A group of ministers met with a fellow minister who had been highly respected and useful in the service of our Lord. They had a disturbing message for him: he had lost the spiritual vitality and clarity that he once had. They advised him to cease preaching for a time and earnestly seek a renewal … Continue reading Too big to be of use to God
Christianity
Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
Among the gifts bestowed upon us by the ancient Greeks there are many that are without a doubt of priceless value, such as democracy. But there are others that were better left outside the gates, as the Trojan horse should have been. Astrology is one. Yet the belief persists among many today that the sign … Continue reading Beware of Greeks bearing gifts
The Anabaptist Faith – What is it?
Perhaps it is time to define in simple terms what is meant by the Anabaptist faith. So here is my definition, in point form. I will share further thoughts on these points in future posts. 1. Unadulterated Biblical faith, taking the Bible as a unified book of which all parts point to Jesus Christ. 2. … Continue reading The Anabaptist Faith – What is it?
Spirit-led writing
The biggest publishing sensation during my younger years was On the Road by Jack Kerouac. He had taken a long roll of paper, aligned the top edge of the roll on the platen of his typewriter and never stopped typing until he had filled the roll from top to bottom. A publisher decided to take … Continue reading Spirit-led writing
The confession of a bookaholic
The past does not need to cast a shadow over the future. Thirty five years ago I wrote those words in a letter to a friend who was afraid his unsettled spiritual past would make it difficult for him to live a stable Christian life in the future. Since then he has settled down, married, … Continue reading The confession of a bookaholic
Dare to be a father
A single mother was complaining about the school her boys attended; there were too many First Nations children (“Indians” she called them). I observed the conduct of her boys and thought to myself that they suffered from the same affliction as many First Nations children in our area: they did not have a father. We … Continue reading Dare to be a father
Do the saved go to heaven when they die?
I used to think that when a Christian died he or she was ushered straight through the pearly gates into heaven. I guess I got that from the popular cultural perception of how Christians believed. Ten years ago, the picture that I had was challenged on Scriptural grounds, and my thinking has changed. Today I … Continue reading Do the saved go to heaven when they die?
Leadership in the church
The church needs leaders to guide and teach the members and to be examples to them. Yet the ministers are servants of the church. Minister, bishop, elder, pastor and evangelist are not different offices in the church but describe the various responsibilities of a minister. The responsibility of deacons lies more in the area of … Continue reading Leadership in the church
Christian fellowship in the church
The New Testament depicts the church as a body where believers of many backgrounds are united in true brotherhood. The disarray in many churches should not cause us to abandon hope that this is still possible in our day. It is yet God's plan for His children. Are we humble enough to trust the Holy … Continue reading Christian fellowship in the church
Conservatism vs Liberalism?
There are two kinds of conservatism: a living one by which the faith is passed on intact and unchanged, always being kindled anew by the power of the Word and of the Holy Spirit; and a conservatism without life, that makes outward formalism the exclusive evidence of faith, with no reference to the condition of … Continue reading Conservatism vs Liberalism?
Flatlander Faith 