Rearranging Priorities
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” So said the Preacher. It was all I could think of as I picked up the glossy real estate […]
Faith
Turning the World Upside Down
As you read this, the Long-Range Planning Committee has just finished hosting a conference which they hope and pray will be one of those moments […]
A Tale of Three Cities
May 9: Sixth Sunday of Easter Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 Picture an old saint named John. He lives on the rocky island of Patmos, a prisoner […]
Christ in Us
Ministers, ordained and lay, have always known that shorter sermons are generally more difficult to craft than longer ones. I should have been the wiser […]
Thirst for the Gospel
“Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.” — 1 Corinthians 4:1 “Like good stewards of the manifold […]
Two Canadian Religions
When I was seven years old, I lost my faith in organized recreation.
Do You Know Your Book of Praise?
Looking for contemporary songs in contemporary language? Here are some—surprise, surprise—in the Book of Praise.
Laws and Motions
Partly in honour of Charles Darwin’s 200th annivesary, the movie Creation has recently been made available in North America. I suspect there will be many […]
Believe
Stop doubting and believe. — John 20:27 As I put my pen to paper for this article, Canada is about to host the 2010 Olympic […]
Believing Thomas
April 11: Second Sunday of Easter John 20: 19-31 Suppose, up in heaven, the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples have a reunion. Matthias — Judas’ […]
In-Betweenness
The question of identity is difficult to answer. Who am I? Is this a question of “I” who has been, who is and who will […]
God Spoke to Me
“Do you think that God might be speaking to me?” he asked. This young man was new to the Presbyterian Church and to Christian faith, […]
Looking for Contemporary Songs
When I listen to CCM artists, I keep hearing the language of old hymns. Who is writing in contemporary idioms about contemporary faith?
The Versus Problem
Shouldn’t churches avoid the new and trendy, and keep Mr. and Mrs. Stalwart comfortable until it’s time to shut the doors for good?
Where in the World is God?!
I made my way onto the subway one cold December morning. I found myself squished amidst the crowds, tense about the fellow who was yelling […]
Populist Thuggery
The headline in one of my community newspapers said it all: Low Murder Rate [an] Anomaly: Cops. It was a classic case of not letting […]
Unmeasured, Offensive Love
March 14: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Maybe it’s a function of my crochety personality. I’m drawn to gospel stories where Jesus goes out […]
Stealing from the Best
I’ve spent a lot of time hanging around worship leaders, picking their brains. I here offer the fruits of my kleptomania.
Praying with Haitians
There they were, Haitians singing, dancing and drumming what CNN Guy called “religious songs” as they patiently waited for basic necessities. Here I was, safe inside my home, wanting to sing and pray along with these people that I didn’t know.