When does the story of the good news about Jesus begin? At his first public sermon in his home town of Nazareth? (Very popular…the congregation tried to kill him at the end of the service). At his birth in Bethlehem? (Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, etc.). Or maybe even further back with the many Old Testament prophecies that anticipated the Messiah’s arrival on our planet? Read More
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t’s the day after Canada Day. Last night’s fireworks in Assiniboine Park were the best ever. We took in a couple of fun street parties and hung the Maple Leaf with pride from the front of our home. During the finale of the pyrotechnics, it was inspiring to see an extended family of new immigrants stand up during the national anthem. As our daughter commented to a local politician yesterday, “Canada Day is just a fun holiday. You don’t get into trouble wishing someone a Happy Canada Day.”
But all is not well. Several months ago, Winnipeg experienced a boil water advisory. Our tap water was not deemed safe. It was a good reminder not to take clean drinking water for granted.
Two days of boiling water was a mild inconvenience. Can you imagine boiling your water, not for weeks or months, but for YEARS? That’s the calamity faced by Shoal Lake First Nation. This is the source of Winnipeg’s water. They do without while we prosper.
I am angry and embarrassed by our collective inaction on this issue. That’s why I have signed the attached petition.
http://community.sumofus.org/petitions/road-to-reconciliation-provide-access-to-clean-drinking-water-for-the-people-of-shoal-lake Read More
I love a good story, no matter what media is used. My favourite type of story is hearing the first hand experiences of individuals and how God found them.
I also love baptisms. I love the powerful imagery of death and rebirth, of the old being transformed by the new. I never get bored with baptisms because I love a good story…and believe it or not, everyone has an interesting story. Of course, all of our details will vary of course, but there is one common theme…how our loving Creator reaches out and draws seeking people to Himself and adopts them into his family. Read More
Have you ever been shut out of a gathering, party, or event that you really wanted to be a part of? Feels awful doesn’t it? That feeling that you just don’t have what it takes, or aren’t good enough…
Years ago, in the small Ontario town where we lived, a team of former NHL stars showed up for a charity event. It was the highlight of the winter for the hockey fans in our house. My oldest son (age 10) rooted through my old hockey card collection anticipating some sweet autographs. Read More
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
This past Sunday, our Family Worship service saw all the members of our tribe celebrating together. We randomly divided into groups and went on a brief “tour” of the stained glass windows in our sanctuary. Read More
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
It was the perfect setup line…young Sam was intensely scrutinizing the stained glass window. “I’m learning about Jesus!” he proclaimed. How did he know I would be using that image as the basis for my sermon within the hour? All the other pre-service “hectivity” stopped for me as I joined Sam in his exploration of the picture. We checked out Mary, Joseph, and the baby. We even admired the donkey’s nostrils. (I’m kind of glad this was only a two dimensional depiction of the Nativity). Read More
With hockey playoff frenzy taking over our city this week, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. All the sports clichés about “battles” and “going to war” can seem a bit over the top (and this is from a confirmed sports nut).
Who are Winnipeg’s real heroes? As much as I enjoy sports of all kinds (both professional and amateur), I think you would agree with me on this. Winnipeg’s real heroes are our first responders – the people who come to your door when you dial 911.
In the old Hollywood westerns, the arrival of a new sheriff in town (preferably with a white hat) usually represented a significant change in the community (hopefully for the better). Corruption and crime would decline, the streets would be safer and everyone’s quality of life would improve. All because there was a new authority present to lead people to a more hopeful future. Read More
I have always been a generally optimistic person. It’s part of my personality. However, I’m not so optimistic about human nature and humanity’s propensity to mess things up (including our beautiful planet).
That’s why we need hope.
Hope is based on the character of the Creator who intervened in human history to win back his broken creation and to rescue us from our foolish rebellion. Read More
Travelling Light 