More pictures: http://sheepspeak.spaces.live.com
Monday, October 30, 2006
Happy Reformation Day!
October 31st is tha anniversary of Martin Luther nailing up his 95 Thesis. Here they are if you would like to read them in Latin or in English:
Amore et studio elucidande veritas hec subscripta disputabuntur Wittenberge, Presidente R.P. Martino Lutter, Artium et S. Theologie Magistro eiusdemque ibidem lectore Ordinario. Quare petit, ut qui non possunt verbis presentes nobiscum disceptare agant id literis absentes. In nomine domini nostri Hiesu Christi. Amen.
Read more: http://www.luther.de/en/95th-lat.html
Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute with him orally shall do so in their absence by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
Read more: http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html
Saturday, October 28, 2006
John 3:16 - Jesus loves you
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Read the whole chapter on-line: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=3&version=9
Have read through the Bible in a year on-line: http://www.havelock-viha.com/journal.htm
Thursday, October 26, 2006
With whom did Jacob wrestle?
I ran across this old comment of mine:
I was reading Hosea 12. To me, on this time reading through, it seems to discount the theory that Jacob wrestled with a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. A question has been raised for me through my meditation on this:
1) if there were pre-incarnate appearances of the Christ in full bodily
form, why did he need to bed born of woman?
2) Was God (Christ) overcome by 'the deceiver' (AKA Jacob)?
In our readings in class this year I was also struck by:
A conclusion of Holmgren’s, in the article we read, after an informative discussion of the word ’elohim, was that “in the ancient world…the divine sphere is not always completely separate from the world of human beings.”
I found this interesting...does anyone have any thoughts?
I was reading Hosea 12. To me, on this time reading through, it seems to discount the theory that Jacob wrestled with a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. A question has been raised for me through my meditation on this:
1) if there were pre-incarnate appearances of the Christ in full bodily
form, why did he need to bed born of woman?
2) Was God (Christ) overcome by 'the deceiver' (AKA Jacob)?
In our readings in class this year I was also struck by:
A conclusion of Holmgren’s, in the article we read, after an informative discussion of the word ’elohim, was that “in the ancient world…the divine sphere is not always completely separate from the world of human beings.”
I found this interesting...does anyone have any thoughts?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Spiritual Authority?
The LORD used a prophet of His to give a powerful message to King Jeroboam;
In 1K 13:2-3, he relays that the LORD will punish the king for the high
places that the king had set up. When Jeroboam stretches out his hand to
command the prophet's capture, his hand is shrivelled up and he can not
withdraw it. He asks the prophet to intercede with the LORD that his hand
may be restored. The prophet intercedes, the hand is restored by God. The
king then invites the prophet to have dinner with him and in order to
present him with a gift. Declining the prophet declares in verses 8 and 9
that "even if you were to give me half of your possessions, I would not go
with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by
the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by
the way you came.'" So he took a different route.
Now it gets interesting...
A) An old prophet seeks out the prophet who is travelling home. He invites
him for dinner. The young prophet declines. The old prophet then lies to
him, saying the LORD asked him to invite the young prophet to his home to
eat and drink with him. The young man accepts.
B) While they are dining together the LORD speaks to the young though the
old telling him that because he has defied God (by eating and drinking at
the old prophet's home) his body "will not be buried in his father's tomb"
(vs. 22).
C) The young prophet is killed and by a lion of God on the way home. The old
prophet gets him and buries him in his tom
Why did the old prophet lie?
Why did the LORD use the old profit to prophecy in his lie?
Why was there no punishment recorded here for the elder prophet?
Are we ever tempted to only follow God's instruction to a point and then
assume that others with spiritual authority (both were prophets) have words
from God that override direct orders that we have received?
What are our consequences?
In 1K 13:2-3, he relays that the LORD will punish the king for the high
places that the king had set up. When Jeroboam stretches out his hand to
command the prophet's capture, his hand is shrivelled up and he can not
withdraw it. He asks the prophet to intercede with the LORD that his hand
may be restored. The prophet intercedes, the hand is restored by God. The
king then invites the prophet to have dinner with him and in order to
present him with a gift. Declining the prophet declares in verses 8 and 9
that "even if you were to give me half of your possessions, I would not go
with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by
the word of the LORD: 'You must not eat bread or drink water or return by
the way you came.'" So he took a different route.
Now it gets interesting...
A) An old prophet seeks out the prophet who is travelling home. He invites
him for dinner. The young prophet declines. The old prophet then lies to
him, saying the LORD asked him to invite the young prophet to his home to
eat and drink with him. The young man accepts.
B) While they are dining together the LORD speaks to the young though the
old telling him that because he has defied God (by eating and drinking at
the old prophet's home) his body "will not be buried in his father's tomb"
(vs. 22).
C) The young prophet is killed and by a lion of God on the way home. The old
prophet gets him and buries him in his tom
Why did the old prophet lie?
Why did the LORD use the old profit to prophecy in his lie?
Why was there no punishment recorded here for the elder prophet?
Are we ever tempted to only follow God's instruction to a point and then
assume that others with spiritual authority (both were prophets) have words
from God that override direct orders that we have received?
What are our consequences?
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Bramwell Booth Quote
Bramwell Quote
Bramwell Booth:
Come in, my Lord, come in,
Show forth thy saving power;
Restore, renew, release from sin,
O save this very hour!
Thy promise now I claim,
By faith put in my plea,
And trust in that almighty name,
Bramwell Booth:
Come in, my Lord, come in,
Show forth thy saving power;
Restore, renew, release from sin,
O save this very hour!
Thy promise now I claim,
By faith put in my plea,
And trust in that almighty name,
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Prosperity Gospels next logical step?
The following is taken from armybarmy:
(hat Tip Harold Hill via ekklesia.co.uk)
"A new Bible translation is causing controversy after it cut out difficult parts surrounding economic justice, possessions and money.
"The new bible version, released by the Western Bible Foundation in the Netherlands, has created a storm by trying to make the Christian gospel more palatable.
"According to Chairman Mr. De Rijke the foundation has reacted to a growing wish of many churches to be market-oriented and more attractive. "Jesus was very inspiring for our inner health, but we don't need to take his naïve remarks about money seriously. He didn't study economics, obviously."
"According to De Rijke no serious Christian takes these texts literally. "What if all Christians stopped being anxious, for example, and started expecting everything from God? Or gave their possessions to the poor, for that matter. Our economy would be lost. The truth is quite the contrary: a strong economy and a healthy work ethic is a gift from God."
"The foundation wanted to "boldly go where no one else has gone before" by cutting out the confusing texts.
"“We don't use them anyway! There's no single Christian selling his possessions and giving them to the poor."
"The Western Bible is published – in Dutch only so far – by the well-known Christian publisher Buijten & Schipperheijn. IN it, some of the most important passages of the Bible: the Ten Commandments, sections of Isaiah, Proverbs, and the Sermon on the Mount, contain holes where the original translation urged radical actions around money, justice or affluence...
Frank Mulder, chairman of (the publisher), is surprised by the commotion.
"Many Christians accept the Western lifestyle, including the degradation of creation and the injustice of our trade, and they only take the easy parts of the gospel. But it isn't until we publish this gospel with holes, that they get confused!"
any thoughts? click the comments button on the left or the clarifications button on the right or e-mail us at info@havelock-viha.com
(hat Tip Harold Hill via ekklesia.co.uk)
"A new Bible translation is causing controversy after it cut out difficult parts surrounding economic justice, possessions and money.
"The new bible version, released by the Western Bible Foundation in the Netherlands, has created a storm by trying to make the Christian gospel more palatable.
"According to Chairman Mr. De Rijke the foundation has reacted to a growing wish of many churches to be market-oriented and more attractive. "Jesus was very inspiring for our inner health, but we don't need to take his naïve remarks about money seriously. He didn't study economics, obviously."
"According to De Rijke no serious Christian takes these texts literally. "What if all Christians stopped being anxious, for example, and started expecting everything from God? Or gave their possessions to the poor, for that matter. Our economy would be lost. The truth is quite the contrary: a strong economy and a healthy work ethic is a gift from God."
"The foundation wanted to "boldly go where no one else has gone before" by cutting out the confusing texts.
"“We don't use them anyway! There's no single Christian selling his possessions and giving them to the poor."
"The Western Bible is published – in Dutch only so far – by the well-known Christian publisher Buijten & Schipperheijn. IN it, some of the most important passages of the Bible: the Ten Commandments, sections of Isaiah, Proverbs, and the Sermon on the Mount, contain holes where the original translation urged radical actions around money, justice or affluence...
Frank Mulder, chairman of (the publisher), is surprised by the commotion.
"Many Christians accept the Western lifestyle, including the degradation of creation and the injustice of our trade, and they only take the easy parts of the gospel. But it isn't until we publish this gospel with holes, that they get confused!"
any thoughts? click the comments button on the left or the clarifications button on the right or e-mail us at info@havelock-viha.com
SHELLROCK!
we've added some new blogs to our blog role lately. (If you can't see the side panel on the left of your screen, click the link on the right of your screen that says 'view sidebar') One we just added is SHELLROCK!
---
Michael Ramsay
Herald of the Good News
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thess 5:16-18 TNIV
Friday, October 20, 2006
Uniform
We discussed uniform today (-:
Next week, sacraments.
The talk was good; the picture is of Becca showing me how to wear my uniform hat.
Hey, any thoughts on this?
We're going to help with the festival this weekend. Anybody have any
comments on this?
Apologize to Muslims, Winnipeg groups urge U.S. evangelist
Last Updated: Friday, October 20, 2006 | 11:44 AM CT
CBC News
As Franklin Graham prepares to host thousands of Christians at his Central
Canada Festival in Winnipeg this weekend, some local Christian groups are
planning an opening-night rally calling on the popular U.S. minister to
apologize for comments he has made about Islam.
"This is a highly appropriate time for Rev. Graham to retract comments of
what amount to hatred of people because of their religion," Aiden Enns,
organizer of Operation Bless Our Enemies, said Thursday.
"He would be seen as a bright light of forgiveness and also humility, and
it's very strategic for him to make an apology at this time."
Operation Bless Our Enemies is a twist on Operation Bless Our Troops, the
name of a website the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association runs to send
prayers and inspirational material to soldiers "faithfully defending
freedom" in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the Graham website.
Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in New York and Washington, Franklin
Graham, son of televangelist Billy Graham, has denounced Islam as a "very
evil and wicked religion."
Read more:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2006/10/20/graham-protest.html
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Army wins battle in Russia
From armybarmy blog
Court awards The Salvation Army Victory and Compensation in Russia
(hat tip EB)
It turns out that the government must pay The Army 10,000 euros for denying ourlegal status in the 1990s and not acting 'in good faith'. The European Court of Human Rights didn't buy Russia's argument that The Army was a militarised organisation. It also ruled that while Salvationists wear uniforms, "it could not be seriously maintained" that it was a paramilitary organisation advocating violence or undermining the integrity or security of the state." (from a report by Maria Mackay).
grace
sec
Court awards The Salvation Army Victory and Compensation in Russia
(hat tip EB)
It turns out that the government must pay The Army 10,000 euros for denying ourlegal status in the 1990s and not acting 'in good faith'. The European Court of Human Rights didn't buy Russia's argument that The Army was a militarised organisation. It also ruled that while Salvationists wear uniforms, "it could not be seriously maintained" that it was a paramilitary organisation advocating violence or undermining the integrity or security of the state." (from a report by Maria Mackay).
grace
sec
Manitoba Christian Camp and a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered choir.
October 1, 2006 - Volume 20 Number 14
Jennifer Verch
ChristianWeek Correspondent
ARNES, MB—A faith-based Manitoba camp has reached a settlement with a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered choir after four years of discussions.
The Rainbow Harmony Project filed a formal complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in 2002 against Camp Arnes after the camp abruptly cancelled the choir’s annual retreat booking.
(here's a question - so why did they book the choir?)
Read more from ChristianWeek
Jennifer Verch
ChristianWeek Correspondent
ARNES, MB—A faith-based Manitoba camp has reached a settlement with a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered choir after four years of discussions.
The Rainbow Harmony Project filed a formal complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission in 2002 against Camp Arnes after the camp abruptly cancelled the choir’s annual retreat booking.
(here's a question - so why did they book the choir?)
Read more from ChristianWeek
The Pope on same-gender marital arrangements
Italy debating recognizing relationships
Oct. 19, 2006. 03:49 PM
REUTERS
VERONA, Italy — Pope Benedict on Thursday urged Italian Catholics to defend the traditional family and in an apparent reference to gay marriage, said they should oppose any moves to legalise "weak and deviant" unions.
Read more from The Toronto Star
Also read FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND “DE FACTO” UNIONS on the Vatican.va
Oct. 19, 2006. 03:49 PM
REUTERS
VERONA, Italy — Pope Benedict on Thursday urged Italian Catholics to defend the traditional family and in an apparent reference to gay marriage, said they should oppose any moves to legalise "weak and deviant" unions.
Read more from The Toronto Star
Also read FAMILY, MARRIAGE AND “DE FACTO” UNIONS on the Vatican.va
Exodus 17:1-7 (A paraphrase from Cadet Crab Returns)
To try to allay some of your worry,
I’ve come with – from the Bible- a very good story.
It is from Exodus 17:1-7 this time
It is a paraphrase, I trust you won’t mind:
1 The whole Israelite community set out from the Desert of Sin,
traveling from place to place as the LORD commanded them.
They camped at one day at a place called Rephidim,
but there was no water there for them.
2 So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink."
Moses replied, “why to quarrel with me is it a good idea, do you think?
Do you not know how much you are being a pest
not bothering me so much as putting the LORD to the test?"
3 But the people were thirsty for water there,
and they grumbled against Moses in their dispair.
They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt from the first
was it just to make us, our children and livestock die of great thirst?"
4 Then Moses found his words
as he cried out to the LORD,
"What am I to do with these folk?
They are almost ready kill me with stones rather than a rope"
5 The LORD answered Moses,
just as we should suppose, us.
"From these people walk away
take only the elders, tell the others to stay
and do not now forget to take your staff
the one that you struck at the River Nile with
I will stand before you at the rock at Horeb
and provide water when you strike it (even though the people here are acting quite horrid)
So Moses did this for the elders
and gave the name Massah and Meribah there
because they tested the LORD – what rot…-
and saying “Is the Lord with us or not.”
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Submissions for sessional logos
Submissions for sessional logos have started coming in...we've had some submitted from as far away as Australia (from Cadet Chris). If you have any suggestions or images, we invite you to submit them to herald@sheepspeak.com
Thanks!
FORMER CLC Communications Director,
Cadet Michael
Reminder Winnipeg Cadets - Help needed...
Cadets,
The next two Saturdays help is needed to paint the Booth Centre....
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Saturday, October 14, 2006
An important initiative to beat poverty!
|  | |||||
LUM MACDONALD
PARENTS who not only show an interest in their children's education but also read to them increase the chances of their child being successful by 25%, researchers have found.
The findings form part of a special report into child poverty commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions.
Researchers studied children from poor backgrounds who escaped poverty to try to find out which factors contributed to their success.
Boys whose father showed little or no interest in their education were found to be 25% less likely to break free of poverty by the time they were 30.
The government has made reducing child poverty a priority and it will use the results of the study when drawing up policies. The study focused on children born in 1970 who had broken free of poverty by the time they were 30.
It was found educational attainment is extremely important in determining children's future prospects, and one of the most important contributory factors is parental interest.
PARENTS who not only show an interest in their children's education but also read to them increase the chances of their child being successful by 25%, researchers have found.
The findings form part of a special report into child poverty commissioned by the Department of Work and Pensions.
Researchers studied children from poor backgrounds who escaped poverty to try to find out which factors contributed to their success.
Boys whose father showed little or no interest in their education were found to be 25% less likely to break free of poverty by the time they were 30.
The government has made reducing child poverty a priority and it will use the results of the study when drawing up policies. The study focused on children born in 1970 who had broken free of poverty by the time they were 30.
It was found educational attainment is extremely important in determining children's future prospects, and one of the most important contributory factors is parental interest.
Read more: http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/62146.html
Friday, October 13, 2006
Pray for peace
From Project Ploughshares
http://www.ploughshares.ca/
Internationally verified reports tell us that, since 2003, the ongoing tragedy in Darfur has resulted in more than 200,000 civilian deaths; the displacement of upwards of 2 million people from their homes; the employment of systematic human rights abuses, including rape and sexual assault, as instruments of war; and the restriction of humanitarian aid.
The Darfur Peace Agreement signed in May 2006 raised hopes that this negotiated process would begin the complex but necessary task of addressing the immediate situation of threatened civilians and the underlying grievances in this armed conflict. Unfortunately the situation in Darfur has become worse since May.
Read more: http://www.ploughshares.ca/libraries/Statements/DarfurLetterOct06.pdf
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Pray for the children
A United Nations report has revealed a "shocking" picture of physical, sexual and psychological violence against children across the globe.
CTV.ca News Staff
 |
The report, released by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's office on Thursday, concludes that violence against children is widely accepted as normal and occurs in every country, every society and every social group.
"We knew children were victims of violence, but even so it was very surprising and shocking that it was so widespread," Mehr Khan Williams, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters Thursday.
"It cuts across cultures, income levels, education levels. No country is immune from it."
Food for Prayer....
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
New Orleans
Our struggle here is like the Battle of New Orleans.
The War is over. The foe has been defeated. The battle, however, still rages.
Even though the enemy has been defeated, there can still be a lot of casualties from ill-advised self-initiated battles.
(Originally published here on May 25, 2005)
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
2 Timothy 2:3,4
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)
"3Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4And as Christ's soldier, do not let yourself become tied up in the affairs of this life, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army."
This is important for me to remember...It is so easy and tempting to worry about business, or politics, or name your distraction...
(originally posted May 29, 2005)
Children's Rights Pages
ILO:
The elimination of child labour is a global cause which must be embraced by all actors in society. It is only through an integrated and combined approach that child labour can be permanently eradicated and working children and their families provided with viable alternatives. Education and social mobilization are important to achieve this goal, for it is only by informing people and spurring them to action that real and lasting change can be brought about.
Read more: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/themes/education/exl.htm
BBC:
An Indian government ban on children working as domestic servants or in roadside food stalls comes into effect on 10 October.
A senior official in the Labour Ministry, SK Srivastava, says, "Children under 14 are vulnerable to physical, mental and even sexual abuse. Their exploitation goes unreported and unnoticed inside the closed confines of homes and food stalls."
Mr Srivastava says anyone found violating the ban will be penalised under the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act of 1986 and punishment can range from a fine to imprisonment.
According to the ministry, the ban will affect 185,000 children working as domestic help and 70,000 who work in roadside food stalls
Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6034203.stm
International Labour Organisation: http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/themes/education/exl.htm
BBC Children's Rights Page http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/childrensrights/index.shtml
A good idea?
Under Turkish law, the penalty for possession of child pornography is a prison term of five to 10 years.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Are we doing our job?
Are you doing what he demands of you who has sent you into the world, and to whom you will soon return? Are you doing what be wills? Are you doing his will, when as landowner or manufacturer you rob the poor of the fruits of
their toil, basing your life on this plunder of - the workers, or when, as judge or governor, you ill treat men, sentence them to execution, or when as soldiers you prepare for war, kill and plunder?
---
From 'Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is near' by Leo Tolstoy
Even if we are not, God is present...praise the LORD for his grace and mercy
Isaiah 59: 15-16
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
Psalm 139: 7-15
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
15 Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The LORD looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm worked salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.
Psalm 139: 7-15
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, [a] you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Sunday, October 08, 2006
'I could have shot Andy Warhol' - PETER HOWELL, MOVIE CRITIC
I don't usually read film reviews, but click the picture to read one on Empire by Warhol - mr
So, our Christian walk - is it more like Empire Strikes Back or Empire - Think about it...
Maybe, I'll show something like this for chapel...(-:
PS - Don't forget to your daily rations: http://www.drwas.blogspot.com/
Saturday, October 07, 2006
A day of thanksgiving to God
I stumbled across this again on armybarmy. Thanks very much for re-running it!
----
Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated 43 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts!
Canadian Parliament: Thanksgiving would be "a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."
http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p2614.htm
Canadian Thanksgiving:
The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are more closely connected to the traditions of Europe than of the United States. Long before Europeans settled in North America, festivals of thanks and celebrations of harvest took place in Europe in the month of October. The very first Thanksgiving celebration in North America took place in Canada when Martin Frobisher, an explorer from England, arrived in Newfoundland in 1578. He wanted to give thanks for his safe arrival to the New World. That means the first Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated 43 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts!
For a few hundred years, Thanksgiving was celebrated in either late October or early November, before it was declared a national holiday in 1879. It was then, that November 6th was set aside as the official Thanksgiving holiday. But then on January 31, 1957, Canadian Parliament announced that on the second Monday in October, Thanksgiving would be "a day of general thanksgiving to almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed." Thanksgiving was moved to the second Monday in October because after the World Wars, Remembrance Day (November 11th) and Thanksgiving kept falling in the same week.
Another reason for Canadian Thanksgiving arriving earlier than its American counterpart is that Canada is geographically further north than the United States, causing the Canadian harvest season to arrive earlier than the American harvest season. And since Thanksgiving for Canadians is more about giving thanks for the harvest season than the arrival of pilgrims, it makes sense to celebrate the holiday in October.
Please remember to offer thanksgiving to almighty God this weekend for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed.
Reckless Superpower
I was reading a little bit about the Korean War today, the US provocation of China in this matter, its threat to 'nuke everybody' and all the people who died there....I wonder why N. Korea wants nuclear weapons? With US presidents invoking the name of God in their crimes, I wonder why Christianity 'never took' north of the line? Is this similar to the current mid-east struggles?
Closer to home, in our personal lives, do we represent ourselves - and Christ - any better than a reckless superpower? Just asking, that's all...
(The opinions expressed in this blog are at most - but not always necessarily - the opinions of Michael Ramsay. Blame me alone. - MR)
BCTF raises objections to Christian online courses
THE BC Teachers Federation has publicly expressed concerns about a BC Christian school that is offering online courses taught from a Christian perspective to public high school students. - More
Food for prayer: conditions in Palestine
Canada adding to 'tragic' conditions of Palestinians: UN official
Last Updated Tue, 26 Sep 2006 15:10:06 EDT
CBC News
Canada is partly to blame for allowing human rights for Palestinians to deteriorate to a new low, a UN rights expert says.
John Dugard said Palestinians are subjected to "tragic" conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.
read more:
href="http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/09/26/canada-palestinians.html" target=_blank>http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/09/26/canada-palestinians.html
Friday, October 06, 2006
The Roman Catholic Limbo
Pope prolongs suspense about limbo
Last Updated: Friday, October 6, 2006 | 1:04 PM ET
CBC News
Contrary to expectations, the Roman Catholic leader had failed to say anything about abolishing the idea of a not-heaven, not-hell where babies who die unbaptized, among others, spend eternity.
The Vatican's International Theological Commission, which has been studying the matter, is widely expected to come down against limbo, which came into Catholic thinking in the 13th century.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/10/06/pope-limbo.html
Vatican: http://www.vatican.va/
See also How can limbo just be abolished?, from the BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5406552.stm
Think about it in our context...
"I think the difference between [President]Chavez and most others ...is that Chavez is seeking to win, and we are instead seeking, as often as not, to avoid alienating pundits or to even appeal to them. We are seeking to avoid annoying anyone we like, or anyone we might like, or who might like us. We are seeking to avoid looking odd to anyone, or to avoid making a mistake, or to avoid seeming shrill and angry, or self serving, or passionate. And we need to transcend all that." - Michael Albert
Think about this quote from and evangelistic Christian perspective: any thoughts? ramsay@havelock-viha.com
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Sheep and goats, sheep and goats...
Conservatives Put Canada's Most Vulnerable on Chopping Block
September 26, 2006
The Liberal Opposition today blasted the Conservative government for cutting $1 billion in funding that targets the most vulnerable Canadians, despite reporting a near-record surplus of $13.2 billion for 2005-06.
"The vindictive, mean-spirited cuts targeted at the weak, the needy, the vulnerable and the marginalized in Canada ..." said Liberal Leader Bill Graham.
read more: http://www.liberal.ca/news_e.aspx?id=11928
Not wishing to prejudice our readers for or against any Canadian political party in this space at this point in time, I invite you to see what any of the political parties have to say about this or other issues: http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=pol&document=index&dir=par&lang=e&textonly=false
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
The religious war on bottled water
MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT
From Saturday's Globe and Mail
Print Edition 23/09/06 Page A1
Bottled water has never gone down smoothly with many environmentalists, who view it as an extravagantly wasteful way of quenching a thirst, but the product is facing criticism from an unexpected source - religious groups.
Some churches in Canada have started to urge congregants to boycott bottled water, citing ethical, theological and social justice reasons. Bottled water, they argue, is morally tainted and should be avoided.
Read More...
Any thoughts? ramsay@havelock-viha.com
Monday, October 02, 2006
Sex Trafficking, Communion, and Howard - Part 3
Part 3 - Howard
A number of us are committing to send money regularly to support our fellow 'Heralds', the Thistles, working at The Salvation Army's Howard Hospital in Zimbabwe. Feel free to contact me ( ramsay@havelock-viha.com ) or Jimmy if you would like to join us in this endeavour.
Michael
Sex Trafficking, Communion, and Howard - Part 2
Part 2 - Communion
I don't think that I will take part in a 'love feast' anymore - at least not
one that doesn't actually have a feast (and unless of course protocol or
authority mandates that I must). It is too confusing for simple people like
me who have had some very meaningful experiences around 'communion' growing
up.
Not that there is anything wrong with a 'love feast' but I think I'll save
myself for communion - should the day ever come when I can have it openly in
the Army.
Warning: No offence to anyone. If the Lord speaks to one through 'love
feasts' of what ever form, shape, or size, go for it. If you want to take
communion outside the corps, go for it (provided that that is okay under O&R
and everyone else involved).
Caveat: this entry should not reflect on anyone. My fasting of this
expression (and this comment) is purely a personal decision - and I reserve
the right to change my mind about all of this on command, request or
reconsideration.... (-:
Sex Trafficking, Communion, and Howard - Part 1
Sex trafficking.
We have just seen all kinds of stats about the number of people who are
trafficked every year for the sex trade. I was doing some mental number
crunching re: supply and demand - the number of consumers must number more
than 1 billion. That is scary. Maybe that is where we should spend a lot of
prayer and effort. Praying for the consumers (as well as the traffickers and
the trafficked victims) who are enslaved by their sin.
Maybe we should also be proactive in demanding that our governments do
something about it: we can control people's access to it on the internet -
China does. The US recently (last year) demanded that we expand our
pornography market under the Free Trade agreement - neither the government
of the day (Liberal) or Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition (Conservative) voted
in favour of challenging them on it....more and more sexually explicit acts
and ideas are becoming more and more commonplace on TV and movies - how many
of us are encouraging this through our viewing and purchasing habits?
Just some thoughts that I had sitting in chapel today...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
