The Apostles’ Creed says: “He descended into hell.” Or does it? This short little confession of the essentials of the faith is thought to have begun as questions that were asked of applicants for baptism: “Do you believe . . . ?” It was soon compiled into the form we have today - except for … Continue reading Did Jesus descend into hell?
Bible
Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6?
There are three lines of thought on this: 1. They were angels who took human wives. 2. They were kings exercising the “right of the first night” with any woman who was being given in marriage. 3. They were men from the godly lineage of Seth who took wives from the ungodly lineage of Cain. … Continue reading Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6?
What does the Bible say about — the Bible?
Before going too far, we should understand the Bible used in Jesus’ time. The Old Testament was not a book like we use today, but consisted of a number of scrolls, grouped as the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. The Law consisted of the first five books of the Bible, from Genesis to Deuteronomy, … Continue reading What does the Bible say about — the Bible?
Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water
Geswende Bamogo was already an old man when the Christian Service International workers came to his village in 1977 to drill a well. The well was dry, but the old papa saw something in these men that became a spring of living water in his life. He visited often, learning all he could about their … Continue reading Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water
Hockey pool church
Every morning, in offices across Canada, folks check how their fantasy hockey team is faring in the office hockey pool. It starts in the fall with individuals picking an imaginary team from the list of active NHL players. The aggregate scoring statistics of those players then determines the winner of the hockey pool. I have … Continue reading Hockey pool church
God’s purposes, not ours
The phrase crucifying the flesh is not exactly a friendly, appealing group of words. I think this is because God wants us to be clear on what we are getting into. He wants us to know that His gift of the Holy Spirit is really not for our own pleasure or purposes. The Spirit is … Continue reading God’s purposes, not ours
Hasn’t learned the rules yet
Last Sunday as we were walking up the stairs afterSunday School, I took note of our youngest minister and his youngest daughter ahead of me. Heidi, two years and almost four months old, was walking up the stairs beside her dad, her right in his. In her left hand was the strap for her dad's … Continue reading Hasn’t learned the rules yet
Twelve Foot Falls
We were driving through Wisconsin, on our way from Ontario to Saskatchewan and planning to stop at friends for supper and night. There was a little sign beside the road saying “Twelve Foot Falls” with an arrow indicating the direction. On a spur of the moment impulse I pulled off onto the side road. For … Continue reading Twelve Foot Falls
The power of turning the other cheekl
I had devotions at our school this morning. Part of what I told the chlidren and their teachers was the following story from the life of Albert Tait. Albert Tait lived on a Saulteaux Indian Reservation in North-Western Ontario. The Saulteaux (pronounced Soto) are one of the most widespread First Nations groups in Canada, called … Continue reading The power of turning the other cheekl
The importance of being weak
Maria Braun was arrested in 1966 for teaching a foreign ideology to young children in the Kirghiz Soviet Republic. She had organized classes for preschool and older children to teach about faith in Jesus Christ. Another lady was arrested with her and at their trial the judge sentenced the other lady to five years in … Continue reading The importance of being weak
