I am old enough to remember the Jesus People movement and I believe that it was in a large part a genuine work of the Holy Spirit. Young people who were disillusioned with the empty formality of the older generation’s religion and disappointed by the empty promises of the hippie movement found what their hearts … Continue reading Quench not the Spirit
revival
Getting from survival to revival
I trust that most of us have coped well during this time of enforced hibernation. Now spring has come, nature is alive once more and we want to be too. What now? Do we go back to the way things were before our hibernation? Is that even possible? What is normal going to look like … Continue reading Getting from survival to revival
Spiritual drought
About this time every year farmers here on the dry Canadian prairies can be heard worrying about whether there will be enough moisture to produce a crop. This year we a are midway through the fourth month of winter with no end in sight according to the long range forecast. There is not a lot … Continue reading Spiritual drought
Is your church a theology-free zone?
I became aware of the declining interest in theology on the part of most churches shortly after my conversion and marriage. Both happened in 1970 and I mention my marriage because it was only after we were married that my wife and I began to attend church and look for spiritual fellowship. There was the … Continue reading Is your church a theology-free zone?
Revival!
In the 19th Century, before Saskatchewan was settled, a survey expedition led by John Palliser was sent west to evaluate the agricultural prospects of this country. They reported that there was a huge triangle of land starting along the southern border of the Canadian prairies with its northern point near Lloydminster that would not be … Continue reading Revival!
Am I a uniter or a divider?
During a recent visit in the home of a young couple in another congregation, the wife talked about the church her parents had attended when she was a child. The membership of that church is now down to the pastor and a few women; no man has been able to abide the pastor’s controlling ways. … Continue reading Am I a uniter or a divider?
Don’t listen to them
Eight or nine years ago, Minister Isaac Akinyombo of Nigeria was in one of our Canadian congregations to assist in revival meetings. An invitation was given at the end of one of the meetings, and as brother Isaac was giving the invitation he added these words: "Be aware that there is someone right beside you, … Continue reading Don’t listen to them
Renewed by fire
The prairies and forests of North America were ecosystems that depended on periodic fires for renewal. Most of those fires started from lightning strikes. The fires were beneficial in a number of ways: the build up of dead wood and plants was removed, most invasive plant species could not survive the fire, and the fire … Continue reading Renewed by fire
A simple question
The following paragraphs are quoted from By My Spirit, written by Jonathan Goforth. I would like to add a simple question to what Mr. Goforth has written: In this age of leisure, why do so many of us struggle to find time for reading the Bible? During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, … Continue reading A simple question
What if?
Many North American Christians appear to believe that separation of church and state only applies one way. They feel it is part of their calling to try to fix what is wrong in government. Yet cries of outrage are heard when government shows an inclination to try and fix what is wrong in the churches. … Continue reading What if?
Flatlander Faith 