It was one of those days. Laundry was on the go. Bread for the market was on the go. Projects with the girls were on the go. The dogs were going crazy outside, barking at who knows what. The younger child was throwing a hissy fit again, … Read more

"What's that?" I asked my friend as we strolled through the market in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, USA, near the Mexican border. She had just bought a cone-shaped object, shrink-wrapped in cellophane. "It's piloncillo, raw sugar. … Read more

God, the recipient of our prayers, is always awake. Prayer is not restricted to specific times; it is something that can be done anywhere, anytime. Recent research has established that our mind is active even while we are sleeping, thus … Read more

"But we're only twelve years old." I've heard this statement — or variations of it — numerous times. One of my tasks as a middle-school English teacher entails instilling responsibility in the students. At their age, most of them buck … Read more

As part of the history class that I took in high school, I had to study the origins of World War II. Our class spent several weeks focusing on the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and how he motivated the American people to deal … Read more

Every human being on the face of the earth has a conscience. When God breathed into mankind, He sent a deposit of His Spirit into every person. That divine deposit of God in us is our conscience. But just like our physical senses, some … Read more

"Don't forget your umbrellas," mother would call out on blustery days, prompting my brothers and me to pick up our paces, for it was a long walk to school whenever we missed our bus. Then, with a final once-over, mother would kiss us … Read more

Moshe Reuven Asman, chief rabbi of Ukraine, called on Christians and Jews to say together the following words from Psalm 31 as Russian forces attacked the Ukraine on various fronts. People of faith are drawn together to offer comfort and … Read more

As two weary years of COVID-19 restrictions and limitations on in-person worship for our churches have dragged on, how we groaned inwardly and longed for those heavy storms to pass! My own church in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, sought to … Read more

"Oh Mommy, why did this happen to me, and how long will it last?" These were four-year-old Ade's words when she caught the flu this winter. She was confused as to how she got sick and was concerned as to how long she was going to be … Read more

Recently, I had minor surgery to remove a small skin cancer on my face. Though the surgery left a two-inch scar, I was grateful that the cancer was detected and treated in time. As I recovered, I marvelled at God's handiwork in healing and … Read more

I have been surrounded by sailors my whole life, but I had little opportunity to join them until 1986, when I moved to Pictou, Nova Scotia, Canada. I sometimes joined my Uncle Trap's crew, mostly as "rail meat", which means that my most … Read more

Back in the early 1960s, I often took on odd jobs in Portland, Oregon, USA, where I was a student. One day, my assignment was at an address in an affluent suburb. The door would be unlocked — those were innocent days. I was to tidy the … Read more

He gave until he took his final breath. My paternal grandfather was a giver. I have fond memories of his giving to others but also of how much he gave to me — and not always in monetary form. As a single guy, I had difficulty handling … Read more

My 2022 New Year's resolution has been to acknowledge God's blessings in my life, and to continually give God recognition and thanks. I've found that when I focus on my blessings, my discontentments and disappointments have been … Read more

One of the great sadnesses that I have noticed about this prolonged pandemic has been the constant lack of love when people argue about their personal choices. It's far easier to berate and ridicule our opponents, rather than to have a … Read more

The Lord's Prayer has always had a special place in my heart. Rod Marshall's recent devotional about it reminded me that my mother inherited an expanded version of the prayer from her grandparents, … Read more

The word "love" is used a lot these days. I've noticed young people saying, "Love you!" when they leave or part company. Love is expressed by total strangers, at times through cards or letters. So, I was wondering, what is "love"? Here is … Read more

In celebration of the birth of a brand-new day and a brand-new year 2022, snowflakes fell from the sky like bright confetti, each one a miraculous reminder of God's love and faithfulness. The footprints of yesterday's sins vanished … Read more

My friend sat in her living room and watched as a small Downy Woodpecker flew towards the netting that she had put into place in front of the window, intended to keep birds from hitting it. Instead of coming short of the barrier and … Read more

My two-and-a-half-year-old grandchild, Lindy, loves to sing, even though she doesn't yet speak, other than the odd word here and there. What better place to sing but at church? After all, everyone else is singing, so she loves to join … Read more

Given the current situation with abnormal COVID-19 times and the inability to do "normal" activities, I have been thinking about people whom I have met and the impressions that they have made on me. Over the years, I have been privileged … Read more

There are a few things that I cherish in this life, and hopefully, you'd be surprised by the list. Very few possessions are on that list, and the few that make it have little or no monetary value. Take those old battered cassettes, for … Read more

Dad was a snacker, and he did it consistently. One of my earliest childhood memories is how my dad would pause during the day for snacks. As a small elementary-age child, I can remember his opening the back door of the apartment where we … Read more

The dictionary defines conscience as "a person's moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one's behaviour". It is one thing to maintain a clear conscience before man, and it is another thing to maintain a clear … Read more

When I was in high school, I used to enjoy long-distance running. Going around the track twenty times or more gave me moments of solitude and clarity that enabled me to find solutions to some of the problems and issues that I faced as a … Read more

Every day, I seem to be struggling with something or someone. It may be as trivial as struggling to open a tight jar, or to complete a challenging jigsaw puzzle. Other times, it might be a struggle to get along with a difficult person, or … Read more

As winter's first snowflakes began to fall, they danced about like glittering confetti. Within an hour or two, the landscape outside had turned from dull green into the most brilliant white. The surrounding fields of lilies bowed their … Read more

It was 1940. I was just a six-year-old boy. I heard my parents, relatives, and friends talking about the possibilities of war in the place where we lived. I did not understand what that meant, and they explained to me that soldiers from … Read more

In my laissez-faire relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I sometimes find myself becoming passive, content with acknowledgment of — rather than a relationship with — the very Being Whom I profess to follow. Life proceeds … Read more

We live in interesting, often disturbing times. In my city of Ottawa, Canada, we have witnessed an unsettling and often astounding protest in our downtown core by truckers and their supporters, loudly demanding freedom from all pandemic … Read more