As a close-knit workgroup, we set out for a weekend camping trip to forge down the South Fork of the American River in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, southwest of Lake Tahoe near Sacramento, California, USA. The excitement … Read more

In 2000, I wrote a devotional about our daughter's dog, Precious. When we had to have her put to sleep due to old age and a fall, it was a really difficult day for all of us. She had survived with skin cancer for over five years and had … Read more

Last Sunday at worship, the sermon dealt with the changing times and the closing of so many churches. It made me feel so sad, for I see the changes all around me. What can I do? What does Jesus intend for our future as a Christian body — … Read more

I can't believe the amount of rain that we have had in the last week. As I look out my window, the rain has left its mark. Tiny round circles are splattered against the pane, slightly obscuring my vision towards the lake. My mother is a … Read more

There's a lot of rebuilding that needs to be done in many denominations. The conflicts that we've all been involved in over the last three decades have taken their toll. Worship wars, culture wars, marriage wars, and atonement wars have … Read more

Whenever I hear the hymn, "This is my Father's world", by Maltbie D. Babcock, I am inspired by the power and beauty of God as seen throughout His creation. The first two lines, in particular, remind me that even the heavens are showing … Read more

In our town of 8,500 people, we have eleven Christian church buildings: eight still active, one for sale, one already sold, and three without clergy. Obviously, in the past, our forebears felt the need to build all these churches in which … Read more

I haven't been making much progress with my weight loss lately, so I prayed (again!) for God's help. He reminded me (again!) to consider the passage where unbelief hindered Christ's ability to do miracles in his home town of Nazareth. … Read more

When I was small, my parents raised us to keep our mouths closed and our ears open. Considering the fact that I was a chatterbox, I never really grasped this; in fact, I never understood it. I was also raised not to ask for help. I guess … Read more

As of the middle of July, over 32,000 square kilometres of forest had been burning in Canada's summer heat, with the largest wildfires in Saskatchewan. Over 13,000 people had been forced to leave their homes. There is nothing like the … Read more

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is presently hosting the Pan Am/Parapan games. Many of the activities are taking place in Toronto, but some are also taking place in the surrounding cities. I have been noticing signs along the highways for the … Read more

Some time back, Jackie and I decided to start checking out various auto dealers for a used SUV-type vehicle for Jackie's home-care work. Some of the roads she navigates are remote and pretty rough, so we needed something higher off the … Read more

Oh, no, I thought, I'll never get this stain out. I had been walking with a friend when one of the dogs jumped up and accidentally scratched her. The scratch drew blood, and as I was helping her staunch the flow, my cream-coloured … Read more

A fellow Sunday School teacher says that she gets more out of Sunday School than the children do. This devotional is about one of those experiences. Recently, while teaching Sunday School, I watched a second-grade student working on her … Read more

I have been a musician for many years — all of my life. I have played with many musicians in a variety of places and situations. As a Christian, it would be nice to be able to play with like-minded Christian musicians who have the same … Read more

I saw my friend's name appear on my phone. For three years, we had pastored churches in the same town and had become fast friends. We hadn't talked recently, so I was anxious to catch up. But the news that he shared wasn't what I wanted to … Read more

I'm glad that I grew up in a church where The Lord's Prayer in unison was repeated meaningfully. We did not rush: Even we children could keep up, conscious of the meanings as we prayed with everyone. Now, I like to repeat The Lord's … Read more

My friend, who works as a dispatcher for the police department, has experienced just about every circumstance one can imagine. One story that she shared recently had a profound effect on both of us. Caught on film was a possum trapped … Read more

Last winter, my daughter and I set out for one of our mother/daughter days. She wanted to get some pictures of some of the local waterfalls that were completely frozen over. We had a lovely morning; she got some great pictures; and we … Read more

[ Years ago, I preached regularly at a little church north of Toronto, Ontario, around Canada's Wonderland. At the time, farmers' fields that once surrounded the theme park were being transformed into cookie-cutter subdivisions. From … Read more

Forty years ago today, I tried to take my own life by overdosing myself with the tranquilizers that I was taking. I was eighteen years old, very selfish and self-centred. I wanted to end my life as a means of punishing my parents for the … Read more

I was watching a television documentary the other day on the state of our underground water supply, and it reminded me of Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The emptiness of that woman's soul reminded me of the sadness that … Read more

My uncle, who was also my godfather, served in the armed forces in Europe as a sergeant in World War II. I remember him telling me that there were no atheists in the foxholes while they were being fired upon and eluding bombs. Although I … Read more

Tomorrowland, the movie, is a 2015 American science fiction adventure film. The film tells the story of a former boy genius, jaded by disillusionment, and a young girl, bright, optimistic, and bursting with scientific curiosity, who … Read more

In my local social circle, I am often with Christians, but I have family and friends who are not Christians. It's difficult for me to explain to those non-believers that my "religion" is not like others such as Buddhism or Judaism. It's … Read more

Faith is a journey of trust in God. It starts with a walk along a path, and if we follow through, progresses to an ascent on a mountain. It is that important. The goal is to understand exactly what God is asking of us. It is a worthy … Read more

Even though my e-reader and I were barely on speaking terms, I was determined to take advantage of an offer for a free Bible. Nothing worked. Then, I got my friend involved. She couldn't help me, but she decided to get it for herself! That … Read more

When we were on a recent trip to Israel we stayed for awhile in the Jerusalem Hills Inn at Abu Ghosh, in the hills not too far from Jerusalem. Our gracious host shared some very interesting history. Mostly Arab today, this was apparently … Read more

Within one week, three members of our family went through various tests and major health concerns. The past few months since then have gone by in a flurry and a blur. I became so preoccupied with life events and family health issues that … Read more

During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV) It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. … Read more

My horse, Frank, and I were lining up once again for the Canada Day parade in our little town. When the director of the parade had asked us to participate, I agreed, but also requested that we be put behind a float that would be playing … Read more