When we were children, my brothers would at times try to build a floating raft, using spare boards and bits of rope. We watched many dramatic films of life and death experiences aboard life rafts, with sailors battling waves and storms and …( read more )

What parents would not choose to wrap their children in an invincible security blanket every morning before sending them off to face the harsh world outside? It often begins at the kitchen table, as we educate them about how big God's …( read more )

We are created as social beings, meant to interact with others. The important thing is whether our interactions with others show God's love. One of the most common greetings is the handshake — now, not allowed. Some of us would …( read more )

The other week, I received a letter from my bank, declaring that it would be making changes to my account. This came as a surprise to me, so I asked God for His favour and rang my local branch. However, after a few minutes of conversing …( read more )

I purchased a new clock, and its ticking seems loud to my husband. I am not bothered because I am hearing impaired. Whenever he mumbles "Tick, tock …" under his breath, I am reminded of nights spent with my grandmother. I often stayed …( read more )

When we lived in England, we resided in a pleasant town just south of London. One Friday evening, we were away to London for a show, and on Saturday morning, I saw that there was a broken window in the door of the back entrance to the …( read more )

During the winter, Agnes, our goat, suffered a ligament injury to one of her hind legs, which resulted in her being fitted with a solid brace. The brace was meant to hold the damaged area in place, allowing it to heal and to give Agnes …( read more )

I was on my way to an appointment. I had only left the house and been driving for a matter of minutes, when I realized that I had forgotten something. I hurried back home, opened the front door and walked in. Immediately, I could sense …( read more )

Once in a while, I enjoy doing a word puzzle to enhance my vocabulary and concentration skills. The goal of one particular game was to find as many words as possible within the phrase, REMEMBER YOUR VALENTINE. It is believed that these …( read more )

by Isabel Allison A little lad, loved by kin of mine, looked straight ahead, then in voice sublime — for child philosophers tend to mime — spoke out amid the chatter of Christmas supper time: "This sure has been a good Christmas," …( read more )

Now being 85, I have been busy writing my latest book on the story of my life. In so doing, I have recognized that the basic force that has guided me all my life is the love of God moving in my soul. John puts it clearly: It is obvious …( read more )

The first thing that I do every morning is to look out my large bay window to check on the weather. Today, the sky is blue, and the sun is shining brightly. It promises to be a pleasant day, so I head out to walk my dog. It is then that …( read more )

Why is it that here in North America, a gift of flowers is reserved for Mothers Day, romantic occasions, or perhaps a sick female friend? We rarely give flowers to a man, except at his funeral — unless he's a horticulturist by trade. In …( read more )

Albert put me to shame. At the ripe age of 89, he slogged to church every Sunday through deep snows and sub-zero temperatures. We offered him drives multiple times, but he declined each one, saying that he needed his exercise. His …( read more )

I can see a how a grieving person could be drawn into the false comfort of turning to a medium or a spiritist. Like a moth to the flame, some might seek out such a "practitioner" to try to re-connect desperately with the dear departed. …( read more )

Some time ago, I was talking with some people about the Lord and our lives as Christians, along with experiences that we have had in life. They were using words like "God spoke to me", feeling that they had a word from God, and talking …( read more )

Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself. – C. S. Lewis Until my early sixties, I was a very active person. In my …( read more )

The instructor at a recent meeting of the local canoe club presented three navigational aids: a map, a compass, and a GPS. He then challenged the members present with a question: If you were able to take only one of the three on a trip, …( read more )

At this time of the year, churches all over the world are placing red and green cardboard boxes in their foyers. These are not ordinary boxes, but very special ones. Most people refer to them as the shoeboxes, but these boxes will never …( read more )

Life runs along mostly predictably for many of us. Yes, we have things tucked into the far corners of our minds about health and retirement and so on. But when a family has a medical crisis, these thoughts instantly find their way back …( read more )

The seed of doubt that was planted in the mind of Eve by the serpent in the Book of Genesis still has the ability to rear its ugly head in our minds and hearts today. Just like sin, doubt can creep right in, in a way that we aren't even …( read more )

As I was reading a relatively familiar passage in Matthew, an occasional occurrence happened to me that always amazes me: some of the words seemed to jump right off the page and instantly grab my attention. Perhaps Jesus might have …( read more )

As people leave their churches and organized religion, what do they put in its place? I am noticing an increasing emphasis on spiritual things today. Even a secular magazine like The Readers Digest has an article this month called "Til …( read more )

Years ago, on Thanksgiving Day, my sister gave me a book which included a number of traditional stories, poems, prayers, recipes, and games. Some of the games looked rather interesting, and I thought that it would be a great idea for …( read more )

Over the past several weeks, my husband and I have been watching movies from the "Bible Collection" series. They present wonderful, true-to-life portrayals of many characters from the Old and New Testaments. Moreover, these productions provide a great basis for … (read more)

Recently, I experienced a setback in regard to a simple surgical procedure on my eyes. I had carefully completed all the needed preparations for the forty-five-minute surgery, only to be told at the last minute that it had to be … (read more)

I know that I've told this story before, but it bears repeating until we all get it! Several years after becoming a Christian, I still struggled with the after-effects of child abuse. Fear, rejection, and poor self-esteem remained a daily … (read more)

Fire travels. It can leap from tree to tree above ground or travel underground by means of tree roots. This happened on a neighbour's property. They had completed a burn a week before, making sure that the site was thoroughly … (read more)

"If I eat this, will it kill me?" "Is this poison?" "If I touch it, will I die?" According to mom's child report, I asked those questions repeatedly: death questions. At nine, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins, trusting … (read more)

The day was dark, foggy, and rainy, as I drove to the GO station to take the GO train with my friend from here in Barrie to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. I don't mind driving to Toronto or … (read more)

Several years ago, during the opening of Christmas presents at our house, my son and his wife had bought a very special toy for their son, and they were very excited in anticipation of his opening it. He was only … (read more)

Our Lord's love is portrayed to us over and over again, first in His Word and then by the preaching of the Word, and it is also demonstrated to us in our everyday lives through our friends, loved ones, and … (read more)

I remember my enthusiasm as a new Christian joining Bible studies at a quaint little church where I became a member. During one session, I was surprised when the minister confessed his prior disbelief in the existence of Satan during … (read more)