It was the practice at one time to teach swimming by getting the learner to lie belly down on a footstool and practice moving his hands and feet in the way that would propel him through the water. That’s not done anymore, for the simple and obvious reason that it really didn’t work. After making … Continue reading Setting education free from the bureaucracy
Whimsy
Covetousness
Our Sunday School lesson yesterday was on covetousness, a word that some of us don’t know how to pronounce and none of us know how to define. Covetousness seems quite long enough at four syllables, but some in our circles think it needs a fifth. They pronounce it cov et you us ness. That’s ridiculous, … Continue reading Covetousness
Good-bye Coke Zero, hello Dr Pepper.
I read today in the online version of Le Point, a French newsmagazine, that yet another study has established a link between diet pop and increased belly fat along with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Apparently, pop with real sugar is better for your health. I think I have discovered why I … Continue reading Good-bye Coke Zero, hello Dr Pepper.
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?
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentle People
I will let my wife's Christmas greeting be mine also.
Inherit the earth
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth I guess by now it is evident that I have been meditating on the Beatitudes. The Sermon on the Mount is the cornerstone of Mennonite doctrine. Things like the right understanding of prophecy and the sacraments are important to us, too, but not nearly to … Continue reading Inherit the earth
The old cat and the old door
When Panda was a young cat, she loved to explore the great outdoors and often wasn't ready to come in when we wanted to go away or to lock the door for the night. My wife discovered a surefire remedy — kitty treats. She only had to rattle the bag and Panda would come running. … Continue reading The old cat and the old door
Why Couldn’t I Be The Healthy One?
I decided to reblog this post from a year ago to explain why there has been so little activity on this site lately. I have draining sinuses, a sore throat, achy legs, a fog-filled brain and have gotten very little sleep. I have been taking Buckley’s cold capsules (decongestant, antihistamine, acetaminophen,etc.) and thought I was winning the battle. It didn’t work this time. I think that by now I have made it through the worst part, though.
It was the morning after my father’s funeral and my cousin Dennis and I were sitting at a table with my mother looking at old photographs. Here was a school phot from when I was in Grade 2 in a one-room school. There were two little boys in the front row, one bright-eyed, smiling and healthy-looking, the other wearing a heavy sweater and making a feeble attempt at a smile. Impulsively, I pointed at the healthy looking boy and said “That was me!” Dennis gave me a funny look, then said, “No. That was David Harlton. This is you over here.” And he pointed at the sickly-looking boy.
Of course he was right. I think that I just wished that for one moment in my life I could believe that I was the healthy one.
I had frequent bouts of colds and flu as a child and was well-acquainted with…
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Hazards of cross-cultural ministry
At a worship service in Québec the visiting minister rose to begin his message. He had just heard us singing in an unfamiliar language but the melody was familiar and he felt he had found a common thread to connect with the congregation. He began by referring to several words of the English hymn he … Continue reading Hazards of cross-cultural ministry
Maple bug lament
Boisea trivitatta - box elder bug - commonly known as maple bug in Saskatchewan They come marching into the house in fall. They can fly, but mostly I see them plodding up the walls, down the walls, across the ceiling, across the table, across the back of my hand. They are so light-footed that I … Continue reading Maple bug lament
Flatlander Faith 