Back in 1948, when I was a lad of six, one of the most popular songs on radio was Cool Water written by Bob Nolan and sung by The Sons of the Pioneers. It was the story of a man and his mule named Dan who were trekking across the desert in search of water. … Continue reading Living waters or bitter waters?
Faith and life
What lies ahead?
I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”And he replied “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known Way.”So I went … Continue reading What lies ahead?
Responsibilities of a Christian
While the New Testament does not indicate that we have a right to expect others to treat us rightly, it has much to say about what others have a right to expect of us as Christians. That makes sense, doesn’t it? We have no choice in the attitudes and actions of others, but we do … Continue reading Responsibilities of a Christian
The rights of a Christian
There is no hint in the New Testament that a Christian has rights such as those the people of the world expend so much effort in demanding. Jesus told us not to expect those kind of rights:If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the … Continue reading The rights of a Christian
The kingdom of God
Here is a brief summary of the teachings concerning the kingdom of God from the Old and New Testaments. It was not God’s idea that Israel should be a kingdom. The people demanded a king so they could be like other nations, so God gave them Saul. Saul began well but soon fell in love … Continue reading The kingdom of God
What if an epidemic of friendliness broke out?
There seems to be so much that has gone wrong in our world today. The leading causes of death are suicide, medically assisted death and opioid overdoses. Children are confused about gender, so many young people are involved in street gangs, middle aged people struggle with mental health issues and so many old people are … Continue reading What if an epidemic of friendliness broke out?
The reason for my absence
Two weeks ago, during a flight from Toronto to Regina, I felt like a flu or a hay fever attack was coming on. Long experience has taught me that using a decongestant and an antihistamine at that point is often all it takes to stave off a full-blown episode. But my pills were in the … Continue reading The reason for my absence
Anabaptists were persecuted because of their purity
The following statement was made in 1538 by an unnamed Anabaptist leader during a meeting between the Swiss Reformed and Anabaptists in Berne: “While yet in the national church we obtained much instruction from the writings of Luther, Zwingli, and others, concerning the mass and other papal ceremonies, that they are vain. Yet we recognized … Continue reading Anabaptists were persecuted because of their purity
Why the top-down church doesn’t work
The pattern of Old Testament history is that as long as the people of God had a Judge or a King who knew God and walked in his ways, the people followed and all was well. All to often though, when that Judge or King died things quickly went downhill. We should not believe it … Continue reading Why the top-down church doesn’t work
Where have all the children gone?
I remember a time when most children were taken or sent to Sunday school. When those children grew up and became parents, many of them did not see the need of Sunday School for their children. And with each generation there is a diminishing number of children who have any contact with Biblical Christian teaching. … Continue reading Where have all the children gone?
Flatlander Faith 