Several years ago, at the University of the Nations, a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) base in Kona, Hawaii, I was a gatekeeper. My job was to screen visitors who approached the gate by car, and to let them through. As people drove up, I … Read more

I remember that it was a cold, rainy evening in 1975. My husband Marcelo was working swing shift, and I needed to get something from the grocery store. The rain was still pouring when I finished shopping, and as I was running to the car, … Read more

Some years ago, one of the churches in our area was without a minister for a couple of years. I was one of the people who went there on a regular basis to lead worship services. When the new pastor was about to take up residence in that … Read more

Arriving by boat at the welcoming shoreline of Kill Bear Park, my husband and I lowered our anchor and slipped gingerly into the shallow, cool water of Georgian Bay. Laughing as our feet wrestled with the shifting sand below, we slowly … Read more

Perhaps, like me, you periodically wonder why God Almighty takes actions like He does. At this time of the year, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, why did God decide that the best way to show His love for us was to send His Son as … Read more

For many years while we lived overseas, I did not have the chance to have a vegetable garden, but when we refocused — not retired — we had a good-sized garden behind the house. Since we downsized to a bungalow in town, I have had a … Read more

One of the most important and helpful pieces of advice that I have received is "Learn your coffee barista's name — and use it!" Let me explain. I'm not a coffee addict, but I am a latte lover! Now that our local coffee shops are … Read more

My grandfather made a shelf to go above my bed to hold my tiny collection of Golden Books and four Storybook dolls. In the fourth grade, I earned a little money here and there. With it, I bought my first Bible. I was so proud of it, and I … Read more

"What, no mirror?" Pride chided Jewel. Jewel loathed mirrors! Just seeing her reflection would stir within her the haunting voices that had plagued her since childhood: "We wish you were never born." "You deserve every bad thing that … Read more

Ever since I was a teenager, I haven't liked having my picture taken. I do, however, like taking pictures of nature — birds, flowers, scenery — and especially of my family. So, for many years, I was the official picture taker. The … Read more

I love to receive my grandchildren's annual school photographs. I can see how they've changed and grown. They often stand back to back with each other — and me — to see who is taller. The younger ones stand straight as their height is … Read more

During this past spring and summer, I travelled in the area where we live to lead services in different Presbyterian churches. There is a lot of cultivated farm land in this area, and it seems that the majority of the crops being grown … Read more

It was in the late 1940s. My father was the pastor of a small Armenian Brethren congregation in Detroit, Michigan, USA. As my father arose from his chair to start his sermon by the reading of Scripture, he opened his Bible and in Armenian … Read more

Bill Shankly, a Scottish soccer manager, once said, "Football isn't about life or death — it's much more important than that." ("Soccer" is called "football" outside North America.) Bill Shankly coached the world-famous English soccer … Read more

Jesus quoted this prophetic Scripture from Isaiah 56:7 as He went into the temple following His palm-strewn entry into Jerusalem the day before. The religious leaders were alarmed by His show of authority as He forcefully overturned the … Read more

I was eager to get to my mother's hospital room as she recovered from breaking her hip. During the visit, I began a conversation with a dear lady named Inga in the next bed. She had been admitted for a serious digestive problem and had … Read more

Whenever my father experiences a coincidence or serendipitous happening, he calls it a "God wink". Sometimes as God speaks to us through these God winks, He uses them as a way to affirm, validate, or draw our attention to the stirrings of … Read more

A friend sent me a set of pictures entitled "Structural Engineer in Action". They showed a bird building a mud nest on the window ledge of someone's house. Each successive picture showed the progression of the nest from its circular, … Read more

I was sitting in a lab, waiting, while my wife was giving blood for tests, when a young mom came in with her baby. The infant was housed in one of the most classy strollers I'd ever seen, complete with … Read more

Here in Britain, we have herring gulls. They have a piercing, laughing call that instantly evokes in me a sense of the seaside. Recent years have modified that image experienced as a child. One day, as a male herring gull … Read more

It has been a few years now since I have worked at a local delicatessen and restaurant. I remember my very first day starting at the deli, and coming from a banking background, I found it to be very, very … Read more

Years ago, we had a bush right outside our living room window. One summer, a pair of little sparrows built a nest in the bush. Next thing we knew, there were a few little eggs in that nest. It was … Read more

A friend told me recently that she had visited Nashua, Iowa, USA. "Why?" I asked her, "What is so special about Nashua?" She replied, "That is where the 'Little Brown Church' is located. It is also where in 1857 William … Read more

Exercise! Often when we hear that word, we cringe, knowing it is hard work. In the physical realm, I have determined to get into shape and lose weight a few times over the years. Getting started is the hardest … Read more

Recently, while on my daily walk, I passed by a new housing development in the rocky terrain of Muskoka. I took the time to observe a workman who was putting the cribbing in place to pour a foundation for a … Read more

It has been my custom to plant a second crop of beans in my vegetable garden each year. The planting takes place about the second week of July for a September picking. This year was a little special. Our four-year-old … Read more

One thing of concern when reaching middle age is that, quite often, we find we are concerned about our middles. While weight gain isn't exclusive to this stage of life, it sure seems to have a close relationship with it! … Read more

My wife and I recently attended a concert given at a local church by combined choirs of local churches and the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony. From where we sat, I could watch the harpist, but noticed that there were times that … Read more

Have you ever wondered about the six materials listed above used in building upon the foundation of Christ? Just what is it we do or do not do to make the difference between materials that burn or materials that last? … Read more

We're renovating our summer cottage. It's been interesting and exciting to watch the plans unfold, one step at a time. As I watched the work progress, I couldn't help thinking how much our lives are under construction. God created us. … Read more

During the Christmas season many years ago, the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) organization had a "Tie One On" campaign whereby we could purchase a red ribbon with MADD in black letters, to tie on our car aerials to signify … Read more

In August, I signed up for a third and final course at the local college, which would complement two others I'd taken from the same instructor. The course, to run two weekends in October, if ever even offered again, would … Read more

It seems the older we get, the more we want to ensure we have a "firm foundation". Family reunions are one way in which many people choose to maintain that "insurance", or "assurance". One thing is for sure: you do … Read more