I like to take every opportunity to remind people that the one thing said most frequently by Jesus in the Bible is “don’t be afraid.” Or “fear not,” if you prefer. You might think it’s “love God” or “repent” or “love each other” or even “don’t sin,” but no, it’s...
What’s enough for you? Even when we might be tempted to say “times are good,” I’m not sure that one can generalize like that. There’s always people who find themselves struggling to have enough money, food, resources, health or happiness. Even trying to determine what might be basic needs or...
The last time Javan came on the podcast we talked about his film, “Facing Fire”. Well today we’re talking about facing “fear”. In the midst of a global pandemic that has all of us wondering about the future and feeling more uncertainty, anxiety and fear than we normally grapple with,...
Meet Tammy. She’s a registered psychologist in Ponoka, finding new ways to deliver mental health support services to her existing clients as well as new clients who are feeling the effects of home isolation, anxiety, fear and other struggles during this COVID-19 crisis. Tammy has a great story and incredible...
The Easter Story may be one of joy and celebration and new life, but it’s also a story of grief, doubt and bewilderment. Which makes sense, really, because it’s a story about life. And, right now, we need a good story about life. I want to celebrate as much as...
Every year, we hear the same story on the second Sunday of Easter. Every year, the same story. Not even different versions of it, because it only appears in one gospel: John. Every year, we hear the story of Thomas, the one who wasn’t there when Jesus first appeared alive...
After a month of lock-down and pivoting to live streaming and zoom calls for everything from book club meetings to pastoral care and Sunday morning church services, how are we as “the Church” meeting the spiritual health needs of our communities? Rev. Stephen Harper from Symons Valley United Church in...
There’s a pretty great joke going around right now. I’m not sure who started it, but it goes something like this. No wonder some world leaders are thinking that the virus will be over and done by Easter and we’ll all be out living our normal lives. Seems appropriate, after...
Sometimes, I find myself challenged by how we do Easter. I mean as a church. Feel free to also celebrate the bunny and chocolate and spring (if it ever gets here). We could use a little celebration right now – observing isolation, social distancing and all the necessary protocols, of...
We’ve been through a rollercoaster of emotions this week, not only in following along with the journey of Holy Week and leading into Easter, but also in following the news of a global pandemic that has both isolated and united all of humanity like nothing we’ve seen in our lifetime....