Most Amish trace their families back to Mennonites from the Canton of Berne in Switzerland. An Old Order Amish bishop once said to me, "There must have been a special strength of character in those Bernese Anabaptists that has enabled their descendants to keep the faith for hundreds of years." The Amish divided from the … Continue reading Keeping the faith
spiritual life
A series of coincidences?
We wanted to have children – and definitely more than one. I was an only child and my wife had been raised as an only child by her aunt and uncle. We didn't think that was the ideal way to grow up. We had been married less than a year when another young couple from … Continue reading A series of coincidences?
Fame is a dream
Fame is a dream– the praise of man as brief As morning dew upon the faded leaf; The summer sun exhales the pearly tear, And leaves no trace of its existence there. Seek not for immortality below, But fix your hopes beyond this vale of woe, That when oblivion gathers round thy sod, A lasting … Continue reading Fame is a dream
The fisherman’s net
By the time I started reading the Bible for myself I had abandoned all belief in the Christianity that I had been taught at home and in the church of my youth. I had read books on philosophy and on esoteric religions. It was interesting to consider all the permutations and combinations of their explanations … Continue reading The fisherman’s net
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?
Darkness was upon the face of the deep
When first created the earth was tohu and bohu – "without form and void," as the AV translation has it. The words could also be translated "confusion and emptiness." And there was darkness over all this chaotic mass - not a physical darkness, which would be meaningless before the vision of the Creator – but … Continue reading Darkness was upon the face of the deep
A Christian’s greatest enemy is inside of him
The apostle Paul knew it: "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not." John Newton knew it: "In defiance of my best judgment and best wishes, I find something within … Continue reading A Christian’s greatest enemy is inside of him
Really Simple Theology
Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. Here in 2 Timothy 2:19 the Apostle Paul gives the ground rules for discerning whether or not I am a Christian. The first rule is … Continue reading Really Simple Theology
Travelling home
It was pouring rain, with low-hanging clouds, when our friends drove us to the Vancouver Airport. Our holiday was over, we'd visited family and friends we hadn't seen for years, and now we were on our way home to Montréal. Eventually we were seated in our plane at the beginning of the runway. The jet … Continue reading Travelling home
Physician assisted suicide
Bravo Kevin! It's good to hear from you again, and it is especially good to hear a voice of sanity and compassion on this subject.
Flatlander Faith 