I confess that I am quite cynical about the term "mission statement." In my experience in the business world, a mission statement is an exercise in public relations where management attempts to come down on the right side of every hot button issue of the day. Creating a mission statement has generally been an exercise … Continue reading Mission statement for writers
faith
Transcendence and Immanence
The more one understands about the order of the universe, the inter-relationship of all its parts, the harder it becomes to believe that it could be the result of mindless chance. It is the same when one gets just a layman's grasp of the minute detail of living things, the intricacy of DNA and the … Continue reading Transcendence and Immanence
Loving God
It is important to have an assurance that God loves me just the way I am. But is that the most important factor in Christian life? The Law and the Gospels tell us that: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, … Continue reading Loving God
Unstable as water
Water is essential to life on this planet. The Bibles applies the life-giving properties of water in a spiritual sense when it speaks of the river of life and of the water and blood that poured from Jesus' side, . There is also a dangerous side to water, such as Jacob's description of Reuben, his … Continue reading Unstable as water
Stewards of the grace of God
"As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). I don't recall ever hearing much discussion of this topic. When we talk of stewardship, we are generally thinking of our possessions and financial affairs, and too often … Continue reading Stewards of the grace of God
There’s a twittering in the trees
The snow is gone, lawns are starting to turn green, but the trees still appear brown and lifeless. Yet there is definitely life among the trees. From the open window we can hear are loud and continuous chorus of bird songs. There are robins, meadowlarks, blackbirds, juncos and others that we haven't identified. The juncos … Continue reading There’s a twittering in the trees
In defence of doubt
As Christians, we tend to have this utopian belief that a true believer will never have any doubts about matters of faith. Thus, when a brother or sister has the courage to admit to doubt, we react with something akin to panic. Why do we react like this? Isn't it because deep down we ourselves … Continue reading In defence of doubt
Manufacturing the illusion of diversity
In the city that is an hour away from our home there are 2 synagogues, 2 mosques, 1 Buddhist temple, a few other religious groups and 150 churches, and probably an equal number of Christian charities, para-church organizations, schools, etc. It is true that the majority of the population never attend a worship service of … Continue reading Manufacturing the illusion of diversity
God, jihad, crusades
"The Roman church had an unswerving belief in itself as the vessel of divine grace in the world and the source of all divine authority, ordained by God and founded by His Son Jesus Christ on the ministry of His disciple St Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. In such a mindset it was impossible … Continue reading God, jihad, crusades
The mark of a Christian
All Scriptures teach and enjoin. . . that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength, and our neighbours as ourselves. On these two commandments, says Christ, hang all the law and the prophets. Love is the total content of the Scripture. … Continue reading The mark of a Christian
