The Bible is the blueprint for how we’re to love God and treat others, the quintessential instruction book of good manners, if you will, with the law of civility encapsulated in Matthew 7:12, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”, and expounded upon a bit later in chapter 22:36-40, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it:  You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The loss of a biblical worldview in personal, family, and national affairs has led to an increasingly discourteous and coarse society.  Civil decorum, once a defining feature of nations founded upon the Christian ethic, has all but disappeared. So while some might suggest the rules of etiquette I’ll be sharing in this post are archaic or unnecessary, I’d submit that if ever there was a time for Christians to recapture and model biblically-based courtesy, it’s now.

Speaking primarily to Christian women here, we’re all familiar with the old adage, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.”, which infers that mothers have an incredible opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of their children, to leave a lasting and impactful influence on society for generations to come.

Another popular maxim declares,“Behind every great man is a great woman.”, typically referring to wives, but also applicable to mothers and sisters and, in many cases, all three.

The civilizing influence of genteel or ladylike women can’t be overstated, the “gentler sex” plays a significant role in helping tame the more base nature of men. That shouldn’t be taken as a slight against masculinity, which is disparaged ad nauseam these days, but simply as a matter of fact. One has only to consider the bachelor friend or relative, how he typically dresses, eats, and comports himself until he meets a woman he’s interested in. He suddenly begins taking his personal hygiene more seriously, attempts to update his wardrobe, and tries to watch his language; his interest in her inspires a measure of refinement.

Just as women have a refining influence on the men in their lives, Christians should endeavour to have similar influence on society.

The following is based upon a talk I recently gave to a group of ladies, I hope you find it helpful as you attempt to cultivate within yourself and those within your sphere of influence an elevated standard of private and public comportment.

Etiquette & Manners

Etiquette:  Code of Polite Behavior (Principle)
Manners:  Behavior or Conduct (Practical)

Etiquette:

• Refers to a set of rules and guidelines that govern social behaviour.
• Is often culturally specific and can vary from one society to another.
• Encompasses a broad range of behaviour regarding how we;
  • address others;
  • dress for different occasions; and
  • conduct ourselves in various social settings.

Manners Reflect:

• The way we treat others on a personal level.
• The expressions of kindness, consideration, and respect that we show in our interactions.
• The spirit behind formal rules of etiquette.

Example:

• Table etiquette dictates that we use utensils when we eat.
• Table manners dictate how we use those utensils.

• Business etiquette dictates we communicate with colleagues and clients politely.
• Business manners dictate how to communicate with colleagues and clients politely.

In Summary:

• Etiquette provides the framework for our behaviour.
• Manners are the personal touches that show we care about others.

Example:

Sending a thank you note after receiving a gift reflects proper etiquette, but expressing genuine or heartfelt appreciation in our choice of words reflects our manners.

• A note reading, “Dear Mrs. Smith, Thank you for the gift.” follows the rules of etiquette, but;

• A heartfelt note along the lines of, “Dear Mrs. Smith, I so very much appreciate your generosity, the candles are beautiful!  I’ve placed them on the mantle and I’m sure to think of you every time I light them!” reflects the warmth and sincerity of good manners.   

Good manners:

• Are timeless and universal.
• Transcend cultural and societal boundaries.
• And most importantly, reflect the biblical principle of Matthew 7:17.

As we know that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”, according to 2 Tim. 3:16-17, let’s consider a few more Bible verses and how they apply to etiquette and good manners.  Though each have a specific context, they also reflect overarching principles of God-honouring behaviour toward others.

Lev. 19:32:  You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man.

Prov. 21:8: The conduct of the pure is upright.

Rom. 12:10:  Outdo one another in showing honor.

Phil. 2:3:  In humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Col. 3:12:  Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Col. 4:6: Let your speech always be gracious.

Tit. 3:2: To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

1 Cor. 10:27: If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

1 Cor. 13:4-5:  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.

1 Cor. 14:40:  All things should be done decently and in order.

General Manners

Men should:

• remove their hats when indoors;
• stand when a lady or an elderly man enters the room for the first time;
• stand when being introduced to someone who is standing;
• offer their seat to women in a crowded room or bus;
• walk on the outside, closest to the road, when escorting a woman;
• hold doors open for women and the elderly, though it’s good manners to hold them open for others in proximity as well;
• hold and adjust women’s dining room chairs as they’re being seated.

Ladies may:

• leave their hats on when indoors;
• remain seated when other ladies or an elderly man enters the room;
• remain seated when being introduced to someone who is standing.

All should:

• respond promptly to invitations (RSVP – Répondez S’il Vous Plaît – Respond Please);
• arrive on time – not too early – never late, and don’t overstay one’s welcome;
• say please, yes please, thank you, no thank you, and excuse me appropriately;
• send a thank you note for gifts received (showers, weddings, birthdays, etc.);
• smile warmly when being introduced or greeting others;
• shake hands firmly, but without crushing the recipients’ hand, being particularly mindful when shaking elderly people’s hands;
• offer one’s seat to the elderly in a crowded room or on a bus, etc.;
• be conversationally engaging*, providing warm responses to questions and taking the initiative to engage others with questions as well;
• warmly invite those on the periphery of a group into the conversation;
• cover one’s mouth when yawning in public;
• step or turn away when blowing one’s nose;
• avoid spitting in public;
• avoid announcing going to the restroom;
• avoid using crass or crude language;
• refrain from personal grooming in public;
• respond with dignified clarity when it’s necessary to address public issues on social media or in writing to politicians or others.

* Having a shy or reserved nature is no excuse for rudeness:

• It’s rude to say so little as to appear rude, and it does appear rude if one makes little effort to contribute to the discussion in a social setting.
• Conversely, it’s equally rude to monopolize a conversation, or to speak primarily and highly of one’s self.  

Children’s Manners

Model, teach, and practice good manners at home, so your children learn to behave properly when out.

Children should be taught:

• to address adults by their surnames; Mr. Johnson or Mrs. Smith, etc. Though some adults may invite children to call them by their first names, at the very least insist upon them using an honorific like Mrs. Catherine,  Mr. Fred, or Miss Emily;
• to stop what they’re doing when being addressed by an adult, look them in the eye, and answer politely;
• how to politely interrupt adults in conversation by placing their hand on Mom or Dad’s arm gently, and waiting quietly and patiently for acknowledgement to speak;
• not to brag about themselves or their accomplishments, to praise others and their efforts instead;
• to sincerely thank others for their generosity, whether time invested or gifts.

As a host:

Children should be taught to be good hosts from a young age, teach them to:

• greet guests with a smile, a heartfelt “hello” and, if appropriate, a handshake;
• politely say good-bye when guests are leaving;
• prefer others over themselves, to be kind by sharing their toys/belongings generously.

Helpful Tip:  If they have special items they don’t want damaged by others, put them away and out of sight before guests arrive.

As a guest:

Depending upon whom you’re visiting, explain to children what’s expected before leaving home, with a short reminder before getting out of the vehicle.

• When visiting the home of an elderly person or couple, remind children to be extra respectful by playing and speaking quietly, not rambunctiously.
• When visiting a family with other children, teach them to take cues from where and how their host’s children are playing.
• Children should not be permitted to wander into every room of the homes they visit, they should only play where permission has been granted, or politely and quietly remain with their parents if they haven’t been invited to play elsewhere.

Helpful Tip:  Bring along a “Going-Out” knapsack containing new-to-them books, colouring, and/or other quiet activities which don’t need parental interaction or explanation, in order to keep them quietly occupied as necessary.

• Children should not walk or climb on their host’s furniture, even if they’re accustomed to doing so at home.
• Children should not tell parents that they want to go home or ask when they’re leaving, they should amuse themselves or sit quietly until their parents announce it’s time to leave.
• Before leaving the host’s home, children should pick up after themselves, ensuring they return everything they’ve used or played with to the correct spot, and neatly.
• Children should be taught not to fuss when it’s time to leave, but to be thankful for the time they’ve enjoyed and exit without complaint.

At church:

Allowing children to run around poses an inconvenience or nuisance to some, as well as a risk of tripping to the elderly.  Teach them:

• not to run and jump in the sanctuary in particular;
• to be mindful of others and particularly the elderly in areas of the building where it may be more appropriate to run around;
• not to run, but to walk quietly when leaving or returning to the sanctuary if they must use the restroom during the service.

Helpful Tip:  Take children to the restroom immediately before the service begins, this should for the most part mitigate the need to use the facilities during.

Church or other buffet luncheons, children should:

• allow the elderly to go first;
• attend the buffet line under adult supervision;
• take only what they can eat and eat what they’ve taken;
• not return anything they’ve touched to the buffet table;
• dispose of their own dishes, utensils, and napkins, and clean up their own mess properly when they’ve finished eating.

Table Manners

Show Hospitality

• Share your home and table with others generously, often, and without grumbling (Heb. 13:2, 1 Pet. 4:9, Rom. 12:13, 1 Tim. 5:10, Tit. 1:7-8).

Build Relationships

• Mealtime conversation should be gracious, encouraging, and free from gossip, crude talk, or unkindness for the building up of one another (Col. 4:6; Eph. 5:4).

Give Thanks

• Dine in remembrance of God’s goodness and provision through Jesus by thanking Him for the food, the hands that prepared it, following Jesus’ example (Luke 24:30, Mark 6:41).

Be Content

• Whether a simple or lavish dish, receive it with thanksgiving and eat what is put before you without complaint  (1 Tim. 4:4-5). Complaining about food dishonors God and the cook.
• Unless related to a legitimate food allergy, don’t burden others with dietary restrictions or expectations.

Practice Humility

• Don’t take the largest or last portion without first offering it to others.
• Don’t take the best seat or place of honour unless the host or hostess directs you to do so (Luke 14:7-11).

Be Considerate

• Men and boys must always allow women, girls, and elderly men to go first when in line at a buffet. That said, don’t delay if the host or hostess encourages you to proceed.
• Don’t begin eating until everyone is seated and served, unless there’s a long buffet line or encouraged by the host or hostess to proceed.

Eat Moderately

Avoid gluttony and overindulgence (Prov. 23:1-3, 23:20-21, Phil. 3:19), as moderation honours God with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

Mannerly Tips

• Offer to bring something to share or arrive with a small hostess gift.
• Put smartphones away.
• Wash hands before being seated or entering a buffet line.
• Teach children to sit on their bottoms at the dinner table, not on their knees (use a booster if necessary).
• If you touch food, it’s yours, don’t return it to the platter/dish.
• Place your napkin on your lap.
• Always use a napkin and dab your mouth regularly.
• Hold and use utensils properly, exhibiting civilized table decorum.
• Keep your elbows to yourself and off the table.
• Don’t reach across others, politely ask them to pass what you need.
• If you don’t enjoy the taste of something that’s been placed on your plate, eat it anyway.
• Chew with your mouth closed; don’t slurp, smack, or make other unpleasant sounds.
• Don’t talk with your mouth full.
• Avoid burping, but if you must, cover your mouth and do so as discreetly as possible.
• If you must remove something from your mouth, do so discreetly into a napkin.
• If you find a hair or other undesirable on your plate, discreetly remove it without mentioning it to the host or other guests.
• Compliment and thank the cook.

Proper Place Settings

Provide order and beauty to the table, even for everyday meals.

Formal Dining Utensil Use

• Outside to Inside:  Begin with the smaller outside salad fork or the outside soup spoon, followed by the large dinner fork and knife during the main course, reserving the dessert spoon or fork until it’s been served.
• Hold wine glasses by their stems, preventing your hand’s heat from warming the beverage and to avoid smudging the bowl with fingerprints.

Proper Cutlery Placement & Use

European Style:

• Cut one piece at a time and raise to mouth.

American Style:

• Cut 3-4 pieces at a time, place knife on the plate, transfer fork to right hand, and raise to mouth.

Canadian doctors Ellen Wiebe and Stephanie Green have admitted to killing over 700 people between them via Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying Act (MAID), claiming “this is the most rewarding work we’ve ever done”. An obstetrician, Green uses the term “delivery” to describe assisting women giving birth, as well as in assisting others in their own demise.

Many Canadians have spoken out against MAID as violating God’s commands forbidding murder, as well as cautioning that the initial Trojan-horse limitations written into the Act would undoubtedly expand from euthanizing terminally ill adults to killing those who are discouraged and struggling emotionally, the disabled, the poor, the disenfranchised, and those incapable of giving consent, all of which has since borne out, with talk of expanding MAID to minors, including infants.

Canada’s aggressive approach to providing medically assisted suicide (aka murder) is clearly evident. Despite similar populations, fewer than 500 people availed themselves of “progressive” California’s assisted suicide program in 2021, but during that same year, over 10,000 Canadians died under MAID’s ever-expanding protocols.

My mother would’ve turned 90 today, but passed away 8 years ago after being diagnosed with lung cancer which had metastasized to her liver. During an intense discussion with her physician concerning end-of-life hospice care, I impressed upon him that he was permitted to medicate her to the point of easing her suffering, but was forbidden from intentionally tipping her over the edge, that it was not for him to decide the day or hour of her demise.

The Church must maintain a biblical position on this and every matter facing society, as the voices of those who reject God’s Law are loud and becoming increasingly persuasive. It’s imperative for Pastors to address these issues in order to equip their congregations to think through and address them biblically with their loved ones and neighbours.

Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary has done so thoroughly, thoughtfully, and compassionately in his recent sermon “Refuting Assisted Suicide”. I encourage you to take the time to listen and share with your own pastors, family members, friends, and neighbours.


http://www.fairviewbaptistchurch.ca/sermons/refuting-assisted-suicide/

It’s been two years since I published a post which got us into hot water with the church we were members of, from which we subsequently resigned under threat of church discipline. Charged with sowing discord for expressing concerns over a fellow member’s pointed and prolific public vaccine advocacy, concerns based as much upon what was being left unsaid, as with what was actually being said in numerous media appearances, I’d felt a public caution in response had become necessary. Though I had no idea at the time that a mere two months later Canadian politicians would invoke emergency measures which would heavily infringe upon personal, familial, ecclesiastical, commercial, and mobility rights in ways never before seen in this nation, the warning signs had been evident for some time, with God-ordained freedoms becoming increasingly at risk under the so-called “public good” banner.

Lead-boot restrictions remain effect in Ontario and across the nation, including capacity limits, business closures, and vaccine mandates. New Brunswick has given essential businesses, including grocery stores, the right to refuse service to the unvaccinated. In addition to curfews enforced by extra police patrols, the Province of Quebec announced today that the unvaccinated will soon face financial penalties, mirroring communist China’s reprisals for breaching family-planning policies, as referenced in my initial post. All this, despite assurances of restored liberty linked to high vaccination rates, with Canada’s sitting at 90% for those aged 12 and up. Having received two doses, we are now being told to receive a third a mere eighty-four days post second jab, indicating a fourth, fifth, sixth, and beyond will likely be mandated because it’s clear, there’s no lasting immunity from this ever-mutating virus. COVID is here, it’s staying, it’s endemic, as many predicted would be the case.

Our most basic liberties remain suspended and most are fine with that, more than fine, the psyche of the Canadian population fundamentally and forever changed, the majority in support of these ever-encroaching tyrannical “laws”. The comment section of every COVID-related news article oozes vitriol against those who dare to provide even the most reasonable counter to the firmly entrenched narrative, our Prime Minister deliberately ratcheting up ill will amongst Canadians with his divisive rhetoric. The cost on every conceivable level is astounding.

A friend recently lost a fifteen-year military career, not for refusing to be vaccinated, but for refusing to attest to having been vaccinated. His superiors knew full well he’d received both required doses, the military had administered them, it’s recorded in his file. He’s been fired because he has a conscience issue with freedom-stripping mandates. He’s a soldier after all, he signed up to protect the blood-bought liberties his forebears died in trenches for, not to become complicit in their erosion.

Another friend, just a couple of years shy of retirement, is about to be let go by the federal civil service because she’s refused the vaccine upon conscience. She poses no threat to her co-workers or anyone else. Like thousands of other federal civil servants, she’s been working from home for almost two years. She lives alone, is not the most social butterfly, keeps mostly to herself. Her sister’s in the same boat. Two single ladies, each live alone, each works from home, about to be stripped of their careers and livelihoods just before retirement for virtually no other reason than non-compliance with despotic demands.

Some Canadian churches now require proof of vaccination in order to participate in corporate worship – my sister and her daughter were turned away from two just a few weeks ago for failing to produce their papers at the door.

There’s no limit to what unchecked civil magistrates will do – and have done – under the assertion it’s their job to “protect” their countrymen from any and every real, perceived, or manufactured threat by any and every means, which is why I continue to draw a parallel between oppressive family-planning policies enforced by dictators in China, and current vaccine and attempted COVID-slaying policies invoked by Canadian autocrats. We can talk about scale, but we can’t deny the root, namely, the rejection of God and Truth, the desire and willingness to overstep biblical jurisdictional boundaries, to assume unlawful authority, rather than recognize Christ as the ultimate Authority, to submit to His Law which governs every aspect of life and practice.

In a sermon entitled, “The Tyranny of Totalitarianism – Romans 13:1-4“, Pastor James Coates rightly asserts:

“We find ourselves in the midst of a global pandemic, but the pandemic isn’t a virus, it’s government tyranny, tyranny that stems from a totalitarian view of government where government is the supreme authority over and above every other sphere.  Over and above the home, over and above the church, and over and above the individual.  And so instead of seeing each sphere of authority as a God-ordained sphere with God-given autonomy and sovereignty, the state sees itself as the sole sovereign, having ultimate control over every other sphere, where God-given rights become state-given privileges, privileges it can withhold at its own discretion.

And sadly, this isn’t just the view of the broader public, it’s seemingly the view of much of the professing Church, where the Church of Jesus Christ is essentially looking to the government for permission to be the Church.  And this plays right into the hands of a government seeking to establish total authority over society, because to accomplish this in a free and democratic society, it must subdue every other sphere of human authority and convince them that their God-given rights are actually state-given privileges.

Governments seeking total authority would rather not use force, at least not initially.  The use of force would expose their agenda. Instead they’ll use infiltration, indoctrination, and demonization, they’ll flood every human institution with their ideological allies, every level of government office, the judicial system, law enforcement, the health system, the school system, they’ll buy the media, obliterating the free press, and effectively making media state-run.  They’ll work in cahoots with big-tech in an effort to control the information their constituents have access to.  And then they’ll use division, segregation, and vilification to divide and conquer, and will both demonize and penalize any and all who dare to dissent.  And we’re there.”

And we’re there indeed. I didn’t and don’t claim to be a prophet, but perhaps I might be forgiven for saying I told you so.

Related Posts:

Vaccines: Personal and Parental Autonomy

Postscript to Vaccines: Personal and Parental Autonomy

Vaccine Passports: The Church’s Response

A Primer: Are COVID Lockdowns Biblical?

O Canada

Covid 19: The Ultimate Remedy

Off The Hook

Who’s Watching Grandma?

A comment I made recently about Young Living Essential Oils gave rise to concern from a few friends, as I mentioned the company’s claims and practices are “occultic”. Just to be clear, I’m not suggesting oils, whether YL’s or any other company’s, are occultic in and of themselves. No doubt the substances in the bottles are helpful in some regard and, if nothing else, certainly smell nice.  I’m referring to the fantastic healing claims and assertions made by YL’s now deceased founder, Gary Young, as well as on their product labels.

For example, Gary Young’s so-called “Raindrop Technique”, highly touted by many women who profess Christ, was developed after a purported meeting with the Lakota Indians, according to Mr. Young, in which they’d apparently described their pilgrimages to soak up the Northern Lights’ energy via a type of feathering motion with their hands, drawing it into themselves, much as you’d see a Buddhist monk wafting burning incense toward himself.

Mr. Young subsequently developed and demonstrated his own interpretation of their technique using oils, making the same types of energy healing claims found not only in the oils themselves, but in his carefully detailed process of applying them. Stirring the oils with his fingertips in a specific direction on his opposing palm, stressing and demonstrating the importance of not losing physical contact with the person receiving the treatment by ensuring part of his body was connected to the recipient’s at all times, so as not to interrupt the energy flow, he insisted his Raindrop Technique was the only way for the oils to have their desired effect.  A very particular and lengthy process, steeped in occultic mysticism, and heavily promoted by Christian women.

As another example, YL’s Oola blends, which many Christian women have also promoted heavily:

“Faith is defined as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It is your purpose in life. How you see your place in this world is something you need to explore to attain Oola. Faith™ Inspired by Oola®* essential oil blend is specially formulated to help you feel grateful, humble, and fully secure in your place in this world. This confidence-boosting blend enhances spiritual influences, promoting deeper meditation and a greater sense of spiritual awareness and connectedness. Faith affirmation: I am grateful, humble, and fully connected.”

While we’re at at it, we can slap some “Forgiveness” on for good measure.

“Forgiveness™ contains an aroma that supports the ability to forgive yourself and others while letting go of negative emotions, an important part of personal growth.”

Having trouble with the family?  No problem, YL has the fix.

“Family relationships are powerful and can sometimes be complicated. If you can harness the pure love from healthy family relationships, you will grow and progress toward your OolaLife.  Family™ Inspired by Oola®* essential oil blend is specially formulated to support feelings of unconditional love, patience, and respect. This blend helps uplift, calm the mind, and may help control negative feelings. Family affirmation: I am unconditionally loving, patient, and respectful.”

And how about…

“Humility: “True humility is the foundation of emotional strength. Humility™ is a blend of pure essential oil scents that promotes deeper spiritual awareness.”​

Perhaps some might suggest I immerse myself in the above, convinced my caution to Christians with regard to YL is lacking in that regard.

Or how about the Divine Destiny collection:

“The Divine Destiny™ Collection is a trio of essential oil blends created to work synergistically as an aromatic companion to your self-development journey of discovery and enlightenment”… which features, “Daily Divine™, I Am Blessed™, and I Am Creative™”, which have been “formulated to help heighten spiritual awareness and empower your inner self by blocking out distractions, words, and programing that keep you from discovering the truth of who you are.”

And in response to this generation’s perpetual victim status, YL has developed, and Christian women are promoting, the healing balm of “Trauma Life”:

“Use Trauma Life during meditation or your personal spiritual practice to invite harmony and peace into your life. Inhale its aroma to encourage the release of emotional blocks. Diffuse this blend to create an environment conducive to a new outlook on life. Diffuse or apply it topically for inspiration to overcome the weight of past negative life events. Diffuse or apply it topically to clear and align your energy centers.” 

Seems we now have little need to meditate upon Christ’s life-giving and sustaining Word, to spend time alone with Him in prayer, to recognize that healing from past, present, and future emotional pain can be found only in that One who created us, Who knows us intimately.  Why seek solace from the Comforter Himself, when we can just put that oil roller to work? Why remind ourselves that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are produced by the Spirit of the Living God who indwells the believer, when we have Christian women promoting these products with their amazing ability to impart all of the above, as well as heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds?

Oh yes, I’m aware of women infusing Jesus (see what I did there?) into their sales pitches in an effort to Christianize YL’s demonic claims, but surely those who genuinely know and believe God’s Word, who’ve yielded to Christ’s Lordship, wouldn’t knowingly promote the company’s Reiki-inspired teaching and practices, would they? At the very least, one would expect they’d place a solid disclaimer on their every sales promotion and recruitment drive, but that’s not the case. In fact, over the years I’ve seen many Christian women attempt to downplay the seriousness of the company’s claims, often misusing scripture to do so.

There’s more than enough to indict YL on its website, to cause Spirit-filled women to take a hard look at what they’re promoting to unbelievers, to those who may be weak in the faith, including their own children, and how they may and likely are leading people astray. There’s plenty of evidence for God-fearing husbands and fathers to ask themselves if the “financial freedom” YL promises to many, but grants to few, is worth their wives and daughters becoming complicit in promoting that which is contrary to scripture.

There are other oil companies which don’t make occultic claims, which aren’t promoting demonic beliefs, there are options. The assertion that YL oils are the most pure is likely as bogus as their claims of removing negative energy blocks, but even if true, better to slather ourselves in Valvoline than lead others into captivity by promoting this company.

As for me and my girls, it’s a hard pass.

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.” ~ 2 Cor. 7:1

COVID-19 vaccine passports came into effect today in the Province of Quebec, will be in effect in Ontario on September 22nd, with other provinces soon to follow suit. These passports will severely restrict those Canadians who refuse vaccines, creating a two-tiered society which is unjust and untenable. As a double-vaccinated Canadian, I stand in solidarity with those who have decided otherwise, as is their God-given right.

Concern over increasing calls for mandatory vaccination with the inevitable need for documented proof, was precisely the reason for my initial post in January 2020, before COVID was an issue, a post which left us with no option but to resign our church membership or face threatened discipline for respectfully refusing to remove it and issue both public and private apologies to the vaccine advocate referenced within.

I subsequently published two more posts, here and here, which spoke to and confirmed my worst fears pertaining to this issue, and am figuratively putting pen to paper again because those concerns have now materialized.

With the government of Australia having imposed similar and worse draconian measures in response to COVID as those enforced in Canada, I was pleased to learn that over 2500 church leaders Down Under have signed this declaration in opposition to mandatory vaccines. Aware of their responsibility not only to their flocks, but to society at large, and cognizant of the ramifications of the Church’s refusal to biblically engage this issue, these men are faithfully applying God’s Word in obedience to Christ’s command to “disciple the nations”.

As far as I know, pastors in Canada have been largely silent on the vaccine issue, save a few stalwart men; those like James Coates, who was arrested and jailed shortly after preaching this sermon, Tim Stephens, who was also jailed and who recently provided this thoughtful response to mandatory vaccination, as well as Jacob Reaume, who’s received tens of thousands in fines for keeping his church open and who penned this a few weeks ago, faithful men who’ve obediently put all on the line in worship of the King of kings.

Far more troubling than COVID or any other potentially fatal virus, are church officers who fail to appreciate the role of the Church in defending liberty in those nations to which the world has and continues to flee from tyranny. It is our continued hope and fervent prayer that the Lord will convict and embolden far more godly men to rise, speak, and act in defence of those freedoms endowed to all by their Creator, including those related to bodily autonomy, parental authority, worship, commerce, and mobility.

In January 2020, before COVID-19 was a blip on our radar, and acutely aware of increasingly rabid calls for mandatory vaccination to childhood diseases, with extreme consequences for non-compliance, I wrote a blog post warning of the potential danger of a friend’s far-reaching public vaccine advocacy, of the believer’s responsibility to ensure that who they align with, what they say and, as importantly, what they don’t say when given a public platform, doesn’t contribute to accelerating threats to God-given personal and parental autonomy. I wrote a follow-up in September 2020.

Almost a year later, August 2021, having endured sixteen months thus far of egregious government intrusion into the lives of individuals, families, business owners, and the Church, with many having been fined, arrested, and even imprisoned for the sake of the “public good”, evidence of the very thing I warned about continues to stack up.

Despite 82% of eligible (age 12+) Canadians having voluntarily received one COVID vaccine dose, and 72% fully vaccinated thus far and climbing, the Prime Minister of Canada has now mandated vaccines for all employees of the federal government, as well as many federally regulated industries, and “expects” other as yet unnamed federally regulated sectors to follow suit, in essence the entire federal public service, Members of Parliament, Senators, and anyone employed in:

– air transportation, including airlines, airports, aerodromes and aircraft operations,

– banks, 

– grain elevators, feed and seed mills, feed warehouses and grain-seed cleaning plants, 

– first Nations band councils, most federal Crown corporations (i.e. Canada Post),

– port services, marine shipping, ferries, tunnels, canals, bridges and pipelines (oil and gas),

– radio and television broadcasting,

– railways that cross provincial or international borders and some short-line railways, 

– road transportation services, including trucks and buses, that cross provincial or international borders,

– telecommunications, such as, telephone, Internet, telegraph and cable systems,

– uranium mining and processing and atomic energy,

– any business that is vital, essential or integral to the operation of the above activities.


Though some provincial Premiers have insisted they won’t make COVID vaccines mandatory, the Quebec government recently announced it’s implementing vaccine passports, with the Premier informing citizens they’ll “lose privileges” if they refuse to get vaccinated. To enter Prince Edward Island and avoid a 14 day quarantine, one is required to obtain a PEI Pass, providing proof of double-dose vaccination. And it’s not just Canada. New York City mayor Bill de Blasio is enforcing COVID vaccine passports as well, warning New Yorkers and tourists, “If you’re unvaccinated, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate in many things.”, but no surprise there, he’s wielded his mandatory vaccine sword before. I could go on, but suffice to say, many other jurisdictions are following suit.

My husband and I are amongst the 72% of fully vaccinated Canadians, this is not an “anti-vax” rant any more than my previous posts were. This, like the others, is a post about liberty, about bodily autonomy. If a government can mandate what you must put into your body or the bodies of your children in order to be able to maintain the “privilege” of participating in those ordinary activities of life; working, shopping, and worshipping, there is virtually no end to what they can demand of you. The past sixteen months have made that abundantly clear.

I’ve said many times and will say again, there are far worse fates than succumbing to a virus, and the shed blood of those Canadian fathers, sons, brothers, and uncles who gave their all during the battles of Ypres, Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens, the Atlantic, Dieppe, Ortona, Normandy, and more was for naught if we support mandatory or coerced vaccinations, if we fail to raise our collective voices in defence of the right of others to refuse… or to keep their businesses open… or to gather to worship.

The psyche of this nation has been fundamentally changed by the events of the past year and a half, and I’m not referring to the virus itself, but to politicians’ response and Canadians’ acceptance of it. Where we once collectively appreciated and defended liberty, we’ve allowed media-manipulated fear of an illness, which is indeed devastating for some and fatal for others, but relatively few, to cause us to yield* to hysterical and tyrannical threats to personal liberty, while we smugly snitch on neighbours who continue to value and exercise their blood-bought gift of freedom.

*Indicative of increasing public sentiment toward those who decline vaccination, the impetus for my initial post in January 2020.

Many Christians assert that love for neighbour demands full cooperation with the government’s restrictions, as well as vaccination compliance. In actuality, it’s our Christian duty to love our neighbours by opposing mandatory vaccines and other forms of government overreach which threaten personal, family, and church liberty.

“Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons, than under omnipotent moral busybodies.” ~ C.S. Lewis

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men,
undergo the fatigues of supporting it.” ~ Thomas Paine

O Canada! Our home and native land!
True patriot love, in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts, we see thee rise,
The True North, strong and free!

From far and wide, O Canada,
we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ~ Heb. 10:25

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” ~ Acts 2:24

“On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread…” ~ Acts. 20:7

Denying the church the right to gather contravenes God’s Word.

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“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” ~ Gen. 2:18

“A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” ~ Prov. 10:4

“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” ~ Prov. 12:11

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” ~ Eph. 4:28

“And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” 1 Thes. 4:11-12

“For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” ~ 2 Thes. 3:10

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” ~ 1 Tim. 5:8

Denying a man the right to work to provide for himself and his family contravenes Scripture.

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“You shall not steal.” ~ Exodus 20:15

“You shall not steal.” ~ Leviticus 19:20

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands…” ~ Eph. 4:28


Theft through excess taxation and wealth redistribution in order to financially support those who don’t work is contrary to the Bible’s teaching.

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“He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.” ~ Lev. 13:46

“Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead. You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.” ~ Num. 5:13

“And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s household, governing the people of the land.” ~ 2 Chron. 26:21

Quarantining those with deadly disease is biblical, quarantining those who are healthy is scripturally unsupportable.

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“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” ~ Romans 13:1-5

Rulers are not a terror to those who do good, only to those who do evil, instruments of God’s wrath upon wrongdoers, but who defines good and evil, what qualifies as wrongdoing?

Pastors who obey God by gathering their flocks for corporate worship and the preaching of His Word are doing good. Men who obey God by providing for their families are doing good. That the government has become a terror to fathers and pastors by fining and imprisoning them for obeying God is a clear indication that the oft-repeated Romans 13 injunction concerning this matter is erroneous. That the government’s response to COVID has further indebted future generations, that it will undoubtedly increase taxation to pay for the lockdowns, is contrary to His Word. Though we’re to render to Caesar that which is his, not all he claims belongs to him.

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In obedience to Matthew 28:18-20 to make disciples of nations, to teach them to obey all that He has commanded under the Authority of Christ, believers have a duty to resist the lockdowns in word and deed.