Here is one paragraph from an article that appeared in the Autumn 2014 issue of City Journal. The writer is Kay S. Hymowitz and the subtitle states : Families shape their children’s prospects more profoundly than anything government can do. Universal preschool is by far the most popular idea for easing poor children’s early disadvantages. The … Continue reading Why parents still matter
We’re headed in the right direction
It is -30° this morning, the sun won't rise until 9:15 and it will set again at 5:00 P.M. But the days are getting longer — I need to keep reminding myself of that. Twenty-five years ago I took a statistics course taught by a man originally from India. He told us how he and … Continue reading We’re headed in the right direction
The glory of the Lord
God's presence with the children of Israel during the Exodus was shown by a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. There were instances when there must have been a more glorious manifestation of God's presence in the cloud. The glory of the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai and God's voice spoke … Continue reading The glory of the Lord
Christmas Eve thoughts
I don't believe that Jesus was born on December 25. I don't believe any of the cunningly devised fables that have attached themselves to the story of His birth. I don't appreciate the crass commercialism of this season. I cannot comprehend how giving gifts at Christmas time has any connection with the birth of the … Continue reading Christmas Eve thoughts
Baby steps
We do not expect a newborn child to talk, to walk, or to do things to help others. A baby has the potential to learn to do all those things, but the learning comes slowly, in baby steps. When a little child begins to walk, she is very unsteady on her feet and will often … Continue reading Baby steps
Return of the sunshine
My wife left for Edmonton again on Sunday, December 14. That was followed by a week of overcast skies. I sent her a text message on Friday saying "You are my sunshine," since I hadn't seen any sunshine since she left. Yesterday was the beginning of another new week, and it was a gloriously sunny … Continue reading Return of the sunshine
Joy to the world
The gospel is good news for all mankind. How is it then that so many of us make it sound like bad news? Of course the gospel is unmitigated bad news for those who reject it. Jesus did not try to soft peddle that part of the message; in fact, He spoke of hell a … Continue reading Joy to the world
Brad Wall’s Christmas message
Seven hundred years before the First Christmas, one of many promises by Old Testament prophets was made about the coming of the Christ. "For unto us a child is born," wrote Isaiah, "unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The … Continue reading Brad Wall’s Christmas message
The Politically Incorrect Messiah
The sceptre had truly departed from Judah. There was once more a king in Jerusalem who ruled over Judah, but he was not of the lineage of David, nor of Judah, not even of Jacob. Herod was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau. Surely the time was ripe for the coming of Messiah. When Messiah … Continue reading The Politically Incorrect Messiah
Papa Martin, conclusion
The hours went by, the passers-by also. The little stove continued to rumble and Martin, in his chair, still watched the street. The Master did not appear. He had seen a young priest pass by with blond hair and blue eyes, just like Christ is depicted in the portraits in the church. However, while passing … Continue reading Papa Martin, conclusion
Flatlander Faith 