Month: November 1996

I can't help being in ministry. I tried to get away before my ordination and failed. My principal at Knox College once said to me: "If you can picture yourself in any other profession, answering any other call with your … Read more

Jeremiah is in a personal crisis. It may be his self-esteem or his self-image that is suffering, but he is in a real crisis of identity. He is young, too young to be taken seriously; He isn't into public speaking; … Read more

Someone once told me that to look like you have authority in ministry you need: glasses to look intelligent; grey hair to look wise; and hemorrhoids to look concerned. I guess two out of three isn't all that bad, so … Read more

A few minutes ago I received an e-mail message from one of our sons in which he exulted about finally getting a 50-cc Honda dirt bike dating back to the early 1970's. The background, he went on to say, was … Read more

Our phone rang late the other evening — long after normal people would call. "Hi, this is Ted Anderson. Is Gordon there?" Jeannette gingerly handed me the phone. I am never in a terribly good mood for late evening phone … Read more

Prize above all else in the world those who love you and wish you well. Do not hurt them or scold them, and never part from any of them in anger: after all you simply do not know, but it … Read more

In the last days of war, and the first days of Allied occupation of Germany, Helmut Thielicke preached on the Lord's Prayer to a congregation under siege in Stuttgart. Thielicke shared his congregation's fear of the bombs, their relief that … Read more

Why pray, when God is all-powerful? God can do whatever God pleases. God created the universe, set it in motion. Why pray? How could we ever hope to move the great God's hand? We pray because something in us longs … Read more

"And lead us not into temptation." Perhaps it's better to say, "Don't let us walk into temptation alone." It also suggests, "Don't leave us to be tested beyond our strength." Of course it's hard to imagine God doing either of … Read more

"Give us each day our daily bread." Think of the manna in the wilderness. God provided enough bread for each day's needs. No more, and certainly no less. Pray for enough to meet our need. Trust that God will provide … Read more