Comments for Bird on a Bare Branch

Comment on On Being a Teacher by Kacie

Kacie — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:57:08 +0000

I have the BA in counseling… and I too find myself unemployable in my field without further qualifications. I’m hoping for an MA, asap. Problem is that we have to finish my husband’s degree first. But still… I think I still want the psych/counseling thing to be my goal.

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by Elizabeth Wright

Elizabeth Wright — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:25:50 +0000

Know just what you mean about the recesssion. Ireland is supposed to be the worst hit country in Europe and as you say, some people are suffering but we were listening to the radio the other day – a phone in – and people were complaining because they had been to an opera which was supposed to be wonderful (adverts said) and was actually awful. And these people had spent €100 each on the tickets – some people had taken family members for Christmas presents so had spent €400 – yes, they had a right to complain if the performance was so awful – but recession??

And it’s much the same here in UK as we go around – the shops are full of people Christmas shopping, eating out and spending money all over.

Comment on Give Thanks in All Circumstances by Dianna

Dianna — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:47:47 +0000

Very uplifting and honest! I am sorry about Moz, but I also believe that something better is going to happen….God bless the job interviews and I am also grateful that you have funds…glad you’re close!

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by Kacie

Kacie — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:14:07 +0000

Yeah, it’s all a different scale, right? At the non-profit I work for, donations fell. people willing to support others in short-term trips fell. A friend or two lost their jobs, they found others. Some people didn’t get their yearly bonuses.

But really, no one I know is in need, so yeah, i don’t have much sympathy for whiners.

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by Jen

Jen — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:30:50 +0000

Sorry, I just thought of something to add. My other point is, which I obviously didn’t express well, is that this recession has come across as being collective – that the whole country has been hit hard, when clearly it’s just pockets. Also, what is our collective response, especially in the church? If we’re aware that people have had to shutter businesses and foreclose on their houses, how is that affecting how we spend our own money or offer hospitality? What about “the poor and the sick and the needy”?

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by Jen

Jen — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 02:17:43 +0000

I totally agree with what you guys are saying. I know full well that there are pockets in this country that are seriously hurting right now. But I didn’t see it in Michigan (any of the places I went in Michigan, including Detroit – in fact Detroit looks a lot better than I remember it from when I lived in A2), Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Chicago, Orange City (IA), Dallas, and Houston. Also, the whole point of this post is that it is from my perspective as someone who is returning to the US from Mozambique – that’s why it’s “reverse culture shock”. The materialism in this country is completely shocking to me, all the more so because we’re in a recession.

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by R

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:27:46 +0000

Yep. Because it’s my neighborhood you were in with the dog bakery. A dog bakery that we are all scratching our heads about, frankly…it’s just ridiculous.

But it just opened. And it opened here because relatively, this neighborhood – this city – has been untouched. Sure, we know neighbors, or friends, whose jobs have been cut back, but they are the exception, not the rule.

We were in Iowa a few weeks ago, and the recession there is like Zach said – more like a depression. People out of jobs and out of options. Stores shuttered. There are no places to go out to eat even if we wanted to – we drove for miles (and miles) to get to a restaurant. It’s like another world. And in Detroit, it’s practically apocalyptic.

So…I understand what you’re saying, but I do think it’s a matter of perspective and context. *We* don’t feel it as much because we are blessed to have a very, very stable income – as D says, if his employer runs out of money, they just print more. That’s a really awful truth about why we even bothered to go into the dog bakery to see what they’re all about. But did we buy anything? Of course not. My dad almost (by 12 hours) lost his job. Were they cutting back? Oh, yes. Would it be possible to make it on my mom’s teacher salary? Barely. But they live in a massive house in a wealthy area. Sometimes the image isn’t always what it is beneath.

Comment on 8-ft Inflatable Ghosts: Reverse Culture Shock, Part 2 by Zach

Zach — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:26:35 +0000

First, I would point out that this is, of course, a matter of some perspective. You do happen (at the moment) to be in the one place of our country (Houston) that has, according to economic data, suffered the least. Go to Flint MI or Youngstown OH and prospects aren’t too good. Also, I suspect America’s excessive materialism stands out all the more after a stint in Mozambique (I know it certain does every time I return home after being abroad). We are a weird country with odd, sometimes conflicting, values. And we’re not very good at looking outward.

A recession has different meanings to different groups. Ren might not have a job next year because of it, but that won’t affect us too much. I’m not too worried – she has a master’s and a ton of connections. We might cut back on things, but we’ll get by. But were we poor, minority, with only (if that) a high school degree…this wouldn’t feel like a recession. More like a depression.

The issue with blessings, particularly if they’re material, is what we do with them. Do we share them? Or do we keep them all to ourselves? Does God mean for us to be wealthy so we can buy that huge house? Or does he mean for us support a missionary fighting corruption in Africa?

Maybe the Israelites should have had a barbecue and invited the neighbors over.

Comment on Death and Love by A Free Spirit

A Free Spirit — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:17:11 +0000

Beyond divine attributes, do we mean the same thing when we use the word “God”? I bet there are family resemblances, at best.
In case you are interested, I’ve just posted on this question at http://deligentia.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/what-does-god-mean/

Comment on Seven Cows by pablo

pablo — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:10:55 +0000

I remember seeing this story on film in the 7th grade. Out of all the rubish I saw I still vividly remember this particular one. I figured I google “man trades cow for woman” and you came up. I am glad that someone else would comment on this. if you have the name of the name of this movie, I’d appreciate it if you would post it. thanks