The honker arm-jerked the bronc rein and crow hopped across the arena. The mash up grabbed the apple to avoid the back door and the crowd saw daylight. Meanwhile the pick-up man and the clown had a run-in with the … Read more

I bought my husband an ocotillo cactus last week. It is supposed to grow rather large, but it looks rather dead. The roots are hacked close, and we really have doubts that it will grow. What we need is good … Read more

My first congregation as a student minister in rural Ontario had connected with it a very modest manse — think more of a cosy, three-bedroom cottage than a house — no garage, no basement, and little storage. I asked a … Read more

My new computer holds a magnifier, but I hadn't bothered figuring out how to use it. However, the Lord knew that I would need it someday. That day is now! I am struggling to see what I am doing. Writing … Read more

Strongholds! The root word means "castle". Instead of leaning on God, the Israelites tried to protect themselves from their enemy in "castles" of their own making. Only then, did they discover that a stronghold isn't really like a castle. No. … Read more

A friend of mine once lost the diamond in her wedding ring. She searched everywhere, but it was never found. Since then, I always check to make sure the prongs on my ring are holding my diamond securely. I do … Read more

A number of years ago while attending a course, I was confronted with the assignment of writing out a testimony about my life as a Christian, and telling when I was saved. I began to write my testimony, but when … Read more

I am the baker in a busy little shop where there is one phrase which we all hear over and over again: "Behind you." When I am busy carrying loaded trays or straps of bread from the proofing room, I … Read more

At age 77, I have a lot of years to look back on. Have goodness and love followed me all those days? Integrity means that we can look back on our lives with appreciation, owning each day with pleasure. My … Read more

On Sunday morning, a shabbily-dressed homeless person was found sitting on a piece of cardboard at the front of our church entrance, as people filed into the sanctuary. His head was down, and he almost seemed not to notice those … Read more

In our home, Sunday evening is movie night. We open our home to anyone who would like to come for fellowship and to enjoy a movie. Recently, we watched a film entitled, "P.S. I Love You." The story is about … Read more

February 24th this year was the third anniversary of my mother's death. Before she died, I painfully watched her suffer from dementia and heart disease. By God's grace, this sorrow would prepare me to let go, knowing He was preparing … Read more

I am sure that we have heard it before: "There is a first time for everything." Locking keys in the car fits into this category, as I found out today. I have been driving for thirty years, and locking my … Read more

I've lost count of the times I've experienced the heartbreak, or at least the enormous disappointment, after successfully growing plants, shrubs, or a vegetable crop to a particular stage, of watching while the growth suddenly became stunted and spoiled by … Read more

Many years ago, around the same time as St. Patrick's Day, I can remember seeing one of the most beautiful rainbows I have ever seen in my life. The colours were absolutely vibrant, and it stretched across the dove-coloured sky … Read more

Recently, I have been busy with the duty of jury service. Leading up to the first day, a small boy was out and about in my brain, causing havoc, screaming, and sulking. I was full of the responsibility of the … Read more

I am a small businessman, and I can't help but worry over the state of the economy today: "What if all the work I'm doing now gets finished and no new clients call me? What if clients do not pay?" … Read more

As the mother of a child with a severe disability, I am always inspired by Scriptures that have a message regarding the handicapped. 2 Samuel 9:1-13 tells a story that reveals the tender heart and generous spirit of … Read more

At the end of our holiday through Spain and Portugal last fall, we had returned our rental car and were waiting for the bus to our hotel at the airport in Madrid. An older gentleman with ruffled white hair, wearing … Read more

A number of years ago, I'd been feeling increasingly N.Q.R. "Not quite right" is actually a huge understatement regarding my condition. Things came to a head one morning when I was so ill that I had to break my word … Read more

At the end of my dad's funeral service nine years ago, my mom gave me his personal Shona language hymn and prayer book. It is neatly bound in leather, and contains some bookmarks with his handwriting and underlining of his … Read more

I wasn't a very nice person when I was a drunk. In fact, I was more likely to get me and my friends in trouble through the stupid things that I would say or do. One minute, everything in the … Read more

I was given a gift in a bowl, which, due to the conversation at the time of the giving of the gift, I thought to be a gift of homemade cookies. So, I lifted the lid just a touch, saw … Read more

Several years ago, I started a newsletter as an encouragement for individuals with disabilities and their families. My title, "Aaron's Rod", was inspired by the story in Numbers 17. I included in my newsletter this mission statement: "Inspiring children of … Read more

The white feather floated before my eyes, and slowly, ever so slowly, drifted and landed on the seat beside me. There was nothing so strange in that, except that I was driving my car, and for the life of me, … Read more

I was quietly nursing my coffee in a local restaurant, but I couldn't help overhearing the conversation at the next table. "I was forced to get married," said one fellow to his friend. "I got my girlfriend pregnant, and so … Read more

I've known, truly known, God's gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I've experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord's merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I've literally lost count of all the forgiveness I've prayed for and received. … Read more

Recently, I read the testimony of a Christian woman from Nigeria whose relatives, a dedicated pastor, his wife, and one of their sons, had been brutally killed when violence broke out in a religious riot in 2004. Two other sons, … Read more

Years ago, when my siblings and I were sitting around the table at a meal time, the topic of conversation was Proverbs 31, from verse 10 on. The passage starts out talking about an excellent wife and how she is … Read more

The other evening as I was watching the news on television, a clip provided coverage of a very large showing of the latest technological toys soon to come onto the market. The next morning, I heard a report on a … Read more

Many people look forward to seeing what the weather is like in the first few days of March. The saying goes, "If March comes in like a lion" (by that, it means with wintry, blustery winds and snow), "then it … Read more