Sometimes a light surprises The Christian while he sings; It is the Lord who rises With healing in His wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining, To clear it after rain. In holy contemplation, We sweetly then pursue The theme of God's salvation, And find it ever … Continue reading Sometimes a light surprises
Christianity
Prairie fire!
Just before supper time today my wife smelled smoke. We went outside and saw the fire behind the buildings of our neighbour. Our son-in-law was the first to see it while going home for supper. He turned around to get the fire engine from the village six miles away, sending out the alert to other … Continue reading Prairie fire!
Be a Christian, not a chameleon
Some members of the early church wanted Gentile converts to be chameleons. They thought that circumcising Gentile Christians would make them appear to be converts to the Jewish religion. Some Jewish Christians thought this would spare them from persecution by other Jews for associating with Gentiles. Such people among the Jewish believers were the true chameleons, … Continue reading Be a Christian, not a chameleon
Facing up to the bull
One year in my late teens I spent several months working for farmers. I drove the truck for one during harvest. Then I spent a month on a cattle farm, putting up hay, fixing fences, things like that. The fences were in bad shape. The first day, the big Hereford bull walked through the fence … Continue reading Facing up to the bull
The half-converted farmer
There was a farmer in our neighbourhood who lived a simple life. He had no need of electricity, running water or a lawn mower. He didn’t need a wife either though we heard that there had once been a lady of the house. Perhaps the rustic simplicity of the homestead soon lost its charm. This rustic … Continue reading The half-converted farmer
What does an angel look like?
This question was prompted by my search for an image to illustrate the words of John Milton which I posted a few days ago. I found all kinds of images, but not one that I would fell comfortable using. The question may seem frivolous, as the Bible does not give a clear description of an … Continue reading What does an angel look like?
Freedom of the will
Freedom of choice means that I am at liberty to do as I please. Nevertheless, I learn every day in small ways that the choices I make have consequences; and the choices that other people make often have consequences that affect me. Why then should I not expect that consequences might not only be immediate, … Continue reading Freedom of the will
Meeting God in His Word
I grew up in a home where the Bible was read every day and we attended the Anglican Church every Sunday. I became a member of that church when I was 11; a few years later I became an altar boy and continued faithfully until I moved away from home to attend university. There was … Continue reading Meeting God in His Word
The Christian art of soft persuasion
Jesus said: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). We want to share the gospel; let’s not get distracted into wolf hunting. That’s not what Jesus has called us to do; He has called us to demonstrate an … Continue reading The Christian art of soft persuasion
Loss of power
A few days ago, I reorganized our home office. When I turned my wife's desk a quarter turn, all the wires that were hidden behind it were now a mess in the open air. Not as bad as the illustration above, but seriously unsightly and possibly dangerous. I went about to put a little order … Continue reading Loss of power
Flatlander Faith 