Followership in the Christian sense is another word for discipleship. Do we need another word? If it helps us take another look at just what discipleship is, then I believe followership is a useful word. Jesus told His disciples, “All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and make … Continue reading Followership = Discipleship
love
Self-centred or God-centred?
We entered this world as helpless babies and we were totally self-centred. We had to be. We needed nourishment, we needed help when we hurt, we needed help when we were afraid, but we could not provide any of those things for ourselves. So we were vocal about our needs and our parents had to … Continue reading Self-centred or God-centred?
Knit together in love
In Ephesians 4:16 and Colossians 2:19, the apostle Paul describes the church as a body. Christ is the head and nourishment flows through the body from one member to another so that all members are fed. The members are bound together by sinews that enable the body to function in a coordinated way according to … Continue reading Knit together in love
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
The armour of God
As best as I can understand it, the theme of the Old Testament is that God created mankind and placed us on this earth with a great purpose in mind. There are hints, but only hints, that part of that purpose was that we would be a testimony of His love and kindness to the … Continue reading The armour of God
The weapons of a Christian
The whole world is in a mess. What can we do about it? The answer Jesus gives is : Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That's counter-intuitive isn't it? Our intuitive response is to answer … Continue reading The weapons of a Christian
So Send I You
After the resurrection and before Jesus departed from this world, He told His disciples "As the Father hath sent me, so send I you" (John 20:21). Just a few simple words, so clear and plain that we are apt to miss their implication. The Father sent Jesus into the Jewish nation to teach and portray … Continue reading So Send I You
Demonstration of power
A mortar and pestle used to be standard equipment in kitchens, pharmacies and high school science labs. They could be made of stone, wood or metal, but most often they were ceramic, as in the picture below. Image by ariesa66 from Pixabay Sixty-five years ago I sat in a high school classroom as our teacher demonstrated how gunpowder … Continue reading Demonstration of power
The other epidemic
Image by picman2 from Pixabay There is an epidemic stalking our land, people are dying, others are left incapable of working or maintaining relationships. No, I’m not talking about COVID, this is an epidemic that was around before COVID and will probably still be afflicting people long after COVID is gone. Since this epidemic only affects people hooked … Continue reading The other epidemic
Requiem for Tuffy
Tuffy came to us unexpectedly November 17, about a week after our first heavy snowfall. Chris opened the door early in the morning, a four month old kitten walked in, explored our home and decided this was his home. We delighted in his lively presence all winter, then he left us just as unexpectedly March … Continue reading Requiem for Tuffy