I'm looking out my window at my neighbour's fence. It's different than some fences I've seen dividing properties — well, perhaps not all that different in appearance. The logs run from front to back in a long line to mark … Read more

For the last ten days, while people went about their business in our local mall, some 450 people read the Bible into their lives. With the support of the Canadian Bible Society, several churches organized and carried out Proclamation Barrie, … Read more

The other day, I attempted to shorten a screw using a small hacksaw. However, after I had used the hacksaw for about twenty seconds, it seemed that my efforts had ceased to make any meaningful impact. Before the commencement of … Read more

All young children like to play the game of "peek-a-boo". Then as they get older, they graduate to games of "hide and seek". In the latter game, we used to hide our eyes, usually against a large oak or maple … Read more

My friend, Connie, shared how lonely she was when she first moved to a new town, and how she had a special neighbour who cultivated a warm friendship over the first few months after she arrived. Connie went on to … Read more

As a Sunday School teacher and Missions Education Coordinator in my church for many years, I've often thought about today's Scripture, wondering if I have just been teaching the Word rather than applying the Word. There were others who gave … Read more

Yesterday, I decided to take Monet, my dog, down to Mundy Pond for a walk around the pond. He loves his walks. Well, I only had to say, "Walk?" once for him to perk up and jump to his feet, … Read more

Perhaps because of my Scottish connections, I've long admired a colourful, purple plant, the thistle. So last summer when I discovered a thistle growing out of a pile of rocks, I took a picture. Most of us would see little … Read more

I have a friend, much like Martha, with whom I entertain occasionally. She is one of the most capable people I've ever known. Her house is spotless; she's a wonderful cook and an excellent hostess. I've never known her to … Read more

One Saturday, I was invited to speak at a fellowship breakfast being hosted at a country Bed and Breakfast. The only problem was that I tend to be directionally challenged, and the home was in the country. "All you do … Read more

I remember being in a teaching hospital where an eminent Jewish psychologist was interviewing a young girl. She was deeply troubled by the unholy thoughts that kept penetrating her peace of mind. She was restless and agitated, wounded and suffering. … Read more

I am an interim pastor. My job is to go into a church and help to prepare it for a new "settled" pastor. Looking at the goals of the church is part of this. Our "Thinking-Big Day", as I call … Read more

One morning recently, I awoke early, feeling sad. Where could I turn for wisdom and understanding? The previous day's events lay heavy on my heart. I had been in a situation where many opinions had been expressed. To say the … Read more

At a recent conference that I attended, I was reminded about how easy it is to look for answers within our box of understanding. Often it is not until we look beyond the box that we discover the answer to … Read more

When I was a child, mayhaw trees grew down by the riverbank. In March, we would locate the tree by its bloom, then in May, go back and pick the berries for jelly. It made a fine jelly, with colours … Read more

Having had a difficulty that I didn't know how to deal with, I finally came to discuss it with clergy. I was told that I wasn't the only one having the same problem, meaning that others suffer from the same … Read more

"Never hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk." This was one of the statements on an e-mail list containing "great truths children have learned", and it reminded me of something in my own childhood. On my seventh … Read more

Our church was excited over the forthcoming wedding of two of our favourite young people. Their marriage had been the favourite topic of conversation for some time. Two days before the ceremony was to take place, three of the beloved … Read more

I always emphasize to my students that Jesus is the way; karate is a hobby. I support this position by giving a youth sermon during each martial arts class. In fact, all of the devotionals that I have submitted started … Read more

One night, I took my coffee into the family room and decided to watch a popular television show. On that particular show, a number of guests were being "made over" by several experts. At the start of the program, the … Read more

We knew we were going to a party on Sunday. The whole week was a time of excited expectancy. We had chosen our best clothes. We knew the food would be tasty and excellent. We would meet old friends and … Read more

"Feel my finger!" she cried. "It isn't wet. It doesn't have bumps on it. I have self control!" Our granddaughter had sucked that same digit every day since birth. All alone in her bedroom, she chose to discipline herself and … Read more

I have come to the conclusion that in some ways I try too hard to "do". I was reading an article that made a lot of sense to me. It referred to the time when God reconciled us to Himself, … Read more

"This section is too confusing." "The last paragraph is too long." "The scripture is incorrect." "Are you sure you want to share that story?" I confess that I have had more than my share of editor's corrections. While I have … Read more

I have a friend who is the epitome of "the fruit of the spirit". She taught me about "passing it on" long before it became popular. She is also a fantastic knitter and has graced me with many of her … Read more

I had good intentions in raking all the winter debris out from under the hedge and off the garden. I heaped it onto the patio, but didn't get a chance to pick it up. It was Sunday, and the rain … Read more

Affixed to my refrigerator there is a quotation from the late C. H. Spurgeon: "By perseverance the snail reached the ark." I can picture a poor little snail slithering its way over stones, which in the same proportion to us … Read more

"It's a gift, Dad, it's a gift," my brother concluded, as over the years he watched my father enjoy bowl after bowl of chocolate ice cream. He was referring to the fact that my Dad seemed capable of consuming large … Read more

Like so many others, after having had the experience of loving and losing two dogs to death through injury and old age, I'd vowed "never" to get another one. But after our second daughter went to university, I considered getting … Read more

One of my favourite games is the game of Scrabble. The game begins when each player picks a letter tile from all the letter tiles which are turned face down. The person drawing the tile closest to the letter "A" … Read more

Suddenly, we heard the whooshing sound of air blowing into the colourful array of hot-air balloons stretched across the grass. The ropes that had been holding them to the ground were released, and the crowd clapped and waved as, one … Read more