Most of us avoid pain. Sometimes, when the pain is highest, we quit. The question is: “Quit what?” Some quit faith, and avoid church-type people. Some quit the way that they have learned to ‘be’ (e.g. careful or considerate or frugal). Some quit marriage. Counsellors think of quitting as an ’emotional cutoff.’ Quitting extricates one […]
Becoming peacemakers in our families
Recently, on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, many of us reflected on what it means that the Prince of Peace laid down his life for us. Jesus calls us, as his followers, to be peacemakers –- yet, how often do we stop to consider what it means to be peacemakers within our own families? Most […]
Is cohabitation really the ‘new marriage’?
I recently spoke with a pastor friend about the flood of couples who are already living together, but still want us to perform a marriage ceremony. My friend said: “I don’t even know why people get married anymore.” A good question. Cohabitation is now the most common form of first unions among young adults. But […]
A father’s prayer for his daughters
I take no credit for it. It was something I just fell into. It came about because we didn’t have enough money for a second car, and I had to take the city bus to work. Later, my two daughters had to take the same city bus to junior high, and then high school. The […]