The proof of a living faith is seen when it is passed on intact from generation to generation. It is true to say that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is evidence of faith: brotherly love, peace of mind and peace in word and action, joy, thankfulness, contentment, humility. But when this is not passed … Continue reading Taking the long view
Christianity
The old days were not better
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this. - the words of Solomon from Ecclesiastes 7:10 When I was young many waterways were horribly polluted. I once stood on a footbridge in Toronto and watched the Don River flowing blood … Continue reading The old days were not better
WASPs and other Canadians
When I was young, WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants), considered themselves to naturally be the epitome of all that was right and good. It was the privilege of the WASPs to grant each other entrance to the best schools, the best jobs and the best clubs. The Orange Lodge bears a large share of the responsibility … Continue reading WASPs and other Canadians
Adopted
I remember the last time my father blew up at me. He was 80, I was 30 and it was the same tirade that I had heard so many times before during my 30 years. I knew there was no use trying to argue, change the subject or yell back at him. He was not … Continue reading Adopted
Bravo, Mr Farron
“To be a political leader – especially of a progressive, liberal party in 2017 – and to live as a committed Christian, to hold faithfully to the Bible’s teaching, has felt impossible for me.” “I seem to be the subject of suspicion because of what I believe and who my faith is in. In which case we … Continue reading Bravo, Mr Farron
Sin
“Almighty and most merciful Father, We have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And … Continue reading Sin
The empowerment of women
For as long as most people now alive can remember, abortion has been considered a means of empowering women. The inconvenience of an unexpected pregnancy can be quickly eliminated and the woman can carry on with life as she pleases. But it is precisely the motherly trait of womankind that men stand in awe of, … Continue reading The empowerment of women
Have we misdiagnosed the problem?
It is at least 50 years since C.S. Lewis wrote: “The greatest barrier I have met is the almost total absence from the minds of my audience of any sense of sin . . . We have to convince our hearers of the unwelcome diagnosis before we can expect then to welcome the news of … Continue reading Have we misdiagnosed the problem?
Book review: Humble Roots
Hannah Anderson is the wife of a country pastor in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia who finds inspiration for her writing in her garden and other growing things. This book helped me understand why I have always felt uncomfortable when Christians talk about their humility. She tells us that "Show, don't tell," one of … Continue reading Book review: Humble Roots
Inside or outside?
There is a line that we cross when we give our hearts to the Lord. Many people stop once they have crossed the line, mill around with others they find there and wonder why they are not experiencing the blessings of Christian life that they were promised. After awhile, some of them step back to … Continue reading Inside or outside?
