I really thought that spring would be here in just a day or two. The sun shone warmly on Saturday, the few patches of snow left were becoming smaller and smaller, we heard of birds coming back to a place just a few hours south of us. Alas, it was but a dream. We awoke … Continue reading Moving on, or pressing on
Faith and life
Attitude correction
For more than 200 years, the government of Canada has graciously extended the privilege of exemption from military service to members of religious denominations which objected to participation in warfare for reasons of faith and conscience. At first, the law required conscientious objectors between the ages of sixteen and sixty to register annually and pay … Continue reading Attitude correction
Book review: Humble Roots
Hannah Anderson is the wife of a country pastor in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia who finds inspiration for her writing in her garden and other growing things. This book helped me understand why I have always felt uncomfortable when Christians talk about their humility. She tells us that "Show, don't tell," one of … Continue reading Book review: Humble Roots
Quebec city shooting and aftermath
Monday evening a man with a gun walked into a Québec City mosque and began shooting those who were there to worship. Within an hour, two university students were in custody, Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohammed Belkhadir. Before long, the police announced that only Mr. Bissonnette was a suspect, Mr. Belkhadir was a witness; he was … Continue reading Quebec city shooting and aftermath
Worship then and now
Then was sixty years ago when I was a teenager and member of the Anglican Church of Canada. Services would begin with this exhortation: Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face … Continue reading Worship then and now
Keep it authentic
Love thy neighbour as thyself This means to love your neighbour because God has given you a love for him. Don't try to love your neighbour because you know you should and hope that pretending to love will cause genuine love to spring up in your heart. The better way is to get down on … Continue reading Keep it authentic
Blessed are the pure in heart
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Well, I have tried to keep myself pure. I read the Bible every day and hardly ever miss a church service. I have been married to the same woman for almost 47 years; it's been at least 45 years since the last time I … Continue reading Blessed are the pure in heart
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Mercy cannot be a passive virtue: kindly feelings towards someone in distress are worthless if not accompanied by action to help relieve the distress. There may be a time when we are called upon to perform some major act of mercy, but we should not waste … Continue reading Blessed are the merciful
Inside or outside?
There is a line that we cross when we give our hearts to the Lord. Many people stop once they have crossed the line, mill around with others they find there and wonder why they are not experiencing the blessings of Christian life that they were promised. After awhile, some of them step back to … Continue reading Inside or outside?
The cackle or the egg?
The cackle of a hen is a promise that she has laid an egg. But my farm boy experience taught me that sometimes the cackle was a false promise – no egg could be found. Christians put a lot of emphasis on experiences, and rightly so. Christian life is a new life that must begin with … Continue reading The cackle or the egg?
Flatlander Faith 