Recently during the severe ice storm in Montreal, my daughter was in one of the places hardest hit. She was in her apartment without heat or light for many days. I could think of little else. My imagination pictured her … Read more

In this passage, we see Jesus reaching out to meet human need with understanding and compassion. He was reaching out to someone whom the rest of the world viewed as unclean, an untouchable. But Jesus only saw someone hurting, someone … Read more

Last summer, I read these words at my step-father's funeral. Because I was one of the last people to arrive home because I live on the other coast, the scripture readings had already been chosen. At the time, I thought … Read more

One of the things that have made personal computers easier to use these days are the little pictures on the screen called icons. Icons are interesting things – they take up almost no memory and they exist only for one … Read more

A common theme for this year seems to be focusing on forgiving. Several news stories have zeroed in on it and a couple of documentaries have featured people who have forgiven someone and how healing it has been. A woman … Read more

How many times have you heard, or even said to yourself, "It's my life; I'll do what I want with it"? That is a very common phrase and usually it is used as a defence, or to cover up sin. … Read more

Our eldest daughter flew from Toronto to be with us for Christmas, accompanied by her yearly companions, cold and flu, a gift for those of us who love to dote on those loved ones who are only able to be … Read more

Throughout our life we all teach and are taught, some by profession, others if only by example. We had a Sunday School teacher once who led us in Bible Study, prayers and hymns, and on the odd warm Sunday afternoon, … Read more

A couple of years ago, I was at a conference. One of the people there was a long-established and well-respected medical doctor who had a busy, downtown practice, full of corporate executives. One of the lines I heard during a … Read more

When we were kids and all living at home, we use to have the greatest summer vacations of anyone I knew. I don't know how Mom and Dad decided where we would go. However we always knew it would be … Read more

My dad was what I called a "quiet Christian". Although he had been raised in the church, years and circumstances drew him away from the structure but never from the faith. He was the kind of person who showed his … Read more

In the township of Oro, near Orillia, Ontario, Canada, is a lonely, remote intersection where two roads meet at right angles. The surrounding fields are treeless and the emptiness contrasts with one corner of the intersection. On this corner is … Read more

Yesterday, I wrote that my new grandson has taught me much about God and humankind. Being able to watch a two and half year old through a grandfather's eyes enables one to see the truths of faith much clearer. Those … Read more

Yesterday, I wrote about the overwhelming joy and gladness I experienced when my grandson was born. In the short (two plus) years of his life he has taught me much about God and humankind. The most common metaphor in scripture … Read more

There are literally hundreds of books around our house. There are so many that we will not read them all in our lifetime, yet sometimes I scan the titles and I am somehow transported to thoughts and recollections that uplift … Read more

Today I listened to a professional in the health care field talking about people with Alzheimers disease. She emphasized how necessary it is for people to understand what is going on in the mind of the patient. She talked about … Read more

A friend of mine in ministry says, "God's people have amnesia." It seems God's people forget so easily all the good things our Saviour has given them — life, health, a roof over their heads, food to eat, the companionship … Read more

The sovereignty of God is paramount in Scripture. The image of God as the potter and Israel as the Lord's vessel, is echoed in a more personal way by St. Paul. Paul sees each one as a work in progress … Read more

"The Lord be with you!" How often are we likely to hear the owner or CEO of a large company greet his workers like that? Or to hear the reply, "The Lord bless you!" The question, "Who is that young … Read more

I was just about to sink into the relaxed quiet at the end of a busy day when the telephone rang. It was a nurse calling from the local nursing home. She explained that one of the residents was near … Read more

It was late and I was tired, but not yet unwound. I had come home from choir practice through lazily drifting snowflakes which had begun to carpet everything a soft gentle white. I had put my dog out and brought … Read more

Several years ago my wife and I experienced for the first time the awesomeness of the Rocky Mountains. As we stood looking at the sheer rock face of Mount Edith Cavelle stretching up to the sky we felt insignificant and … Read more

When I was a teenager, James Dean acted in a movie about a teenager who was in open rebellion and became the icon of thousands of rebellious teens across the land. Today there are still people who are rebels without … Read more

If you have a Bible handy, read the rest of Psalm 46 alongside the newspaper and especially when you think of the state of society – when you think of war the state of your community life the death of … Read more

Dear Heavenly Father, each day I praise you and give thanks for all your mercies. But today, suddenly a spirit has come over me that wants to say thanks to you in ways not often done before. Thanks for gifts … Read more

It happened between three and four o'clock in the morning. I was restless and couldn't get to sleep. A bit of difficulty breathing was making me uneasy. I had time to think and wonder. For five months I had been … Read more

A new paraphrase from the new Book of Praise for this psalm begins: "Safe in your hands O God who made me, what can there be that I should fear? You are my light and my salvation; strong is your … Read more

When I was overseas in World War II, I knew that my mother prayed for her son every day, a matter I regarded rather cynically. Her son was not in great danger unless one can die from boredom. But it … Read more

Reading through the New Bible Commentary in preparation for writing my sermon I came across a couple of sentences which got me thinking. I read: Partnership is the usual New Testament word for fellowship, but fellowship is not just the … Read more

There are in scripture only a few brief glimpses into the very center of a soul. It is a rare thing to be privileged to take such a journey with another, for often the center of a soul is filled … Read more

As a new year comes in; many of us make "New Year's Resolutions," a very old tradition in our society. It is a chance to make promises to change our lives and a promise to please those around us. Most … Read more