Pastors Pen
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“Powerful Life Lessons in Popular Culture”
Do you recall that significant moment when, in the Peter Jackson finale ofJ.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, Frodo fails to throw the Ring of Powerinto the lava flows of Mount Doom, and instead takes it for himself?Viewers seemed to linger almost torturously on that...
“A Case Study in Open-Eyed Justice” 02-08-2024
[Image: Virginia City Justice Statue: Glen Franco Simmons] On the second floor above the main doors of the Courthouse in Virginia City, Nevada, stands a rather unusual statue. While not utterly unique, according to some sources, the figure is one of only about 20...
Observation on Grace and Cancellation
(Image credit: Alamy) The recent experiences of Bay Community Church— with a local newspaper speculating about church “hatred” in its headline, and then assuming its speculation is factual by the time the article was half-way through— is a curious indication of the...
“Unreasonable Reasonable Limits”
Christians often grapple with the degree to which they should be invested in the general culture and political climate. As near as I can determine, no Biblical formula exists. We are to be led by the Holy Spirit, and prayerfully move as He directs. In point of...
Once Upon a Time
Once upon a time, there was a Fortune 500 CEO who fell in love with a beautiful company intern. An honourable and handsome man, he had never married because of the ever-increasing demands of the business that he had helped grow since its inception. His employees now...
Word Over Whim
An honest tracing of political evolution through Western history tends to implicate the Bible more than the average citizen realizes. The idea of a national covenant, which informed British constitutionalism, for instance, is a Biblical concept. Even in a more...
“The Truth About Minorities”
When the greatest among us will serve, when the tiny yeast impacts the greater dough, when 300 is enough for God, we ought to be questioning our contemporary obsession with demographic weight.
“When God is Moving…”
After years of seeming defeat and decline, we may well be arriving at a new day for Biblical faith on this Continent.
“Brave in the Land”
Given the curious parallels between Promised Land imagery and Kingdom of God imagery, the saints in Christ should know that it's going to take bravery and faith to live in the midst of this culture.
“Faith in the Midst of Choice”
Some unknowing and some ambiguity in life is not just natural, it's even supernatural. So walk in faith!
“Children and Their Proxies”
Childhood looms large in both Matthew 2 and Luke 2. Today, we look at some of the implications of this.
“Love Came Down”
On this, the Advent Sunday of Love, let us confess that love is at the core of why we find ourselves here, inside the universe. It is also the essence of why we forgiven.
“Rejoice in the Truth”
In the midst of a graceless world, rejoice in the Biblical message and in your personal ministries, for such meaning is for here, and will never come again!
“Don’t Keep Your Peace; Go Tell It!”
Silence is not the same thing as peace; in fact, sometimes the only way to establish peace is to not remain silent.
“The Magnifiers”
God humbles the proud, but gives grace to the humble. In other words, He magnifies the lowly, and helps them in their distress. It's interesting, too, that Mary, in turn, magnifies the living God in Luke 1.
“Uganda Possibilities Project Team— Comox Valley”
With the return of the multi-church team from East Africa in late October, comes an opportunity today to reflect upon the meaningful joys of Mission.
“We Three Kings of Orient Aren’t”
Today, we take a look at the ordination of 3 distinct Israelite kings, and discuss how the anointing of individuals and leaders differs, Biblically.
“Persecution: the Hunt is On.”
When the hunt is on for Christians, the hunt for Christians is on.
“Underpowered: the Legacy of Unbelief”
We love to say, "Greater is He that is within me..." but when the rubber hits the road, do we actually believe it?
“Charity Begets Worship (Thanksgiving)”
The Apostle Paul tells the Corinthian Church something a bit unexpected. Not only does charity help human need, it also produces vertical thanksgiving.
“The Convicting Heart of David”
King David was far from perfect, but there is an instant in the second book of Samuel where he intercedes on behalf of values that simply TOWER above our own.