Ma says the greatest mistake in the world is the notion some people get that outside of God’s laws there is freedom. She says that the only real freedom to be found on the earth is within the circle of His laws, and as soon as one steps outside of that circle, he finds himself … Continue reading The circle of God’s love
Faith and life
Parents: Don’t run ahead of God!
I heard it again the other night — the failure of a childhood conversion. The counsellor at a Christian summer camp had talked about Jesus and heaven and then asked the children if they wanted to go to be with Jesus in heaven when they died. A little girl was among those who said yes. … Continue reading Parents: Don’t run ahead of God!
But what doth your arguing reprove?
For those who do not recognize the question at the head of this article, it is part of Job's response to the arguments of Eliphaz the Temanite and is found in Job 6:25. The whole verse reads: "How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?" I confess that I have sometimes been … Continue reading But what doth your arguing reprove?
Natural affection
I started school in 1948 in a one-room school. The first order of business on the first day involved cutting and pasting and I recall the teacher assigning me to help a little girl who had apparently never done anything of the sort before. I was already quite a proficient reader and the Dick and … Continue reading Natural affection
Truth and reality
In simple terms, truth is something that we trust in and base our lives upon. Reality is what others see from the way we live. Is there a gap between what we say we believe to be true and what is revealed by the choices we make in life? We say we are saved by … Continue reading Truth and reality
My boomerang won’t come back!
This was the title of a hit song from about fifty years ago. Sung by a British singer with a cockney accent, it was the lament of a young Australian Aborigine who couldn't get his boomerang to come back to him. It was the type of politically incorrect, culturally insensitive song that would never be … Continue reading My boomerang won’t come back!
And lean not unto thine own understanding
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding" -Proverbs 3:5. I've been wondering of late if I really understand this verse. God has given us a mind with the capacity of understanding vast and complex subjects, and surely He wants us to use it. The Bible certainly assumes … Continue reading And lean not unto thine own understanding
Youth and the church
Since the days of the youth movement, church youth work has often lacked that element of Christian sobriety that alone might enable it to recognize that the spirit of youth is not the Holy Spirit and that the future of the church is not youth itself but rather the Lord Jesus Christ alone. It is … Continue reading Youth and the church
Why is the door locked?
Karen Mains, in her book Open Heart, Open Home, included a chapter entitled The Nicest House in Town. It describes a beautiful home, in a beautiful yard, and through the windows people can be seen happily visiting together and feasting on sumptuous food. Sounds of beautiful singing can be heard coming from those inside. Huddled … Continue reading Why is the door locked?
Words easy to be understood
As Christians we tend to speak in Christian jargon. Aren't we aware that other people don't talk like that? Or do we think it's neat to have our own lingo that other people don't understand? The apostle Paul didn't think that was a good idea: "So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words … Continue reading Words easy to be understood
Flatlander Faith 