My wife and I used to be part of a small congregation in a little village north of Saskatoon. The biggest event of the year for this congregation was the Vacation Bible School that took place in our village and in a much larger nearby town (a suburb of Saskatoon). This program had been going … Continue reading In Memory of Jay Bullock
compassion
In the world but not of the world
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (Gospel of John 17:15-17) Neville Chamberlain returned to London September 30, … Continue reading In the world but not of the world
The lady had an anchor
Princess Elizabeth made her first public speech during World War II. She was fourteen and spoke on the Children's Hour radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. "Thousands of you in this country have had to leave your homes and be separated from your fathers and mothers. My sister Margaret Rose and I feel so much … Continue reading The lady had an anchor
Empathy vs Compassion
empathy noun. Psych. The power of identifying oneself mentally with (and fully comprehending) a person or object of contemplation. (Oxford) I was 15 when this word was first being introduced to the population of North America. It was touted as the best way to relate to the sufferings of others. I didn’t buy it then; … Continue reading Empathy vs Compassion
Confused churches
Louis Riel, the 19th century Métis leader, was troubled by the things he experienced from the churches of his day. He read in the Bible about a Church of Jesus Christ that was characterized by love and peace. What he saw in both the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches was oppression and pride. The churches … Continue reading Confused churches
Hillbilly connection?
I wrote my last blog post shortly after reading Hillbilly Elegy* by J.D. Vance. The book is a very personal memoir which incorporates sociological insights into the roots of poverty among the Scots-Irish people of the Appalachian region, the hillbillies. As J.D. Vance writes, the poverty of a large swath of black people in the … Continue reading Hillbilly connection?
Recipe for poverty
A home with a revolving set of parents A home where parents scream at each other and at the children A home where parents throw things at each other and at the children A home where parents have no interest in what children are learning in school, or whether they are learning anything at all … Continue reading Recipe for poverty
The living Word of God
When Aaron made a golden calf for the people to worship, he was not intending it as idolatry. The people could not grasp the concept of an un seen God and wanted something they could see. It is called a calf in the Bible, but it was a bull, represented in the prime of his … Continue reading The living Word of God
I want to live until I die
Age segregation begins in schools. As schools get bigger and bigger it is more and more difficult for a child to relate to those outside her own age group. At the other end of life, retirement offers freedom, but it is freedom with no purpose. Retirees associate with other retirees and strive to keep themselves … Continue reading I want to live until I die
The beauty of Jesus – Part One
Jesus and his disciples had been in Jerusalem and were returning to Galilee. The road took them through Samaria and when they came near the town of Sychar Jesus sent the disciples into town to buy food. He stayed by Jacob’s well, because he had an appointment there. The woman who was coming to the … Continue reading The beauty of Jesus – Part One
Flatlander Faith 