Cherries are one of the sweetest of fruits. They are not as easy to grow as one would suspect. When one of my children moved to a fruit-growing area in southern British Columbia, Canada, we were thrilled to have her … Read more

Twenty-seven-month-old Mary Kathryn and I were running errands. My hand held tightly to the wheel as I manoeuvred us through the traffic. Mary Kathryn sat in the rear securely buckled in her car seat. There was no need for conversation … Read more

Today, many Christian leaders are urging believers to witness in the workshop, the office — in fact any place of employment — and somehow portray the Christian life. Many years ago, I accepted an office position which I considered to … Read more

Driving through strange cities usually keeps me on edge, since I have a poor sense of direction. Coming home through Quesnel, a small city in central British Columbia, Canada, I was watching for the familiar turn. A very clear voice … Read more

One day as I was idly surfing the net, I came across a photograph of the circa 1828 modest wooden clapboard church in northern Europe where my maternal grandparents were married in 1888 and where my mother and her two … Read more

Colleen was past two years old and just didn't talk. We were beginning to worry, although she could say the usual "Mamma", "Daddy", etc. We had been to visit grandparents three hours away. Coming home through the dusk, we rounded … Read more

It's not often that the media focus on someone who is a Christian, especially if his views are conservative, scriptural, and unyielding. Usually they try to take apart a believer's character and reveal his flaws, in the hope that any … Read more

I was the boys' school captain for my last three years at senior high. Coincidentally, my wife, Evelyn, was the girls' school captain of her senior high school, too. I don't know what the equivalent is on this side of … Read more

Recently, I went to the cupboard to find a muffin to eat. I had baked some a few days prior. Oh my, was it ever dry! I immediately stuck it in the microwave, and it came out nice and hot, … Read more

Our son just turned 16, and on that day, he went for his beginners' driving permit. My husband and I sat in the parking lot, waiting for him to write the test. I was reminded that 16 years ago on … Read more

I was preparing for a writing workshop I was giving at the Christian college in our town, and I needed an illustration to help the students and faculty with the reality of rejection. Too often the sting of rejection brings … Read more

My wife and I have a bird feeder hanging just outside our kitchen window, and we enjoy watching the various kinds of birds that come to eat. Throughout one summer, two blue jays, in all probability mates who must have … Read more

Each Sunday morning, our pastor invites all the children to come to the front of the church for the pastor's time. There they have a brief lesson on some biblical story, and the pastor leads the children as they pray … Read more

One of the worst nightmares that I have ever had was about being in heaven. That may sound strange, but let me explain. I dreamed that I was standing inside the Pearly Gates, looking out through golden railings, into the … Read more

Memorizing Bible verses was a requirement in my home as a child, and saying a verse at bedtime was a ritual. Some nights I was proud to impress others with my knowledge of long verses, but on the nights I … Read more

The other day I had a cold, so I made my way around the town's one-way system in the car, and as usual, the traffic was congested and slow-moving. In front of the car ahead of me, waiting at the … Read more

For the last two years, I've been constantly saying special prayers to God for a certain group of people. In our community, there are many quiet, shy, and lonely people, who find it hard to relate to others or become … Read more

At Christmastime, I bought gift cards for my grandchildren. I bought inexpensive notebooks for the boys and scrapbooks for the girls and attached the cards to them. This added weight to the packages so they would not guess what was … Read more

Seeking the warmest, brightest sunlight, I moved my small bulb garden from window to window. As I looked out each window, I began to realize that this little basket of bulbs had been the perfect Christmas gift. The bright flowers … Read more

Years ago, I participated in a small group which took place during the summer at Montreat College, North Carolina. Young people from across the United States had gathered for a conference which was meant to inspire their faith and encourage … Read more

I know I must have a broad smile upon my face as I type this devotional. This is such a precious memory from my childhood. Toward the end of World War II, my parents bought a house in London, where … Read more

Sometimes it is difficult to make the time. Sometimes I cannot be bothered to make the time. Sometimes I cannot face making the time. So I will do anything to allow time to consume me — in doing anything other … Read more

On a recent trip to New York City, we had our eyes focused and looking forward towards the New York skyline, looking for the Statue of Liberty. The closer we drove, the more we searched the skyline. When we finally … Read more

My experience with fellow crafters is that we will go to great lengths to engage in our craft. Such was the case with my friend and me as we drove into the countryside midwinter. The manager of a nearby vineyard … Read more

There are two words for "children" in Scotland. "Weans" is one of them, and the other is "bairns". Usually, variation in usage was regional, dictated by the coast: east or west. I grew up in the west of Scotland, so … Read more

At the beginning of the New Year, several members of our church's congregation pledged to read the Bible through in one year. Shortly after the program began, my friend shared the news that her sixteen-year-old daughter had to have major … Read more

I have a friend who loves me very much. Out of that love, she gently tries to instruct me on the benefits of healthier eating. Of course, she respects my choice to eat whatever foods I want. For my part, … Read more

I recently celebrated a birthday. Birthdays are something that I have not been able to embrace until this year. Most of my childhood birthdays have been a blur. Over this past year, though, God has been walking me through so … Read more

I don't remember much from my advanced high school math classes. Some would argue that they have been of little use in my real life. What they don't know, though, is how often I have used one of the symbols … Read more

I have always enjoyed the magic of winter scenes, snow-covered fields, frost-decorated branches, sparkling icicles, and the sound of my footsteps as they break through a crust of snow. However, some winter mornings when I roll out of bed and … Read more

Years ago when I was just a kid, my brother had a way of "getting to me". He'd sing a song just slightly under his breath, the words to which went like this: After the ball was over, Mary … Read more