Sunday greetings everyone!
I don't want to burst anyone's bubble today - but if I do, I think this is a good bubble to burst. And please note, this time I am going against Grandma Cybersalt's advice and writing this.
I am part of a refugee sponsorship group in our community. We are currently having a silent auction to raise money in anticipation of caring for a refugee family who are cleared to come to Canada as soon as they move up on the travel list. Some of the items being auctioned are the same worthless 1, 5, and 10 billion dollar Zimbabwean bills that you can get through the Be A Billionaire fund raiser here on Cybersalt.
Yesterday, I called one of the successful bidders to let them know they had had won a bill and to make arrangement to drop it off. They were quite excited and said, "I'm a big believer in the 'law of attraction' so this will be good to stare at and maybe attract much more money for sponsoring refugees."
Now, the Law of Attraction is not what many of us observed in our high school days: attractive girls get asked out on more dates.
No, the Law of Attraction is a New Thought philosophical belief that we have "the ability to attract into our lives whatever we are focusing on." I would try to explain it in more detail but my mind is still a bit fried from trying to wrap it around Qanon. (That's the part when Susan said "Oh, I don't know, honey.") But, basically, the Law of Attraction says you can have what you want if you try hard enough to picture having it."
Now, back to the lady on the phone; I want you to know that I know she was being sweet and kind in her excitement about winning the prize. I get that. I don't think she is a terrible person.
That is why I very kindly pointed out that staring a devaluated currency that could not even buy a loaf of bread before it was decommissioned and abandoned altogether, was not going to attract any real money. I also pointed out that if the Law of Attraction worked, all those starving people focused on food would actually have food by now and would not be hungry.
When you think about it, the idea that simply being hyper-focused on something will bring it to you is a cruel philosophy that makes us each our own god. It gives us a false sense that we are all we need in order to have everything what we want. It also leads to a self-righteous attitude toward others in tough situations, blaming them for the bad things they have in life - or the lack of good things as the case may be. Logically and empirically, it simply cannot be a law or else the poor would be rich, the sick would be healthy, and all high school students would be asked out by their crushes!
Today's video share is one that our good list friend, Walter Mc. shared with me a few weeks ago. He teaches Spanish to English people (and maybe vice versa) and he said he likes to share this with his students.
Click here to watch the video.
Enjoy the rest of today's mailing!
~ Pastor Tim
Oh look, Chicken Thursday.
Oh look, Chicken Thursday.