I enjoy challenges posed by seemingly contrary bits of Scripture like the ones above. They make me scratch my head. These Isaiah texts get me thinking about our own "former things" — items from past eras — like that 80s dress or that …( read more )

Interestingly, the event described in Mark's Gospel is the only time that we catch a glimpse of Jesus sleeping during His ministry. The day's teaching left Him exhausted, seeking privacy and rest. Nothing could disturb Him — not even …( read more )

As a father of four, it warms my heart to see new life, especially newborn babies, because they tug at my own memories at the core of my being. But online photographs of twins born last December sent a pang of sorrow through my heart …( read more )

Recently, I took some neighbour kids to the pool. The six-year-old twins showed absolutely no fear in the water, especially because they've trusted a few adults to hold them and teach them. I was super-excited to see their joy for …( read more )

I once heard a story about a child who was taught a special tune in his native village. His teacher told him that if he forgot it when he grew up and went out into the world, he should come right back home and learn it all over again. We …( read more )

Early in my life, after graduating as a deaconess, I made Canadian church work my career, serving in Grande Prairie and Red Deer in Alberta, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I started Flora House. I was even sent to Newfoundland to help …( read more )

Last summer, I was in the hospital suffering from very high blood pressure, when the doctor tried something new on me. He put the pill aside and just gave me the liquid medicine to drink. It worked. The Lord had done a new thing and I had …( read more )

I've been thinking of Valentine's Day and how the heart is a symbol of love. Our church has a breakfast on the first Monday of the month, and I usually try to have some kind of related treat if there is a special day in that month. And so, …( read more )

My father was a horticulturist, at least when it came to his fig tree; it was the focal point in the centre of our backyard. Dad would always be watching to see signs of life when the first green leaf would appear. He would spring into …( read more )

It seemed as though my well had run dry regarding devotional material, because I have only so many experiences to draw from. But I had an email today from a sister in Christ. After commenting on one of my devotionals, she wrote, "I pray …( read more )

"Is there a Richard Adam Reilly in the car?" With those words, the Customs and Border Protection Officer cast a pall over the car. Under sunny skies which promised pleasant driving, my wife and I had journeyed with my eldest son and our …( read more )

An outstanding memory from my youth stems from when I was only ten years old. I was sitting alone in the third pew on the left-hand side of the church in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, of which my dad was the minister and my mom was the …( read more )

Not long ago Mocha, our 17-year-old dog, died, and one of the questions people often have for us when something like this happens is, "Does having so many others help you to miss less the one that has died?" The answer to the question …( read more )

We all know about labels and what they are meant to do: They tell us what's in packages, how to use their contents, and any number of details that we may or may not want to know. Often what we do want to know is not there, but that's …( read more )

I once heard Ron Mehl use as a sermon illustration a story told by Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, about a single missionary who served the Lord in China for many years. In 1948, all missionaries were expelled from the country …( read more )

My daughter had been suffering for quite some time with discomfort and pain, and finally, she made an appointment with the doctor to have it checked out. The day arrived when I drove my daughter to the hospital for surgery. An exploratory …( read more )

My years in farm country were filled with lessons from each changing season. When rainy season came, it would rain for days. The rush of rain was heavy at times and the downpour loud. There would be damage where the streams of water made …( read more )

"Tell me what your escape routes were," Rev. David Robertson asked his United Church congregation in High River, Alberta, Canada, to begin an impromptu worship service last Sunday. Just over a week earlier, on June 21, 13,000 residents …( read more )

It was years ago when I was still young, married, and already had two children. We came to Canada as a family, with enthusiasm, learning about life in a new country. In two years, we had an old model car, and after getting his driver's …( read more )

As I was watering our vegetable garden at the back of the house, I was reminded of times when I needed refreshing from God, times when I was experiencing some of life's hot displeasures. Last night, the power went off, … (read more)

Our campsite beside the river was beautiful and blissfully refreshing amidst the dusty summer heat. Not only were we enjoying it but so were both our dogs. Deciding to stroll along the bank for a ways, I let them off … (read more)

"Something funny is growing in our rhubarb," daughter cried! Dad explained that the strange growth was normal. The rhubarb was going to seed. Just like me. Consequently, I'm feeling crummy. I just turned the magic age of 65. Ever since, … (read more)

It was a cloudy and rainy day. The "folk music" satellite station had just finished playing the song, "Love Hurts", and my mind recalled a telephone call from my friend a few years before. I remember the way my friend … (read more)

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for … (read more)

I've known, truly known, God's gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I've experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord's merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I've literally lost count of all the forgiveness I've prayed for and received. … (read more)

Israel's incident at "Marah", which means "bitter", can be compared to many of life's experiences as we journey through the wilderness of this world. If you are like most people, there probably have been hardships in your life when you … (read more)

The best decision would have been to stay home, but the young tend to think they're invincible. This was our thinking, when with friends, I found myself navigating our way to a late evening sports practice twenty minutes out of … (read more)

Many years ago, we moved to a small instant town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was situated in a beautiful valley with majestic mountains all around. Everything was new, the people, houses, and streets — a true … (read more)

For the last ten years or so, I have organized the annual street sale in our neighbourhood: setting the date, notifying the residents, and placing the ad in the paper. In my notice to the residents, there is a comment … (read more)

We live in a world where children are too often left alone and are so much in need of parental love that it's hard to believe, unless you carefully take stock of our times. A casual observance of the daily … (read more)

Recently, my eyes were drawn to a church billboard with the following: "Put on your shades; your future is very bright." How appropriate this is for the New Year ahead, I thought. I have a choice. Either I can expect … (read more)

For many days, Hurricane Isabel churned up winds and waves far out in the ocean. Labelled a catastrophic, Category 5 storm, she aimed her seemingly undiluted fury toward the east coast of the United States. Simultaneously, pandemonium became the order … (read more)

On September 15, 1971, I was born. My parents named me Peter Christophor Carroll, a name chosen ten years before I came into the world. If I had been a girl, my name would have been Peatsa Christina. I was … (read more)