We must believe in free will — we have no choice. Isaac Bashevis Singer. Hmm. I wonder what he was getting at? Having nothing more to go on to discern a more complex meaning in Mr. Singer’s thought than this fragment, I will say that I agree. When Moses told the people “I call heaven … Continue reading Free will
faith
Paul, the master apologist
Being an apologist for the Christian faith may sound like expressing our regrets for being Christians. The true meaning is quite the opposite; it means being able to talk about our faith without fear or embarrassment, and to always be ready to “give an answer” (apologia) to those who ask about it. The apostle Paul … Continue reading Paul, the master apologist
Amazing grace
That saved a wretch like me I am not wretched because of things others have done to me, even though those things may have been horribly wretched. I am wretched because of the things I have done, the choices I have made. God is not a sadistic puppet master who made me do bad things, … Continue reading Amazing grace
Reality
This is my Father’s world. I did not ask to be here. I cannot choose to be in another world. This is it and I may as well make the best of it. I am made in my Father’s image. Even though I am earthly, like the animals, with all the capacity for savagery that … Continue reading Reality
Doctrines of the Humanist Religion
1. Nothing is real if it cannot be explained by the human mind I may call myself a lover of the truth, but if I am unwilling to believe anything that does not fit the measure of my mind, am I really open to consider what truth is? Scientific hypotheses attempt to fit the … Continue reading Doctrines of the Humanist Religion
God’s way is best
I watched bemused as Michelle pedalled her tricycle back in forth on the sidewalk in front of our house. Then she saw a bus coming and pedalled to the bus stop at the end of the block. After a passenger or two had dismounted or mounted the bus, she lined up beside it. When the … Continue reading God’s way is best
Time to make a decision
At least I thought we had exhausted all the possibilities in trying to find a church that still believed and lived the old Anabaptist faith. Could I have missed something? Or had I misunderstood something? If I was honest with myself, I had felt more at home in congregations of the Church of God in … Continue reading Time to make a decision
Another dead end
I began checking out other varieties of Mennonites, and there were a lot to choose from. Many of them turned out to be Mennonites in name only, and a little embarrassed about being encumbered with the name. Nevertheless, many of them had a deep affection for the Low German language and culture. I didn’t, so … Continue reading Another dead end
Family heirloom
Dear children, I am sending this dear old book as a Granny present. It is one of my dearest friends. I have been reading it for the last fifty years and tried to teach my children to live by its teachings and pray you may do the same by your own children. Its blessed promises … Continue reading Family heirloom
Our granddaughter becoms our sister
Friday evening two young ladies stood in turn before our congregation and told how God had called them, how they had felt troubled and fearful and how they had prayed and found forgiveness, happiness and freedom. A few questions were asked and the congregation found their testimonies genuine. This morning they were baptized. One of … Continue reading Our granddaughter becoms our sister
Flatlander Faith 