Sometimes things strike me as funny and I can't quite say why. The morning was bizarre to start with. I had an appointment with this medical guru - I had to wait 5 months just to get in to see him. He practices in this big clinic in Burlington that is Christian based and is located in the Crossroads Centre. The Crossroads Centre became the new location for 100 Huntley Street years ago and now houses CTS (that Christian station you keep flipping past).
In a million years I never would have thought I would be in the building that does Christian broadcasting.
So, I was already a little out of my zone when I see that the Blessings store has a nativity set for sale. There is a note on the box - "Joseph is missing, but there are 4 wise men." I know that one day this will make a good sermon illustration. Any old wise man can fill in for poor Joseph. Of course you know that somewhere is a nativity with two Josephs and two wise men. If Mary was missing would we stick in some replacement? Perhaps cover up a sheep with a blue scarf?
Now for my rant...I can't stand nativity scenes. We always had one when I was a kid - and I admit something happened to Joseph and one of the wise men had to fill in. But about 10 years ago I was watching TV early Sunday morning and a very smart man was preaching about the the fallacy of having wise men peering down at baby Jesus when they actually did not reach him for a few years. Every year NYGH puts up the nativity scene. It's suffocating to look at. The last year I worked there they decided to keep the nativity safe by putting plexiglass over the front of the manger. This has forced tight quarters for everyone. I'm a visual person so the lack of air holes really bugged me. It was great having a desk by the window but you can see I was often distracted by the goings on outside!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year's Resolution - Get Cremated
Like most of you I get a lot of crap in the mail. I got two pieces today that made me think:
Apparently, Highland Memorial Gardens thinks Jan 1st is the day to start a mail campaign to urge people to prebook their funerals. The literature is actually dated for Jan 1st so obviously some marketing manager thought that "hey, its the perfect time for people to think about what they need to plan for the New Year". I have never been squeamish about death and have no fear of it so I can see the humour in it. But the big headline "Cremation. You might think it's the last decision you have to make...." in neon sickly green/yellow on a black background just doesn't entice me to put this at the top of my resolutions.
The second piece of mail is flogging more of the Thomas Kincade. Apparently he is a Christian and his gift is from God. I happen to believe that God is far more creative then Kincade is giving Him credit for. Come on, even you fans of his work have to admit that his paintings of English cottages do look an awful lot alike! The really frightening part of this once in a lifetime offer of a piece of resin sculpture is that it comes with two little figurines to put in front of the Christmas house - one of Thomas and his wife Nanette. Okay, guys, I gotta tell you - this is why a lot of people think Christians are nuts!
Apparently, Highland Memorial Gardens thinks Jan 1st is the day to start a mail campaign to urge people to prebook their funerals. The literature is actually dated for Jan 1st so obviously some marketing manager thought that "hey, its the perfect time for people to think about what they need to plan for the New Year". I have never been squeamish about death and have no fear of it so I can see the humour in it. But the big headline "Cremation. You might think it's the last decision you have to make...." in neon sickly green/yellow on a black background just doesn't entice me to put this at the top of my resolutions.
The second piece of mail is flogging more of the Thomas Kincade. Apparently he is a Christian and his gift is from God. I happen to believe that God is far more creative then Kincade is giving Him credit for. Come on, even you fans of his work have to admit that his paintings of English cottages do look an awful lot alike! The really frightening part of this once in a lifetime offer of a piece of resin sculpture is that it comes with two little figurines to put in front of the Christmas house - one of Thomas and his wife Nanette. Okay, guys, I gotta tell you - this is why a lot of people think Christians are nuts!
Welcome Friends to my 2007 Plans
Here's where I'm headed in 2007:
* still at Calvary - great church, enjoy the admin job - they want to increase my hours to 15 a week (I'm laughing because I often already put in 15 but I could use the money).
* back to Greek second semester and two new courses - graduation May 2007!
* time to apply for Seminary. Given it tons of thought and better yet time to sort out where I'm headed. Likely the InDiv program which allows me to work in ministry and work on my M Div for pastoring part-time. The major differences between doing this and going to a regular MDiv part time is that the InDiv program is encouraging new ways of looking at church and the class of students remain the same for the whole program. They become a ministry team to challenge and support one another. 2 years ago I was not ready for this but now I am looking forward to the "group thing". I've matured!
* to Holland in May - a promise I have to fulfill to Cliff and his aunt
* hopefully either another part time job or better yet a full time in ministry job after I get back from Holland. Would really like to earn enough money to support my schooling so I can get off of relying on my credit line!
Fair to say that I have a busy 6 months ahead? But very exciting and I am much more sure about where I'm going then 6 months ago so everything is peachy!
For those of you who have gone through university - what kind of post graduation loans did you have to pay off - I keep panicking that I owe money. Most students do don't they?
* still at Calvary - great church, enjoy the admin job - they want to increase my hours to 15 a week (I'm laughing because I often already put in 15 but I could use the money).
* back to Greek second semester and two new courses - graduation May 2007!
* time to apply for Seminary. Given it tons of thought and better yet time to sort out where I'm headed. Likely the InDiv program which allows me to work in ministry and work on my M Div for pastoring part-time. The major differences between doing this and going to a regular MDiv part time is that the InDiv program is encouraging new ways of looking at church and the class of students remain the same for the whole program. They become a ministry team to challenge and support one another. 2 years ago I was not ready for this but now I am looking forward to the "group thing". I've matured!
* to Holland in May - a promise I have to fulfill to Cliff and his aunt
* hopefully either another part time job or better yet a full time in ministry job after I get back from Holland. Would really like to earn enough money to support my schooling so I can get off of relying on my credit line!
Fair to say that I have a busy 6 months ahead? But very exciting and I am much more sure about where I'm going then 6 months ago so everything is peachy!
For those of you who have gone through university - what kind of post graduation loans did you have to pay off - I keep panicking that I owe money. Most students do don't they?
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