Consider this

                  In a recent TED talk, New York Times best-selling author Johann Hari makes the case that, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety.   The opposite of addiction is connection”.                   While not denying the chemical and physical causes of addition, he states that, “Human beings have a natural and innate need to bond.   And when we are happy and healthy, we’ll bond and connect with each other.   But if you can’t do that – because you’re traumatized or isolated or beaten down by life – you will bond with something that will give you some sense of relief.   Now that might be gambling, that might be pornography, that might be cocaine, that might be cannabis, but you will bon...

                  When I was a kid, Sunday school stories were accompanied by fannelboard re-enactments.   Jesus, the disciples, the Sea of Galilee and all kinds of other things were put in front of us to help our understanding and keep our attention.   More than 45 years later, I can still see them.   They were useful!                 Unfortunately, sometimes people grow up and read the Bible in a way that is as flat and lifeless as those fannelboard figures.   One simple way to counteract that problem is to pay attention to the emotions within the text.                   For years, I missed that part.   I was so busy looki...

                For the 28 years that I have been in Estevan, I have used the exact same mechanical pencil to write my sermons.   When I play squash, I use the lock that I used in high school gym class.   I have a hair brush that I bought in grade 7 (sadly, I don’t need it much these days).   I have lived in the same house for 20 years and I have been married to Sara for almost 25 years.   Every Christmas eve, since I was 10 years old, I have watched the black and white version of “A Christmas Carol”.   Clearly, I am not someone who likes change!                 However, the past few years have brought a lot of changes to my life and to the lives of those around me.   Here are some...

                  Several years ago, a friend of mine was watching his son play hockey at the old Civic Auditorium.   Throughout the game, fans from both teams were yelling at one another until finally one of them said, “You guys think you are so tough!   Who wants to step outside with me?”    My friend said, “I do!” and so they headed off to settle the score.                 As the reached the bottom of the stairs, my friend stopped and said, “If we go outside, it is going to be serious, so here is what is going to happen.   I am going to buy you a coffee and we are going to sit here and drink them together.   After that, if you still want to go outside and fight, then we wil...

                  One would think that the passengers of a British Airways flight that landed in Edinburgh, Scotland last week should have been happy.   Their flight left London on time.   The crew did their jobs well.   The airplane functioned properly.   It was completely uneventful except for one detail: They were supposed to be in Dusseldorf, Germany!   Somehow an incorrect flight plan was filed and so the crew flew the plane to the wrong place.                   When you can get all the small details right, but miss a big one, you have a real problem!                 Churches can make a similar mistake...

                If you want to be successful in any part of your life, it is essential that you defend against discouragement.   Over the last thirty years, discouragement has been my biggest enemy.   Here are two of the best lessons that I have learned to help get me through.                 First, we must realize that our influence only goes so far.   We like to think that if we do the right things we will get our desired result, but that is not always true.   Consider Jotham, King of Judah.   2 Chronicles 27 says that he, “Did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (verse 2a).   That same verse goes on to note that, “The people, however, continued in their corrupt practices!” (verse 2b).  ...

                  Over the years, I have heard lots of lessons on things like baptism, elders and church organization.   If you are just starting in faith, those are great topics.   However, mature Christians ought to “move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ” (Hebrews 6:1).     Milk is for babies, but solid food is for the mature! (Hebrews 5:13-14)   In that light, here is something solid for you to chew on.                 Is there anything amazing happening in your church?   Is it really any different from any other group to which you belong?    Ephesians 3:10 states that the “manifold wisdom of God” is to be on display in the church!   People should be able to ...