Category Archive

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.”

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)

The 20th century is a very recent reminder of how evil human kind can be. It was the bloodiest century on record. World War II claimed an estimated 60 million lives – the entire population of Canada two times! World War I claimed an estimated 20 million lives. The Korean War claimed an estimated 3 million lives.

Today war still rages on. Afghanistan and Iraq come quickly to mind where soldiers are currently fighting. We read in the news of soldiers coming home in coffins. We read of innocent civilians dying. We read of terrorism and suicide bombings.

As Christians we pray and ask God to grant His peace to this broken world. We pray for the families who have lost loved ones directly or indirectly to war. We pray for Jesus’ return to put an end to an evil monster – War.

Please observe a moment of silence on November 11, 2009 at 11:00 am to remember all who died. Please pray and ask God to grant us world peace.

Lest We Forget.

Usually when one reads about our brothers and sisters in Christ in China a deep sorrow is felt. Often reports of severe beatings and harsh jail terms that Chinese people face because of their faith in Jesus Christ are easily found in newspapers or around the web. Stories of Chinese people who actually face the persecution are also very common. Missionaries report of the wonderful work that is happening in China, but also add their deep concern for the safety of the Chinese Christians.

Certainly since communist rule has taken hold in China, persecution of the Christian church has been widespread. Bibles are not permitted by the government. Chinese Christians must worship in private, often fearing for their lives if the government finds out. Web pages are known to be censored, and heavily tracked by the government so simply spending too much time on the ‘wrong’ website could land a prison term.

Such thoughts are certain to give Christians here, in one of the best places to live in the world, a very heavy heart. We pray for our brothers and sisters through out the world who face such persecution, although admittedly not as often as we should. Many of us also turn our backs on places like China and live our own lives with very little perspective on how good we actually have it.

I’ve spent many hours thinking about China, its government, and its repressed people. In those hours I’ve asked myself many questions. Could I imagine living in a country where I was severely persecuted for my faith? Would I stop going to church because the government said if I don’t, I’ll end up in jail. Would I renounce my faith if my life was endangered?

But in China, Christianity is growing. More and more people are turning to Christ and worshiping Him, even with the threat of persecution. What faith! Here we sit in a county where God has blessed us richly and many are abandoning God. In China many are heavily persecuted and they are turning to God. Why does this happen?

I’m reminded of the persecution that the early Christian church endured, some of which was documented in the Bible. Early Christians suffered immensely for their beliefs, but they continued to hold onto their beliefs. Why? Well, if it was up to human strength ‘Christians’ would fold under the first amount of pressure applied. They would renounce their faith and try to protect themselves from any harm that could possibly come their way. But Christians have the help of God, the power of the Holy Spirit, to help them and uphold them in times of trial. God’s Holy Spirit was working within the early Christian church years ago, and is working within the Christian Church today. The Holy Spirit gives us strength and peace to know that God will always take care of us and uphold us within any trials or persecution we face.

Living in Canada we are very blessed not to have to deal with the severe persecution many Christians have to endure everyday. Let us not forget that this is a gift from God and not something we have managed to do on our own merits. Let us also continually pray for the persecuted church throughout the world. We should also remember that God is strengthening His church by the power of the Holy Spirit each and everyday. Please read an article found in the National Post on October 14, 2009 by clicking here that details some of the wonderful things happening in China. Isn’t it amazing to see God’s church growing? Also check out this website for more information about the persecuted church worldwide and for resources to help commemorate International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 8, 2010.

The world has been fixated on the now new President of the United States, Barack Obama. People from Kenya, where Obama’s father grew up, danced in the streets as he was inaugurated. People in Obama, Japan took advantage of their city’s name and celebrated the new president’s inauguration. In countries all over Europe as well as in Canada people packed together into public places to view the historic events taking place in Washington. At our meeting of Classis Chatham that day, we paused at noon and got a live feed from CNN so we could watch Obama take the oath of office. It truly is an exciting time for the US in particular as well as for the rest of the world which feels the influence of the US.

Obama has run his campaign on a promise of change, a promise to change the way America deals with its own people and with the people and nations of the world. His speeches have inspired Americans to rally together under the motto “Yes We Can.”

The enthusiasm and excitement is hard to avoid. However, the expectations people have for this man (he is only a mere man after all) are so high that he is certain to disappoint many people in the days and years ahead. It makes me think about the difference between the cries of supporters Jesus had on Palm Sunday when they shouted, “Hosanna” and the cries of many of the same people just a few days later who shouted, “Crucify Him!”

I wish President Obama all the best, including a huge portion of wisdom from God, in ruling the USA and making decisions that will impact the far ends of the earth. But he will be certain to disappoint us in some way, shape or form. He’s not perfect.

There’s only one man who was and is perfect—Jesus Christ. And still people hated Him. But He gave His life so that we could know Him and live under His perfect rule. Jesus is the one who is “the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb 13:8). He alone is the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. He’s the one whose kingdom will increase and never end (Isaiah 9). And He’s the only one who can help us do all God has in mind (Phil 4:13).

Let us pray for President Obama to do well, to do great things for our world even. But let us not expect him to be the Saviour and Lord that only Jesus Christ is. All the kingdoms of this world—good and strong as they are for a time—will cease. But the kingdom of God will last forever.

-Rev. deLange