Christian Beliefs

Divinely-Authored Life or Doctor-Assisted Death: A Perspective

Posted on by Jonathan Bernardo

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10 (NIV)

Today, the federal government introduced the highly controversial yet much-awaited legislation regarding medically-assisted death with a qualifier that bounds the law “for adults who are suffering intolerably and for whom death is reasonably foreseeable.”  Furthermore, the bill restricts eligibility to those who are mentally competent, 18 or older, have a serious and incurable disease, illness or disability and be in advanced state of irreversible decline in capability.

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Lost in the Fine Print

Posted on by Jonathan Bernardo

“What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:21-23

Tim Horton’s famous Roll Up The Rim To Win contest has just ended.  It is one of the most successful business campaigns here in Canada causing a frenzy of coffee-buying (as if we’re not already overly indulging in this caffeinated drink) just to get at a chance to win any prize.  Here’s what most people probably don’t know about the contest:

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Francois Henri “Jack” Lalanne

Posted on by Jonathan Bernardo

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” – 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Perhaps most of you know Jack Lalanne for his “Power Juicer” – a notable appliance he invented known to extract juice from virtually any fruit or vegetable. He popularized the phrase, “That’s the power of juice!” from the marketing of this device.

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Last Days

Posted on by Jonathan Bernardo

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

The children shivered with fright inside a make-shift shelter.  With each deafening explosion that rocked the flimsy shack they were in, they gripped their arms more firmly around their parents – for those who still had even one around.  The nights were especially dreadful.  Blinding darkness covered the entire snow-covered landscape.  The entire country, perhaps even the whole world, was bereft of heat.  Destitute outbursts of helpless screaming echoed intermittently between whispers of prayer. Continue reading →

Salvation is Still Free!

Posted on by Jonathan Bernardo

“For by grace have you been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” – Ephesians 2:8

Our son, Jed, recently celebrated his 9th birthday.  It always amazes me how time flies and even more amazed at how fast our children grow up.  I couldn’t help but recall memories of the remarkable growth of their observation and insight. Continue reading →