Author: Ron Baker

This author has written 2758 articles

Stewards of the stead

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Stead Steward – my newest title in my multifaceted life!

In the fourteenth century William Langard wrote Piers Plowman.  One of the phrases talks about the “steward of the steads”.  The stead is a place that was or is someone elses.

A friend of ours moved but their house has not yet sold.  Every other day (an insurance requirement and good for peace of mind) I wander down and check out the house.  For the five or ten minutes I now can add a new title to my name.

Imagine the names we could attach to ourselves!  What titles do you have that are impressive for the amount of work you do??

Theology Blog Starting!

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Well, here it is!

If you want to get in on my daily (or almost daily) meanderings on church, theology and God click on the side button under the Blogroll on “RON BAKER’S THEOLOGY BLOG”.  Or put into your browser the following – www.ronbaker.ca/theology .  That will get you there as well.

See you there!

Operation Christmas Child -boxes coming in!

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We are a “regional” drop off centre!  A place to drop off OCC boxes.

To date we have around 550 boxes in.  Appears that’s more than last year.

In the last while we have consolidated the boxes into shipping boxes, tried to keep track of how many, and generally watched the outpouring of love people have for this project.  Not that this town has had it easy.  In past years the United Church minister criticized the project and seems to have derailed some enthusiasm.  But momentum is coming back.

Meanwhile I’ve lifted boxes, toted them bales and generally been called on to get into shape.  Not as easy a task as we thought it might be, but as a benefit, I may lose weight and have a more svelte (is that Svedish??) figure!. 

Halloween Revisited – a new (?) approach to Halloween

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Let’s take back Halloween! 

Over the years this season has had its ups and downs!   I received information from one of our church people about the satanic influence of Halloween.  As well, I have been looking over the origins of Halloween in the Christian church.  Here is a proposal: 

In the early centuries of the church there was an attempt to redeem a pagan holiday by changing its name and emphasis and placing a focus on Jesus as victor over Satan.  Thus “All Saints Day” on November 1st, preceded by “Hallowed Evening” where we are reminded that Satan is not victor!  In more recent years we have moved to “Halloween Alternatives”   These reflect a Christian approach to the secular and pagan usurping of “Halloween”.  The back and forth attempt to see who “owns” Halloween is indeed a real reminder that we live in two worlds!!
 
Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could inundate our areas next year with an understanding of “hallowed evening”, so as kids (and their parents) trick or treat they could understand a bit more what this day is about – that the focus should be on Jesus? 
 
And for Christians, maybe an addition to regular Halloween activities – a “sacred meeting” where the victory over Satan was celebrated and explained??  Instead of having to call it a “Halloween Alternative”, maybe we could call it “Halloween Revisited”??
 
What do you think??