25 plastic bottles are the thread of my socks.
Now, I’ve walked over plastic bottles before. Everyone knows you are coming.
In this case, with these socks, I can be as quiet as possible. Other than the squeaks in the floor you’d hardly know I was coming.
And my step is much lighter knowing I’m saving the planet!!
Nanaimo bars have been priced out of the market.
At least, if the market is me and my fellow potluckers. We come to potlucks in part for the wide variety of food. But also because you can get a full meal for merely the price of one portion of food. And if you are lucky (which is the real point of pot “luck”), you get to take food home with you to eat at a later point.
For years prairie potlucks (and funeral receptions) were known for such things as perogies, casseroles and Nanaimo bars. Over my almost four decades in church ministry I developed a slogan. If you want to get me something to eat, make if Nanaimo bars. I have harvested a rich reward over the years, to say nothing of an expanded waist line.
So, for the most recent potluck (last night) one participant asked if they could bring anything. I flippantly suggested Nanaimo bars. As we gather and set out the table, there were Nanaimo bars. I relished both the thought of biting into them and the realization that reality is better than the mere thought.
Now, to my credit, I did mention to her that the cost of store bought (and home-made) NB’s had gone up. She noted that the cost was way more than she had paid years ago.
Inflation has taken a bite out of us. Both financially and as a foodie. At the same time, that bite has caused deflation and I can hopefully soon buy a new (and smaller) belt!
Postmedia is losing their buildings. In shedding their buildings they get rid of expenses that could be better allocated. All the reporters will work remotely.
For centuries the church has shed buildings. Some of the magnificent museums in the world were once church buildings. As communities declined in population, facilities had their dedications lifted and another owner took on the maintenance.
But this feels a bit different. The struggle seems to be with the definition of community. At one time a social cohesion was dependant on relaying messages, giving announcements and sharing each other’s physical presence together. Our day and age has moved to virtual sharing, information relayed by digital means and trusting to be able to Zoom in to another’s presence.
Justification for a building used to be for the single-focus purpose of providing a community landing spot. Decor and utility were combined in an effort to direct both thought and person to God.
Now, . . . do we need buildings?
Well, if sabbath is the culmination of your work week, then the rest is really found in the trying out of the work.
Most of us figure we are only talking about what we get paid for when we talk about work. Let me stretch your thinking. What if you thought about working during the week to set yourself up for a day that would be all about having fun living what God calls us to live – kingdom life?
Maybe your work is about anger control that God says is not a good thing. So, with God’s conviction and strength, you learn to recognize your anger more fully. A bit of good advice doesn’t hurt. Nor does learning what triggers you.
So during the week you are working on these Kingdom principles. Sabbath comes and you try out what you have learned. You watch intentionally for a situation that triggers your anger – and you call out to God (yell would be a better word) to help you pull all that work together and come out contented that you have lived a godly life.
And now you can rest. For some of you, your sabbath may come on the fifth day. And God confirms to you that conquering your fears, or closely loving others, or whatever, is up to you when you leave it up to God. Rest is found in that moment. The work has led to rest.
Just some initial thoughts as I “work” on learning to “rest”.