The hammering of the last spike into the Canadian Pacific Railway expanded access to the nation immeasurably, physically and symbolically connecting it from coast to coast. While seen as a victory in the dominant narrative of Canada, it served as a catalyst for the mass displacement of Indigenous peoples and the exploitation and even death of labou…

In this episode of Treasures Revealed we follow the journey of a rare document which is considered to be the first publication in English entirely about Canada, with the help of Senior Special Collections Librarian Meaghan Scanlon. Once carelessly discarded, this broadside is later discovered in an unrelated publication, miraculously preserved.…

Did you know that 22% or roughly one in five Canadians under the age of 34 either hadn’t heard about the Holocaust, or were unsure if they had heard about the Holocaust? In this episode, Michael Kent delves into the significance of Raczyński’s Note, a Second World War publication regarded as the first official communication with the Western Hemisph…

In this episode we speak with Steve Moore about the most successful silent film in Canadian history, Back to God’s Country – a lusty tale of jealousy, murder and betrayal starring trailblazer Nell Shipman, Canada’s first female director. Tune in to discover why the restoration of this film received international accolades and how it projected a lig…

In this episode we speak with Krista Cooke about the curious absence of pregnant women in photos from the birth of photography in the 19th century up to the Second World War. Tune in to learn why the photo of Anna Jorosz Krista chose as her treasure is so remarkable!*re-edited version of previous release*…

In celebration of National Parks Day we have partnered with our friends at Parks Canada and have featured an episode from their wonderful new history and archaeology podcast ReCollections, in our feed. Through the remarkable lives of Madam Ruby Scott and her employees, we'll hear about Dawson's Gold Rush heyday and the boom/bust cycle of both the m…

Robert Hood was only 24 in 1821, when he participated in the 1st of the infamous Franklin Expeditions. Hood was to take navigational, geographical and meteorological observations, and to make drawings of the land and of various objects of natural history. Unfortunately, Hood would not live to see his paintings published in Franklin’s account. In th…

Sometimes we play, "What if?" What if Winston Churchill wasn't England's Prime Minister in WW2? What if there was no COVID-19 pandemic? Obviously we recognize that God is in control, but we wonder what might have been. In today's sermon Dr. John asks, "What if the Jerusalem Council turned out differently?" What would the spread of Christianity look…

A lighthouse can't illuminate an entire coastline at once, but that doesn't mean it serves no purpose. It provides both caution and direction to all who pass by. In today's message, Dr. John speaks of God's agenda for Israel as a beacon to the world. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was a light to the Gentiles. God was reaching to the nations t…

Cartography is an ancient discipline which traces the place and relationship of countries. Maps show us where countries are and how they are in relationship to one another. In today's message, Dr. John quotes the Apostle Paul in Athens. We will note that God is the One who determines the boundaries of nations. The atlas is drawn by God and He does …

In the 9th episode of Treasures Revealed, LAC Curator Forrest Pass unravels the mystery of a Masonic tracing board dating back to the early 1800s.द्वारा Library and Archives Canada

Schools have report cards. Employees have evaluations. Finances have audits. There are many ways to be held accountable in this life. In today's message, Dr. John speaks of the ultimate accountability before God. Everyone who has taken breath will stand before His gaze. As Dr. John teaches on the separating of sheep and goat, we discover that God h…

Every one of us is granted by God the opportunities and resources of life. We may not receive these in equal measure, but we have all been graced by God. What we do with these matters. In today's message, Dr. John teaches on our stewardship from God. We are not owners of life's abundance, but managers of the grace God gives. Listen and consider the…

There are situations that come in life for which we do not want to be unprepared. School exams. Invited supper guests. Tax deadlines. These things are not unforseen. We should be ready. Today Dr. John. teaches the parables of Jesus which warn us to be prepared. Jesus is coming again. The time of His return is unknown. The fact that He will return i…

What is expected of believers as we wait for Jesus' return? Jesus offers a singular answer. We are to be found faithful. The answer is simple, but the doing of it is harder. In today's message, Dr. John unpacks what faithfulness looks like. Listen and consider what faithfulness looks like in your own life. Notice especially the pleasure and reward …

We all live with a curiosity of the future. If we know what will happen and when, then we can be prepared! The disciples were no different. They asked Jesus questions about the future - but they didn't get the answer they hoped for. In this message, Dr. John reminds us that no one can know when Jesus will return. Instead of giving a date for the se…

This is a message of hope. Dr. John turns us to the words of Jesus about His second coming. While no one knows the day or hour, Jesus promises that it will be a rescue for the sake of the elect. God will intervene in history and prevent humanity's self destruction. He will return in power and glory - seen by the whole Earth. His coming is our bless…

If we want to understand what Jesus says will happen, we need to know what has happened. History is a foundation to the future. In today's sermon, Dr. John will take us back to Israel's past and explain the "abomination of desolation." We will see the dark days of Jerusalem's destruction. The glimmer of light in this darkness is the certain victori…

In this episode of Treasures Revealed, Indigenous Research Archivist Elizabeth Montour relies on knowledge and instinct to decipher the story of a Kanienhkenha:ka woman she observes in a 19th century watercolour. As Elizabeth examines the painting, she imagines what life might have been like for her ancestors living in her home of Kahnawake, in a t…

Sometimes, straight talk is what we need, even though we may not want to hear it. In today's message, Dr. John teaches on the straight talk Jesus had with the disciples about the temple and the end of this age. Dr. John will highlight five signs which follow the destruction of the temple. Jesus also gives a caution. Even when you can discern the si…

This may sound harsh - but it is better to have cancer and know it, than to have it and pretend that you don't. Both situations are life threatening, but the first has the hope of treatment. In today's message, Dr. John echoes Jesus' words against hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is worse than ignorance or heresay. Those can be treated with truth. But hypocrit…

Jesus consistently extended a free and full invitation to the Kingdom of God. In a word He said, "Come!" It may surprise some that His harshest words were directed to those who put barriers in front of the door to the Kingdom. In today's message, Dr. John walks through the "woes" Jesus proclaimed against those who were hindrances to the Father's of…

In the 7th episode of Treasures Revealed we speak with Senior Archivist Christine Barrass about an extraordinary scroll, or Sefer Torah, that is part of the Shearith Israel synagogue collection held at LAC. This scroll is a document hand-written in Hebrew by a scribe and measures approximately 35 metres in length when fully unrolled. The Sefer Tora…

In this episode of Treasures Revealed, we speak with Marcelle Cinq-Mars, senior military archivist in the Government Archives Division at LAC. Marcelle tells us about the amazing discovery she made while rehousing documents LAC received from the Department of National Defence.द्वारा Library and Archives Canada

Forty years is a long time to wait. For four decades Moses had built a life in the desert, radically different from the life he had in Egypt. In this message, Dr. John will point to the qualities of Moses that reveal the fruit of his desert wait. They will surface at a burning bush. We will see Moses as He has become, but moreso, we will see God as…

Some choices are pivotal. At the age of 40, Moses makes a decision that will re-route his life. Dr. John teaches on the early life of Moses and the critical choice he faced. Ultimately Moses becomes a man without a people. Hunted by Egyptians and rejected by Hebrews, in the desert he is being prepared to meet his God.…

Can God be trusted as His people suffer? Why doesn't God do something? Dr. John moves us through the story of Exodus and reveals the saving actions of God. God will redeem His people through the birth of a Hebrew boy. Not only will God rescue this child, but He will shape an ironic twist. Egypian royalty will pay for his keep! God will ensure that …

As day shifts to night, the story of Israel takes a dark turn at the beginning of Exodus. The nation moves from a favoured position to a bitter experience. They are enslaved, oppressed and threatened. Where is God as this happens? In this second message from Exodus, Dr. John points us to the involvement of God in every detail. God not only sees the…

An invitation to a free banquest sounds like a good opportunity. But before we tuck in our napkins, we should know who the host is and what it is they offer. Not every free meal is a blessing. Dr. John concludes his series of "Wisdom Matters" with the portrayal of two banquets - one hosted by Wisdom and the other by Folly. Consder which table will …

There are countless messages clamouring for your attention. Voices invite you to know, buy, do, attend, give, prevent or avoid. Dr. John reminds us that there is one Voice above them all. Wisdom wanders our streets looking for all who will listen. Why should we give wisdom primary place in our attention? Dr. John speaks of four reasons why each one…

Sexual sin is never accidental. Failure does not spring out of nowhere. The seeds of temptation are sown in our heads and hearts. How can we ensure that those seeds do not become fruitful? Dr. John offers four insights from Proverbs 7 which enable us to stand against the tide of sexual temptation. Wisdom is not simply being aware of the dangers, bu…

An old adage says, "If you think education is expensive, you should try ignorance!" There is a price to be paid for wisdom, but the price of foolishness is far greater. Dr. John calls us to resist the fallicy that sexual sin has no consequence. The price of failure scars our soul, and our family. The vision of temptation's promise is dwarfed by the…

We make choices everyday - from the mundane to the life changing. In every decision, we need wisdom. As Dr. John speaks from Proverbs 6, he explains how practical wisdom can guide the choices we make about our debts, work habits, friendships, and especially our moral walk. Life is not a "flip of the coin." We can choose pathways of blessing by the …

Proverbs demonstrates that the content of wisdom must speak to sexual matters as well. Every parent who has "the talk" with their children, can't simply speak of biology. There is a moral education needed as well. Dr. John highlights the cousel of Solomon to his son about sexuality. The power of human sexuality cannot be denied; it must be directed…

We have laws against distracted driving. Clearly if someone's eyes wander off the road, danger or death threatens. Dr. John speaks from Proverbs 4 about the risk of spiritual distraction. It is possible to wander off the right path by having our vision focused elsewhere. Our eyes are to be straight ahead, our ears open to wisdom, our lips echoing t…

The primary responsibility of educating our children does not lie with schools or churches, but with parents. Home is the classroom of life. Dr. John points to Proverbs as a pattern for parents. We are to pass on to our children wisdom for life. We may speak of the lessons we have garnered over decades, but the wisdom we relay is not our own, but G…

We live in a world where the price tags have been switched. The values of God are reduced, and the values of this Earth are inflated. Given a choice between wealth and wisdom, many would choose money. Dr. John echoes Solomon's teaching on the riches of wisdom. We are reminded that since we are not born wise, the first rule of wisdom is: get wisdom!…

The dictionary defines optimism as a perspective which sees the favourable side of life. Many rest their optimism on the shoulders of their skills, resources or even luck. Dr. John reminds us that smiling at the future is possible not because of our capacity or actions, but because of God's providence. We can embrace the favourable side of life and…

"What differnece does a healthy biblical view of God's providence make in every day life?" Dr. John asks and answers this pivotal question. We are reminded to live by faith in our sovereign God. The faith that makes a difference is faith that believes in God's providence, trusts His wise governance, and then orders life in response to His purposes.…

Every complaint we make about the weather, our health, traffic or neighbours is an insult to the providential work of God. Our complaints suggest that either God is not doing enough, or we don’t like what He is doing! Dr. John points us to Paul's experience in a Roman jail, and the joy Paul felt despite harsh circumstance. Knowing that God rules ov…

Fear is at play in our lives more often than we care to admit. We worry about our health, our family, climate changes, community violence and international tensions. We worry that no one seems to be in charge. But God is! He governs this world every minute. "Fear not," is God's assurance and command. We take courage, not because the dangers are ill…

Every parent has heard their child ask, "Why?" Children can't understand the complexities of life, and the wise actions of parents confuse them. With God, we are the children. Often we look heavenward and ask, "Why?" The mysteries of Earth and Heaven are hidden within the providential wisdom of God. Dr. John assures us that while we may be baffled …

2 Peter 3:8-13 Dr. John teaches that "Eschatology and ethics are tied to each other." What we hope for will establish how we live. Since we have the blessed hope of Jesus' return, we ought to live holy lives. This world will go up in smoke, but we are looking to a new creation in which righteousness dwells.…

2 Peter 3:1-7 If you stare at your feet while walking, every journey will feel the same. You may not sense much progress. False teachers thought that the "sameness" of life demonstrates that God is not doing much. Listen as Dr. John calls us to see the big picture, not only of this life but of eternity. God is moving history to His righteous end.…

2 Peter 2:17-22 How would you recognize a false teacher? We tend to think that false teaching is simply a theological problem. Dr. John teaches from 2 Peter that false teaching is an ethical concern. In other words, we discern heresy not just from what people say, but what people are. "Belief" and "being" are twinned, for good or evil.…

2 Peter 2:10-16 How would you recognize a false teacher? We tend to think that false teaching is simply a theological problem. Dr. John teaches from 2 Peter that false teaching is an ethical concern. In other words, we discern heresy not just from what people say, but what people are. "Belief" and "being" are twinned, for good or evil.…

2 Peter 2:4-10 There are wrongs we've committed that we got away with. The penalty or consequence didn't happen - yet. Peter reminds us that justice delayed is not an escape. Dr. John explains how false teachers in the church used God's patience to deny the fact of judgement. Instead, the forberance of God is space and time to change our ways in th…

2 Peter 2:1-3 History teaches that every empire falls. Entropy often sets in from within. Peter writes his second epistle to warn beleivers of false teachers within the Church. Dr. John teaches that believers need to be discerning. The gullible are prone to the secret and seductive ways of those seeking to lead God's people astray.…

2 Peter 1:12-21 A good memory will help us find our keys, recall improtant dates and win trivia games. But what does our memory have to do with our spiritual lives? Much! Dr. John echoes Peter's commands to remember. Repetition and recall are vital for spiritual growth. Listen as Dr. John explains how.…

Peter 1:5-12 An exercise bike, received as a gift, does no good simply sitting in the garage. While grateful for it, we need to add effort to our appreciation, for the greatest effect. Peter calls believers to add efffort to the free grace we have received. Dr. John explains that as God has granted us everything we need for a holy life, we have a p…