Sanctuary, Screaming Monkeys & 100 Huntley Street

Feb 4

LyfTV, Work, arts, faith, video , , , No Comments

Filmed back in November, we got on the air this morning on 100 Huntley Street! Check out the awesome video below.


[link]

Christmas and it’s baggage – part 2

Feb 4

LyfFamily, Personal, faith, religion , , No Comments

Holiday Alert!
So, yesterday I posted briefly about the baggage and history behind Christmas. Today I want to finish it by saying this,

I know that the “Christmas Tree” in no way has anything to do with Jesus’ birth. I know that Jesus probably wasn’t born on (or even near) December 25th. I know that the gospels have slightly different records of his birth. I know that around December 25th the pagans (and a variety of other cultures and religious groups) celebrate the winter solstice. I know all this and more and I say: I DON’T CARE! If I choose to celebrate Jesus’ birth on the 25th of December and I know that wasn’t his “birthday” what business is it of yours?! I personally don’t foist my beliefs on people nor do I force people to celebrate Christmas. So, to all you anti-theists AND theists/Christians out there who are getting your knickers in a knot over this, GROW UP! All of you. To you who enjoy this season regardless of your beliefs and don’t get caught up in this craziness, thank you.

Christmas and it’s baggage

Feb 4

LyfPersonal, faith, religion , 1 Comment

Merry Christmas
So, there’s this “war on Christmas” thing that happens every year around this time. People argue about how much we should allude to Christ in Christmas or just say “Happy Holidays” or what decorations to put up or what scene to display (if any). It’s starting to get out of hand frankly. I’ve been reading in the blogosphere about this “war” and people railing on and on about Christians and their ignorance (Christopher Hitchens leading that charge). And it is to this that I wish to reply (not that anyone is really reading this blog *smirk* – Love to my peeps who do read!).

SO WHAT!?! Who cares honestly, if the “ignorant” Christians want to celebrate Jesus’ birth at this time of year? Who cares if Jesus wasn’t really born on December 25th (duh!). Who cares if we took over a pagan holy day and made it our own! Buck up Hitchens and find a better way to rail against your favorite straw target. Instead of going on and on and on about how stupid we are, why don’t you take the time to educate us in a way that engages conversation? Seriously. If you want the world to be intelligent and full of reason then do your part and educate in a way that doesn’t make people want to disown you.

So, for all my friends out there who celebrate Christmas, here is what Hitchens is referring to when he says that,

If these dolts [Christians] knew anything about the real Protestant tradition, they would know that it was exactly this paganism and corruption that led Oliver Cromwell—my own favorite Protestant fundamentalist—to ban the celebration of Christmas altogether.

The history of Christmas as relayed by Wikipedia.*

* For those of you out there who might not agree with Wikipedia, just take this as one idea about the history of the season, and then feel free to post in the comments your own idea about Christmas or a link to the idea you believe.

No commandment greater!

Feb 4

LyfPersonal, faith, religion No Comments

Sometimes there’s an article out there just makes me nod my head and then let out an enormous sigh, and not a good sigh either. You see, I used to be a waiter and the Sunday “church” crowd was indeed one of the worst crowds, both tip-wise and in terms of attitude. Now, not everyone was like that, but there were enough that I can “generally” say that the Sunday church crowd is the worst crowd to serve. So, when I read this article on my usual interweb wanderings and was led to this article, I was embarrassed and at the same time delightedly challenged/encouraged.

Both articles are very good and I highly encourage you to read them. At the end of the “bait and switch” article, I really appreciated this gentle reminder:

Christians don’t wake up every morning thinking about how to become a more decent human being. Instead, they wake up trying to “work on their relationship with God” which very often has nothing to do with treating people better. How could such a confusion have occurred? How did we end up going so wrong? I’m sure there are lots of answers, but at the end of the day we need to face up to our collective failure. I’m not saying we need to do anything dramatic. A baby step would do to start. Waking up trying to be a little more kind, more generous, more interruptible, more forgiving, more humble, more civil, more tolerant. Do these things and prayer and worship will come alongside to support us.

I totally agree with him, how could this confusion have occurred? Didn’t Christ himself encourage us to “Love our neighbours as we would love ourselves?” (Mark 12:29-31). So then why do we constantly forget this part? I know, pot, kettle and black come to mind, and, trust me, I know I am one of the worst offenders. But hey, if I can admit this, then shouldn’t we all admit it, repent and begin really loving our neighbour as our self?

…feel rant beginning…(breathe Lyf, breathe)….

Via Affirmativa

Feb 4

LyfWork, arts, faith, video No Comments

Via Affirmativa is a really neat arts movement that I have been interested in for quite a while. They just released an introduction video that is quite good – both quality and what they have to say. Check it out, then check out their website (it’s quite sparse but just surf around, I’m sure you’ll find something interesting!).

Via Affirmativa from Via Affirmativa on Vimeo.