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?

Revival and communion

Holy Communion in the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite is not a matter of routinely gathering at fixed intervals to partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine in remembrance of our Lord.  We believe that the peace and unity symbolized by this service must be fully authentic. To this end, we … Continue reading Revival and communion

Heat: physical and spiritual

We are sweltering in a heat wave here, with temperatures up to 32° with a humidex of 35°.  (That translates into 90° & 95° for those still using Fahrenheit.)  I realize that many readers might even consider those temperatures cool for this time of year.  But I live in Saskatchewan where we haven't had a … Continue reading Heat: physical and spiritual

Is this vile world a friend to grace?

Alexander Fraser Tytler, (1747 – 1813) was a Scottish lawyer, judge, writer and historian.  In writing about democracy in Athens, he first noted that a large number of the people were slaves, not citizens, then went on to say, “Nor were the superior classes in the actual enjoyment of a rational liberty and independence. They … Continue reading Is this vile world a friend to grace?

Not by might, but by my Spirit

The following paragraphs are found at the end of Jonathan Goforth's book By My Spirit, first published in 1929.  Jonathan Goforth was a Canadian missionary to China from 1888 to 1935. During the late Manchu dynasty, scholars were expected to know the classics of their sages off by heart. How do the scholars of so-called … Continue reading Not by might, but by my Spirit

Sanctification and Revival

In the congregation of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite where I am a member, we recently had a series of messages from two visiting ministers, one from Idaho the other from Québec. The messages pointed us to the roots of the malaise that has gripped the church for some years now. We call … Continue reading Sanctification and Revival