Around my neck I wear a small plain gold cross. Most of the time I don't display it. I wear it to remind myself of the sacrifice Christ made for me. The cross is plain because Christ is not there. … Read more

Why I have been led to submit this piece is a mystery to me. There are folks that have suffered, and are suffering, in much greater circumstances than mine. Nearing the age of sixty, I was downsized and reorganized (politically … Read more

Last year my wife and I purchased a computer from a young neighbour who built it himself. Adam helped us use the computer by giving orientation (several times). Recently we made a contract with a local Internet provider. Adam helped … Read more

One day recently on the way to work, a comment made by the radio personality of my favourite gospel station brought to my mind a long-standing "inside joke" that exists in my family. The station was going through a list … Read more

Last evening at the dinner table I managed to break a piece off one of my teeth. It was a substantial piece, and came from one of the front ones, so I know it has to be fixed. I have … Read more

One thing I have noticed while going to some churches is that many people do not carry their Bibles with them. I have always wondered why this is so. I have seen Bible studies where people come without a Bible. … Read more

In the two previous devotionals, I have talked about my four-year-old daughter's version of the Lord's Prayer in church one Sunday morning: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be my name. My kingdom come, my will be done, on … Read more

In yesterday's devotional, I described my four-year-old daughter's version of the Lord's Prayer in church one Sunday: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be my name. My kingdom come…". My first thought was to correct her, but as the … Read more

Our four-year-old daughter memorized the Lord's Prayer about a year ago. Recently we were in church, and she was saying the prayer more loudly than she normally does. I suddenly realized that she had started off, "Our Father, who art … Read more

When I was in high school, I had a good friend with whom I did a lot of things. One thing we did that we should not have done was drink. Our parents found out about our drinking. My friend's … Read more

When, a few months ago, I wrote Signs of the Season , which was published as the Daily devotional for November 29, 1999, I thought it would just be a nice Christmas-time devotional illustrating the pleasure that small random … Read more

When I was serving in the navy, I worked on electronics, so I had access to electric components. One of those components was a capacitor, a device that stores up electricity. I used to charge up these capacitors, and then … Read more

I recently attended two funeral services. They had several things in common: both were for elderly people who had died after long illnesses; both individuals were parents of people with whom I work. There the similarities end. One person was … Read more

As a volunteer with terminally ill people, I am frequently asked, "How can you do that?" So it was in a conversation with a teacher friend the other day. As I pointed out to her that teaching was not something … Read more

One of my daily e-mail blessings is a free mailing from Chicken Soup for the Soul. In a recent story called Do It Now by Robert Reasoner, this paragraph leapt out at me: I won't get another chance to tell … Read more

When I finished reading the Daily devotional, I put the icon for the computer programme down on the tool bar and brought up another, so that I might give some thought to writing. I didn't lose the music that was … Read more

My son Lucas, who is four, was sorting the family's laundry, shortly after the New Year. This was not his first foray into the art of sorting lights from darks, but he still sometimes asks for help. While I was … Read more

My son is four years old now. He is starting to get to the age where he wants to do everything on his own, and he is realizing that he is no longer a little baby. I always find it … Read more

The world measures people by so many different standards and units of measure. Some people's drivers' licenses show that they are 7 feet tall. My new-born daughter was just over 18 inches long when she was born. My wife is … Read more

Several years ago, during Advent, I received a special gift. It was precious, although not rare or expensive. A card, beautiful tissue paper and ribbon did not accompany this gift, which was one that couldn't be purchased anywhere for any … Read more

I never understood how very real the light that radiates from Christ is until something happened one day that woke me up to the power of His healing, energizing light. It happened years ago during an especially difficult time for … Read more

The other day when driving in the snow and slush of the city, I began to think that so often it is the "other" driver who causes accidents, so I must be careful to avoid his poor driving, as well … Read more

The challenges that we face today are either ones brought on by ourselves or presented by God. The challenges that we bring upon ourselves we have chosen. One I am thinking about arises when we enter into a competition of … Read more

Probably like most men, I do not like to go to the doctor. I hurt my back, and it has caused me pain for years. It was not until my wife finally just took things into her own hands by … Read more

A while ago I wrote a devotional about my love of the beauty and intricacy of feathers, my delight in sometimes finding them in my daily walk and bringing them home for my "collection", and my feeling of how special … Read more

When we moved, I found a trail near our new home. I often saw people walking on that trail. Some would walk alone, some with friends, and some with their children. Parents usually walk patiently and slowly while holding on … Read more

Earlier last year, my brother was lying in a coma and his brain activity had almost ceased. I thought that this was it for him. I was making arrangements to fly home so I could be there when he passed … Read more

On a certain Tuesday evening a while ago, I attended a training session for our church's faith visitation programme. In that session, the minister threw out a phrase that was quite simple but has truly captivated my thoughts. One of … Read more

I know I'm not the only person who gets "road rage" — that incredible urge to yell at other drivers when they get in your way, pass too closely to your fender, take the parking spot you had your eye … Read more

A short time ago I went outside for my almost daily walk for exercise purposes, and found that the temperature had dropped considerably and about two centimetres of snow had fallen overnight. The drop in the temperature froze what had … Read more

Many months ago, a commercial for a national coffee company featured a smiling senior sauntering up a hill in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, to fetch her morning brew. The walk was part of her social hour as she waved to … Read more