Dress Shoes and Shorts

It was the (almost) last leg of a trip home from out of the city for the day. It was early evening, Sunday evening of Labour Day weekend, and I was in the midst of that “I just want to get home” sort of befuddled-fatigue state of body and mind. I was on the subway, where of course you look anywhere but where you risk making eye contact with anyone. Most people are looking at their phone screens. Or you intently read, perhaps memorize, the backlit ads that run along over the windows. I was staring at the floor, and people’s feet, specifically noticing footware. It occurred to me, this being an evening holiday weekend crowd, the style of footwear was a little different from what might be on the rush hour commute.

There were flourescent runners, glitter-covered sneakers, a multitude of sandals (with and without socks) and flip floppy things, along with regular old Nikes and Addidas and the like. And one pair of black dress shoes, with ankle socks, with the wearer sporting cargo shorts. My thought: That’s just wrong. But then, the Lord does seem to love variety, in humanity and in all of creation (Genesis 1).

So fella, go ahead and rock those black dress shoes with your cargo shorts. Not that you need my permission. Someone else made you.

More Reason for One Another

More of us, internationally, are getting some form of dementia earlier. As reported in various media, a study published in the Surgical Neurology International Journal indicates early onset dementia, which used to occur in people in their late 60s, now is found in people in their late 40s.  And it’s not simply a matter of better diagnosis; it is suggested the rate of increase must involve environmental factors.

While it would be great if we could just fix those environmental factors, it is a sign we need, all the more, to practise care for one another, and not just leave it to professional caregivers to look after our loved ones. It is remarkable how often the Bible uses the words “one another.” There are dozens of “one another” sayings in the New Testament alone, among them, in the Epistles, “Offer hospitality to one another” (1 Peter 4:9), “Be devoted to one another in love” (Romans 12:10), “Keep on loving one another” (Hebrews 13:1), and from Jesus, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Our interdepency is not, however, just a “fallback” position for when things do not go as we plan. It is how we are meant to live all the time. Some things just remind of this more poignantly than others.

A Need for Respect

I note a report about violence against Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) drivers.  This was in the Toronto Star, but it’s not the first I’ve read or heard about this problem. There is a sign at the front of TTC buses that says at least one TTC worker is assaulted daily somewhere in the city. The notice further points out, quite rightly, that this is one too many, and those who commit such violence will be held accountable for the crime that this is, with fine, imprisonment or both, and, in all cases, a criminal record.

There seem to be people on whom it is all too convenent to take out frustations. There is a level of anger that is seen also in road rage, rudeness, and general impatience with others. This is all very wearing for everyone. On the other hand, it is really very easy and simple to practise what another “r” word (other than rudeness) represents: Respect. “Show proper respect to everyone” (1 Peter 2:17).

Moving Mountains

It would seem the massively tragic 7.8 earthquake that rocked Nepal in April actually moved Mount Everest 3 cm. Now, the mountain is moving a bit all the time anyway, but the earthquake moved it in the opposite direction!

We are told we are to have faith such as to move mountains. I think it is probably just as well if we do not take that up literally; we would never agree on what mountain should be moved where! And it’s probably just fine, and majestic and beautiful, and maybe even useful, right where it is. Nevertheless, we do have such power in our midst.

All the power of God resides in Christ, says John (read John 1:1-14), and, through acceptance, Christ resides in us. Some people are deluded to think they have great power of their own strength, and lord it over others, maybe even thinking they are doing a favour to those persons and the world at large. Nothing truly good can come of such ego-driven power, no matter how it is rationalized. But there is such power as to move mountains in the love Christ shares in and through  us.  We are not to think we should or can not make a difference.

Re-Birth Certificate

The Province of Ontario has a new form of birth certificate. It is made of polymer, has some other security enhancements, and is larger than the wallet-sized certificate most Ontarians have, to discourage us from carrying it around.

Some of us have such a thing as a baptismal certificate, but there is a much more authentic and meaningful sign and affirmation of our rebirth, as a new creation in Christ. When we come into union with Christ, Paul says, “God “set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Through the Holy Spirit, we have both assurenace that we already part of a new reality in Christ, with a guarantee of wonders yet to be fulfilled in us. Who needs polymer?

Person of the Year

CBC Radio had its weekly Cross Country Checkup phone-in show today, asking people their candidate for Person of the Year. There were lots of worthy (and predictable) suggestions.

I have a slightly different nomination, for person of the coming year: You. Whatever has gone down or failed to happen for you in the past, what’s coming can be a time of promise and hope. In spite of how we may feel, you and I have the capacity to make a difference, with one catch: we have to be willing to be changed and filled by and with the love and power beyond ourselves.

The Apostle Paul put it radically: “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

White Christmas

It looks like it’s going to be a foggy, soggy Christmas here in southern Ontario–certainly disappointing for those hoping for a White Christmas, with softly falling sinow flakes having just the right consistency for snow persons.

A White Christmas is one of the ways we want everything to be ‘just right’ at Christmas time, even while we know it is a time that accentuates everything, good or bad. It makes me wonder if it is the mere turning of the year that follows that leads us to make new year resolutions. Maybe this urge comes also out of a time of wanting everything to be ‘just right’–or as close to it as possible. So we resolve to make life better in some way.

That’s a good thing. Let’s go for it. Ultimately, though, we will want to remember that our true peace does not depend on circumstances, saying, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).

Taste of the Danforth 2014

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It’s late Sunday afternoon and I’m taking in the tail end of the Taste of the Danforth, an annual weekend street festival in Toronto, with an emphasis on Greek food. There’s other stuff too, exhibits from Toronto pro sports teams, feats to try, even rock climbing in the middle of the street (centre of above photo). I just take it in. We do this enough now it doesn’t seem particularly novel to be wandering down an otherwise busy main city artery. But it does occur to me that there are many streets closed down for much less happy reasons–in Aleppo, in Gaza, or Baghdad. So I don’t really have to do anything. It’s just nice to be able to do it.

Civic Holiday

This first Monday in August is a holiday across Canada. It has different names in different provinces and territories, reflecting something of that region’s history and character, but it tends to be known, generically, as Civic Holiday, at least here in Ontario.
This time also marks the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Before there was another world war it was known simply as The Great War, and also “the war to end all wars.”

It didn’t end all wars, but instead of “great” or “world” war (although any war is “great” in its magnitude for those affected) there seem to be multiple conflicts that are sectarian in nature. Meanwhile, here in my area, there are multiple cultures representing those regions of the world where such strife and its accompanying devastation is going on, and on, and on.

A regional holiday, therefore, takes on international significance, coming as it does marking the start of “The Great War,” and drawing together people of different backgrounds for concerts and street festivals. May we show the way to something better.

Forced Pause

In music a pause is not just a break, but a significant part of the whole, helping to highlight and give significance to what is around it. Recovering from heart attack earlier this month, reflecting on illness and injury in this way – not something we would choose, but …