure the widow and the orphan are clothed and fed and doing all things out of love, standing up against injustice, loving God with all our hearts and souls and minds, loving our neighbours as ourselves and doing everything we can within our power to live in peace.
Now, I completely understand that that isn't reality and won't ever happen here on earth but I can do my part. I can work towards being a person who is everything listed above so my neighbour will be cared for. As a nurse, I can do everything within my power to make sure that universal health care remains a reality in Canada so that the street guy is in the room next to the politician and they are getting the exact same excellence of care simply because they are both human beings. I can allow the message and presence of Jesus to change me. I really do think it's my only hope.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
should be
There is a lot of "should be" around me right now. I should be cleaning my kitchen, changing my sheets, folding my laundry, adjusting things on my new bike, sorting through mail from this last week, paying bills, getting some exercise etc. But I can't right now. I'm distracted by the pit in my stomach. The pit that is telling me to sort through some of my thoughts. So here goes. Please bear with me.
God Grew Tired of Us. A movie about The Lost Boys of Sudan and how some of them were relocated to places in the USA. Two things stood out to me. First, they totally didn't get how the Christmas tree and Santa fit into Christmas. "Aren't we supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and His birth in our hearts?" "Is Santa in the Bible?" They talked about how, in their country, on Christmas Eve, they prepare themselves for Jesus to be born in their hearts. We prepare our fingernails to get the tape of our gifts without wrecking the Christmas paper.
Second, they never looked at their opportunities in isolation. Making money meant they would help the people back home or each other here. They lived fully in a sense of community. One young man spoke about how we, in North America, don't pay attention to one another and he used the word shame. "It's a shame you can't go to some one's house you don't know." "It's a shame that when you see someone hurting you can't just put yourself into their problem." (I'm crying while I write this.) It is a shame and we should be ashamed. We talk about boundaries and how we should protect ourselves and we create places of comfort for ourselves and we are alone. It's shameful and it's not what Jesus wants.
More and more I am thinking about how I use my time, my money, my words, my entertainment. It's not that I think any of those things are wrong or bad. In fact I like them all. But how should I spend it? How do I spend my life treating others? Do I notice the wounded or the joyful? Do I put myself into their problem? Do I rejoice in their joy? Ultimately, is God glorified?
None of this rambling really has any conclusion but the questions cause me to move further into the throne room. To ask bigger questions of an infinite God. To dialogue with my friends and to learn and change and grow.
Life is change. Growth is optional. It's up to you.
God Grew Tired of Us. A movie about The Lost Boys of Sudan and how some of them were relocated to places in the USA. Two things stood out to me. First, they totally didn't get how the Christmas tree and Santa fit into Christmas. "Aren't we supposed to be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and His birth in our hearts?" "Is Santa in the Bible?" They talked about how, in their country, on Christmas Eve, they prepare themselves for Jesus to be born in their hearts. We prepare our fingernails to get the tape of our gifts without wrecking the Christmas paper.
Second, they never looked at their opportunities in isolation. Making money meant they would help the people back home or each other here. They lived fully in a sense of community. One young man spoke about how we, in North America, don't pay attention to one another and he used the word shame. "It's a shame you can't go to some one's house you don't know." "It's a shame that when you see someone hurting you can't just put yourself into their problem." (I'm crying while I write this.) It is a shame and we should be ashamed. We talk about boundaries and how we should protect ourselves and we create places of comfort for ourselves and we are alone. It's shameful and it's not what Jesus wants.
More and more I am thinking about how I use my time, my money, my words, my entertainment. It's not that I think any of those things are wrong or bad. In fact I like them all. But how should I spend it? How do I spend my life treating others? Do I notice the wounded or the joyful? Do I put myself into their problem? Do I rejoice in their joy? Ultimately, is God glorified?
None of this rambling really has any conclusion but the questions cause me to move further into the throne room. To ask bigger questions of an infinite God. To dialogue with my friends and to learn and change and grow.
Life is change. Growth is optional. It's up to you.
Monday, September 21, 2009
is anyone still interested?
I don't know if anyone out there reads this anymore but if you do I apologize for my lack of blogginess over the summer. I'm not sure why I stopped writing for a while but I did. Now I'm going to start again.
Things I've been thinking over the past week or maybe month:
-Forcing myself to stay awake through the night needs to stop soon.
-It is strange how my heart and mind are transforming to see the difficult things in life as blessings and not only that, but to embrace and welcome the difficulty because it's all for a greater good. It is not strange that when I share this in various company it causes tension because, really, we want to be comfortable.
-sometimes the thing you think will break your heart, doesn't.
-cutting cable is proving to be undeniably freeing.
-I love Stuart Mclean and The Vinyl Cafe. There's a podcast so I can listen whenever I want.
-God continues to raise up a few who will speak difficult truth. My pastor Norm Westside Church Vancouver,BC, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Seattle, Francis Chan, Simi Valley, CA. Listen to this sermon if you dare.
-just because I'm an extrovert doesn't mean I'm not okay with silence and solitude. Some people just don't believe me.
-it's funny how the same Bible story can make me cry every time I hear it. Especially when it reminds me that God's hand is working even when I can't see it.
That's just some of the stuff I've been thinking about. I know there's more. Thanks for reading,
-i really, really miss my bicycle.
Things I've been thinking over the past week or maybe month:
-Forcing myself to stay awake through the night needs to stop soon.
-It is strange how my heart and mind are transforming to see the difficult things in life as blessings and not only that, but to embrace and welcome the difficulty because it's all for a greater good. It is not strange that when I share this in various company it causes tension because, really, we want to be comfortable.
-sometimes the thing you think will break your heart, doesn't.
-cutting cable is proving to be undeniably freeing.
-I love Stuart Mclean and The Vinyl Cafe. There's a podcast so I can listen whenever I want.
-God continues to raise up a few who will speak difficult truth. My pastor Norm Westside Church Vancouver,BC, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Seattle, Francis Chan, Simi Valley, CA. Listen to this sermon if you dare.
-just because I'm an extrovert doesn't mean I'm not okay with silence and solitude. Some people just don't believe me.
-it's funny how the same Bible story can make me cry every time I hear it. Especially when it reminds me that God's hand is working even when I can't see it.
That's just some of the stuff I've been thinking about. I know there's more. Thanks for reading,
-i really, really miss my bicycle.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
fun
On Friday evening a group of friends and I were out for dinner for the first part of my friend's stagette. We had drinks and food and a lot of fun. There were 16 girls around a big table. On the way out the door one of the waiters came to me, touched my arm and said, "honey, I've been watching you all night and you are FUN!" (add a flamboyant inflection) I woke up Saturday morning still smiling and that's why I haven't blogged for so long. I've been off having a lot of F-U-N!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
forever and a day
WOW! It has been forever and a day since I blogged. I haven't been out of town for any significant length of time, nor have I been infirm. I have just been incredibly busy. INCREDIBLY BUSY. Working lots. Socializing lots. Cleaning. Organizing. Laughing, crying, praying, worshipping. You know, the stuff that makes up normal days. The stuff of lovely, lovely days.
I've seen the movie UP twice in the last month. The first time was with my parents. We saw it in 3D. When I called my mother to ask if she wanted to see it in 2D or 3D this is how she responded. Pregnant pause, then, "Well Laura, why would you see a movie in 2D if it's offered in 3D?" How silly of me. The second time I saw it was with the kids at daycamp. I cried both times because it pulled at the heart strings of things that my heart longs for. My favorite line in the whole thing is when Russell is talking about how his dad and him used to sit eating ice cream and counting the blue cars and the red cars. He says, "I know it sounds boring but it's the boring stuff I remember the most."
Over the last month I've also been around a lot of death. I've had a lot of conversations about death and I'm overwhelmed by how different it is each time. (If you're reading this and don't know me, I'm an ICU nurse.) One of the deaths was my patient alone. His family couldn't handle what was happening and I couldn't let him die alone. So I sat at his bedside and held his hand until he took his last breath. The next one was an older Sikh gentleman with a gigantic family. More than 30 people filled the room and I had to navigate my way through all these people to give this man morphine as he needed it. Another death was doing CPR on a young man to keep him 'alive' until his family had a chance to say goodbye. Honestly I could go on and on because it has been a very tragic month.
Then last week my friend Rachel died. (See the previous post). She died at home with her family. I went to the Celebration of her life today and it was amazing. The church was full. Her family was strong. God was glorified and will continue to be. I watched as her husband and children walked out of the church and thought this family has done death exceedingly well. The situation sucks. These kids are young. Her husband didn't know that when he uttered,"'til death do us part'" that it would mean only 10 years in. But they have walked the road and will continue to do so.
I bet Rachel's husband and kids will one day say that it's the boring stuff they remember. The everyday dinner around the table. Stories before bed. The normal stuff. And I think they did the boring stuff so well that eventually they will all be okay. Totally different than planned but absolutely okay.
And if you're reading this and don't get it, please go to www.deathisnotdying.com
I've seen the movie UP twice in the last month. The first time was with my parents. We saw it in 3D. When I called my mother to ask if she wanted to see it in 2D or 3D this is how she responded. Pregnant pause, then, "Well Laura, why would you see a movie in 2D if it's offered in 3D?" How silly of me. The second time I saw it was with the kids at daycamp. I cried both times because it pulled at the heart strings of things that my heart longs for. My favorite line in the whole thing is when Russell is talking about how his dad and him used to sit eating ice cream and counting the blue cars and the red cars. He says, "I know it sounds boring but it's the boring stuff I remember the most."
Over the last month I've also been around a lot of death. I've had a lot of conversations about death and I'm overwhelmed by how different it is each time. (If you're reading this and don't know me, I'm an ICU nurse.) One of the deaths was my patient alone. His family couldn't handle what was happening and I couldn't let him die alone. So I sat at his bedside and held his hand until he took his last breath. The next one was an older Sikh gentleman with a gigantic family. More than 30 people filled the room and I had to navigate my way through all these people to give this man morphine as he needed it. Another death was doing CPR on a young man to keep him 'alive' until his family had a chance to say goodbye. Honestly I could go on and on because it has been a very tragic month.
Then last week my friend Rachel died. (See the previous post). She died at home with her family. I went to the Celebration of her life today and it was amazing. The church was full. Her family was strong. God was glorified and will continue to be. I watched as her husband and children walked out of the church and thought this family has done death exceedingly well. The situation sucks. These kids are young. Her husband didn't know that when he uttered,"'til death do us part'" that it would mean only 10 years in. But they have walked the road and will continue to do so.
I bet Rachel's husband and kids will one day say that it's the boring stuff they remember. The everyday dinner around the table. Stories before bed. The normal stuff. And I think they did the boring stuff so well that eventually they will all be okay. Totally different than planned but absolutely okay.
And if you're reading this and don't get it, please go to www.deathisnotdying.com
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
death is not dying
A woman I know is dying. She is my age. She is beautiful. She is kind and generous and, from what I know of her, amazing. She is not really my friend but I know her and she knows me. In early March she shared her story in front of hundreds of women and I had the privilege of leading worship that night. The event took place at the River Rock Casino. I led worship at a casino theatre. Rachel talked about Jesus. Those things don't often go together but it happened and it was amazing. The event was called Death is not Dying. Since that night the video of Rachel's talk has circulated the globe and many people have found themselves touched by her story. Since then a website has been launched containing the video and some letters Rachel wrote during her first bout of cancer and a few from her current battle. Go there. Read and listen and allow God to transform you. Death is not Dying.
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