My daughter, Mary, was running some supplies into the gas station. As she left with the box, five-year-old Ade asked why Mommy was taking those tiny rolls of toilet paper into the gas station. My first reaction, which I did not act upon, … Read more

"Where in the world are you going?" "Donna, whoa! Where are we?" Feeling a little bit lost, and maybe somewhat anxious, I was talking to my sister as I drove my car. The only problem was that she was in the car ahead of me, and she … Read more

Every year at the end of May, the frogs from the pond behind us crawl out of the water to mate, unaware of the high mortality rate for those that cross the road. I never fail to remember the first year that we lived here at frog time! Our … Read more

"One UI, optimizing apps" appeared on my phone screen as it turned on. Curious as to what it meant, I looked it up and discovered that "UI" is a shortcut that stands for "user interface" — visual or audio elements that humans use to … Read more

My local Member of Parliament (MP) has shown by his actions that he is man of integrity and commitment to get things done or highlighted as in need of action, and for that he is to be commended. In recognition of his erudition, he has a … Read more

There are words in the Christian vocabulary that seem archaic, one of which is "abide". As it is used in the Bible, it means staying constantly, or remaining on a continual basis. "Abide" makes me think of an abode, a home, and when I form … Read more

Should I or should I not? I had entered the valley of decision. Before one school year, the headmaster sent an email asking which teachers wanted an iPad. Since the school had already given us laptops — and I used mine to portray … Read more

The Gleaners plant near Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, is the home of a highly efficient non-profit operation. Surplus and unsaleable produce and shipments of lentils, peas, or barley are combined in dehydrated form to produce a … Read more

Love will always compel us to do something good for God. The Pastoral Care Ministry in our congregation provides spiritual care to the families in our church and community who are struggling with health issues, among other things. We … Read more

I have another hobby, a new one: I'm rooting plants. About fifteen years ago, I led services on a regular basis at a church in our area while they were without a pastor for a couple of years. In appreciation, they gave me a rosebush about … Read more

I often wonder, and even worry somewhat, that as my grandchildren grow older, they will forget the things that they are learning about God, for I know that I will not always be here to remind them of the love of Jesus. But then the other … Read more

If you look very closely right next to my left eye on my nose, you will see a tiny little scar. Like every scar, it has a story. I'm not sure how old I was at the time but I know not more than 4 or 5. I remember what happened as if it … Read more

I went shopping recently and bought some chocolate and sticky toffee puddings for a quick Sunday lunch. I also bought a packet of sponge pot scourers to replace the worn-out ones that I use to clean the pots and pans. When I got to the … Read more

Recently, I had an interesting "I wonder why…?" conversation with myself. I wondered why God initiated the aging process in nearly every system in His creation. Why didn't He just create everything starting at its prime, mature stage — … Read more

At every game, he armoured up. Our youngest grandson loves T-ball, and once things in our life changed so that my wife and I had a little more free time in the evening, we made plans to attend his final few games. We had seen pictures of … Read more

Easter Sunday, March 30, 1997, is a day that I have never forgotten. I was looking for a new church home. A friend recommended a church to me, and I was not disappointed after attending my first service. The interim pastor on that Easter … Read more

As I was putting the vacuum cleaner away, I noticed that the retractable cord was not retracting as it should. It went only so far and then came to a halt, leaving several feet of cord still lying on the floor. I gave it a little jerk and … Read more

Most mornings, I walk around my recreational vehicle (RV) park for about half an hour, using different routes. There is not much organization as to how the roads are laid out — they wander here and there, some short, some long — so it … Read more

I have read Matthew 18:1-11 many times and have gotten various things from it, according to what God had for me at the moment. Most of the time, my heart sought simplicity! How should I believe? Jesus said, "become like little children"! … Read more

Recently, I was in a store doing my grocery shopping. As I waited at the till, I heard a little voice in the next aisle. I say that I heard, but the reality was that most of the shop could hear this small child screaming, "Gimme, gimme, … Read more

When I was young, I heard words which I didn't understand, like "communism", "the Cold War", "segregation", and so on. I thought that there was something sinister about such things, because people were so serious and grave when talking … Read more

"Don't you remember?" He didn't. Two years had passed since my son and his family had visited our home. His anger over something that he thought we'd done, but hadn't, boiled. He took his anger out on us by not talking to us or coming to … Read more

After a friend shared the following testimony, I asked for her permission to pass it on. You'll likely be stirred by her experience, and you, too, will respond with thanksgiving. Here's her story: A group of my girlfriends decided to … Read more

As our family grew many years ago, we contemplated adding onto our house. This meant borrowing money, but my father denied the loan that we requested of him. We went ahead anyway. After all, my husband's teaching job had security, we … Read more

Where we live, sunflowers grow abundantly. They grace gardens in town, bloom as farmers' crops, and even wave jauntily from the roadside ditches. My young granddaughters are fascinated with these flowers and how they faithfully follow the … Read more

Ms. Elliott-Binns was my religious knowledge teacher in high school. I remember her not because she gave me good grades in her class, but because of her exuberance while she taught religious studies to her sometimes disinterested students … Read more

Years ago, I helped in cleaning out my grandmother's house after she died. Anyone having engaged in a similar role will know how difficult it can be, and yet, there are certain surprises. In fact, for me it was like a gift waiting to be … Read more

Recently, our family was visiting my wife's mother in Rochdale, England. Caroline decided to take the children and her mum on a shopping trip into nearby Manchester, leaving me at the house. As I slurped my tea, I received a telephone … Read more

I'm a planner, and it's always gratifying when the last plane ticket and hotel room have been booked and the last excursion tickets reserved for my trip. At that point there is nothing left to do but patiently wait until Departure Day … Read more

She knew what she was doing; I had no idea. My wife and I — along with about one hundred other guests — sat under the large tent at our daughter's wedding reception. Only the wedding had taken place four months earlier, courtesy of … Read more

I remember how, on more than one occasion, my junior high home economics teacher told our class, "A woman spends half her life wondering who she will marry, and the other half wondering what to feed him for dinner." Whether or not the … Read more