Jimmy has been a friend, and more — a brother — to each individual church member. Surely, his absence will be felt by us all. One recent weekend, several members set off for a study tour trip in one of … Read more

One day recently, I received a phone call to let me know that I had won a trip for two — destination anywhere in Canada that Air Canada flies. I was so excited at the news! Until the phone call … Read more

Yesterday I explained how a baby grackle came to be accepted into a family of robins. When a grackle fell out of its nest, we mistakenly placed it in a nest of robins. Being approximately the same size, the mother … Read more

As I watch the birds gather twigs and grass to build their nests this spring, I am reminded of something that happened when I was a child. A robin built a nest in a cedar tree just off our back … Read more

Beginning in the 'seventies, there was a half-hour children's programme on television called The Friendly Giant. He was a much-beloved soul, with his warm and gentle manner, letting down the drawbridge and inviting the kids to come into his castle, … Read more

After I read the Daily Devotional one day recently, I continued to the feedback page written by readers to the writer of the previous day's devotional. As I read the comments, I felt foolish when I found a reference to … Read more

All of us, at some point in our lives, have wanted something so badly that, as the saying goes, we could taste it. Because of our fleshly nature, we have a built-in desire to obtain those things we want in … Read more

A young man once cleared a small area in a forest, erected a small house and a barn, and, together with his bride, began a new life in humble and lowly fashion. On a certain occasion, the young man became … Read more

From about the year 1400 on, the Sunday after Easter has been known as "Low Sunday" in parts of the Church. After the joy and celebration of Easter, things calmed down again, and Low Sunday marked a return to regular … Read more

We have all received many offers for free goods and services. They come in all shapes and sizes! How often is an evening meal interrupted by solicitors offering a free prize? All we have to do is send a credit … Read more

People answer their 'phones in some pretty peculiar places. One woman was wallpapering and continued to do so. Another time, running water was well within my earshot. That dear soul was taking a bath. Recently, I called our daughter in … Read more

On a morning not unlike any other, a young man climbed out of his Jewish bed with visions and dreams of magic performed by an amazing Jewish miracle worker. Rumours had flown all over his small village that Jesus might … Read more

My origin happens to be traced from a home where garden work was a routine. A considerable percentage of the crops that were grown on dad's farm were of the grain family. Harvest time was, and still is, the most … Read more

The ceiling fan in our sunroom is on constantly during the summer months. One day I stopped it, only to observe the dirt that collected on the outside edges. It was almost embarrassing to think that this fan had collected … Read more

I am a basketball mom. My son (age 11) and my daughter (age 12) both play basketball. I faithfully attend all their practices, games, and tournaments. I can clearly remember one game that happened during a tournament. My daughter's team … Read more

A long, long time ago, on a remote Mississippi Delta cotton plantation, an old man told a wonderful story to a group of children that not one has forgotten. The old storyteller's name was Jaybird. As he slipped into the … Read more

As a young child growing up in Northern Ontario, trips south to Toronto were infrequent and special. One of the most memorable included a visit to the Ontario Science Centre, which, as I recall, had at that time a room … Read more

Few movies have ever occupied my attention, but one that I watched on television as a young lad left an unforgettable impression. Although I might stand to be corrected on some details, I recall that the name was The Poseidon … Read more

I really don't like cemeteries. It's not that I'm afraid of them, but they give me a kind of eerie feeling. So it was with a little reluctance that I allowed my wife to talk me into buying some flowers … Read more

I had a milestone birthday recently and a bunch of brightly coloured balloons was delivered to mark the occasion. I kept them around to amuse my grandson, who enjoyed leaping up to try to catch them. Even after three weeks, … Read more

What a miserable day! As I write, we are receiving the first of our spring rains. "April showers bring May flowers," the saying goes. It couldn't be closer to the truth! It is only 5 degrees Celsius, and just pouring. … Read more

In Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the homeless huddle together in Tent City, a community located on Home Depot property, to keep warm this winter. Tents and wooden structures provide a measure of safety and shelter. Plans are being proposed for low-cost … Read more

People engaged in any type of Christian ministry are constantly called upon to spend much time and effort in things unrelated to their real purpose and interest. One missionary said she sometimes felt as if she were "God's donkey", getting … Read more

Just recently, a friend e-mailed me a story which portrayed a riveting example of how what we do to each other, we do also to Christ. It told the story of a professor who invited his students to place a … Read more

I look back to Christmas 2000 and then forward to Easter. The story of a person I met some years ago and have come know fairly well fills my mind. One night, C's father missed the bus from the capital … Read more

We are all fully aware of the toothbrush and its prime purpose. Toothbrushes come in all shapes, sizes and colours. They have long, short or curved to the palm of your hand handles. They come with big bristles in the … Read more

The day after Ash Wednesday, as part of my Lenten discipline for this year, I participated in "a quiet day". It was a wonderful way to start Lent! There were eighteen of us, together with a trained leader, and we … Read more

Today's passage is a story of faith and devotion, of sacrifice and of love. Here we have a group of men who cared so much about their friend that they went to extreme lengths to take him to Jesus that … Read more

Upon agreeing to participate in a continuous live reading of the Bible during the week leading up to Palm Sunday, I was given a chapter from Luke. There were still two readings unspoken for, so I offered, unaware of what … Read more

One spring morning as the term at Bible College was ending, I was feeling apprehensive about the summer because I didn't know what God wanted me to do. I needed to find a way to earn some money so I … Read more