In my city, as in many other cities, people lined up in order to purchase tickets for the new movie Star Wars Episode I. People brought sleeping bags, and stayed overnight so that they could be first in line to … Read more

This past week was perhaps one of the most stressful weeks that I have had in my life. Stress and anxiety seemed to be coming at me from all directions and in many different shapes and forms. It started with … Read more

The other day I picked up a salt shaker in a restaurant and checked the cap to make sure it was tight. I had not done that for a long time. My mind suddenly flashed back to my younger teens … Read more

I can hardly pick up a computer publication these days without seeing another doom-and-gloom story about the Y2K problem. That's the problem where older systems use two numerals for the year in dates, and can't handle the rollover to the … Read more

When I was in the Navy I always enjoyed pulling into port in foreign countries. We were not always able to pull up to a pier so we would have to set anchor and ride liberty boats in. Now it … Read more

A little while ago I finished a six week course on personal evangelism. The approach was a little different and very simple. It was convicting. Let me tell you what I mean. Many years ago I took a course in … Read more

For the past several years, beeswax candle-making has been all the rage. The sheets come in honeycomb, corrugated or flat design, and in a wide array of colours from subtle, soft pastels to rich full hues. They burn slowly, with … Read more

One of my favourite television shows was The Fugitive, and then there was the movie! Not only did it hit home about the perverse incentives of the "medico-industrial complex" (which is one of my pet peeves), but there were messages … Read more

Michael W. Smith, Christian musician has written a song entitled "Move In Me". The words for the chorus are touching: Cause when you move in me It's like a symphony, a timeless melody That soothes my soul Though silent, I … Read more

As a toddler of two, I discovered electricity. Noticing that my mother put the plug on the vacuum into the electrical outlet in the wall and that the vacuum then "came alive", I determined to find out what was in … Read more

One thing we enjoy in our home is a wood burning stove which sits in the living room. With the cold weather we have here in Alaska, it helps to take the chill out of the air. One thing that … Read more

I am learning to play the guitar and it's difficult. When I first began, my fingertips hurt, my thumb cramped, and it sounded terrible. The piece I was learning was supposed to be simple, but to me it was the … Read more

About the time I was barely old enough to see over the steering wheel of our old "International Harvester" truck, I remember my dad telling me that once I was old enough to drive, and driving at night, to keep … Read more

We live on the north shore of Lake Erie and for many summers enjoyed boating and the many water sports available to us. Growing up along this large body of water, one learns water safety early and also how to … Read more

For most of us, remembering is a nostalgic recollection of events that surprised, warmed or worried us. Smells create instant sensations of comfort or caution. We recall wonderful events in our past, and suddenly remember things we promised to do. … Read more

Have you ever let candle wax build up on anything for a long time? I tried cleaning up a large build-up of wax from my candle extinguisher. It was easy to let the wax build up, just like it is … Read more

The first car I ever owned was a 1953 Plymouth. I bought it for $50.00, so you can imagine that it needed work. It was my plan to restore it, so to accomplish this goal I started to strip the … Read more

I watched Mr. Holland's Opus again last night. I love that movie. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. It's the story of a man who wants to write great music, a symphony. But he's not a great … Read more

Upon picking up a friend for a much-needed walk, we set out for a store along a very busy road. It was rush hour. The fumes from the exhaust coupled with the noises of the boom-boxes, big trucks and general … Read more

After a sail on the Sea of Galilee we docked. We disembarked and went into a unique restaurant for lunch. The main course was the whole fish, head, tail, eye, the whole works, all in one or nothing. This seemed … Read more

I long to have a baby. For now, I am unable to conceive. I have a friend who longs for a congregation. For now, she is unable to preach full time. I say "for now" because I know God has … Read more

Most people are aware of the recommendation that the oil in our vehicles be changed every three months or three thousand miles, whichever comes first. The reason for this change of oil is that the oil breaks down, and that … Read more

At Christmas, I made a card on the computer to give to my sister-in-law and niece. The greeting read: "Merry Christmas from the classiest branch of the family tree!" A Christmas tree branch with four ornaments (one for each of … Read more

For many, Mother's Day and Father's Day (where observed) are sorrowful days, for one or both of their parents are no longer with them. The words of Joshua refer to the setting up of the twelve stones carried from the … Read more

I often find myself having "programmer's block" as I sit and stare at my computer screen hoping the next line of code will just magically type itself. In the past as this has occurred to me, I have tried to … Read more

The other evening, on the way into a prison for a praise and worship time with our brothers, I noticed from a distance that a group of men in prison blue were not marching as I usually see them in … Read more

Recently I have started to run small worship services at a center in our town, which caters to providing help for those who are handicapped in one way or another. For me this was a special opportunity because I have … Read more

An offer came through the mail to receive a prayer calendar, so I sent for one. Each day has a suggested scripture reading on it and I thought it a beautiful addition to my other daily readings as well as … Read more

I am what might be called "directionally challenged". I get lost easily when driving in a new area. I know where I've come from, and I know where I want to be. I have a general sense of how to … Read more

Come and sit with me. We are on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It is early in the morning, the mist hangs low around the shore, it is damp, and as we inhale we can actually smell the … Read more

How many of us have had a toothache? Probably more than want to admit it. But when we have a toothache, we are receiving signals saying something is not right. We are being told that if this is not taken … Read more