Encouragements

Events or little pearls of wisdom which encourages one: strengthen one's faith and outlook.

Patiently Bear: Tracking Down An Internet Quote

Cyprian of Carthage
Read time: 7 minutes

A few weeks ago, our minister quoted an excerpt from a conversation between John Chrysostom and an empress. She threatened him with exile and execution. He replied valiantly that she could do nothing to take away his ultimate treasure and comfort. It is a poignant story. But as I sat there, listening, a doubt crept in.

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The Religion of Paradoxes

Man in house of mirrors at a funfair
Read time: 17 minutes

Paradoxes amuse us, yet can leave us unsettled. For the person who has a spirit open to wonder, a paradox speaks to how there are things we cannot know or understand. To an analytical mind, this is anathema: a paradox is only useful in proving or disproving some postulate, but otherwise just idle nonsense. Investigating paradoxes have driven us to deeper understanding of the world and philosophy for millennia, starting with ancients such as Zeno of Elea, Protagoras of Abdera, and Epimenides of Crete1. Read more …

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Meeting You: Identity in the New Creation

Woman looking into a mirror
Read time: 13 minutes

During her pregnancy, my wife at times displayed some strange behaviour. Sometimes she felt teary where she otherwise would have been composed. Other times she overreacted, displaying a degree of frustration or sadness more than the situation warranted. It could be frustration or sadness. As a husband, I had been warned about this: “be patient and recognize that it’s the hormones.”1 This is not some chauvinistic put-down: it is simple biochemistry (to which even my wife readily admitted). In essence, my wife reacted in ways she did not want to, but could not help. In a way, her emotions, feelings and perspectives were at odds with herself. Read more …

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Looking Back at 2019

Woman holding a sparkler
Read time: 6 minutes

2019—what a year! I am sure that many people will agree that the past year has been something spectacular: whether spectacularly glorious or terrible. Mostly I have heard people sound beaten, having suffered hardships and heartache this past year. Read more …

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Merry Christmas 2019

Nativity scene
Read time: 4 minutes

Christmas is a time of looking back at traditions: whether religious or family. We find comfort in remembering what was good from past times, and (hopefully) anticipate more good for the coming Christmas celebrations. This is not only true for Christians, but anyone celebrating Christmas. Read more …

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Thanksgiving of Precious Promises

Read time: 4 minutes

The following article is a guest post by my wife, Margaux.

Insecurity plagues the heart. It plagues my heart in whispering inadequacy, unworthiness, unloveliness and shame on a daily basis. It affirms distrust of the world and others. More than this it affirms distrust in God, my life origin. Read more …

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Merry Christmas 2017

Silhouette of the nativity scene
Read time: 3 minutes

Sometimes we do not feel like being here. By "here", I mean in this world; on earth. Sometimes we are distressed about big, insurmountable things, like war and famine. Other times, we are personally wronged. These things can make us want to flee; whether to a desolated island, another planet, or even depart this realm completely for heaven. Read more …

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Merry Christmas 2016

Evan Coons
Read time: 1 minute

Merry Christmas! This year I am unashamedly sharing a special message by Evan Coons, who was involved with For the Life of the World: Letters to the Exiles. Like other messages from FLOW, it is not only encouraging, but a call to action as well. In this video, we look at the examples of the Christ child and what we can learn from Him, namely:

  • Vulnerability
  • Humility
  • Presence

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