Goodbye
I have been blessed to play with these kids in a really fun amusement park. I’m going to miss the daily engagement with them all. I’m going to miss having this bully pulpit. And I’m going to miss hanging with all of you.
Pop Christianity
Keeping Christ
I got a hug from a stranger in a church. It was great.
Brag On Yourself
You all don’t always think of yourselves as unique and interesting enough to brag on yourself. But I humbly submit that you’re wrong.
Rhythm for Rhythm
When I asked a fellow tourist from Dublin what she thought of Hanoi, she exclaimed, “I crossed the street!” We laughed because it is an accomplishment.
The Red Spot Project
Would Dad understand the Red Spot Project?
On Belonging
Early in ‘72 Dad had to go to Yemen where he had a job through the United Nations. The Sunday before he left, he made an announcement at the start of worship: “I have to go away for work and I’m leaving my family in your care.”
A Closed Triangle
This is a snapshot of a typical Protestant congregation today, which is likely to have more people attending on a Sunday who have no strong denominational ties.
What We’re Really Talking About
“This is about more than sex. This is about: What is God? What is God’s character? What is sin? It affects our doctrine of God. It affects our doctrine of sin. It affects our doctrine of scripture.”
A Little Guarded
Two stalwart members walked by and one said to the other, “I think I’ll sit beside you today, somebody’s sitting in my pew.” I could see the couples’ shoulders tense.
The Wide Boulevard
Letter One: “I did not know that the Presbyterian Record and staff are supporters of the Liberal Party of Canada by having political articles in there [sic] magazine.”
Ahlan Wa Sahlan
The Canadian Forces flight 3129 landed around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 10th last year.
Be Joyful in Hope
Some quote Matthew 25:35-40 to prove we have a biblical responsibility to care for and shelter the “other,” the “stranger.”
Faith, Works, Praise
Two flash portraits of two of the most interesting people I met in Hungary—and a really quick note:
Vote With Vision
Chasing public opinion leads to the bottom. A politician can always find broad public favour in the lowest common denominator.
Desperate Rituals
July I went to a Dionysian wedding. Dionysian?, you ask. Sure; that’s what they said. It was an attempt to create a new ritual where confidence and faith in old rituals had disappeared.
One Sunday Afternoon
It started, as these things often do, from the unlikeliest source: The Committee to Nominate Standing Committees.
Disagreeing Friends
As a liberal I’m very critical of the smugness of liberals. As a liberal I’m also critical of the holier-than-thouness of evangelicals. Both these poses drive me absolutely batty.
A Tree in the City
Trees grow old. A maple can live to four centuries, but not in the city. They can’t shed and regenerate where we live.
Bending the Wild
Addictions. So many addictions. The greatest of which is social norm: To be accepted.
Rest and Respond
I spent some time in January reading the11 issues of last year’s Record. Perhaps it was the frame of mind I was in but I noted a narrative that echoed from issue to issue.