Our daughter is "horse crazy". She has been since she was ten years old, when she went with a friend to his riding lesson for the disabled, as they were both deaf. Shortly after that, she began taking riding lessons, too. Over the years, … Read more

This morning when I drove into the church parking lot, I was surprised to see a flock of blue jays hopping on the grass in front of our Fellowship Hall. They were feeding on something, but as there were no berries on the trees, I wondered … Read more

Last fall, I worked off and on at installing laminate flooring in two bedrooms and the hallway of our small bungalow. This last week, I finished the second phase in our front hall. All the while, I kept thinking that there must be a … Read more

At the beginning of anything that is new and unfamiliar, like a new community to live in, or a new job with more responsibility, one can feel sort of scared, wondering about what is to come next. It is helpful to know that Jesus' Spirit … Read more

There is a huge, dead tree leaning precariously beside the path where I walk each day. The tree has been dead for a very long time. Its trunk is naked and bleached by the elements, and its branches, stripped of all foliage, creak and … Read more

Rachel knew God's promises, but she wondered when they'd come true. She was a young woman with health problems the size of an older person's. Degenerative arthritis plagued her joints and back. Several female operations had left her unable … Read more

Last summer, I purchased a silk flower arrangement at a garage sale. The various flowers were arranged in a beautiful earthenware vase, and I couldn't help but stare at it. I brought it home and set it on my coffee table. That weekend, my … Read more

My mother did not live to see any of her grandchildren get married. She was a wonderful grandmother and she would have loved to have seen her grandchildren enter into holy matrimony, but it was not to be. During the last years of her … Read more

One morning, I bravely asked God to do something, anything, that would distinctly stir my heart. God answered my prayer later that day. It seems worth sharing: I was driving in the countryside, and my attention was captured by two horses. … Read more

I am fascinated by the current cinematic trend of remaking or re-envisioning old movies. For the last couple of years, it's been difficult to find an original story or a completely new series of pictures. Hollywood seems pre-occupied with … Read more

We hear an awful lot about change these days. Everything is "new and improved". People move, change jobs, and grow old (if they are lucky). Seasons change, and so often, we hate it. We are, like every other living thing God created, … Read more

I recently retired from the Canadian public service after 35 years. What do I do to fill the hours? Since I play the organ and piano, providing music for the services that our church conducts in seniors' residences and nursing homes was a … Read more

My father was a horticulturist, at least when it came to his fig tree; it was the focal point in the centre of our backyard. Dad would always be watching to see signs of life when the first green leaf would appear. He would spring into … Read more

My daughter and I really enjoy going to the movies. One of the last ones we attended required us to wear 3D glasses. As the film advanced across the screen, from time to time, I would look over the top of the glasses just to see what … Read more

Guarantees can be the difference between misery and enjoyment. Only once in my lifetime have I purchased a car without a warranty. In fact, only once in my lifetime have I purchased a car from an individual whom I didn't know. My wife and … Read more

"I can't go to visit people when someone close to them has died." Sometimes, the person who utters words like these might fear crying when visiting sorrowing people. Yet, we can remember that God is with us to teach us how to weep with … Read more

Quite a few years ago, a bulletin from our church had a picture of a graphite illustration by Gerald Folkerts, entitled "Self Portrait". The picture so intrigued me that I kept the bulletin all these years; it was dated Good Friday, March … Read more

The practice and preparation was an arduous and laborious journey to overcome, only to reach the halfway point. Predicated on excellence, the auditions began. The reward of my effort deserved its worth, as I was one of many select vocal … Read more

I've been reading a lot about grace lately, and the more I read, the more I realize how amazing God's grace really is. G – God's R – Riches A – At C – Christ's E – Expense Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will cleanse and pardon … Read more

I wonder if, like me, you are vertically challenged. I used to be five feet two inches, not the tallest in the world — and me with six-foot brothers and a mother who was five feet eight inches. Now in my old age, I have shrunk to just … Read more

Over the years, I have visited many people who have that look on their faces: disappointment. It's a blank, hurt look, with no interest in any future possibilities — it's all over for them. It is so sad to see. Does the Bible speak to … Read more

I love the Apostles' Creed. It is a succinct summary of a great many of the beliefs that I hold as a Christian. I call it an "executive summary". Nevertheless, it is obvious that no mention of Jesus' earthly life is made in the Creed … Read more

My collie, Bonnie, is very strong-willed. Perhaps that is all part of what makes her a good livestock dog: she is independent and able to make good decisions when need be. One of the best decisions she makes, however, is to listen and … Read more

These days, a lot is said and written about the irrelevancy of our Christian faith. Some months ago, there was a report in our local paper about a minister of the gospel who had preached for many years and submitted faith-based articles … Read more

When I began in ministry many years ago, I quickly realized that I didn't have enough love for all the people in my congregations. I cried out to God for His love. It was then that I experienced an overwhelming flood of loving care for the … Read more

"Just use your GPS!" my cousin advised after I had asked her for a city map. I needed a map to find a friend's house; but she didn't have one. I felt rather foolish after hearing her suggestion. How silly of me to resort to the … Read more

Absence can make the heart grow fonder; it can also cause it to grow callous. Deployed soldiers know this well. Tours of duty seem forever. Years pass without seeing their loved ones. Letters and the occasional phone call are the best that … Read more

Fourteen years ago, my wife, Pauline Hitchcock, wrote a devotional around this text. We had travelled to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada, to see the burnt ruins of St. John's Church which had been destroyed at Halloween. We saw a shaft … Read more

What if the world suddenly stopped spinning? Would the entire human race cease to exist? What if your house were hit by a falling tree, or a tornado, or a bolt of lightning? What if you got sick and couldn't look after your elderly parent … Read more

I like to laugh. A funny joke, an amusing story, or some old-fashioned, silent, slapstick movie usually has me creasing with laughter. I also love being in the company of family and friends, when we share funny stories, do daft things, … Read more

Another year has drawn to an end, and we anticipate a new year ahead of us — a brand new year — a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, a time to start over again. Whether or not we make any new year's resolutions, we can still … Read more