I cannot remember a time when I have been so often speechless at the state of the world, not to mention the sheer selfishness and stupidity of so many people. A few times this past week it all left me feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
The video I am sharing today helped give me some perspective in the midst of all of that. It reminded me that even though there is so much I cannot do about the world, there is much I am called to be in it and become in it.
I just noticed that today's one liner is number 1500! Back in grade school I hated having to do lines, but apparently over that.
In other news, it was a windy day at Cybersalt World Headquarters yesterday. We're located atop a large hill and when the wind hits it just right, we get to witness some pretty interesting behaviour by some of our local birds. It was fun to see a couple of all black birds having a great time playing as they soared along the edge and then tucked one wing in to do barrel rolls, apparently just for the joy of it.
It's fun to watch but it does also make me feel bad for those times in the past when I've had to eat crow.
Today's video share is a bit of a heavy one and I'm not sure if I have shared it before or not. If I have, please forgive me. The length and risks this reporter went to to get this story really impresses me.
Many of the refugees Cybersalt is assisting have fled Pakistan after be falsely accused of blasphemy just as some of the subjects of this video have been. Watching this both challenges me to be more grateful for the freedom I have in my life and to ask myself what more I can do to help those who have been "banged up for blapsphemy."
Here is a secret about me that is no secret to anyone who has ever watched me work: I struggle with being organized. Back when I was pastoring local churches that fact was only a secret to myself and eventually even I could see it, lol!
Recently I discovered an online management tool that it is actually working for me. I am far more organized than I have ever been. This tool just seems to click for me. If you need some help managing personal or business projects, tasks, or things of that nature, I highly recommend checking out the free forever version at: https://clickup.com.
I am grateful to tell you that the family of the overseas pastor I mentioned last week is recovering from COVID. In the end his wife and all three or their children caught it, while he did not show/has not shown any symptoms. Than you for your concern and prayers for the family.
Today's video share is a quirky combination of the classical and the contemporary. It's a fun reminder of my late grandmother who became a fan of Star Trek AFTER she turned 80 years old!
Lacking any exciting personal news to share today, I thought I'd do a Google search for "Chicken News" to see if there was an interesting link to share and wouldn't you know it, there was. The restaurant chain Nandos is promising to improve poultry welfare standards by 2026 and has signed up to the Better Chicken Commitment. thepoultrysite.com/news/2020/07/nandos-embraces-improved-chicken-welfare-standards
When asked for their response, chickens answered, "Are they still going to eat us?"
One of the pastors that Cybersalt works with overseas emailed the other day, letting me know his wife and their youngest of 3 children have the flu. While he did not say it was COVID-19, she does work as a nurse in a hospital and it is most likely the pandemic has reached their home. Their country is currently #12 in the world for total cases and in 2019 was #5 in persecuting Christians. In fact, in many parts of their country Christian nurses and doctors are being used on the front lines because other staff who belong to the oppressive national religion do not want to catch COVID-19.
As the West continues to struggle with the pandemic, let's also remember to pray for the vulnerable and persecuted people of the world for whom much misery has been added to their already hard lives..
This Sunday's video is a performance of "Baba Yetu" (Our Father). This song has a very interesting history you can read a: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baba_Yetu
Thanks to Cybersaltine Mike A. for today's chicken picture.
Mike said that this chicken was outside his local food store in Miami, making it one brave chicken in my books. I mean, it's not like it is in front of a Kentucky Fried Chicken store, but just the same I'm impressed!
Oh look, Chicken Thursday!
Oh look, Chicken Thursday!
Oh look, Chicken Thursday!