Commiserations re the leg tear...in Rotorua? I spent time on several occasions in Taupo nearby (also wandered the thermal territory of Rotorua) but five+ decades ago. When I was a youngster my tithe (as it was called - 10%) on scholarship and part-time earnings went to the church. Later it became a percentage deduction from my teaching salary to the NSW Teachers' Federation children support charity - and now it takes other forms and comes from my weekly spending money - that friend in Gaza - or some other society need which I think might benefit from a few dollars. Once it was easy to put a few dollars into the hand of a homeless person but because of digital payment very rarely do I have cash with me...But yes, I agree - saving the world - one small act at a time - the ripple effect or that which says what comes around goes around. Some years ago in Morocco our Berber guide (Guide of the Year apparently in 2015 or 2016) explained the pillars of Islam - and of course giving alms is very important - which we noticed several times as we followed him - also similarly last year on visits to Egypt and in Sri Lanka (our guides Muslim). Not to be scammed of course - that being a worry in these times - the unscrupulous taking advantage of the human desire existing in most of us to want to help others. Jim
Thanks Jim - much more resolved to take it on again next year! I also think tithing is an idea worth returning to. We're more disenchanted than we used to be these days - tithing plugged us back into our communities.
Commiserations re the leg tear...in Rotorua? I spent time on several occasions in Taupo nearby (also wandered the thermal territory of Rotorua) but five+ decades ago. When I was a youngster my tithe (as it was called - 10%) on scholarship and part-time earnings went to the church. Later it became a percentage deduction from my teaching salary to the NSW Teachers' Federation children support charity - and now it takes other forms and comes from my weekly spending money - that friend in Gaza - or some other society need which I think might benefit from a few dollars. Once it was easy to put a few dollars into the hand of a homeless person but because of digital payment very rarely do I have cash with me...But yes, I agree - saving the world - one small act at a time - the ripple effect or that which says what comes around goes around. Some years ago in Morocco our Berber guide (Guide of the Year apparently in 2015 or 2016) explained the pillars of Islam - and of course giving alms is very important - which we noticed several times as we followed him - also similarly last year on visits to Egypt and in Sri Lanka (our guides Muslim). Not to be scammed of course - that being a worry in these times - the unscrupulous taking advantage of the human desire existing in most of us to want to help others. Jim
Thanks Jim - much more resolved to take it on again next year! I also think tithing is an idea worth returning to. We're more disenchanted than we used to be these days - tithing plugged us back into our communities.