Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
Marvel and DC Comics have always had a different vibe from each other. That difference changed over time but there was a very marked difference at the beginning. By this beginning, I’m referring to the 60s and 70s and even into the 80s. When a new villain was introduced in a Marvel comic, they became … Read More “The Original Difference Between Marvel and DC Comics” »
Easter is the most important time of the year for Christians. Part of that is the recognition of Jesus’ death on a cross, something that is to be reflected on all year round. But how does Jesus’ death benefit us? Some Christians not only hold to a very specific theory, they believe that others must … Read More “C.S. Lewis on Theories of Atonement” »
We have come a long way when it comes to autism awareness from where we were back when The Rain Man movie came out. Most people are aware that autism is out there and many people know someone who is connected to autism in some way. There still are many challenges. One of the biggest … Read More “The State of Autism Today” »
World War II shaped a generation of American leaders—none more so than several future U.S. presidents who served in uniform. Their wartime experiences influenced their leadership styles, political outlooks, and decisions in office. Below are the U.S. presidents who served during World War II, along with summaries of their military service, ranks, and notable actions. Dwight … Read More “U.S. Presidents Who Served in World War II” »
I have been writing a book for a couple of years. Unfortunately, life gets busy and this is a project that often gets aside. Until recently. I have finally completed the first draft and I am now in the editing stage. I am thankful for this because completing this book is one of goals for … Read More “My First Draft is Done” »
One of the biggest concerns among (mostly conservative) Christians in Canada is Bill C-9. This is an act to amend current Canadian hate speech laws. Much of it has to do with the use of symbols that are associated with hate speech, something timely with the rise of antisemitism and white supremist groups. But what … Read More “Is Canada Passing Legislation That Would Ban the Bible?” »
For some time I had a blog called Disability Comes to Church that was found at www.disabilityandchurch.com. If go to that site you will see there is nothing there. I ended up letting that domain expire and unfortunately, I did not archive the content before hand. So what was there is now lost. That does … Read More “What Happened to Disability Comes to Church?” »
Amanda and I went to the theatre to see a movie. That is actually a big deal. This is not because I would prefer to save money and watch movies when they are streaming (which is true) but because Amanda has not been able to go to the theatres for a long time. In fact, … Read More “A Date at the Movies” »
It is not often that a movie comes out and I am determined to see it the theatre. Even movies I am interested in usually have to wait until they are streaming before I watch them. Project Hail Mary was one of the few that I wanted to see on the big screen. This is … Read More “Project Hail Mary – Review” »
There are some Christians who take it upon themselves to be “heretic hunters.” These are not people who point out differences between Christianity and other religions, or even Christian-like sects that have never been considered a part of historic Christianity. This is looking within the church for those who are heretics. To be fair, we … Read More “The Dangers of Heretic Hunting” »
During the global conflict of World War II, both Australia and New Zealand played crucial roles far beyond what their relatively small populations might suggest. From the deserts of North Africa to the jungles of the Pacific, their soldiers, sailors, and airmen made significant contributions to the Allied war effort. Mobilization and Military Strength Australia By the end of the … Read More “Australia and New Zealand in World War II: A Vital Contribution” »
The first season of Starfleet Academy is now completed. This is the latest entry of a new generation of Star Trek series that began with Discovery and has included Picard and Strange New Worlds (plus some animated series). How was this first season? In many ways this needs to be looked at in the context … Read More “Star Trek Starfleet Academy: Season One – Review” »
As some of you may know, we had a health issue in our family last week. Early in the morning, my wife was taken to the hospital by ambulance with stroke-like symptoms. This is the third such issue in just over a year. Severe weakness on the left side and the inability to walk or … Read More “Thankful For All of the Support and Prayers” »
John 9:1-41 Introduction I want to talk to you about someone. This person lived approximately two thousand years ago. It was prophesied that he would suffer. He was betrayed by those closest to him. He was cruelly pierced and executed by the Romans. Even in death, he changed the trajectory of the world. His initials … Read More “From the Why to the What” »
What is the Christian response to the war in Iran? That is a funny question, not because there is anything funny about the conflict, but because it assumes that there is one unified response. I can’t even tell you what the response of Canadian Baptists are to the war in Iran. But that is not … Read More “What is The Christian Response to the War with Iran?” »
Christians who seek to understand the world’s religions often encounter the two largest branches of Islam: Sunni and Shi’ite (Shia) Islam. While both groups share the same basic religious foundation, they developed out of a historic disagreement about leadership after the death of Islam’s founder, Muhammad in 632 AD. Over time, that disagreement grew into distinct religious traditions with different histories, … Read More “Understanding the Difference Between Sunni and Shi’ite Islam” »
How many movies can you have about American soldiers fighting against alien technology? Apparently a lot because they keep making them. War Machine is just the latest example. And yet I enjoyed it… The movie centres on a soldier played by Alan Ritchson who suffers PTSD after the death of his brother and the rest … Read More “War Machine – Review” »
This has felt like a long winter. The snow has piled up and people in our neighbourhood have hunkered down. But the snow is now melting, the sun is out, and the temperatures are rising (at least temporarily). I knew as I was finishing at work that I wanted to go for a walk. I … Read More “Sun and Neighbours” »
1942 begins with one of the biggest turning points of the war, one that did not take place on a battlefield. On January 1, 1942, the United Nations was born. In this episode, we look at this alliance and what it meant, as well as how it connects with our modern United Nations. Please support … Read More “SWWP 51 – The War-time Birth of the United Nations” »
World War II is often remembered in the context of Europe and the Pacific—but it also profoundly affected nations that initially tried to stay neutral. Iran is one of the clearest examples of how global conflict reshaped a country’s politics, society, and international position long after the final battles ended. Neutrality and Strategic Importance When … Read More “Iran During the Second World War: Neutrality, Invasion, and Lasting Consequences” »
People often complain about long days and there is a place for that. However, when I think of longer days in terms of more sunlight, I will NOT complain. It seems like for a long time that it was dark when I left for work and getting dark as I drove home. Now I drive … Read More “Enjoying the Longer Days” »
I have been watching Predator movies for a long time, all the way back to the original Arnold Schwartzeneggar Predator movie. There have been a number of takes on the concept. Predator: Badlands takes a very different perspective. The Predators are hunters, hunters who are always seeking a better prey to test their skills. But … Read More “Predator: Badlands – Review” »
Design, Deployment, Doctrine, and Effectiveness During the Second World War, the United States fielded a diverse and highly specialized array of fighter aircraft. Unlike smaller powers that relied on one or two dominant designs, the U.S. developed different fighters optimized for distinct operational environments: long-range escort over Europe, carrier warfare in the Pacific, island-hopping campaigns, … Read More “American Fighter Planes in the Second World War” »
John Piper is blowing up the internet right with his quotation of Leviticus 19:34 and the implication that this might be relevant to how Christians should see immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, living among us. I have addressed this elsewhere in my article John Piper’s Unforgivable Sin. Some of John Piper’s critics are claiming that Piper … Read More “John Piper, Immigrants, and Sojourners” »
I have a confession to make. I enjoyed the mythology developed in the Game of Thrones series but struggles with aspects of it, including the graphic violence, sex, and nudity. But I was still drawn to the world that George. R.R. Martin created. A House of Dragons was okay but I was intrigued by another … Read More “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – Review” »
You may remember me saying some time ago that I was done all my chaplain courses at the chaplain school. I did not need to take any more. But since then I have taken a number, and in fact I am just finishing my third course since then. What’s up? The military looks at training … Read More “Another Course Done…” »
With recent statements by Donald Trump that he will release information about extraterrestrial life, the debate about the possible existence of alien life has ignited once more among Christians. Science-Based Debate For some people, the conversation revolves around science, or at least our interpretations. There are those who look at our vast universe and reason … Read More “Are Reports of Aliens Really Encounters With Demons?” »
Yesterday, I took Emma and Faith to small ComicCon in Angus, not far from where we live. This is only the second ComicCon that I had attended, the previous one being about forty years ago. This was a much smaller one. There were no famous guests and only a handful of people were cosplaying. But … Read More “A Little ComicCon…” »
When people think of British fighter aircraft in the Second World War, the elegant Spitfire often comes to mind first. Yet during the critical early years of the war—especially the Battle of Britain—it was the more workmanlike Hurricane that bore the greater burden. Though often paired together, the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane were fundamentally different in design philosophy, performance characteristics, and … Read More “Spitfire vs. Hurricane: Britain’s Twin Pillars of Fighter Defense in WWII” »
I have been involved in Christian leadership and ministry in one way or another for about thirty years. This includes both as a pastor of a church and a military chaplain. I have spent a lot of time observing leaders, pastors, and chaplains. What I have noticed is that there are three facets of ministry … Read More “3 Facets of Christian Ministry and Leadership” »
I have only been at my new job for a few months but I can say confidently that I love my job as a chaplain instructor. Why do I enjoy it? Part of it is the people I get to work with. Part of it is it includes teaching. Part of it is it includes … Read More “Did I Mention I Love My Job?” »
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valor in the British and Commonwealth traditions. Since its creation in the mid-nineteenth century, it has recognized acts of extraordinary courage in combat, without regard to rank or social status. Its history reflects the evolution of modern warfare, imperial and Commonwealth military service, and changing understandings … Read More “The History of the Victoria Cross” »
For many people who know me, probably the first thing that they think of are my dad jokes. I actually embraced pun telling before I was a dad, back when I started as a youth pastor. Some might debate whether I share dad jokes or inflict them. The truth is it does not matter if … Read More “Sharing My Dad Jokes” »
Supergirl is one of DC Comics’ most enduring yet frequently reimagined characters. Since her debut in the Silver Age, she has undergone multiple origin resets, name changes, power reinterpretations, and tonal shifts. These changes reflect broader trends in superhero comics, shifting editorial philosophies at DC, and evolving ideas about gender, heroism, and legacy. 1. First … Read More “The Publication History of Supergirl: Origins, Evolutions, and Reinventions” »
Published During Tolkien’s Lifetime (1892–1973) 1937 – The Hobbit 1949 – Farmer Giles of Ham 1954 – The Fellowship of the Ring 1954 – The Two Towers 1955 – The Return of the King Note: Although often sold as three volumes, The Lord of the Rings was conceived and written as a single work. 1962 – The Adventures of Tom Bombadil 1964 – Tree and Leaf … Read More “J. R. R. Tolkien: Chronological Bibliography” »
As you probably know, I have started a new job as an instructor at the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre. I really enjoy teach at the school. And studying… While I am an instructor, I am also a student. Before I can teach certain courses, I need to take them. This is not just … Read More “Back in Class” »
This episode wraps up 1941 by summarizing where things were left by the end of December. The Second World War was much different that it had been 12 months before. We also look at which side had the advantage as we enter 1942. Support me at https://www.patreon.com/hopesreason Visit me at https://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar/ Follow me at https://x.com/WW2_Podcast
During the Second World War, Nazi Germany fielded two distinct military organizations that often fought side by side: the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS. While they are sometimes conflated in popular discussion, they differed significantly in origin, command structure, political role, and—over time—combat effectiveness. Understanding these differences is essential for an accurate assessment of how Germany waged war and … Read More “What Was the Difference Between the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS?” »
It is not often that people make a big deal about a politician’s speech. Normally, it is when it is really bad or the politician has said something very foolish. And yet the world is making a big deal of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum. What is the … Read More “Why Has Mark Carney’s Speech Had Such an Impact?” »
There was a time when it had been a long absence of Star Trek television shows. Now we are having plenty of television shows and no Star Trek movies. The latest show is Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Starfleet Academy, the institution has a long history within the Star Trek franchise. Those who watched The Next … Read More “First Thoughts on Starfleet Academy” »
I will be honest that I did not feel like writing a Good News post today. Not because there is no Good News but because I recently heard some bad news. Part of me wants to dwell on the bad news. And yet I have Good News. On Saturday, I took two of my daughters … Read More “Time With My Daughters” »
The Tank is a recent movie that offers the gritty story of a German Tiger Tank behind enemy lines on the Eastern Front. It is beautifully filmed and fantastically acted. It also has some of the best tank battle scenes in recent movie history. And yet many people did not like the movie. When I … Read More “Who Do Some People Not Like The Tank Movie?” »
It was not long ago that James Gunn began the newest DC shared universe with the DCU, replacing Zack Snyder’s DCEU. I was excited and cautiously optimistic that this new start would get DC off on the right foot. While first movie in the new DCU was Superman, the first actual instalment was the Creature … Read More “Creature Commandos: Season One – Review” »
The Second World War marked both the zenith and the twilight of the battleship era. These massive capital ships represented the pinnacle of naval engineering—floating fortresses combining firepower, armor, and prestige. Yet the war also demonstrated their vulnerability to air power and submarines. This post examines five of the largest battleships to see service during World War … Read More “The Giants of Steel: The Five Biggest Battleships of the Second World War” »
This weekend I took some time to write and I had the same reaction I always do: Why do I not do this more often. For some people, writing is soul-sucking. For me, it is life-giving. I could feel the energy flowing into me and my mental health improving. It always has this effect and … Read More “Energizing Writing” »
Having recently watched The Tank, there are many thoughts that have gone through my mind. I have provided a spoiler-free review of the movie already. This post will include spoilers. If you have not seen the movie but intend to, I suggest skipping this post. The movie begins with a battle on a bridge between … Read More “What Actually Happened in The Tank Movie?” »
I’m always on the lookout for a good war movie. So when I saw an ad for The Tank (German: Der Tank), I was definitely interested. (Please note that the link is an Amazon affiliate link) So how was it? Let me begin by giving a short summary. It is the story of a German … Read More “The Tank – Review” »
In case you have not heard, Philip Yancey is the latest respected Christian who has fallen into sexual sin. Christianity Today has reported his confession and a statement by his wife. Whenever these things happen, at least with Christian authors, people begin to ask what we should do with all of our books written by … Read More “Do We Have to Throw Away All of Our Philip Yancey Books?” »
For my weekly Good News posts, Usually share something specific that has recently happened that I am thankful for. This my way of cultivating an attitude of gratitude. This week’s Good News is a bit different. It is about acknowledging that the New Year brings new opportunities. Of course the specific month, day, and year … Read More “A New Year of New Possibilities” »
One of the things I enjoy doing is reading, and specifically reading in a wide range of subjects. While I did not read as many books as I had hoped in 2025, I did read some good one. Here I share five of the best books that I read in 2025. They are not in … Read More “The Top Five Books I Read in 2025” »
So Stranger Things is over. Finally. Not that it has been a bad series, it has actually been quite good. But it was time for it to be over and I am glad that it had a conclusive ending. How was the final season of Stranger Things? It was different than the previous seasons, not … Read More “Stranger Things: Season Five – Review” »
I had some lofty goals for 2025. In fact, I set 25 goals for 2025. I knew I would not achieve every single one but the hope was to hit a good number of them. So how did I do? Not very good. Looking over the list, I only met 5 of my 25 goals. … Read More “How Did I Do on My Goals for 2025?” »
Although we had a quiet Christmas Day, with just us and three of the kids, we were able to spend some time with others in the family. On Boxing Day, despite some nasty weather, some of Amanda’s family was able to come and visit with us for a couple of days. One of the advantages … Read More “Christmas With Family” »
So 2025 is almost over. As I look back, I recognize that this has been one of the most life-changing years that I have had. Mostly in a good way. At the start of the year, my work consisted of pastoring at Brookfield Baptist Church and being a chaplain with 3 Intelligence Company, while helping … Read More “2025 in Review” »
As part of my end of the year reflections, I thought I would share the five most popular blog posts on my blog in 2025. As is my custom, I am not sharing the top posts written in 2025 but rather the top posts that were read. As I look at this list, I am … Read More “Top 5 Blog Posts of 2025” »
I have enjoyed making videos over the past year. Some of them have been quite popular and some of my earlier videos continue to get views. One of the things that I have noticed is that my shorts are getting some of the most plays. Here are the top five videos watched (although not necessarily … Read More “Top 5 Videos of 2025” »
At the time I am writing this, it is almost Christmas. I have been a pastor for most of the past thirty years and that has meant that, aside from all of the family responsibilities, this has been traditionally some of the busiest times for me. But I am no longer a pastor. In the … Read More “On Christmas Break” »
I recently saw evangelist Franklin Graham share a concerning story from Fox News. This would be a serious breach of religious freedom if Clive Johnston was arrested for simply preaching a gospel message based on John 3:16. But was he? There is far more to the story. People in the UK are not being arrested … Read More “Is the UK Arresting People For Preaching the Gospel?” »
Recently, Donald Trump created waves when he made some extremely critical remarks after the tragic murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife. My intention is not to comment specifically on his comments, the views of Trump, or the politics of Reiner. As unfortunate as that event was, it is also a challenge to all … Read More “Respecting Those We Disagree With” »
The Second World War forced Allied militaries to confront operational problems that conventional forces were ill-suited to solve. Amphibious assaults, deep reconnaissance, sabotage, and irregular warfare required small, highly trained formations operating with speed, secrecy, and initiative. From this necessity emerged a range of special forces and elite units whose influence extended well beyond their … Read More “Special Forces in the Second World War” »
As I think about our move back to Ontario, I am amazed at how well our three youngest have done. I am extremely proud of them. Justus started a new job this week at an amazing company and he is excelling as I would expect. Emma has also been hired for her first full-time job … Read More “Proud of Our Kids” »
I have been considering it for a while and I have finally taken the plunge. I am now on Substack. If you are not familiar with Substack, it is a platform to create blog posts, podcasts, and other content. What makes it different from a site, such as this one, is that it is designed … Read More “I’m Now on Substack!” »
I have a soft spot for television series made by Netflix in other countries. I find these international Netflix projects bring a fresh vision to some tired genres, including science fiction. One I recently watched was the Eternaut. This series is made in Argentina and was originally in Spanish but has been dubbed into English. … Read More “The Eternaut: Season One – Review” »
Aviation-minded naval officers in the interwar years understood that carrier power could redefine maritime strategy, but only one navy demonstrated it in combat before December 1941: the Royal Navy at Taranto. Japan’s Naval General Staff watched that operation closely. One year later, the Imperial Japanese Navy executed its own audacious carrier strike against Pearl Harbor. … Read More “How the Attack on Taranto Informed the Attack on Pearl Harbor” »
Our family has been through a lot of change over the past couple of months. We moved from Nova Scotia to Ontario, and I changed from being a pastor to being a chaplain instructor. But there is more to the story than just that. What many people do not realize is that even before the … Read More “My Partner” »
In conversations about world religions, most Christians are familiar with the broad contours of Islam—its belief in one God, the Qur’an, the Prophet Muhammad, and its major branches: Sunni and Shia. Less well known is Ahmadiyya Islam, a minority Muslim movement founded in the late nineteenth century. Though it considers itself fully Muslim, most of the … Read More “Understanding Ahmadiyya Islam: A Respectful Christian Analysis” »
Much happened on December 7, 1941. One story is that of the USS Arizona and her captain, Franklin Van Valkenburgh. In this episode, we share their tragic story. Support me at http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason Visit me at https://www.stephenjbedard.com/secondworldwar Look for my other podcast “History of Christianity” on your favourite podcast provider.
A month ago, I began as a permanent instructor at the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre. Last week, I finished teaching my first course. Sort of. Technically, it was the third course that I have taught for the school but it is still my first course as a permanent instructor. The interesting thing about … Read More “First Course Down” »
I have been generally disappointed with the recent Marvel projects in the theatres and on television. Most of them have not been terrible but not great either. Inspired a recent sermon I preached, I decided to return to some of the best of Marvel: Infinity War and Endgame. I had not watched them in a … Read More “Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame – Revisited” »
Few naval vessels have undergone as dramatic a transformation as the destroyer. From its origins as a small, fast torpedo-boat killer in the late nineteenth century, the destroyer has grown into one of the most versatile and indispensable ships in modern fleets. Its story is one of changing threats, rapid technological development, and global wartime … Read More “The Evolution of the Destroyer: From Torpedo Boat Hunter to Modern Naval Workhorse” »
It has now been three weeks that I have been officially in my position at the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre. The Good News that I want to share is that I am loving my job! While we miss the people from our church in Nova Scotia, the job that I have taken is … Read More “Loving My Job” »
Colossians 1:15-20 Introduction Last week, the last two Sundays of the liturgical calendar were compared to the popular Avengers movies of Infinity War and Endgame. As a comic book geek, I appreciated that comparison and I am going to run with that. If you are not familiar with the movies, they are a two part … Read More “The Endgame” »
The title of this post may surprise you. You may assume that there is nothing within Buddhism that Christians can learn from. I disagree. There is one thing in particular that I think that Christians can learn from Buddhists. There is a teaching within Buddhism that speaks of the three treasures of Buddhism. These are … Read More “What Christians Can Learn From Buddhists” »
When Italy entered the Second World War in June 1940, Benito Mussolini hoped to seize quick victories and claim a place among the great European powers. On paper, Italy possessed one of the larger militaries in Europe, with substantial numbers of soldiers, aircraft, and warships. In reality, however, the Italian armed forces suffered from serious … Read More “The Strength of the Italian Military at the Beginning of the Second World War” »
I remember a time as a child that I saw birthdays as being about a day when you would receive things. Those days are long gone. Now birthdays are about reflecting on where I am in life. Am I old? Am I young? It depends on who you ask. On one hand, I am in … Read More “Birthday Reflections” »
The recent changes in our life are not just about a switch of occupations from being a pastor to a chaplain instructor. This move has also meant that a change in faith communities. Not only are we no longer pastors at Brookfield Baptist Church, we no longer attend there (It is a 17 hour drive … Read More “Getting to the Chapel” »
One of my favourite television shows as a child was Battlestar Galactica. It was a magical time as the first Star Wars movie had just been released and science fiction was experiencing a renaissance. While compared to Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica had a much different premise from it or even the earlier Star Trek. The … Read More “The Original Battlestar Galactica Revisited” »
For the last number of months, we have been wrestling with where we were going to live. Depending on when you asked us, we would have give you a different answer. Would the family stay in Nova Scotia while I stayed at CFB Borden in Ontario? Would the family move to Kitchener-Waterloo to be close … Read More “Moved to Wasaga Beach!” »
The Battle of Kapyong, fought from April 22 to 25, 1951, stands as one of the most significant engagements for United Nations (UN) forces during the Korean War. It was a fierce and desperate fight in which a small multinational contingent — including Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and Americans — held back a massive Chinese … Read More “The Battle of Kapyong: Canada’s Stand in the Korean War” »
Our family is in a time of tremendous transition. We are both moving back to Ontario and I have taken on a new career path. So how are things going? There has been a lot of hurry up and wait. I will not go into details, but there have been a number of obstacles that … Read More “Things Are Coming Together” »
The first thing that I want to say is that this is not an attack on Christian apologists. I firmly believe in the importance of Christian apologetics and I am an apologist myself. But as an insider, I have found myself getting disillusioned by what apologists say and how they say it. I believe that … Read More “Dangerous Fallacies Commonly Used by Christian Apologists” »
I have always been a cat person. While I like dogs, and my previous dog Halo was the best pet ever, in general I have a thing for cats. There is one problem with cats. They die. One of the pets that we have had the longest was a cat named Whitney. We got her … Read More “Goodbye Whitney” »
The forcible removal and internment of people of Japanese ancestry in Canada and the United States during World War II remains one of the most consequential civil-liberties crises in North American history. Carried out in the name of “national security” after the attack on Pearl Harbor, these policies uprooted tens of thousands of citizens and … Read More “Injustice at Home: The Internment of People of Japanese Descent in Canada and the United States during World War II” »
As I have been sharing, I have taken on a new position as a permanent instructor at the Canadian Forces Chaplain School and Centre. This brings together my two loves: teaching and chaplaincy. Today was the first day of actual teaching in the role. Most of the candidates arrived yesterday and this afternoon I started … Read More “And So Teaching Begins…” »
I will admit that I was not in a hurry to watch Marvel Zombies. I had plenty of opportunities to watch it earlier, but I had no motivation. I am not sure what it was. Perhaps it is the general lack of interest in new Marvel projects or the fact this series is not a … Read More “Marvel Zombies: Season One – Review” »
When we think of Japan and December 1941, we think of Pearl Harbor. But Japan had much more up their sleeve than just one attack. That same day saw surprise attacks by Japanese forces on American, British, and Thai territories. In this episode, we look at those attacks. Please consider supporting me through Patreon.
When Japan entered the Second World War with its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, it already possessed one of the most powerful and experienced militaries in the world. Decades of modernization, imperial expansion, and warfare in China had transformed Japan into a formidable military power. Yet beneath its surface strength were vulnerabilities that would … Read More “Japan’s Military at the Dawn of World War II: Strength, Size, and Strategy” »
This past week has been a difficult and yet encouraging week. It has been a time of tremendous change. For quite a long time, much of my life has revolved around being a pastor of a church and a part-time chaplain in the army reserves. This is no longer the case. Last week, i had … Read More “Saying Goodbye…” »
Introduction As I begin my last sermon as your pastor, let me take you back to what was almost my last sermon ever. It was almost thirty years ago. I was in seminary and was doing a placement as part of my Field Education. In general, I was a very nervous public speaker. This was … Read More “A Great Choice” »
You come across an article on the internet that really supports your views. You get excited and share it widely. But should you? The first test should NOT be whether you personally agree with the sentiment. Remember the claims about immigrants catching and eating pets? How should you read an internet article? What I’m going … Read More “How to Critically Read an Article on the Internet” »
I recently encountered an article called Students shall not pass unless they accept Lord of the Rings is offensive. Claims that Tolkien was racist are not new but imposing this belief on students is new. When I hear claims like this, my first question is not “How do we fight this?” but “Is it true?” … Read More “Are Students Being Forced to Believe That Tolkien Was a Racist?” »
Introduction During the latter half of World War II, Nazi Germany developed a set of “V-weapons” (Vergeltungswaffen — “Revenge Weapons”) aimed at turning the war’s tide or at least exacting terror and disruption behind Allied lines. These included the V-1 flying bomb, the V-2 ballistic missile, and the V-3 “supergun.” Though none changed the ultimate … Read More “Germany’s V-Weapons in WWII – Invention, Use, Impact” »
The 2025 Superman film marked a bold reset for the character and the DC Universe. But it did not arrive in a vacuum: the film industry is still navigating the ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, shifts in audience behavior, and financial pressures on theatrical exhibition. To fully appreciate Superman (2025)’s performance, we need to consider both its … Read More “The Success of Superman (2025): A Rebirth in a Challenged Box Office Landscape” »
Today is the Canadian Thanksgiving and it is also the day I share a Good News post on my blog. These two things come together nicely. I want to begin by saying that there is a lot of uncertainty in my life right now. I do not know exactly where I will be living one … Read More “A General Feeling of Thankfulness” »
Galatians 5:13-15 Introduction What is real Christianity? How would you answer that? I have heard many Christians accuse other Christians of being fake Christians. I, myself have been accused of being a fake Christian. Usually this happens when a person becomes extremely passionate about a certain aspect of the faith, so much so, that they … Read More “A Great Commandment” »
I am coming close to the end of my pastoral ministry. In less than two weeks, I will no longer be a pastor. I will be a full-time military chaplain. Many pastors who go into chaplaincy plan to return to pastoral ministry when they are done. That is not my intention. I do not know … Read More “The Part of Pastoral Ministry I Want to Continue” »
The new DCU has begun. Officially the start of it was Creature Commandos and the new Superman movie. Sort of. The issue is that James Gunn, who heads the new DCU, had already done some DC work with the Suicide Squad and Peacemaker: Season One. Are they part of the new DCU? Again, sort of. … Read More “Peacemaker: Season Two – Review” »
Hermann Göring (1893–1946) was one of the most powerful and controversial figures in Nazi Germany. A decorated fighter ace during the First World War, he later became Adolf Hitler’s closest ally and one of the architects of the Third Reich. His life is a study in ambition, corruption, and moral collapse—from heroism in the skies … Read More “Who Was Hermann Göring?” »
I was a bit skeptical when I saw that there was a television series based on the Alien franchise. I suspected it might be a cash grab, throwing out something substandard and hoping for an audience based on nostalgic memories of earlier Alien movies. I was wrong. Of course, that might have been the motive, … Read More “Alien: Earth Season One – Review” »
This is a hectic time for the Bedard family. I will soon be teaching at the chaplain school at CFB Borden. That was one things that we knew for certain. Everything else has been up in the air. Until recently, we did not even know where the family was moving to. We knew that we … Read More “Moving Ahead” »
