I'm making a folding display frame that will stand up on a table and hold the name tags for recurring clergy meetings. When not in use, it closes up with a clasp, but it needs a carrying handle. So, I went to a thrift shop and bought one …( read more )

My wire-haired dachshund, Hoss, just didn't seem himself after our daily hike through the bush. He seemed to be favouring his right shoulder and was moving a little more slowly than usual. Finally putting aside what I was doing, I stooped …( 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 )

This Bible verse was always my father's favourite one. The reason stems from the following story. During the Second World War, my dad had orders to report for duty on a ship due to sail through the Gulf of Mexico. At the time, that …( read more )

I had to laugh when saw this Facebook meme the other night, because it's so true: "My entire life can be summed up in one sentence … 'Well that didn't go as planned.'" For sure, everything that we plan doesn't always work out the way …( read more )

As I entered the bank and noted the long line, I thought, "Oh well, I'm not in a hurry today." Looking ahead, I saw a grey-haired lady entering the bank from the other side. I could not help but notice that when she saw me, she picked up …( read more )

Here's a question for ladies (and men, too): What if we were required to dispose of every piece of fake jewellery in our homes and keep only what is solid gold or pure gem? What would remain? Probably very little. But here's the real …( read more )

During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV) It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. …( read more )

Some time ago, someone asked me a question: "Why does someone your age keep so busy? Isn't it time you slowed down?" This question made me think about seniors who do all kinds of work. There are seniors who volunteer at long term care …( read more )

As I stand guard at my school crossing, thoughts for devotionals flit through my brain like those message bars scrolling across the bottom of your television set. From these ideas, I started a number of different themes. They were all …( read more )

My wife, my younger brother, and I were off for a three-night, four-day camping trip in North Carolina's Great Smokey Mountains. So we conjured up Siri on our cell phone and asked for driving directions to our destination. We arrived late …( read more )

Because our generous neighbour continually shared the bounty from her pear tree, I had to come up with ways of using the things. You can only eat so many pears. Anyway, I found a recipe for pear mincemeat and made it every summer when the …( read more )

On the first of July, 1983, I had the arduous task of packing up and moving out a music and Christian supply centre that I had been running for about three years. A friend and I packed up his trunk with what remaining stock I had and piled …( read more )

We had been trying to get satellite television for five years. Several knowledgeable people had spent much time seeking to locate the signal for our dish, but failure always ensued. We even decided to move the dish and purchased a large …( read more )

On May 5th, the people in the Netherlands will remember that 69 years ago, the Second World War, or at least the five-year occupation, ended. There will be flags out everywhere. There will be a number of veterans from Canada present as …( read more )

The table is set in the dining room of the seniors' assisted care facility where I reside. Three of us ladies share this table each day. After the meal one day, we got into a conversation noting that there were several in our community …( read more )

Recently, I made a cup of tea in my kitchen. Being English, there is nothing special in that, because I am a frequent visitor to the kettle and my tea caddy. So it was with some surprise that, having switched on the kettle to make a …( read more )

Years ago, my grandfather had a small lodge in an old farmhouse beside a lake just north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One summer when I was about nine years old, I was visiting him at the lodge, and one evening … (read more)

What a time we had this morning on our walk. It was simply gorgeous! The sun was warm and caressing on my skin, and the breeze was so refreshing that I wondered if I should convert from being a night … (read more)

We live in a city. It is a small city, but a city nonetheless. Our city is growing quickly, but I do know my way around. If I need help, I can get out my map and soon find out … (read more)

Chance likes to bark. Unfortunately, he barks far too often. Instead of using his voice to let us know when an intruder is on the property or to say hello or good morning, Chance barks just to hear the sound … (read more)

Simon was a rascal, a great big handsome brute of a dog who loved to get the best of you. He was gentle with children, wily with adults. My pride often took a fall while walking him, as I never … (read more)

As a renewed Christian — a good few years ago now — I so wanted to succeed in serving the Lord. I so wanted this promise of success, as well as all other promises in God's Word. At the time, … (read more)

When I returned to my hometown after many years, my friend was still attending the same church we had attended as youths. He had been blessed with a moderate amount of wealth and social success, so I asked him why … (read more)

Ivie Bozeman's devotional, Sentimental Treasures , published on April 3rd, spurred me to write further on our sentimental treasures — what others call clutter. For some time now, I have felt guilty about my clutter. While it's not nearly … (read more)

My mom often used to say to me, "Watch out! Pride comes before a fall, John!" Usually, she said it when I was being a typical teenager and wouldn't heed her advice. I'd be going to do something stupid, and, … (read more)

When I needed a mentor, a woman who would help me to be all that God desired for my life, I asked God for help, and then took honest inventory. I asked the Holy Spirit for help in my weaknesses. … (read more)

The other day, we were driving when an oncoming large red pickup truck pulled across the road, between us and the car in front, apparently not wanting to wait to find out if there was another car following. As a … (read more)

Our driver, caught up in the frenzy, showed little restraint as we raced along the 401, the super highway that runs through Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I wanted to scream out that even the Apostle Paul travelled in the slow lane … (read more)

Home economists tell us to take great precautions when thawing a large turkey for the holidays. If we are thawing it on the counter, it must be covered in cold water that is repeatedly changed. If we can find room … (read more)

Outside my kitchen window, the snow lay glistening on the ground. Millions of tiny diamonds sparkled on the snow's surface as the sun shone down on this white blanket. As I gazed at this fantasy that lay before me, I … (read more)

We are all fully aware of the toothbrush and its prime purpose. Toothbrushes come in all shapes, sizes and colours. They have long, short or curved to the palm of your hand handles. They come with big bristles in the … (read more)

For several months now, a constant in my prayer life has been centred around a sermon that our pastor shared. He instructed us to begin praying that God would be the author of our lives and that we would allow … (read more)