How is it that so often, something happens, and later, as we think it over, we realize that we had a perfect opportunity to talk to someone about Jesus, but we weren't able to think fast enough? To get my needed walking exercise (and get … Read more

Currently, our weekly ecumenical Bible study group is studying the book of Acts. As we progress through Luke's letter to Theophilus, the Holy Spirit is repeatedly evident in all the activities of Christians in the early church. They heal … Read more

After my salvation experience in 1978, I had an unquenchable desire to read, learn, and understand the Bible. It became my first love. If I heard good lessons from Bible expositors on the radio, I would request their offered cassette … Read more

There are some folk who don't believe in Jesus because they don't want to, and they easily find reasons not to. There are others who would really like to believe, if only they had assurance that the gospel is believable. There are many … Read more

Recently, my family went to see the movie "Risen", a film which uniquely depicts the resurrection through the point of view of an unbeliever. As in a detective story, Clavius, a high-ranking Roman official, is put in charge of solving the … Read more

There are some Christians today who believe that the cross was accidental and not a part of God's plan. They say that Christ's message of love is what is important now, and that to pin our faith on being forgiven through Jesus' agonizing … Read more

In an era of rapidly changing customs and thought patterns, the world of art likewise changes, following trends related to various philosophical worldviews. During my attendance at the college of art from 1961 to 1962, the prevalence of … Read more

As I write this, we are preparing for our worship services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. One of our music directors has asked me to do a reading, essentially a spoken word version of a song from Jesus Christ Superstar, which I … Read more

Several years ago, I found myself in Jerusalem in the most beautiful, fragrant garden I'd ever seen. Our guide claimed that it was where Jesus had spent His last free hours in prayer, and where the chosen disciple, Judas, had betrayed the … Read more

Today's Scriptures bring back memories of a time when a dear friend turned against me and complained to other members of the church. I felt shocked, betrayed, and abandoned by someone I had trusted. Nonetheless, the personal pain that I … Read more

Advice is prevalent, but where we get it from is essential. I was working for a very difficult boss. She was manipulative, moody, and deceptive, and could be downright mean. Soon after beginning this job, I wondered if I'd made the right … Read more

Perhaps you are enjoying a warm beverage right now. Are you sipping from a demitasse, mug, or tea cup? Each vessel is best suited to a certain purpose. A mug of Cuban coffee or espresso would overwhelm, while a demitasse of tea or … Read more

Almost a year ago, my wife got an azalea plant from one of our children for Mother's Day. It sat in front of a window where it got the early morning sun. Then suddenly during the summer, the outer ends of the branches started to wither, … Read more

I may be retired, but as so many "retireds" know, it doesn't mean that we are idle. It means that we have more time to do things that we want to do, or at least, we can choose what we will do. That, at any rate, is the theory. The reality … Read more

This weekend, many of us spring ahead in time one hour as we adjust our clocks to Daylight Saving Time. And as we do so, everything will seem a bit out of sync for a day or two. My dogs will give me an extra hour of sleep for a few days … Read more

One Sunday last month, I decided to watch a televised church service that I tune in to occasionally. I enjoy this particular pastor's sermons because they always deal with the challenges of everyday living. What made me listen that … Read more

Looking back on my childhood in Bermuda, I have some lovely memories of playing the organ in church. We lived next door to the church building. One day, the church doors were all locked, so I climbed in the window and made my way up to the … Read more

I wasn't always a physically active person and my body-image issues don't let me remember a time when I was completely happy with the way I looked. Yet, on a summer's day in 2009, I stepped on my scale to convince a disheartened friend … Read more

Listening to the evening news is enough to make me mad: a police officer who intentionally shoots and kills a man; a man who shoots his parents and then goes to a local business to kill his ex-girlfriend too; the woman who doesn't want … Read more

Since we moved into town a couple of years ago, I am now, when the weather permits, able to walk in a populated area of the town. Late last summer, on my walks, I would see a number of residences where the yards were not well kept. Some … Read more

This morning, I stood in front of my patio windows witnessing the sunrise. I was overcome with the sense of God's power, and I felt profoundly privileged as the colours changed and the sun glistened on the snow. For the past three weeks, … Read more

Last year during Lent, a friend of mine who sometimes attends church complained that the pastor's sermons contained too much about God and Jesus and sin, and not enough that's "uplifting". Actually, I think I get that — because many of … Read more

This morning after breakfast, as I ran my finger around the plate "licking up" toast crumbs, my mind flew to my mother. You see, she grew up in extreme poverty. As a result of the deprivation, she had a true appreciation for the things … Read more

Have you ever had a stretch of time when opportunities arose to test what you're made of spiritually? For me, this particular stretch has lasted over three years. Besides daily annoyances, the death of a parent, and career challenges, … Read more

It was pouring rain: eavestroughs channelling water from the roof, directing it downward; water shooting out of downspouts in a torrent; rain-barrels sputtering with the overflow; puddles everywhere. As I watched the water swirling away, … Read more

My Thursday evening Bible group is studying the Book of Revelation. Recently, we discussed the incredible actions of the angelic being in chapter ten. While this messenger is identified as a "mighty angel", some believe that the amazing … Read more