I have to be honest with you: I am not very familiar with the book of Habakkuk. I have never used it as the basis for a sermon or a spiritual talk. But one morning, the devotional booklet that we use had the first part of his writings as … Read more

I had been "in the woods" with my telephone, television, and Internet provider for what seemed like a very long time. I felt that something was wrong with my bills, and I began to inquire about it. I took to the telephone to call the … Read more

Isn't it interesting that the Bible begins and ends with the light? God is goodness and light. Darkness is equated with sin and evil. As a new immigrant in Canada, I walked home alone one evening in the dark. I was confident because I … Read more

Whenever my mouth ran unchecked in childhood, mom always quoted today's verse. Especially as a teenager, sassing, spouting off, and otherwise behaving in an obnoxious manner warranted multiple warning lectures from dad. He repeatedly … Read more

I had never made baked beans from scratch, but recently, I decided to do so. I was amazed that the beans needed not only to soak overnight but also to boil gently for another hour after soaking and then to cook on low in my slow cooker … Read more

Last week as my husband was vacuuming his bedroom, a gust of wind blew through the open patio door and slammed shut his bedroom door so hard that the pictures on the living room wall on the other side came crashing down. One picture landed … Read more

Sometimes, I wonder if, as Christians, we're losing our understanding of sacred space and holy ground. For some folks, the church has almost become a leisure activity in the same league as weekly sports, pastimes, or hobbies, instead of a … Read more

The national holiday for giving thanks in the United States of America is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This custom stems from the three-day thanksgiving feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag … Read more

One of the greatest things about celebrating Thanksgiving is the singing of long-time favourite hymns that keep coming back to us, hymns with words like: "Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous things has … Read more

The week had been slow, but I'd been in full-time ministry long enough to know that things can change in a second — and they did. Besides my normal schedule, all I had planned for the next day was to pray with our church mission team at … Read more

Dust, dust, and more dust! This was on day one of an eight-day renovation project. I was surrounded by plaster dust, pieces of drywall that had been cut to fit the size of the ceiling, and bits of cardboard that had peeled from the … Read more

One morning in late August, my wife discovered a big clump of wasps or bees on a branch of the cedar tree near the flower garden behind our house. She called me to have a look at it, and I thought that it was a nest being built by wasps. … Read more

Isn't it interesting that God created light before He created the sun and the moon? Nothing can live without light. Plants need light to turn green, and they produce the oxygen that we need to breathe. We can't grow without light. Have … Read more

My wire-haired dachshund, Hoss, just didn't seem himself after our daily hike through the bush. He seemed to be favouring his right shoulder and was moving a little more slowly than usual. Finally putting aside what I was doing, I stooped … Read more

"It's not fair! She has more than me!" This child's howling cry of injustice is familiar to us. Of course, we know it applies only to ice cream and cake, never to peas and carrots. Such a complaint may indeed be uttered by a sweet, … Read more

Last summer, many parts of North America were plagued by wildfires. One of my friends was personally affected. Although his hay was burnt, his home was spared, but at the back of his property, a neighbour's ranch with cabins for tourist … Read more

I wish that more church folks would go to Sunday school. In Scotland, Sunday school was meant only for school children, and I often felt that the adults lost out on the opportunity to deepen their faith each week. In North America, I was … Read more

If you still remember, you haven't forgiven. After 17 years — 19 if you count the dating part, Sarah called it quits. She walked out and left her husband and two kids. She couldn't explain why she did it, but she did. Maybe it was … Read more

A few months ago, I left Soroti, Uganda — my home and mission field — to have an eight-day vacation with my parents in Ireland. Arriving at the airport, I could barely grab my bags off the luggage carousel because I was experiencing two … Read more

Today, November 11th, is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the USA. On this day each year, veterans from the various wars and conflicts, both those who died and those still living, are recognized and remembered. There are … Read more

Jesus told His disciples that there would be wars and rumours of wars, and that nation would rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. He spoke these words as they stood in awe of the magnificent buildings and stone structures of … Read more

Isn't it interesting that "the light of the world" is a title that Jesus gives to us as well as to Himself? He never says that we are "living water" or "the bread of life", but He does call us "the light of the world". A stranger once … Read more

As I lay awake in the black hole of sleeplessness, my eyes wandered to the crack in the blinds which covered the window behind my bed. I was amazed at the glory of the spectacle above. The sky, an inky black canvas, was encrusted with … Read more

During the summer, out the window, I watched my three friendly squirrels racing about the yard and up and down their tree. The Lord has used them to teach me many important lessons. Tippy arrived just recently, and is so named because of … Read more

Once upon a time, I lived under the illusion that we should treat people as they deserve. It was a simple law which I easily grasped: Be nice only to nice people. Thankfully, my illusion got shattered — all because of one dozen eggs. … Read more

Interestingly, the event described in Mark's Gospel is the only time that we catch a glimpse of Jesus sleeping during His ministry. The day's teaching left Him exhausted, seeking privacy and rest. Nothing could disturb Him — not even … Read more

I try to attend worship on Sundays in two different churches: one at 9:30 a.m., where I sing in the choir, and another at 11:00 a.m. I had been asked to sing at the second service. During my daily devotions, I read about living water. … Read more

When I read about how reluctant Moses was to do God's bidding, it makes me smile. Getting people to volunteer in church for leadership or ministry roles can be just as hard, too. Some folks feel as if they're not good enough, others think … Read more

I belong to a writer's group that meets twice a month. When we get together, we have a ten-minute writing exercise, share a homework assignment, and engage in constructive criticism on two or three pages of something that we have been … Read more

I prayed numerous times daily, but nothing changed. Due to circumstances beyond my control, a life-changing situation had turned my world upside down. Because of the nature of the situation — and the prevailing belief within the … Read more