When Someone at your Church Acts like a Turkey

This post is for church goers.

It´s for those who have been offended by someone´s behavior in church or on church property.

I am writing this post because sometimes we need to discuss these very human and common experiences in church life. Some things just need to be said.

Church is full of humans. Not humanoids, not robots....but flesh and blood humans.

Of course it can hurt when someone offends you in your own church. You are a human being with a soft heart.....of course you are going to get your feelings hurt sometimes. If you never were disappointed or offended in some way, I would wonder if you were truly human. To be human is to feel . To be human is to experience all kinds of feelings, not just the happy feelings.....and that is ok. I believe that part of God´s healing power in us shows up in melting our stony hearts so that we can feel deeply again. Feeling deeply is a blessing....even when sometimes the emotions we feel include feeling hurt or disappointed.

Church is no different than any other public place filled with human beings. The difference is that we may have different expectations for behavior in church spaces. We expect kindness, gentleness, generosity and a certain amount of familiarity, especially if it is a church that we attend regularly and consider a significant part of our lives.

Here comes the hard part. Sometimes we go to church without getting a chance to prepare our hearts to worship God. We lose focus on why we go to church. We start looking at the people in the church instead of tuning our hearts in a spiritual way towards our Maker. 

We may have been in a rush to get there on time....we may have lost one sock out of a pair of socks, and could´t find the car keys.... or realize that when we got in the car, that we were out of gas. Maybe the cat missed the litter box. It happens.

 Perhaps we had hoped to bring a generous gift to the church only to realize that we didn´t have any money that day to give. We didn´t want to come to church empty handed, but that is how life rolled that day. Life, just like church life,... is sometimes full of  disappointments, hasty occasions, and awkward experiences.

When I was a teenager, I recall showing up at school with a dryer sheet sticking out the bottom of my pant leg. How embarrassing! But I survived and now giggle about it. So too, all kinds of embarrassing things can happen at church. Sometimes we just have to grin and bear it and carry on. Don´t let something silly keep you from attending church to worship your God.

There are a million different reasons why we may arrive at church in a ¨less than ideal¨ frame of mind. But that doesn´t make it hurt less when we experience a ¨less than friendly¨ event. Just knowing and acknowledging our human frailty makes us more understanding of those who may act out. Sometimes folks are going through things, things that we don´t know about and can´t possibly understand.

 As much as it may be very difficult to do ... sometimes we just need to let things go..... We can choose to overlook an insult and accept a lame excuse for rude behavior. 

 Sometimes we need to learn how to not hang on to an offense, even when the experience really hurt or offended us. To  let go of any offense, doesn´t mean it didn´t happen. To overlook an offense, just means we are disciplining our hearts and not reacting to someone´s bad behavior. We are choosing to be gracious and to keep our eyes on the prize. Who is the prize? Who is the prize? Your holy God....Jesus.

Churches are full of human beings, living in an imperfect world.

Chin up, brothers and sisters, you will make it through. You will still belong to the Kingdom of God, even if you experience something imperfect in a church space. And the beautiful thing is....is when we choose to forgive someone else for their insensitivity, we will also be forgiven for our own mistakes. Grace begets more grace. Forgiveness begets more forgiveness.

So maybe someone uttered something under their breath that you weren´t supposed to hear. Maybe someone didn´t greet you politely. Maybe someone didn´t show proper respect for the contributions, financial or otherwise... that you have given into the church. Maybe someone forgot your name or your child´s name. Maybe they spelled it wrong. Perhaps someone didn´t acknowledge an event in your life that you thought they should have remembered. It happens. You will survive. Don´t give up on God or on being a part of His kingdom just because you have noticed some failings.

Maybe someone that you have been praying for...for months, cuts you off in the parking lot. Maybe they didn´t hold the door open for you or a family member. Maybe they cut short your conversation to go talk to someone else. Maybe they ignored you...or didn´t return your phone call. Maybe they didn´t respond to your attempt at a friendly greeting. You will survive. You will get over it.

It just might be time to pray. If you are a sensitive person, you may feel things more deeply than others do. Since you are a person of faith, you have a Spiritual  Savior that you can speak to about this or some other awkward church event. Talk it over in your prayer time with your God. He can hear you. He loves you. He cares.

He just may give you an understanding of what went on that day....or He might say...¨Trust Me my child, because  there is so much at stake right now¨. Stay peaceful. Don´t give up your place in His kingdom. Stay humble.

Now, I must mention the other side of this issue....just to be fair.

 There are times, where, if you have experienced something really bad at church, that you need to speak up. You may start by speaking with your spouse or your parent, or a good friend about the situation. You may need to go to one of the church leaders and get their perspective on what has gone on. Is there something going on that needs to be addressed by church leadership? Is your safety or the safety of another church member under threat?

Some things are important and not to be overlooked. Try to handle sensitive issues in a respectful and confidential manner, without putting your own safety at risk.

Pray for God´s wisdom. Pray to discern what you should overlook and what must be addressed. Wisdom is the principal thing.

Lastly, I think of the verse.....

Matthew 18:21 and 22 (ESV)

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

In closing. Whether what you have experienced in church was good or bad or a mixture of both, I pray that you will be given the grace to carry on. I pray that you will be given the spiritual power to observe the bible verse pasted above.....and be able to forgive all,....both small or great offenses. For those of you who have been offended more than once, I pray that you will have the power, the raw spiritual power, to forgive fully and completely...so that your heart will become free and healthy enough to live fully and laugh with joy. I pray that you will be able to experience every good thing that God has for you and your family.

I pray that you will carry on and not give up on being a part of the modern church family. We are on a journey together whether we like it or not. We are aiming for Heaven.

Peace, my brothers and sisters....thanks for listening.

Carla.

Crashing Waves welcomed me to the Bay today...

Just sharing with you a glimpse of the lovely Kempenfelt Bay, which wraps around

Innisfil, Barrie and Shanty Bay in Ontario.

The sound of the crashing waves....tip toeing on the foresty path heading to the water´s edge. For me, a little piece of heaven on earth.

Enjoy, my nature loving friends.

Peace,

Carla.

What My 10,000 Tenants Tell Us About The Economy

This very real interview with a property management company or large landowner is very eye opening. 

As a Canadian, I understand this is not the same as my native Canada....but is definitely worth a viewing if you have any interest at all in what the average joe is facing in terms of affordable housing and the process of renting.

It is also a great ¨behind the scenes¨ peak at what landlords are doing in order to keep happy tenants and protect their assets.

Peace and do leave a comment on this video. 

Carla

Do We Let Breathe?

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With greater authority and remote access comes greater temptation to micromanage and disturb natural processes. Many natural processes have been cycling for hundreds and thousands of years. They are beautiful to behold in all their rugged consistency. Natural processes are not perfect, but they are steady and they always move gently forward.

Cameras are everywhere now. They are not just viewing what we do in public spaces, but also collecting data about how we live,work and shop, worship..... how long we linger in certain spaces and much much more. 

It used to feel comforting that when you had a cell phone in your hand, that you could always reach out for assistance or reach a family member if there was an emergency.

But things are now much more complicated now. Our ¨smart ¨ phones and other ¨smart¨ devices in our homes and workplaces are collecting so much data about all we are and all we say and type and where we go and how fast or slow we go there. Every aspect of our lives has been sliced and diced, collected somewhere large or small, hidden or public ......and in many cases, sold to companies or governments who may benefit from that data.

In the business world too, there are a plethora of methods that managers can use to monitor and micromanage those whom they believe are their underlings. Cameras, keystroke monitors, screen recorders. Some of this monitoring is revealed to the underlings, and some of it is not. 

The thought that has occupied my mind this morning is simply this. Are we still allowing people to breathe? Are we trusting those around us to grow and prosper that which is within their care, or are we so mistrusting that we feel we must micromanage every moment of another human being´s day? Just because we can see and hear and monitor every moment of an employee´s day, doesn´t mean we should try to virtually control their every action. Humans needs to breathe. When humans sense that their every moment is under surveillance...they start to behave in less human ways.

I don´t know if you have ever had the misfortune of doing telemarketing and being handed a ¨script¨ which the employer expected you to utter word for word to whichever ¨target¨ you connected with on the phone. Having the words you speak controlled 100% by an employer is truly a terrible thing to experience.

So what I am proposing is the opposite of micromanaging and overbearing control.

I am talking the spiritual habit of holding up the greater good. I am talking about having faith in humanity and bringing joy and liberty to our daily lives. Let´s face it....no one likes to be micromanaged. Even when there is the possibility of making an error, we still don´t want to be micromanaged. Our inner being instinctively knows we are not created for this. Our spirits were created to sing with individuality and imagination.

I realize that in the workplace or other organizations we come across situations where we need ¨coaching¨. But coaching people and controlling people are 2 entirely different approaches. When we coach another human being, we are acknowledging their own desire to do well, to improve and increase in whatever they are putting their hand to.   A person who submits to coaching is aware of their own power to succeed or fail and is aiming for success. People who are success minded love to be coached, because they know it will provide increase in their lives. Coaching is empowering. Controlling is not.

Conversely, when we micromanage another human being, we are saying quite boldly that we do not trust their instincts, we do not trust their desire to improve and are circumventing their own autonomy with our own oppressive desire to control another human being.

If you have been blessed with a position of supervision, or management in any kind of organization,  I pray that you will choose the option of coaching rather than controlling. By choosing to coach you will be honoring the humanity and dignity of those you supervise.  What goes around always comes around. Sowing seeds of respect for other humans into your daily life breeds respect into your own future and the future of your loved ones. An atmosphere of dignity and honor has healing powers and brings peace to all who have the privilege of living in it.

Create an atmosphere of respect and consideration. Create an atmosphere where you sow kindness and gentle suggestions into an over controlled and over monitored generation. It´s really hard to turn back technology.  But you can choose honor and dignity and considerate kindness.

Peace,

Carla

When you Hear an Honest and Refreshing Perspective

99.999 percent of us are getting our sources of info from media of all sorts and formats.

When I sense that a certain writer or blogger or youtuber is truthful, I pay attention. I tend to bookmark those content creators and I often try to give a shoutout to some of them when I get the chance. 

I want to promote people who are interested in spin, or appeasing some kind of sponsor.

So, today I just wanted to mention a very very tiny thing I noticed about Mr Robin Greenfield.

He is a counter culture type of person who tries to live and exemplify a lifestyle with what he calls the ¨trappings¨ and lifestyle of modern man.

THis one thing I noticed that I have NEVER heard anyone talk about, is that in all the loud endorsements that folks have for recycling household tins and plastics, NO one has yet talked about the cost of cleaning this items to prepare for the recycling bin.

No one mentioned this UNTIL I heard Robin Greenfield speak about this.

He mentioned in one of his youtube videos that he was consciously thinking about how much water is used and/wasted during the process of washing out a food can before being able to toss it into a local blue or green recycling bin. WHO else do you know thinks like that???

Most of us think little about the cost of tap water, let alone how much tap water is used just to wash out a tin can or glass jar before placing it into our own recycling bins that collect the goods before we set them at the curb for city wide recyclable collection.

What do you think about that issue? Do you think it isn´t wasteful to use tap water to wash or rinse out all recyclable items before you place them in your recycle bin? Do you think that water is well used? Do you mind paying for that tap water that you use to wash out your recyclables?

Do tell. And by the way, if you have heard of anyone else who has mentioned this issue before? I would be curious to hear anyone else´s perspective on this cost of tap water that is a hidden cost of recycling which falls onto the shoulders of the homeowner.

Also if you are interested in learning a little more about Rob Greenfield´s way of looking out at the world.....here is his youtube moniker https://www.youtube.com/@Robin.Greenfield

Peacefully yours,

Carla

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Purple Sauerkraut.... Made Cheap and Easily at Home

Here are all the things I use to make my own casual batch of homemade purple sauerkraut:

3 large strong glass canning jars, with canning lids with rings.

3 Bowls or plastic trays to catch drips during fermentation

10 days of time is all I needed to reach the ideal taste and level of ferment for my home in Ontario Canada.

Non Iodized Pickling Salt

Pure reverse osmosis water

1 Large Fresh Purple Cabbage Head

Clear Plastic Sandwich bags.

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I chopped approximately half of the head of cabbage into fairly chunky bits about the size of a silver dollar.

I sprinkled the pickling salt on the cabbage after chopping it and massaged it into the cabbage. 

(note that if you are uncomfortable with using your instincts to measure the salt, you can use the 2% salt by weight formula....simply by weighing the chopped cabbage first and then adding 2% of that weight in pickling salt)

Then I packed it tightly  into the 3 large canning jars , packing it down with the end tip of a wooden spoon....trying to push out the air between the cabbage bits.  Then I added some pure water to cover all the cabbage in the jar. 

Now, here is the fun part. I learned this next part from watching youtube videos. I took a clear plastic sandwich bag and filled just one bottom corner of it with water and placed it while still open at the top on the cabbage to weight it down so that all the cabbage is weighed down under the brine water. Then I rolled the edges of the bag down over the lip of the jar and then I tool the metal ring and screwed it on top of the plastic bag just tight enough to keep the bag in place and provide a clean airtight seal on the jar of pickled cabbage.

Then I placed the jar carefully in a drip tray and put it into a dark wooden cabinet to ferment.

Every 2 or 3 days I would check on the jars and replace the drip tray with a clean one and replace the plastic bags with new fresh bags filled with more clean pure water to weight the cabbage down under the brine water.

The beauty of using those canning rings with just the water filled plastic bags to weigh down the cabbage, is that you don´t risk any dangerous gas buildup due to the fermentation .The plastic can stretch with the gas buildup and with  a drip tray the bubbling over will be caught and won´t damage your cabinet.

When I wanted to check it it was ripening well enough, I used my senses of taste and smell to see if I could identify the right level of ferment and saltiness. ( I added extra salt when I felt that the pickling process tasted too watery.

When I did my final taste test on the sauerkraut it had been 10 days since I had begun the ferment. 

I realize that this time frame is ideal for the temperature inside our home and the other factors such as the level of humidity and the ripeness of the cabbage etc.

I feel it is important when I make homemade fermented products like this, that I stay in tune with what  I taste and smell and feel about the product. Fermentation is sometimes unpredictable and you need to be willing to throw foods out if you feel that some kind of harmful bacteria has begun to sprout in your beloved fermented creation. (Moldy or unclean foods should not be used for making any kind of pickles or fermented products.)

This may seem obvious, but when making sauerkraut make sure that all your utensils and jars are spotlessly clean. If some stray bits of the cabbage stick to the edges or neck of your jar during the process, just take some paper towel and wipe them clean off the jar. Keep the neck and lip and lids of the jar as clean as possible. This will protect the ferment from unwanted bacteria.

The final step is to add the metal lid to the canning rings and put the fermented cabbage jar into the refridgerator for storage. Yumm!

Have you ever done any natural fermentation at home?

Do tell!

Peace,

Carla

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Overspending on Basics?

Sometimes when folks are in a bind.... they keep their low budget shopping very confidential. They think, of course, that they are the only ones who count their nickels when buying their basic needs. 

I am writing this post to remind you that the stores you shop in are GREATLY aware of the discounts and grand totals that you can afford. Stores don´t just market to the rich. Some stores yes, may market only to luxury shoppers, but there is a multitude of stores that are seeking the shopping dollars of those who shop frugally. 

A dollar is a dollar is a dollar. Retailers count dollars, not shoppers. They do not get bonus points for catering to rich clients. They get bonus points for being profitable, no matter who their customers are, they are OUT TO PROTECT THEIR PROFITS, nothing more and nothing less.

So, let me get to the point. I was shopping this week for some simple bath bars of soap. I was feeling like I didn´t want to overspend, so I thought, why don´t I check for a multipack of Ivory soap bars. Did you know I could not find any multi-packs online for Ivory soap at a certain large retailer for under 6 dollars Canadian? I could only find one little cream colored bar of soap (not Ivory) for $2.54. Canadian funds. 

The weight on the package was only 100 grams. I find that rather unusual. So, in my understanding, that particular retailer was taking advantage of the basic need for folks need for simple bars of soap, by refusing to offer a lower cost multipack, even if the brand of the soap was considered a low end brand.

So, friends that is where we may need to jot down some notes. When you begin to notice certain items being ¨controlled¨ in the marketplace with ¨higher than normal¨ pricing, take a few notes. Write down the quantity of what you are seeking ( the weight and/or volume) and the brand and the date you were shopping and what store you were in or what online retailer you were browsing.

The reason I pasted a photo of a jar of Canada Red pasta sauce in this post is for an example of what we can choose when we want to keep the cost of basics low and still get exactly what we need. 

A local retailer sells one jar of 640 ml of Canada Red pasta sauce for $2.77 in Canadian funds. 

In my estimation that is a reasonable price currently for a large jar of pasta sauce that is available within a reasonable distance from my residence.

Sometimes, it is helpful to get some concrete lists going of what you can buy and where for reasonable prices. Make your list easily accessible and stay organized. For example, maybe your local dollar store is a good place to buy table salt. Maybe you find that price to be better than at your local grocery store and you trust the brand that is on the label of table salt at that dollar store. Add that item to your list if you are satisfied with the value. 

Value is something that is often in the eye of the beholder...but there is wisdom in honoring your OWN sense of value and not being swayed by all the propaganda and marketing that modern retailers throw at us.

Honor your wallet and your own decision making skills and carve out a fabulous discipline of buying products that meet YOUR demands for quality and price and brand and availability.

Children do not have an innate understanding of value and money. It is a skill to develop as you mature and independently manage your funds. Writing down lists of items that meet YOUR requirements for quality, price and location is a great idea to help you and your family keep quality items in stock in your home.

That´s all for now. Congratulations on your endeavor to develop personal discipline with your money and overcoming the outside influences that may tempt you to spend more than you want to. 

Peace and productivity,

Carla

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Adapt or Die (Full Episode) | Life Below Zero

Life Below Zero---one of my favorite northern reality shows.

I am always delighted when I am able to catch an episode, old or new of this series.

I respect characters who are proud of their survival skills and the traditions that go along with that mastery.

Some of the characters in this series, such as Sue Aikens, explain to the viewers how they crave the extreme isolation. They love the challenge of it, and the ability to manage their own lives and livelihood in their own style.

I don´t think I have ever actually met someone so extreme and independent as Sue Aikens, but perhaps some of my dutch relatives, past or present might disagree. I was raised by strong dutch work ethic and the strength of character that defines someone who refuses to give up and never gives in, when faced with an obstacle.

Do you enjoy these Life Below Zero episodes? What do you learn from watching them beat the odds?

Do tell,

the comment section is always open to you.

Peace,

Carla

The Ability to Seek and Serve God

Twas thinking again..... I like to do that once in a while.

Was thinking about how it´s hard for some of us in this modern society to be able to seek God. We just don´t necessarily have a frame work in our current society for what that means. What does it mean to seek God? How do I know how?

And so, in prayer today, I was praying for someone. That someone has an incredible capacity to live large, to give their all to a strongly held belief. That person needs the peace of God.

We may be able to do a lot of things in life.....to accomplish great feats of strength and beauty. But what is the hallmark of someone who knows how to connect with God their Maker? What happens to a person externally when other people can sense that person loves God? Is loving God the same as serving Him?

I don´t know much. But I would say, that when I cross paths with someone I suspect of having a close walk with God, I notice that they are usually not very talkative. They have a quiet inner knowing of the world of the Spirit. They don´t seem to feel the need to compete for attention or get awards and trophies for what they have done in this life. They seem to have an air about them which steers us towards the future, a future where God is. They don´t have a pressing need for any particular material item. They have a contentedness in their smile and patience in their tone.

Well friends, not sure what the purpose of this post is, other than to encourage those of you who are stubbornly praying for someone who has yet to yield to God. I want to encourage you not to be discouraged. Don´t give up. Don´t feel like you are wasting your time. Earnest prayer for another human being is never wasted. Prayer is an extremely valuable expenditure of time.

It may be, that when you are praying, you may need to be asking God to give that person on your prayer list, to be given the ability  to seek and serve God. It may not come naturally for some folks. 

Ask God to stir up in that person a love for Jesus. Ask God to reveal Jesus to that person. Ask God to stir up a desire for the Word of God and the ability to understand it. Ask God to lead righteous people into their path. And if you get tired of the burden of prayer, ask God to raise up intercession for that person. You need not bear this burden alone.

Sometimes we do not know how to pray. Sometimes we do not know what it will take before we see a breakthrough in someone´s life. Some folks have thick walls built around many layers of their life. It is only the mystery of God that will unravel that fortress. It is not your responsibility to unravel a person. In fact, it might be perceived as downright nosy to try to ¨figure out¨ how someone is supposed to come to God.

It is not my place to oversee anyone´s journey with or towards God. It is only my duty to pray until I see or sense a breakthrough......a proverbial connection between a human being and his/her Creator. I can not walk in another person´s shoes towards God. But I certainly can bring a person´s name in prayer to God in heaven so that God will move obstacles out of their path to joy and peace and wholeness.

Resist, my friends, the desire to understand all that God is doing in a human being´s life. We do not need to understand all of God´s ways. We rarely do.

 We simply must trust and pray. Pray and persist in prayer until you see and sense the breakthrough. Pray until you sense the peace that only comes when a person has peace with God their Saviour.

Well, my friends, that is all.

Be well and enjoy this beautiful evening, wherever you may be.

Peace,

Carla.

Guess Who Can Solve Inflation?

My Dear Friends,

I say this with complete humility. I say with all gentleness and kindness. I say this with an understanding of how business works.

If you own a business, you have the power to stop inflation. But But But....you may say, I only control a very small tiny part of the market. But yes, you can exercise restraint when and how you raise prices in that tiny but VERY IMPORTANT corner of your world.

If everyone lives with an unrelenting competitive spirit and raises prices as high as the market will bear, we will never stop the run-away train of inflation. Greed does not have any morals. Greed will steal food from a child. Greed will steal homes from the elderly. Greed will not have mercy.

If you are blessed to have a position of authority in your company, you can make a modest choice the next time you need to decide upon your next price increase. I am not suggesting that you run your company into a deficit. I would still encourage you to always protect the profitability of your business and the success of your workforce. 

 I am merely suggesting that just because people might be willing to pay ANY price you charge for your product or services, doesn't mean you SHOULD charge  the HIGHEST possible price.

Consider charging a reasonable price. Consider charging a price that you know a struggling single mother could afford. Consider charging a price that your elderly disabled grandparent could afford. Consider a price that would help in a very small way, for that grandparent to be able to afford to stay in his home instead of having to live in a retirement home.

Consider charging a price that will let you sleep at night, knowing that you are not gouging your neighbor.

Consider charging a price that you know pleases your God.

And no, you might not win a Nobel peace prize.  You may think that no one will notice your restraint and compassion in your pricing strategy. But know that these things, although often very quiet and seemingly invisible, are very much noticed. Your competitors will notice and your customers will notice. You will have slowed down that freight train. It is not longer a run-away train. It has become a slow moving tourist train with happy passengers.

Peace,

Carla

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Let the Flora Flourish

Let the flora flourish in your life.

This time of year, especially in Ontario,Canada.... folks get yearning for the warm and sunny summer days and they try to think of anything that will remind them of the best summer days.

Consider growing or rooting some brightly colored plants around your home.  You may need to buy a cheap grow light to help get your cuttings some vital lighting. There is nothing more beautiful and welcoming than some houseplants bursting with color and vibrancy. You don't need to spend a lot of money to bring a little plant life into your home. Try to use pots with drainage, healthy potting soil and a plastic or clay guard to protect your table top from any excess water that escapes the pots.

What do you do in the winter to keep your spirits up?

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Carrying A Tiny Home on Minimum Wage in Canada

Photo by Hama Haki on Unsplash

If the politicians are listening....this is my wish for my country.

Canada, specifically Ontario, which is my province in Canada, has had BIG raises to it´s minimum wages over the past several years.

The current minimum wage in Ontario for an adult is 

$16.55 per hour.

Based on a 40 hour work week that would bring in $662 gross income per week before taxes and other deductions are taken off. Based on a 4 week month, that would total $2648 per month gross income.

If the politicians and social service networks want to make Ontario a livable region for all income levels in the coming years, then they need to address the viability of tiny homes. Tiny homes are the only possibility to relieve the severe financial stress that many low income folks are experiencing just from trying to keep a roof over their heads. 

Ontario has a large portion of students and single people who simply want to have an affordable housing option that is safe and does not require them to get into debt. Tiny homes are a way out of the current housing mess in Ontario.

I have spoken to a lady who is spending 2 thirds of her income just paying for her mortgage and that does not include her car payment and other household expenses. This kind of nightmare is not unusual in today´s Ontario. Although there have been significant raises in wages for certain segments of the population, much of these raises still do not equal the rise in the costs of living for the average Ontario resident.

The biggest hurdles for tiny home developers is the zoning and construction laws. Municipalities must be willing to host tiny home villages, that have significantly different property taxes embedded into their ¨formula¨. I believe that we would not have the same ¨BRAIN DRAIN¨ in Canada if we successfully built up viable tiny home villages. Folks still love our schools and employment opportunities. It is the cost of living that is chasing folks out of our country while we have spent thousands of dollars educating them, only to lose them to countries with lower costs of living.

We can not reasonably expect folks to stay in our beautiful country if the math does not add up.

Yes, we have a high standard of living compared to third world countries, but the average income is finding it hard to maintain that standard and still save for retirement and emergency cash reserves.

Middle income Canadians are forgetting about vacations because their incomes are consumed by the plethora of costs just for basic needs.

We need to foster a ¨tiny home positive¨ atmosphere into Ontario´s building codes. Property taxes and building codes MUST become FRIENDLY to the Tiny Home Movement. The ideal tiny home owner´s dream would be to be able to successfully own a tiny home on a full time minimum wage job. Do we have the political will to get this done? Are we going to make life more reasonable for the entry level working men and women in our country? New Canadians are not asking for mansions on entry level wages. They are asking for the ends to meet. They are asking for life without the assumption of debt.

I believe that tiny homes are the answer to this riddle. Do you agree?

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How to Make Money from a Public Park

Ok, everybody wants to learn how make more money. Enter the phenomenon of the public park.

What folks don´t realize that the City and provincial planners who design public parks have already done a lot of the leg work that commercial real estate enterpreneurs invest in. 

Regional planners want public parks in places that are beautiful and convenient and easy for humans to access. Therefore it is a logical step for an entrepreneur to take advantage of these same attributes.

What do many consumers hate about public parks? The high parking fees! Therefore if you have property near a public park that you can monetize into temporary or event based parking spaces, you have yourself a new cash cow. Folks who take advantage of the high traffic of special events that occur in public parks are the smart money makers. They see what tired travellers want. Cheap parking and good quick food that they can gobble on their way in or out of their favourite concert or event venue.

Maybe you know someone who has a Hot dog cart but doesn´t know where to place it? Hot dog carts or ice cream trucks or french fry trucks are prime examples of businesses that should take advantage of popular tourist attractions, such as public parks.

Popular concerts and music festivals are often hosted within public parks and by lakesides. Instead of paying heavy rental fees for participating in the festival itself, consider seeking out small places where you can set a fast food cart of truck near the festival, but not ON the festival grounds. That way your fast food business will have access to the festival traffic without the high cost of renting a festival tent or booth.

Well, that´s all the juicy money nuggets I have for you today. Stay tuned for more.....

Peaceful productivity,

Carla

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When A Leader has Lost His Authority

I had noticed..... the words were similar, similar to what I had heard from the same pastor years ago....and yet something was different.

Years ago, when I would listen to a certain preacher, I would be rapt with attention. I would take note of the principles he was teaching and chew on them mentally and spiritually for days....weeks ...months, even years.

A few months ago, I heard that same preacher preach and the words lacked any kind of sense of authority. I was a tad bewildered. What had changed? Was it me? Probably....Was it the preacher? Maybe....maybe not. Maybe my spiritual journey was different now than it was years ago. I suppose I had to give myself permission to change and grow.

As in Ecclesiates chapter 3..... there really is a time and season for all things that God encourages. Perhaps this too was occurring in my spiritual walk for a purpose.

I suppose there is a rosy phase we go through when we think that nothing a preacher can do could possibly be less than angelic....until we come to grips with the fact that we are living in an imperfect world. While we may experience ¨heaven on earth¨ when we sense God´s presence.....we need to be grounded enough not to fall when we don´t feel so quite so comfy, cozy and sweet. 

When we feel that we are no longer being fed adequately by a certain church leader, it is up to us to ask God to lead us to the spiritual meat that we are meant to consume... And yes, that always leads to the bible.

Sorry to be so boring about this...but it needs to be said. You want to be strong in your christian walk? You want to learn to stand on your proverbial feet? You need to dig into the bible in whatever format you are able to consume it....visually or through audio formats. It isn´t just a one time snack....a hobby you pursue once in a blue moon.  For Believers, the bible is a lifetime dancing resource, that may become  a part of the fabric of one´s life. In season and out of season, the word of God stands alone. He does not ask for our approval. He simply is.

It is non-negotiable. So, instead of playing favorites finding a trendy pastor or preacher of the day, become a cheerleader of the One who wrote the book, God Himself. Follow God with your heart, with whatever means you can and are able to.

You don´t need to fall apart if your pastor misses the mark in his/her sunday sermon. You don´t need to start skipping church the because some sermons have lost their zing. 

You can stand and pray. Pray for your pastor or pastors, whomever they are..... male or female. Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to rest upon them. Pray for their access to God´s Word, for their minds to be opened to the holy bible.

You can take your favorite hard copy of the bible to church with you, no matter if they have bibles on a back table or not, or even in the pews. The presence of a bible in your hand says something in the spiritual realm. I have seen it. People tread differently in your presence when you have a bible in your hand.

Learn to trust God´s Spirit. Ask Him for His leadership. Proverbs 3:6 says ¨in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight¨.

Brothers and sisters, we are human, and sometimes we put preachers and pastors on impossible pedestals. We think that they can do no wrong. But our faith is in our Heavenly Father who sent his Son Jesus to redeem us and feed us and lead us by His Spirit. We are strong in God and sometimes we need to 

abide in prayer for our leaders. Perhaps I shouldn´t say ¨sometimes¨. Perhaps we should ALWAYS be in prayer for our leaders. Pray for their health and wealth and character. Pray for their spouse and for their children. Plead the blood of Jesus over their family and their investments. Pray that their incomes will be secure. Pray for their safety and peace of mind. Pray for protection upon them from the wolves.

And when you sense that things are not quite as anointed as they used to be....try not to point fingers....but do... dig deeper into God, deeper into His Word, and stand strong. Stand strong by kneeling regular. Strength is born in confident humility. We walk under God´s command, not our own. As much as  I love democracy...(and voting day is always a happy privilege)...I realize that there is no democracy in heaven. God rules....and His authority has no end.

Well, that´s all for today, friends. May your spirit be blessed this friday, as we approach the weekend. May your hearts be secure in the love of your Heavenly father. May your minds be secure in the foundations God has built into your life.

Peace,

Carla.

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As This Year Gets Ready to Flip to the Next

Friends Around the World,

It´s me Carla. It is New Years Eve....not quite the evening yet, but still the afternoon and  I want to take a minute and write y´all a note.

I just want to say that I am grateful for each one of you. I thank you for your support this year :) I thank you for your views, your clicking on the links, your sharing my blog posts on your social media and your comments. They have really been a blessing! Thank you so very much from my heart!

I also want to say this. I have a wish for you in this coming year.

Let me write it here...

My readers and viewers, I pray that you will find an open door this new year in 2024. I pray that you will have the strength and courage to open this new door. I pray that when you open this new door, that you will find the knowledge to succeed with what you find behind that new door. I pray that the new knowledge you have been seeking will open itself to you and no longer remain a mystery. I pray that you will use this knowledge for your own good and others around the world. I pray that you will know patience in the timing of your steps, without waiting too long to step into the unknown. 

 I pray that your success will be noticed and that your prosperity will begin to solidify...if it has thus far been elusive. 

I pray that good people will take the time to pray for you and for your family, and that you will see progress in your life and in your family´s life in 2024. When these things, these movements....begin to occur in this new year of 2024, I pray that you will give God the glory and thank Him. I pray that you will smile and know God´s smile.

And finally, I pray that you will have peace knowing that God is not competitive, but gentle and kind.

in Jesus´s name.

amen.

Carla

Gourd Curry by Grandma and Daughter | Village Life

I don´t know what it is about this channel...these videos of a hardworking grandma and her daughter in a village somewhere.....simply making food.

Perhaps it is the sanctity of the ritual of prepping a meal with a loved one. That sense of safety, of good will and the desire to feed your family and guests well.

Watch the way the grandma sits washing each vegetable thoroughly before calmly slicing and dicing each one to the right size. The garlic is washed and sliced and then mashed into a paste with an old fashioned mortar and pestle. Lovely.

Sometimes, we in north america look too much at recipies, at fancy notions of gourmet meals, when the answer lies in humility.....

The answer sometimes lies in being content to do that which is simple and repetitive until it yields a tasty result.

I am sure this grandma has prepared this kind of meal a hundred or perhaps thousands of times. She never rushes and never endangers herself with the sharp utensils. Both the grandma and the daughter work peacefully and silently together.

The result? A healthy beautiful hand made home cooked meal, bursting with flavour and fresh natural foods.

I just must say ¨Hallelujah¨ for mothers and grandmothers such as these who show us ladies the way...how to provide, prepare and above....to be patient in the process.

Peace,

Carla

He Called me Handsome?

Not sure what this is all about....is it the brown hair? or is it the curls?

For most of my life I have been a curly/wavy haired brunette, unless I dive head first into the red hair dye, which does happen upon occasion.

But, I have noticed that I kinda fall into a certain ¨type¨...

Think  
@TheRachelMaria ....or the Mom from the sitcom Ïn the Middle¨ played by Patricia Heaton, or 

the curly haired attorney who plays Helen Tudor Fisk on the netflix show ¨Fisk¨, named Kitty Flanagan.

We are all cute and sometimes fabulous, but none of us are devastatingly gorgeous.....and for the most part, I´d say.... we are ok with that. ( sorry ladies if you´re not).

But what is the deal when a man says you are  ¨handsome¨...... is that an insult? Is it some kind of compliment? 

Er ...um  ....Is it flattering for a woman to be handsome? Or should I be ticked off???

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Heaton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitty_Flanagan 

https://youtu.be/eIzJFbAVZr8?feature=shared   (the Rachel Maria´s youtube channel)

She does a hilarious Nancy Pelosi skit...

 (screen grab below courtesy of https://www.therachelmaria.com/team/rachel-maria/  )

Is it comparable for a guy to be called a pretty boy, as for a woman to be called handsome?

Should a guy be annoyed for being called a pretty boy?

Ok folks, I´m still in a quandary on this one.

Do spill.... tell me what you think on this one....unless you try to call me handsome....please don´t :)

from your fave brown curly haired middle aged blogger,

Carla.

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Why Do Meditation Gurus Tell Us to Empty our Minds?

Oh Lord, I do feel a rant coming on. 

Why do those who teach meditation try to get their followers to empty their minds.....and then call it mindfulness?

If my observations of the folks of my modern world are any indication .....we need more FULL minds.....not empty ones.

I suppose the argument then is about WHAT to fill one´s mind with. Yes, I can understand how one would desire to empty out the annoying and unimportant stuff floating about one´s mind....But hey....our human minds are not garbage cans....we can´t just take them to the curb and empty out that brain can.

If I have any accurate understanding of the human brain ....it would be this: If you don´t like what´s floating in your brain....you need to input more of the good solid stuff....stuff that is filled with truth and light and love.

And if you are saying ¨Öh my,,,,, now she is going to evangelize¨......then you might be partially correct.

It is no secret that I am fan of the old King James Version of the Bible. I like it in the audio  version and play it often. I have discovered that the chaos of modern society bows down to the gentle and concrete wisdom of this ancient book. But hey, truth be told, the bible is more than just an old book. It is alive.

It is the book that you never really finish reading. That used to be make me mad....because I would try over and over and over to ¨finish¨ reading the bible.....and discovered much to my dismay that every time I read the book, I found more depth....more territory to explore and more beauty and kindness and wisdom than I had ever thought possible. 

The bible is literally an unending book, written by the Spirit of the Unending Father....who keeps us and entrusts us with this miracle book. It is a book of fire....that fire consumes that which gets in it´s way.

No need to empty one´s mind first before reading the bible aloud or listening to it in audio form or listening to someone else read it to you. This book is most gentle and yet most powerful....a mysterious contradiction. 

Friends, before I chat on too long, I just want to say this....please be careful of those who try to get you to empty your mind. Your mind was not intended to be empty, but to be full of the words of your heavenly Father. The good will push out the wasted thoughts and useless obsessions. You are a created being. Commune with your Father, the Creator. 

Peace,

Carla

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Your Gifts will Carve out a Place for You

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A word of encouragement today. My thoughts today are propelled by a verse from Proverbs 18:

16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Sometimes, friends we need to trust the process....know that the good things we do naturally because they are gifts given to us by God, will prepare a place for us in this world.

Yes, I am talking about this world,  and not some ethereal mystical place.

This is another reason why I like the book of Proverbs, because it is really grounded and practical. It is fabulously encouraging to sense this truth spiritually that verse 16 talks about.

Let´s say for example, you love to sing and sing whenever you get the chance. When you sing it´s like Heaven opens and the atmosphere in the room becomes electric. That is a sign that you are practicing one of your personal spiritual gifts. God gave you that gift and the gift itself will propel you forward. You can trust the process and keep singing regularly and know that God will open doors for you in this area of life.

May God bless you and the exercising of the gifts He has personally given to you. May it be easy to recognize your gifts. May you see the signs of His prospering what you have put your hands or voice to do.

Peace,

Carla

Come Walk This Way

Did you ever have an experience like little Bobby?

¨Bobby said they don´t like him on that sports field, where he just waddled up to join a team on a whim. Why do you think they don´t like you Bobby? Because they told me to get lost....Bobby stuttered as a tear trickled down his little cheek.....¨

Anyone who has gone through any kind of rejection, whether they were young or over 50, it can carry a sting unlike any other. It feels like a slap in the face, an utterance that stuns and shocks the beauty and joy out of a day....a crushing blow especially to the young who seem to be born naturally optimistic.

The thought I wanted to talk about today is that one of the most beautiful attributes that I have learned and experienced of Ǵod is that HE absolutely does not play favourites. He doesn´t pick and choose which humans to love.  

God does not carry a grudge against certain people. God does not carry a spirit of rejection towards any human being. Rejection is not a part of God´s character. God is the Healer. He heals people physically and He also heals their hearts. Emotional and social wounds from years ago can be healed by God´s Spirit, if we give Him the chance. He, the Spirit of God, is truly patient and kind.

Sometimes, we may not even remember an experience of rejection that we may have suffered from many years ago. But God´s love is thorough and patient. His love penetrates the crevices of our hearts, where no one may go. His Spirit has such a delicate love that wipes away fear and trauma. He allows juicy golden tears to wash away the sorrows we have kept locked down for too long.

God loves us all, every single one of us. No matter where you were born, and who your parents were or are, and what your appearance is or isn´t......God´s love is stable. His love is supreme.

Yes, there is hatred in the world, but we can choose not to walk in it. We can face hateful situations without becoming hateful ourselves. It is something we all will face at some point in life. But we must come know that God is Love. He is love personified.

Come walk this way.....walk with the carpenter that taught us all the value of sacrificial love.

Peace,

Carla

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Celebrities and their Low Net Worths....Huh?

I don´t know if this is just me....but I always assumed as soon as someone achieved a certain celebrity status on t.v., that their net worth would increase accordingly and promptly.

But the more I read about the net worth of several reality tv show stars, I see that that is often NOT the case. Many many reality stars who have spent years churning out popular episodes are reported as having net worths of less than one million dollars.

Now, let´s just put net worth into the perspective of a  ¨Toronto¨ homeowner. The average house as per Zolo ( as of Dec 1, 2023)  in Toronto is worth $1,077,531. in canadian funds. That means if you own an average home in Toronto and have  no mortgage on it....you are technically a millionaire. You have a net worth of at least 1 million dollars.

But if we look at, let´s say just for an example, ¨Sue Aiken¨ from the popular northern survival show 

¨Life Below Zero¨ reality series,....Sue is reported by (https://briefly.co.za/97983-sue-aikens-net-worth-salary-husband-divorce-children-career.html) as having a net worth of only $500,000. Now, that is probably in US dollars, so that would be higher if translated into Canadian funds. But still, it would still put her net worth under a million dollars.

But if you look at how many views her episodes have garnered over the years and how recognizeable Sue Aikens is.....you  begin to see a disconnect. The shocking truth is that celebrity and fame does not equal instant wealth. You can be popular and well known and still have a  net worth of less than a million dollars.

Now, you may be correct by saying, that websites that pretend to estimate a celebrity´s net worth are just guessing....and have little factual support. Yes, you may be correct.

But try a little exercise today....what is your favourite reality series? Is it  ¨Selling Sunset¨? Is it 

¨Life Below Zero¨ or ¨Extreme Cheapskates¨? Try typing your favourite actor on one of these shows into your favourite search engine and add the words ¨Net worth¨ and you will be sure to be surprised. Some of the most glamourous tv personalities with very fancy tv wardrobes may have a lower net worth than you do!

So, my blab fest is done. My point is made. TV fame does not equal wealth. Perhaps the net works do not offer good compensation to many celebrities for their participation. Or is it perhaps that many actors or actresses do not know how to negotiate better deals for themselves when it comes to reality tv episodes?

Good business people learn how to leverage their celebrity into several income streams, with licensing deals and merch. They develop the ability to monetize their images into cash machines.

It does bear repeating that fame does not necessarily guarantee a good sense for business. 

So, in summary, if you have had the good fortune of garnering some fame, take the time to learn how to monetize that stardom. Write a book..... produce a line of goods that takes advantage of your perceived area of expertise. Go on podcasts and promote your merch. Become a promoter of a brand you can partner with. Be sure to get good agents and lawyers who will help you maximize the earning power of your fame and help you negotiate the best dollar deals for your next TV appearance. Be a good brand ambassador!

The networks make billions of dollars from the backs of eager reality tv stars. Think they all have the right to prosper? Sure they do.

Peace out,

Carla.

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Simple Luxuries

I know folks are struggling. But in the midst of the juggling....sometimes it´s helpful to enjoy the simple things that give you joy.

Simple mushrooms fried with salt and paprika and vegetable oil over the stove.....the most basic appetizer, but loaded with yum.

What are somethings you enjoy in their most simple forms? Scrambled eggs? Without milk or other spices....just eggs scrambled with some salt?

Or a toasted bagel with butter?

Or a spoonful of peanut butter  straight from the jar?

Come on folks, don´t let the hard times steal all your happiness.

There is so much good left in the world, so many kind people, honest people and hardworking people who share the fruits of their labor every week with their families, churches and causes they believe in.

Don´t ever feel like things can only go from bad to worse. Things can get better. We do not know the future, but we do know what to do. We know to continue to do the basics, to work hard, to spend within our limits and put something aside for investing and savings. We know to share with those who have less than we do, and we know how to give to God.

We know how to be honest. We know how to earn an honest day´s wage.

The rest is up to your imagination and the the Lord above. Don´t give mankind access to all your emotions. Don´t let the newcasts of the day cause you to feel like life is terrible. Turn that news off sometimes, when you need to get a hold of yourself and reframe your mindset to that which is productive.

You are smart. You are kind, you are generous. You know good people.

Pray for your friends. Pray for your clients, Pray for those who run things in your region. They need your prayers right now. Tell yourself your prayers are important and powerful.....because they are.

You may not see the result of your prayers instantly, but every now and then God will allow you to see how powerful a change your prayers bring about.

Remember that Spirit is always greater than Flesh and live accordingly. I know I know....easier said than done, but know that God loves you....with open arms and great patience.

Know that you are not alone. You are loved and you are needed. Maybe you don´t feel this way right now. But it´s ok to feel whatever you are feeling whether passive or productive.

Just know that you are great worth in God´s eyes. Don´t give up on getting what you need.

Sow some good seeds into someone else´s life today....you never know what God will do for you  in return.

Peace in Christ,

Carla

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