We are sweltering in a heat wave here, with temperatures up to 32° with a humidex of 35°. (That translates into 90° & 95° for those still using Fahrenheit.) I realize that many readers might even consider those temperatures cool for this time of year. But I live in Saskatchewan where we haven't had a … Continue reading Heat: physical and spiritual
church
Good people don’t go to church
It was different when I was a boy; then all the good people went to church. We didn’t come right out and say that those who didn’t go to church were bad people, but they were considered rather disreputable. Somewhere along the line the churches got the notion that their calling was to make the … Continue reading Good people don’t go to church
Parents and contagious faith
In June 1953, at the age of eleven, I was confirmed and became a full member of the Anglican Church of Canada. After the service, our local minister handed me a little red book, containing questions for self-examination before communion. They were searching questions and I remember taking that little red book on a Saturday … Continue reading Parents and contagious faith
Remittance men
Remittance men began to appear in the Canadian West around 1880, in the early years of settlement. Well-to-do fathers in England groomed their oldest son to follow in their footsteps. The eldest son generally developed a mature sense of responsibility and found a ready opportunity to show his abilities. The second son often did not … Continue reading Remittance men
Voices of darkness
I had to be at work a little before 11:00 P.M. that Sunday night. The factory work week began at 11:00 and as Quality Assurance Inspector I had to check the equipment before startup. Although I interacted with the supervisors and workers on the factory floor, I worked alone, covering all that was happening. This … Continue reading Voices of darkness
Why missions fail
"From what has already been said it is manifest that St. Paul did not go about as a missionary preacher merely to convert individuals: he went to establish churches from which the light might radiate throughout the whole country round. The secret of success in this work lies in beginning at the very beginning. It … Continue reading Why missions fail
Rebels without a clue
I am struck at how clueless protest movements have become. The “Occupy” folks seem to think it is the fault of government and business that they don’t have a job. You worked hard and got your BA. You apply for a job that seems to offer the pay and perks that you feel you deserve. … Continue reading Rebels without a clue
The cat who came in from the cold
I glanced out the window one evening in late fall and was startled to see a white kitten sitting on our doorstep. I walked around to the door and opened it, half expecting this kitten to dash off in fear when he saw me. I was amazed when he calmly got up, walked into the … Continue reading The cat who came in from the cold
Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
Why do people stop going to church? Could it be because so may churches are not really churches? Matthew 18:20 does not speak about Christians gathering for worship. It is a continuation of the passage beginning at verse 15 and speaks of the testimony of two or three witnesses in discipling a wayward brother. A … Continue reading Two or three gathered together doth not a church make
Eternal security or insecurity?
Evangelicals of the present day are being taught a doctrine of eternal security, but most are not aware of the dubious foundation and history of this doctrine. Here is how it all began. In 312 AD Constantine was facing a battle with a rival whose army was twice the size of Constantine's. The story goes … Continue reading Eternal security or insecurity?
Flatlander Faith 