Impressions

Are you a Fan or a Follower?

A friend of mine told me of a book he was reading. The title of it is, Are You a Fan or a Follower?

I haven’t read this book, but I understand from my friend, that it has to do with our relationship with Jesus. According to what I have understood, the writer of the book sees a great difference between a fan and a follower. In his view, a fan is one who has some interest in a thing but no real commitment to it. This is in contrast to a follower, who is more dedicated to that particular thing. Let me illustrate by looking at the sport of hockey.

If you were to ask me if I am a fan of a particular hockey team, I would tell you that I am a Montreal Canadiens fan. Ask either of my sons or my daughter, and they will tell you they are Toronto fans. So far, we all seem to be on the same level, just two different teams. 

But let me be honest. I know maybe two players on the Canadiens team. I have no idea what their standing is or if they have any hope of making the playoffs.

Now my sons can tell you anything you want to know about the Leafs. They are probably as knowledgeable about the Leafs as anyone on Hockey Night in Canada. My daughter is more of a fan like me, but my sons, they’re followers. They are sold out Leafs fans.

No matter who wins the Cup, no matter how bad the Leafs play, they support the Leafs. We can rightfully say they are followers, and it’s quite easy to see the difference between their view of hockey and mine.

Now, may I bring that reasoning over into the spiritual realm and consider what I believe the author of the book “Are you a Fan or a Follower” is trying to get across? Many people profess to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ today, and where they are in their relationship to Him is no doubt between them and Jesus.

But, Jesus makes an important statement about this in Matt. 7:16. There He talks about knowing a tree by its fruit. For example, He says, “You do not gather grapes from thornbushes”. He goes on to say that, “A good tree will only bear good fruit and a bad tree will bear bad fruit.” He then uses this illustration to show us the truth about people who profess to follow Him and those who truly follow Him. In verse 21 of this chapter Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.”

I’m not here to judge. That is not the intent of this column. But, may I ask you, “Would you dare to consider your own life? Are you a fan or a follower of Jesus Christ?”

A fan may be one who believes Jesus Christ is a good person and may even like what Jesus taught. A follower is one who acknowledges that Jesus is God and commits to being obedient to what He taught, and who endeavors to imitate in his or her life, by the help of the Holy Spirit, the life that Jesus lived.

Jesus says, “If you are not willing to take up your cross daily and follow me, you are not worthy of me.”

I pray when all is said and done, and your life is evaluated by God, that He will judge you fit for His kingdom.

He then uses this illustration to show  

Rev. Duncan Perry,

Morrisburg Pentecostal Tabernacle

[…]

It is traditional at year’s end that organizations look back on its accomplishments. I would like to review my Conservative Government’s record during the past 12 months. We were given a majority government to create jobs and opportunities for Canadians, to support and protect Canadian families, and to put Canada First. 

I am proud to say we have concluded our most productive year with a record 40 bills being passed – delivering real results for Canadians. We made huge progress on bills that will meet our Throne Speech commitments. 

These include bills that: 

• combat harmful online harassment and exploitation;

• protect Canadians from unsafe drugs;

• support injured veterans with priority consideration for public service jobs;

• stand up for victims of crime;

• grant greater decision-making powers to the Northwest Territories; and

• make our prisons safer for our correctional officers.

This Parliament has also been marked by unprecedented success on the part of individual Members of Parliament, who advanced changes important to their constituents. I am proud to report that my colleagues and I have passed a record total of 19 Private Members’ Bills that have become law. As a matter of fact, since we formed government in 2006, a record 39 substantive Private Members’ Bills have received Royal Assent. 

This year we have delivered real results for Canadians by strengthening our economy, creating jobs and supporting families. We have created over 1 million net new jobs since the depth of the recession. We also completed the Canada-Europe Free Trade Agreement which will result in $12 billion in trade and 80,000 new jobs.

Through a productive and hard-working sitting of the House of Commons, we have delivered real results by strengthening our economy, creating jobs and supporting families. Through historic breakthroughs such as the Canada-EU Free Trade deal, by standing firm with our allies around the globe, and by protecting and supporting families here at home, our Government sent a strong signal this year, to the rest of the world, that Canada will be vigorous in its pursuit of new policies and ideas in the service of Canadians. 

Have a very Happy New Year.

[…]

Saving the Woodlot

Dear Editor,

This is in reference to Tyler Mills’ letter April 11, referring to the 400 acre woodlot. I am writing about money saving for SD&G. My origin is Middlesex County, where Lake Huron Pipeline replaced dry wells from a low water table.

One cause of a low water tables is removal of woodlots, bush which act as a reservoir for water. Tree removal is now by permit only. Replanting and wood lot maintenance is ongoing.

Pipeline installations involve millions of dollars of taxpayer money. Plus land owners pay their own installation and for metered water.

Such water pipelines experience shut down, sometimes for day, endangering livestock and personal water use.

In order to pay for maintenance and repairs, metered water increases in price.

SD&G needs rules to stop clear cutting woodlots and thus save the water table by issuing and policing permits for woodlot maintenance only.

To paraphrase the song, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone: clear cut a soy bean plot.

Sincerely, Eileen Webb,

South Mountain.

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