Grooving with Family

Miracle...

My cousin wrote and sang this song at her niece's wedding this past Saturday. God has given her an amazing gift, we were truly blessed with the reminder of how great our God is!

stupid is as stupid does

I'm feeling a bit stupid lately. I have a new job and most of it, I'm really good at. It has to do with social media marketing and for the most part... it's going OK. But I think I have bitten off more than I can chew at this moment. Last week I was asked if I could create a website for a client and then create ads for them on the various social sites, the first part is new to me --- the later I can do with certainty.

I spent the first few days after getting this assignment on the web trying to learn Dreamweaver, I even had my hubby buy "Dreamweaver for Dummies" for me. It didn't help. I spent 7 hours on Thursday online listening to help seminars on this program and got so frustrated that I washed my entire kitchen / dining room floor on my hands and knees with a cloth!! I clean when I'm trying to get away from doing something else... On Friday I dropped Dreamweaver and started working with iWeb. It seemed to be going well but then putting together the last few pieces of the puzzle has me doubting my abilities again. I couldn't work on it on Saturday - family wedding out of town and on Sunday - double church services and out of town family at our place...

The job is due this coming Friday. Did I mention that I'm flying out to BC on Thursday evening and am in a work meeting from 8:30am-3:30pm on Wednesday....

So today I will try again, I've told my boss that I'm having troubles with this. I feel so stupid and incompetent! I had a really busy weekend where I couldn't work on it either and this week is packed as well. Today and tomorrow is all I have left to complete it. I'm starting to panic. Big time.

I thought I could do this. I used to work with Dreamweaver, back in 2005 but then again... I only edited material on it and added a some of the content... but I didn't create it from scratch.

I feel like I've let down my boss. That I've failed. AUGH!! I don't like not being able to do something!!!!

a girl after my own heart

Fostering revisited

Last month I read an article in our local paper that stirred up some old feelings for me. Family and Children's Services are in such desperate need of additional families that they are now making a specifically targeted plea at families of Faith.  

I am trying not to be cynical, really I'm not, but I am having a hard time believing that FACS has changed their tune with regards to people of faith helping them raise children.

For those of you who know our family, you know what we went through trying to become foster parents 7 years ago.

We completed the foster parent program with them back in the fall/winter of 2001. The classes went so well as did the home assessment process. Everything was going well... or so we thought.

Looking back I can remember thinking that it was rather odd that our home assessment agent spent more time during our interviewing process on our faith than anything else.  Hours of asking if we'd try to convert a child who wasn't a Christian; of asking if we'd be tolerant of a child's faith if it wasn't like ours.  She questioned our ability to do this because not only are we heavily involved in our church, but because we are the leaders. 

One of the foster parent volunteers that helped lead our class at FACS told me that the majority of her church applied to become foster parents and everyone but her was denied.  She also said that at one point she thought FACS were changing their minds on choosing them, so she wouldn't be surprised if they made it difficult for us too.

Indeed they did. They denied us from becoming foster parents. Their decision was not only a strange one but a devastating one as well. Of course they listed a bizarre reason that left everyone who knows us shaking their heads. If you are interested in the full story, I blogged about it back in 2006. Post #1 & Post # 2

We want to foster, we always have. I would like to believe that FACS wouldn't do the very same thing to us today if they had the chance. I guess I'm going to have to see it to believe it. For the sake of all those kids out there who truly need help, I really hope they've changed!

is it worth it?

The more and more I read up on Canada's Charities Act... the more I want to our church to go off the grid!

Did you know that over the last year Revenue Canada has hired 1,200 - 1,500 new auditors to work in their charities division?  Their plan is to have every church and charity in Canada audited over the next 3 years. Our church just finished an audit and the process taught us a ton about what we can and what we can't do.

I understand on one hand, the crack down. There are a bunch of false charities out there - some started by terrorist groups and then there are those people trying to make money, scamming the public. But it is such a large blanket of rules and regulations that they have placed over Canadian Charities, that good churches and good charities, doing "good works", are going to suffer in the very near future.

The Canada Revenue Agency has been saying for some time that it wishes to remove “the advancement of religion” as a legitimate charitable purpose. Once that happens, churches (denominations and independents alike) will no longer qualify as charities able to issue tax receipts.

In the last few decades, Christianity has become increasingly marginalized. There is a movement that has begun the process to have the “pursuit of religion” removed from the “service to the community” which is part of the CRA definition of what a church does. Churches would then become something that is simply about a private relationship with God, which it is but that’s not all it is. What good is our walk with God if we can’t show it in tangible way?

Here are a few things our church learned from our recent CRA audit:

#1) As a church, we can't actually help anyone in our own church!  If someone gives an offering towards a family in the church that needs help, we aren't allowed according to the Charities Act, to give it to them. This is considered a benefit and the Church "cannot benefit it's members".  So helping a family in the church who has just eaten their last meal or had their electricity turned off... is considered a benefit and we can't do it by law.  Other churches have had their charitable status removed for "benefiting their members" in this very same manner.  

#2) An honorarium / offering for a guest speaker that goes over $500 (per annum) the church must issue the guest a T4 slip and then are required to pay payroll taxes on it!!  If you say, yah, they should do that... go ask your Pastor or board trustee member if they do it? I bet you'll hear a resounding "No!". 

#3) Did you know that if your church owns it's own building, it's doesn't really belong to the church?! If Revenue Canada or any other government agency feels that that church has not lived up to the Charities or Income Tax Act in any way, they can take away not only the building but all of the assets within the building!  Government agencies supersede Church Constitution By-Laws.

#4) Did you know that the Charities Act prohibits you from helping other organizations/charities outside of Canada?  Canadian monies collected and receipted in Canada to Canadians must remain in Canada.

#5) The CRA website must be visible on every single charitable receipt given out and revocation of charitable status is possible for not following this ridiculous procedure!  Check your donation receipts... if the www.cra-arc.gc. blah blah blah is not on there... that charity has broken the law.

The more time we spend reading up on the law and the government's rules and regulations over churches, the more anti-Scriptural it actually is. 

Jesus talked about paying Caesar what is due Caesar but why do Churches want charitable status to give them the benefit of not paying taxes?  Why is it good for the people but not the church?  I think it's a poverty mentality that's hung over the church far too long, getting as much for cheap and free as possible. Having charitable status allows the government too much say in the life of the church and actually prevents us from doing what Christ told us to do, why would we want to be a part of that?  

Yes, people wouldn't receive a tax receipt for giving to the church but we give for God's benefits not man's. I guess you'd quickly find out who's giving for what reason.  Canada and the US are the only two countries that are able to supply charitable receipts, I'm beginning to think the other countries don't have it so bad after all!! 

I think a Church that is following Scripture - wanting to do what Christ told us to - has to get off the grid!

pandemic or panic flu....

I can't turn a channel or surf the net without hearing/reading more about the ever increasing Swine Flu.  

As much as I do think it's tragic that people have died but at the same time we have to remember that the number of deaths verses those who have made recoveries are hugely different.  What's also incredible and not being reported is that hundreds of thousands of people die each year from the "common" seasonal flu.  Yes, this one is affecting younger people which is not the "norm" but the precautions are all the same.  Do you know how to prevent the flu?  I don't believe in flu shots so how else do I keep myself from contracting it each year?

First of all, let's clear one thing up.  I found it really interesting one year when a Health Inspector, who was inspecting my parents restaurant, said to my mom, "There's no such thing as the 24-Hour flu".  If it's that short... it's not the flu... it's more likely food contamination. Food poisoning. So then if that's true, why can that be passed to other people around you?  The microorganisms that cause diarrhea are easily spread.  

What's the best preventative method to stop it from spreading??  

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN. Like every few hours, not just after you use the toilet!

DISINFECT.  Use bleach or bleach products to clean. My personal favourite is anything Lysol, cleanser, wipes and spray! Wipe down surfaces that are used frequently by other people, door knobs, counters, faucets, etc. Carry disinfectant wipes with you when you go out, wipe down the grocery cart handle, the pay phone, etc!! Did you know that we may come into contact with viruses from as many as 100 countries!

CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE. Our health revolves around a healthy lifestyle more than the virulence of a microbe!  Reduce stress from your life. Stress decreases the effectiveness of your immune system. Those who get little sleep, have poor eating habits, an imbalanced diet, high levels of alcohol and caffeine consumption and even fights with their spouse --- are more likely to get sick. 

What else can we do to stay healthy?  Here are 10 Essentials, I found on a health / nutrition site.  Staying healthy includes all areas that make us up; spirit, soul and body!

Breathe Deeply - A rich supply of oxygen can make the difference between feeling tired and stressed and youthful and focused.

Drink Water - None of us drink enough water! Multiply your weight by .04 and multiply that figure by 2. The answer equals the minimum number of 8 oz glasses your body needs to function normally.

Sleep Peacefully - Sleep deprivation causes cellular damage and limits the production of enzymes and hormones your body needs to keep your cells healthy and prevents premature aging.  It also effects your emotional health.

Eat Nutritiously - A balanced, properly proportioned diet, rich in whole foods, and combined with quality nutritional supplements.  

Enjoy Activity - Your body was created to move! Activity increases your circulation and much much more.

Give and Receive Love - Good, meaningful relationships are such a vital part of our whole body health.

Be Forgiving - Unforgiveness is toxic for your emotions but also for your body.  It can actually lead to disease and ultimately death.

Practice Gratitude - It will list and inspire you. Helps keep a healthy soul, which is your mind, your will and your emotions.

Develop Acceptance - Helps lower stress. You will discover lasting peace and hope.

Develop a Relationship with God - We can't do anything in life without Him. He doesn't want a religious appointment with you... He wants a relationship!