Canada Through Fresh Eyes, by Bob Jones

Canadian freedom and security is glorious, just like our national anthem says.

On Canada Day, values that Canadian-born people may take for granted are best treasured through the eyes of those celebrating their first Canada Day.

In April 2017 two Syrian refugees landed at the Edmonton International airport and were welcomed to Canada with hugs and Tim Hortons. They are now happy residents of St Albert, Alberta.

Four years ago they were forced to leave everything familiar and flee the bombings in their city of Damascus. They made their way to Jordan where they were interned in a refugee camp. The couple were eventually taken in by a group of Jordanians living north of Amman. 

For three years they repeatedly applied for refugee status in Canada. Only when a Christian organization in Canada guaranteed their sponsorship was their application considered.  North Pointe Community Church waited for fourteen months to meet the couple they had fallen in love with from a distance.

Since April, their time has been invested in learning English, enjoying BBQ’s, meeting new friends and getting ready for Canada’s most famous season by stocking up on winter supplies at a Canadian staple - garage sales. And during the playoff run they learned to cheer for the Oilers. Not everything has been easy.  There is the emotional stress of leaving behind family who are still in danger, fitting in socially, getting jobs and establishing a new life. They love their new home country.

Not only does Canada have so much to offer them, they have so much to offer Canada. Volunteering in a UN Humanitarian Aid organization in Jordan provided one of our new friends with useful administrative skills. Our second friend is a skilled goldsmith, just waiting to use his talent in a Canadian context.

People from North Pointe have been shuttling them to appointments and the afore-mentioned garage sales. Strangers have been so kind. When one owner heard about their flight from the civil war in Syria she packed up a bag of mitts, a scarf, very expensive warm knee highs, a hat and a few other items.  Our Syrian friend was thrilled and her face absolutely beamed with appreciation.

Sitting on a deck and enjoying a cup of tea at sunset one evening the couple remarked how safe they felt. Safe. Secure. Canada, eh?  Thank God for Canada.

Canada is a one of a kind nation. One hundred and fifty years ago the dominion of Canada came into being – named from the text of a Psalm. “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.” A mosaic of nationalities. Unconquered by foreign invaders. A nation bonded in battle at Vimy Ridge and burgeoning with opportunity and possibilities.

When you engage with people new to Canada let their appreciation for all we may take for granted give you a fresh perspective and gratitude.

This summer be Canadian - drink a Horton’s double double. Bar-B-Q. Be grateful. 

And sing with hope and humility, “God keep our land glorious and free.”

Bob is a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose.

Follow his writing at Pointes Of View.

MINISTER CLAIMED CANADA MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE

Believe it or not, the minister at the house church I once attended claimed that Canada was mentioned in the bible. He used the following verses to back his preposterous contention:

Zechariah 9:10 (KJV)  And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 72:8   (KJV)He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Brother Herald, as I called him, believed that Canada fit the "sea to sea" description. He taught us that the Saint Lawrence River was the one mentioned in both scriptures and the "ends of the earth" meant the north coast. Not knowing any better, I believed him.

Now that I know how to read the Bible for all it's worth, and all its worth, I realize how ridiculous Brother Herald's claim was. The key to understanding any passage in Scripture is context. For example, Zechariah 9:9 says, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." It obviously refers to Christ coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The verse Brother Herald thought proved Canada was the Lord's dominion actually spoke of the Messiah's reign.

Likewise, Psalm 72 is about the Messiah and has no relationship to Canada. When it's read with the understanding that King David wrote it to his people and not to gentiles thousands of years in the future, the verses make perfect sense.

Had I known this key to biblical exegesis, I'd never have fallen for the absurd teachings of that lay minister. Since I now know the technique of reading the scriptures in context, I want everybody else to learn what I learned. I Wrote How I Was Razed: A Journey from Cultism to Christianity for the purpose of showing how deceived I once was and how God freed me from  Brother Herald's cultic ideas with God's help.

Praying for the Donkey - Marnie Pohlmann

I was 16 when I left home in BC to live with a couple of my older brothers in Ontario. I had a part-time job and went to high school. The rule of the apartment was unwritten, but I understood if I was not at school or at work I would be at church. This was the safest way I could "run away from home" and it probably saved my life.

In that school year, I took a history class called "People and Politics" where I learned such things as the meaning of "expropriation."  That was also the year of a federal election, so the class followed the news and discussed the different platforms and promises of the candidates. The Conservatives' Joe "Who?" Clark won a short-lived minority government over Trudeau Senior, leader of the Liberal Party. I learned some of my fellow students had different priorities and ideas than I did on how to run our country. I also learned the voices of the people were needed in our country, so I have since voted in every municipal, provincial, and federal election.

Speeches were required in this class and one of my assigned topics was to discuss our Canadian identity compared to the United States. I described the U.S. as a sleek racehorse: powerful, self-assured, perhaps a little high-handed and brash, but an obvious thoroughbred. From one side of the country to the other, at that time in history, the people of all 50 states seemed to be certain of who they were. They were united in what was important to all Americans. Immigrants gave up their home country citizenship, desiring to pledge allegiance to America. The United States appeared to be the land of opportunity. I hung a picture of a pedigree steed on the blackboard.

Then I described Canada. We had all the same landscapes as the States - ocean coastlines, prairie wheat fields, and mountain ranges. We had the same variety of international immigrants joining us, though Canada allowed immigrants to keep citizenship with their country of origin as well as join us. I reflected on how we had all the same parts as the racehorse, but we were not quite as well put together. We were still struggling to define ourselves, even in establishing language laws. I explained Canada was unique and special, even if we looked a little odd. Then I hung up the game of pin the tail on the donkey.

I trust you are not offended by my teenage description of our country. During that formative time, I gained an understanding of what a remarkable country in which we live. I fell in love with our variety of landscapes, though I have not seen nearly enough of them. I became proud of our extraordinary land, our form of government, and our people.

Today when I consider Canada, I think of two iconic symbols recognized around the world as representing our special country. No, one is not a donkey.

First, I love to see our red and white maple leaf flag waving in the sky. I get upset when I see tattered flags left on flag poles rather than respectfully being changed. Did you know there are rules for flying the Canadian flag, as well as ways to properly dispose of a tattered flag? Please do not use a flag as a tablecloth, or throw the symbol of our land in a landfill.

The second symbol that has garnered respect for Canada throughout the world is our Royal Canadian Mounted Police. While the RCMP Members do not wear the iconic red serge for daily enforcement duties, my heart swells with pride when I see these men and women in their ceremonial uniforms. The history of the RCMP is an integral part of our country's history, as they helped bring stability and safety across an expansive untamed land. Around the world, they are recognized as Canadian by their distinct red serge.

As in politics, there are many different views about our Mounties. In recent months, especially, there has been a lot of bad press about this paramilitary organization, but I believe our national police force is doing a difficult job and doing it to the best of the Members' abilities. I have been privileged to work as administrative support to the RCMP for over 20 years in various parts of the country and in various positions. I have witnessed how much this career costs the individuals who take on the responsibility of "Maintiens le droit" or Defending the Law of Canada.

Whether or not we agree with the direction of our government, our laws, or our society, Scripture directs us to obey those God has placed in leadership. We are to pray for them. And let's be sure to include in our prayers those who provide policing, as well as other first responders who keep us safe. Pray also for the Canadian people and for those who come from afar to join us.

While we may consider our Canadian identity to be an awkward donkey because of the conflicts and politics we hear braying across our country, others throughout the world see our flag waving in welcome and comfort. They see our Mounties standing tall and proud, providing peace and safety.

To others, Canada looks like a beautiful wild stallion.

* photos courtesy of www.pixabay.com CCO license

Marnie lives and writes in northern BC, where hills, fields, ranches, and big sky meet at the Mighty Peace River. A beautiful piece of Canada. Her blog is Phosphorescent.

Living in Canada By Vickie Stam

I was born and raised in Canada. Both of my parents were as well. My father was born in Kapuskasing in northern Ontario. French was his first language. He finished grade eight and went to work in a bakery to help support his large family. With ten siblings at the dinner table a pot of soup had to go a long way and there were no second helpings. Christmas meant a new pair of socks. Love and affection wasn't doled out the way it is today. My father grew up knowing his parents loved him - not by hearing the words, "I love you" over and over throughout the day. Times were different back then.

My mother grew up in Belleville, Ontario some 940 kilometers away. Her family was small in comparison. Only two siblings but there were hard times for her as well. My grandmother raised them single handedly. My grandfather died when my mother was three years old. Food was scarce. On a disability pension because she suffered from polio, my grandmother had to make the money stretch. My mother also knew that her mother loved her. And not because she was told. Mom finished grade eleven and eventually she moved the Hamilton area where she worked on mushroom farm in Burlington, Ontario.

My father moved to the Hamilton area for work. He made deliveries to the farm where my mother worked and the rest - you guessed. Three months later they married.

Nine months and three days later my sister, Karen was born. Six years later, Angela and then seventeen months later, I came into the world.  

I was born in Burlington and raised in Hamilton. My mother was First Nations. Mohawk from the Bay of Quinte. My father is French. This made for some interesting times in our parent's home during the Oka Crisis; the land dispute between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec in July of 1990. It's safe to say that the atmosphere in their home was more than tense. My sister's and I knew not to bring the subject up. Not a word. And if dad slipped and decided to bring it up my sister's and I were looking for someplace to hide. But they survived the stand-off in their house and were married for 53 years when my mother passed away in 2009. Our family chose her place of rest and  and what it says on her headstone. A choice we have here in Canada.

Growing up we never travelled much. Picton to go camping. Up north to see family and of course the Belleville area, but that's as far as we went.

The first time I travelled on a plane was in July of 2005. I didn't much like the ride. I just liked how quick I arrived. I went with a friend to explore Prince Edward Island; someplace other than Ontario. I was in awe of the red sand and the quiet lifestyle. The slow pace was intriguing to me. The land was full of hills and the ocean breath view was taking.

In January of 2006 my husband, Tony proposed. Shortly after he flew out west for a Pork Producer's meeting. When he phoned me, he was ecstatic. "Vickie, if you thought PEI was beautiful - this place will knock your socks off!" He promised to take me there one day. I'm still waiting to lose my socks....

That was eleven years ago and now that Tony and I are retired from raising pigs that trip out west should be coming.  

I have to admit that I'm not much into politics. I read the paper everyday and I don't like learning about all of the violence that exists in Canada but I'm still happy that I live here and not in other more violent countries. 

Here I am able to choose my own path. Career, religion, number of children I have and so on. I can choose to live where I want and marry the person I want - not one who was chosen for me. I love the choices we have in Canada!

When I travel outside of Canada I'm always glad to be back.  It simply feels good to be home... 

A Personal Love of Canada - Alan Anderson

For the first time since blogging here I almost forgot.

When I think of Canada I think of the wonder of home. I think of my adopted home. I think of the land of my birth

The wonder of Canada as home. Canada is an amazing country. It is huge in landmass. It is composed of people from all over the world who accept her welcoming heart. I love how most people at least, respect the wisdom in assimilating into Canada as a unique culture. I sincerely appreciate Canada is a country that for the most part believes in freedom of religion and speech.

I have travelled to a number of locales in Canada and I stand amazed at her beauty. Having spent most of my life in British Columbia I love the mountains. I love the protection of evergreen trees and the soaring of the eagles we see all year round. I love the sense of awareness that surrounds me when I go for a hike in the mountains and forests. It is the awareness that I am in the home of bears and cougars.

To me, British Columbia is one of Canada’s jewels.

Canada, my adopted home. Although I originally had no choice in coming to Canada I have chosen to live here and undoubtedly will die here. I will explain more about this in the next section of this post.

When I consider the turmoil all too common in certain parts of the world, at least Canada has a history of enjoying a democracy. I have the freedom here to more or less live the way I want without molestation from the government. I pray to God it will remain so.

The freedom of Canada has made it possible for my wife and I to raise our family in peace. This is primarily due to the strength, conviction and sacrifice of the members of our military personnel. Our children are proud of Canada!

Every Canada Day I think of the land of my birth. I was born in Scotland, the land of my soul. Scotland gave me to Canada. As a Scotsman, however, I know that Scotland never gives up her children. I will always be a laddie from Scotland!

I was ten years old when my parents brought my siblings and I to Canada in 1964. We left the land of our births because my parents believed it would present us with a better way of life. For the most part, this has been so.

A regret I have is we did not bring our dog with us. Her name was Lassie. It is something I have never forgotten. We left family and our beautiful Scotland yet I miss my dog even to this day. That may sound crazy to you. I was a boy and I loved Lassie. For the longest time I resented that my parents didn’t bring her with us. I also resented Canada and spent the better part of our first year homesick for Scotland.

As the years have gone by and I have matured I love Canada yet Scotland still runs through my veins. I have never been back.

Canada is home. It took me a long time to realize and accept that fact. I thank my parents for having the courage to uproot themselves for the sake of their children, including me.

Thank you Canada for being so good to me! Thank you Scotland for giving up some of your children to settle in such a wondrous and beautiful Canada!

May God bless us and keep us free!

Blog: ScarredJoy@wordpress.com

New Testament Vs. Qu'ranic Treatment of Women - Bruce Atchison

If God and Allah are the same person, why the sudden change in the treatment of women? It would seem that God, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, should arbitrarily change marriage and divorce laws.

Jesus ratified the ancient covenant of marriage when he said in Matthew 19:5-6 (KJV), "And said, 'For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?' Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

This prompted the Pharisees to ask why Moses allowed divorce to happen. Jesus replied in Matthew 19:8 (KJV), "He saith unto them, 'Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.'"

Islam, on the other hand, affirms polygamy. Sura 4:3 sets out how many wives a man may have. "If you fear you cannot act fairly towards the
orphans—then marry the women you like—two, or three, or four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then one, or what you already have. That makes it more likely that you avoid bias.

And speaking of divorce, the Qu'ran also allows it for the sake of dissatisfaction. Sura 66:5 says, 'Perhaps, if he divorces you, his Lord will give him in exchange wives better than you: submissive, believing, obedient, penitent, devout, fasting—previously married, or virgins."

The New Testament doesn't have any instruction regarding dividing worldly inheritance. Even so, Jesus and the apostles focused on the eternal inheritance in heaven. Luke 12:13-14 (KJV) states, "And one of the company said unto him, 'Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.' And he said unto him, 'Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?'"

But look what the Qu'ran says about dividing the earthly inheritance. Sura 4:11 states, "Allah instructs you regarding your children: The male receives the equivalent of the share of two females. If they are daughters, more than two, they get two-thirds of what he leaves. If there is only one, she gets one-half. As for the parents, each gets one-sixth of what he leaves, if he had children. If he had no children, and his parents inherit from him, his mother gets one-third. If he has siblings, his mother gets one-sixth. After fulfilling any bequest and paying off debts. Your parents and your children—you do not know which are closer to you in welfare. This is Allah's Law. Allah is Knowing and Judicious."

And look at what sura 4:34 says about the treatment of women. "Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, as Allah has given some of them an advantage over others, and because they spend out of their wealth. The good women are obedient, guarding what Allah would have them guard. As for those from whom you fear disloyalty, admonish them, and abandon them in their beds, then strike them. But if they obey you, seek no way against them. Allah is Sublime, Great."

But Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:25 (KJV), "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

I could write so much more on this topic but this post is getting too long. Instead, I'll save it for my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that the God of the Bible and Allah are diametrically opposite to each other.

Canadian Beauties ... by Jocelyn Faire

This month I'm sharing some of my favourite Canadian Beauties ... 

Canadian pride may not rest on our sleeves, but it resides deeply in our hearts. Steve Miller

Canola field in bloom

Early spring crocuses

 

Lady Slippers in Manitoba

Manitoba flax field

When I lived in Australia I paid over a hundred dollars for a flower tour that featured wild orchids. I never felt more Canadian than when I lived away. Since my return to Canada, I have grown in appreciation for our native flowers. 

Wild orchids near Canmore Ab

Black bear in meadow near Waterton Ab

Another canola field with Rocky Mountain backdrop

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. Anaïs Nin

Wishing each of you a wonderful summer and many chances to get out and enjoy the beauty of our country in your own area. 

All photos by Jocelyn, who enjoys flowers wherever she goes! The writing is taking a back seat at the moment.

Oh Canada, Home and Treasured Land by Joylene M. Bailey

I wrote the following for my own blog in celebration of Canada's 150th.  And it is perfect for the topic this month:

We camped.

That’s what we did every summer when I was growing up.

My birthday is at the end of July and I don’t remember many birthdays at home. Our temporary home was a used tent trailer.

I didn’t know it at the time, but my parents were giving my brothers and me a priceless treasure. We traveled from coast to coast. And as I look back on it now, I understand where my love of this great country – Canada – comes from. It comes from those summers of traveling with my family.

Every year, Dad would plot our trips. He usually started a month in advance. I remember him at the kitchen table with maps in front of him, and that camping reference book – I think it was from CAA.  It listed campgrounds, how many sites they had, how much they charged, whether or not they had flush toilets and showers, etc.

Back in those days we couldn’t go online to check it out or to register. We didn’t call ahead.  We just showed up, expecting a good spot. And we usually got it. I remember only one time when we arrived to a completely full campground, and we set up in a gravel pit instead. I also remember many times that Dad would leave our cash payment (anywhere from $6 - $12 over the years) in an unlocked wooden box when we left. I doubt if you could do that nowadays.

(Mom tells me that our first year of camping we bought a National Park sticker for $7 and the total camping fee we had all summer was $20.)

Mom didn’t relish getting ready for camping. When we got older, my brothers and I had to pack our own clothing, and entertainment for car travel, but she had her same lists from year to year … everybody’s clothing, toiletries, kitchen gadgets, linens, bedding, pots and pans, games, first aid, food. And she spent about a week shopping, gathering, and packing. But she did enjoy the camping once all of that was taken care of.

I am so grateful they took the time for this because as I look back now, I understand. I understand it was a great undertaking, but also a great privilege to experience my country. I understand now that not everybody had this chance. When you’re a kid you just assume everybody does what you do. But I’ve learned that not everyone grew up with the amazing opportunity I had to absorb my own vast country. Thanks, Mom & Dad.

Barkerville, BC

Drumheller, AB

What wonderful memories we made:

Panning for gold in Barkerville, BC

Riding a dinosaur in Drumheller, AB

Visiting the RCMP training grounds in Regina, SK

Touring the International Peace Gardens in Boissevain, MB

Feeling the spray of Niagara Falls, ON

Roaming the halls of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, ON

International Peace Gardens

Exploring in Old Quebec City and the Plains of Abraham, QE

Watching the Reversing Falls Rapids in Saint John, NB

Climbing up Citadel Hill in Halifax, NS

Marching at the Fortress of Louisbourg on Cape Breton Island, NS

Pretending at Green Gables, PEI

These were fun tourist attractions full of history and fascination. But more than that, I learned to appreciate the geography of this wonder-inspiring country.

Columbia Ice Fields, AB/BC

I’ve clambered over the smooth stoned Pacific coast and listened to waves lapping the shore. I’ve wandered the red sand beaches of Prince Edward Island and breathed in the healing salty air. I’ve played in cool lakes that were so clear I could see the bottom through four feet of water. I’ve run screaming through long grassy fields scaring up grasshoppers, squinted across sun-skimmed ice fields, and splashed in hot springs surrounded by mountains whose crowns disappeared into clouds.

All before I grew up and left home.

What a gift!

Rushing River Provincial Park, ON

And what a treasure, this country.

Oh Canada! I am so blessed to call it my home and native land.  


                          ***************************

Joylene remembers childhood summers from her home in Edmonton where she lives with her Cowboy, Babe, and a cat named Calvin. Find more of her writing on her blog, Scraps of Joy.

God Bless Canada - Gloria Guest

I am both a third and fourth generation Canadian on my paternal and maternal parent’s sides respectively. The backstories of my ancestor’s arrivals and lives in this country are varied and fascinating. My paternal great grandparents emigrated from Russia (German ancestry) and my paternal and maternal great grand-parents and grandfather emigrated from England. My German ancestors were displaced from Germany into Russia during the time of Catherine the Great and after many years of hardship there and having their land taken from them, immigrated to Canada. They led difficult lives, clearing bush to farm in the Tawatinaw Alberta area; my father only receiving a grade seven education when he was removed from school to help on the farm.

My maternal grandfather came over to Canada on a boat from England as a very young boy to join family.  His parents had both died and his older siblings had no desire to keep him. An artistic man, he spent most of his adult years slightly lost and sad.  I’ve inherited his wallet from the depression years containing an unemployment ticket and often wonder about this shadow of a man I have barely heard a word about; his hopes, his dreams and his feelings as he stood in the unemployment lines with a family of six children to care for, wishing I could reach back to him to comfort him and let him know that his life did matter.

Our oldest son is the fourth generation farming the family land on his father’s side in Saskatchewan. Our younger son serves in the Canadian Armed Forces. My husband and I farmed for 17 years before leaving and now own our own business. Even in writing this, I can sense the tracings of generations running back to what helped form each of us today. I’m proud to see the same endurance and tenacity shining from our sons eyes; true Canadians, strong and free, standing on guard for their country.

My husband and I met at Bible College where our faith journey’s intersected. He had received a heritage of faith from both sides of his family, whereas mine came mainly down from my mother’s side. She had attended Christian High school in Three Hills Alberta. Her mother was a strong, enduring Christian lady and to this day I credit my grandmothers’ prayers for the most likely reason that I am still here today. I received Christ as a young girl at a Bible Camp but returned home to an extremely dysfunctional home. Most of my adult years have been a wandering of my own; internally. Unlike my artistic grandfathers for sure, but I can’t help but see the similarities of searching and longing for something that often seemed elusive.

 Still, like my ancestors, I endure and feel blessed for how far I have come in this journey called life. I strived to raise my own children in faith and was blessed to be the one to lead them both to Christ at a young age. Now they are on their own paths.  They have their own discoveries to make, their own wanderings, which as a mother I can’t help but pray will not be as difficult as my own. However, in looking back at my own and those of my ancestors, it provides me with a sense of God’s abiding presence in each one’s life and a knowledge that He will always be pursuing my children too and ready to bestow his Grace. Life was not easy for my ancestors, nor myself, yet they and now I, move forward.

I have been richly blessed in the past few years with three beautiful, joy-inspiring grand-daughters. I look at them and wonder, what will life be like for them? As Canadians? Will our flag still fly as high and proud as it has in the past?

I am a prolific news follower. I cannot go a day without reading up on what is going on in our world and if I do, I feel out of touch and ill informed. While I recognize that I must be careful where I receive that news from and to not only hear the negative, it is just too hard to ignore the fact that as a country we don’t seem to be going in a good direction; morally, spiritually or in many other ways. I often have a profound sadness and concern when thinking of what life may be like for future generations. I feel certain that it’s not the life most of our ancestors were looking for, nor what our brave soldiers fought for.

But before I am a Canadian, I am a Christian. And that is where my hope for the future comes from. That is where my prayers for our nation and my dear, sweet grand-daughters comes from. God, the maker of heaven and earth and the one who made this great nation, is Sovereign over all. May He keep our land, Glorious and Free.

God Bless Canada.

Privilege by Rohadi

“To the privileged, equality looks like oppression.” - Unknown

I don't know who originally penned that quote, nor who said it, but I have been reflecting on the words, particularly in our current world.

I also don't know if this is accurate, but it seems the rhetoric in Western developed nations has become exceedingly polarized.

We're fighting to decide who's in and who's out. It's tiresome to listen to conversations that quickly descend into entrenched ideologies.

Jesus has something to say about the outsiders, although those who claim him often mix in criteria of their own.

Knowing I can't change anybody's mind, what I can do is reflect on my own.

I am a product of privilege.

Coming to this country as a tot opened the door to opportunity. That privilege, however, has also come at the expense of someone else, as often privilege does.

Canada150 is a story that celebrates a strong nation. It's being challenged by those who fight to retain what comfort and privilege they have in fear those who are different may gain a little more. We struggle to keep our identity by unknowingly, or knowingly, burying someone else's.

I think about these things.

In order to establish a way to reject the outsider, one needs to ignore stories of those who've come before there was even a Canada. Here's an old professor of mine talking about some of those stories, and the people behind them.






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Visit Rohadi at his blog. Check out his adult colouring book, Soul Coats.