In an unusual occurrence, today is both Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day. So what should you do? Start fasting or go out and celebrate? Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of 40 days known as Lent. In more traditional churches the branches from last year’s Palm Sunday service are burned and their ashes applied to the …
I was once asked to visit a lady in her early forties who was dying of cancer. She was the neighbour to one of our church members. She had no church connection but was interested in having me do her funeral as she only had weeks to live. I knew her Christian neighbour had shared …
What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened to you at church? I bet you’d have a hard time beating Eutychus’ story. The Apostle Paul was in Troas for a week of special meetings. Being a preacher, Paul kept on talking until it was close to midnight. The room was lit with oil lamps which …
When do we stop dreaming? As children, it was natural to dream about the future and what we might be when we grow up. We could dream and imagine a better future, excitement, and adventure. But life has a way of beating you down and your dreams grow less and less powerful. There is no …
Amazon delivery driver Alexis Prochniki thought she was seeing things last week as she was driving her route through southern Ontario, Canada. At first, she thought it was a deer, not an unusual sight on her travels. But the ‘deer’ appeared to have little arms and was hopping along the road. She backed up her …
“Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.” Psalm 29:2 I wonder how much time, in an average week, we spend ascribing glory to the Lord. After all, this is what Psalm 29 tells us to do. What exactly does ‘ascribe glory to the Lord’ mean? It just means talking about …
One of the most helpful books I read last year was James Clear’s Atomic Habits. I’ve been thinking about it again as 2024 begins. Often, people make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, and those good intentions tend to fade after a while. Full of ambition and desire to change but seldom is …
I trust that you have been able to enjoy some time this Christmas with family or friends. This week is often a time to relax, reflect on the last year and ponder what lies ahead. As we prepare to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in a New Year, I want to leave you with …
Many people no longer make the connection between Christmas and Christ, however, Christmas Day remains a prominent holiday. Most folks think it is a time to rest, enjoy family and take a break from all the stress. Maybe do some reflecting before the year is over. All cultures have holidays and festivals that are a …
I haven’t always understood the Advent Season. It really wasn’t a part of my church liturgy growing up. Advent was seen as more of a pre-Christmas preparation period if anything at all. However, Advent was originally intended to give a different focus. In some ways, it was meant to help us understand the dark period …
