tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49870939738451216132012-01-23T23:14:46.109-05:00Pastor John van Popta's musings, reflections and commentary on things of the church and the world.John van Poptanoreply@blogger.comBlogger991100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-67004488577676762342012-01-09T11:45:00.001-05:002012-01-09T11:46:49.609-05:00

This is a guest posting written by Matthew van Popta a Guido de Bres Christian Highschool senior English teacher (he's my nephew). It was originally published in the Guido Gazzette in Dec 2011. Invariably at some point in the semester a student will ask me, “Do we really have to memorize all this?” implying of course that my request to memorize a dozen or so lines of Shakespeare and recite it

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-27236255263600344312011-04-10T16:37:00.002-04:002011-04-10T16:37:17.270-04:00

This is an article that I wrote recently for Clarion, our church magazine. <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in;

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-61537665448352311892011-04-07T23:24:00.003-04:002011-04-07T23:33:30.924-04:00

I translated this piece from a Dutch on-line paper. Dr. Friedrich Wilhelm Graf reflected on trends in European churches. He comments on the change in the character of preaching, and the changing character of the office, because of women's ordination. He also muses about the relationship of church and state in Germany in light of the rise of Islam on European continent. On the one hand he calls

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-49335814910382121232010-12-11T18:39:00.000-05:002010-12-11T18:39:10.317-05:00

Today muslim fanatics detonated bombs in a downtown shopping district in Stockholm, Sweden. Lest there be any mistake about motives, watch this video.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-80145661965523063872010-12-10T13:59:00.000-05:002010-12-10T13:59:18.884-05:00

The Washington Post reports that the Global Warming Summit in Cancun was opened with an invocation to the moon goddess, one of the gods of the heavens of the ancient American indigenous peoples. Imagine the uproar if it opened with an invocation to the true God of Heaven.  The hyper warmists show their real colours. What next human sacrifice? Oops! That's already on their agenda: depopulation

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-9503907253119305302010-11-04T16:07:00.000-04:002010-11-04T16:07:48.999-04:00

I wish I had been there A random act of culture!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73683171734600352642010-10-29T17:08:00.002-04:002010-10-29T17:08:26.067-04:00

Here is an article I wrote for a Column in Clarion which I co write with my Brother George @font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } EcumenaCommentary on News and Trends in the International ChurchMother ChurchIn Sept. 2010, The Bishop of Rome,

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-49441736329158182442010-10-26T22:30:00.000-04:002010-10-26T22:30:58.774-04:00

I played this for my catechism students tonight: The First Ever Rap Song About the Heidelberg Catechism. They were impressed that their confession had a song written about it. As we listened there were smiles and nodding heads all around! :::

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-66859309299208282822010-10-20T12:46:00.007-04:002010-10-20T13:15:31.440-04:00

The Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary is hosting a conference in January 2011 Dr. Cornelis Van Dam has taught a whole generation of ministers and missionaries in the Canadian Reformed Churches. It seemed appropriate to gather a number of his friends and colleagues together to celebrate what our faithful God has given us in this faithful teacher and preacher.  Link to CRTS Register Online

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-18028131668912349012010-08-21T20:50:00.000-04:002010-08-21T20:50:21.443-04:00

When the same sex marriage debate filled the press and the airwaves, Christians argued that if the state attempted to change the definition of marriage to from a union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, it would not be long till some one would advance an argument for polygamy. Of course that was scoffed at as scaremongering! "That will never happen!" Well a mainstream political

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73080124371563101172010-08-18T14:01:00.001-04:002010-08-18T14:01:22.677-04:00

I found this deep in an old archive file on my hard drive! I thought it might be time to revisit this! _____ Have you grown tired of hearing all the time-worn excuses people give for not going to church? Two pastors put together this list of reasons for not attending the movies: WHY I DO NOT ATTEND MOVIES 1. The manager of the theater never called on me. 2. I did go a few times, but no one

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-55190496646181130032010-06-30T10:15:00.000-04:002010-06-30T10:15:09.848-04:00

Here is an interesting article explaining why we should continue to call July 1 "Dominion Day". Changing the name to "Canada Day" was actually illegitimate, if not illegal!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-22966144171604719462010-06-23T14:51:00.002-04:002010-06-23T14:51:02.926-04:00

It was a 5.5 magnitude quake along the Ontario Quebec border. Maybe Quebec is separating!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-28975563306848808742010-06-23T14:00:00.000-04:002010-06-23T14:00:49.717-04:00

At 1:45 PM today we had an earthquake roll through southern and eastern Ontario. I was sitting at my desk and the whole house started shaking and groaning. My computer screen was rocking back and forth intensely. I immediately sent chat note to my son who lives outside of Ottawa and they felt it too. That's nearly 400 Km away! I'm going to watch the news!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-83908625118956617012010-06-18T15:57:00.000-04:002010-06-18T15:57:28.150-04:00

I find this quite interesting. Evidence that the dinosaurs of Alberta were wiped out by a catastrophic flood -- a flood that occured "on a geographic scale that [was] so vast" that it created unprecedented carnage... I wonder which flood that was: Could Noah have something to say about this. :: ::

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-38194715197503793502010-03-23T12:04:00.000-04:002010-03-23T12:04:14.483-04:00

But this is a dubious distinction. Remarkably, the city I come from is number 3! This only underlines the need for maintaining computer security!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-75340008566379093732010-03-19T21:00:00.005-04:002010-03-19T21:02:53.678-04:00

Bonita (my lovely companion) is posting a short illustrated story here. Enjoy... It's very cute.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-61844631810697813642010-02-23T23:53:00.001-05:002010-02-23T23:55:39.546-05:00

Here is a man who would put "hot iron to flesh" for information!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-28200054140198792742010-02-23T22:41:00.002-05:002010-02-23T22:44:32.084-05:00

It's not often that an American broadcaster notices Canada or says something nice.... Here is an exception. This reminds me of a former Canadian broadcaster speaking well of our southern neighbours in 1973. We may thank God for the peaceful coexistence that we have on this continent. No other continent has had peace for as long!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-20345627027125322422010-02-15T13:59:00.000-05:002010-02-15T13:59:38.638-05:00

Here is an interesting and necessary read concerning the abortion industry, health and politics. It seems as if more and more evidence is coming to light that abortion is bad for the health of the mother as well as for the child! Go figure!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-75542077681690167572010-01-13T00:36:00.009-05:002010-01-13T01:21:48.695-05:00

I just read that Google's US executives have given an ultimatum to Beijing! The Globe and Mail reports:  Risking both billions of dollars in potential revenue and the prospect of triggering an Internet fault line, the world's biggest search engine is threatening to cease operations in China. Citing a “highly sophisticated” cyberattack on its corporate infrastructure that appeared aimed at

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73456575642655600982009-12-08T15:02:00.001-05:002009-12-08T15:21:32.602-05:00

Yesterday, I read one of the most interesting pieces of political reporting and analysis that I've come across in a long time. Ron Graham writes about how it came to be that Mr. Ignatieff came to be leader of the Liberal party of Canada. It's published on line here. You'll need a cup of coffee and the best part of half an hour, but if this is the only political analysis you read between now and

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-26765779677177726312009-12-05T23:32:00.000-05:002009-12-05T23:32:15.954-05:00

We can thank the Lord for the victory in the courts for Rev. S. Boisson of Red Deer Alberta. He had been persecuted for writing a letter to a local paper expressing his beliefs about homosexuality. The Alberta HRC had gagged him from speaking and ordered him to pay a fine to a complainant. The ECP Center assisted in fighting this onerous ruling and have recorded a win for freedom of religion and

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-57301823848964658532009-12-03T12:07:00.001-05:002009-12-05T23:32:49.272-05:00

The Canadian Taxpayer's Federation has an interesting site here. Watch your federal government spend money!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-3109361805480558482009-11-14T17:51:00.002-05:002009-12-05T23:34:06.042-05:00

It's not often (I don't think ever) that I'm really eager to get my hands on a government publication promoting this or that. However, over the last week I read much about Canada's new citizenship guidebook. After reading this I'm wondering how to get my hands on one! It sounds like the Government has finally prepared a booklet about Canada that's not about "healthcare" and "sharing" but about

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-18036534814713418112009-10-30T23:20:00.000-04:002009-10-30T23:20:21.181-04:00

I am thankful that I live in a time and place when many of the diseases of the past have been conquered by good vaccination programs. However, the recent hysterical hype over H1N1 just turns me off. More people die of seasonal flus than of H1N1. But this story is over the top. Manufacturers of vaccines to protect girls from HPV are pushing hard to have all school age girls vaccinated, without,

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-12640978922251861202009-10-14T14:14:00.002-04:002009-10-14T18:39:59.598-04:00

A new poll has been published in the USA about abortion.  This shows that the determination of the Pro-life movement has effect. I think of the young folks on university campuses who press on with their presentations even though they are shouted down and pushed around.  May they continue to be protected by the Lord of Heaven and the law of the land.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-23346512976782169362009-10-05T16:09:00.002-04:002009-10-05T20:52:08.360-04:00

The other night our Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined Yo Yo Ma on stage at the NAC in Ottawa in a Beatles cover "With a Little Help From My Friends". This video has gone viral and is being seen by hundreds of thousands on YouTube and the Globe and Mail flash version. The most complete including his introduction and the surprised laughter of the audience can only  be seen on the PMO's own

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-11133783156915862582009-09-04T13:17:00.002-04:002009-09-04T13:17:37.250-04:00

Remarkably, even the Toronto Star is calling for the repeal of the infamous "Section 13." Let's see if our politicians will dare to make this an election issue. "Where do you stand on 'Section 13'?" should be a question asked at every all candidates meeting if there is an election this fall!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-4129768246636932642009-09-02T18:18:00.002-04:002009-09-02T18:18:53.274-04:00

This could be a great victory for freedom of speech in this country.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-83403739747618583592009-09-02T13:05:00.000-04:002009-09-02T13:05:04.192-04:00

During the colonial period, the World's Empires, led by Britain and Spain, used their far flung empires as sources for raw materials. Places like India and China were merely producers of goods for further processing in the homelands. Think only of Gandhi's protest about cotton grown in India, shipped to England, where it was made into cloth, only to be shipped back to India. This CBC News item

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-90751747635593702902009-07-24T14:23:00.006-04:002009-07-24T17:28:24.406-04:00

Two decisions in the news today show how incrementally the courts, legislatures and HRCs in Canada are eroding freedom of religion.Hutterites who believe that voluntarily allowing their photos to be taken for a driver's license is against the 2nd commandment, lost on appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The states desire to reduce identity theft trumps an individual's right to uphold (what he

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-48714133115184978012009-06-30T17:39:00.002-04:002009-06-30T17:53:26.639-04:00

I've resisted writing anything about Michael Jackson up until now. On Sunday I bemoaned the fact that it was "all Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson all the time." But when I read a piece on CNN.com, I needed to weigh in.The mayor of Gary, Indiana (Jackson's home town) wants to have a memorial service there, and have Jackson "lie in state." He called Jackson, "the prince of peace."CNN reports

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-84495033985589430702009-06-30T15:52:00.003-04:002009-06-30T16:07:54.957-04:00

Over at Reformed Academic there is a discussion about origins. Dr. J. Vandermeer of Redeemer University College is suggesting that Adam and Eve had primitive parents and are in some way common offspring from a forebear who also was ancestor to contemporary chimpanzees.Pastor George van Popta responds to this succinctly on his blog. He presents three cogent arguments why Dr. Vandermeer's ideas

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-62877824842936129542009-06-09T12:40:00.002-04:002009-06-09T12:54:59.582-04:00

I watched an interesting documentary this weekend. It's an hour long discussion about the decline of the "human family". Because of declining birth rates around the world, population numbers are dropping all over. Russia, for one, has a decline in population of 700,000 people per year. Most of Europe and the Americas have below replacement birth rates. Latvia, for example is headed for extinction

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-235592922192504402009-05-28T10:58:00.004-04:002009-05-28T11:03:15.224-04:00

Here is an interesting article on a proposal to reform the Canadian Senate. The suggestion is that the Senators all renounce party affiliation and form regional caucuses instead. I wonder how good that would be. The House of Commans is already becoming balkanized because of regional voting. Would there be a benefit if the Senate became a body of regional representation? What do you think? (The

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-19310889466937121142009-05-21T15:31:00.004-04:002009-05-21T15:41:02.945-04:00

For years I've had an affinity to some types of Jazz and and to what some call techno-music. Here is a very interesting piece of music done collaboratively via YouTube. The coordinator asked for slow music in Bb for about two minutes. He has compiled sixteen files. Start any or all or some at the same time; use the volume controls as a mixer board. Enjoy your very own post modern mix. It's

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-56732647279677254692009-05-20T16:57:00.004-04:002009-05-20T17:07:06.563-04:00

Through the means of breakthrough technology, all 6 previous ministers were present in Ottawa at the celebratory gathering for Jubilee Church's 50th anniversary. Left to right: Gerhard Visscher 83-86; Marc Jagt 99 - 07; Hendrick Krabbendam 60-64; John van Popta 93-98; George van Popta 87-92; George van Popta 08- present.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-82799784543375529622009-05-12T17:58:00.000-04:002009-05-12T17:59:42.405-04:00

My good friend and colleague Dr. G.H. (Jerry) Visscher has published animportant book entitled "Romans 4 and the New Perspective on Paul: FaithEmbraces the Promise." (Dr. Visscher is the NT Prof at the CanRC Seminary inHamilton.)It has been published by Peter Lang, in the influential series "Studies inBiblical Literature."The editor of the series writes in a general preface:"This series seeks to

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-6010080081126378752009-05-04T15:19:00.003-04:002009-05-04T15:22:56.370-04:00

A new study links the kind of sexually explicit movies and television programming young children watch to the age at which they engage in sexual activity. Who would have thought?

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-65730971761941848402009-04-14T12:01:00.003-04:002009-04-14T12:05:11.377-04:00

The ECP Center has recruited Ezra Levant to speak at fundraiser dinners in Alberta.Check it out.Edmonton, Red Deer, and Calgary.If you live in Alberta, make this an important event on your calendar.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-35568706285957272432009-04-12T22:33:00.004-04:002009-05-09T19:52:46.248-04:00

Browsing through Youtube I came across this kind of singing of the Psalms.Though this music and singing has a wonder and a beauty of its own, it was because the church choirs (only) sang thus, that Calvin contracted out the writing of singable tunes for Congregational singing.Some of his criteria- all tunes within one octave range- only 1/2 and 1/4 notes.- manageable intervals- rhythm (Elizabeth

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-68562943018773960582009-04-10T12:48:00.003-04:002009-04-10T12:53:11.774-04:00

Monte Solberg, former CPC cabinet minister and long time MP, writes this about Ezra Levant's new book Shakedown. I think I going to go out and buy it.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-6634299289862863432009-04-09T21:15:00.001-04:002009-04-09T21:15:11.898-04:00

Tim Challies has a comprehensive review of the best seller, The Shack. Sometime ago I posted a video review by Mark Driscol, now here is a link to Tim's review. Tim takes a thorough and careful look at the book's teaching on revelation, redemption and the Trinity. All who have read (or plan to read) this book owe it to themselves to read Tim's insightful commentary.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-8424480556144828362009-03-22T12:54:00.002-04:002009-03-22T12:57:25.321-04:00

Back in February I made some comments about Calvin and Darwin, that both had significant anniversaries this year. I wondered if the world would notice Calvin in the 500 anniversary of his birth. Time magazine did! It's worth a read..

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73368512548116587912009-03-10T16:05:00.006-04:002009-03-12T12:12:47.336-04:00

A member of our congregation wrote an email to a local radio station manager concerning the "spots" they were running advertising a promotional contest for their station. He wroteDear Mr. Cooke I have K-Lite FM playing on our office radio and have been since November 1997 when I moved my business to Burlington from Toronto. I like it because you play music that appeals to a wide variety of my

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-37314470170727215602009-03-04T12:23:00.002-05:002009-03-04T12:26:44.506-05:00

Dr. Van Dam of Burlington and professor of Old Testament at the Canadian Reformed Theological College spoke on Parliament Hill this week. Check out a report by my brother, Pastor George. May the LORD bless this work that ARPA is doing.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-83847330353510871252009-02-16T18:27:00.004-05:002009-02-19T18:46:12.990-05:00

Now this is political correctness gone over the top. An encyclopedia of Christian history is being edited to make it less Christian! Doh!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-29421350354696355842009-02-13T17:11:00.003-05:002009-02-13T17:13:54.137-05:00

Charles Darwin's birthday was commemorated around the world in many and various ways. Google had a special logo. Discovery Channel ran birthday programs. Daily Planet hosts wore party hats. I wonder if on July 10, the world will note the 500th birthday of John Calvin.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-23184793755422151742009-02-09T17:39:00.007-05:002009-02-12T10:18:07.879-05:00

Dr. Paas' book can be found, nearly complete here. I have tracked the book down and plan to write a review for publication. Read further, below.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-9676252858042008542009-02-09T13:46:00.004-05:002009-02-12T10:15:13.505-05:00

It is with dismay that I read an analysis of some writings coming from the pen of a newly appointed professor at the Theological University of our “sister churches” in the Netherlands. It seems as if the Dutch Churches are bent on outraging the Reformed world as it is organized in the ICRC. You can find a .pdf in Dutch here It was translated by J. Eikelboom and circulated by P. t’Hart via an

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-53045035744881912862009-02-06T13:36:00.002-05:002009-02-06T13:38:33.729-05:00

Ezra Levant writes about the demise of free expression at a Canadian University Campus. Shame on the University of Calgary

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-7152010266155878062009-01-31T11:19:00.006-05:002009-01-31T18:56:52.682-05:00

Stephen Harper's conservatives abandoned "social conservatives" several years ago. Now he's crossed the floor on conservative fiscal policy as well. The new budget is a sell out of conservative birthright, sold for a bowl of liberal "red-stew."

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-40478385013141807722009-01-24T12:44:00.002-05:002009-01-31T18:57:23.485-05:00

This speaks for itself!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-34670761353630491412009-01-23T14:03:00.002-05:002009-01-23T14:06:52.072-05:00

Some time ago I wrote a letter to the Prime Minister Today I got a response from Rob Nicholson. For the sake of completeness, here is that letter.Dear Pastor van Popta:The Office of the Prime Minister has forwarded to me a copy of your correspondence concerning the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC).Freedom of expression is a fundamental freedom enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-59713659043228597692009-01-23T10:24:00.003-05:002009-01-23T10:28:02.214-05:00

When idols become idolaters the Obama-nation becomes an obamanation!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-23042432652481306662009-01-23T09:52:00.001-05:002009-01-23T09:54:25.732-05:00

This I think is a measure of "political correctness" gone wild!h/t Dave H.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-53322664709577219352009-01-06T14:27:00.004-05:002009-01-06T14:34:01.276-05:00

Here is a beautiful opportunity to do something many of us have never done....John Calvin's Institutes are available by podcast, read by a man with a pleasant voice. You can listen HERE This is a remarkable project by Princeton. There will be a new 10 to 15 minute reading posted every day, for the following year. You can subscribe to it at iTunes for free. Happy listening and Happy Birthday Jean

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-23640282809976999722008-12-25T16:12:00.003-05:002008-12-25T16:16:34.712-05:00

It's remarkable that the National Post has taken to publishing pointedly Christian columns. Several columnist write from a Christian perspective. But now they ran a Christian Christmas editorial. I'm reading Tim Keller's Reson for God. In it he claims that the demise of a Christian voice in the public square is overstated. There are many Christians who are in various places of influence

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-16472250144556222382008-12-20T12:00:00.001-05:002008-12-20T12:01:30.758-05:00

Michael Coren, always provocative, writes an interesting column here.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-84315261836819465942008-12-05T15:07:00.004-05:002008-12-05T15:14:30.800-05:00

I support the Advent Conspiracy!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-61538745752406381822008-12-01T18:05:00.003-05:002008-12-06T14:42:41.979-05:00

Cerberus had three heads.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-63966882343411827182008-11-11T16:29:00.002-05:002008-11-11T16:35:10.636-05:00

I was invited to lead the assembly in prayer at a Remembrance Day Memorial Service at a retirement complex in Burlington. I asked our heavenly Father to comfort those who mourn the death of loved ones and that the memory of the dead in the past 100 years in the battlefields of Europe Asia and Africa might spur us on to strive for peace. I then acknowledged that this could only ultimately occur

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-20315143706213459002008-11-10T18:07:00.002-05:002008-11-10T18:08:17.890-05:00

This past Sunday I preached on the 6th commandment: "you shall not kill." I urged upon the congregation that carrying grudges leads to murder. Read this!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-8453743670526643892008-11-06T06:55:00.004-05:002008-11-07T12:38:34.437-05:00

YFNWG (Hi Fred!) wrote in the comments on my Monday posting on women's voting and suggested that perhaps the solution would be "one vote per household."The one vote per household that he mentions of school societies is a bit 'off'. It's "one vote per membership fee". If all my children (when they lived at home) became members, they would all vote. Or if two or three shared a membership, they

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-30656515489752485662008-11-03T07:01:00.003-05:002008-11-03T07:01:00.330-05:00

Here is an interesting discussion from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod concerning women's voting. It seems that many members in the Canadian Reformed Churches would agree with this federation of churches that women should not vote because it is an act of governing. But then should not some of the conclusions hold as well?Scripture does not speak directly about the implications of voting.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-89588320011526125572008-10-31T14:51:00.003-04:002008-10-31T17:12:18.206-04:00

I just got the new Clarion in the mail. They published a letter I sent some weeks ago. Here is a copy of it.Dear EditorI have heard that some say that we may not sing the revised Psalms in the worship services because the Church Order says that only approved ones may be sung in church.In a similar vein, Yarrow Church approached the last Synod with the same complaint about the Hymnary Augment.You

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-22702923774469183442008-10-31T12:03:00.003-04:002008-10-31T17:12:51.777-04:00

Dear Mr. HarperI was encouraged to hear reports about your comments on the HRC's (both provincial and federal). As a Pastor of a Christian Church, I am willing to stand up for the things I believe in. That might mean, however, that I am prosecuted by Ms. Hall and her team of commissioners. I believe that British common law and Canada's "hate-laws" provide sufficient protection for all, against

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73405671982150814962008-10-13T20:14:00.002-04:002008-10-13T20:17:23.211-04:00

A friend of mine (thanks Rob) alerted me to some reviews of Foster's book "Celebration of Discipline." Many reviewers have suggested that this book approaches spiritual disciplines from a very mystical point of view. It's been many years since I've read it so my recommendation comes with the caveat: reader beware.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-90805110523257319832008-10-10T10:58:00.006-04:002008-10-13T20:14:30.074-04:00

I attend a men's breakfast. This morning we were discussing what kinds of books we like to read. I mentioned a few that I had read over the years and was asked if I could make some suggestions. Here is a list of books selected in the topics of "Reformed Disciplines" and "The History of Math and Science." These two topics fascinate me and form a large part of my 'recreational reading'. I've linked

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-55631069204772192802008-10-06T15:09:00.007-04:002008-10-07T22:12:46.467-04:00

There is a very popular book being promoted by many. It's called "The Shack". It's main plot line is that a fellow named Mac gets a letter from God saying that he should go to "the Shack" which he does, and has a conversation with God. This book is not on my "recommended reading list."Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church in Seattle has a good review of the book here. Take 8 minutes of your day and

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-35292049541464120942008-09-18T11:41:00.004-04:002008-09-18T15:46:18.824-04:00

I was checking out a political video on Youtube, and as I logged on, I saw this as a "featured video". As I watched it in amazement, it occurred to me that the Darwinian Evolutionists would have us believe that what happens at about 51 seconds and following is a natural occurrence.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-6505165542782161702008-09-16T14:45:00.003-04:002008-09-16T14:51:55.920-04:00

I'm a member of an internet discussion group that focuses on worship and church music in the Canadian Reformed federation.We've been having a discussion about the place of little ones in the worship services and whether they should instead be in Sunday school, where they would learn more.I posted the following and thought I'd share it here as well.------------But I wonder if that should be the

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-68962544974670225642008-08-30T10:04:00.006-04:002008-08-30T12:39:19.662-04:00

I found a neat website at www.wordle.netIt analyzes text files and creates "word clouds." These "clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more often. Here is one that I created using the sermon I plan to preach tomorrow AM."> Kinsman RedeemerI also made one from the Sermon on the Mount"> The Sermon on the MountYou can find a bigger version here.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-27341192609361895562008-08-29T19:55:00.002-04:002008-08-29T20:21:46.946-04:00

After 23 years, Jurgen Gothe has signed off for the last time. Since 1985 he has cooled road rage with his drive home radio show on CBC Two. However, it seems that Canadian culture is dumbing down. The CRCT approves a Canadian content porn channel, which undoubtedly would be applying for government arts grants if PMSH had not cut them off. (Go Harper Go! No more money for that kind of stuff!) and

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-78102746541578261042008-08-20T09:19:00.003-04:002008-08-20T09:24:08.988-04:00

I love new words. Here is a great one! "quango" (quasi-autonomous non-governmental agency)I saw it in a column concerning the propane blast in Toronto.Strange new protocols have arisen to deal with the murky circumstances, such as the habit of officials at public meetings to automatically look sideways, to the representative of some other government, agency or "quango" (quasi-autonomous

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-83860274786853283452008-08-15T18:42:00.008-04:002008-08-16T00:18:50.902-04:00

On Wednesday afternoon, we were returning home from Ottawa along the 401. I had heard how when Canadian soldiers who died overseas are brought home the bodies are transported from Trenton to Toronto along the 401. Some time ago, whenever there was a "ramp ceremony" in Trenton and the families receive their dead, and then are escorted to Toronto, Canadian citizens of all kind began to line the

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-73494266002960423292008-07-24T13:13:00.002-04:002008-07-24T15:50:58.808-04:00

In yesterday's National Post, Christopher Hitchens writes a piece defending the theory of evolution against those who would argue for intelligent design. He wonders why God would have created blind salamanders that have vestigial eyes and live down in dark caves. Why should they have remnants of eyes? he asks. They are sightless messengers proving Darwin. You can find a letter to the editor that

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-7260653672694722912008-07-23T13:16:00.006-04:002008-12-12T23:31:00.882-05:00

On our way home from vacation, Bonita and I meandered down Highway 2, enjoying a relaxing drive home. We stopped off in Brighton, at an antique shop and found this beauty. After a bit of negotiation, I purchased it. (A brother in our congregation offered to go 50/50 on it.) I can add this to my "collection" of lecterns. I have a small stand alone oak lectern; a small tabletop lectern (which we

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-19191396317203796762008-07-20T12:20:00.004-04:002008-07-23T13:53:18.841-04:00

My wife and I camp at Sharbot Lake Provincial Park, about 1 1/2 hours west of Ottawa, on Highway #7. It's a lovely campsite: not too big, with nice beaches on Black Lake. One of the reasons we like this campsite (and its "sister" campsite, Silver Lake, about 10 minutes down the highway) is the absence of bears and raccoons. Though we have to tolerate some "highway noise" from #7, we're told that

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-1305397740397794152008-07-18T21:13:00.005-04:002008-12-12T23:31:01.068-05:00

While I was camping at Sharbot Lake, my two sons and I were enjoying a glass of wine as we surveyed the lake from a high vantage point, just behind our campsite. While gazing across the lake, we noticed a perfectly straight line across the water. This line was unaffected by the wind, which was shifting. It was unaffected by the westering sun. Even the wake of a power boat did not disturb it. For

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-4011153107108775222008-07-02T14:48:00.002-04:002008-07-23T13:54:07.712-04:00

A member of my congregation emailed the following to me....Inspired by your write up in last weeks bulletin, my younger brotherand I went over to our old rental church property on Lasalle followingSunday afternoon's service. We found the sanctuary still intact althoughstripped from the inside; our walk through the building triggered manymemories, probably more for myself than for him. That

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-46461794764486541112008-07-02T13:14:00.011-04:002008-12-12T23:31:01.585-05:00

Last night we went down to the waterfront in Burlington. The local philharmonic orchestra played while the fireworks filled the sky. It was a beautiful warm summer evening, shared with thousands of Burlington citizens. The finale was the 1812 Overture, with many booming canon shots echoing over the promenade.Then as we were walking away the orchestra started playing "O, Canada!" Remarkably, the

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-9610992348674872832008-07-02T10:14:00.003-04:002008-07-02T10:25:42.530-04:00

Ian Hunter has a brilliant piece on Morgentaler, Canada's Birhtday, and the Order of Canada at "A Symbol of Moral Decay" . He writes in the National Post (pg A15), "It would require macabre sarcasm to call this a "birthday" present; so, for this "deathday" present, let me briefly remark on three propositions." He concludes, "... do not honour men without honour."Even as the church remembers

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-34268544990426631532008-07-01T07:00:00.003-04:002008-07-01T14:33:11.056-04:00

I think it was last year sometime that I read that as Stephen Harper and his Minister of Finance were cutting taxes and the GST, they were also undercutting the Liberal Party's ability to find money for great social engineering spending programs. The Liberals didn't take long to find a new way to advance their cause. Find a new tax. They couldn't, with any credibility suggest that they'd raise

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-43096111617877032792008-06-29T23:04:00.003-04:002008-07-01T14:32:21.749-04:00

When I read Brave New World decades ago I wonder if these things could be. And then I read the news today. A woman who was able to conceive in natural ways used in-vitro fertilization in order to screen out a cancer gene from her off spring. Eleven embryos were created and any with the cancer gene were destroyed. The new eugenics. Soon children will be chosen and discarded on the basis of their

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-47749231094302440132008-06-25T19:53:00.007-04:002008-12-12T23:31:04.530-05:00

Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church is in the community of Aldershot, in Burlington. It was 50 years ago that Aldershot village joined Burlington City. And as near as I can tell the Aldershot Presbyterian Church was built in 1957, the year before. The congregation had been formed a few years earlier: likely in 1954. The Canadian Reformed Church of Burlington South, now known as Fellowship

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-43934796475044685382008-06-21T12:17:00.002-04:002008-06-21T12:19:34.333-04:00

At a wedding in Burlington yesterday an historic photo was taken. You can find it at my brother George's blog. We just need to get someone to photoshop the missing pastor into the photo!

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-47715334555688849492008-06-20T10:28:00.005-04:002008-08-07T16:31:24.346-04:00

Today is the first day of summer. The solstice ("sun stand still" is what "solstice" means.) At 7:59 PM EDT the Sun reaches it's highest point with respect to the earth's latitudes. That will occur somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. It's remarkable that at UTC or Greenwich Mean Time as it was formerly known, it will happen at 23:59; one minute before June 21. I remember when I was a young man,

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-11667921388991348182008-06-09T07:01:00.003-04:002008-06-09T07:01:01.728-04:00

In Fellowship Church we use a projector for the liturgy song selections in the worship services. Some have asked how much work lies behind the Sunday presentation....The power-point team (h/t Sandra, who has spent countless hours creating these slides) has generated a library of 1672 separate slides of the Psalms, Hymns and Augment. There is now a complete set for all (except the Augment,

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-90281092650823389522008-06-07T20:00:00.001-04:002008-06-07T20:00:06.033-04:00

I learned from my friend, Pastor Jim Witteveen's blog, that Jason Bouwman of Burlington now has his art work on a new commemorative Silver Dollar. Congrats to Jason! It is very beautiful and unique. Reminds me a bit of MC Escher's work.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-8850530388828555592008-06-07T11:31:00.001-04:002008-06-07T11:36:33.643-04:00

I found another pastor/missionaries blog. Jim Witteveen, missionary in Prince George blogs at Jim Witt. Stop by and check it out.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-87992055351596190612008-06-06T12:27:00.009-04:002008-06-06T14:36:58.637-04:00

Some weeks ago 8000 Pro Life marchers converged on Parliament Hill. The main stream media did not report it. I searched the internet for two days after, to find any report. There was only one that I could find on Canoe.com. But it was about a traffic cop who got hurt directing the traffic night-mare the march caused. Today however, 100 marchers show up on The Hill demanding safe injection sites

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-10786454642744355632008-06-04T11:07:00.003-04:002008-06-06T23:35:12.590-04:00

You can read other Canadian Reformed Pastors' Blogs. My brother George can be found at vanpopta.caYou can find my friend Rob Schouten of Aldergove blogging at Rev. Rob's Blog. Happy reading

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-76210815668320935072008-06-04T07:00:00.002-04:002008-06-04T07:00:06.332-04:00

Here's a cute story.In a sermon on Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7ff) I said this...For Jesus teaches us to ask, for he who keeps on asking, (that's the force of the verb) he who keeps on asking, receives. And he who keeps on seeking, finds. And he who never relents on knocking on the door, will have it opened to him. But yet, the Father only gives good things to those who ask in faith. Just

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-35813731311918664762008-06-03T15:11:00.002-04:002008-06-03T15:13:13.496-04:00

Rev. Rob Schouten of Aldergrove has an interesting piece here, on public profession of faith.

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-36357289721389468412008-06-03T12:23:00.003-04:002008-06-03T15:10:44.073-04:00

I was reading the Financial Post's Canada's Top 500 Largest Corporations in the FP Business that came with the National Post this morning. In the listing of the Top 500, I noticed that the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp came in at # 68 and that Ontario Power Generation came in at # 73. Does it say something about Ontario's Citizens that gambling surpasses power generation? OPG has 3 Nuclear

John van Poptanoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-48480619237889103082008-05-30T14:46:00.003-04:002008-05-30T18:43:52.168-04:00

The National Post is reporting that the Students' Union of a prominent university is banning funding and equal access to services for Pro-Life student clubs. The Students' Union wants to ban debate on the personhood of the unborn off-spring of human parents. This is not remarkable, but predictable, in today's chilling academic climate against free speech and the "liberal" movement to deny

Pastor Johnnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987093973845121613.post-16926503829237291632008-05-28T21:08:00.001-04:002008-05-28T21:08:27.171-04:00

Welcome!Fellowship Canadian Reformed Church has a tech team that is revamping the church's presence on the internet. One of the updates will be this blog. Here you'll find some reflections on contemporary issues; some musings on controversial subjects; some links to timely news items with some comments.Later I hope to include some meditations on Bible passages and links to current sermons

Pastor Johnnoreply@blogger.com1