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NewsSaturday Selections – June 13, 2020
Dandelions: more amazing than you knew! (4 minutes) I’ve shown this to all my kids – same reaction from all of them: “Wow!” When someone…
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News“Black lives matter” isn’t always about black lives
On May 25 a Minneapolis black man, George Floyd, died in handcuffs while three police officers kneeled on him, including one, Derek Chauvin, who was…
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NewsDutch scientists find Gouda, Edam may help fight COVID-19
This is the sort of headline to have you checking whether it isn’t April 1 today. But the report is genuine. As The Guardian’s Daniel…
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Book excerptsWhen C.S. Lewis was an atheist…
An excerpt from Douglas Bond’s novel War in the Wasteland Editor’s note: This excerpt takes place during a prolonged Germany artillery barrage that has the…
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Book ReviewsPrince Martin wins his sword
by Brandon Hale 52 pages / 2018 Rating: Good/GREAT/Give At bedtime, my dad reads a lot of books to us – me and my two…
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DocumentaryMovie Review: Spirit & Truth
How does God want to be worshipped? Documentary 2019 / 87 minutes RATING: 8/10 How should we worship God? It’s one of the most important…
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NewsSaturday Selections – June 6, 2020
Stepping up by stepping away Warren Barfield was once best known for his songs The Time is Now, and the one below, Love Is Not a Fight. But then,…
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In a NutshellTidbits – June 2020
Is this love? How can a parent help put a daughter’s crushes in the right context? How can we help her view this boy with…
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EconomicsThinking in terms of tradeoffs rather than solutions…
In a June 2 Facebook live discussion with fellow Conservative MP Garnett Genius, Arnold Viersen outlined two very different ways that politicians tend to approach…
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NewsRacism is wrong…
Racism is wrong. The Minneapolis police officer, holding his knee on George Floyd’s neck for a lengthy period of time, may have been motivated racially,…
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FamilyBeyond the Mask
Christian / Action / Drama / Family 103 minutes / 2015 RATING: 8/10 William Reynolds is an 18th-century assassin and the righthand man to the…
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ParentingThe problem with explanations
God has not called parents to explain but to train. Explanations often lead to frustration and anger for both parents and children. Children are not…
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NewsSaturday Selections – May 30, 2020
Dolphin sonar is incredibly designed! (4 min) The many different components of dolphins’ echolocation system allows it such a level of precision it can tell…
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Apologetics 101The Triangle Curvature Inclusion Bill
A controversial bill to redefine triangles was presented in the British Parliament this past month. Debate was opened by the Culture Secretary, Valerie Brimble, who…
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DocumentaryFREE MOVIE: Dude Perfect: Backstage Pass
Documentary 84 minutes / 2020 RATING: 8/10 In 2009 some college friends, calling themselves the “Backyard Stuntmen,” videotaped each other trying crazy basketball shots –…
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TheologyIs it real corporate worship? – a parable
In this time of pandemic, Christians are carrying on a vigorous discussion about the character of corporate worship. When many if not most of the…
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Amazing stories from times pastThe Good Hanoverian (Luke 10:29-37)
There is a remarkable anecdote about George III of England, that king with whom most people are acquainted through the 1994 movie The Madness of…
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NewsSaturday Selections – May 23, 2020
Surfin is illegal in the USA: A Beach Boys parody (2 min) There’s no better way to kill the funny than to discuss a joke….
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Movie ReviewsOrdinary Commission
Documentary 22 minutes / 2019 Throughout our Reformed congregations and communities, more and more attention is being given to the call to reach out to…
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TheologyWhy I’m religious, not just spiritual
I was sitting in the sauna at the local aquatic centre the other day when I struck up a conversation with the man sitting opposite…
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Human RightsDo we have a “right” to life?
If you’ve ever attended a pro-life rally or an abortion protest you’ve heard fellow Christians talking about the unborn’s “right to life.” But is this…
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EconomicsIt’s A Wonderful Loaf: why free enterprise makes bread in abundance
In the illustrated economic poem below, the author shows how the free enterprise system – with supposedly no one in control – can deliver bread…
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Book ReviewsSnow White
by Matt Phelan 216 pages / 2016 Rating: GOOD/Great/Gift This is Snow White inventively reimagined as a 1920s Depression-era American tale. The “king” is a stock…
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Adult fictionDirected Verdict
by Randy Singer 2002 / 486 pages Rating: GOOD/Great/Give There are lots of layers in this intense courtroom drama. When the Saudi religious police uncover a…
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NewsSaturday Selections – May 16, 2020
What’s the Reformed perspective on the UFO videos? (1-hour podcast) Last month the Pentagon declassified three videos of what they termed “unexplained aerial phenomena.” The…
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EconomicsTwo tales of trade: how free trade creates wealth
As Christians we know that man is prone to all sorts of evil, but we often forget that man is also prone to all sorts…
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Soup and Buns“Lord, how can I help?”
There’s a difference between doing what is right because you have always been told to do so, and doing it from your heart. There’s a…
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AssortedVindication and the spider
There are nearly 40,000 different kinds of them around the world. Some can catch frogs, rabbits and even birds with their strong poisons and fangs….
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In a NutshellTidbits- May 2020
Graphic Pictures… The image is outrageous, but the act itself’s okay? That picture’s met with fury… But, the killing is okay? Imagine our sheer terror,…
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Book lists46 children’s books to foster the love of reading and learning
We are “People of the Book” so reading should be, and is very important, to us. The goal of all reading is to become readers…
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NewsSaturday Selections – May 9, 2020
A whale of an evolution tale (10 minutes) The evolution of whales has been touted as “one of the best examples of an evolutionary transition.”…
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Church historyThe Defenestration of Prague
You can download or listen to the podcast version (5 minutes) here. ***** Today we’re going to look at a small event that had big consequences….
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TheologyRepentance – what does it look like?
It’s embarrassing but true: all around us we see people seriously messing up, ourselves included. It happened to people in the Bible too. If Noah…
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NewsPoll: More Canadians condemn plastic straws than abortion
An Angus Reid poll, conducted in January of this year, asked 1,528 Canadians for their moral perspectives on a wide variety of issues. Among the…
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ParentingTikTok passes 2 billion downloads
The social media app TikTok has exploded in popularity. Sensor Tower analytics reports that since the start of 2019 the app has doubled its downloads,…
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NewsSaturday Selections – May 2, 2020
An unborn baby kicking up a storm (30 seconds) Our value doesn’t come from what we can do – it comes from in Whose Image…
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MarriageAngry? I’m not the type….right?
“Angry? No, not me. I’m not an angry sort of person.” Actually, I suspect very few of us think we are. So allow me to…
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Human RightsABILITY ≠ WORTH ….but the world thinks so, and sometimes we do too
While we were at the library one of my daughters grabbed Nice Wheels, a book featuring a boy zipping across the cover in a wheelchair….
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AssortedTwo Trees And The Big Storm: a parable for children about COVID-19
Editor’s note: Parents, what follows is a devotional, in two parts, to help explain COVID-19 to children, by assuring them of God’s continued control and…
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Book ReviewsThe life of Frederick Douglass
A graphic narrative of a slave’s journey from bondage to freedom by David F. Walker Illustrated by Damon Smyth 2018 / 173 pages Rating: GOOD/Great/Give Frederick…
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News
Saturday Selections – April 25, 2020
Earth Day? Nah. (2 min) It was Earth Day this past Wednesday and once again the world celebrated creation even as it denied the Creator….
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MagazineMar/Apr 2020 issue
WHAT’S INSIDE: Family films, old and new / Evolution as a gravedigger / What must Ben Shapiro do to be saved? / Jenny Geddes: the…
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Science – Creation/EvolutionEvolution as a gravedigger
Theistic evolution undermines God’s Truth, but it’s only continuing what Old Earth Creationism began *** Christian philosopher J.P. Moreland has recently published an excellent article,…
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NewsJoe Biden and the unworkable, unbiblical (but I repeat myself) “believe all women” standard
The presumptive Democratic nominee for president, Joe Biden, was accused of sexual assault in late March, and most of the mainstream media, and a key…
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FamilyOvercomer
Drama /Family 2019 / 119 minutes RATING: 7/10 This was going to be John Harrison’s year. The high school basketball coach had all his best…
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News
Saturday Selections – April 18, 2020
Are you tolerant? (4 minutes) This is as funny as it is informative! Environmentalism has killed its millions Earth Day, April 22, is upon us…
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NewsDon’t wish you were here: illustrator’s National Park posters go viral
Illustrator Amber Share always wanted to create a vintage travel poster for each of the 63 National Parks in the United States. After sharing some…
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NewsStates, cities, reverse course on plastic bag bans
In 2007, San Francisco was the first city to ban regular single-use plastic bags, directing businesses to use compostable plastic bags, paper, or, preferably, reusable…
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Book ReviewsAnimal Farm: The Graphic Novel
by George Orwell (& Odyr) 2019 / 172 pages Rating: GOOD/Great/Give For those that don’t know the original, Orwell wrote his allegory in World War II…
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NewsThe “religious ghost” behind Tim Tebow joining the Philippine national baseball team
Heisman-winning former college quarterback and now minor league baseball player Tim Tebow has accepted an invitation to play for the Philippine national team. Like every…
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DocumentaryThe Fool – the true “banana man” story
Documentary 60 min. / 2019 RATING: 7/10 The Fool is the true story of how evangelist Ray Comfort was mocked and ridiculed by atheists the…
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News
Saturday Selections – April 11, 2020
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra: quarantine edition In this rousing, at-home rendition, the RPO plays Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” better known to many by the lyrics Henry…
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Adult non-fictionFREE BOOK: Coronavirus and Christ
by John Piper 2020 / 112 pages What Piper offers us in what he calls this “historic moment of bitter providence” is a lesson in…
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People we should knowHow the ruling princes of Liechtenstein defeated the abortion activists
As our rental car groaned up the steep mountain slope, I strained to see the landmark we were hunting for: Vaduz Castle, the permanent residence…
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Amazing stories from times pastCrying, “Abba! Father!”
I have a friend in a nursing home whom I visit regularly. Her name is Dinah and she is a widow. We met her through…
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DocumentaryThe Riot and the Dance: Water
Documentary 2020 / 84 minutes RATING: 8/10 Biologist Gordon Wilson has produced another beautiful ode to God’s creation. The Riot and the Dance: Water explores…
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NewsThe TP we need in the COVID crisis: Trust & Perspective
Toilet paper (TP) has become a hot commodity. It’s hard to find. Just mention Charmin and it evokes a wide range of emotions: frustration, greed,…
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News
Saturday Selections – April 4, 2020
3 things to remember when you’re feeling anxious (3 min) “It’s striking that the most frequent command in the entire Bible is to not be…
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Book ReviewsHunger Winter
by Rob Currie 2020 / 236 pages Rating: GOOD/Great/Give Author Rob Currie drops his readers right into the action in the opening scene, with an anxious…
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In a NutshellTidbits – April 2020
Are we only after better-behaved pagans? Christians have made a habit of advocating for Christians positions without advocating for them as Christian positions. So we…
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Amazing stories from times past30 days of April
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die… ****…
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Economics5 things Christians should know about income inequality
Income inequality is still at the forefront of conversation for many people. Thankfully, there are biblical principles that help Christians understand whether income inequality is a…
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News
Saturday Selections – March 28, 2020
John MacArthur on the coronavirus crisis (17 minutes) While the coronavirus quarantine led to the canceling of the Ligonier conference, it freed up some time…
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NewsAn update on Conversion Therapy Bans in Canada
To fulfill an election promise, the federal Liberal government has introduced a bill to criminally ban conversion therapy. As I noted in my Nov/Dec article,…
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Movie lists6 free short videos well worth watching
These 6 videos are about as different as different can be, covering art, adoption, Noah’s Ark, the Gospel behind bars, and both witnessing outside abortion…
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Book lists100+ read-aloud suggestions…
I’ve been reading out loud to my girls since they were born, and now that they are older we’re still reading, ending each day with…
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News
Saturday Selections – March 21, 2020
How is the moon’s design evidence for creation? (6 minutes) The unique characteristics of our moon – its size and distance from us relative to…
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Adult non-fiction3 ways of confronting the problem of diminishing attention spans through the Great Books
How many books do you finish? How many blog posts do you really read? I am guessing that you, like me, are busy and are…
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NewsCalvinism in the time of coronavirus
When I was about nine or ten, at the height of worldwide panic about AIDS, I stumbled across a newspaper article that outlined the symptoms…
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Religion – Roman CatholicWhat must Ben Shapiro do to be saved?
Does a person need to put their faith in Jesus to be saved? That was the underlying question conservative political commentator Ben Shapiro put to…
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DocumentaryBy what standard? God’s World…God’s rules
Documentary 2019 / 110 minutes RATING: 8/10 The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, and has a generally Calvinist…
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News
Saturday Selections – March 14, 2020
The only question that matters in the abortion debate Greg Koukl shows how to simplify the abortion debate Christian myths and other famous quips (26-minute…
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Church historyJenny Geddes: the Reformer who let fly…
Our story is about what should have been a small thing. It wasn’t such an unusual thing. You hear about it from time to time….
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ParentingGentleness: a gift to your family
Do you want your children to see you as someone they can trust? Do you want your spouse to take comfort in just being with you? Are…
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Movie ReviewsSome pro-life arguments are not pro-life arguments
Editor’s note: the short pro-life film Crescendo is very well done – it is compelling, emotional, and has wonderful musical accompaniment. It’s very clear why it has won so…
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Science – Creation/EvolutionThe cost of an old earth: Is it worth it?
Until recently, most Christians believed that the Bible teaches us that the earth was only a few thousand years ago. This contradicts mainstream science, which…
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News
Saturday Selections – March 7, 2020
Caterpillars feed on exploding seed pods! (3 minutes) Wait for it….wait for it….. Don’t leave kids to their own devices Should we trust kids with…
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Articles – BooksWhy read biographies?
More importantly, why stop? Any Christian who reads the Bible has been already been reading biographies. Let’s start with Genesis, where we read about the…
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Book ReviewsThe Great Cake Mystery
by Alexander McCall Smith 73 pages / 2012 Rating: Good/GREAT/Give Precious Ramotswe must rank up there with some of the best-loved fictional detectives of all…
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In a NutshellTidbits – March 2020
It’s so easy to get things wrong While doing evangelism, Christian apologist Ray Comfort will often ask his conversational partner a series of quick trick…
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DramaThe Silver Fleet
Drama / Black and White / War 1943 / 88 minutes RATING: 7/10 This is a well-done, almost unknown World War II film told from…
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News
Saturday Selections – February 29, 2020
Could giraffes fit on the ark? Answers in Genesis has made a 30-second commercial for their Ark Encounter in Kentucky. It’s based on all the…
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NewsDawkins on eugenics: evil uncloaked
Richard Dawkins has been called one of the “Four horsemen of atheism” and is famed, as well, for being one of Charles Darwin’s most ardent…
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DramaTortured for Christ
Historical drama 77 minutes / 2018 RATING: 8/10 Tortured for Christ is a must-see film about Richard Wurmbrand’s courageous and faithful stand against the Soviets…
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Recent ArticlesOn the Trinity: Augustine, the American Revolution, and my Jehovah’s Witness friend
I have a friend in a nursing home whom I visit regularly. Her name is Dinah and she is a widow. We met her through…
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News
Saturday Selections – February 22, 2020
Roe vs. Wade trailer Coming soon, a film about the politics, ignorance, and deception behind the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision (this is the…
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AssortedPrince Jonathan on showing up
Israel’s very first prince lived at a time when God’s people were facing a foe that was large, powerful, and in control of their country….
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Science – Creation/EvolutionI believe in theistic evolution
I recently realized I believe in/affirm theistic evolution. Depending on your perspective, have I sold out or have I finally come to my senses? Neither. …
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FamilyThe Wild Brothers: 8-episode DVD series (+ free vlog series)
Reality / Documentary Each episode is 28-30 min / 2015-2016 Rating: 7/10 Everyone in our family enjoyed this DVD series, from our 2-year-old all the…
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Book ReviewsBrave Ollie Possum
by Ethan Nicolle 373 pages / 2019 Rating: Good/GREAT/Give If you were ever a scaredy-cat, or if you might have one in your family, this…
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News
Saturday Selections – February 15, 2020
Newsies learn to clickbait (4 minutes) Who knew that fake news could be so toe-tapping? Canadians waiting longer to receive healthcare Free healthcare comes with…
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Christian education – SportsDaughters in sports
**** I promised in a previous column that I would address the touchy subject of daughters playing in sports, and so I guess I can’t…
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MagazineJan/Feb 2020 issue
WHAT’S INSIDE: The great moon hoax of 1935 / “Seven Wondrous Words” book excerpt / Why we should be life-long learners / Complementarianism is not…
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Adult fictionThe Winter King
by Christine Cohen 351 pages / 2019 Rating: Good/GREAT/Give 15-year-old Cora lives in a time of horses, and swords, and meat pies. It’s also a…
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DocumentaryThe Missing Project
Documentary 2019 / 75 minutes RATING: 8/10 2019 was the 50th anniversary since Pierre Trudeau’s government first legalized abortion in Canada. To mark the occasion…
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News
Saturday Selections – February 8, 2020
Long story short: Homology (8 minutes) One of the main arguments Darwin used for his theory was homology – that very different animals have some odd…
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Science – Creation/EvolutionWhat you need to know to survive and thrive in your secular science class
If you’re heading into a secular university or high school science course, and you’re a little intimidated, here’s something to remember. It is not just the…
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Book ReviewsThe City of Ember
by Jeanne DuPrau 2003 / 270 pages Rating: GOOD/Great/Give 12-year-old Doon wants to save his city but he’s got quite the problem because he has no…
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DocumentaryBrain, Heart, World – a fantastic, free, 3-part documentary on pornography’s harmful impact
Documentary 90 minutes / 2019 RATING: 8/10 Fight the New Drug is an anti-poverty group that’s come up with an impressive 3-part documentary called Brain, Heart,…
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In a NutshellTidbits – February 2020
Lightbulb moment I was in my 4th-year neurophysiology course, learning about the brain, when the professor used a curious word: “think.” As in, this is…