I've been wrestling with myself lately. This summer I have decided to actually become someone that follows Christ. I don't want to be just another church-goer anymore; instead I want to be someone that really is Jesus light to the world. But I have come to realize that being a true follower is harder than I ever could have thought.
I have been wrestling with what it might look like to become a true follower. One of my best friends has been a great example to me of what this might look like. She lives in Waterloo and she and those she lives with decided to begin to live like the community in the book of Acts; a real community. They share everything, from food to money to clothes. None of them have jobs and yet somehow they manage to offer and prayer and worship breakfast every morning. They feed their community of friends breakfast every morning even though they have no incomes with which to pay for this. Somehow, the funds just come in. They also bless groups in their community by making them occasional meals. I find it hard to devote the first 10% of my income to God and here is a community that gives more than 100% of their income to God (considering they have no income, this is a pretty big deal). Wow. I can't even believe that this type of community actually exists within my own group of friends. It amazes me every time I think about it*.
Shane Claiborne of The Simple Way (www.thesimpleway.org) has also been challenging me. Not personally, but through his book The Irresistible Revolution. He has challenged me to think seriously about my life and how I live it. What does it actually mean to be a follower of Christ? To love those Christ loved, to live like Christ lived, and to follow His commands. One command I have especially been wrestling with is when in the gospels Jesus tells the rich man to sell all he has and give it to the poor, for then he will have treasure in heaven**. Jesus says that it will be difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God, more difficult than it is for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle. I don’t know about you, but I think that the likelihood of a camel passing through the eye of a needle is not so likely; the odds really aren’t looking good for the camel. So, basically Jesus is saying that this is impossible. But the Bible also says that nothing is impossible with God. And so I am wrestling with what it means to be a wealthy Christian, and how I can be a better steward of my money. Part of this is the conviction that maybe I too, like the rich man in that story, need to sell my things and give the money to the poor. So I have been thinking about this... a lot... and I think the time has come for me to have a garage sale.
*Side note here: My house just shook. Literally, shook! My dad came out of his office wondering what it was. I thought he was doing work in the bathroom or something, but no, our house totally just shook. A mini earthquake kind of shake... crraaaazzzyyyy!!!
**Matt. 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-30; Luke 18:18-30.
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6.23.2010
6.16.2010
coming soon to a blog near you!
Alright, here's an update:
I have a couple of posts in the works right now.
One is on taxation, and will take me a while to write because I have to do some research first! Oh, you are saying, taxation, how boring! Trust me, this won't be boring. It will be educational, thought provoking and slightly controversial, but not boring. So stay tuned!
I also have some stuff on my latest cooking experiments, and of course, life in general. Twill be up eventually, I've just been working a ton lately and doing some research that is imperative to my future, so I haven't had time to post anything significant. But no worries, I will soon! :)
I have a couple of posts in the works right now.
One is on taxation, and will take me a while to write because I have to do some research first! Oh, you are saying, taxation, how boring! Trust me, this won't be boring. It will be educational, thought provoking and slightly controversial, but not boring. So stay tuned!
I also have some stuff on my latest cooking experiments, and of course, life in general. Twill be up eventually, I've just been working a ton lately and doing some research that is imperative to my future, so I haven't had time to post anything significant. But no worries, I will soon! :)
6.05.2010
I hate the feeling of wanting to tell someone something; even desperately needing to tell them something, but not knowing how. It's like you can never find the right words to say. It's like your brain goes all stupid on you and your tongue doesn't even remember how to form words anymore. It's like the air in your lungs won't come out. You try to speak but there is no sound, just the embarrassing whistle of that little bit of air that somehow has escaped from behind your closed throat. And then you feel like your chocking; chocking on AIR for goodness sake. The one thing that is supposed to help you breath is stopping you from breathing all together. And then, when you finally do get a hold of yourself and speak, all the wrong words come out. You lost your courage, and now the moment is gone and none of it feels right anymore.
If I could talk as well as I could write then this wouldn’t be a problem. But I can’t. I don’t know what it is about writing that makes me so brave, but it does. And that is scary, because writing is so much more incriminating
If I could talk as well as I could write then this wouldn’t be a problem. But I can’t. I don’t know what it is about writing that makes me so brave, but it does. And that is scary, because writing is so much more incriminating
you look at me with such disdain
and I can't seem to find a way
to make this what it could be
haunted by memories
shouting keeps me away
and to myself I say
this isn't like those times
it wasn't meant to be
but maybe someday we'll make it
"for the girl that has my heart"
you haven't said it once
I must expect too much
yet I have spent the years
building my own walls
strong, thick and tall
I guess we tried too hard
to make something come of this
when we both know we deserve
something more than just a promise
and I can't seem to find a way
to make this what it could be
haunted by memories
shouting keeps me away
and to myself I say
this isn't like those times
it wasn't meant to be
but maybe someday we'll make it
"for the girl that has my heart"
you haven't said it once
I must expect too much
yet I have spent the years
building my own walls
strong, thick and tall
I guess we tried too hard
to make something come of this
when we both know we deserve
something more than just a promise
6.04.2010
eat meat, drink, be merry
I'm coming up on the one year anniversary of being a vegetarian. No, don't worry, I am not celebrating. It's just interesting to me that I have been a vegetarian for a whole year now. It doesn't feel like that long (now that may be because I did sneak in some chicken at Easter time. But hey, who can honestly resist the enticing aroma of my Mom's Indonesian chicken?)
People always ask me about why I am a vegetarian, and some of those people are very defensive about why they choose NOT to be one. It always surprises me when a meat eater becomes defensive about their choices. They get very passionate and I always think to myself, why are you being so defensive? You aren't doing anything wrong, at least not in my books. For me, being a vegetarian is a lifestyle/environmental choice. I began my pathway to becoming a vegetarian three years ago, when I first became aware of global food systems and the impact that our North American food choices have on the rest of the world and the environment. My choices were mainly based on ethical grounds: cows consume large amounts of grain and water - resources that could instead be used to feed those who find it extremely difficult to meet their daily caloric intake and find clean, drinkable water. The animals we eat are also primary consumers and therefore require more energy to live/be raised. It takes more energy to raise a cow than to produce the same amount of caloric energy in grain or vegetable form. This is because cows consume grains and vegetables themselves. Anyone who has some basic biology experience probably knows about the food chain and its various trophic levels. If you don't know about this, check out this website for more info: http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_foodchain.html
So, I decided to lighten my environmental footprint and to make more ethical food choices. I have also tried to eat organic and locally produced goods, though this is not always feasible due to low availability and increased cost. Being a vegetarian was something that I could do with no extra cost to myself, actually, it ended up saving me money in the long run.
Now, I could have simply made a choice to consume only ethically raised meat and poultry, but it was easier for me to simply give up meat altogether. So many people think that just because I am a vegetarian I hate meat. That is definitely not true. I like meat, I love chicken; it was really hard for me to give it up, and I miss it sometimes. But giving up meat was just something I had to do. A test of my disciplinary strength/willpower and lifestyle choice all in one. My family always laughed at me when I would talk about the smell of bacon, thinking that I as a vegetarian should hate meat. But that's not it at all. So, you may ask, what can you, the meat-loving environmentally conscious individual who doesn't want to give up meat altogether do? Well my friends, I shall tell you!
First off, eating meat is not the problem. Endorsing unethical and harmful raising techniques is. So first off, buy ethical meat. In Newmarket, you can do this at an amazing (my favorite, actually) organic food market called Nature's Emporium, located in the old Western Produce Plaza (Mulock and Yonge). Yes, it is more expensive, but it is hormone and anti-biotic free, as well as being free-range meats. Surprisingly, some big-chain supermarkets also carry this type of meat as well. Check out Metro's line of naturally raised meats as well, located in the same area of the store where you would find all your other meats.
Secondly, consider eating less meat. Go vegetarian for one meal a week. If the cost of ethically raised meat is too much for you to handle, then consider eating less meat as an option. Oh, but I love meat too much to give any of it up! You may grumble. Well then, consider this: most other cuisines don't focus on meat as the main attraction. In almost every other culture meat is a side dish, a small and savory addition to the main course of grains, legumes, or pastas. The way that meat is produced in North America has allowed us to make meat our main focus at every meal, as it is cheap and widely available. This doesn't mean this was always the case. If you look back to our time as hunters-gatherers, you can see that meat's place was always as a side dish or rare-occasioned treat. Although the evolution of technology has made it feasible for meat to be more widely consumed, and consumed more often, this does not mean that it should be. In fact, meat consumption (red meats in particular) are the major cause of heart disease, North America's number one cause of death! So just consider eating less, you're body needs protein, but that doesn't necessarily mean all of that protein needs to be in the form of meat. Legumes, soy, and nuts are great sources of protein and are more healthy choices. Not only is it healthier to eat less meat (and remember, I am saying less meat, not NO meat at all, I am not pushing vegetarianism here) but ethical meat often tastes better. And, when you eat less meat, you will learn to appreciate the meat you DO eat more, and as a result it will no doubt taste ever better to you! If you don't indulge in something as often, the times when you do indulge become more special. So eat less meat, and your love for meat will probably grow. And a tip: when you do eat meat, make it good meat, tasteful and savory. Not a McDonald's hamburger, but a good free range steak or beautifully marinated chicken breast. That way, though you are eating less meat, you are at least eating awesome meat all the time! (See, I'm totally pro meat! haha. I am getting cravings right now...)
You don't have to stop eating meat. But making ethical and informed choices about the meat, as well as consuming less meat is something you should think about doing. Especially if you are concerned about the environment and/or your health. For more info on this, read the book The Ethical Gourmet, which dives deeper into the issue of ethical food choices and also provides excellent recipes for the ethically-concerned chef. Hey, there is even an entire section devoted to meat and poultry, as well as one for fish and seafood. So eat meat, drink, and be merry - just do it with a clear conscience.
For more info or questions about ethical consumerism, feel free to contact me at: kait(dot)lyn(dot)m(at)hotmail(dot)com or do some research online. There is TONS of information on vegetarianism, the environment, and health out there. As well as lots of info on our horrible North-American food production system. You should also check out the documentary: Food Inc., which has lots of good info, real images, and stories about what America's food production is actually like.
People always ask me about why I am a vegetarian, and some of those people are very defensive about why they choose NOT to be one. It always surprises me when a meat eater becomes defensive about their choices. They get very passionate and I always think to myself, why are you being so defensive? You aren't doing anything wrong, at least not in my books. For me, being a vegetarian is a lifestyle/environmental choice. I began my pathway to becoming a vegetarian three years ago, when I first became aware of global food systems and the impact that our North American food choices have on the rest of the world and the environment. My choices were mainly based on ethical grounds: cows consume large amounts of grain and water - resources that could instead be used to feed those who find it extremely difficult to meet their daily caloric intake and find clean, drinkable water. The animals we eat are also primary consumers and therefore require more energy to live/be raised. It takes more energy to raise a cow than to produce the same amount of caloric energy in grain or vegetable form. This is because cows consume grains and vegetables themselves. Anyone who has some basic biology experience probably knows about the food chain and its various trophic levels. If you don't know about this, check out this website for more info: http://www.arcytech.org/java/population/facts_foodchain.html
So, I decided to lighten my environmental footprint and to make more ethical food choices. I have also tried to eat organic and locally produced goods, though this is not always feasible due to low availability and increased cost. Being a vegetarian was something that I could do with no extra cost to myself, actually, it ended up saving me money in the long run.
Now, I could have simply made a choice to consume only ethically raised meat and poultry, but it was easier for me to simply give up meat altogether. So many people think that just because I am a vegetarian I hate meat. That is definitely not true. I like meat, I love chicken; it was really hard for me to give it up, and I miss it sometimes. But giving up meat was just something I had to do. A test of my disciplinary strength/willpower and lifestyle choice all in one. My family always laughed at me when I would talk about the smell of bacon, thinking that I as a vegetarian should hate meat. But that's not it at all. So, you may ask, what can you, the meat-loving environmentally conscious individual who doesn't want to give up meat altogether do? Well my friends, I shall tell you!
First off, eating meat is not the problem. Endorsing unethical and harmful raising techniques is. So first off, buy ethical meat. In Newmarket, you can do this at an amazing (my favorite, actually) organic food market called Nature's Emporium, located in the old Western Produce Plaza (Mulock and Yonge). Yes, it is more expensive, but it is hormone and anti-biotic free, as well as being free-range meats. Surprisingly, some big-chain supermarkets also carry this type of meat as well. Check out Metro's line of naturally raised meats as well, located in the same area of the store where you would find all your other meats.
Secondly, consider eating less meat. Go vegetarian for one meal a week. If the cost of ethically raised meat is too much for you to handle, then consider eating less meat as an option. Oh, but I love meat too much to give any of it up! You may grumble. Well then, consider this: most other cuisines don't focus on meat as the main attraction. In almost every other culture meat is a side dish, a small and savory addition to the main course of grains, legumes, or pastas. The way that meat is produced in North America has allowed us to make meat our main focus at every meal, as it is cheap and widely available. This doesn't mean this was always the case. If you look back to our time as hunters-gatherers, you can see that meat's place was always as a side dish or rare-occasioned treat. Although the evolution of technology has made it feasible for meat to be more widely consumed, and consumed more often, this does not mean that it should be. In fact, meat consumption (red meats in particular) are the major cause of heart disease, North America's number one cause of death! So just consider eating less, you're body needs protein, but that doesn't necessarily mean all of that protein needs to be in the form of meat. Legumes, soy, and nuts are great sources of protein and are more healthy choices. Not only is it healthier to eat less meat (and remember, I am saying less meat, not NO meat at all, I am not pushing vegetarianism here) but ethical meat often tastes better. And, when you eat less meat, you will learn to appreciate the meat you DO eat more, and as a result it will no doubt taste ever better to you! If you don't indulge in something as often, the times when you do indulge become more special. So eat less meat, and your love for meat will probably grow. And a tip: when you do eat meat, make it good meat, tasteful and savory. Not a McDonald's hamburger, but a good free range steak or beautifully marinated chicken breast. That way, though you are eating less meat, you are at least eating awesome meat all the time! (See, I'm totally pro meat! haha. I am getting cravings right now...)
You don't have to stop eating meat. But making ethical and informed choices about the meat, as well as consuming less meat is something you should think about doing. Especially if you are concerned about the environment and/or your health. For more info on this, read the book The Ethical Gourmet, which dives deeper into the issue of ethical food choices and also provides excellent recipes for the ethically-concerned chef. Hey, there is even an entire section devoted to meat and poultry, as well as one for fish and seafood. So eat meat, drink, and be merry - just do it with a clear conscience.
For more info or questions about ethical consumerism, feel free to contact me at: kait(dot)lyn(dot)m(at)hotmail(dot)com or do some research online. There is TONS of information on vegetarianism, the environment, and health out there. As well as lots of info on our horrible North-American food production system. You should also check out the documentary: Food Inc., which has lots of good info, real images, and stories about what America's food production is actually like.
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