The parable of Steve Jobs and the two iPhones
Once upon a time two iPhones were having a chat. It went something like this. Phone #1 : “I wonder how we got here? We are so amazing, I think someone very smart – even smarter and more amazing than...
View ArticleThe power of hospitality
Most Christians, if asked to list five of the attributes of God, would probably come up with words like loving, powerful, forgiving, just, holy, and so forth. These are all important descriptors of...
View ArticleWhy I celebrate Christmas
A couple of weeks ago, Marion and I watched the 1984 production of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, in which Ebenezer Scrooge is set free from his addiction to greed, and discovers again the joy of...
View ArticleWhat my Jewish brother taught me
Some of my best friends are Jewish. To start with, there’s Jesus. You know, the one they crucified so that you and I could be born anew into resurrection life. He’s my friend. He’s Jewish. Oh, and...
View ArticleWhat is our hope?
I live in the midst of a community of (mostly-young) believers who are passionate in their insistence on seeing their world transformed by the gospel. I am inspired by their passion. At the same time,...
View ArticleWhy we wait
Many of you know that my last IT consulting contract ended almost three months ago. Since then, Marion, Bethany and I have been living on reserves, and I have been waiting on the Lord for new work....
View ArticleMessing with your head
This post has the potential to mess with your head. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. In this post I want to focus on something you may not have thought about in concrete terms before. I want to talk about...
View ArticleRacing through life
Life is short. It’s a common observation, but one that leads people to vastly different conclusions. A couple of weeks ago, at a family gathering, I was chatting with my niece Kyla who is only a few...
View ArticleGod’s strong-willed children
Our feisty, spirited and very cute granddaughter Alivia (Livie), not quite three years old, is learning the power of her own will. Although she clearly looks up to big sister Sophie, Livie also has a...
View ArticleThe power of blessing
My beloved wife celebrated her 60th birthday a few days ago. I’m not always the best at planning ahead for such events, but I have learned over the years that special days are important to Marion, and...
View ArticleTruthful lips and a truthful heart
Recently I witnessed an interaction that I found quite disturbing. An adult caregiver was speaking to a young child. The caregiver had said something that was incorrect, and was acknowledging this to...
View ArticlePerspective on the eve of an election
Tomorrow the people of Ontario will choose a new provincial government. This has been one of the most hotly-contested and tumultous elections I can remember. We live in a time of increasing social...
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Raise a Yuletide glass?
Christmas is coming, and with it the inevitable holiday parties where food and drink of all sorts will be offered. I love eating and drinking! Food and drink are among the chief pleasures of this...
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Nuggets of Hope 3 – Not Guilty
Not guilty. That’s what God, the Judge of all the earth, will say on the Last Day to all those who have put their hope in Jesus, the slain Lamb of God. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, I am...
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Nuggets of Hope 8 – Adopted
The children in this photo are orphans. They live in a group home in East Asia, run by people who love Jesus and love children. In this group home they are cared for by volunteer house parents. Having...
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Nuggets of Hope 9 – An Open Door to God
One of the hardest things about the COVID-19 pandemic for many people is isolation. Yes, it’s better than getting sick, but not being able to have contact with friends and loved ones is hard for all...
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Nuggets of Hope 11 – Complete in Christ
Yesterday afternoon, as I came back from a long Saturday walk, I saw a small crowd gathered in front of the house diagonally across from ours. At least, it was a crowd by COVID-19 pandemic standards....
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Nuggets of Hope 12 – Cancelled
Cancelled. Many things have been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel plans, meetings, projects, school, parties, shows – you name it. Most of these cancellations are unwelcome,...
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Nuggets of Hope 14 – Not Separated
The three cuties in this pic are my granddaughters Madeleine, Sophie and Alivia. They live in Kansas City with their parents, my son Simeon and his wife Heather. This photo was taken during their last...
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Nuggets of Hope 16 – Hidden with Christ
Waiting. For those of us whose main assignment is to stay home, the waiting is one of the hardest things about the COVID-19 pandemic. For many Christians, this pandemic exposes our drive to be...
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