It was on October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther nailed 95 theses, or statements, on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, marking the start of the reformation movement. For centuries, the Bible had been available only in … Read more

Have you ever been to a public protest? If so, you've probably heard some chanting. Usually the leader is equipped with a bullhorn and yells out, "What do we want?!" Then the people respond with their demand. Then the leader says, "When … Read more

My parents' home in Scotland had its own front garden. My dad planted a hedgerow to divide it from our neighbours and placed a green picket fence all around it. To get to the front door of our house, visitors had to walk through the small … Read more

My son and I recently went to northern Arizona for my birthday. The scenery was incredible. One morning, we ventured a few miles into Utah and took a side road labelled "Paria Canyon Movie Set". It turned into a five-mile downhill journey … Read more

From the time of birth, pain is a fact of life. The actions that we take and the people around us are critically important to what happens with our pain. Soon after babies learn words like "mommy" or "no", they learn "ouch", or "it … Read more

While out walking with the dogs the other day, I experienced a moment of great concern. Some of the dogs were running along the trail ahead of me, while some were walking with me. My collie, Bonnie, was one of the ones out front. I could … Read more

Life in a mill camp taught me as a child that the earth is filled with many odours. They ranged from mildly pleasant to putridly awful. For example, the fresh sap of freshly cut lumber appealed to me, while the smell of dust and the stale … Read more

Sometimes, I find myself thinking that God has no more for me to do, as I am old. Then, I remember that the apostle Paul said that he was old, too, a vulnerable thing to admit. But lately, when people ask how I am, I say, "Elderly", … Read more

My friend, Mary, couldn't understand why her almonds were disappearing. She had set out a dishful for snacking, but she certainly wasn't eating them that fast. The only other person around was her husband, so naturally, she suspected him. … Read more

There have been times in my life when I have listened to the nudgings of the Holy Spirit, like in the early 1970s when we sponsored our first foster child, Marilou, from the Philippines. I was very faithful in writing letters and sending … Read more

During Queen Elizabeth's coronation in 1953, watched by millions, she wore a gown and jewels worth millions of dollars. She was anointed with oil from a golden vial in the shape of an eagle, which is kept in the vaults under Westminster … Read more

I had reached the magic number; I knew what the doctor would say. Fifty is the age when physical tests of various sorts begin to take place — one of which I dreaded. When I visited the doctor for a regular checkup, he said, "We need to … Read more

My advancing years have prompted me to ask a lot. I ask fellow walkers to get me across the street safely by letting me know when the light turns to the "Walk" signal. In the grocery store, I ask helping hands to reach items or to look at … Read more

I'm not proud to say it, but I can identify with the apostle Paul in this statement. Before I was saved at the age of thirty, I was well acquainted with sin. But then, a prerequisite for salvation is that we must know and admit that we … Read more

Have you ever wondered why God created us with two ears and two eyes but only one mouth? Do you think it could be that we should spend four times as much listening and observing as talking? When I told a member of the nursing staff where … Read more

It was in the Boy Scouts that I learned how to read and use a map. I can remember hiking in the Campsie hills above Glasgow, Scotland, with my Scout troop. As we climbed the hills, a deep fog descended around us, and before long, it … Read more

One day, I was looking on YouTube for an anthem that my wife needed to learn for a church service in which she was invited to sing with the choir. While I was listening to it, during a clarinet solo, I heard some small children giggling … Read more

In addition to quilting, I've also enjoyed trying a variety of crafts. Some become part of my hobbies, others are never tried again. The other day, I was feeling guilty about the time that I spend on these craft activities, until I … Read more

I was having a difficult day. Living in a small, remote town has both its joys and its challenges. For me, one of the challenges is a lack of opportunities to experience new and different things. As in any tiny community, there is a lot … Read more

At the age of 17, I began working my way through Bible school, cleaning toilets all over campus at 5 a.m. I was shy and seldom off campus, except to run children's programs in a nearby church. One day, I wrote a short note to a co-worker … Read more

As a child, I loved to make mud pies. In fact, during the summer, I was up to my elbows making miniature bowls, dishes, and furniture. Then, I discovered that I could make clay babies. After spending my day creating, I would place the … Read more

Every day, in numerous instances, be it personally, locally, or globally, there is an overwhelming need for prayer. An uncountable number of people pray for loved ones, for friends, for friends of friends, and for those not even known to … Read more

I have lived in Canada for fifty years, and I still don't enjoy winter. It seems like a waste of time to me because I don't like going outside. I find snow not just dangerous but boring. There it is, every day for months — dismal and … Read more

During World War II, Corrie ten Boom's family sheltered many Jews who were fleeing the Nazis. The Nazi police seized Corrie, her sister Betsie, and their father. They ended up in a concentration camp, all the while holding firmly to the … Read more

Theologians have long debated how we humans can have true freedom of choice when our sovereign, omnipotent God is in control of everything and has the power to do anything. The principle is that God wants us to accept His unconditional … Read more

Conversations in a physician's waiting room can be interesting and run the gamut. As my wife and I sat in the waiting room, waiting for her to be called back for her colonoscopy, we listened to the various conversations. One was between … Read more

As my granddaughter and I sat in our seat awaiting lift-off as the plane roared down the runway, I was once again amazed that planes can fly. As we soared into the clouds, I thought of all those, so many years ago, who believed in their … Read more

In my spirit, I heard it as plain as day: "Cheryl, I know thee well." It didn't seem like an accusation, but it was a statement that went straight to my soul and pierced me deeply. I have never forgotten it! I had been 30 years of age … Read more

When we lived in England, we resided in a pleasant town just south of London. One Friday evening, we were away to London for a show, and on Saturday morning, I saw that there was a broken window in the door of the back entrance to the … Read more

Last year, I had emergency surgery and nearly died. For a week after I was released from the hospital, had it not been for the kindness of my son-in-law's sister, I would not have had a place to go. My landlord had just sold his house when … Read more

Recently, I have been reminded once again of the wonderful healing power of Jesus. Thirty-three years ago, at the age of 42, I was shunned and excommunicated from my cherished childhood church because I had divorced and married again. The … Read more