Wrestling with Shifting Faith in a Restless World
There will be a new president-elect tomorrow on November 8th 2016. The level of hatred, division, personal, professional and political attacks we have leveled at one another has been almost unprecedented in American history. It’s trickled over into Canadian politics, especially here in Alberta where one woman — the premier — is the target of…
There is a time when civility masks our judgments and preconceived notions about others. There is a time when politeness serves our smug condescension, believing that we really are better than others. There is a time when cordial manners become the slimmest of veneers against our harsh, unmitigated condemnations towards our neighbours. There is a…
Hurt people hurt people, as the saying goes. A wounded person lashes out, does damage, causes harm; casualties are likewise wounded, and cycles begin. Seeds of oppression and violence are sown. What if we framed our lenses to see our aggressors as hurt people? Here is Ann Vriend’s song “Hurt People Hurt People”. Talented musical…
It’s another day of hitting the ground running. Making connections, contacts, finding space for a huge shipment of food, hearing horror stories, & making backup plan after backup plan. Lac La Biche has been amazing. During one of the worst crises Alberta has ever seen, the County has facilitated a tremendous relief effort. And who…
It’s inevitable. No matter what we believe or what we stand for, someone will invariably disagree with us. Sometimes it’s over petty life stuff. Obviously the correct way to replace the toilet paper roll is OVER — it’s just common sense — but there are strange folks out there who think that the proper way…
Grief and loss punch can punch us repeatedly in the stomach. While we try to manage our anxiety and despair, grief has what seems like a malicious life of its own that must live itself out. Grief has a personality, meaty fists, a hungry mouth, and a high demand to do with us as it…
Chants are powerful. Used in almost all cultures throughout the world and history, they are deep and abiding musical forms that connect us mind, body and soul. Repeating a phrase over and over again creates a form of prayer that connects the singer or musician with the deepest places cries of who we are. Repetition…
