As summer winds down, one begins to realize that the warm, sunny days will soon be behind us. I thought it would be a good idea to do my devotional time outside in the sun. My husband and boys were … Read more

The big yellow school bus pulled up to the curb, and its tall doors opened. With tears in her eyes, Mom kissed my cheek and helped me up the steps. Eagerly, I looked forward to my first day of kindergarten. … Read more

In Britain, there was once a great comedian called Tony Hancock, and in the early years of television, he had his own situation comedy show. As a boy, I used to watch him every Saturday and laughed until tears came … Read more

From last September until the beginning of summer, I participated in an exercise group, in an effort to improve my physical fitness. Along with the usual cardio-, flexibility, and strengthening exercises, in each class we did balancing routines. Some of … Read more

For some years, I lived in the busy metropolis of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, but I would spend a number of weekends during the summer at my parents' home in a small country setting about one hundred kilometres north of Toronto. … Read more

Living in an area that is blessed with lots of trees and open space, we are also subject to many squirrels running through the neighbourhood. One day, as I was driving, I had to apply the brakes — not once … Read more

I almost died of hepatitis in my last year of college. Somehow I had contracted it — either as the result of the lack of food hygiene in the university canteen or by way of a chemical chlorine reaction to … Read more

Years ago, when I was struggling with life in many areas, I would give those issues to God. I am a visual person, so I needed something that I could see that was meaningful to me. Someone suggested that I … Read more

Jesus knows the best way to get our attention and how to draw us closer to Him when we get preoccupied. I am beginning to become more aware of this in my own life. On a recent camping trip, as … Read more

I have talked to many people who say that while God is the first person to Whom they turn for comfort and for help in bad times, they have a harder time remembering to thank God for all of the … Read more

The Pink Elephant Principle is very simple. Dear readers, let's all close our eyes and think of pink elephants! See pink elephants playing hopscotch on the plains of Africa! Watch pink elephants as they tread water in the river! Gaze … Read more

I've recently developed quite an interest in photography — landscapes, birds, and flowers — but particularly sunsets. Living in an area where I can watch the sun set every evening only a few minutes from my home has allowed me … Read more

My father-in-law, Bill Smith, was a remarkably talented man. He was a hydraulic engineer, so he could fix basically anything that was mechanical. He grew up in the countryside, and as a young man, worked on various farms. I guess … Read more

For the last ten years or so, I have organized the annual street sale in our neighbourhood: setting the date, notifying the residents, and placing the ad in the paper. In my notice to the residents, there is a comment … Read more

Over the past several years, our now eleven-year-old daughter has been persistent in asking for a cat. My wife and I tried to placate her with fish. This worked for a while, but she finally exclaimed, "Daddy, you can't hold … Read more

On Sunday, November 3, 2003, my mother-in-law had her eightieth birthday. We celebrated by having open house. I had many people praying that I would have the strength to be able to get through this and that all would go … Read more

Several times this week, I found myself struggling with my impatience. I have been frustrated, and I find myself being argumentative with others with whom I have no disagreement. I have asked for guidance and patience from God while engaging … Read more

A couple of years ago, I wrote a devotional after watching the salmon swim upstream at the falls near where we live. Last year when I went to watch them again, it was a totally different scene. The water level … Read more

I have changed jobs a few times over the years. In each case, there was some reason I chose to resign from that position. The older I get, the harder I find the interviews for a new job. And yet, … Read more

Months spent in a leg cast as a child taught me to identify with a quotation in Adult Bible Studies recently, that a Christian needs two healthy legs. During my confinement, I learned why God had given mankind two legs … Read more

It was the stillness that hit me first. You know the kind I'm talking about — the kind where you can focus on the smallest of sounds, like the buzz of the bees. As a matter of fact, sometimes that's … Read more

Too often as we read, hear, and envisage this passage of Scripture, we focus on the panic and fear of the disciples as the wind rises, causing the waves to spill into their ship, filling it. In desperation, they awake … Read more

I was reminded of this parable recently when I went to visit my grandson for the purpose of taking him to play in a playoff baseball game. His mother and father were both out of town and were depending on … Read more

"Holy, holy, holy" — the word softly repeated itself in my awakening mind — "Lord God Almighty". I could feel the weight of the flannel bedsheets on my body. "Early in the morning" — yes it was morning, again; I … Read more

One fine autumn day a few years ago, the wife of one of our church elders was going about her household activities when her attention was drawn to the persistent bawling of a cow in the neighbouring field. What on … Read more

I have been on only a couple of motorcycles in my life. The first time was when my older brother owned a motorcycle, and he took me on a ride for a few miles in the country. I wasn't scared … Read more

Recently, our daughter set up her first apartment, three hours from home. Thinking a furry friend would be good company for her, she headed to the SPCA and brought home a four-week-old kitten rescued from a dumpster. She fought valiantly … Read more

Since the day of 9/11, we have become very familiar with the term "weapons of mass destruction". We heard over and over again the threat of harm to America and to mankind. This so-called threat led us into war and … Read more

The apostle Paul is one of my favourite Bible characters. I often wonder how he would be accepted in today's world. We like people with a Christian mask: a smile and uplifting words that make us feel good. We expect … Read more

We have had some really hot days, the kind of days when it is fun to have the sprinkler on, with children running through the sprinkler, squealing because of the cold water splattering on them. On one such day recently, … Read more

In recent days, a report of scientists from the United Nations presented data on the heating of the earth, with serious consequences for the planet. The report predicts that the level of the oceans will rise because of the melting … Read more