Every spring, robins built a nest under our deck above our back door. We use this door as our main entrance, and the patio is a place to relax as well as a work area. A busy spot, it seems a strange place to nest, but the birds weren't … Read more

Six hundred miles was a long way to move a middle-school student. The year was 1970, and I was ten years old. Dad, a freshly ordained Southern Methodist minister, decided that he'd move our family from Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA, to … Read more

Are you discouraged, or have you ever been? I like the way that Jesus encourages John the Baptist, who is languishing in a dungeon beneath King Herod's palace. He gives a message to John's disciples which will restore John's confidence … Read more

Anakin Nibbles is rather a spoilt old gentleman guinea pig that enjoys being out in the run in the garden sunshine, as the weather allows, and grazing the grass. In winter, when it is cold enough, he comes into the conservatory, and in … Read more

This spring has brought many days of snow. Almost daily it continues to accumulate. And now the deeps have come. The white fluff has risen to the point of making it difficult to manoeuver the driveway, the paths, the corral. And for my … Read more

We have a subscription to a Dutch-language newspaper which is published here in Canada and consists mostly of news and articles about and from the Netherlands. In the December 2016 issue, there was an article about a political party in … Read more

Recently, the owner of a large orchard started to remove old apple trees that had been bearing fruit for many years. The old trees were in bad shape from over fifty years of bearing fruit. The owner realized that the yield was down and the … Read more

I try to begin my days with a cup of coffee and my time with God. I begin with a few online meditations and continue into whichever specific book of the Bible that I have been studying. I know that my days unfold much better when I start … Read more

Have you noticed while driving in the city or on the highway how some cars veer off to the right or left? It never comforts me when I see cars leaving their lane and crossing the line into oncoming traffic. Most of the time, the offending … Read more

As my body deteriorates and my weakness becomes more and more discouraging, I wonder what Paul means when he says: For me, weakness means failure and inability to cope with the day's activities, but now, as Christ's power rests on me, … Read more

In the past year, several opportunities or "doors" have been opened to me. One was to lead a much larger church group than I'm used to. Even when asked to take a small group, I was sure that someone else could do a better job. Now, here … Read more

Once again, I was not connected to the Internet, and I was in need of assistance. I contacted the service by telephone, and after the usual drill, the technician recommended that I let him walk me through fixing the problem. … Read more

Ominous clouds threatened as my wife and I eased into the parking space. Hot, humid weather had been the pattern for the past week, so pop-up showers had been increasing. On this particular evening, I had a wedding to officiate. A few … Read more

Our backyard with its many trees is a heaven for squirrels. I enjoy watching the squirrels frolic high up in the black walnut branches. I imagine the squirrel's view from high up in the trees. From there, the neighbourhood dogs are of no … Read more

One of the simplest delights that I had during my childhood days in Scotland was the feeding of sparrows in my backyard. It didn't matter what time of year it was or what kind of stale bread I threw to the birds, flocks of cheeky little … Read more

The symptoms of vascular dementia include memory loss, confusion, and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving, or language that are serious enough to interfere with daily life. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged because of … Read more

I have an optical mouse. It has two batteries. One makes it light up, and the other, apparently, is for the wireless connection to the receiver. However, the battery for the wireless transmission seems to run out before the one for the … Read more

Recently, I began teaching a Bible study series that focuses on the Old Testament tabernacle. I use slides and other materials to explain its significance in Israel's history. In every detail, there's something fascinating to be learned. … Read more

I had received a commission to do a large, framed, stained glass mosaic of an eagle and had worked diligently on its creation until it was completed and ready for framing. I was very pleased with the result and heaved a sigh of relief, for … Read more

I am back with the continuing saga of the black squirrels. Although I thought that they hibernated for the winter, I guess nobody told them about that, because I see them every day busily running back and forth, and up and down the tree … Read more

As I was reading about this demon-filled Gerasene man, who was so possessed by a "legion" of demons that he was cutting himself with stones, I realized that when I was young, I never heard about young people cutting themselves or … Read more

He was in his early fifties, mentally challenged, and he fell in love. Oh, it was so beautiful to see! His friend, Marjorie, hung onto his arm like she would never let go of him. It brought tears to my eyes to see this adult man and woman … Read more

When I was a young boy in the Netherlands in the early 1940s, twice every Sunday, we went to a church in the Reformed tradition. On occasion, there would be some German soldiers in attendance. The occupying forces were mostly older men who … Read more

This Bible verse was always my father's favourite one. The reason stems from the following story. During the Second World War, my dad had orders to report for duty on a ship due to sail through the Gulf of Mexico. At the time, that … Read more

People sometimes tell me that they admire how I have handled the challenges in my life. They could see that being a single parent was not easy, especially given that both my daughter and I had serious chronic illnesses to manage. There … Read more

Some days, I'm in a lot of pain. It seems that my whole body aches. Other days, it's like the pain moves from one place to another. It might be my legs or my feet or my knees or my hands. Oh, the joys of getting older and having arthritis! … Read more

This week, I heard the roar of the garbage truck, and I realized that I had two blue recycling boxes, which they had emptied, to bring back into the garage. I thought of our other house, before we moved, where every week, the boy next … Read more

I had been working at the computer all day, finishing up a writing assignment. My eyes were tired and dry, but I had an important evening appointment. Since I live in LA — Los Angeles, California, USA — there was only one way to get … Read more

While driving to an appointment across town, I was listening to my favourite Christian radio station. The pastor was teaching on the topic of prayer. He caught my attention when he asked the following questions: Are your prayers becoming … Read more

I have always understood the concepts of God and His beloved Son Jesus. The concept of a Holy Spirit, however, has always somewhat eluded me. While I may have encountered the Holy Spirit numerous times before, I had not made the … Read more

My parents were very close, in love all their married lives, and it showed. They also had great faith, and that showed as well. At age 65, my dad was killed. A few weeks after his funeral, I asked my mum how she could keep going. With … Read more