In 1940 the Nazi war machine overran France. After the surrender of the French forces, André Trocmé, a pastor in one small corner of France, told his congregation how to face an enemy who tried to do violence to their consciences. “We will oppose them with the arms of the Spirit. We will resist when … Continue reading Without fear, without pride, without hatred
Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
Yes, dear reader, true Christian faith as it is required in Scripture, is so living, active and strong in all those who through the grace of the Lord have rightly obtained it, that they do not hesitate to forsake father, mother, wife, children, money and possessions for the Word and testimony of the Lord; to … Continue reading Uncomfortable truths taught by Menno
Mennonite vs Menno
After centuries of persecution, the defenceless Christians of Europe were scattered and demoralized and the persecutors began to feel they were rid of these people whose existence was so troubling to them. They were troubling because they taught, and lived, a faith that testified of the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. … Continue reading Mennonite vs Menno
The cult of celebrity Christians
Some folks adore Christian superstars,Athletes, singers, politicians, preachers,Who profess faith in the saving blood,Seeing in them proof of Christ’s good. Some may truly be pillars of the faith.Others seem mere pretenders to the grace,And when they fall, their sins laid bare,The name of Christ is disgraced everywhere. Seek not among the high and mightyHe who … Continue reading The cult of celebrity Christians
The affliction of Joseph
Judah and Ephraim were the largest tribes of Israel. Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim; perhaps the Ephraimites carried from that some sense of entitlement that they should play more of a leadership role. When Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim rebelled against King Rehoboam, Mannasseh and all the other northern tribes followed his … Continue reading The affliction of Joseph
The use and abuse of dictionaries
Some folks scrutinize the dictionary for abstruse locutions to titillate the cerebral functions of those who peruse their literary endeavours. This sentence is sticky in a negative way. Most readers will get stuck before they reach the end. That doesn't matter, the sentence doesn't have much to say. But there are people who believe that … Continue reading The use and abuse of dictionaries
What do I do now?
Saturday afternoon I did my last income tax return for this year. This morning the client called to inform me that he came down with flu-like symptoms that evening and that today he tested positive for COVID19. What does that mean for me? I used a home test kit this afternoon and it showed negative. … Continue reading What do I do now?
Practical Christianity
For the past two months my head has been occupied with number crunching to the point that there was little opportunity for wordsmithing. Income tax season officially ends tomorrow and I think I have finished anything pertaining to that for this year. Now I can try to capture and organize the thoughts that have been … Continue reading Practical Christianity
Henny Penny and her kindred
The story, as I heard it in my childhood, goes like this. Henny Penny, a rather ordinary hen, is contentedly sleeping in the warm sunshine when an acorn falls on her head. She awakens in a flap and begins squawking, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!" The other hens are alarmed and one … Continue reading Henny Penny and her kindred
The alternative to a peaceful and contented heart
Neither prosperity not empire nor heaven can be worth winning at the price of a virulent temper, bloody hands, an anguished spirit, and a vain hatred of the rest of the world.-John Milton
Flatlander Faith 