Joy is the second quality listed as part of the fruit of the Spirit. If I am a Christian, yet find that joy is lacking in my life, it cannot be the fault of the giver. God’s gifts to His children are given liberally. Therefore, if there is a lack of joy in my life, … Continue reading JOY
A home with two people and three cats
We share our home with animals. I know that there are people who find this horrifying. I guess we just don't know any better, having always lived this way. There is another cat who earnestly desires to join the three under our roof, but I think we have reached our limit. The others came into … Continue reading A home with two people and three cats
Conversion
In recent years we have been hearing a teaching that goes something like this: the new birth can happen in an instant, but conversion is the work of a lifetime. This bizarre statement has left me puzzled about how one can reconcile it with the Scriptures. In Acts 15:3, we are told that as Paul … Continue reading Conversion
The bishops condemned by God
It is the tendency of British historians to consider religious movements in England to be largely independent in origin. Lollardy is a case in point. Despite its similarities to the Waldensian movement on the continent, it is generally seen as the result of the teaching of John Wycliffe. I have no desire to diminish in … Continue reading The bishops condemned by God
The fulness of times
Solomon’s reign was the golden era of Israel. All the promises of God were fulfilled in the natural sense. The son of David built the glorious temple and God showed His acceptance by sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices. Solomon’s reign was a reign of peace over all the territory promised by God … Continue reading The fulness of times
“Finders keepers” would have been the wrong choice
Noah Muroff, an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, and his wife Esther went shopping online for a desk for the study in their home and found a cherry wood executive desk that they were able to buy for $150. When they got it home, they found it would not fit through the door of the study. The … Continue reading “Finders keepers” would have been the wrong choice
The tabernacle of David
There was only a river between the Israelites and the Promised Land. But that river was in full flood mode, filling the whole valley and spreading beyond the banks. Joshua told the priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant to march straight into the water and told the people to follow. It wasn’t until the … Continue reading The tabernacle of David
I’m wearing a scary face today
Yesterday evening my wife was feeling a bit tired after a busy day cooking at the seniors' residence operated by our congregation. Therefore I went to church by myself. Returning home a couple hours later, I drove into the garage and walked the few steps to our back door. Let me set the scene here: … Continue reading I’m wearing a scary face today
A tale of two missions
Missionaries were sent forth into a poor country where few people knew of the salvation made possible through the blood of Jesus shed at Calvary. They went with much zeal and enthusiasm and had no trouble finding people who wanted to hear the gospel. Before long they had gathered many converts. In fact, it seemed … Continue reading A tale of two missions
The impossibility of the missionary’s task
We have this delightful mythology of the middle class white Christian who goes to some “dark heathen land” to preach the gospel and finds people who respond to the message with enthusiasm. He reports large numbers of conversions and baptisms, he establishes churches and all is wonderful. This mythology is fed by missionary hymns and … Continue reading The impossibility of the missionary’s task
Flatlander Faith 