I have chosen to use a French word in this post. The closest equivalent in English is uniter, but I see the French word being used in a larger sense. It means someone who can unite people to work together for a common cause, a common goal. The principles listed here can be applied in … Continue reading Characteristics of a rassembleur
spirituality
What is a Biblical ethic of work and wealth?
There are Christians who revere voluntary poverty, seeing it as a means of escaping from the materialism of the world and of not abusing the resources of the earth. Other Christians revere work and consider the benefits that flow from it to be good stewardship and evidence of the blessing of God. Those in each … Continue reading What is a Biblical ethic of work and wealth?
Should we aspire to be poor?
When there are so many warnings and examples in the Bible of the dangers of being rich, why does it seem that many Christians think it is desirable to be rich? Luke 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the … Continue reading Should we aspire to be poor?
Consequences of a false gospel
Several weeks ago I wrote about the effect on education of René Descartes’ belief in the ability of the human mind to discover all truth through the exercise of reason. That belief has worked its way into every aspect of Western civilization. It is found in our media, our social institutions, our ideas about business, … Continue reading Consequences of a false gospel
Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
1. Speak often about our goodly heritage but remain tongue tied when asked to explain what it is. 2. Say we believe everything in the Bible, but never read it from beginning to end. 3. Consider a worship service to be a spectator activity. 4. Never volunteer for any task in the congregation. 5. Be … Continue reading Ten easy ways to squander our spiritual heritage
Change is in the air
A few days ago the days started to grow longer. I can’t tell the difference yet–the sun still rises at 9:15 AM and sets at 5:00 PM. The daily change so far is small: today is 25 seconds longer than yesterday, tomorrow will be 30 seconds longer than today. But I know that soon it … Continue reading Change is in the air
The power of little things
My mother was 10 when her family moved from south-east Manitoba to south-west Saskatchewan. Whenever she talked about that move she would say "The thing I missed was seeing the tees and the Indians." It wasn’t until I reached adulthood that I asked the obvious question: "Mon, I get the part about the trees, but what's … Continue reading The power of little things
A refuge
A refuge, a place where I could escape the storms that beat around me; that’s what I needed. When one is young, many storms are more imagined than real. But my father’s anger was real. He was not violent, but when he lost his temper angry words rang throughout the house, seemed to be in … Continue reading A refuge
Questions of life and eternity
What is the most important factor in making a person want to be a Christian? Is it the fear of hell, or the longing for heaven? Have you ever been in a discussion like that? What was the conclusion? I think both factors have some motivational influence, but I do not believe that either is … Continue reading Questions of life and eternity
Some more thoughts on evangelism
OK, we need to strip the gospel message down to the pure Bible-based essentials and restore all those essentials that have been cast away. Now, when we come to sharing this vital message, we need to strip away all the verbiage and attitudes that hide the message rather than revealing it. Here are some thoughts … Continue reading Some more thoughts on evangelism
