Musings with PWC

Over the years, I have noticed that a local church has three kinds of givers in the pews—which one are you? Giver # 1: This is a giver by DNA—it’s just part of whom they are.  It’s not even so much spiritual as mere common sense.  This giver gives a portion (usually 10%) with every pay cheque that comes into his hands.  They give fifty-two weeks a year.  They give when they are mad at the pastor.  They give when they are on holidays.  They give when they dislike the music.  They give when they disagree with the church budget—because, it’s part of their spiritual DNA.  They pray, they read their Bibles, they don’t shoot their neighbours, they go to work every day, they love their spouses, they don’t steal, commit adultery or use the Lord’s name in vain and they give 10%.  And what’s more, they don’t even think about it. It’s not hard.  It’s just—normal.  They see giving the same way Jesus saw giving.  Jesus saw tithing as a mino...

Supporting Your Local Church I have little remembrance of that fatal day 22 November, 1963 when John F Kennedy was assassinated.    (I was, after all only six years old).    I have, however, often heard this rather famous line that Mr. Kennedy used in his inaugural speech:    “ Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”    This is a phrase that is often used to stir up cooperation in times of fatigue or lack of vision, etc. However, it does something else I wish to point out—it really flies in the face of our consumerism.    Consumerism has been engrained in our western cultured mindset.    I was listening to the radio news the other day and was recommended to go and buy gas for my car—the reason?    Gas prices were going up three cents the next morning.    I periodically call Bell and ask directly for the ‘bell loyalty club.’ When you get a live person—after a few d...

I read the following tweet the other day:  "Friendly reminder, church people like to HEAR sermons, lost people like to SEE them.”    And, it happened again the other day.  It happens many times--too many times.  And, it doesn't happen just to me--it happens to you--too many times as well.  This is what happens. I'm having a conversation with a potential seeker of the truth--someone who has not surrendered to Jesus, but is not an atheist.  Someone who has some genuine interest and some authentic questions about Jesus and the Christian faith.  Here's how the conversation went: 'Okay, do you mind if I ask you a question?' my friend says. ‘Sure, ask away,' I respond. 'So, you know Frank (not his real name--trying to protect the innocent?)  I know—and you do too-- he is a faithful church person.  He follows the church, attends, gives money, cooperates and says he is a Christian.' (I'm getting nervous, I could finish this off for him) 'Well, w...

Ephesians  6:12   For we do not wrestle against, flesh and blood... Exodus 17:9  Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek… 1Timothy   6:12  Fight the good fight of faith… I recall, many years ago, going through a particularly difficult time—I was simply becoming weary in well doing.  At the time Rev. Homer Cantelon was my superintendent.   I called him up one day to cry on his shoulder, and he responded with some pretty good advice.  Here is what he told me.  “Peter, we are in a war.  Lie down and bleed a while—then get up and fight again!’ I’ve never forgotten that little piece of advice.      Just lately I heard Rev Tommy Barnett teach the following.  He was teaching about wanting to quit.  In that teaching, he said something along these lines.  'Wanting to quit is a sign of success--because only successful people have something to quit.  Lazy useless people have nothing to quit.  To...

Jesus spoke a parable to His disciples in Luke 18 regarding the necessity of persistent prayer.  As an introduction to the parable Luke tells us the following.  Jesus spoke a parable to them,"that men always ought to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1)."   Just last Saturday evening we had house guests.  We were all going out to hear a speaker, but were driving separate cars.  My buddy, asked the code to get into the garage, then into the house for the following reason.  He thought my wife and I would be longer getting home after the meeting.  He wanted to leave right away and get back to watch the hockey game.  Well, he was absolutely correct, after the event he and his wife got to our house before we arrived home. After arriving at our house, I went down stairs to join him in watching the hockey game.  At that time the score was 3-0.  Our Maple Leafs had nothing.  The Vancouver Cannucks had three.  Our wives joined us in the ...