In this age of computers and advanced technology, we need a password (or a PIN) for just about everything. Just the other day my husband was getting quite frustrated because he couldn't remember the password he had used for his … Read more

"Survivor", the recent television success story, is enjoying greater popularity than "Who wants to be a millionaire?" "Survivor" is based on a contest between two teams called "tribes" living on an island. After weekly competitions of skill between the tribes, … Read more

As a child growing up, I must have missed a Sunday or two when the topic or sermon was presented on the Holy Ghost, as the Holy Spirit was called back then. Anyway, I went through life with my mind … Read more

Anyone with a computer, especially a beginner, knows the importance and value of their server and support staff. I'm not what one would call computer-literate, and although I can figure out some things on my own, it is easier when … Read more

Some time ago, when visiting the Holy Land, we travelled the road thought by some scholars to be the route the ancient Israelites would have taken when they first entered the land after their long time spent in the desert. … Read more

I marvelled at the centurion's faith. Did he even know Jesus, or just know of Him? I wondered. And I wonder still. I asked God about it. He answered in my heart in that still, small way of His. Right … Read more

Recently my husband and I went through a few extremely financially-lean years. In 1996 my husband was laid off from his job. We had to live on my salary and his unemployment insurance for a year. My salary at that … Read more

"To work or not to work?" This question has been an ongoing mental battle for my daughter, Christine and son-in-law, Ron, for the last two months. It has been the dominating topic ever since Christine's maternity leave was approaching at … Read more

As I walked my dogs along the road beside our lake, I was impressed by the scenic beauty reflected in the still waters. So perfect was the reflection, if I had photographed the moment it would have been difficult to … Read more

The other day I set out to go through the garden, plucking out the weeds and plants that had spread too far. The season thus far had been rainy and wet. The weeds were easily removed but at the same … Read more

One thing my physical condition allows me to do is to predict the weather. In the wintertime, I can tell you even before my eyes are open if a weather front has come in and the barometer has dropped. In … Read more

Women endure the experience of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) in the daily struggle with being female. It may be an irritation causing her to want to verbally kick someone through the nearest door, or the cravings for that chocolate ice cream … Read more

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind but now I see. For approximately two months, as a Pastoral Visitor, I have been visiting someone who … Read more

While reading the prayer requests, I often see a distraught family member asking for prayer for a loved one with an addiction. I would like to share with them one of the most painful times I remember. As I write, … Read more

An interesting thing happened on the first day my little dog and I had to pass by a picket line on our daily walk. From half a block away I could see a cat sitting on its haunches, and as … Read more

Brothers and sisters in the Lord, warm greetings! The most challenging demand in charity is to share what you do not have enough of. But then, who does not know the adage that the most precious possession is available in … Read more

We got caught. Friday is our garbage pickup day. Usually the waste is placed at curbside the evening before. But since the truck for pickup usually comes later in the day, and since we were especially tired, we put it … Read more

The biggest literary event in the year 2000 will undoubtedly be the release of 5.3 million copies of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire on July 8th in Canada, the United States, and Britain. This 700-page book is available … Read more

Several months ago, my wife and I enjoyed a wonderful vacation trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Before we left home, many of our friends gave us long lists of the various shows that were available — and told us … Read more

We hear a great deal about recycling these days, and are constantly being urged to handle our household waste in such a manner that it can be reprocessed into something new, rather than simply be dumped into a landfill. As … Read more

In the style of karate I was taking, one was able to learn weapons training — but only after one reached the rank of Green Belt, which could take two to three years. The reason for this line of thinking … Read more

A gang of guys from church were doing a yard clean-up for an elderly lady in our congregation. In her front yard were some of those massive oak trees seen in the deep south — those that spread their branches … Read more

A cartoon was comprised of four frames, three of which depicted a car bumping along the road, two adults in front and a child in the back, with the caption, "Are we there yet?" The last frame showed the father … Read more

One afternoon, I was standing in a rather long line-up at the checkout. Ahead of me was a young mother with her toddler. The toddler was getting quite impatient, and kept trying to push the cart ahead. Isn't this exactly … Read more

I live only several kilometres from "the 401", a multi-lane super-highway that spans southern Ontario. Recently, the police have held several aggressive driver blitzes, hoping to reduce the number of accidents on the road before they happen. The last time … Read more

A few weeks ago, the teacher of our teenaged Sunday School class asked me if I would come to their class that morning — just after they had taken the attendance. The whole thing sounded a little strange, but she … Read more

The postal system, like us, is not perfect. Just the other day I received a magazine in our mailbox, which was delivered to us by mistake — maybe! I looked at the front cover: it was all tomatoes. I didn't … Read more

One morning last week on the way to work a song came on the radio that recounted this very story from the book of Numbers. The title of it was, appropriately, "Let's Go In". The song really got me thinking … Read more

I remember when, as I child growing up, I was learning how to swim. I did not enjoy this time because, to tell the truth, I was quite afraid of the water. The thing that stands out in my mind … Read more

I watched a family of grackles in my yard this morning. There was a mother, a father and four babies. The fledglings were almost full-grown, being the same size as the parents, but lacking the iridescent colouring of the adults. … Read more

Upon entering a little bead shop in Maui, a most beautiful song coming over the sound system seemed to soar right through to my soul. I asked the clerk to tell me who was singing. As she handed me the … Read more