I confess. I like Christian romance novels. The hero always gains the affection of the heroine. Usually there is much kissing, but in the books I read, anything beyond that is implied, never stated. When I was growing up, our … (read more)

Have you ever imagined our Saviour being in communion with the Father and yet at a loss for the right words to pray? The words of Jesus in today's scripture, "What shall I say?" demonstrate the inner conflict and struggle … (read more)

Perhaps instead of Holy Week, we should call this the start of Truth Week. "Holy" seems to set it apart from everything else that's going on in the world, and I guess that's what it's meant to do, but by … (read more)

Through my own sinful choices, I'd become alone! I'd become separated, without fellowship with God. I was not entirely without belief, for I still prayed at Him — sometimes. However, I was positively estranged from the kind of interactive fellowship … (read more)

George and Henry were busy running about the apartment while I was cleaning. They often did this and never failed to come when I called. Never failed to come, that is, until one fine day when George appeared when I … (read more)

Not too long ago, I wrote about receiving a telephone call from a person who encouraged me to start writing devotionals again and who asked where I got my inspiration. Afterwards, I found myself searching for a manila folder that … (read more)

Have you ever seen a whole field of Easter lilies? It is a really beautiful sight! As a child growing up in Bermuda, I have wandered around fields of Easter lilies. The churches at Easter are simply full of them. … (read more)

There is a wet-weather pond behind my house that holds water only when we have excessive amounts of rain; it dries up quickly when the rains cease. During the time when we have a pond, frogs mysteriously appear from somewhere … (read more)

Living in New Brunswick, Canada, we are certainly well acquainted with the seasons. Every season brings with it its own unique beauty. While I may complain about the cold winter weather (more so since getting older) and scooping the snow, … (read more)

My wife, Caroline, says that sometimes I am too soft with Zo

One of my fondest memories of Easter morning took place at the seashore. It happened when I was pastor to the Scottish fishing village of Dunure. At 8:00 a.m. each Easter, the villagers gathered outside the Kennedy Hall to praise … (read more)

I can sense that spring is in the air in the part of Canada where I live. The signs to me are melting snowbanks and the sun with bone-warming heat in it. Birds are beginning to return, and small patches … (read more)

In my genealogical research of the early history of my area of the North American continent, I found that salt was an important commodity for the early settlers. Before refrigeration, salt was an essential preservative for meats of various kinds. … (read more)

A click here and a click there, and then another click, and another click. The index finger keeps clicking on the mouse and the eyes keep watching the computer monitor to see the white arrow deleting and manipulating the coloured … (read more)

As a youngster, did you ever have fun with one of those old revolving doors? I did — with my brother. After entering an open section of the four-way revolving door, round and round we'd go until the weight of … (read more)

Our little dog, Peanut, is old. He also has only three teeth, which means that keeping his tongue in his mouth is a full-time job. Without his teeth, it is quick to slip out the sides of his lips, which … (read more)

For those who live in the northeastern United States as I do, weather is a daily topic of conversation. The winter season is most challenging. For most adults, snow is an unwelcome intruder, adding stress to our schedule-driven lives. That's … (read more)

Since my dear mother passed away four years ago, one of the things I treasure is her old scrapbook, packed with memories of her life as a young girl. This keepsake, though written long ago in another time, in another … (read more)

When I was young, we visited the village often with my parents, siblings, and other members of the extended family. Every village would have a round kitchen or mud hut with a grass thatched roof. The village kitchen was the … (read more)

A recent trip out of town this winter found us travelling a country road on a beautiful sunny day. The road itself was unpaved, muddy, and full of potholes. But what caught my eye on this day were the snowbanks … (read more)

Several years ago, it was reported that a bureaucrat met Mother Teresa at an airport and accompanied her in a limousine to her speaking engagement. The bureaucrat was puzzled because Mother Teresa would interrupt their conversation to speak with someone, … (read more)

One night, during an electricity cut, I became absolutely captivated as I looked directly into my torchlight. Minute effervescent fountain sprays of light appeared to shoot up and outward from the centre light in the pitch darkness. Over the years, … (read more)

In the church where I grew up, there were no paid positions except a pastor who was shared with another church. All the members used the gifts God had given them to keep the church functioning as the Body of … (read more)

The stillness is suddenly interrupted by the sound of tiny feet, in socks, running exuberantly down the aisle. Eyes sparkling with delight, the little boy runs towards the front of the church with outstretched arms. The assistant to the pastor … (read more)

During one Lenten season, our church held a special presentation: Christ in the Passover. Hearing Jesus depicted as the Passover Lamb, I was inspired by the beautiful setting in which our Saviour instituted the Lord's Supper and shared this special … (read more)

Recently, I asked the members of my congregation, "How many of you hold a valid driver's licence and are currently still driving?" About one hundred hands went up — almost all the congregation. No surprises there. Then I asked, "How … (read more)

We have had a blue balloon swinging on our balcony, celebrating the Olympics here in British Columbia, Canada. The only problem is that the winds and the rains have shrunk and deflated my blue balloon. It is a sad sight; … (read more)

We all know that cats devour birds. In our house, therefore, we have mouse traps, as well as a cat-deterrent noise device, placed strategically around the birds' flight cage. The birds' enclosure is also constructed of heavy metal meshing which … (read more)

One morning recently, as I was running on the sidewalk, pushing Samuel along in the stroller, I was cut off by three different people, and had to stop in my tracks at crosswalks as people pulled out into the intersection … (read more)

Canada, as the host nation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, has set a new record for winning the most gold medals in any Winter Olympic Games. The record fourteenth gold medal was won by the Canadian men's hockey team by … (read more)

During his lifetime, my husband Roger was a scuba diver, and built himself a ski boat. He was also an excellent photographer, and built his own airplane, from which, for farmers, he took aerial photos of ditches. He also toured … (read more)