It is important to have an assurance that God loves me just the way I am. But is that the most important factor in Christian life? The Law and the Gospels tell us that: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, … Continue reading Loving God
Less is more (and more is less)
Too many new writers have the idea that they have to use interesting words to entice others to read their prose. They load up on colourful adjectives and adverbs, the more syllables the better, and replace simple nouns and verbs with ones that are larger and weightier. Readers get weary trying to wade through that … Continue reading Less is more (and more is less)
Double-decker church planting
I grew up in a town I shall call Seagull, Saskatchewan. This is a fictional name, as are all the other names given in this account, but the events are true to life as best as my memory serves. Like all other prairie towns, there were a number of tall wooden grain elevators lining the … Continue reading Double-decker church planting
Authenticity and tradition
On Saturday we travelled to Moose Jaw to attend a workshop for writers. We've only lived there for short periods of time, the last one being 37 years ago, but it still feels like this is where our roots are. I wanted to visit my 91 year old cousin after the workshop, but there was … Continue reading Authenticity and tradition
The millionaire and the scrublady
There is a certain Millionaire who hath his Offices on the Second Floor of the First National Bank building. And when he goeth up to his Offices he rideth the Elevator. But when he goeth down, then he walketh. And he is an haughty man, who once was poor, and hath risen in the world. … Continue reading The millionaire and the scrublady
Josiah Henson learns to read
It so happened that one of my Maryland friends arrived in this neighbourhood, and hearing of my being here, inquired if I ever preached now. I had said nothing myself, and had not intended to say any thing, of my having ever officiated in that way. I went to meeting with others, when I had … Continue reading Josiah Henson learns to read
Plain clothes
Clothing as a status symbol is not a new thing. In fact, a few hundred years ago there were laws to define what clothes a person could wear to fit his status in society. These were called sumptuary laws, and they made it possible to instantly discern whether a person was a priest, a bishop, … Continue reading Plain clothes
Unstable as water
Water is essential to life on this planet. The Bibles applies the life-giving properties of water in a spiritual sense when it speaks of the river of life and of the water and blood that poured from Jesus' side, . There is also a dangerous side to water, such as Jacob's description of Reuben, his … Continue reading Unstable as water
I’m on my way to the freedom land
As a slave, Josiah Henson received no formal education and did not learn to read and write. As is typical of people from oral cultures, he had a prodigious memory and could remember every Bible verse he ever heard. He was ordained to the ministry in the Methodist Church while still a slave, serving mostly … Continue reading I’m on my way to the freedom land
What is “the world”?
In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle delivers a clear warning to Christians about loving the world and the things of the world: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the … Continue reading What is “the world”?
Flatlander Faith 