Truth. North.

Many Christians are encountering new challenges at work, in school, online, or in community facilities. A pluralistic society is demanding that we pay our dues to a variety of religions, lifestyles, and identities. New questions are arising, especially in the younger generation. Should we join in smudging ceremonies? 1 Should we say Blessed Ramadan to a Muslim? Happy Diwali to a Hindu? Should we wear inclusive armbands, pins, or stickers? 2 Should we use preferred pronouns? How do we react to a "coming out" post on social media? What about if even quietly or tactfully refusing means losing your job, being demoted, losing a contract, or being called a bigot? What if it leads to accusations of hatred, abuse, or even criminal charges?   To answer these questions, we need to look at the changes around us in light of God's Word. Western civilization seems to be heading towards both the past and the future. We are surrounded by dizzying trends of neopaganism, tribalism, and ...

Many seem to be sensing a growing instability in this world. The economy seems shaky, inflation is clearly on the rise. Protests have swept across the world. There are ugly trends on the left and the far right.  Russia has attacked the Ukraine. China also seems to be interested in expanding their empire. In some ways, many of the nations look like bad guys right now: abandoning God's ways, filled with pride, flexing their muscles, racking up their weapons, and uttering threats. In the past week, some threats have even gone nuclear. There is uncertainty about whether the leaders who have the nuclear buttons and codes are of sound mind. At this moment, it seems that the world may be close to World War III. Others think it is all smoke and mirrors, and nothing to bother about. What are we to do? The answer is simple: pray and work.   But especially pray for spiritual growth. A Christian can truly say that the worst of times are the best of times. We should not be surprised...

One of the challenges we must grapple with in the Freedom protest movement is the complicated mix of elements involved. There is evidence of everything from statist infiltration in the movement, to some individuals that have held  racist views .  Not every part of the protests has been defensible.  I have sprinkled sober warnings throughout my blog posts about some parts of these protests, but I think it has been lost on many.  More than anything, Christians need to be aware that there are some false teachers who are involved.   Let me be clear: this is not an exercise in guilt-by-association. I fully believe in Christian liberty to participate in freedom protests thus far, and I have defended that. I despise the cancel-culture methods being used by many Christians to point fingers at one another. If a cause is righteous, Christians may take it up. Not every one is obligated to participate, but some will feel compelled in their conscience. That should, howeve...

This is a defense of the righteousness of some of the protestors we saw parked in Ottawa this month. Having been there twice, having listened to them, prayed with them, and after some consideration, I am convinced that Christian men who parked their trucks in Ottawa were well within the bounds of Christian liberty. Their stand was principled, civil, and honorable. They can be defended from scripture and the laws of our land. First, the Bible allows for protesting before authorities. Moses and Aaron were sent by God to confront Pharaoh’s abuses, and even to do so repetitively. We, of course, do not have the same direct divine guidance that they had, neither do we have plagues at our disposal! Yet it is an early example of God allowing His children to confront the sins of their king. Another example is the case of Rehoboam, a young and prideful king. When he inherited the throne, some protestors came to ask him to lighten their tax burden. His response was, “My little finger shall be th...

In writing on current events in Canada, I have tried to be fair with the truckers and protestors. They are certainly being slandered by media, and unfairly dealt with by government. Seizing bank accounts is just the latest example of sins against them. I will admit that it is hard for me to be fair with government, they seem to have made up ways to steal with impunity.  Government has violated the Canadian social contract on many levels over the past two years. I believe that the government has catered to the fears of many, and casually sown seeds of division with quite a few others.  They may be blind and deaf to what they have done, but the last two years have added injury to insult. Farmers and truckers see this first, also in other parts of the world. Cities are biting the hand that feeds them. Now those seeds are growing, and the majority of the blame rests on the shoulders of deaf governments. It seems easy to see that from backwoods Northern Ontario. That does not mea...

The Ottawa Trucker’s protest has been looming large in Canada. I know many people that have been there and who have supported the effort, but I have also been hearing many conflicting stories about it. Not just from media, but also different impressions from people I know well. Many are asking me if we should support it. I find it difficult to make up my mind without seeing these things myself. On Wednesday, February 9th, a day finally came on which I did not have other commitments, and I decided to jump at the opportunity to go. Ottawa is only about 3.5 hours from our place, and I decided to take my two teenage sons along. It seems like a historic moment worth seeing, and the boys have some extra energy. On the way there we talked about many things, and thought about some questions. What would it be like? When is it right to protest? Is it right to block streets or mislead police officers by carrying an empty gas can? Who is at fault for the current divisions in Canada? Who should...