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June 09, 2008 By: Cathi-Lyn Dyck, Managing Editor Category: , , , , ,
I dunno. Every so often, a day–or series of days–comes along that just drags at a person. It’s been that way lately. My summer schedule is full to bursting. I’ve had to opt out of some paying work, and I feel like the family-and-community to-do lineup is a thousand miles long.
I suspect I’m turning into my mother. As I write this, my first inclination is to make a list. Take it all down to size, prioritize, tackle. I’m not the list person. She is. Problem is, listing it sometimes just clarifies the problems, not the solutions.
A long list of disappointments lately–a list that’s very clear in my mind–doesn’t help. I got a solid dose of the flaws in some of my family relationships. There’s the ongoing internal conflict in our church. We also just received a “no” from a potential pastor who had seemed to be all “yes” up till now. It was a financially costly “no” to the church, and we’re going to have to answer some angry questions. At times like this, the responsibilities of our young family, jobs, and even little things like home maintenance just get to be a weight, rather than the privilege they should be to the two of us.
So, what do you do with a “downer” day? Make a list? Stay in bed? Go into denial and eat chocolate? Tackle the future with both hands and feet?
I’m sure there’s an interesting range out there. Gimme your thoughts.
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April 30, 2008 By: Trina Category: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The consumerism of our culture and my Christian faith often leave me pondering … “When is enough … enough?” We’re bombarded with advertisements and social pressures to have more, to have something bigger and better. Often times, when we do not have the latest style, the newest model, the larger home and the newer car, it leaves us feeling like we do not have enough.
I believe it’s great to enjoy the good things in life, which have different definitions for nearly each one of us.
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April 29, 2008 By: Cathi-Lyn Dyck, Managing Editor Category: , ,
By S.L. Hazzard
As a mother, I was constantly entertained by the animated personality of my first-born daughter. She was constantly expressing her observations of the world around her, coupled with learning the English language, and combining the two in her unique creation of expressions and phrases. Now, as a grandmother, my grandchildren provide me with the same level of entertainment, with their unique style of communicating how the world looks through their eyes.
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April 28, 2008 By: Cathi-Lyn Dyck, Managing Editor Category: , , , , , , ,
Well, we’re halfway there already, what with political correctness. But here in Canada, we have something called “Human Rights Commissions.†These are the equivalent of Child and Family Services for grownups. If you tick off someone else, they can complain their human rights were violated and drag you before a tribunal which may financially or otherwise penalize you. Certainly, you’ll find there’s a social penalty to face, just for becoming a defendant.
A few years ago, a rash of gay-versus-Christian cases went through the HRCs.
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April 22, 2008 By: Trina Category: , , , , ,
By Trina Daniels
Married and looking was an appalling choice which was available as I signed up for a new networking account. Thankfully, there was a choice of married. I’m married. I’m happy. I am not looking. I think there should be a category Married and Happy, Married and Loving It or at least Married and Not Looking if the category Married and Looking is going to be offered.
I am glad to see more and more people, churches, organizations and even places on the web encouraging a healthy and happy marriage. All too often, we find ourselves living in a culture that is hostile toward marriage being a lifetime commitment between a man and a woman. We celebrate weddings and divorces almost equally. We hear about “good divorces†or even read in a marriage announcement “NOW he has the right woman†with a scripture reference.
I think marriage is a divine gift and the natural state of mankind. The first thing in creation that was not good was man’s aloneness. (Genesis 2:18, Genesis 21-25 The Message)
It’s not easy. We do not have a set of rules or comprehensive instructions. There’s not a manual to cover every situation we encounter. There’s not a way for my husband and I to be happy with each other at every moment. Our culture and our entertainment media teaches us that marriage is boring, bitter and we’re trapped. I’m tired of watching the marriages of my friends, family and acquaintances fall apart, while the latest hobby is finding unique and humorous ways to complain about our spouses.
I believe marriage is an enterprise worthy of pursuit and worthy of great investment. I will celebrate my marriage, share my joy with others and communicate things I’ve learned about being married. I hope to provide an opportunity for discussion for those who love marriage, value marriage, want to love marriage or want to be Married and Loving It! My favorite quote about marriage is by Martin Luther: “Let the wife make the husband glad to come home and let the husband make the wife sorry to see him leave” - and I’m not even Lutheran!
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