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Author: Jim Cantelon

March 18, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

During a time of war it’s not unusual for us to be overly pessimistic or optimistic. Sometimes we’re simply negatively or positively trite, as in “all is lost” or “it’ll all work out for the best”. A third alternative is to quote the Bible. For instance:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you shall find refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday… For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91: 1-6; 11-12).

These are proven words quoted and lived by generations over the millennia. It is the word of the Lord and it can be trusted. Indeed, as the old hymn puts it, “In thee O Lord do I put my trust.”

Or, as Peter says, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1Peter 5:7).

The Lord is sovereign and we are in His hands. This is true whether we are at peace or at war. Keep on trusting.

March 4, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

We’re in day 3 of the USA/Israel attack on Iran as I write. The law of unintended consequences is already evident, not only in “friendly fire” tragedies, but also in terms of other major nations being drawn in. Already it has become a regional war as Iran is attacking most of the Middle Eastern countries. As you read this blog it’s probable that many more unintended consequences will have occurred.

My wife and I were just in Jerusalem a few weeks ago. The hotel where we were staying has a remarkable view of Mount Zion and the Old City. We spent wonderful moments sitting on our balcony a mere 300 metres away just taking in the glorious vista. Below us was the Sultan’s Pool where outdoor concerts have been held for decades. Often in the 7 years we lived a kilometre away on Bethlehem Road we would hear the distant music performed there. Indeed, when we were at the hotel last month a live concert occurred. It was as though we had front row seats. Beautiful.

It’s just been reported that the Sultan’s Pool has been hit by the wreckage of an Iranian missile shot down by Israel as it was about to slam into the Old City. This struck me forcefully, not just because Jerusalem is our adopted home town, but because I had said to my wife as we walked past the Temple Mount that if a war with Iran were to occur it was possible that a grave unintended consequence could be an errant Iranian missile strike on the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Islamic world would immediately unite in condemning Israel and WW3 would begin.

As Amos in the Old Testament wrote, I too “am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet” but like you I realize that our world is on the precipice of disaster. We need to pray fervently for Divine intervention. We need the “Prince of Peace” like never before. “Even so come Lord Jesus”.

Feb 18, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

Much of our western world has been in the grip of Olympic coverage. And it IS gripping. There’s something pretty much irresistible about “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” as one USA network famously put it over 50 years ago. Most of us cheer for our national athletes but we also find ourselves fascinated and drawn into many of the personal stories behind them. Some competitors have made amazing comebacks from accidents and injuries that would sideline lesser people for life. But there they are racing down icy mountains at breakneck speeds or flipping and twisting 50 feet above the ground in “big air” contests. Truly amazing.

But what I find even more amazing is the geopolitical unity that descends on the Games for two short weeks. We don’t seem to care let alone notice the political and ideological differences that catalyze global conflicts outside of the Olympics. We see and cheer for athletes, not political systems and regional conflicts. It seems that these two weeks of athletic competition eclipse the constant chaos in our world. It’s almost that we are blindsided by peace.

Another, but little reported, unifier in our world is the slow but sure growth of the church. It’s a wonder but not surprising that two of the rogue nations in daily news, Iran and North Korea, are experiencing major surges of people finding faith in Jesus. And, there’s been a long term “underground church” thriving in communist China. It brings to mind Jesus’ words,”I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it”. The Lord is not intimidated by political ideologies, dictators, and warmongers. He is at work. And He is Lord over the “right side of history”. Indeed He is Prince of Peace.

Feb 04, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

The book of Job is regarded by most commentators as the oldest book in the Bible. It’s a remarkable work dealing with the universal theme of suffering and evil. The troubles described bear a remarkable resemblance to much of what we face here in the 21st century let alone what humanity has dealt with over aeons. Perhaps one of the most quotable quotes comes from Eliphaz, one of Job’s three “comforters”: “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).

Or to put it in other words, “Life happens”, and it’s not always a happy happening.

When we look at the last hundred years of our history it appears that those “sparks” are flying upwards in troubling volume. Wars and rumours of wars, whether two world wars or countless regional conflicts, have defined our troubles. We are as many put it “in a mess”.

Currently we are inundated with bad news. The Ukraine is still under bombardment from Russia, Sudan is embroiled in bloodshed and famine on a colossal scale, and Iran and the USA are on the edge of another regional war. Little wonder we are troubled and as Jeremiah put it, “sick at heart”.

We need to hear Jesus. He says, “Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy of heart and I will give you rest”. This is more than a bromide, it’s a powerful word of truth from the Son of God. Nothing takes an omniscient Lord by surprise. He is, as always, sovereign.

Our troubles are a mere blip in history. Our Heavenly Father sees the end from the beginning and his will ultimately will prevail. It’s time to revisit the timeless statement of faith, “ In God we trust”.

Jan 21, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

There have been several articles, posts, and blogs recently about our social media culture’s push back against our addiction to screens. Smart phones, computers, and YouTube increasingly are being seen as detrimental to relationships, physical fitness, and mental health. Our demand for instant stimulation and information is wearing thin.

What’s more this social media compulsion has bled over into church life. Our services in many ways have become easy answer, simple solution, and pop culture with soft rock music and “Ted Talk” motivational sermons. And we’re tiring of it. More and more people, especially those 20-35 years old are looking for lyrically substantial hymns, proven liturgy, and expositional preaching. 

Many years ago the famous pastor and author A.W. Tozer (April 21,1897-May 12, 1967) speaking to his generation could at the same time have spoken to ours: 

  “This is a blasé generation. 
    People have been over-
     stimulated to the place where
     their nerves are jaded and their
     tastes corrupted. Natural things
      have been rejected to make 
      room for things artificial. The 
      sacred has been secularized,
      the holy vulgarized, and worship
      converted into a form of  
       entertainment.”   

We need to remember that Christianity has never appealed to culture. Rather it has resisted it. Indeed it is counter-cultural, calling for cross bearing and the cost of discipleship. Yet, as one puts trust in Jesus one finds, as he promised, that “his yoke is easy, his burden light”. An irony for sure, but the point of faith is obedience to his word and the knowledge that we are not saved by works but “for” works. Indeed, we’ll be known “by our fruit”.

Jan 07, 2026

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

New Year’s resolutions are “de rigeur” every January. We make these resolutions with tongue in cheek. We rarely follow through no?

Most have to do with losing weight, joining a fitness club, or some other subjective concern. It’s an exercise in navel gazing.

Such self-focussed resolve is looking more than a bit superficial this year. Our world is in crisis. Wherever you look you see conflict. The war between Russia and Ukraine, Middle Eastern tensions, protests in Iran, various African catastrophes (especially Sudan), the mounting tensions in Cuba and other Central American nations after Maduro’s downfall in Venezuela, etc etc make our petty self improvement new year commitments seem… petty.

Better we should try to assume the “30,000 foot view” and take on the responsibility of lifting our troubled world to the Lord in prayer. There’s an old adage that declares, ”prayer changes things”. ‘Tis a mystery but for his own reasons God chooses to engage us in universal outcomes through our fervent, faithful petitions.

Perhaps the most sustainable resolution we can make this year is to pray. Pray for our world. Pray for our families, our churches, our neighbours, and, of course, for ourselves. As the scriptures say prayer “availeth much”.

Dec 24, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

This Christmas, may the light of Christ shine into your heart and home. May His peace quiet every worry, His hope renew your strength, and His love remind you that you are never forgotten. As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we pray you experience the joy of Emmanuel—God with us—today and in the year to come.

Blessings to you and those you love.

—Jim and Kathy Cantelon

Dec 3, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

My wife Kathy and I have just returned from Africa where we visited our WOW champions in South Africa, Zambia, and Malawi. Among other encouraging and inspiring experiences, we had the pleasure and privilege of giving brand new heavy duty bicycles to a number of volunteers. These bikes are funded by you as you faithfully support WOW’s ministry. 

A bike makes a huge difference in the daily lives of our godly volunteers. It reduces travel time by two thirds. Before the bike they would walk, sometimes 6-8 hours(!) just to minister to one or two sick and dying orphans and widows. Now that journey takes many hours less. What a blessing!

This Christmas we’re continuing our call to you to “wrap up a bicycle”. One bike costs $300. You may be able to pay for one or more, or maybe a percentage of one. Whatever. The point is you can bring a significant change to a volunteer’s life and ministry. I hope you can do so this year. 

Many blessings, and Merry Christmas!

Yes, Jim I’ll wrap up a bicycle this Christmas!

Nov 26, 2025

Written by Jim Cantelon on . Posted in Blog.

One of the defining scriptures in my life is Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable into God, which is your reasonable service. And be not confirmed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

Soren Kierkegaard (May 5, 1813-Nov 11, 1855), the famous Danish philosopher/theologian, once said that “mere mental assent to a doctrine is not enough. Where there is no transformation there is no Christianity.” He’s saying that there has got to be a connection between faith and action. Theology without moral rectitude is vacant. One’s intellectual assent to biblical truth must inform and impact one’s emotion and will. Indeed, faith is an action word. We choose what we choose because we believe what we believe.

The Bible says, “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Our life decisions reflect our hearts and our legacies are built by the choices we make. So it’s a wise person who thinks before acting.