Retarded

Consider the word “retarded.” Though the term is not technically incorrect – it is still found in some medical dictionaries – it is deemed problematic. But maybe the real problem is not with the term but the fact that we have heaped onto it all our pro-smart bias and our great awkwardness with people who are obviously not smart. Maybe the problem is that we live in a society in which smart equals good. Maybe the problem is that it’s hard for us, despite our presumably enlightened state, not to see people who are “slow or limited in . . . intellectual development” (the Webster definition for retarded) as inferior. Maybe if we truly felt it was okay to be retarded, then the word would be okay, too.

- Will Braun, Posing as Progressive: The Problem with PC, Geez Magazine

We shape our lives.

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
Eleanor Roosevelt.

How much do I believe this?

Massage as Ministry

Wouldn’t it be great if you were a massage therapist and then you went to – I dunno, slums or places where there are prostitutes – and ministered to the women there with therapeutic massages? I know this has been done before, but yesterday I was thinking of how practical and loving it would be, as I got my first ever back massage from an RMT.

Then I was thinking of this video I watched recently:

Which I found the link for on this “resources” page for MoveIn.

It made me think about women who are abused, considered unclean or worthless, and who go untouched by friendly hands, by hands that don’t want to hurt them and don’t want anything from them. How lonely that must feel, and how restorative a kind touch would be to them.

Massage therapy is a gift! And hard work, too.

Tea Haiku

Just a teaspoon’s worth
Looseleaf green tea in my cup
Unfurls happiness

Elegance in design

Click for bigger.

IKEA spree

Have you ever picked something up at a store because it was pretty? And practical? And then put it down just because you don’t really need it?

That is the way you save money, my friend.

Last night I went to IKEA… and picked up some stuff I probably should have put back.

This is how you STORE STUFF AWAY. This is how you ACCUMULATE. This is how you slowly but surely ENSURE YOU WILL GO INSANE the next time you move.

And when the high has worn off from all the pretty colours and low prices, and you’re sobered by the resulting total at the end of your bill… then you ask yourself, “Why didn’t I think about whether the six dollar plastic lamp would be bright enough to read with before I put it in my cart, paid for it, and brought it home?!” Oh well. Live and learn.

There was ONE thing I picked up and hummed and hawed a lot about, and did without because I don’t really need it (even though the trays I do have are much, much uglier).

OH IT’S PRETTY.

Peanut butter cupcakes

You’ve had peanut butter cookies. You’ve had cupcakes. But have you ever had…PEANUT BUTTER CUPCAKES?!

Why didn’t anyone think of these things sooner? They’re so good!

I didn’t have cream cheese to make the icing. So I added butter to nutella and whipped it.

Click the image to see it large and read the recipe.

Rich people

Ever wonder how to feel about rich people?

Now technically, if you live in Canada, you’re rich. I’d say only those technically homeless aren’t rich. And even then, no one is going to starve to death in Canada. Our homeless eat more than many in this world.

But I don’t want to talk about the politically correct definition of rich. I’m talking about the superficial, instinct-driven definition of rich you already have – it’s those people that spend exorbitantly more money than you (because they make that much more than you) on things that you can’t even fathom being of value because they are so out of your price range.

Do you judge them? I do, and I feel dirty (thank you, Holy Spirit).

Part of me judges those richer than me because I’m envious. I resent them for having what I don’t. I see their possession(s) and view it(them) as something I want to attain, to strive towards.

But another part honestly wonders, “They have so much money, and they’re spending it on that? Really?” And I hypothesize how I would spend my money differently, and I fear that I wouldn’t, really.

Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

So why is it so easy, once we get a lot of money, to start spending it on ourselves? Why does affluence make it so easy to distance ourselves from the heart of God? Why is poor where it’s at?

They really need to redesign

Taboo, the game.

I mean, really, people. The copyright says 2000. It’s been almost 10 years. Language – and design – has CHANGED.

I almost didn’t buy this game because of how ugly it is. The recently redesigned Game of Things is much prettier.

(does anyone else recongize the stock photo on the front page of the Game of Things website? that black guy looks so familiar)

You Are Faithful

(wrote these lyrics out because I couldn’t find them elsewhere on the internet. I’ve been listening to the album here: relevantmagazine.com/media/the-drop)

You Are Faithful
by Jesus Culture

my hearts aches for you my God
my soul waits for you my God
I’ve come far to find you here
In this place will I draw near

and your spirit soars with me
to the highest heights
from where I’ll not look back
I’ll keep trusting you

for I know
you are faithful
my God

for I know
you are faithful
my God

my hearts aches for you my God
my soul waits for you my God
I’ve come far to find you here
In this place will I draw near

and your spirit soars with me
to the highest heights
from where I’ll not look back, no
I’ll keep trusting you

from the land of the barren
we will cry out for rain
fill our hearts God
I’ll keep trusting you

for I know
you are faithful
my God

for I know
you are faithful
my God

for I know
you are faithful
my God

you are

for I know
you are faithful
my God

your spirit inside me holds me close
in your wonderful presence I let go
I cleanse my hands you burn my heart
I cry out for love you set me apart

and your spirit soars in me
to the highest height
from where I’ll not look back, no
I’ll keep trusting you

from the land of the barren
we will cry out for rain
rain God
fill our hearts God
I’l keep trusting you
yea, yea

for I know
you are faithful
my God

for I know
you are faithful
my God

for I know
you are faithful
my God

every voice sing it out

for I know
you are faithful
my God

I declare, I declare

for I know
you are faithful
my God