Saturday, November 29, 2008

Seven Shores Cafe

I had one of those Eureka! moments today when we stopped into the Seven Shores Cafe & Market in Waterloo for a coffee this afternoon. Anyone who knows me well is aware of my efforts to buy fair-trade coffee as often as possible as well as my absolute love of the Eggnog Latte that Starbucks serves at this time of year. Well Starbucks, there's a new kid in town...

This was, bar none, the very best eggnog latte I've ever tasted! Not only that, but it was made with fair-trade, organically grown coffee from Costa Rica and Guatemala. As if that wasn't enough, they serve the coffee in eco-friendly bio-degradable cups, and serve hand-made food using ingredients from local producers. There is also a small market area with fair-trade products from around the world and a cozy sitting area to relax in. These guys are doing everything right!

So if you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, give these guys your business. Whether you want to endorse their fair-trade efforts, you want to support a local business, or you just want one of the best cups of coffee in the area, you can't go wrong at Seven Shores on Regina street.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Come And Have Breakfast

The following excerpt is from An Alien at St. Wilfred's by Adrian Plass. Read this passage from John first: John 21:4-14

'I have read,' said Nunc, 'how this Peter leaped from his fishing boat and ran through the water when he saw his master on the shore. He did not understand at that time why his master had lived or died or come back to life again, did he?'

'He did not'. I agreed.

'And he had no understanding or knowledge of what the future might hold for him or his companions. Is that not true?'

I nodded.

'Was it not also the case that his three denials had not yet been discussed between himself and the one that he denied?'

'It was the case, Nunc. There was unfinished business between them.'

'Why, then, did he run with such abandon towards his master on that day, do you suppose?'

For several seconds Nunc's question seemed to hang in the air between us, something fragile and essential, as Dick put it afterwards. Hartley and I answered with exactly the same words at exactly the same time.

'Because he loved him.'

'And what was this man whom he loved?'

'He was the son of God,' said Dot.

'He was the saviour of mankind,' said Dick.

'He was the one who made everything,' said Hartley.

Nunc shone like Christmas as he asked his next question. 'And this son of God, this saviour of mankind, this one who made everything - what was he doing when Peter arrived, breathless and dripping wet, on the shore? What solemn and majestic task was Peter's risen Lord engaged in?'

My voice broke just a little as I replied.

'He was cooking breakfast for his friends.'

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Quote of the Day

"The white man has the watch, but the African has the time."

Courtesy of Ken Creech, missionary in Senegal.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Theo Fleury


The sad case of Theoren Fleury has been well documented over the years...

Too small to play in the NHL, he defied the critics and became an offensive force for the Calgary Flames in the 90's, scoring 455 goals in 19 seasons in the big leagues, as well as a gold medal with Team Canada in 2002. Sadly, Fleury's life spiraled out of control as a result of his addiction to alcohol and in the end, was forced out of the league by suspension after suspension.

It seems that Fleury has turned his life around and is well on his way to recovery, giving thanks to God, his wife, and a 12-step program that saved his life. You can read the full article here. Thanks to Bill for passing this along.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Lest We Forget


In honour of Remembrance Day and my dad who served in the British Navy in World War II...

Sunday, November 09, 2008

A Crime So Monstrous


A Crime So Monstrous by Benjamin Skinner is a disturbing, motivating book that provides a first-hand account of modern-day slavery around the world. A well researched book that recounts stories of tragedy and triumph about an issue that is not taken seriously enough by governments of the western world, the very ones who can make a difference in the lives of millions of victims.

Get Involved...

Anti-Slavery International
Call + Response
Free The Slaves
Human Trafficking.org
International Justice Mission Canada
Made By Survivors
Not For Sale
Stop The Traffik

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

The Audacity of Hope

For reasons previously stated, I do my best to remain apolitical on Glory Rumours, however, I have to comment on Barack Obama's win in the U.S. presidential election.

It seems to me that Americans have voted with intentionality tonight, seeking the hope that has been missing in the nation and the world for the past eight years. America, as a concept, a dream, has taken a beating in the last decade. No longer the land of the free and the home of the brave, America has been poisoned by war, terror, suspicion, division, anger, poverty, and a loss of hope for the future. The fallout from which has been felt around the world.

Tonight, there is a nation filled with hope...the audacity of hope...that this change in administration can bring. Barack Obama has a long, difficult task ahead of him to fulfill the aspirations of the people, but for one shining night at least, the hopes and dreams of the nation have been renewed. I wish him, I wish them, the very best as the process of healing the past by looking towards the future begins.

Monday, November 03, 2008

Our Daily Bread

Broken.

I can think of no other word more appropriate for how I felt after church yesterday.

Studying the Lord's Prayer has been far more challenging than I ever expected. This week we looked at "Give us this day our daily bread," and the implications this has for us as individuals and as a faith community. Note that we are to pray not just for our own needs (Give me this day my daily bread), but for our brothers and sisters as well. Give us...

What does us look like when I have a fridge full of food, a freezer nearly packed full, and the ability to go to a restaurant anytime I want? Furthermore, can I pray with integrity for those who don't know where their next meal is coming from if I am not willing to share from my excess? And what about those two empty beds in the spare room that could give someone shelter for a night? Tough questions.

Our pastor received a letter this week from the director of an orphanage in Zimbabwe that we support. In the letter, the director says:

"We are safe but very much starved as a nation. Today as I came to the office I met ****** ****** ****** (BICC Zimbabwe) standing in a queue of more than 50 people to draw Zimbabwe$50000 that can not buy him a loaf of bread. Jokingly I said to him "****** you need not be here” He retorted "this where the people are I shall be here until my turn come”, of course until the next 49 or so people are cleared before him". I tell you it is not easy here.

Exchange rate : 1US$ = Z$95 000 a loaf of bread cost Z$100 000.

At the bank you can only draw per day Z$50 000.

Salaries of most civil servants is + or - Z$100 000 per month.

God is great you still see people going to work with the hope that one day things will change."


Wow. How am I to respond to that when there is food in my fridge rotting because we bought more than we can use? Acts 2:42-47 talks about how the community of believers sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need...and shared their meals with great joy and generosity. Verses like this leave me with more questions than answers. Questions that keep me up at night. Questions that prevented me from singing I Surrender All at the end of the service.

There are no easy answers to these questions, but then, Jesus never said following him would be easy.

You can hear the entire message here.