“Once you know something, it’s hard to imagine not knowing it.” The title for this post, and the quotation above, are taken from the book Made to Stick, © 2007, 2008 by Chip and Dan Heath, published by Random House. The curse of knowledge is a stumbling block for every Christian who attempts to speak … Continue reading The curse of knowledge
evangelism
Blessed are the meek
— for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5) I believe I have located one of the weak points in my faith. I love the promise in this verse, who wouldn't? But I don't really want to be a poor, timorous, vacillating wimp. However, the promise is for the meek. Thus I am faced with … Continue reading Blessed are the meek
There oughta be a law
Every time there is some terrible crime committed or a horrific disaster, someone is sure to say "there oughta be a law" to prevent such mayhem from ever happening again. Governments are happy to oblige, but is there any evidence the laws are helping? A poem that was often recited in the Christian school which … Continue reading There oughta be a law
Gifts or Fruits of the Spirit?
Here are some insightful words from Tom Skinner. I hasten to add that there is a distinction between the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit. We need also to understand this as it pertains to the evangelist. Quite often we become enamoured with gifted people. And we often assume that because … Continue reading Gifts or Fruits of the Spirit?
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
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
Not by might, but by my Spirit
The following paragraphs are found at the end of Jonathan Goforth's book By My Spirit, first published in 1929. Jonathan Goforth was a Canadian missionary to China from 1888 to 1935. During the late Manchu dynasty, scholars were expected to know the classics of their sages off by heart. How do the scholars of so-called … Continue reading Not by might, but by my Spirit
Lift up your eyes
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35 We often quote this verse in evangelical circles when the topic comes to missions. Do we remember the circumstances in … Continue reading Lift up your eyes
Buckley’s Mixture versus Christian Evangelism
In the mid-nineties I saw posters in Montreal’s buses and subway trains showing a bottle of Buckley’s Mixture with these words beside it: You’d have to be really sick to take that!, followed by the question: Are you sick? (I’m translating from French here; the English version of the ad campaign may have been worded … Continue reading Buckley’s Mixture versus Christian Evangelism
