It appears that too many Christians read the Bible as the story of men and women bumbling around because they couldn’t quite figure out what God wanted them to do. They conceive of life as a giant stage, with no script, no director, just a mysterious set of Very Important Rules. Some people call this … Continue reading What was God doing?
prayer
Peaceable people of God
I debated with myself about whether I should use peaceful or peaceable in the title. I feel that there is a small nuance of difference in meaning and peaceable is better for describing the essential nature of followers of Jesus Christ. Of course, I wouldn’t have this trouble if I were writing in French, which … Continue reading Peaceable people of God
Seek the peace of the city
When God’s people were led into captivity in Babylon, He instructed them, by the mouth of the prophet Jeremiah: “Seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). Do we … Continue reading Seek the peace of the city
How to read the Bible
I grew up in a home where the Bible was read every day; my father often talked bout things he read in it. We attended the Anglican Church of Canada, where every service had a reading from the Old Testament, another from the New Testament, and several other passages from the Bible were spoken in … Continue reading How to read the Bible
Pray for Haiti
Several agencies of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite sent a letter to the North American congregations requesting a day of prayer for Haiti in Sunday, September 10. Here are a few facts about the situation in that country. Haiti’s borders are porous. Just a glance at the horseshoe shape of Haiti on a … Continue reading Pray for Haiti
Requiem for the Anglican Church of Canada
When I was a teenager and member of the Anglican Church of Canada worship services began with this exhortation: Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly … Continue reading Requiem for the Anglican Church of Canada
Further thoughts on praying in Jesus’ name
I have heard individuals from a number of denominations end their prayers with “in thy name, Amen.” None of those denominations teach that this is an acceptable way of ending a prayer, so where does this phrase come from? I have not found a clear answer to this question, but have come across the thought … Continue reading Further thoughts on praying in Jesus’ name
Strong leaders and feeble followers
A dynamic leader, solidly grounded in the Scriptures and with a vision of how the gospel should be lived and shared for this particular group of Christians in this particular place, captures the loyalty of his congregation by the clarity and strength of his conviction. He plans, organizes, tells, and the congregation does as they … Continue reading Strong leaders and feeble followers
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
The presence of God
The funeral was in the church that was the city's most famous landmark. Inside, there were vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows on each side and tiered rows of seating. The music from the Casavant Frères organ that filled the east wall, its largest pipes stretching from floor to ceiling, completed the atmosphere of reverence. The … Continue reading The presence of God
Flatlander Faith 