Wednesday evening I said good-bye to the members of the Toastmasters club that I have belonged to for two years. This morning my wife and I said good-bye to the Youth Sunday School class we have taught for the past six months. Today was my wife's last day of work at the home for seniors … Continue reading Our life is changing
The God who loves us
People who trust in pagan religions believe there are many gods. These gods spend so much time squabbling among themselves that people need to make great efforts to get their attention. The religions of the native peoples of North America are much like that, but many of them have a creation account that sounds remarkably … Continue reading The God who loves us
The origin of the Bible
[This is an attempt to write a Bible study lesson for twelve to fourteen year old children. I invite you to read it and tell me what you think. All helpful criticism, comments and suggestions are welcome.] People who do not have a system of writing pass on their history from generation to generation by … Continue reading The origin of the Bible
Writng tips #2: 10 tips for writing more simply
[I have borrowed, translated and adapted these tips from a French website. That explains the references to French authors, in case you were wondering. These tips are intended for use in writing for the web, but would be useful in many other types of writing as well.] 1. Thou shalt write short sentences. You are … Continue reading Writng tips #2: 10 tips for writing more simply
Give them reasons to believe
I just read a sentence from a children’s lesson about the Bible that leaves me bewildered. I don’t want to reveal the source, but here is the sentence: “Through the past centuries many ungodly men have determined and tried to destroy the Bible, the Word of God, but have not been able to accomplish it.” … Continue reading Give them reasons to believe
This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting
Jesus came down from the mountain where He had been transfigured and found a great crowd gathered around his disciples and a demon-possessed boy. At the end of the account, after casting the demon out of the child, He told His disciples "Howbeit, this kind cometh not out but by prayer and fasting." The disciples … Continue reading This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting
The first step in keeping your child out of prison
Teach him to read. Maybe this sounds overly simplistic, but a young adult who is illiterate is unqualified for all but the most menial jobs. You can't even work at McDonald's if you can't read the job instructions or the words on the screen of the till. 96% of the available jobs are out of … Continue reading The first step in keeping your child out of prison
Writing tips #1: Say what you mean
Writing carries a message by telling something to someone who isn't handy for conversation. That seems simple enough, but the simplicity is deceptive. Start putting the message on paper, and trouble is looking over your shoulder with every word. You know what you want to say; you could say it in conversation with little difficulty. … Continue reading Writing tips #1: Say what you mean
Why charity is not what it used to be
The Greek word agape was used often by the New Testament writers. In the AV (KJV) Bible it is translated 86 times as love and 27 times as charity. In the Louis Segond French translation it is translated 60 times as amour and 55 times as charité. Agape, as used in the New Testament, is … Continue reading Why charity is not what it used to be
Visit from a government auditor
One of my bookkeeping clients missed a few payments to the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency). Since the relevant financial records are stored on my computer I received a call from a lady at the CRA about two weeks ago wanting to make an appointment for an audit. That visit took place two days ago. The … Continue reading Visit from a government auditor
Flatlander Faith 