Homo consumeris or "The Modern Christian"

My husband just showed me a brilliant article (or rather, series of articles) that is a "must read". The author articulates how the modern Christian is titillated by the latest fads in Christianity and flits from one trend to another (e.g. "Emerging Church", liturgical services). Read and weep. This how most Christians are today. "What's in it for me?" rather than "How can I know God and serve Him better?"

Things I Love About Christmas

Lest readers think that I hate Christmas, I don’t (unlike my husband who hates Christmas!) There are many things that I love and appreciate about the season. I only write against what it has morphed into. For me, Christmas is a happy, joyous time to be with family and friends. I just choose not to participate in the commercial madness of it. Over the years and having grown up on the truly wintry Prairies, here are a few traditions that I still enjoy:

• spending time with loved ones


• singing Christmas songs and carols and going Christmas caroling


• decorating the house with decorations and a Christmas tree (as a compromise with my husband, we only do it every other year using a “real” tree that can be composted, and we only use used ornaments i.e. no new bought ones)


• Christmas Eve candlelight service


• walking in the snow at night (although now in Vancouver, we don’t have any)


• Terry's chocolate oranges (although now, they can be bought year round)


• Mandarin oranges


• eggnog


• baking cookies

A new tradition will be observing Janelle to make sure that she doesn’t eat the candy canes with the cellophane wrapper (as she did the other day when she had her first one in her bed when I thought she was having an afternoon nap!!)

Self-righteousness or Righteous Indignation?

Perhaps after reading my blog, you see me as a raving, self-righteous lunatic as I write against SUV-driving, latte-sipping, blindly-tithing, resource-consuming Christian yuppies and others. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I actually write out of compassion and a passion to try to persuade others in their spiritual journey to "choose the red pill" so that they can "get out of the Matrix." I could have been that Christian yuppie (and once was) but like the ex-smoker or ex-drinker (I’ve never smoked before and am not alcoholic), I am heavily promoting what I have found – new life in Christ. A freedom from man’s conventions (hence my somewhat alternative lifestyle which doesn’t fit into this consumer world), a freedom from wanting to please others and ending up pleasing no one (instead, focusing on pleasing God), a freedom to explore the world from God’s perspective, i.e. not seeing what’s in it for me, but rather how can I show God’s love to others, a freedom to live without constraint, knowing that I am a saved sinner but child of God.

Life’s reality encompasses physical, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions. However, people often neglect and ignore the spiritual. I’m just hoping to point this out, however unpleasant it may be. It does exist. I’ve been blind and now that I see, I implore my fellow human beings to also turn to the light so that their spiritual blindness may be lifted and to not fall into the trap of focusing only on what is seen in their immediate surroundings.

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

I definitely would fit into the category of being stoneable.

Languages of Love

There is a pop psychologist (Gary Smalley) who says that there are 5 languages of love – quality time, gifts, acts of service, physical affection, words.

How does one measure love for another? Having grown up in relative poverty (and often with very modest Christmas gifts received) but lots of love, I can attest that lack of money does not preclude happiness or the demonstration of love.

In today’s Western society, the predominant language of love is gifts and merchandisers gleefully play up on this (see blog entry below, "Christmas Giving the Western Way"). How interesting that other societies use other languages more predominantly, e.g., in Chinese culture, the language of love is acts of service.

Is one better than the other? Or, as some believe, do we need to speak in all 5 languages of love?

I would say that “gifts” is the “easiest” language to learn because it is the most tangible. Next would be physical affection and encouraging words. The most difficult languages would be quality time and acts of service. Although God also does speaks in “gifts” (think of unexpected gifts) the ultimate example would be Christ's sacrifice for us.

Consider what Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13; NIV)

Charitable Giving the Corporate Way

Under the guise of “charity”, today’s corporations use Christmas as an opportunity to garner more publicity for themselves (hence, news releases announce how much they’ve given to such and such a cause). Our local phone company has “donated” $x million dollars for our science center to change its name from Science World to TelusSphere and would deem this “charity” rather than bribery. A local private boys’ school organizes a charity hamper drive each year and corporations give their unsaleable, unused left-over clothing or other goods to be given away. Strangely, the school is very selective about what they give away, as clean used stuffed animals or other such “used” gifts are shunned as not being worthy of being given under the school’s program. So, even the simplest acts of charity are corrupted by a need to be seen by the public to be generous and to perpetuate the “image” of the giving body.

Contrast this to what Christ says about giving:

Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matt. 6:1-4, NIV)

“No Money, No Gifts”

In order to persuade people to give to a “worthy charitable cause”, a local newspaper features “families in need” with titles like “No Money for Gifts” in order to engender pity upon these “unfortunate ones”. This supposedly prods readers into sending money to a “Christmas Stocking Fund” so that this family could be provided with a “real” Christmas. I could understand if the heading was “No Money for Food” but seriously, is “no gifts” so terrible?

Sadly, Christmas has become a time when even “charitable” giving has evolved to publicly sanctified begging for material gifts – wants, not needs. Reflecting society today, is this a surprise?

In the meanwhile, in other parts of the world, people truly do suffer from “No Money for Food”. I challenge you, the reader: How about buying a cow, or a hen and rooster to feed these truly needy people instead of splurging on yourself or your family? Wouldn’t this be a more powerful message demonstrating the true spirit of giving to your children?

P.S. - this Christmas, we are buying a cow for our three children to give to a Third World family.

Christmas Giving the Western Way

Christmas is supposedly a time of “giving”. In today’s Western society, what this really means is fulfilling obligations. Huh, you say?

Think of gift exchanges. The dollar value of the gift is a way to communicate to the recipient what you think of them (at least that’s how the merchandisers have brainwashed us to believe). Embarrassment ensues when gifts exchanged differ markedly in value. Children are indoctrinated to print out lengthy “wish lists” each season of what they want (never is it what they will give to others.) Parents are expected to comply with these demands. My stepson even states that he expects gifts until he is at least 18 or 19, because he “doesn’t work” and “doesn’t have money.” (I guess that excludes his allowance.) Basically a one-way “exchange” of gifts.

Merchandisers prey upon our insecurities and implant a fear that one is an inadequate parent or spouse unless one lavishes material gifts upon our children or spouse or whomever. We are mandated to give only on December 25th and like lemmings, shoppers go mad in the “Christmas rush”. Anyone who does not meet these expectations is deemed a “failure” and this becomes a major motivator for Christmas shopping/spending. One is “successful” if the gift given brings upon the giver adoration, thanks and praise. (Think of the times when you’ve been disappointed in either receiving or giving a gift.) So, what is the true motivation for giving?

The Christmas spirit of “giving” has evolved into one of condoned greed and selfishness and crass commercialism. St. Nick would roll over in his grave.

Christmas Giving Christ’s Way – a religious blog entry

What is a true gift? A gift that is based on unconditional love, a gift that involves sacrifice, a gift that has the recipient’s needs in mind, a gift that is given freely and not under compulsion or obligation. Think of Christ who gave His all for us. He didn’t think about his “obligation to fulfill” nor was he acting out of fear or compulsion. He was acting out of love when He became a Man in the form of a child being born in a manger.

I challenge you to choose differently. Choose to use Christmas as a time to remind ourselves to give and not just to receive, and to give especially to those who are in real need. Choose to not just give at Christmas but to give year round. Choose to give out of a generosity of spirit in grateful thankfulness to the One who gave His all for us. Choose to give until it hurts, until we die to unto ourselves.

After all, isn’t that what Christ did for us?

Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant

Attended Ben's funeral today. His amazing life was characterized by humility, a quiet Godliness and incredible influence upon the many who knew him through the years, as well as recently (like myself). He left a legacy of 5 children and 21 grand-children and many other "spiritual children" who were touched by him. This was captured by a quote by his grandson who said that he wanted to be just like his grandfather and to walk in Christ as he did.

Qualities of Ben that we will miss are his quick-witted replies to those who seemed to waffle on the seriousness of the Gospel, as well as his integrity and deep, unwavering faith. For example, when told that we are all "little Christs" to those around us, he responded that he himself could never liken himself to Christ and that he was far too sinful to even come close to that.

Well done, good and faithful servant. We will miss you, your wisdom and your always welcoming smile.

Death, Where is Thy Sting?

Even in the midst of this supposedly "happy holiday" there is much sadness in our circle.

Our dear friend Ben (an elderly Christian gentleman) who always had a sensible perspective on Christianity and how to live it, was stricken by a sudden intracerebral hemorrhage from a ruptured cerebral aneurysm resulting in left-sided paralysis. Rallying back from the edge of death, he progressed to the point of being able to walk with a walker and was anticipating return to his home on the farm. But, tragedy struck again when he suffered another seizure and developed aspiration pneumonia. He passed onto a better life last week.

At the other extreme of life, an uneventful pregnancy with an anticipated joyous double blessing was stolen by grevious human error and a rude nurse who basically told my cousin and her husband, "What part of there's no room at the inn do you not understand?" before booting them out of the maternity ward. Sadly, when they returned the next morning, one of their twin daughters was stillborn.

We know of another soul who clings for dear life in the ICU - a young man (also a Christian) with wife and two children, on life support (for the past 10 weeks) for an unknown brain disease and constant seizures. Outlook unknown but doesn't look good.

Death robs us of the pleasure of their company here in this earthly life. Does it mean a better life for them in the unknown thereafter? Does death really lose its sting? What can one say to their grieving relatives? What can we say to ourselves?

Queen Bee Syndrome

The queen bee syndrome again reared its ugly head today at work.

Part of the frustration of being female and being a physician is that some nurses (usually the younger female ones) do not like to have to take orders from me and feel that I don't have a right to question what they do. Often I feel it is best to say nothing especially when I might blurt out something I might regret later. I am rather direct but this is interpreted as being aggressive and rude. The same words from a male would be "acceptable male behavior, par for the course".

After making a request to a rather surly person on the line (who did not identify who she was), I called to check up on my request which had not been completed. The nurses who answered were not sure of the answer, but I left it at that as I was going to the ward anyways. However, today, this particular nurse (the one who took the original phone call) decided to take offense and called me to sarcasticly remark, "We lowly nurses don't do that kind of thing. You'll have to wait for the unit clerk." I could not believe this totally unprofessional and immature behavior and that is when I remained silent while she ranted. I could only think, "If I was white, male and handsome, would you be talking to me like this?" "Why is my behavior interpreted as being offensive?" Later when I went to the ward, she was impugning my character to others on the ward in a loud voice. I announced my presence with, "I heard that and that's enough." Later, as I tried to discuss with her the situation and explain the rationale for my request, she continued to be haughty and high and mighty and continued to assert that I was in the wrong and that I had offended her royally. Although I apologized for any offense I caused, she remained unrepentant for her own rude comments and behavior.

I just thought, "Thank God you are only the second nurse in my entire almost 20 year career that I have had to deal with the queen bee syndrome." Really, girls, do we have to treat each other like sh**? Life is difficult enough as it is without this kind of petty attitude. And also thank God, most of my nursing colleagues do not harbour such resentful attitudes.

A Tale of Two Couples

Recently had a visit from a couple A & B whose idea of living a Christian lifestyle is having a lavish wedding followed by a boat cruise. They were also quite preoccupied with Christmas gift giving and the "difficulties" of Christmas shopping but didn't seem too excited when I suggested not exchanging gifts at all. It seemed that their lives revolved around themselves as they showed their wedding and honeymoon photos. For me, looking at wedding photos is about as exciting as counting the hairs on my head, no matter WHOSE photos they are, including mine. I felt sadness as their lives were really narcissistic and self-absorbed and fast on the track to Christian yuppiedom.

Contrasting this to our other two friends, C & D who live a life of simplicity - making their own washing machine soap, baking their own bread, paring down their material possessions to even less than what they meagerly have already, and reaching out to refugees. They also are Christians, but seem to have a firmer grasp on what Christ has commanded us to do, i.e., love our neighbour as ourselves.

Ironically, both couples are about the same age (20's) but vastly apart on how they choose to indulge or not indulge themselves.

Just a tale of two couples.