the attitude of gratitude

So, I think it's really cool that in The Salvation Army our 'self denial' period (where we deny ourselves stuff so that other people can have something - world missions) was collected on thanksgiving weekend. It works out well. I was struck by the beauty of it in our local front because we had just preached on Jubilee... and the spirit of the anointing of Jesus which is to 'preach good news to the poor... to proclaim the year of jubilee - God's favour'. That concept is an old Jewish one (right to the roots of Moses baby) and was God's attempt at bringing equality and fair distribution to earth (as it is in heaven...). The story goes that the Jewish people never fully celebrated a Jubilee... in the full economic sense... so, when Jesus stands up and announces that the Jubilee is here.. it's no wonder they tried to kill him. Jubilee threatens people who live close-handed lives. But, followers of Jesus get the joyful decree and with wide-open hands and eyes we give joyfully, thankfully, abandoned to the worry-free living of God's kingdom come. There is a lot more to be said on the subject... everyone should check out Ched Myers 'Sabbath economy' stuff...

So, come on... join the jubilee - give more away with joy. ;-)

Janis Joplin

I was contemplating the life of Janis Joplin today - it's been 40 years since her death.

I've always been a fan of her music... almost a blues/rock worship type of thing really... Larry Norman wrote a song to her when he used to open for her shows in the 60s called 'why don't you look into Jesus, He's got the answers' and it's a great word... she was completely unsatisfied with her life - even with fame, and success - she never felt loved or knew who she really was.
I guess we've all gone through that (although not nearly as upfront and in public I'm sure). The reality is that life doesn't make any sense without Jesus. Which is amazing when we consider how much time and energy we spend trying to find meaning in things and money and status and jobs and family... yet all of this falls short. The dark side of this reality is death... which is where Janis landed... dead. Without hope and without God - life does seem pretty meaningless. I wish she had chosen life. IF you feel like her... why not look into Jesus like Larry Norman suggests... he's got the answers

Media Release from Honour Consulting

For Immediate Release

October 5 is International Day of NO Prostitution we ask the question

Should men be able to buy sex, is that a right?

October 4, 2010 

On October 5 at 11am on the steps of the Ontario Court at 361 University Ave. where the recent ruling was handed down by Judge Himmel. Former sex trade workers and human trafficking survivors from across Canada will be holding a press conference to address the recent ruling. We will be addressing the concerns that this ruling brings up and the next steps Canada must take to keep women & children safe and to further women's equality. 

While all groups are happy with the decriminalization of the women in prostitution we are all deeply troubled with the fact that living of the avails and running a bawdy house have been decriminalized. From our lived experiences we know that some of the most exploitive and harmful practices happen indoors by pimps who profited of the exploitation of our bodies, who through this ruling are now legitimated into buisnessmen

 All groups are in total agreement that it is the root problem that allows prostitution and human trafficking to thrive, that must be dealt with, which is the demand for paid sexual access to bodies, pimping, procuring and trafficking.

To make Canada a truly progressive country whose laws are rooted in equality and that further the dignity of all women our groups are saying that Parliament MUST criminalize the demand, pimping and procuring of women & children. Prostitution is the oldest oppression that must be dealt with in a manner that stands up to the patriarchal belief that men must be able to access sex on their terms at all times. 

While the debate rages about whether legalizing will make women "safer" and whether or not women "choose" to prostitute the real question hides. Should men be able to buy sex? Is that a sign of an egalitarian society, when one half of the population based on gender is allowed to be commodified and sold to satisfy the sexual needs of others? 

We will talk frankly and honestly about how the setting aside of these laws with no further action is the utter and complete abandonment of marginalized women and particularly aboriginal women and address how the removal of all laws is a gift to pimps and traffickers. 

While there are 3 women in Ontario who are happy they won the court challenge our question is “If Canada does not deal with the unchecked male driven demand for paid sex, who's daughters will take their place?”

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