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. The Banner h
Time is a fascinating topic. On Earth we often think of it as simple and consistent—a straight timeline. For example, in 1776 the United States was founded. In 1876 we marked 100 years. In 1976, 200 years had passed. And next year, we’ll celebrate 250 years. Time seems fixed, and we mark it with cal
On Epiphany Sunday, offering baskets filled with slips of paper with a word and star on each were passed through the congregation. Our pastor of worship, Elly Boersma Sarkany, explained that a star gift, the word we received, might be used by God in the coming year to inspire us on our faith journey
Are Christians obligated to observe Sunday as the Christian Sabbath?Christians sometimes vigorously debate what is appropriate to do on Sundays. Is it permissible to go shopping or eat at a restaurant? To play sports? To do homework? To mow the lawn? Do I have to go to church?Behind such questions i
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. The Banner h
I was one of nine jurors selected to decide a case brought against a young man accused of making terrorist threats against a high school he had attended. It’s a daunting task to determine the fate of someone you’ve never met and of whom you know nothing. You listen carefully to the lawyers, the judg
At the end of August, I relocated to Washington, D.C., to participate in a year-long internship program. Since that time, I’ve been living with five colleagues in a community house.I’ve learned a lot being here, but it’s been a tense time to live in D.C. Like many times throughout U.S. history, the
I never liked rain. In Malang, where I live, it pours heavily, making roads slippery and the air cold. But as a motorbike salesman, I don’t get to choose when to ride. If a customer needs a test ride or help, I have to go, rain or not.One evening, the sky darkened and rain poured down. I was deliver
Not that long ago I was hired to be the manager of lands and tax administration at the office of a nearby First Nation. I was somewhat astonished when I walked into the office on my first day to find several of the positions of power filled by Bangladeshi nationals. Initially I was quite taken aback
“I can’t take Allen,” my friend texted me on a Thursday morning. “I’m so sorry; I have Covid.”My stomach clenched. The week was already more than I could handle, with all three of my grown children visiting at the same time and welcoming a new international student, Jared, from China the day before.
A persistent prayer request of Christian parents is asking God to work saving faith into the hearts of their children. Parents know they have a priestly task to experientially connect their children to God. If only it stayed as simple as a 3-year-old learning to sing “Jesus Loves Me,” which can help
He’s 11. A real go-getter. He lives two doors down and constantly rides his bike around the neighborhood looking for work.Maddox wants an iPhone. He’s saving up. He told my wife he didn’t think his dad would let him buy one, but he was going to save anyway in case dad relents.Whenever Kathy went out
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.Around 250 AD
If it were up to me, my bed would never get made.But the fact is that I got married, and so I now make the bed.I make the bed because one of my wife’s love languages (as described in Gary Chapman’s famous book The 5 Love Languages) is “acts of service.” And one of the things my wife enjoys in life i
Should preachers use artificial intelligence when writing sermons?Surprise! It’s very likely they already are.Almost all modern computer-based applications have jumped on the artificial intelligence (AI) wagon—not necessarily to replace core functionality but to enhance it. Better grammar, quicker r
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. The Banner h
Cool breezes, chilly blasts, gentle gusts, strong squalls, whispering winds, wild zephyrs, and fierce gales are all ways that wind can be described. But where does wind come from? In the book of Job, God asks Job where the east wind is stored and scattered. We feel breezes all the time, and we know
What does the Christian Reformed Church teach about demonic possession? Does the CRC in general believe in exorcism?One of the councils of Synod 2009, in response to study reports on Third Wave Pentecostalism, said: “Acknowledge the reality of the believer’s warfare against his or her sinful nature,
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.A recent onli
Sanctity of LifeIn “Canadian Justice: Happy to Talk More,” you noted concerns and ignorance about our resources, with specific mention of sanctity of life and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. I’d like to remind Banner readers that our Canadian justice ministries and Thrive do provide and promote resourc