[Stephen Leacock was for many years the head of the Department of Economics and Political Science at McGill University and the author of numerous textbooks and history books. To counterbalance this very serious work, he began writing humour and soon his income and fame from these humorous writings far outstripped the income from his serious … Continue reading He didn’t say whether he thought this was a good thing
Handicapped by our strengths
I am now two thirds of the way through two of the books that I listed in an earlier post and it just dawned on me that they are talking about the same thing: one from a Christian perspective; the other from a business perspective. Chapter Six of The Power of Weakness begins by describing … Continue reading Handicapped by our strengths
The evidence is clear – and it’s being willfully ignored
The Cost of Discipleship
This is the title of a book by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. It’s not hard to understand that attempting to be faithful to Christ in Nazi Germany would come at a cost, but it has been more difficult for us to grasp that to be a true disciple of Christ will always entail a cost, even in … Continue reading The Cost of Discipleship
France this week
Today is the release date in France of a new novel by Michel Houllebecq entitled "Soumission" (Submission). In the book, the French presidential election of 2022 pits the candidate of a new Muslim political party against the candidate of the Front National. The Muslim candidate wins, then goes on to transform the public schools into … Continue reading France this week
The Father himself loveth you
Who do we pray to? And in whose name? I often hear people begin their prayers with "Our Father," "Dear Lord," or "Dear Jesus," and then end with "in thy name." Whose name do they mean? This practice, by the way, is not limited to members of any particular denomination. Hitherto have ye asked nothing … Continue reading The Father himself loveth you
Big load
Photo and caption come from the Saskatoon Star Phoenix: http://www.thestarphoenix.com/news/saskatoon/Photos+Crystallizer+vessel+heads+Bethune+from+Saskatoon/10705706/story.html This is the second of these huge evaporators that has passed through here. This one is now stopped for the night about one mile from us as the crow flies. There are 10 axles on the trailer, and I believe there are 16 wheels on … Continue reading Big load
God and Mammon
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (The words of Jesus, quoted in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13.) Here is a stark warning that the pursuit of … Continue reading God and Mammon
Books about Haïti
I have never been to Haiti, but we were members of the St Marys, Ontario congregation for 15 years. Several families there have an ongoing connection with Haiti and made us all feel connected to the church in Haiti. I just obtained my copy of this book today and thought I would copy the Dec. … Continue reading Books about Haïti
Prayer
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" (James 5:16). How can we know if our prayers are effectual? How can we know if they avail anything? How can we know if they are fervent enough? Daniel Whedon, in his commentary, considers that the original Greek words translated "effectual fervent prayer" denotes prayer … Continue reading Prayer
Flatlander Faith 