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
Christianity
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
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
Too big
A minister was asked to take a break from his ministerial responsibilities. He had been known as Spirit-led man of God, an effective preacher, evangelist, counsellor. But now he was being told that he had somehow lost direction. He accepted the request, prayed earnestly to find what he had lost. He asked counsel from many … Continue reading Too big
The glory of the Lord
God's presence with the children of Israel during the Exodus was shown by a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. There were instances when there must have been a more glorious manifestation of God's presence in the cloud. The glory of the Lord descended upon Mount Sinai and God's voice spoke … Continue reading The glory of the Lord
Baby steps
We do not expect a newborn child to talk, to walk, or to do things to help others. A baby has the potential to learn to do all those things, but the learning comes slowly, in baby steps. When a little child begins to walk, she is very unsteady on her feet and will often … Continue reading Baby steps
Joy to the world
The gospel is good news for all mankind. How is it then that so many of us make it sound like bad news? Of course the gospel is unmitigated bad news for those who reject it. Jesus did not try to soft peddle that part of the message; in fact, He spoke of hell a … Continue reading Joy to the world
Brad Wall’s Christmas message
Seven hundred years before the First Christmas, one of many promises by Old Testament prophets was made about the coming of the Christ. "For unto us a child is born," wrote Isaiah, "unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The … Continue reading Brad Wall’s Christmas message
Flatlander Faith 