A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day. All of a sudden a big black bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A … Read more

At a friend's "Celebration of Life" recently, as we rose to sing his favourite hymn, the 23rd Psalm, it was immediately apparent to most of those in attendance that the melody was changed, new, and strange. It wasn't familiar to … Read more

Leonard Cohen wrote the lyrics to The Future and we hear: Give me back the Berlin wall Give me Stalin and St. Paul I've seen the future, brother: It is murder. Cohen was only partially joking when he invoked the … Read more

One day, a couple, visiting in a small town, stopped in a quaint little shop to browse around. In the center of the store was a display of teacups. Some were small, some large, some were quite ornate, others were … Read more

One of our daughters was a very determined little soul from the very beginning. Some might say she was a bit of a challenge. She had to do things her way, and in her time. She wanted things repeated until … Read more

Did you hear about the little girl who had been taught the importance of prayer? She also had been instructed how to pray each night prior to jumping into bed. Often she would be sleepy and it was difficult for … Read more

Let me set a scene. A wonderful woman and her family has become part of our worshipping family. She joined us from a tradition that probably does not exalt the place of women in the life of the church and … Read more

The other day my wife and I had our first chance to see some of the Rocky Mountains. As transplanted "Easterners" we have never seen this area of the country before. Every time we turned a corner the scenery changed … Read more

Raising kids taught me that we reach more, and more are reached, with dialogue and interaction, where both, or all, parties participate; as opposed to when we preach, using only monologue… usually mine. At first it's kind of neat to … Read more

There's a story about a man who was slowly losing his memory. After an examination, the doctor said that an operation on his brain might reverse his condition and restore his memory. However, the surgery would be so delicate that … Read more

The powerlessness of the manger becomes the powerlessness of the cross and the taunts and jeers of the crowd were correct: "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Indeed he cannot save himself. He hangs there, his flesh torn apart … Read more

Today, I would like to share a few words from Henry Nouwen: It is through total and unmitigated powerlessness that God shows us divine mercy. The radical, divine choice is the choice to reveal glory, beauty, truth, peace, joy, and, … Read more

There are strange paradoxes to our faith that often elude us in the subtlety of their message and meaning. For example, the great God of Creation came to us as a helpless baby. This same God who holds the stars … Read more

In the movie titled "The Ref", there is an amusing scene where a married couple, who argue and yell at each other constantly, are being held hostage by a man who breaks into their home. Tired of listening to them, … Read more

My husband is on the road, across two provinces, most of the time, and so we are always thankful for safe journeys. Many's the time over the years while travelling alone, or together, an animal has loomed up in front … Read more

It took a woman to remind me ( yes, gently) that most things in life come in cycles, natural rhythms – the rising and ebbing of the tide, the waxing and waning of the moon, the cycles of the body … Read more

To some, the Bible is uninteresting and unprofitable because they read too fast. Among the insects which subsist on the sweet sap of flowers, there are two very different classes. One is remarkable for its imposing plumage; and as you … Read more

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things … Read more

One of the most popular stories in the Bible is the story of the Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42). It is a beautiful story filled with excitement as Jesus slowly reveals to this stranger her unholy lifestyle. The woman … Read more

One of the things included in the excitement of heading back to university for my daughter and her friends, is the anticipation of gathering at our home for Thanksgiving. We never know who will all be here, but there is … Read more

Look around you and take notice of all that you observe. What are you truly thankful for? I give thanks to the Lord for the air that we breathe, the sun, the stars that shine in the night sky, the … Read more

What was the first thing the angel said to Mary and to Joseph? "Fear not…" (Luke 1:30; Matthew 1:20) What was the first thing the angel said to the shepherds in the fields? "Fear not…" (Luke 2:10) What was the … Read more

From the journal of a "seeker and searcher" in my congregation: "Ken also said that maybe God is searching for me more than I am searching for God. "Yes! "I needed to be reminded of that! God knows where this … Read more

Have you been struggling and planning, worrying and sweating, crying and running at a furious pace, trying to move that mountain by yourself again? God asks that you "cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you" (1 … Read more