The Big Gummy-Bear Is NOT the Poster-boy for Gluttony

Warning: Rant ahead...

I've held my tongue on this one about as long as I can, but the big gummy-bear being used to symbolize the sin of gluttony this week in the announcements at church took me over the top. First off, let me say, that I KNOW it was meant to be funny, ...still, I'm not laughing...

Our Church is doing a sermon series on the 7 deadly sins. A couple of weeks ago it was gluttony's turn. The speaker was someone that I respect and that I have learned much from in the past (and I'm sure I will learn much from in the future), so I was looking forward to hearing what he would say on this one. He started his message with a statistic on how many Americans are overweight or obese...linking this as an example of gluttony. He did also mention in his message how things like shopping, excessive tv watching etc. could also be an examples of gluttony as well. But I couldn't get past his link right off the bat of overweight or size to this particular sin. Sure, it is true that there are people who are overweight who overeat, but this isn't necessarily true of all overweight people, and I am so tired of discriminatory comments like that. It wouldn't be acceptable on the following weekend when sloth was discussed to single out a particular racial group and use negative statistics about their presence in the workforce to illustrate sloth. And likewise, it wasn't acceptable, to me anyway, for overweight statistics to be used to illustrate gluttony either.

I would have been fine if we would have talked about overindulgence or overeating to illustrate his point, but to use size statistics as his hook to convince us that more than half the population has a problem with gluttony, well, it just wasn't credible to me. Probably most of the people in the congregation could have identified with gluttony in their lives without someone using their size against them. Food-wise, there were probably plenty of people listening who weren't overweight but had personal experience with over-indulgence. The size of a person does not tell the tale of how present or absent this sin is from their life. In fact, it is my own excessive focus on eating less food, counting and balancing carbs and proteins and exercise that is probably a more glutton-ous behaviour on my own part. When it all comes down to it, it is not what you see on the outside that tells you about the sin a person struggles with because really it is a matter of the heart, and so often it cannot be detected with the eye.

Perhaps I've taken the sermon illustration more personally than I should have, but it is a personal matter to me. I am someone who has dealt with size my whole life and who works ever so hard everyday to make sure that I eat healthy and exercise, and size-ist comments that have been thrown my direction over the years have made self-acceptance a very hard thing for me...and I have just fought the stereotypes too hard in my own life to let this illustration go... Besides, what do the pastor's statistics mean in any case? He was saying that some number over 50% of Americans are overweight or obese. Do you know what that tells me? Not much since reading that by BMI standards Brad Pitt is overweight and George Clooney and Russell Crowe are obese (obese?!!). You know, just the other night I caught a feature on CNN about the designer's creating a new size...a 00 (that's right, a size zero is no longer small enough, they've created a double zero). In the news story, a reporter wanted to get a sense of what is might be like to be a larger woman living in a world where there is now a size smaller than zero, so the reporter put on a fat suit and uglied themselves up to go out and see how it felt in the real world. First of all, I thought it was 'rich' that they couldn't just go out in the fat suit...they had to ugly themselves up too (bad hair, skin, teeth, etc)...after all, there ARE still people out there who think 'fat and ugly' are one word?! (Rich!, I know!) Secondly, I had to do a double take when they mentioned the size of the reporter after donning her fat-suit. It was a 12?!! Do you know that I have never in my adult nor teenage life been a size 12...NEVER! All the diet pills consumed, all the meals skipped, all the calories counted and fats eliminated, carbs watched and balanced, exercise...all of it and I have never made it down to the size of that reporter's fat-suit.... (ughhhhhhhh!!!!)

Anyway, later that night I was hungry (real stomach hunger) for a snack, and I gave in after watching that news story. The next day I felt bad and told my husband that I was a glutton for having that snack. He looked at me in disbelief. "Good grief," he said, "You had a bit of oatmeal. Most people watching tv on a Saturday night are ordering pizza in and you are feeling bad about a small bowl of oatmeal?!" What nonsense indeed! That being said, rant over... I'm just going to let this all go now... (breathe in, breathe out:)

A little over 4 years ago, I used to sing this song (see below) ...meaning many of it's words. And then God turned my waiting into dancing, and the "brown-eyed boy" in my future (from the song) appeared...and every day since his love have given me a bigger taste of heaven and taught me more about God's love.

Born To Fly

I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow
About the places that I'd like to see
I say, "friend do you think I'll ever get there?"
Oh, but he just stands there smilin' back at me

So I confessed my sins to the preacher
About the love I've been prayin' to find
Is there a brown-eyed boy in my future, yeah
And he says, "girl, you've got nothin' but time."

But how do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know that you were born,
You were born to fly

My daddy he is grounded like the oak tree
My momma she is steady as the sun
Oh, you know I love my folks
But I keep starin' down the road
Just lookin' for my one chance to run

Hey, cause I will soar away like a blackbird
I will blow in the wind like a seed
I will plant my heart in the garden of my dreams
And I will grow up where I wander wild and free

Oh, How do you wait for heaven?
And who has that much time?
And how do you keep your feet on the ground
When you know, that you were born?
You were born, yeah, you were born to fly


Today is the 4th anniversary of the day I married that "brown-eyed boy"! And I love him even more today than on the day I said "I do". He and his love are teaching me to 'fly'!

Do I Really Look Like ANY of these People?

Everlasting God
(by Chris Tomlin)

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God You reign forever
Our hope, Our strong deliverer

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint, You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

God, You are everlasting

I Know an Author...

Last night I attended a reception for someone I used to work with a few years ago. He has definitely earned his 'lion-taming hat' (look back at July and August's posts if you are not sure of what I'm talking about there)! A few years ago he left behind the exciting life of a CA to explore his life-long dream of being a writer. And last night at McNally Robinson, he launched his 4th book!! He is the author of the Russell Quant mystery series of books. His main character is a novice private detective based in Saskatoon who travels about the globe too. This morning my husband read a few excerpts of Tony's new book to me, (which, incidentally, was presented to me at the reception by my soon to be new boss...who was, also incidentally, my boss once before, but that is another story..) and we both (that is, Les & I) found ourselves giggling about the descriptives we found in the excerpts of this place where we live:)

It was fun to get together with many of my former co-workers from a few years ago to celebrate Tony's success last night and to see where life has taken them. And seeing Tony, as always, was a good reminder to us all to "live life wide" ... (he's always saying that, "life is short, but wide!")

Pretzels & Chicken...Parmesan & Fish....

Oh my, this was delicious! I made it for supper the other night...yum! And if you are trying to eat more fish, then you'll love this one too...we sure did:)

"If Jesus appeared at your dining room table tonight with knowledge of everything you are and are not, total comprehension of your life story and every skeleton hidden in your closet; if he laid out the real state of your present discipleship with the hidden agenda, the mixed motives, and the dark desires buried in your psyche, you would feel his acceptance and forgiveness. For "experiencing God's love in Jesus Christ means experiencing that one has been unreservedly accepted, approved and infinitely loved, that one can and should accept oneself and one's neighbor."
Brennan Manning - The Ragamuffin Gospel

So I don't know if I like what I'm learning right now, but that's the thing about learning...once you know something to be true with your heart (not just your head), you know it...and you can stick your head in the sand and pretend you don't know it all you want... and maybe on the outside people won't realize you know better, but inside you do...you know you do.

So here's what I'm learning... I have to accept myself. You would think that in my thirty-some years of life I would have already learned that one and acted on it...and in some aspects I have, but if I'm being really honest, there is proof in my life that I hold myself to a different standard than anyone else. And though I don't doubt God's love nor grace toward me one bit, I don't have much grace for me. And while we're being honest, I might just as well admit that I am concerned far too much with pleasing other people, and I fear criticism.

Yesterday as I was in a changeroom trying on some jeans, I saw some dimples on my upper thighes..a most disappointing (and somewhat shallow) sight, but then I interrupted my thoughts on the matter with what I had read in a Brennan Manning book that morning... I need to just accept myself.

Later as I was talking to Les, I came to see that I can be aweful to myself. If I see something wrong with how I look, then I doubt I could possibly be pretty...if I have a moment of behavior that I think is not sweet, then I think that I could not possibly be sweet. I do not see the big picture when I look at myself, and I would never treat someone else that way.

There is a whole lot more that I could say on the matter...these are just a few simple examples, but I am learning the next step to walking in God's grace is to accept who I am... I thought I did that already?!

We went to the Carolyn Arends concert last night. It was most excellent, as usual. I found myself in tears in many of her lyrics though...this one, in particular, struck a chord with where I'm at right now. I don't know if I will work through all the things I'm feeling by the time I go back to work. The other day I found myself fretting about needing to fill each of the moments I have to the brim and at the end of this experience feeling like I needed to have something big and profound to show for it all. That would be nice (sigh)...or, I could just dance like no one's watching....

Dance Like No One's Watching - Carolyn Arends

I want to sing just like the sparrow 'cause the sparrow knows
That your eye will be upon her everywhere that she goes
I want to shout out like the mountains 'cause they say those rocks
Love to lift up their praises and they never stop
I want to chase you like King David till it's all that I can do
To sing and shout and laugh about the way you made me new

I want to dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to grow just like the lilies dressed up in your best
'Cause they stretch toward the sun and trust in you for the rest
I want to climb up like a daughter on her daddy's knee
Who is laughing 'cause she knows that she is loved abundantly
You said that I should come to you just like a little kid
And maybe even kick my heels the way that David did

I'm gonna dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

Well heaven knows I worry and those worries tend to keep me
Bottled up so tightly in my soul
So spill me like the perfume that was poured upon your feet
And then fill me till at last I overflow

That's when I'll dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Dance like no one's watching
Nobody but you

I want to chase you like King David till at last you capture me
And then I’ll sing and shout and laugh about the way you set me free

I want to dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Dance like no one’s watching
Nobody but you

I am *LOVING* Google Earth...so far I've traveled to France (Paris & the Eiffel Tower), to Dublin Ireland (and the Irish country-side), to London (Westminster Abbey, Abbey Road and Buckingham Palace), to Nashville, TN (and the Grande Ole Opry), to Seattle (and the Pike Place Starbucks as well and the Space Needle). I've also checked out where we live (went across the University Bridge, along Spadina...checked out downtown and where I'm going to work starting Nov. 27th and then headed to our neighbourhood..finding Amanda's school and our very own house!) Well, if I can't fly away to all the places I've dreamed of, at least I can explore them this way! ...It's kind of like that computer generated map of the city in the opening credits of 'You've Got Mail' ... the user clicks within it to a finer and finer level of detail in New York City until they get to the main character's flat and then the computer generated image gives way to reality and the story begins...

The Puppy Song (Harry Nilsson)

Dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true

If only I could have a puppy
I'd call myself so very lucky
Just to have some company
To share a cup of tea with me
I'd take my puppy everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
Then we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no dogs allowed
Oh we... I know he'd never bite me
We... I know he'd never bite me

If only I could have a friend
Who sticks with me until the end
And walk along beside the sea
To share a bit of moon with me
I'd take my friend most everywhere
La la la la I wouldn't care
And we'll stay away from crowds
With signs that say no friends allowed
Oh we...we'd be so happy to be...
We...we'd be so happy to be together

But dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish's just a dream you wish to come true
Dreams are nothing more than wishes
(Your wish will come true)
And a wish's just a dream (Your wish will come true)
You wish to come true (Your wish will come true)

Thankful

I'm finding myself especially thankful this year. Of course I'm thankful for God's love and grace (too great for words really)...for our family, my loving husband and darling daughter...for our home and the fact that in a few minutes both of our extended families will be here for our Thanksgiving feast...for so many friends and for what God is doing in our small group...for our health...and for this beautiful fall, full of colour and God's splendor. I'm extremely thankful for all of those things, but what I'm especially thankful for today is a husband who not only 'let' me quit my job, but who actually encouraged it...who practically insisted upon it, and who has championed me having some time off before starting the next one...who has not put one ounce of pressure on me about the loss of income for a time and who has been pushing me to take time for myself and listening to me as I've been working through all sorts of feelings. He is God's man for me indeed! Thank-You, Father and thank-you, Les:)

Oh-so-romantic...

I've probably always thought that going to the ballet would be one of the most romantic ways I could think of to spend a date-night. Well, last Saturday I got the chance to find out. Les took me to Romeo & Juliet and it did not disappoint. We sat in a third balcony box with a breath-taking view of the dance. We were able to hold hands and sneak kisses without anyone noticing, and at the intermission Les commented on how much he was enjoying it. Afterward we went to Starbucks for a night-cap.... an oh-so-romantic night!


Random after-thoughts:
- why don't I ever take pictures of us when we're out on the town?!
- Les noted that male ballerinas do not deserve the rap they get from guys
- our tickets were of the less-expensive variety, yet I think we had the best seats in the house!
- married couples need to date more...we try to go on at least once every month...I think every couple needs to have a date at least that often...maybe even more..
- my husband is quite a catch!

Guess what we did today?!



This is my beautiful family! ...My handsome husband, Les, and our living doll of a daughter, Amanda:) The picture is an early proof that we already received in an email. Donna Rae Friesen took our wedding photographs a few years back, and recently she approached us about doing a family portrait as she had just gotten a new professional digital camera. I love how she framed this shot with the fall foilage and the bridge in the background:)

What is it that I *LOVE* so much about Rachael Ray?

I don't own any of her books, and I've never bought her magazine, but yet I have to confess that I browse both of these when I'm in the market. I don't get the chance to watch her daily 30 minute meals show very often at all, and I've only caught a bit of her new talk show, but yet I have to admit that anytime that I've caught even a bit of these shows I've enjoyed them. If I'm being honest though, I'd have to admit that I find her a bit loud in her presentation, yet there is just something I *LOVE* about Rachael Ray. Maybe it's that Les and I have enjoyed the places she's taken us on "$40-a-day"... or maybe it's the fact that everyone of her recipes that I've tried has been a HIT! (DELISH bacon sloppy-joe's and YUM-O espresso brownies...well, I combined her and Martha's recipes on this one, but still, mmmm!) ...or it could be that she reminds me so much of Amanda's friend, Brianna (whom I adore), everytime I look at her... But whatever it is, I guess I'll just say it, I'm a fan:)

Living the Dream

Well, it's official, I am a stay-at-home-wife-and-mom...at least for now... AND that is something I have always very much wanted to be! And yet I find myself with mixed emotions and expectations. Part of me is elated and can't plan enough things to do AND part of me is nervous about what comes after this... Well that part has pretty much been narrowed down... I've talked with and been interviewed for several opportuntities and by next Friday I will likely have made my decision, but I won't be joining the ranks of a working wife and mother again until later in November...and so, finally, I can take a deep breath and live the dream. I'm hoping in the weeks I have ahead I can get to do some things around here that I never get time for, but also I want some time to recharge and refresh... I've never really had that. I started working when I was 15 and have never pressed pause on that one since. It's good to be out of the work situation I was in, but I find it's taking me some time to come down and de-stress...old thoughts and concerns die hard. For those of you who've been praying me through this, thanks...and keep on praying if you don't mind, I need ya:)

The Bestest Pie Ever!

...and that had nothing to do with the recipe or how it was made or its actual taste, it had to do with the heart that bestowed it! Last night our neighbour from across the street dropped off a fresh-made pumpkin pie that she'd made especially for us...and when she did she had her adorable not-a-baby-for-much-longer with her...talk about a double blessing! She was just thanking us for sharing some of Amanda's things that she was done with with their daughter Ainsley. It was totally unnecessary, but very sweet none-the-less. How neighbourly!!

EDIT ... strike the following post...thanks to Brian from the Blogger Help Group, this should be fixed and the blog should be viewable in both IE and Firefox now!
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My apologies to those trying to view my blog using Internet Explorer. For some reason the body of my posts is not appearing in Explorer (it does appear though if you use Firefox, so you might want to try that). The parts of the body of my posts that seem to appear in Explorer are the images and anything I put in BOLD...hence the reason this post is in BOLD. I have tried to research the problem with blogger with no luck. If any you have any suggestions they would be much appreciated!

Pike Place was the very first location of Starbucks in Seattle, and so for their 35th anniversary they have released the original Pike Place brew to commemorate it. Les and I had a date-night out last night, and the evening was concluded with a trip to the Starbucks on Broadway. After I had had my macchiato and biscotti (and Les his mocha light frap) the barrista made a french press of the Pike Place brew for us, and we did a sampling. It's a strong brew with a nutty aroma...very full bodied. As we sat there enjoying our lovely saucered-mugs of it, two thoughts went through my mind. First - 'I just love how Starbucks treats us', and second - 'I wonder if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight?!' (In the end I did!:)

It's Fall!!

The other day when Les and I were at Starbucks they were putting out their fall offerings, so it's official (even though it's not the 21st on the calendar yet), it's FALL! And what a better way to start it than having someone serve you samples of pumpkin lattes?!


The other thing that makes it officially fall around here is my darling daughter heading back to school. She's had two days under her belt already and has even come home with homework and not minded doing it! So far she loves her teacher and everything she does, but I'm not holding my breath just yet because there could be some classroom shuffling next week as they figure out the final number of students registered for each grade.

As we get into the swing of things, Les and I have started planning for our small group. We made calls last night and have been looking for materials to use for a while now. (Any and all suggestions are welcome!) I'm looking forward to small group this fall. One of the couples in our group is expecting in late October, so it's a very exciting time!

"Just Showed Up"
Sara Groves

Spending my time sleep walking
Moving my mouth but not saying a thing
Hoping the changes would take by working their way
from the outside in
I was in love with an idea
Preoccupied with how a life should appear
Spending my time at the surface repairing the holes in the shiny veneer

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

I'm going to live my life inspired
Look for the holy in the common place
Open the windows and feel all that's honest and real until I'm truly amazed
I'm going to feel all my emotions
I'm going to look you in the eyes
I'm going to listen and hear until it's finally clear and it changes our lives

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright

Oh the glory of God is man fully alive
Oh the glory of God is man fully alive

There are so many ways to hide
There are so many ways not to feel
There are so many ways to deny what is real

And I just showed up for my own life
And I'm standing here taking it in and it sure looks bright