The Lonely Ache of Popularity

Bill was tall, fair, handsome, sensitive. He was also the Eighth Grade football hero ‒ the one who scored the goals and carried the home team to victory. Girls in the top two grades were openly–or secretly–nuts about him. Like Grace, the girl who lived down the street from him. She was a nobody, shy … Continue reading The Lonely Ache of Popularity

Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6?

There are three lines of thought on this: 1. They were angels who took human wives. 2. They were kings exercising the “right of the first night” with any woman who was being given in marriage. 3. They were men from the godly lineage of Seth who took wives from the ungodly lineage of Cain. … Continue reading Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6?

Obeying the Great Commission in a time of persecution

This is my only joy and the desire of my heart, that I may extend the borders of the kingdom of God, make known the truth, reprove sin, teach righteousness, feed the hungry souls with the word of the Lord, lead the stray sheep to the right path, and win many souls for the Lord … Continue reading Obeying the Great Commission in a time of persecution

Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water

Geswende Bamogo was already an old man when the Christian Service International workers came to his village in 1977 to drill a well. The well was dry, but the old papa saw something in these men that became a spring of living water in his life. He visited often, learning all he could about their … Continue reading Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water

Hockey pool church

Every morning, in offices across Canada, folks check how their fantasy hockey team is faring in the office hockey pool. It starts in the fall with individuals picking an imaginary team from the list of active NHL players. The aggregate scoring statistics of those players then determines the winner of the hockey pool. I have … Continue reading Hockey pool church

God’s purposes, not ours

The phrase crucifying the flesh is not exactly a friendly, appealing group of words. I think this is because God wants us to be clear on what we are getting into. He wants us to know that His gift of the Holy Spirit is really not for our own pleasure or purposes. The Spirit is … Continue reading God’s purposes, not ours

Lazy thinking

The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason (Proverbs 26:16). My mother told the story of a poor farmer extolling the virtues of socialism to his neighbour who was even poorer. “If everyone who has more than they need would share with those who do not have … Continue reading Lazy thinking

Missed opportunities

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:5-6 Like many other Christians, I read these verses and feel that … Continue reading Missed opportunities

Twelve Foot Falls

We were driving through Wisconsin, on our way from Ontario to Saskatchewan and planning to stop at friends for supper and night. There was a little sign beside the road saying “Twelve Foot Falls” with an arrow indicating the direction. On a spur of the moment impulse I pulled off onto the side road. For … Continue reading Twelve Foot Falls

A transformed life

Thus reflecting upon these things my soul was so grieved that I could no longer endure it. I thought to myself: I, miserable man, what shall I do ? If I continue in this way, and live not agreeably to the word of the Lord, according to the knowledge of the truth which I have … Continue reading A transformed life