A recent online advertisement from a supposedly Christian marriage and family therapist in my area offered a four-week course on how to use artificial intelligence to enter into conversation with one’s “genuine self.” The goal of this program is to be set free from the shackles of shame and guilt in
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
I've been looking for a job in my field for awhile. I pick up short-term contracts but never anything permanent. Is this a sign that I should pursue something else?It's difficult when things aren't going the way we hope. Yet this can be an opportunity to ask whether God is inviting you to something
Note: The July/August issue contained Shiao Chong’s farewell editorial. While the search for an interim and long-term editor begins, we’re reprinting a condensed version of this article that was first published online at TheBanner.org.For more than a century, The Banner has been the official magazin
Every kid has heard it (or something like it).“Dad, I’m hungry.”A moment of silence, and then:“Well, heeeellllooooo, Hungry. I’m dad!”What’s that verse in Ephesians 6? “Fathers, do not exasperate your children” (Eph. 6:4a)? Yeah, I’m guilty of breaking that command. A LOT.Bad dad jokes aside, though
Not long before leaving for Canada, I went to say goodbye to my Opa and Oma. After some pleasant chitchat, Oma staying in her chair, Opa went to place an open Psalter Hymnal on the old pedal organ. Getting the message, I laughed, went to the organ, and began to play what he had put up: Psalm 134. Th
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
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
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.Ever since my
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.It was a quie
I attended my first funeral when I was 6 years old.A child at my elementary school in Iowa died in a horrible accident involving farm equipment. His name was Brian.As I peered into the casket at his funeral, I saw what looked like a swollen, waxy version of Brian’s face. I whispered to my mom, “Why
Chirp, chirp. Peep, peep. Tweet, tweet. These are bird calls, right? Not exactly! Those words might sound like some bird calls, but birds are far more creative with the sounds they make than we might think.Some birds make sounds like tsk-tsk, chut-chut, and wooooo-eeee! Birds’ voices are as speciali
Through his Word, God shows that he has a plan for each person’s life. For some, their life includes extra opportunities to showcase God’s care for his people.In 1985, I was a typical 3-year-old boy living in Iowa. I played with toy trucks and tractors and didn’t like the word “nap.”On Feb. 20, my p
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.To celebrate
Dear readers, this is, sadly, my last editorial. I have resigned in protest of Synod’s decision to change The Banner’s mandate.Although in protest, I am not bitter or angry. I am disappointed, of course, but I have gone through a discerning process. Through prayer, separate conversations first with
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.We live in a
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.I sat with my
For decades, The Banner has been the official magazine of the Christian Reformed Church. Since 2015, this magazine has worked under a mandate and publishing guidelines that called for editorial staff to show “the diverse positions held within the church” and permitted staff to “lead and encourage a
One of my delights each year is to unpack and display my large collection of Nativity sets. I have gathered them from around the world, and part of the fun is to see how this story is interpreted through each culture.A painted screen from Haiti pictures one of the Magi bringing an enormous bunch of
In the middle of a sunny summer morning, as I biked in the bike lane on a busy city street, I saw a car come to a complete stop in the exit from the library parking lot that I was just about to pass. Assuming the driver had seen me, I rode in front of the exit just as she drove onto the road, right