A few weeks ago I had a marvellous "mountain-top" experience that I would like to share with you for your encouragement. I was discouraged and I prayed, "God, please encourage me and send me a sign. I need it." So … Read more

Just imagine waiting for a lifetime for a promised event that would never come to pass in one's generation! All the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 lived a whole long life of hope, never giving up in their … Read more

Heading out into the Gulf of Mexico, I took my turn at the wheel of a thirty-six-foot trawler. Having never done anything like this before, I found it a challenging task. The wind was blowing right across the bow of … Read more

Yesterday, I described how I have been able to help clients at a drug addiction rehabilitation centre. Now I want to tell how they have helped me. It wasn't long after I started working with the clients at the rehab … Read more

About a year ago, a friend of mine asked me to come to the addictions treatment centre where he worked, to meet a client, who was looking for a spiritual advisor. Knowing that I was a minister, my friend thought … Read more

Andy decided to adopt me. I don't know if he was told to look out for the new Canadian living in the Vreed en Hoop Parish manse, but that is what he was doing. What can I say about Andy? … Read more

Let me tell you a tale about a modern-day Timothy who taught me the meaning of mission one hot Friday. His name is Rohan, and he is a member of the Leonora Presbyterian Church. He is studying electrical engineering and … Read more

I walk the long road in the heat of the day from the Stalling (boat landing) to the Vreed en Hoop Presbyterian Manse that I call home. It is an amazing journey through temples, shrines, mosques, tabernacles, churches, meeting halls, … Read more

The minibus careened around the corner, narrowly missing the horse and cart, and then drove bumper to bumper with the bus ahead. All this took place at about 100 kilometres per hour through crowded city streets in Georgetown, Guyana. I … Read more

I arrived home tired, still sick, and ready for rest and relaxation. But I forgot that I had to bring in my sheets, so out into the dark I went. On my way back, something clacked and ran across my … Read more

While watching the downhill skiing event from the Olympics at Salt Lake City on the television yesterday, I was reminded of a day several years ago when I went skiing with two friends at Big White in the Okanagan Valley … Read more

There are so many things in life that we just can't explain. Often these are the things that are completely beyond our control. Maybe someone we love was taken from us because of a thoughtless accident, or as a result … Read more

Recently, our congregation added a new ramp to our church, making it wheelchair accessible. Throughout the year, various events had been held to raise funds for the ramp and various related items. One event was a "Chili Cook-Off". The day … Read more

We have known each other since early childhood, she and I. Our piano-playing mothers sometimes spelled each other off in their little community band, augmented by saxophone, drums, guitar, and accordion. We've lived our lives along much different paths. She … Read more

At the end of the day, after I have walked away from the things that have kept me busy, after I have set the coffee pot for the next morning, after I have tended to the cats and made sure … Read more

This warning is contained within the Song of Solomon three times. When God wants us to understand something, He repeats Himself. Obviously, this is an important statement. Human beings search for love. They search for acceptance. Some find it; some … Read more

Recently I have found myself struggling with a certain "problem" in my daily walk with God. I constantly question my prayers, asking whether I am praying for the right things and in the right manner. What I have realized is … Read more

In our area we have a special mailbox for receiving newspapers. It's similar to our regular mailbox, except that it has no door. It is fastened to the pole just below each regular mailbox. My neighbour's newspaper mailbox is broken. … Read more

One of the most wonderful feelings that I can remember from my childhood days is something that may seem quite trivial to some people, but that has been burned into my memory. In the home I grew up in, we … Read more

At one time or another we have all been bumped, and it hurts. I once worked for a company where I trained my best friend, so I thought, to do my job, and guess what! They gave her my job! … Read more

When I worked on the Special Education school bus, I had to be at school at 5:30 AM. One morning, as I waited in the parking lot, I noticed the Big Dipper. I enjoy seeing the Dipper, and I have … Read more

When I was young, Saturdays were something well worth looking towards. It meant a trip to town. First, there were piano lessons with my beloved teacher, a nun, with a sense of humour and a sensitivity for young fingers that … Read more

When I was a little boy, I liked nothing better than to play in the dirt. I had been given several toy tractors, bulldozers, graders, and cranes, so I spent many hours moving the sand and soil of my backyard … Read more

On a boat trip from Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada, to Marathon, in the Florida Keys, USA, I discovered the value of charting a course, staying in the centre of the channel, and watching the depth of the water. As we … Read more

A favourite time of year for me is blueberry season here in southern Ontario, Canada. We are blessed to live in an area that has many "pick-your-own" farms, and, at that time of the summer, we are busy filling our … Read more

I volunteer at our local Bibles For Missions store once or twice a week. I enjoy the social aspect, as well as being able to help with what needs doing. The one thing I enjoy the most is going through … Read more

On February 2 every year in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, USA, crowds gather to see if the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its burrow. But in much of Canada, still in the grip of winter, Punxsutawney groundhog cousins, known … Read more

Every Monday noon we meet for prayers. Monday morning my dog took me for a walk to the water, and oh! what a wonderful walk it was! I can't remember when I last cast time aside and walked for as … Read more