When you look at our cure, you have to conclude we have a major sickness. In the story of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35), the King, representing God, forgives the servant 10,000 talents of debt. A day-labourer, I am told, might pay that in 20 years, if he spent money on nothing else. Jesus is using exaggerated figures to make a point: God has given you a mind-blowing forgiveness, now go and forgive your fellow servant likewise. Continue reading Be Forgiven, You Vanquished, Conquered Warrior→
We soon approach the season of Advent. And what an Advent season it will be. In recent history, there may never have been a more poignant sense that we are in waiting. Waiting for life to return to normal. Waiting to be able to freely socialize with one another. Waiting to sing in worship services without the hindrance of masks. Waiting for an end to anxiety—that we may unknowingly spread disease to our friends, family or neighbours. Or, anxiety over getting ill ourselves or loss of income. All around the world, we are wondering: when will it be over? Continue reading COVID-19, Contagion, and Christ→
During this Advent season,Inever thought Mary and I had much in common. In onesupernaturalencounter, she accepts the honour of bearing the Messiah(Luke 1:29-38). I relate betterto someone like Gideon putting out a fleece or two,making certainof God’s calling (Judges 6:36-40). Continue reading Relinquishing the Impossible→
STEINBACH, Man.—Is your congregation seeking deacons, looking at their role, or does it want to help them succeed? This free resource, produced by Dr. Darryl G. Klassen with EMC support, can help.
A number of years ago a friend of mine was leading a workshop with a group of children’s ministry workers when he was asked this question: “Why should we teach the gospel to children? They won’t understand it anyways.”
by Barbara Chambers, Director of Communications, Abundance Canada
Across the country, churches have stopped meeting, school has been cancelled, and non-essential businesses have implemented modified operating conditions or closed completely. Although everyone wants to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Canadians are unaccustomed to being confined to our homes (many of which have become simultaneous offices, playgrounds, classrooms, and nurseries).
Praise the Lord that we have Gospels written by Matthew for the Jews, as some people think; Mark, possible dictated by the apostle Peter and to whom everything seems to happen “immediately”; Dr. Luke, the physician; and John, a close friend of Jesus.
I remember hearing a sad lament from a deacon, recently appointed to deacon ministry. When this eager new deacon asked a friend in church to go for coffee, the friend got suspicious and asked, “Are you asking because you’re my friend or because you’re a deacon?”
GERMANY – Let me tell you about a time I was almost famous.
A few years ago, some of my friends and I made a YouTube channel. For a year we wrote and produced a short video every two weeks. We tried westerns, we tried superheroes, we dabbled in comedic horror and bad puns. Some of it was funny; everything was original.
