Today is December 25, which is celebrated as Christmas, even by some people in the Messianic movement. As someone from a Jewish home, I sometimes feel left out on this day, when all my friends are either busy or out of town. So, I stocked up on a few movies, some beverages of choice, and am going to spent time reading, listening to music, and even getting into the Bible later on.
My biggest hope and prayer is that people remember the real meaning of today. Whether or not it has pagan origins, whether or not the date is wrong -- today is about faith, and about peace. It's about gifts, but not the materialistic kinds. It's about a gift so precious it cost someone His life, so that we may have life eternal.
Happy Yom Yeshua!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Shabbat, Yesterday. Joy and Pain.
Yesterday was a very full day. It started off with me over-sleeping -- totally accidentally, of course. I've been so wiped with my daily activities that I now find it more difficult to arise at 7:30 on a Saturday morning than I did years ago. So I rushed around to get everything together, and when I got to the church, realized I forgot my guitar tuner. Tuning to the piano was not difficult, except for the fact that piano tends to always be slightly out of tune. I was also the only instrumentalist, as our usual worship leader was out of town, another was home resting, and the person who was schedule to lead is out indefinitely with a wrist injury (please pray for him -- he is in a lot of pain and this affects his livelihood).
This was the first service in a long time that I was actually able to sit through from start to finish, since I did not have any other events or commitments to which I had to attend. Afterwards, a group of us went out for lunch -- something else I have not been able to do in ages since I tend to take off early.
After lunch, I went to a nearby church which had an extensive display of Nativity scenes from around the world, and made in different mediums (one of my favourites was the one made out of a Mechano set. I recently got a new cell phone and my wall paper is a wood carving from Israel, a piece of modern art representing Joeseph and Mary holding baby Yeshua.
I left the church around 4, and walked down Candy Cane Lane, not fully dark or lit up yet. Actually, the longer I walked the darker it got. I was the only one on the street, and it was a necessary solitary experience. I needed the alone time. This time of year is proving to be harder for me than I expected. Not just because most of my friends are either away or busy. Not just because I feel left out, having to stay home while everyone else is out having fun on december 25. But mostly because I think back to the friend I lost back in March, and how this time of year was so important to him, and how he would be enjoying things, and how he can't and won't again. I rarely cry in public, but right before worship yesterday morning, I literally had tears rolling down my face.
When we are single, our friends sometimes become like our family. I lost a family member this past year. It hurts.
This was the first service in a long time that I was actually able to sit through from start to finish, since I did not have any other events or commitments to which I had to attend. Afterwards, a group of us went out for lunch -- something else I have not been able to do in ages since I tend to take off early.
After lunch, I went to a nearby church which had an extensive display of Nativity scenes from around the world, and made in different mediums (one of my favourites was the one made out of a Mechano set. I recently got a new cell phone and my wall paper is a wood carving from Israel, a piece of modern art representing Joeseph and Mary holding baby Yeshua.
I left the church around 4, and walked down Candy Cane Lane, not fully dark or lit up yet. Actually, the longer I walked the darker it got. I was the only one on the street, and it was a necessary solitary experience. I needed the alone time. This time of year is proving to be harder for me than I expected. Not just because most of my friends are either away or busy. Not just because I feel left out, having to stay home while everyone else is out having fun on december 25. But mostly because I think back to the friend I lost back in March, and how this time of year was so important to him, and how he would be enjoying things, and how he can't and won't again. I rarely cry in public, but right before worship yesterday morning, I literally had tears rolling down my face.
When we are single, our friends sometimes become like our family. I lost a family member this past year. It hurts.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Extreme Activism
Yesterday was the "Funeral for the Earth," a protest organized for the International Day of Action on Climate Change. Edmonton took part with 35 other cities across the country, and Canada with other countries around the world as world leaders gathered in Bali on this very topic during the UN Climate Change Negotiations.
It is December in Edmonton, and today was one of the coldest days of the past few weeks. The irony that we were protesting climate change (in particular, global warming) when it was -30 celcius this morning was not lost on us, as we shivered, jumped up and down, and wore multiple layers to stay warm.
"This is extreme activism," I said to one of the Raging Grannies, before things got rolling.
I wore two pairs of socks. I could not find the thermal sports socks I have stashed away here somewhere, but two layers of normal socks did the trick. Below, I wore thermals, in addition to my cords and normal underwear. On top, was a long-sleeved blouse under a sweater, a long coat, a my famous pink Anarchy symbol knitted hat that I always wear to protests in the colder weather.
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. But the bright sun kept things as warm as they could be, and we were moving at a fast pace. No cops to be seen - that was a surprise. I was running in and out of the crowd as I always do at these events, taking pictures and film. My biggest challenge was caused by the two layers of knitted gloves on my hands. Operating a camera is hard enough with one pair of gloves, let alone two.
There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster. I'll get the pics and vids up in the next day or so.
It is December in Edmonton, and today was one of the coldest days of the past few weeks. The irony that we were protesting climate change (in particular, global warming) when it was -30 celcius this morning was not lost on us, as we shivered, jumped up and down, and wore multiple layers to stay warm.
"This is extreme activism," I said to one of the Raging Grannies, before things got rolling.
I wore two pairs of socks. I could not find the thermal sports socks I have stashed away here somewhere, but two layers of normal socks did the trick. Below, I wore thermals, in addition to my cords and normal underwear. On top, was a long-sleeved blouse under a sweater, a long coat, a my famous pink Anarchy symbol knitted hat that I always wear to protests in the colder weather.
We marched from Canada Place to the Legislature, which is not a short route. But the bright sun kept things as warm as they could be, and we were moving at a fast pace. No cops to be seen - that was a surprise. I was running in and out of the crowd as I always do at these events, taking pictures and film. My biggest challenge was caused by the two layers of knitted gloves on my hands. Operating a camera is hard enough with one pair of gloves, let alone two.
There was an impressive turnout despite the cold temperatures, with about 150 people. I didn't freeze. I was especially concerned because the Legislature steps tend to be chilly to start with, but considering what goes on in there and the kind of givernment we have, that should come as no surprise. However, as far as I could tell, no one suffered from frostbite or hypothermia. The Raging Grannies and Notre Dame des Bananes sung, speakers led a service as the Earth was laid to rest, and the batteries in my camcorder just barely held out -- cold makes batteries drain faster. I'll get the pics and vids up in the next day or so.
Monday, November 19, 2007
From Crisis to Hope
This past weekend I was the official photographer for the annual Fall conference of The Parkland Institute, a progressive thinktank located on the University of Alberta campus. The theme of this year's conference was "From Crisis to Hope: Building Sustainable Communities."
By "sustainable communities," what was meant was the kind of society we as people will be living in, in a post-carbon world once the oil sands are depleted, once other non-renewable resources are dwindling, once the stress of our lifestyles take their full toll on the world around us.
In general, the tone of the conference was very positive and included a lot of interactive discussions. One of the speakers, Mark Anielski (author of the book The Economy of Happiness), spoke about what causes true happiness -- or, joy as he later specified, which is a more enduring state than happiness, which can be fleeting. The conclusion made was that there was more satisfaction to be found in spiritual things than material. "Spiritual" included being close to family and friends, enjoying nature, having an adequate amount of leisure time, and, yes, it was indeed mentioned: one's relationship with G-d (although no specific religion was discussed). People need to have enough money to be able to sufficiently care for their needs, but people with huge bags of dough are not necessarily happier.
To me, this is a very important topic, but hardly revolutionary. After all, people who already have a close relationship with the Almighty, or G-d, or the Creator, or whatver we feel comfortable calling Him, know this stuff well. Anielski was preaching to the converted (literally) in my case. How many people will now go home and start to explore their own spirituality as a result? I can only hope and pray that many will.
By "sustainable communities," what was meant was the kind of society we as people will be living in, in a post-carbon world once the oil sands are depleted, once other non-renewable resources are dwindling, once the stress of our lifestyles take their full toll on the world around us.
In general, the tone of the conference was very positive and included a lot of interactive discussions. One of the speakers, Mark Anielski (author of the book The Economy of Happiness), spoke about what causes true happiness -- or, joy as he later specified, which is a more enduring state than happiness, which can be fleeting. The conclusion made was that there was more satisfaction to be found in spiritual things than material. "Spiritual" included being close to family and friends, enjoying nature, having an adequate amount of leisure time, and, yes, it was indeed mentioned: one's relationship with G-d (although no specific religion was discussed). People need to have enough money to be able to sufficiently care for their needs, but people with huge bags of dough are not necessarily happier.
To me, this is a very important topic, but hardly revolutionary. After all, people who already have a close relationship with the Almighty, or G-d, or the Creator, or whatver we feel comfortable calling Him, know this stuff well. Anielski was preaching to the converted (literally) in my case. How many people will now go home and start to explore their own spirituality as a result? I can only hope and pray that many will.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Parashat Noach : People Get Ready
Parashat Noach (Noah)
October 13, 2007/1 Cheshvan 5768
Torah: Gen. 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Is. 66:1-24 (Rosh Chodesh, otherwise Is. 54:1-55:5)
Brit Chadesha: Mt. 24:36-46
Growing up in a Jewish home, the portion of Noach contains a central Bible story with which I was raised. It creates very vivid visual images, and tells a clear message about obeying G-d, even when the reason seems unclear or if what He is asking you to do seems unusual or unrealistic.
G-d gives Noah very clear instructions – he tells Noah what is about to happen, and gives him specific instructions for the ark – the exact size and dimensions – and what to do concerning bringing the animals on board, as well as how to take care of his own food and family. Then came the flood. Everything and everyone perished except Noah, his family, and the animals on the Ark. Because of Noah’s faithfulness, G-d makes a covenant with Noah, which is described in Gen. 9:1-4:
Gen 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.Gen 9:2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.Gen 9:3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.Gen 9:4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
G-d promises Noah that the world will never again be destroyed by a flood.
Two side notes: This is where the rabbinic prohibition about consuming blood comes from. Even in the cases of kosher animals, for meat to be rabbinically kosher it has to go through a specific slaughter and preparatory process in order to remove as much blood as possible. As well, there is a theory that prior to the time of Noah people were vegetarians because of the way Gen. 9:3 is phrased.
Noah had three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japeth – and from them descended the nations described in chapter ten. But there was a problem when Ham, the father of Canaan, caught his father naked and drunk. Instead of being discreet about it, he went and told his brothers, bringing shame upon Noah. As a result, Noah cursed Canaan to be the slave of Shem, but blessed Shem and Japeth.
Chapter 11 talks about the Tower of Babel, whereby the L-rd confused and scattered the people there by giving them different languages. The portion ends with the genealogy from Shem to Abram.
The Haftarah is a special reading this week because of Rosh Chodesh. The prophet Isaiah discusses judgement for the disobedient, and the L-rd himself states his reaction to such.
Isa 66:15 See, the L-RD is coming with fire,and his chariots are like a whirlwind;he will bring down his anger with fury,and his rebuke with flames of fire.Isa 66:16 For with fire and with his swordthe L-RD will execute judgment upon all men,and many will be those slain by the L-RD.
The New Testament portion presents Yeshua’s words about the coming of the L-rd, stating how just like the people in Noah’s day did not know what was in store, we don’t know what could be looming.
Mat 24:38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;Mat 24:39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
So, we have to be ready. We have to live our lives as through the L-rd is always watching – because He is – and He is ready to return. Sometimes I do or say things I would not want my earthly father hearing or knowing about, or especially catching me in the act of. How much worse it would be to be caught by my Heavenly Father. So let’s be ready.
October 13, 2007/1 Cheshvan 5768
Torah: Gen. 6:9-11:32
Haftarah: Is. 66:1-24 (Rosh Chodesh, otherwise Is. 54:1-55:5)
Brit Chadesha: Mt. 24:36-46
Growing up in a Jewish home, the portion of Noach contains a central Bible story with which I was raised. It creates very vivid visual images, and tells a clear message about obeying G-d, even when the reason seems unclear or if what He is asking you to do seems unusual or unrealistic.
G-d gives Noah very clear instructions – he tells Noah what is about to happen, and gives him specific instructions for the ark – the exact size and dimensions – and what to do concerning bringing the animals on board, as well as how to take care of his own food and family. Then came the flood. Everything and everyone perished except Noah, his family, and the animals on the Ark. Because of Noah’s faithfulness, G-d makes a covenant with Noah, which is described in Gen. 9:1-4:
Gen 9:1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons, saying to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the earth.Gen 9:2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands.Gen 9:3 Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.Gen 9:4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.
G-d promises Noah that the world will never again be destroyed by a flood.
Two side notes: This is where the rabbinic prohibition about consuming blood comes from. Even in the cases of kosher animals, for meat to be rabbinically kosher it has to go through a specific slaughter and preparatory process in order to remove as much blood as possible. As well, there is a theory that prior to the time of Noah people were vegetarians because of the way Gen. 9:3 is phrased.
Noah had three sons – Shem, Ham, and Japeth – and from them descended the nations described in chapter ten. But there was a problem when Ham, the father of Canaan, caught his father naked and drunk. Instead of being discreet about it, he went and told his brothers, bringing shame upon Noah. As a result, Noah cursed Canaan to be the slave of Shem, but blessed Shem and Japeth.
Chapter 11 talks about the Tower of Babel, whereby the L-rd confused and scattered the people there by giving them different languages. The portion ends with the genealogy from Shem to Abram.
The Haftarah is a special reading this week because of Rosh Chodesh. The prophet Isaiah discusses judgement for the disobedient, and the L-rd himself states his reaction to such.
Isa 66:15 See, the L-RD is coming with fire,and his chariots are like a whirlwind;he will bring down his anger with fury,and his rebuke with flames of fire.Isa 66:16 For with fire and with his swordthe L-RD will execute judgment upon all men,and many will be those slain by the L-RD.
The New Testament portion presents Yeshua’s words about the coming of the L-rd, stating how just like the people in Noah’s day did not know what was in store, we don’t know what could be looming.
Mat 24:38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark;Mat 24:39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.
So, we have to be ready. We have to live our lives as through the L-rd is always watching – because He is – and He is ready to return. Sometimes I do or say things I would not want my earthly father hearing or knowing about, or especially catching me in the act of. How much worse it would be to be caught by my Heavenly Father. So let’s be ready.
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