Road-Building God
Luke tells us in his stories of Jesus and of the apostles’ acts of faith and daring, that all unfolded within the
Roman Empire, but beyond imperial control.
Faith
Faith That Sticks
In spite of the finest scholars involved and the best pedagogy going, our churches are not filled with students who came through the system. You may have had a bursting church school back in the ‘60s, but the majority of these now grown up participants no longer go to church.
Show Hospitality to Angels
Yes, we should sympathize with France and all other peoples who are killed and terrorized in the world. But Christians can never countenance being unforgiving.
Joy to the World!
The parking lot at the hospital was almost empty by 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. I stepped out of the car and crossed over icy ruts where cars were parked earlier, oil leaks mixing with fresh snow leaving dark smudges on Creation’s canvas.
The Fullness of Time
Advent should be like a funnel that focuses us invon the most important part of Christmas; renewingvour relationship with our Lord and Saviour. However, Advent competes with so much that demands our attention.
Meeting Refugees
Often we are experts on subjects until we are directly involved.
Apocalyptic Advent
Advent comes but once a year. That doesn’t make preaching in Advent easier. We’d rather think and worship ahead to Christmas.
Carrying Heartache and Hope
It’s hard to imagine anyone not wanting Canada to help out in the current worldwide refugee crisis. But despite the many positive responses I’ve heard about, including from the Christian community, I’ve also heard about some naysaying. So what’s going on?
The Gift of Faith
“I guess God’s decided it’s not time for you to die,” said Dr. Denis Bouchard one day last August. God’s decided or science has decided?
Confessing Faith Out Loud
Today, the Holy Spirit is shaping and equipping mission communities to be places so different from “country clubs of religion.”
Telling the Old Story
There are significant parallels between Remembrance Day and Communion Sundays. We remember great sacrifice willingly made. We remember our freedom is the result of that sacrifice.
God is Mystery
Tony Plomp’s cover story not only gives us an opportunity to talk about death which senior editor Andrew Faiz does in a companion piece to our cover story—but about the nature of God.
Call and Answer
In a time of institutional uncertainty, it is all too easy for mainline Canadian Christians to look longingly to the past and forward in fear.
Remembering Thanksgiving
I often find myself feeling over-committed, over-stressed and over-concerned. Usually, within a few weeks, my slow moving mind remembers that I cannot survive now, or at any other time, on my own strength and resources.
The Dark Side of Grace
I offer preachers who will wrestle with Job this month my heartfelt sympathies.
Thinking Like a Rabbit
You remember the story of the race between the tortoise and the rabbit? Remember who wins? If it were written today, the rabbit would win.
Reduced to a Number
Until we feel enough shame to make us feel vulnerable, I’m not sure we can move ahead. But moving ahead is where we need to aim.
At Home in the Pulpit
I preached my first sermon on Palm Sunday, 40 years ago. Like most first-time preachers I believed I had to say everything I thought could be said about the topic.
Slaves to Survival
Too often we want all the guarantees of success before we take the first step, but that’s not how God works.
A Time of Discernment
I need to let you know that there continues to be passionate discussion at every level of the Renewal Fellowship’s constituency and leadership.