BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
232nd Edition – March 2, 2025
A SHINING FACE
In the Old Testament, Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet with God and to receive instructions on how Israel should be governed. So great was the impact upon Moses that his face shone. [Exodus 34:35].
In the New Testament, Stephen was facing the wrath of his enemies who were not able “to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” [Acts 6:10]. Stephen was helped by the Holy Spirit to such an extent that “they saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” [Acts 6:15]. An encounter with God made the faces of both men to shine.
Solomon adds this fact, “a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine” [Ecclesiastes 8:1]. Christians should pray that they will be filled with the Holy Spirit so that His fruit will be seen in them. Pray that His individual fruit may be seen in your life, “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” [Galatians 5:22]. Our faces will shine from such wisdom actual fact, they were losers in their various objectives. The real losers were the people of Ontario. This unnecessary election is estimated to have cost about $189 million. The Conservatives won 77 seats, the NDP 25, and the Liberals 13.
THE ONTARIO ELECTION
Premier Doug Ford called a provincial election for February 27. He wanted an increased majority to strengthen his hand against President Trump’s threatened tariffs.
As it turned out it was an election for losers. Conservative leader Ford gained an impressive third majority government, but he did not get the increase he hoped for. He lost a few seats from the last election.
Official opposition status again went to the New Democratic Party led by Marit Stiles although she lost some seats since last time.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRESS
In Canada we live in a democracy (from the Greek demos meaning people, and kratos meaning power). In a democracy the people who will govern are chosen from the people, by the people to serve the people.
An essential part of democracy is the freedom of the press. This is defined as, “The freedom of the press gives individuals, and organizations the right to express, publish, and share information, ideas, and opinions without fear of censorship or governmental interference.”
This is an important safeguard in society for not all actions by politicians, governments, and peoples are wholesome or right. The press must be free to alert the public to wrongdoing without fear of government censorship.
However, with this freedom comes a heavy responsibility to be factual, fair and honest. Sadly, in the case of many media outlets today this is not the case.
If you are a politician standing for office the press can influence the electorate unfairly either for you or against you. Canada is rightly concerned about foreign interference in our electoral system but seems to pay little attention to the internal interference of the press.
If it doesn’t like you, it will publish unflattering photos of you while the ‘media darlings’ will be well presented. Certain politicians will have their statements ‘fact checked’ while others, who need to be checked, are let off scot-free.
The press needs to ‘fact check’ itself. I have heard them quote someone, and when I heard the actual statement, it was not what the person said at all. If an elected politician fails, he can be removed by the electorate at the next election. But self-appointed media types can have inordinate influence on a country without any fear of restraint.
Christians need to pray that the press will be kept to a fair and honest rehearsal of the facts – to be newspapers, not biased views media.
