For all you hipsters out there...

I have compiled a list of all the "in" things of the current age. I would suggest that you study this list carefully and adjust your life accordingly.

To break the ice, I thought I'd start with this lovely comic from yesterday's calendar.

1. Dog sitting. Very in. If you're not doing it, I sure hope someone else is.

2. Mac n' cheese. No matter what form, it's in.

3. Crosswords. Widen your horizons and exercise your brain!

4. Chocolate. But is it really ever out?

5. Real estate. Because all of us are looking forward to Friday, August 29.

Let's be in, or risk standing out! this is t-bear signing out

Skillz

Within the past four days I have aquired two skills that are mandatory to lead a life of excellent quality.

1. How to knit.

2. How to smoothly and patiently release the clutch on a standard vehicle without resulting in a stall or jolt.

If you haven't learned either of these two skills I would suggest that you think about the direction that your life is headed.

Grab your rubber boots! this is t-bear signing off

QOTD

Let me tell you something about human beings. They judge other people to make themselves feel better. Life has become a competition. We compete against other people and, sadly, against ourselves. Society has created a world where it is important to be better than others. Better looking, more athletic, and tragically, superior in intelligence. 

Competitions easily lead to judgment being laid on the better party. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to accept not being the best.

If something so common as competition can force such a large amount of judgment, when will it end? We will never be free from competition, which is why it's important for us to learn how to control our own judging and the judging of those around us. 

this is t-bear signing off

A Prayer of Peace

For anyone and everyone who has been affected by the unrest happening, not just in Israel and Gaza, but around the world.

As a pacifist Mennonite, I completely disapprove of disagreements that amount to war. We were not put on this earth to destroy each other but to "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:37-39) It is a simple text, yet it is the most difficult one to follow. The end result is peace at it's height, which is why we keep trying even when it gets hard. "The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." (Numbers 6:26)

 

God of mercy,

As the cycle of violence in Palestine and Israel repeats itself,

Our hearts break once again.

Even as we long to understand that which is often beyond our comprehension,

we lay before you the hearts, minds and bodies of all those suffering from conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel, and from the ongoing occupation. Shower upon all the people of this holy land the spirit of justice and reconciliation.

May weapons and war, apathy and blame be laid down.

May diminishing and demonizing of "the other" cease,

May there be acknowledgment of harms committed

May there be new energy for building bridges of understanding

May there be new efforts to address root causes of the violence

May there be new visions of a shared and peaceful future.

O God, whose heart breaks for the world,

May your justice dwell in the land

May your righteousness abide in fruitful fields

May the effect of righteousness be quietness and trust forever

May the effect of justice be peace - enduring peace.

Amen

 

Adapted from Prayer By Esther Epp-Tiessen, Public Engagement Coordinator for the Mennonite Central Committee Ottawa Office.

 

this is t-bear signing off