Someone has written concerning Jesus: His birth was contrary to the laws of nature — He was born of the Virgin Mary. His life was lived contrary to others — He always sought to serve and desired not to have … Read more

A few weeks back I picked up a bunch of pansies. Some were the old originals, yellows and whites with beautiful deep purples and blues, dainty yellow ones, and dark magenta ones. There were beautiful new ones also, a soft … Read more

Have you ever considered that you may be the only Holy Book, sacred text, Bible that somebody reads today? Has it ever dawned on you that you may be the only sermon someone hears this week? What are you showing … Read more

There are few books we may go back to read a second or third time. But the Bible is different. The more we read it, the more interesting it becomes, and the more levels of meaning are revealed. I've read … Read more

Several years ago, my then-new little car had occasion to be towed. However, the over-zealous, under-experienced tow-truck driver hadn't fastened it on correctly so that when he braked at a stoplight, my car dropped to the ground doing considerable damage. … Read more

The poor woman did recover. At least I think she recovered. She met me in the lobby of the hospital while she was checking in for surgery. We talked for awhile and as a casual conversation-ender she said, "Pray for … Read more

It happened in a village church where I was the minister. Directly after a Sunday morning Communion service, Lewis, one of the elders, took me aside and told me this remarkable story. Every day of the previous week he had … Read more

In the season finale of the TV show "Murphy Brown", reporter Murphy, who has been battling breast cancer, undergoes yet another exploratory operation. While she is "under", she is "afforded" the "interview of a lifetime", an interview with God. I … Read more

Someone asked the renowned Tennyson what he thought of Jesus. He replied in his own poetic fashion. "What the sun is to the flower, so Jesus is to me." The flower would soon be dead without light. The reason many … Read more

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got … Read more

During the half hours that it took my dad to take his medicine by machine, I'd wander down to the dining room of the care home and visit with the other residents. I knew most of them from my youth; … Read more

1 cup tension 2 cups stress 1 1/2 teaspoons of guilt 2 heaping cups of limited time 3/4 tablespoon of urgency A dash of "no other choice" 3 heaping cups of faith Fold ingredients gently into a bowl. Mix vigorously … Read more

Sometimes in ministry you are given the opportunity to browse the library of a friend who is retiring with the expectation you will find a gem to carry home. During one such experience, I came across a book by William … Read more

My younger brother had a tool franchise for six years and often when I'd visit him, we'd go out into the van after supper and put away stock together. He'd call out the number, I'd tick it off and put … Read more

Harsh words? I was like that teacher of the law. I wanted to go to places where Jesus taught — Church, books, Bible studies – I followed His work. Until He asked these harsh words: "Do you love me? I … Read more

Have you ever given yourself to prayer for what seems a long time and discovered it was only a few minutes? As a young man in the pastorate and seeking to develop my prayer time, I discovered I was concerned … Read more

For several years the bank behind our house was slowly slipping into the gully below. It wasn't really noticeable at first, but then it seemed to slip away at about an inch a year. No one wanted to take responsibility, … Read more

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I … Read more

It was a perfectly ordinary loaf of bread. Baked in a local bakery, rather than conglomerate bread, it was unsliced and packaged in a plain plastic bag with a little paper label. It was unwanted. It was all alone on … Read more

Towering high on the hilltop, the belfry of the Benedictine Monastery just seems to beckon you towards its place of peace and quiet. The monks don't mind you meandering their meadows, savouring the sights and sounds which grace their grounds. … Read more

First in! Cousin Bill and I are the very first in the water this year, wet snow falling as our boats make their first splash. Except mine makes a little extra splash and settles just a little deeper in the … Read more

A paediatric nurse, before listening to the little ones' chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe. But she never got a response to … Read more

To be a "listener" is a gift for some, a fine-tuned, practised art for others. There are those of us who do more listening, and those of us who wish to be listened to more. Occasionally, a situation will call … Read more

Many times individuals have asked me what they can do for their illness or other problems. They have in most cases, sought help from someone and are in desperate need for further guidance. It is all this time that I … Read more

Have you ever listened to yourself? No, I mean really listened to what it is that you say to yourself. When times are tough, do you sing a song of praise or one of defeat? When loneliness comes to visit, … Read more

My daughter teaches a grade two class, and she called the other night a little distraught. It seems what was to have been a beautiful day didn't go quite so beautifully. She explained that the class had been "growing" butterflies. … Read more

An elder was finding crumpled-up pieces of paper in the same rear pew after Sunday morning worship services. They each contained pencilled words, like a grocery list; i.e., Clara – ill; Lester – job; rent. He watched, and discovered that … Read more

How often, we like Elijah, try to cop out of our responsibilities, asking, "What can one person do?" Two hundred and twenty-two years ago, the Congress of the United States of America was gathered to debate the Declaration of Independence. … Read more

The small application offered a chance at having one's name drawn as a runner in the Queen's Baton Relay across Canada for the Commonwealth Games at Victoria, British Columbia, in August 1994. It seemed like a "one in a million" … Read more

I am working for St. David's Presbyterian Church in Kelowna, British Columbia, this summer. The beauty I see in creation every day, astounds me as I ride my bicycle through the hills of Kelowna. The other day, as I was … Read more

In my country, today is Canada Day, which celebrates 131 years of the confederation of four British colonies into the "Dominion of Canada". It used to be called Dominion Day, and, perhaps because it occurs after schools recess for the … Read more