When the hot, dry days of July arrived, the maple tree that we had planted beyond reach of the garden hose looked dead. Hoping against hope, once a day, I began toting water to soak the soil around the base … Read more

It had been a few weeks since we'd had rain. Looking out my living room window, I saw that the green grass had turned to a brownish colour. Walking on the grass, we heard the crunching sound made when the … Read more

When a group of us in our church were discussing how we came to know Jesus as our Saviour, one of the men shared the following story: "Our six-year-old daughter had been begging me and my wife to take her … Read more

Last summer, we had the opportunity to purchase fourteen round bales of hay, fodder enough for our livestock for the next two years. The deal was not only financially appealing, but when delivery was thrown in, it became irresistible. The … Read more

I've just read a fascinating article about an inter-galactic collision that will take place four billion years from now between our own Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy. Billions upon billions of stars will either collide or closely pass by … Read more

Earlier this month, I was immersed in watching the games of the Summer Olympics on television from London, England. The athletes marched into the stadium nation by nation during the opening ceremony. All looked proud and hopeful that they would … Read more

His call came at the right time. I was deep in a computer problem and needed a break. I met him shortly after high school when we started work for the same company. A genuinely good guy and as honest … Read more

These words were in a television advertisement: "Many are picked, but few are chosen." The ad showed huge piles of coffee beans and a man rejecting batch after batch of the beans and saying, "If they are not ripe enough … Read more

I am middle-aged. I used to be slender. Now I am becoming more shapely — box-shaped, that is. I want to get back to the figure I had when I was twenty years old and felt confident walking down the … Read more

For two years, many years ago, every Sunday afternoon, we would drive forty-five miles into south Boston to a Mission to be part of a wonderful Sunday School program with lots of Bible teaching, singing, and a light lunch. One … Read more

When I was a new Christian, I was so enthralled with the singing of the congregation, their beautiful harmony, and their enthusiasm, that I did not even comprehend the meaning of the words, until one day, the congregation sang that … Read more

As I was watering our vegetable garden at the back of the house, I was reminded of times when I needed refreshing from God, times when I was experiencing some of life's hot displeasures. Last night, the power went off, … Read more

You would think, after owning a boat for the past five years, that some things would become automatic, such as checking that the rope is secured to the anchor. Well, apparently not, as anchor number two departed from us today. … Read more

This census of the Israelites who left Egypt did not include women and children, nor possibly 55,000 Levites. So if there were an average of one woman and two and a half children for every male over twenty, that would … Read more

With all the hot weather that we have had, we were grateful when we finally received the much-needed rain. With the rain came a gentle, cool breeze that brought relief and comfort to our household. The other day, as I … Read more

All was readied for one of my most exciting experiences in the operating room. As assistant to the surgeon, I had gathered all the supplies and instruments needed to perform middle ear surgery. Hearing is regulated by the middle ear. … Read more

I remember when ballpoint pens first appeared in the late 'forties. Most teachers in South Africa wanted nothing to do with them. They preferred, actually demanded, that all submitted work be done with either dipping pen and ink or with … Read more

As a child, I remember walking with my parents through an old, abandoned house in the woods, not far from my aunt's residence. This property had been vandalized by neighbourhood kids, and there was broken glass and debris everywhere. Despite … Read more

My young adult son needed a ride to a warehouse in an industrial park. He was going to the storage space used by a volunteer organization which our family supports. There was a scheduled work party in preparation for Summerfolk, … Read more

The power of the sun beating down on the earth is oppressive. Every living thing wilts as dehydration begins. Leaves and flowers dip their heads as moisture evaporates. Animals seek shade in an effort to find relief. Human movements and … Read more

A few weeks ago, we were privileged to hear an African children's choir sing. The joy that these children exhibited and their love for Jesus were quite contagious and very uplifting! Since then, we hosted a couple of young men … Read more

Summer means freedom to roam, travel, and spend quality time with family and friends. My mother always had the parlour ready to welcome guests. We children were not allowed to sit in that room, ever! Mama would get out her … Read more

It was Christmas. The family had gathered for the usual roast goose dinner. A spanking white table cloth and dishes graced the table in readiness for a fine meal. The youngest child, a four-year-old girl, sensed the warmth of the … Read more

On an outing, my husband always manages to end up at a Christian bookstore, not that he is looking for something particular, but in browsing around, he never leaves the store empty-handed. On this particular day, I was the one … Read more

Last year, a friend told me someone had welcomed her to The Million Dollar Club. My obviously naive knowledge of that phrase was limited. I thought that it had to do with real estate agents, and knowing that she was … Read more

I have spent my life moving. So far, I have moved twenty times, including once as recently as this past January. Only once have I lived five years in one house. Being just in my late thirties, it is hard … Read more

I live on Maui. It's beautiful and temperate most of the time. When the trade winds stop, however, it can become unbearably hot. If I'm on a hike or working outside, I long for shade. When the heat is on, … Read more

Isn't it strange how one of those profound and sacred insights into the all-consuming love and grace of God that overwhelms our very souls seems to build up over time? My last graceful moment started with a very innocuous homily … Read more

In an old forest, the competition for growing space can be very severe. The large canopies of the big trees blot out the sunlight, so very little vegetation may be found on the forest floor. It is usually very easy … Read more

Our backyard has been going through a major transformation. Early this spring, we tilled the lawn in preparation for new sod. Gardens were made smaller, and we had a large hole dug to hold a new pond. Each week saw … Read more

Three weeks after the devastating tornado ripped through Goderich, Ontario, I took a walk through the damaged area. One particular scene stayed riveted in my mind: the United Church. This once-magnificent historic edifice was now irreparably damaged. Demolition had begun, … Read more