Henry Vanderlaan
A career test once told me that I was either going to be a farmer or a pastor. So, for the past 8 years, my wife and I have owned and operated a small, cut flower farm in southern Ontario. However, there's also this writing thing I enjoy! Most of my writing focuses on my Christian faith and how God has used circumstances and events to shape my life. In a way - I think of my blog as a small scale ministry. If God uses my gift of writing to bring just one person to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, then let me 'blog' away!
Posted in: What Is the Significance of the Handshake Between the Elder and Minister Before and After the Sermon?
To both Daniel and Henry, thank you for your replies. So, in essence, this practice is done out of custom and traditon and is not a required element of the worship service. Is that correct?
Posted in: What Is the Significance of the Handshake Between the Elder and Minister Before and After the Sermon?
Again, thank you for your reply. The practice of shaking hands was explained to me many years ago by my now deceased father. Your explanations refreshed my memory and I plan to pass it along in a "Did you know?" Piece in our church's monthly newwsletter.
Posted in: #Social Media
A few thoughts:
In many ways social media has removed communication and geographical barriers to spreading the gospel.
I think one of the biggest dangers of 'Twitterverse' we (all social media users) is the ability to speak one's mind without the benefit of filters. It's very easy to rant about something anonymously without incurring responsibility.
In one of my recent blogs (http://yourheartsoulandmind.blogspot.ca/2015/01/chirpin-gamin-n-stuff.html) I talked about keeping up with social media, etc. Here's the closing sentence:
"I can't quit trying to keep up! I'll have to ignore the cold, night sweats because my recent car ride with 4 teen-aged boys reaffirmed my commitment to stay current. Gotta keep up with the Jones'...or is it the iMacs and Samsungs? Otherwise, I'll be like my Dad who had a hard time hooking up the rabbit ears on our B&W TV back in the day. (Sorry Dad - yokes! LOL!)
Game hard boyz n girlz, game hard! #Justsayin."
Posted in: The Pastor’s Quandary
Because of our fallen nature, we can only grasp what it means for God to be 'perfect in love' AND equally 'perfect in justice'. We tend to gravitate to either end of the spectrum and find it difficult to appreciate or even contemplate the requirement to be both.