I don't expect to travel to all the exotic beauty spots of the world, but thanks to search engines like Google, I enjoy them from afar. My recent discoveries include the Plitvice Lakes and Death Valley's Sailing Stones. The Morning … (read more)

While his older brother is preparing for university, my youngest grandson and great-granddaughter are learning the alphabet, and reading and writing new words and their names each day. This is Matthew's and Jorjah's preparation of the basic foundation of their … (read more)

Ever feel like filler in the sandwich of life? There are days when everything seems to be scrunching me out of place, till I'm totally surrounded by the world's demands and am only trying to squeeze more into my time … (read more)

Controlling and controlled — both have the same root word, but entirely different results. Type A personalities are usually the first and Type B the latter. I've known both in my lifetime, and I'm not sure which I would rather … (read more)

Throughout the Lenten season, some churches in my area present live dramatizations of Scripture, portraying the passion of Christ during Holy Week. Personally, I find these re-enactments of great inspiration in preparation for the celebration our Lord's resurrection. A modern-day … (read more)

Chance likes to bark. Unfortunately, he barks far too often. Instead of using his voice to let us know when an intruder is on the property or to say hello or good morning, Chance barks just to hear the sound … (read more)

For a while, Grace was a popular name for girls in Scotland, especially among those who are now baby boomers. I used to wonder if the name Grace was chosen for spiritual reasons, because Billy Graham's revivalist meetings were taking … (read more)

Having two boys means lots of adventures, and I want to be right in the middle of it with them. That desire took us out in our boat on a warm sunny day with camera and map in hand, in … (read more)

When I was in my early teens, I read Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island many times — and was intrigued every time! The thoughts of privateering on the high seas and amassing huge amounts of treasure held great appeal and … (read more)

Last fall, an unexpected message from one of my PCCWeb Daily e-mail friends contained the following Scripture: As I had been seeking guidance about my daily prayer practice, this Scripture proved to be a strong clue. At the time, each … (read more)

Not too long ago, my uncle passed away. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and dementia for a few years, but it was the last week of his life on this earth that was very hard for his family. … (read more)

In 1980, our estranged family reunited after we became reconciled to Lord Jesus. Such mercy and grace! Praise His ever-saving name! I'd been lovingly warned, but inside and outside, the old farmhouse appeared exceedingly beyond its hundred-year age — every … (read more)

A few years ago, I was having one of those days when I was feeling very sorry for myself. Working full-time as an elementary teacher was taking a lot out of me. After a long day, I'd start my second … (read more)

I have a confession. I'm a lawbreaker. "Why aren't you in jail?" you might speculate. I wasn't caught or convicted. You see, I was driving down a local interstate freeway not long ago when I looked down at my speedometer … (read more)

Wintry days! Cold days! Sunny days! I love those kinds of days in northern Alberta. When it is really cold here, the sun shines. When it is cloudy, the days aren't as cold, but then, neither are the days so … (read more)

1. When a disaster strikes, even as far away as in Japan, it causes all of us to think about what it would be like if that happened to us. To see people's houses blown apart by advancing water and … (read more)

As these days pass by one by one, I find myself taking longer-than-usual pause moments. I was leaving on Friday morning for an appointment when I caught the unfolding story of the earthquake in Japan, a story that was just … (read more)

Not long ago, I witnessed a congregation hard at work renovating their tiny church building. As I watched their progress over a number of weeks and months, I began to consider some of the reasons why renovations of church structures … (read more)

An old joke tells of a married couple searching for bathing suits. The woman laughingly asks hubby if she should get a bikini or an all-in-one suit. "Better get a bikini," he replies. "You'll never get it all in one!" … (read more)

Our yellow lab loves shoes — not just anyone's shoes, it seems, but mine in particular. Thank goodness, he loves only to move them and not to chew them, or I would probably be writing a different devotional. At times, … (read more)

Today is a brand new day — a clean slate — a road not travelled before. Where will we allow it to take us? Will we be bound to past mistakes, hurts, sorrows, and brokenness? Will we allow these to … (read more)

Some time ago, I took to heart Paul's exhortation to make prayer my first priority. I used my Bible dictionary of Greek words and learned meanings for requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving. Requests are statements of urgent need. God waits … (read more)

This is Ash Wednesday, a day for sackcloth and ashes. Philippians speaks to me loud and clear — everything in my life feels like ashes — I look on my life as garbage. Sin is the cause of our unsuitable … (read more)

Today is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, as the French call it. It's also known as Pancake Day in Britain, or more precisely "Shrove Tuesday". Historically it was the day that all went to confession to have sins "shriven" or … (read more)

"Keep short accounts with Jesus! Deal quickly with convictions as they arise. Don't muck about, repent, turn around to God, ask forgiveness, get back to living His kingdom life of righteousness, peace, and joy" was our pastor's regular, humorous exhortation, … (read more)

Little Opie on The Andy Griffith Show was devastated. It was report card day. He thought his eyes deceived him, but there they were — all "As". Andy was "proud as a peacock" and bragged of Opie's accomplishments. Opie soaked … (read more)

Channels only, blessed Master But with all Thy wondrous power Flowing through us, Thou canst use us Every day and every hour. – Mary E. Maxwell Since I retired, I have become an amateur computer techie. After learning how to … (read more)

What a ruckus! I was in the shower when it all began: the pounding of twenty-four canine paws flying up the stairs and around the corner to the bathroom door, and then, the barking began. I knew something really important … (read more)

I have always been the type to worship and speak to God through music. Both in times of happiness and stress, I find myself singing snippets from songs to help give praise and thanks to the Lord. It's rarely a … (read more)

The day was dark, foggy, and rainy, as I drove to the GO station to take the GO train with my friend from here in Barrie to the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. I don't mind driving to Toronto or … (read more)

I'm a newsaholic. It's not unusual for our TV to be on CNN in the middle of the day. But everything is different… Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Tunisia. The people are overthrowing their dictators, they are led by unknown people, and … (read more)