Why am I doing this?

I have been doing some reflecting of late. And not much writing.  I'm happy to see people are still looking at my blog, even if I haven't posted anything since Monday. Why am I writing? What purpose is there in wanting to communicate clearly, either verbally or in writing? I attended a Toastmasters meeting Wednesday … Continue reading Why am I doing this?

Blessings can’t be bought

(My wife unearthed this a few days ago. It is a letter to the editor that appeared in the London (Ontario) Free Press on May 28, 1987, at the height of the foofaraw over the extravagant lifestyle of Jimmy and Tammy Faye Bakker.  We were living in Fullarton, Ontario, about 20 minutes north of London … Continue reading Blessings can’t be bought

They’ll know we are Christians by our love

We are one in the Spirit We are one in the Lord . . . We will work with each other We will work side by side . . . And they’ll know we are Christians by our love. -Peter Scholtes, © 1966 F.E.L. Publications Ltd. For the young folk out there who might not … Continue reading They’ll know we are Christians by our love

A simple question

The following paragraphs are quoted from By My Spirit, written by Jonathan Goforth.  I would like to add a simple question to what Mr. Goforth has written: In this age of leisure, why do so many of us struggle to find time for reading the Bible?  During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, … Continue reading A simple question

What Do We Live For?

What do we live for? Is labour so lowly, Toil so ignoble, we shrink from its stain? Think it not – labour Is God-like and holy; He that is idle is living in vain. What do we live for? Creation is groaning, Her desolate places are yet to be built; The voice of the years … Continue reading What Do We Live For?

What if?

Many North American Christians appear to believe that separation of church and state only applies one way.  They feel it is part of their calling to try to fix what is wrong in government.  Yet cries of  outrage are heard when government shows an inclination to try and fix what is wrong in the churches. … Continue reading What if?

Love means saying I’m sorry

Have you ever observed someone who, in the heat of the moment made a harsh, cutting remark, or even exploded in anger, then felt bad about it but could not bring himself or herself to apologize? I’m sure you have, unless your whole life has been spent alone on an island. I once knew a … Continue reading Love means saying I’m sorry

All things to all men

Saul of Tarsus grew up in a box; a box labelled PHARISEE.  His father was a Pharisee and no doubt taught Saul the rules of the box from infancy.  In his youth, he studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem.  Saul was intimately acquainted with every corner of the Pharisee box and believed that God only loved … Continue reading All things to all men

The inconvenient Jesus

Jesus was the enemy of formalism and legalism, the one who castigated the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy.  He was the friend of the poor, the oppressed, the outcasts and the sinners.  We like to believe that no matter what others may think of us, Jesus is our unconditional friend. That isn’t … Continue reading The inconvenient Jesus

Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is one of the oldest English Christmas carols, going back at least 500 years.  Not many people sing it today because of scruples about “Ye Merry Gentlemen.”  Those words conjure up a picture of old English gentlemen at their ease, their merriment fuelled by great flagons of wine. Except that … Continue reading Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood