The hockey season in North America is reaching its conclusion this week with the start of the final playoff series for the Stanley Cup. Last night, New Jersey defeated Dallas 7 to 3. Watching a hockey game, I thought about … Read more

I really enjoy history. One of my favourite eras is that of the events leading up to and including World War II. I find this time in Germany to be very interesting. The attack on the church is particularly interesting … Read more

About mid-way along our morning walk, my dog and I came upon a beautiful big red-breasted robin on the road. It was dead — probably pounced upon by some neighbourhood cat. My pockets always possess plenty of bags for that … Read more

I have recently completed an eight-week pastoral visitation-training programme and have learned a great deal. I have always enjoyed talking and listening to people, as every person has a story to tell. We just need to take the time to … Read more

When my son was younger and it was his turn to say grace, he would invariably use the same one: "Dear God, thank you for this food and a beautiful day." Week in, week out, regardless of the weather, the … Read more

Lately I've had a very negative attitude about everything. But it's hard to be negative in the springtime! The grass is so green, the leaves are bursting forth on the trees and the flowers are sticking their heads up out … Read more

Each day I receive about twenty or thirty e-mails. In that pile of "required reading", there is trash, some jokes, reference to web-sites, and letters from home. Somewhere sandwiched in between that pile is the Daily devotional. Today I noticed … Read more

There's perhaps nothing quite so refreshing as a walk after the rain has washed the landscape clean and new. Dust is cleared from leaves and flowers and the remnants of the rain hang like dew. It glistens on cobwebs intricately … Read more

Taxes have been very much in people's minds in recent weeks. As we in Canada have prepared to file our tax returns with the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, some of us may have wished that we had invested more … Read more

We went out for a walk one wonderful spring day. As we approached a tree, my two pre-school children spied a squirrel digging up the last of its winter stores. They thought it would be fun if they could catch … Read more

I go outside each day to look for signs of spring in the backyard. Each day there is something new. Yesterday, I spotted a male robin perched on top of my neighbour's blue spruce tree. I had never seen a … Read more

Gideon was aware of his own limitations. When God told Gideon that he had chosen him to deliver Israel from the Midianites, Gideon was surprised. "But God," said Gideon, "how can I do this for you? I am the least … Read more

I had to visit the dentist this week. It's not a pleasant task at the best of times. This trip was especially bad. I had what the dentist called two over-retained teeth. They are baby teeth that didn't fall out … Read more

I have very recently been through a very stressful few weeks in my life. My job has had me away from home for 11 hours each day. Upon returning home in the evenings, I have often been so tired and … Read more

A few years ago, I attended a business seminar at which the subject of "trust" arose. As an example of how we should trust one another, we were divided into pairs. One person stood in front of the other with … Read more

Perhaps the hardest thing about getting old, or undergoing hospitalization or surgery, is the loss of one's independence. It must have been frightening for Peter to hear the Lord's words, as told in John 21:18: "When you were young, you … Read more

For those of you who may not have experienced the thrust of an attack of the sciatic nerve, it truly teaches us many things. Rippling along the lower back, it sends searing pains down the back of one or both … Read more

One recent evening, my husband and I went out to see the movie, Return to Me. This romantic comedy is the tale of a young man, Bob. He loses his wife, Elizabeth, in an automobile accident. Grace, a single young … Read more

My son is five years old, and I have started to expect more of him. If I ask him to do things, I expect them to be done. For example, if he is in his room playing, he pulls out … Read more

My husband and I had been going down into the core of the city, fighting the traffic, looking for parking places and paying too much to park. We decided we would drive to where we could get the subway and … Read more

Why did Jesus command us to be perfect if we cannot be perfect? In Sunday School a few weeks ago as we discussed the meaning of Lent, I silently reflected on how difficult it is to strive for Christian perfection … Read more

Like many men, I do not like to ask for directions when I am driving somewhere. To ask for directions is a sign of weakness, so, no matter how lost I am, I will continue to drive around looking for … Read more

Me, a work of art? I don't think so, not me, impossible. I constantly fight the battle of the bulge, or my nose is too big! Too small! Familiar words? Do you have an on-going battle to accept yourself as … Read more

Sometimes I wonder why it takes me so long to realize things that seem so simple. My brother was born blind and retarded. Because of this, he needed special attention growing up. I am ashamed to say that as I … Read more

Years ago, I wore a little family ring on the last finger of my left hand, but had long since moved it to the last finger on my right hand. One night recently, thinking a change was in order, I … Read more

Our church is thriving and growing. We have had for some years a time of fellowship after the service, which allows us to gather together in an attempt to get to know one another as a Christian family. We have … Read more

As I was driving along the highway one day, a white sports car came barrelling up behind me at a tremendous pace and swung out to pass. I was driving a little over the speed limit myself, but the teenager … Read more

I really enjoy playing tennis. I am a fair singles player. During a tournament one year I wanted to play in the doubles division. So I asked a friend of mine, who is also a pretty good singles player, if … Read more

Recently, I was in need of a couple of photos: one that needed to be sent away, the others, of someone who had passed away. Knowing the dates particular photos had been taken, I sifted through my negatives to choose … Read more

A while back, an offer was extended to acquire a pin which would represent the trinity. The pin as presented on screen and paper was in beautiful soft tones. This, along with the explanation of how it was designed and … Read more

I'm sure that many of us have picked up a child who has fallen, or is upset for some reason or other, and said, "Now stop crying. You're all right. It didn't hurt that much." I catch myself saying this … Read more