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Articles by Greg Scharf
12 Defining Moments: The Moment to Engage
“Time,” writes Os Guinness, “is too much for our minds to figure out and too great for our ingenuity to outwit.” At best, we hope to redeem the time God grants us. This requires that we seize moments that come during our ministries. So far, we’ve explored six. The seventh moment calls for even greater vigilance. Will we lead the church to effectively impact culture? Standing atop Mars Hill in Athens on a recent journey, I tried to imagine the Apostle Paul’s moment of cultural seizure.
Redeeming the Book of Judges
On March 29, 1996, a new documentary series premiered on E!, an NBC-affiliated entertainment network. The first episode chronicled the murder of young pop star Rebecca Schaeffer, who was shot and killed by a stalker in 1989. Audiences were treated to a twisting plot of intrigue through the sensationalized scenario of the starlet’s demise. Viewers were hooked.
Spurgeon’s Preaching Prep Process
Known as the Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon preached thousands of sermons over forty years of pastoral ministry. But preaching was only one part of his ministry. He also pastored a church of 5,000+ members, led his elders and deacons, performed membership interviews, chaired church meetings, gave oversight to two orphanages and the Pastors’ College, and much, much more. So, when did he ever find time to prepare his sermons? One answer is that Spurgeon never really stopped preparing.
An Examen for Preachers
We’ve been trained in sermon preparation. We can open a few tabs on our computers and have an outline ready to go in no time. But what if before we can get to the stage of the sermon being written by us, the sermon needs to be written in us? What if all of life is sermon prep? Of course we bring our training and experience to this calling—skills of studying Scripture and commentaries, of organizing ideas, of honing language and presenting our thoughts, in engaging ways, to our congregations.
Reflections on Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American secular hero as well as a world religious public figure. When he stepped into the public scene as a civil rights activist, he was responding to a social injustice challenge, an injustice he had lived with all of his life. Now the wilderness was crying for a voice and King responded to that intense cry. When you listen to the "Preacher King's" speeches or sermons, the elements of rhetoric are distinguishable: ethos, pathos, and logos.
COLUMN: Remembering war as Eisenhower did Original
Article content In September 1943, a couple of home guard “troops” appeared on my grandmother’s Sarnia verandah on Cobden Street. They said my father had ignored his draft notices and they demanded to know where he was. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content She had just received notification that he was missing in action, and told them, “I wish I knew.” Dad had joined the Canadian military two years earlier by lying about his age.
COLUMN: Remembering war as Eisenhower did
A file picture taken in June 1945 in Paris shows French General Charles de Gaulle (L) and US General Dwight David Eisenhower (R) walking near the Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph). As Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, the future president, "Ike" Eisenhower led the planning for what was codenamed Operation Overlord, gave the order to attack and oversaw its successful completion. De Gaulle was largely sidelined from preparations for the Normandy landings and the snub irked him for years.
COLUMN: Remembering war as Eisenhower did
A file picture taken in June 1945 in Paris shows French General Charles de Gaulle (L) and US General Dwight David Eisenhower (R) walking near the Arc de Triomphe (Arch of Triumph). As Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, the future president, "Ike" Eisenhower led the planning for what was codenamed Operation Overlord, gave the order to attack and oversaw its successful completion. De Gaulle was largely sidelined from preparations for the Normandy landings and the snub irked him for years.
COLUMN: Remembering war as Eisenhower did
Article content In September 1943, a couple of home guard “troops” appeared on my grandmother’s Sarnia verandah on Cobden Street. They said my father had ignored his draft notices and they demanded to know where he was. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content She had just received notification that he was missing in action, and told them, “I wish I knew.” Dad had joined the Canadian military two years earlier by lying about his age.
SCHARF: ‘Donnie knew how to get the better of me’ Original
Article content He was the embodiment of The Dude in the Big Lebowski. Donnie’s approach to life was “The Dude Abides”, meaning “to go with the flow. You accept life as it comes. And while Lebowski had his signature White Russian in hand, Donnie upped that ante, unfortunately. I have heard what a hellish situation being “dope sick” can be, yet apparently the opiate high is such that it’s apparently worth it.
SCHARF: ‘Donnie knew how to get the better of me’
A Day of the Dead scene created from edible peptic paste that Fernando Cienfuego will include in his upcoming documentary, Behind the Sugar Skull and the Intangible Heritage. CREDIT: Fernando Cienfuego Article content A Mexican offrenda is a simple thing to make. A photograph of a deceased loved one, perhaps a sugar skull, and perhaps a favourite food, booze, cigarettes, or a symbol of something they loved and a couple of marigolds, and you’re set.
SCHARF: ‘Donnie knew how to get the better of me’
A Day of the Dead scene created from edible peptic paste that Fernando Cienfuego will include in his upcoming documentary, Behind the Sugar Skull and the Intangible Heritage. CREDIT: Fernando Cienfuego Article content A Mexican offrenda is a simple thing to make. A photograph of a deceased loved one, perhaps a sugar skull, and perhaps a favourite food, booze, cigarettes, or a symbol of something they loved and a couple of marigolds, and you’re set.
SCHARF: ‘Donnie knew how to get the better of me’
A Day of the Dead scene created from edible peptic paste that Fernando Cienfuego will include in his upcoming documentary, Behind the Sugar Skull and the Intangible Heritage. CREDIT: Fernando Cienfuego Article content A Mexican offrenda is a simple thing to make. A photograph of a deceased loved one, perhaps a sugar skull, and perhaps a favourite food, booze, cigarettes, or a symbol of something they loved and a couple of marigolds, and you’re set.
SCHARF: ‘Donnie knew how to get the better of me’
Article content He was the embodiment of The Dude in the Big Lebowski. Donnie’s approach to life was “The Dude Abides”, meaning “to go with the flow. You accept life as it comes. And while Lebowski had his signature White Russian in hand, Donnie upped that ante, unfortunately. I have heard what a hellish situation being “dope sick” can be, yet apparently the opiate high is such that it’s apparently worth it.
COLUMN: Ouija board use offers real potential harm Original
Article content What happened here, Vic? My five-year-old told me that she’d whacked it with a hammer. Why? “I was scaring witches away.” Did it work? “Do you see any?” she asked. I did not … until the wife came in demanding what punishment I was going to administer. She was livid when I said, “None, she was scaring witches away.” I would have saved myself a lot of grief had I said, “Honey, there’s no such thing.” First off, that would be a lie.
COLUMN: Ouija board use offers real potential harm
Supplied Article content As I walked in the door, I encountered a very angry wife. With those dreaded words, “Go see what your daughter has done!”, she pointed me to my bedroom where I came upon a very huge window with a very huge crack. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content What happened here, Vic? My five-year-old told me that she’d whacked it with a hammer. Why? “I was scaring witches away.” Did it work? “Do you see any?” she asked.
COLUMN: Ouija board use offers real potential harm
Supplied Article content As I walked in the door, I encountered a very angry wife. With those dreaded words, “Go see what your daughter has done!”, she pointed me to my bedroom where I came upon a very huge window with a very huge crack. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content What happened here, Vic? My five-year-old told me that she’d whacked it with a hammer. Why? “I was scaring witches away.” Did it work? “Do you see any?” she asked.
COLUMN: Ouija board use offers real potential harm
Supplied Article content As I walked in the door, I encountered a very angry wife. With those dreaded words, “Go see what your daughter has done!”, she pointed me to my bedroom where I came upon a very huge window with a very huge crack. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content What happened here, Vic? My five-year-old told me that she’d whacked it with a hammer. Why? “I was scaring witches away.” Did it work? “Do you see any?” she asked.
COLUMN: Ouija board use offers real potential harm
Article content What happened here, Vic? My five-year-old told me that she’d whacked it with a hammer. Why? “I was scaring witches away.” Did it work? “Do you see any?” she asked. I did not … until the wife came in demanding what punishment I was going to administer. She was livid when I said, “None, she was scaring witches away.” I would have saved myself a lot of grief had I said, “Honey, there’s no such thing.” First off, that would be a lie.
SCHARF: Lack of respect has led to cemetery desecration Original
Article content One of the most interesting things you can do in San Diego, particularly this time of year, is take in the Ghost and Gravestones tour. It visits several sites around town, while sharing history and looking for paranormal activity. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content There are two cemeteries that tend to upset people, as they have been desecrated, but not by vandalism.
SCHARF: Families are sometimes messy, especially when things are said that shouldn’t be
Getty Images Article content On New Year’s Eve, my tweenage granddaughter threw a hissy fit that was, if nothing else, impressive. In terms of volume, intensity and duration, it was not the work of an amateur. Her dad tried to deal with her until her mum came in and made clear that no one was going to deal with anything. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
SCHARF: Families are sometimes messy, especially when things are said that shouldn’t be
Getty Images Article content On New Year’s Eve, my tweenage granddaughter threw a hissy fit that was, if nothing else, impressive. In terms of volume, intensity and duration, it was not the work of an amateur. Her dad tried to deal with her until her mum came in and made clear that no one was going to deal with anything. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
SCHARF: Families are sometimes messy, especially when things are said that shouldn’t be
Getty Images Article content On New Year’s Eve, my tweenage granddaughter threw a hissy fit that was, if nothing else, impressive. In terms of volume, intensity and duration, it was not the work of an amateur. Her dad tried to deal with her until her mum came in and made clear that no one was going to deal with anything. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
SCHARF: Families are sometimes messy, especially when things are said that shouldn’t be
Getty Images Article content On New Year’s Eve, my tweenage granddaughter threw a hissy fit that was, if nothing else, impressive. In terms of volume, intensity and duration, it was not the work of an amateur. Her dad tried to deal with her until her mum came in and made clear that no one was going to deal with anything. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
SCHARF: Families are sometimes messy, especially when things are said that shouldn’t be
Getty Images Article content On New Year’s Eve, my tweenage granddaughter threw a hissy fit that was, if nothing else, impressive. In terms of volume, intensity and duration, it was not the work of an amateur. Her dad tried to deal with her until her mum came in and made clear that no one was going to deal with anything. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
SCHARF: Compassion is at the very center of Christmas
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Columnist Greg Scharf writes about compassion, quoting Mother Theresa: “The home shall be a centre of compassion where we forgive endlessly.” Mother Theresa is shown with Princess Diana during their first meeting at the Missionary Sisters of Charity residence in Rome Feb. 19, 1992.
SCHARF: Compassion is at the very center of Christmas
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Columnist Greg Scharf writes about compassion, quoting Mother Theresa: “The home shall be a centre of compassion where we forgive endlessly.” Mother Theresa is shown with Princess Diana during their first meeting at the Missionary Sisters of Charity residence in Rome Feb. 19, 1992.
SCHARF: Compassion is at the very center of Christmas
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Columnist Greg Scharf writes about compassion, quoting Mother Theresa: “The home shall be a centre of compassion where we forgive endlessly.” Mother Theresa is shown with Princess Diana during their first meeting at the Missionary Sisters of Charity residence in Rome Feb. 19, 1992.
SCHARF: Compassion is at the very center of Christmas
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Columnist Greg Scharf writes about compassion, quoting Mother Theresa: “The home shall be a centre of compassion where we forgive endlessly.” Mother Theresa is shown with Princess Diana during their first meeting at the Missionary Sisters of Charity residence in Rome Feb. 19, 1992.
SCHARF: Not every door ought to be opened
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf Metro Creative Graphics image Article content Years ago, I came home to an enraged wife. When asked the nature of the problem, she would only say, “Go look at what your daughter has done.” Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content I was pointed to my bedroom, and saw a huge window shattered.
SCHARF: Not every door ought to be opened
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf Metro Creative Graphics image Article content Years ago, I came home to an enraged wife. When asked the nature of the problem, she would only say, “Go look at what your daughter has done.” Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content I was pointed to my bedroom, and saw a huge window shattered.
Why it’s difficult to explain the spiritual in secular terms
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf Supplied Article content The Halloween “season” gives us a respite where we at least temporarily honour things spiritual. For a long time, even churches have come to disregard man’s capacity think in images and stories, sagas and legends, symbols and myths. These are tools we use to talk about contact with just a different level of reality.
Why it’s difficult to explain the spiritual in secular terms
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf Supplied Article content The Halloween “season” gives us a respite where we at least temporarily honour things spiritual. For a long time, even churches have come to disregard man’s capacity think in images and stories, sagas and legends, symbols and myths. These are tools we use to talk about contact with just a different level of reality.
Why it’s difficult to explain the spiritual in secular terms
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf Supplied Article content The Halloween “season” gives us a respite where we at least temporarily honour things spiritual. For a long time, even churches have come to disregard man’s capacity think in images and stories, sagas and legends, symbols and myths. These are tools we use to talk about contact with just a different level of reality.
SCHARF: U.S. Medal of Honor is not a participation trophy
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf The three tyes of Medal of Honor available to military personnel in the United States. Wikepedia photo Article content Several of my distant relatives in Canada have become more distant, as through two elections they wouldn’t stop yammering about American politics.
SCHARF: U.S. Medal of Honor is not a participation trophy
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf The three tyes of Medal of Honor available to military personnel in the United States. Wikepedia photo Article content Several of my distant relatives in Canada have become more distant, as through two elections they wouldn’t stop yammering about American politics.
SCHARF: U.S. Medal of Honor is not a participation trophy
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf The three tyes of Medal of Honor available to military personnel in the United States. Wikepedia photo Article content Several of my distant relatives in Canada have become more distant, as through two elections they wouldn’t stop yammering about American politics.
SCHARF: U.S. Medal of Honor is not a participation trophy
Advertisement This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Author of the article: Greg Scharf The three tyes of Medal of Honor available to military personnel in the United States. Wikepedia photo Article content Several of my distant relatives in Canada have become more distant, as through two elections they wouldn’t stop yammering about American politics.
SCHARF: How cousin Dave sometimes kept me out of trouble
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Handout jpg, SO Article content When my grandsons start running amok, my exasperated daughter is known to say, “Those boys are definitely Scharfs!” I take some twisted pride in their rowdiness, yet it’s not entirely accurate, as my cousins in the Maritimes balanced the family scales by becoming Mounties, much to the chagrin of great-great uncle George McKenna.
Preaching that Builds Bridges
Preaching that Builds Bridges Lessons from John Stott at His 100th Birthday Image: Jonathan D. Greene / Lightstock April 27, 2021, would have been the 100th birthday of a preacher whose influence reached every corner of the planet: John R.W. Stott (1921-2011). Before he turned 30, he was leading a thriving congregation in London; as the decades went by, the world became his parish. He inspired thousands of university students through international preaching trips.
Why are so many Californians moving away?
Author of the article: Greg Scharf California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses during a news conference after touring Barron Park Elementary School on March 02, 2021 in Palo Alto, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a reopened elementary school a day after he announced a $6.6 billion school reopening agreement with the State legislature.
Why are so many Californians moving away?
Author of the article: Greg Scharf California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses during a news conference after touring Barron Park Elementary School on March 02, 2021 in Palo Alto, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a reopened elementary school a day after he announced a $6.6 billion school reopening agreement with the State legislature.
Why are so many Californians moving away?
Author of the article: Greg Scharf California Gov. Gavin Newsom pauses during a news conference after touring Barron Park Elementary School on March 02, 2021 in Palo Alto, California. California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a reopened elementary school a day after he announced a $6.6 billion school reopening agreement with the State legislature.
Learning to live with the pandemic while nurturing hope
Author of the article: Greg Scharf Publishing date: Feb 03, 2021 • 12 hours ago • 3 minute read A man displays a ticket he was given by Manitoba Justice officials for disobeying public health orders outside Church of God, south of Steinbach, Man., on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. Kevin King/Winnipeg Sun/Postmedia Network Article content One of my father’s most unnerving war stories came on an eight-day “death march”.
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