Some seasons in life bring triumph, some bring trials, and some bring a little of both. As winter transitioned into spring this year, to my dismay, it nudged me further into my season of spiritual stillness, a season designed to … Read more

When I have it, I make healthy choices. When I don't, life sours. Perspective: seeing things as they are or imagining how they could be. Perspective: comparing the past and present and judging the difference. I'm a product of the … Read more

"Take it and use it," they said. "Its motor is just about shot." They had purchased a ride-on lawnmower and were offering me their old electric mower. I had just become a homeowner and was happy to accept it. "We'd … Read more

Each spring at "our little church in the Creek", we have a Festival of Faith Conference, and we look forward to the weekend with great anticipation and joy after a long winter of snow and cold in the Maritimes. This … Read more

When Saul looked at the outward appearance of David, he immediately doubted his ability to fight the massive soldier. This attitude did not dampen David's enthusiasm. He related his personal experiences with a powerful God Who enabled him to overcome … Read more

I suspect that many lay people who "labour in the Lord's vineyard", both in and out of church, may never know who they have touched or how they have touched them. I was one of those fortunate enough to find … Read more

When I was a young amateur guitarist, I would go to a lounge on a military base in Toronto to sit in ("jam", as we called it) with a bunch of local jazz musicians. I was the kid in the … Read more

We grow up planning our lives, expecting them to turn out this way or that, only to discover that God's plans are quite different. For example, my friend expected to be married and have children. That never happened. While she … Read more

It was just after sunrise in the desert of Coachella Valley, California, USA. This event was to celebrate my fiftieth birthday. The hot air balloon was ready for our flight. The tough, flexible bag had been filled with hot air. … Read more

Growing up, I always wanted to have a pair of blue jeans with the little tag that said "Levi's" on them. All my friends had them, and I wanted a pair also, but due to the cost of them and … Read more

Do you ever find yourself awed by how relevant the ancient biblical texts can be to our own lives? I do. For example, several years ago, I experienced a personal application of today's promise in Ezekiel. It began with a … Read more

A friend sent me a set of pictures entitled "Structural Engineer in Action". They showed a bird building a mud nest on the window ledge of someone's house. Each successive picture showed the progression of the nest from its circular, … Read more

"In Loving Memory of …" was printed on the inside of the pamphlets, along with pictures of the deceased, as well as the month, day, and year that they were born and the month, day, and year that they passed … Read more

Some time ago, my daughter and I loaded the nine dogs into the van and took a holiday. Our first day out, we ran into an unexpected blizzard as we travelled across the top of the mountains. Then came overcast … Read more

Last fall, an MRI confirmed that my husband had a malignant growth on his kidney. The medical jargon on the lab report made my stomach turn into knots. The words, at the time, sounded like a horrific prophecy — like … Read more

One evening, I watched an old black and white movie called "The Misfits". It starred Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in what turned out to be their very last movie. Both of them died soon after the film's release, so … Read more

When I started, I had visions of grandeur. I was soon disappointed. God called me to preach at a young age, but a rebellious spirit led to a later rather than earlier acquiescence. I imagined I would be a Billy … Read more

One Sunday morning, I was late for church, so I slipped into the corner of a back pew marked, "For Parents with Small Children." All around me were mothers and fathers with wriggly youngsters. A little lad beside me quietly … Read more

The apostle Paul's letters to his protegé, Timothy, speak about various topics. Some encourage Pastor Timothy himself and some are for the shepherd as well as his flock. These verses apply to Timothy and the church: In this … Read more

For most of my adult life, I did not quite trust in prayer. I wanted to, but did not really get into it. I had been exposed to people who pray. I attended church all my life. I took part … Read more

Sitting in a booth in a Shari's Restaurant the other day with a friend, I looked outside as someone's car alarm was blaring incessantly. I wondered what was taking the guy in the back seat so long to turn it … Read more

My work and my living accommodation were both in the same building — thus my little boxer dog was usually at my feet under the desk. But she was getting restless, and I realized that it was time to take … Read more

I was sitting in a lab, waiting, while my wife was giving blood for tests, when a young mom came in with her baby. The infant was housed in one of the most classy strollers I'd ever seen, complete with … Read more

As I was driving to work this morning, on my normally two-hour-long commute through what seemed to be heavier than usual Monday morning rush-hour traffic, I was listening to the local radio announcers talk about an interview that they had … Read more

I know that I've told this story before, but it bears repeating until we all get it! Several years after becoming a Christian, I still struggled with the after-effects of child abuse. Fear, rejection, and poor self-esteem remained a daily … Read more

When fireworks are displayed in our town on the Canada Day long weekend, they are set off from a barge across our lake, and we view them from our boat. On one recent occasion, my husband and the boys decided … Read more