Church Blog (Page 61)

I did not think it unusual to have attended a Catholic School as a child, until years later an American girl remarked, “You attended a parochial school?” Most of my later schooling was done at state schools, so I did understand the difference. I did try to explain to her that, though considered ‘narrow-minded’ by others, that was not the way we saw ourselves. In fact, we believed that any schooling done beyond our gates was a complete waste of…

Through the centuries, many of our brethren have suffered greatly for naming the name of Christ. Their families have branded them, traitors, to their heritage for attaching themselves to the Household of God—the Lord’s church. Accusations of shame have been followed by threats or violence. The cost of discipleship for some of these brothers and sisters has begun with family alienation and ended in death by their hands. You and I may never know such extremes. However, we should not…

I am always careful when speaking about possessions. It is easy for embittered spirits to condemn others for having too much or too little. What people have is between them and God, and who am I to judge my brother or sister? John the Baptist and Barnabas did not share the same postal code. Moreover, there was obviously a big difference between their financial portfolios—John literally lived off the land and Barnabas had spare land to sell for the church…

I have a friend who works at an apartment store. He and his manager witnessed a man coming into the store, picking up two sleeping bags and a tent, and proceeding to leave the store without paying. My friend ran after the thief and told him to stop. Of course, the closer he got to the man, the more he realised how big he was. But that was not the worst of it, he suddenly realised that he was alone—the…

We all know brethren who have followed family members out of the church, never to return. If ever there is a time flooded with a sense of hopelessness it is that. You would think that the fear of the fires of hell would make them think twice—but tragically, not so! Jesus’ stark warning is for all:“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even…

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil” (Isa.5:20). Isaiah’s words ring as true today as they did 2700-years-old. Today, you would think that we might at least expect some signs of shame from those caught doing or promoting godless acts, but not so. Instead, we are in an age where only those who point out evil are expected to feel shame—and be shamed. Promoting Jesus and his word as the divine moral standard for humanity will get…

A rather robust father sat in front of his cell phone camera flanked by his two equally robust sons. He announced in a strong regional accent that he had bought $400 worth of Scratchcards and was about to “make my fortune.” He divided the cards between himself, and his two sons and they, with coins in hand, proceeded to process the cards. When they had finished, he announced his winnings. “The return on my $400 investment is…$225. A loss of…

A billionaire took his eight-year-old granddaughter along on a trip on his private jet. Being an Internet personality, he decided to make an impromptu video with his young passenger. His attempts at sagely advice on the pros and cons of money didn’t go as he expected. When he asked her, “What good things can you do if you have a lot of money?” She said ecstatically, “Fly in a Lear Jet.” He laughed at his defeat and wished his audience…

I will not pretend to understand the extent of the cruelty involved in a crucifixion. But less will I pretend to understand the extent of loving grace involved in Jesus’ crucifixion. My efforts at “taking up my cross daily” are pitiful compared to my Lord’s. To even suggest that I comprehend the depths of its meaning is a stretch. I say with Paul: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are…

I have a preacher friend who is known for finishing his sermons “with a hymn.” I have listened to enough of his sermons to have noticed that he will even slip a line or two of his favourite hymns into the body of his sermon too. Knowing that he is never wanting for sermon material, I have thus concluded the obvious: Those hymns are designed to inspire, and they do! By them, we acknowledge together “Faith is the victory.” And…