Taking a Break
I will be taking a break from writing here in order to finish my semester of studies. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Read MoreGiving Thanks in 2020
2020 has been and continues to be a difficult year for many. So can we get a pass on giving thanks and simply agree that this year sucks?
Read MoreWhy Canada Can’t Just Move On
The narrative that most Canadians receive when it comes to Indigenous-settler reconciliation is that we apologized for what happened in the past, so now it’s time to move on. We may talk the talk, make apologies, and pass declarations, but when the walk doesn’t match the talk, we realize that all those words are empty.
Read MoreHow Stories Shape Us
Stories have the power to shape our worldview - how we believe the world functions and what our place in it is. But the big question remains - how do we judge the stories we tell? How do we know what stories are true?
Read MoreIf Only My Opa Met Bonhoeffer
My Opa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were both German. My Opa was a soldier in Hitler’s army. Bonhoeffer did all he could to oppose the Nazi state. How is this possible? One reason is that Bonhoeffer believed a very different narrative about Germany, Hitler, and those who were different from him.
Read MoreLessons from a Nazi
The fact that my Opa was a Nazi is something that I’ve tried to hide for a long time. However, his story has taught me something powerful about racism - that is that stories matter! If we want to know why some people do horrible things to others because of their race, we need to pay attention to the stories they are telling.
Read MoreAn Ode to the Bode
In 2008, I went to Germany to attend Bible School at Bodenseehof. Were it not for COVID-19, the halls of the Bode would be full once again. I am sad that the school year has been postponed, but it’s also got me thinking about my time there.
Read MoreThe Gift of Rest
If we want to live as God intended, we need to include rhythms of sabbath - times when we stop and take a break from that which we consider “work." I find this extremely difficult because rest often feels unproductive and selfish. But it’s something I continue to work on.
Read MoreFinding the Kingdom of God at Camp
A few months ago, I thought any hope of still running summer camp this year was gone for good. But I’m so thankful that our camps have found an innovative way to open up their space to kids this year. Once again, I got to witness the kingdom of God at work.
Read MoreWhen Our Freedom Costs Others
Is wearing a mask an infringement of our freedoms? How should we respond to all the rules and regulations that are in place because of COVID-19? Surprisingly, Paul addresses how to deal with our freedoms in 1 Corinthians 8.
Read MoreTo All Our Friends in Cross Lake
Were it not for COVID-19, we would be returning to the community of Cross Lake for the 11th year in a row, Instead, we are sharing our love and greetings in this video.
Read MoreBirth and Death During COVID-19
My family and I experienced both birth and death during this COVID-19 pandemic. While the experiences were vastly different, both solidified for me the importance of relationships and community.
Read MoreGod Our Mother
I’ve heard a lot of fathers tell me that having kids has taught them more about God. But for me, at least for now, observing my wife be the mother of our child has taught me more about God than my role as a father.
Read MoreWhat is the LGBTQ+ Community Actually Asking of Us?
I can’t count how many times I have heard talk about a “Gay Agenda” or reverse discrimination. I understand the fear, but if we want to enter genuine dialogue about sexuality, we need to understand what is actually being asked of us.
Read MoreNever Let a Good Crisis Go To Waste
There’s an old saying: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” It often refers to people taking advantage of others during a crisis in order to get ahead. It’s not usually positive, but I think Christians should take time to consider it seriously.
Read MoreWe Shouldn’t Be Colour Blind
I used to think that it was the Christian respond to be “colour blind” when it comes to race; however, race itself isn’t the issue. It’s not a negative that we need to get rid of. The issue is that we’ve misunderstood God’s design of humanity. When that happens, we become blind to God’s call for diversity, justice, and peace.
Read MoreIn Loving Memory of Grandma Zehr
I lost my Grandma a week ago. Elaine Zehr will always be remembered for her loving spirit and contagious laugh. May she rest in peace and may God grant us comfort as we journey on without her.
Read MoreMissing Out On "God Moments"
This week we heard that some of our camping ministries have decided to cancel their programs for the summer due to COVID-19. Although I agree with the decisions, it saddens me because I was really looking forward to meeting God at camp again this year.
Read MoreWriting a Psalm for Clara
The Psalms are people's own prayers, poems, and songs that express thankfulness, praise, sorrow, pain, or lament before God. If I were to write my own Psalm today, this is how it would go.
Read MoreThe View from the Empty Tomb
Although we don’t always know what God is doing in our lives and in our world, we do notice when we’re going through dark times. But it’s often only when we come out of it on the other side that we realize how God has been with us and worked through those times to bring us life.
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