Dear Jesus, Christmas time is near again—a time to celebrate your birthday. I’m speaking to you as a present-day mother of children; therefore, I understand the significance of birthdays. In celebration of your birthday we wouldn‘t consider skipping church on Christmas morning. I always try to tell the children the true […]
In the following article, Mrs. Groenendyk, after explaining the idea of “adiaphora,” discusses two main ideas: (1) Howard Van Till’s “Adiaphora Strategy” in The Fourth Day, and (2) Van Till’s “Adiaphora Strategy” in Reverse. This second section is satire which applies to Van Till’s book the same strategies he uses against the Bible. The headings […]
The title of this article is borrowed with permission from a sermon my husband preached some time ago. As I observed the synod of the CRC in session and the protest by the women and their supporters the day following the vote by synod not to ratify the 1993 decision to allow women in the […]
The title of this article, “What Is Home Without a Mother?,” is the caption of a picture which hung in my grandparent’s home when I was a child. The picture showed a mother and child, depicting tender, motherly love. As a child, I answered that question for myself many times. I loved my mother and […]
Father, as head of your home, how. are you completing the above title for your family? Every home is making an ending to this title in one way or another, consciously or unconsciously. Today the title is being completed in many different ways. The following are some examples: […]
Popular words heard at the 1995 Synod of the CRC in the debate for women-in-office were: “compromise, peace, tolerance, room for everyone, brothers, for the love or sake of the denomination, unity, no one wins, both are right, do not tear or unravel the blanket.” How honorable it all sounds, but does obedience to God’s […]
The 1996 Synod of the CRC had as one of its buzz words: “Unity.” The delegates wanting women in the offices of elder and minister in the CRC argued for unity again and again, along with using such words as: peace, love, brothers and love for the church. Those opposed to the ordination of women […]
A question can be read with the emphasis on anyone of the words in a given sentence. The title question can be read: Is it the Lord’s Day?; Is It the Lord’s Day?; Is it the Lord’s Day?; or Is it the Lord’s Day? In this article the question will be read with the emphasis […]
Spiritual and moral values are learned and caught by the younger generation from parents, teachers, and adults in general in many different ways, some through intentional teaching and some unconsciously. Therefore, we are never able to totally evaluate the impact or effect of the impression left on the young, absorbing mind. In my childhood home […]
The word “devote” is given the following definition in Webster’s Dictionary: “to give up oneself or one’s time, energy, to some purpose, activity, or person.” Every person is devoted to something or someone whatever absorbs one’s time. We will consider devoting ourselves faithfully to Bible reading, Bible study and prayer. Any relationship requires faithful and […]