Back in 1932 I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's Southside. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting. I didn't want to … Continue reading Peace in the Valley
singing
Harvest Home
Here in Saskatchewan the trees are bare, the flowers have died, geese are migrating and most of the combines are parked. Garden produce has been gathered in and the long, plump, white grain bags lying in many fields are silent evidence of a bountiful harvest. Monday will be Thanksgiving. The custom of giving thanks for … Continue reading Harvest Home
The difference between worship and entertainment
Worship is an act of homage, reverence and devotion paid to a deity. Entertainment is something that offers us amusement, excitement and a diversion from the mundane problems of our life. Worship is something we do; it implies an active participation in the act of worship. Entertainment is an activity where we are merely spectators. … Continue reading The difference between worship and entertainment
Pressing utmost need
The days here have been cool for the last few days. Today was the coolest at 10° Celsius. Sunshine and warmer weather is supposed to return tomorrow. Throughout the day today there was always a hummingbird at our hummingbird feeder and a goldfinch at our finch feeder. I know there was more than one of … Continue reading Pressing utmost need
Life isn’t fair
These are real people that I’m going to write about, but I’m not going to use their real names. Elsie and Elizabeth were already quite elderly when we knew them; the story of their earlier life was told to us by others. They were sisters, born in pioneer days on a prairie farm and grew … Continue reading Life isn’t fair
I owe the Lord a morning song
Amos Herr (1816-1897) lived on a Lancaster county, Pennsylvania farm that had been in the Herr family since 1710 when his ancestors fist arrived from Europe. In addition to being a farmer, he was a minister of the local Mennonite congregation. One wintry Sunday morning about 150 years ago, he awoke to a raging blizzard … Continue reading I owe the Lord a morning song
When you and I were young, Maggie
I wandered today to the hill, Maggie, To watch the scene below, The creek and the creaking old mill, Maggie, As we used to, long ago. The green grove is gone from the hill, Maggie, Where first the daisies sprang, The creaking old mill is still, Maggie, Since you and I were young. And now … Continue reading When you and I were young, Maggie
Why I go to church on Sunday
It's not because the Fourth Commandment demands it. The Fourth Commandment says nothing at all about worship. It's not because the ceremonies of the church are a means of imparting the grace of God. I was a member of a liturgical church in my youth, and took part in the Eucharist every Sunday, as much … Continue reading Why I go to church on Sunday
What Standard Are We Using?
"Thus he showed me: and, behold, the Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. And the Lord said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the Lord, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I … Continue reading What Standard Are We Using?
Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, is one of the oldest English Christmas carols, going back at least 500 years. Not many people sing it today because of scruples about “Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Those words conjure up a picture of old English gentlemen at their ease, their merriment fuelled by great flagons of wine. Except that … Continue reading Peace and joy in the subjunctive mood
Flatlander Faith 