We often hear Christians using the term "being saved," an expression that signifies the eternal dimension of life after death and the relationship of "being in the Lord." But there is also a here-and-now dimension. Just a few days ago … Read more

This is a very, very powerful verse, not only for the ones "walking in the shadow" but for those who are walking with them. Several times through the years before my parents' passing, I was called to their bedside as … Read more

Love cannot and should not remain vague or pointless. There is no great merit in saying, "I love everybody." There is no great power in saying, "God loves the world." The impact comes when we make the decision to love … Read more

Outside the office of Island Pastoral Services in Victoria, British Columbia, where I do some counselling work in addition to the ministry at Westshore, there is a giant outside on the lawn. It is a youngster at that, but no … Read more

On March 2 and March 6 I wrote about my friend's mother-in-law who had a stroke while vacationing near her. It was massive, and at first it seemed there was no hope. Few figured on the … Read more

Every week a small group of people meet at our church to pray. Last week I went for the first time and I asked them to pray for my grandmother. She is 92 years old and was hospitalized with terrible … Read more

This is the theme for the Women's Cursillo Weekend on Vancouver Island, March 26-29, except we shortened it a bit to "Jesus is the Light of Life". Since I am on the leadership team for the weekend, I was on … Read more

The desire, ability, and reality of trust are not determined by your outward circumstances. This depends upon your inward spiritual depth. The storms of life may buffet, but the ship of trust cannot sink. It will remain afloat by the … Read more

A radio talk show host suggested a novel idea the other morning… try catching people doing something right. He went on to say how our society had become one of finding fault with people and worse yet, reporting it. "Well," … Read more

Rest can lead to joy because it creates a new perspective in us. When we choose to rest it can remind us that we don't have to be compulsively responsible for the world and everything in it. Rest can remind … Read more

My father had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for some time and his condition was worsening. One night I visited him at the hospital and helped to feed him. I knew that his time left was short. That night when … Read more

Our middle daughter had a knack for hearing things just a little incorrectly… somewhat akin to Ruthie in the comic strip "One Big Happy". I remember the time we pulled up to a hamburger place, school coupon in hand, and … Read more

I cannot emphasize enough that your trust in the Lord is not dependent upon your expected specific answers to your prayers. If you have a pre-determined answer for your prayer, you have already distorted the pattern of prayer. Your prayers … Read more

I don't know much about fishing, but Jesus said these words to Simon and his brother Andrew, who were fishermen. In the last couple of years, our family have been observing fish and we have been learning lots. It all … Read more

Often while writing, I get "stuck" or "frustrated". I can't think of or find the right word or phraseology. Sometimes I say a little prayer and often resort to a game or two of electronic solitaire. It clears my mind, … Read more

A few weeks ago we watched the great ice storm of 1998 wreak havoc in eastern and central Canada. No-one was immune. People were forced to invent ways to get a cup of hot water for that cup of coffee … Read more

A few weeks ago we watched the great ice storm of 1998 wreak havoc in eastern and central Canada. For several days, rain kept falling and freezing, turning highways and driveways into skating rinks. As many as three million people … Read more

Some years ago Mary and I and the children were in Las Vegas for a day. I was astounded at the immense crowds and the intenseness with which they gambled. The ladies amazed me because of the amount of time … Read more

Radio has always played a huge part in my life. When I was little, it was our only contact with the "outside" world, for we had no telephones or televisions. I loved to have that radio playing at my bedside. … Read more

Interviewer: Mother Teresa, you love people whom others regard as debris. What is your secret? Mother Teresa: My secret is simple. I pray. "I Pray." There, indeed, is the secret of success for all Christian life and work. In their … Read more

The words "Pro-D Day" (or "PD Day" in some places) will certainly stir up different feelings with anyone who has children in the school system. Pro-D Day stands for Professional Development Day and that is the day that the children … Read more

All my life, I have been blessed with older friends. Friends with older parents, friends with older kids. Friends with waaaay older knowledge than I. It is a beautiful way of learning without even knowing you are. One such friend, … Read more

Have you heard of the man who connived and laboured to get gold? He mined some and robbed for more. While he was being pursued by the law, he came upon a river. There was no recourse but to attempt … Read more

Calving season is upon us once again and we're all praying for cows and calves in our Cariboo House Church prayer times. I must have been 12 or 13 the first time I saw a calf being born. The strange … Read more

My earliest recollection of this verse goes back to Sunday School days and my perception of it was that if a child were brought up in the church and if the teachings of Christ were a part of his or … Read more

She lies in a state of awareness which is at most times, uncertain. The victim of a massive stroke, she will never walk or talk again, never be able to feed herself, toilet herself, comb her hair, see her reflection … Read more

A while back, I was talking with a friend who is going through a divorce and was quoted the words of John Lennon: "Life is what happens when you've made other plans". We all make "other plans". Sometimes "life" co-operates, … Read more

I don't want to leave the impression that eternity is only a quality of life. There is quantity to it. There is the hope we have in Christ Jesus. There is the joy of the promised bliss. Many years ago, … Read more

As a new church on the western outskirts of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, one of the tasks for our group is to come up with a name for ourselves. In the passage from Isaiah, God promises to give a name … Read more

My volunteering encompasses the whole spectrum of grief. The group I volunteer with lends our support to the terminally ill and their families and we assist whenever and with whatever we can. We are there through the dying process and … Read more

I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. One day I saw a sign that read, "Heaven's Grocery Store". As I got a little closer the door came open wide, And when I came to myself I was … Read more