It is important to have an assurance that God loves me just the way I am. But is that the most important factor in Christian life? The Law and the Gospels tell us that: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, … Continue reading Loving God
spiritual life
Double-decker church planting
I grew up in a town I shall call Seagull, Saskatchewan. This is a fictional name, as are all the other names given in this account, but the events are true to life as best as my memory serves. Like all other prairie towns, there were a number of tall wooden grain elevators lining the … Continue reading Double-decker church planting
Josiah Henson learns to read
It so happened that one of my Maryland friends arrived in this neighbourhood, and hearing of my being here, inquired if I ever preached now. I had said nothing myself, and had not intended to say any thing, of my having ever officiated in that way. I went to meeting with others, when I had … Continue reading Josiah Henson learns to read
Plain clothes
Clothing as a status symbol is not a new thing. In fact, a few hundred years ago there were laws to define what clothes a person could wear to fit his status in society. These were called sumptuary laws, and they made it possible to instantly discern whether a person was a priest, a bishop, … Continue reading Plain clothes
Unstable as water
Water is essential to life on this planet. The Bibles applies the life-giving properties of water in a spiritual sense when it speaks of the river of life and of the water and blood that poured from Jesus' side, . There is also a dangerous side to water, such as Jacob's description of Reuben, his … Continue reading Unstable as water
What is “the world”?
In 1 John 2:15-17, the apostle delivers a clear warning to Christians about loving the world and the things of the world: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the … Continue reading What is “the world”?
Stewards of the grace of God
"As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Peter 4:10). I don't recall ever hearing much discussion of this topic. When we talk of stewardship, we are generally thinking of our possessions and financial affairs, and too often … Continue reading Stewards of the grace of God
What are the signs that someone is a Christian?
A brother asked that question Sunday evening — a couple of verses of Scripture came immediately to mind, and more have come since that tine. I will put those thoughts down on the computer screen. I believe they give a good picture of what should characterize a true Christian, and while I acknowledge that it is … Continue reading What are the signs that someone is a Christian?
There’s a twittering in the trees
The snow is gone, lawns are starting to turn green, but the trees still appear brown and lifeless. Yet there is definitely life among the trees. From the open window we can hear are loud and continuous chorus of bird songs. There are robins, meadowlarks, blackbirds, juncos and others that we haven't identified. The juncos … Continue reading There’s a twittering in the trees
Human cargo for sale
As time went by, Josiah Henson married, began a family and was made overseer of the plantation. He was able in small ways to make life better for his fellow slaves and produced much better crops than the former white overseer. The owner, however, wasted all the profits of the plantation and decided to send … Continue reading Human cargo for sale
Flatlander Faith 