MINISTER CLAIMED CANADA MENTIONED IN SCRIPTURE

Believe it or not, the minister at the house church I once attended claimed that Canada was mentioned in the bible. He used the following verses to back his preposterous contention:

Zechariah 9:10 (KJV)  And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 72:8   (KJV)He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Brother Herald, as I called him, believed that Canada fit the "sea to sea" description. He taught us that the Saint Lawrence River was the one mentioned in both scriptures and the "ends of the earth" meant the north coast. Not knowing any better, I believed him.

Now that I know how to read the Bible for all it's worth, and all its worth, I realize how ridiculous Brother Herald's claim was. The key to understanding any passage in Scripture is context. For example, Zechariah 9:9 says, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." It obviously refers to Christ coming into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The verse Brother Herald thought proved Canada was the Lord's dominion actually spoke of the Messiah's reign.

Likewise, Psalm 72 is about the Messiah and has no relationship to Canada. When it's read with the understanding that King David wrote it to his people and not to gentiles thousands of years in the future, the verses make perfect sense.

Had I known this key to biblical exegesis, I'd never have fallen for the absurd teachings of that lay minister. Since I now know the technique of reading the scriptures in context, I want everybody else to learn what I learned. I Wrote How I Was Razed: A Journey from Cultism to Christianity for the purpose of showing how deceived I once was and how God freed me from  Brother Herald's cultic ideas with God's help.

Praying for the Donkey - Marnie Pohlmann

I was 16 when I left home in BC to live with a couple of my older brothers in Ontario. I had a part-time job and went to high school. The rule of the apartment was unwritten, but I understood if I was not at school or at work I would be at church. This was the safest way I could "run away from home" and it probably saved my life.

In that school year, I took a history class called "People and Politics" where I learned such things as the meaning of "expropriation."  That was also the year of a federal election, so the class followed the news and discussed the different platforms and promises of the candidates. The Conservatives' Joe "Who?" Clark won a short-lived minority government over Trudeau Senior, leader of the Liberal Party. I learned some of my fellow students had different priorities and ideas than I did on how to run our country. I also learned the voices of the people were needed in our country, so I have since voted in every municipal, provincial, and federal election.

Speeches were required in this class and one of my assigned topics was to discuss our Canadian identity compared to the United States. I described the U.S. as a sleek racehorse: powerful, self-assured, perhaps a little high-handed and brash, but an obvious thoroughbred. From one side of the country to the other, at that time in history, the people of all 50 states seemed to be certain of who they were. They were united in what was important to all Americans. Immigrants gave up their home country citizenship, desiring to pledge allegiance to America. The United States appeared to be the land of opportunity. I hung a picture of a pedigree steed on the blackboard.

Then I described Canada. We had all the same landscapes as the States - ocean coastlines, prairie wheat fields, and mountain ranges. We had the same variety of international immigrants joining us, though Canada allowed immigrants to keep citizenship with their country of origin as well as join us. I reflected on how we had all the same parts as the racehorse, but we were not quite as well put together. We were still struggling to define ourselves, even in establishing language laws. I explained Canada was unique and special, even if we looked a little odd. Then I hung up the game of pin the tail on the donkey.

I trust you are not offended by my teenage description of our country. During that formative time, I gained an understanding of what a remarkable country in which we live. I fell in love with our variety of landscapes, though I have not seen nearly enough of them. I became proud of our extraordinary land, our form of government, and our people.

Today when I consider Canada, I think of two iconic symbols recognized around the world as representing our special country. No, one is not a donkey.

First, I love to see our red and white maple leaf flag waving in the sky. I get upset when I see tattered flags left on flag poles rather than respectfully being changed. Did you know there are rules for flying the Canadian flag, as well as ways to properly dispose of a tattered flag? Please do not use a flag as a tablecloth, or throw the symbol of our land in a landfill.

The second symbol that has garnered respect for Canada throughout the world is our Royal Canadian Mounted Police. While the RCMP Members do not wear the iconic red serge for daily enforcement duties, my heart swells with pride when I see these men and women in their ceremonial uniforms. The history of the RCMP is an integral part of our country's history, as they helped bring stability and safety across an expansive untamed land. Around the world, they are recognized as Canadian by their distinct red serge.

As in politics, there are many different views about our Mounties. In recent months, especially, there has been a lot of bad press about this paramilitary organization, but I believe our national police force is doing a difficult job and doing it to the best of the Members' abilities. I have been privileged to work as administrative support to the RCMP for over 20 years in various parts of the country and in various positions. I have witnessed how much this career costs the individuals who take on the responsibility of "Maintiens le droit" or Defending the Law of Canada.

Whether or not we agree with the direction of our government, our laws, or our society, Scripture directs us to obey those God has placed in leadership. We are to pray for them. And let's be sure to include in our prayers those who provide policing, as well as other first responders who keep us safe. Pray also for the Canadian people and for those who come from afar to join us.

While we may consider our Canadian identity to be an awkward donkey because of the conflicts and politics we hear braying across our country, others throughout the world see our flag waving in welcome and comfort. They see our Mounties standing tall and proud, providing peace and safety.

To others, Canada looks like a beautiful wild stallion.

* photos courtesy of www.pixabay.com CCO license

Marnie lives and writes in northern BC, where hills, fields, ranches, and big sky meet at the Mighty Peace River. A beautiful piece of Canada. Her blog is Phosphorescent.

Living in Canada By Vickie Stam

I was born and raised in Canada. Both of my parents were as well. My father was born in Kapuskasing in northern Ontario. French was his first language. He finished grade eight and went to work in a bakery to help support his large family. With ten siblings at the dinner table a pot of soup had to go a long way and there were no second helpings. Christmas meant a new pair of socks. Love and affection wasn't doled out the way it is today. My father grew up knowing his parents loved him - not by hearing the words, "I love you" over and over throughout the day. Times were different back then.

My mother grew up in Belleville, Ontario some 940 kilometers away. Her family was small in comparison. Only two siblings but there were hard times for her as well. My grandmother raised them single handedly. My grandfather died when my mother was three years old. Food was scarce. On a disability pension because she suffered from polio, my grandmother had to make the money stretch. My mother also knew that her mother loved her. And not because she was told. Mom finished grade eleven and eventually she moved the Hamilton area where she worked on mushroom farm in Burlington, Ontario.

My father moved to the Hamilton area for work. He made deliveries to the farm where my mother worked and the rest - you guessed. Three months later they married.

Nine months and three days later my sister, Karen was born. Six years later, Angela and then seventeen months later, I came into the world.  

I was born in Burlington and raised in Hamilton. My mother was First Nations. Mohawk from the Bay of Quinte. My father is French. This made for some interesting times in our parent's home during the Oka Crisis; the land dispute between the Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Quebec in July of 1990. It's safe to say that the atmosphere in their home was more than tense. My sister's and I knew not to bring the subject up. Not a word. And if dad slipped and decided to bring it up my sister's and I were looking for someplace to hide. But they survived the stand-off in their house and were married for 53 years when my mother passed away in 2009. Our family chose her place of rest and  and what it says on her headstone. A choice we have here in Canada.

Growing up we never travelled much. Picton to go camping. Up north to see family and of course the Belleville area, but that's as far as we went.

The first time I travelled on a plane was in July of 2005. I didn't much like the ride. I just liked how quick I arrived. I went with a friend to explore Prince Edward Island; someplace other than Ontario. I was in awe of the red sand and the quiet lifestyle. The slow pace was intriguing to me. The land was full of hills and the ocean breath view was taking.

In January of 2006 my husband, Tony proposed. Shortly after he flew out west for a Pork Producer's meeting. When he phoned me, he was ecstatic. "Vickie, if you thought PEI was beautiful - this place will knock your socks off!" He promised to take me there one day. I'm still waiting to lose my socks....

That was eleven years ago and now that Tony and I are retired from raising pigs that trip out west should be coming.  

I have to admit that I'm not much into politics. I read the paper everyday and I don't like learning about all of the violence that exists in Canada but I'm still happy that I live here and not in other more violent countries. 

Here I am able to choose my own path. Career, religion, number of children I have and so on. I can choose to live where I want and marry the person I want - not one who was chosen for me. I love the choices we have in Canada!

When I travel outside of Canada I'm always glad to be back.  It simply feels good to be home... 

A Personal Love of Canada - Alan Anderson

For the first time since blogging here I almost forgot.

When I think of Canada I think of the wonder of home. I think of my adopted home. I think of the land of my birth

The wonder of Canada as home. Canada is an amazing country. It is huge in landmass. It is composed of people from all over the world who accept her welcoming heart. I love how most people at least, respect the wisdom in assimilating into Canada as a unique culture. I sincerely appreciate Canada is a country that for the most part believes in freedom of religion and speech.

I have travelled to a number of locales in Canada and I stand amazed at her beauty. Having spent most of my life in British Columbia I love the mountains. I love the protection of evergreen trees and the soaring of the eagles we see all year round. I love the sense of awareness that surrounds me when I go for a hike in the mountains and forests. It is the awareness that I am in the home of bears and cougars.

To me, British Columbia is one of Canada’s jewels.

Canada, my adopted home. Although I originally had no choice in coming to Canada I have chosen to live here and undoubtedly will die here. I will explain more about this in the next section of this post.

When I consider the turmoil all too common in certain parts of the world, at least Canada has a history of enjoying a democracy. I have the freedom here to more or less live the way I want without molestation from the government. I pray to God it will remain so.

The freedom of Canada has made it possible for my wife and I to raise our family in peace. This is primarily due to the strength, conviction and sacrifice of the members of our military personnel. Our children are proud of Canada!

Every Canada Day I think of the land of my birth. I was born in Scotland, the land of my soul. Scotland gave me to Canada. As a Scotsman, however, I know that Scotland never gives up her children. I will always be a laddie from Scotland!

I was ten years old when my parents brought my siblings and I to Canada in 1964. We left the land of our births because my parents believed it would present us with a better way of life. For the most part, this has been so.

A regret I have is we did not bring our dog with us. Her name was Lassie. It is something I have never forgotten. We left family and our beautiful Scotland yet I miss my dog even to this day. That may sound crazy to you. I was a boy and I loved Lassie. For the longest time I resented that my parents didn’t bring her with us. I also resented Canada and spent the better part of our first year homesick for Scotland.

As the years have gone by and I have matured I love Canada yet Scotland still runs through my veins. I have never been back.

Canada is home. It took me a long time to realize and accept that fact. I thank my parents for having the courage to uproot themselves for the sake of their children, including me.

Thank you Canada for being so good to me! Thank you Scotland for giving up some of your children to settle in such a wondrous and beautiful Canada!

May God bless us and keep us free!

Blog: ScarredJoy@wordpress.com