December 16

What if the four angels, that John saw,  holding back the four winds of the earth could have saved the 27 migrant workers and their families? Oh God, please wipe the tears of those who mourn and the witnesses who could do nothing but listen to the screams of the children.

Revelation 7  NP A15

December 15

Many motorist were trapped under a blanket of snow on Highway 402 to Sarnia because of severe weather. But they had to wait to be rescued.

Revelation 6:9-11  NP A1

December 14

Is Canadians debt like having seaweed wrapped around your head?

Jonah 2:5  FP1

December 13

Could King George V1who had a speech impediment, but struggled to conquer it, lay his crown down and say "You are worthy, our Lord and God to receive glory and honour and power"? Can I?

Revelation 4:10,11  NP B12

December 11

One of the little known effects of in-vetro fertilization is fetal reduction — oh God! if you kept a record of our sins, who could stand?

Psalm 130:3  NP A10

December 20

Jewish leaders in Calgary practiced restorative justice with a teen who really hates Zion.

Psalm 129: 5  NP A10

December 9

NP published a story along with revealing photos, about 218 charges laid in a huge child porn bust. Could we not put these photos on billboards instead of ads?

Proverbs 29:18  NP A15

December 8

I don't think cutting off someone's nose and ears counts when we are commanded to discipline our children.

Proverbs 29:17  NP A15

December 7

Canadian hospice workers say that their work with the dying is teaching them how to live. May all go well with you, even as your soul is getting along.

3 John 1:2  NP A2

December 6

Leo Tolstoy wrote "The aim of an artist is not to solve a problem irrefutably, but to make people love life in all its countless, inexhaustible manifestations." Sounds like a message for Christians.

3 John 1  NP A2

December 4

In John 1 I read not to believe every spirit, even well written leaks.

I John 4:4-6   NP A 30

December 2

An atheist group in Toronto is rolling out a new set of posters with the slogan: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence". Even if there is a mountain of evidence, the world still chooses not to know him.

I John 3:1  NP A2

December 1

Gideon's International wants to distribute bibles to classrooms and the Ontario school board is having big problems with this. Although there is no official church and state separation in Canada, the state has an obligation to insure that public schools don't impose religious views or engage in coercion. This may be a problem because the Bible pretty much speaks for itself.

I John 2  NP A2

November 30

John Reilly is a retired Provincial Court Judge and has written a book chronicling his work, primarily among the First Nations. He asks some hard questions like: "why doesn't someone put an end to the squalor of native communities? Because chiefs and consultants get rich from dysfunctional Indians".  Will his rebuking go further than flattery in solving this complicated issue?

Proverbs 28:23  NP A18

November 29

Stacy Bonds, a young black woman was arrested unlawfully, thrown into a jail cell and strip searched all because she asked a question. The judge saved her from a den of lions.

Daniel 6  NP A5

November 27

No prophecy came from the prophet's own interpretation except I guess for these guys who marry children. Dear God, please rescue these young girls around the world from men who think they are prophets.

2 Peter 1: 20-21  NP A 3

November 26

Tony Blair, a Catholic Christian is going to debate Christopher Hitchens, an renowned atheist in a complicated world of terrorism and abuse. However, we are called to stand firm in the faith.

I Peter 5:8-9  NP A3

November 25

Every year there seems to be conflict over what to call Christmas. After calling it a holiday break for years, a B.C. school board is going back to Christmas break. With gentleness and respect, we are asked to talk about what gives us hope.

I Peter 3:15  NP A2

November 24

Israeli women who are trying to avoid military service by being religious are getting caught on Facebook. Apparently, they are posting on Shabbat and wearing revealing clothing. I wonder what would Peter say to these women?

I Peter 3:3-5  NP A20

November 23

All people are like grass and we wither... but Oh God! 350 people—so senselessly gone like the flowers in a field. Please comfort all the mourners and survivors today.

I Peter 1:24  NP A1

November 22

Statues and statutes— I rather set my heart on a statute, than visit the enormous statue in Sweibodzin, Poland.

Psalm 119: 24  NP A2

November 20

The savage and brutal act of stoning people is still happening in Iran today. It seems so ludicrous and unbelievable. And yet James tells us not to judge.

James 4:11-12  NP A22

November 19

Toronto District School Board wants to begin a program where they pay disadvantaged school children when they do well in school. James talks about wisdom that is pure and considerate, perhaps like providing basic needs for children first.

James 3:17  NP A17

November 18

Apparently Canadians responded to majour disasters around the world with large donations. It's interesting though, that donations given to certain countries doesn't correspond to the the amount of people affected. True religion is looking after people in distress regardless of where they live. Forgive us Lord for ignoring the neediest of the needy.

James 1:27  NP A4

November 17

Carleton pro-life group os told to support abortion or stay off campus. So much for freedom of speech. People who persevere under pressure are promised a crown, I wonder about all the lost children.

James 1:12-18 NP A1,7

November 16

Instead of exclusively using the GDP (gross domestic product) as a measure, Britian is using happiness, or GWB (general well-being) as a new index. Seems like GWB has something to do with loving each other, entertaining strangers, visiting people in prison and oh ya — being content with what we have.

Hebrews 13:1-6  NP A2

November 15

A newly released intelligence report says that many extremist Muslin groups want to live parallel to Canadians in order to destroy western civilization. Perhaps we can stamp out bitter roots by living in peace and friendship.

Hebrews 12:14-15  NP A4

November 13

If you want to be successful in contemporary art you need a big name, a risqué subject and a lot of hoopla. Rahab, a prostitute helping spies escape via a red cord—now that's hoopla.

Hebrews 11:31  NP A1, 6, 7

November 12

The banks say that we can be sure about our money and the weather report is pretty sure they can predict the weather, but I'm sure of something I can't even see.

Hebrews 11:1  NP PM11

Novemeber 11

Scott Stinson wrote about post-traumatic stress disorder in the military and referred to a miniseries The Pacific and a documentary called Wartorn: 1861-2010. Horrors of war don't just affect our physical bodies, spaces and geography but also our souls. Can we be cleansed from our guilty consciences?

Hebrews 10: 18-24  NP A6

November 10

George Jones says that "The Charter of Rights and Freedoms should be kept in a cool and dry place, out of the reach of children". Wouldn't we make better decisions if laws are kept in a warm, breathing place like our hearts and minds?

Hebrews 10:15-17  NP A18

November 9

Stephen Harper took a stand against anti-Semitism and said that the human race has awesome power to choose between good and evil. Blood, water, scarlet wool and hyssop are Old Testament symbols that point to Christ.

Hebrews 9:19-29  NP A1,5

November 8

Scientists at McMaster University have made an amazing discover that can transform skin cells into blood. It won't be the first time that skin and blood was used to transform.

Psalm 106:3-5  NP A6

November 6

Riiny Nigot, is a 7'2" immigrant from Sudan and plays ball for St. Frances Xavier. Sounds like prosperity and joy.

Psalm 106:3-5  NP A6

November 5

Not all Quebecois are happy about naming a street after Mordecai Richler. When I read the story about how many people could relate to the characters in his books it reminded me of how important story telling is. Especially repeating stories about clouds, fire, quail and manna.

Psalm 105:39-41  NP A6

November 4

Olympic figure skater, Toller Cranston is also an artist and his imaginative and colourful work reminded me of the incredible descriptions in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 10:1-14 NP AL8

November 3

It's sad that Ashley Kirilow's bizarre behavior affected so many people who actually have to deal with cancer and death. Today I'm praying for my stepchildren.

Proverbs 26:28 NP A3

Novemeber 2

A new book explains how people who use search engines have benefited from pornography's influence on the Internet. Ouch! Contributing to addictions without intending to seems impossible to understand. Is it possible to cut the wires and unplug the connections?

Hebrews 4:12-16  NP A17

November 1

In 1946, H.G. Wells wrote: "The end of everything we call life is close at hand and cannot be evaded". Ezekiel, a wise man was asked by God to eat paper and also had visions about life close at hand.

Ezekiel 3:1-10  NP A17

October 31

Great story in the Post about an upcycler clothing designer, who takes apart discarded clothing and creates a new piece and sells them on eBay. Eventually, though, these new pieces will wear out and be discarded again, unlike He who will remain the same.

Psalm 102: 25-27  NP WP6

October 29

Widow of Christopher Speer talks about her grief and the suffering of her children. Omar Khadr talks about his pain. Lamentations compares the deserted Jerusalem to a widow who weeps bitterly.  God does hear our cries.

 

Lamentations 1: 1-22 NP A8

October 28

One website imagines what happens when a TV show about ad executives in the 60's, become a series of children's book. Would it be like madmen shooting deadly arrows?

Proverbs 26:18-19  NP AL8

October 27

Lots of statisical information about murders that have taken place in Canada in the NP today. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men."

Titus 2:11  NP A11

October 26

An ad for an investment company tells us that sheep are more dangerous than bulls or bears. In Jeremiah I read that Gods chosen people have been lost and their shepherds have lead them astray— perhaps by consumerism.

Jeremiah 50:6 NP A 3

October 25

Many cities held elections today and the platforms were as diverse as the candidates. Paul tells us to keep our heads as we run the race.

2 Timothy 4:1-8  NP A12

October 23

Ingrid Betancourt's memoir is a reminder of perseverance under difficult circumstances and forgiveness. Thanks God for real people.

2 Timothy 2:3-7 and NP WP18

October 22

Because Williams was such a stand-up guy, we feel less safe, because we can't predict or anticipate actions. Cover us Lord.

Psalm 91:4-5 and NP A6

October 21

Marisol Valles, like Timothy is young and idealistic. Please God, save her and her child and help her to change what has been entrusted to her.

I Timothy 6:20 and NP A2

October 20

I've always had a sickly sweet repulsion for the Crystal Cathedral.

Proverbs 25:27 and NP A3

October 19

I have no words for the despicable acts of Williams, only nausea. In moments like these all I can do is hang on with all my might to a God who rules over the surging seas.

Psalm 89: 9 and NP A1