The Giver is the Gift
11/02/2026

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” —1 Thess. 5:16-18I cannot thank You, Lord, for all I see.The world is broken, brimmed with loss and pain.How can I thank and praise continually?How does one trace the rainbow through

Blade and the Blessing Bag
11/02/2026

“Blade,” the disheveled man said when I asked him his name.I thought, who names their baby “Blade”? In my mind, I pictured switchblades and dangerously sharp knives.Blade was anything but knifelike. He was like a gentle breeze, his voice barely audible as he shyly looked at me.During the summer mont

Canons of Dort
11/02/2026

God’s Sovereign ChoiceThe theme of comfort has followed us from the Belgic Confession through the Heidelberg Catechism. Although the Canons of Dort (CD) are less doctrinally comprehensive, we will once again recognize the theme of comfort underlying the teachings.By the end of the 16th century, the

Campus Ministry Hosts Pulitzer Prize Winners to Talk on Hope
10/30/2026

“How Can We Hope When It All Feels Hopeless?” A lecture hall of people turned up at the University of Iowa Geneva Campus Ministry lecture Oct. 19 to hear Pulitzer Prize-winning authors Marilynne Robinson and Nicholas Kristof take on this question.For 50 years Geneva Campus Ministry has been hosting

The Lord Provides
10/30/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“‘For I know

The Outermost Mouse
10/30/2026

In her debut picture book for children based on the story of a real house and storm in Cape Cod, Mass., in 1978, author Lauren Wolk, renowned for her middle school novels Wolf Hollow, Beyond the Bright Sea, Candle Island, and more, joins forces with illustrator Kristen Adam to introduce kids to a sm

Garden of the Lord EP
10/30/2026

Singer-songwriter Justin Gambino provides listeners with his first collection of worship songs with the EP Garden of the Lord. Known for a more uptempo style, Gambino turns to a mellow sound with this record and its country feel. “The inspiration for this project came from my testimony,” Gambino say

The Brunswick
10/30/2026

Author Callie Murray’s debut historical fiction novel set in 1939 Georgia is loosely based on true events. These include the repercussions of the 1929 Great Depression, the Brunswick Hotel that fell into disrepair after the Great Depression, the imminent war in Germany, the persecution of Jewish peo

Diaconal Ministries Celebrates 25 Years
10/30/2026

Diaconal Ministries Canada marked 25 years of work in Christian Reformed churches across Canada, celebrating stories of love in action Oct. 17. The organization was created by deacons for deacons with a dream to disciple, mentor, and connect Canadian CRC churches.John Wildeboer, national director fo

California Church Emphasizes Prayer and Service With Travel
10/30/2026

Ora et labora. Pray and work. This centuries-old credo from Saint Benedict was the inspiration for two trips that members of Almond Valley Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, Calif., took in 2026. The first trip brought members on a pilgrimage to England, while others from the congregation went to N

Growing Gratitude
10/28/2026

Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving last month. Americans will take a day to give thanks later this November. While news broadcasts are reminding us every day of all the things we have to fear, Thanksgiving Day reminds us to look at all the things we have to be thankful for.Gratitude can feel like a n

The Spirit in You
10/27/2026

Author Jordan Raynor succinctly and clearly articulates the gospel of salvation for young children and spells out what it means for their entire lives.Raynor's children's picture book is structured in two sections. The first half focuses on people’s sin and the salvation Jesus offers. The second poi

Rev. Henry J. Kuiper, 1928-1956
10/26/2026

Note: This online-only article is part of a series showcasing past Banner editors. You can read all the content celebrating The Banner’s 160th anniversary here.One hardly knows where to start in writing about Rev. Henry J. Kuiper. He was the longest-serving editor of The Banner, leading in that role

Stop Exchanging the Glory of God for Images on a Sanctuary Screen
10/26/2026

When one of my college students was in elementary school, he enjoyed watching hour-long videos. But now watching something that long is stressful, and he can no longer pay attention in class. The cause, he said, is TikTok, a social media platform that delivers an “infinite stream” of short videos.My

Life After Cancer
10/26/2026

Just over two years ago I emerged from surgery to remove a tumor from my cerebellum. Scans had suggested that the tumor was contained, relatively easy to remove, and probably not malignant. I’d likely be back to regular life in a month, maybe two at the outside.But the tumor was closer to the brains

First Vancouver CRC: Centennial Year of Discernment, Commemoration
10/23/2026

A white, steepled church stands as a landmark on Victoria Drive in Vancouver’s Eastside. It is home to the First Christian Reformed Church of Vancouver. The congregation marked its Centennial year with a celebration service on Oct. 18. One hundred years earlier, on Oct. 21, 1926, a small group of po

Clamless Clam Chowder
10/23/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.Darkness is c

Behind Five Willows
10/23/2026

Set in Korea in 1792, this young adult novel melds historical events, romance, cultural critique, and engaging characters in an emotionally charged narrative.In an author’s note, June Hur points out the two decrees that shaped the period in which the book is set. The first was the marriage edict by

Preaching Disability: A Resource for Pastors
10/23/2026

Author and longtime chaplain Bill Gaventa is a notable influencer when talking about disabilities because he has spent so much of his working life serving with and among people with disabilities.In this book, Gaventa wants to help people and communities as they come together to worship, learn, and s

Homecoming
10/23/2026

For her latest release, a six-song EP called Homecoming, Sandra McCracken prepared by going to Oxford, England, for four months to reflect on the subject of heaven and to have conversations with theologian and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright as he was finishing work on his book, God’s Homecoming.The res