The last of the green grapes had been in the refrigerator for at least two weeks. I decided that it was time to eat them up or throw them out — something that I am loathe to do — and I scolded myself for not enjoying them sooner. Taking … Read more

Pastoral visitation has always been one of my priorities. Early in my ministry, I made an appointment for a regular pastoral visit with John and Helen. The first 15 minutes were filled with niceties, but then, Helen said that she wanted … Read more

When people say that they are hostage to something, it means that they are being involuntarily controlled by some outside influence. Sometimes, I feel like I'm being held hostage by forces over which I have no control. The recreational … Read more

Every afternoon when I walked into the house, things had disappeared. Our possessions shrank by the day. Well … not really. We were moving, and my wife was doing most of the packing while I taught school during the day. Since I didn't … Read more

Every few weeks, I go to our local library and peruse their book sale tables. Recently, I found 1,000 places to see before you die, by Patricia Schultz. A much-travelled freelance writer, she compiled a list of places that would "impress … Read more

My husband and I certainly didn't think that it was an opportunity for great joy when our car wouldn't start. For once, we were in the car at exactly 6:00 a.m., ready to head home from a recent holiday, a day's drive from New Denver, … Read more

In 2013, my husband and I retired and bought a two-and-a-half-storey brick house in Durham, Ontario, Canada. Our seven-year-old granddaughter said, "Grandma, it looks like a haunted house." It did. But the real estate agent called it "a … Read more

Scrubbing the gingerbread clock was no easy task for me. It was completely blackened with smoke deposited over many seasons of woodburning. For years, that clock had sat on a shanty floor behind a cabinet — all but forgotten. Imagine … Read more

From the ease of my recliner, my mind wanders to my childhood farm days and that exhilarating feeling of skipping through a wide-open green pasture on a summer day. I am reminded of that endless overhead expanse of sky, where I saw eagles … Read more

It is election time in Ottawa — and elsewhere — for city councillors, school trustees, and mayor. The candidates' signs have popped up along the roadways and front lawns like dandelions! There is always lots of cynicism among voters on … Read more

My friend told me the other day about reading a devotional from another provider that referred to failing health quality as "the dwindles". We have had cases of the dwindles, but we just didn't know what to call them, when we felt gloomy, … Read more

"How are you?" "I'm fine, thanks!" We've all engaged in this social greeting formula — even with complete strangers. I did last week while hiking along the river. I came across two fishermen standing in the water. On noticing me, one … Read more

A most difficult thing for me to deeply comprehend is that a loving God allows troubles into my life. He tells us to be prepared at all times by faith, knowing that He has a plan for each of us, and that includes both easy and difficult … Read more

One thing that is obvious to me and others is that, as I age, both my body and mind (which Paul describes as my "outer self") are deteriorating. Some years ago, my son hosted a party to celebrate my 80th birthday. One of the guests, a … Read more

The other day, I was walking from south to north on the rooftop terrace of the residence where I live. In front of me, I saw a very clear shadow. Every step I took forward, my shadow moved with me. As I turned and walked east, the shadow … Read more

Recently, the Lord drew my attention to this species of grass. The common name for it is carpet grass. It is often used as permanent pasture or groundcover, but mostly, it is planted in lawns. This is what I heard in my spirit: Look at … Read more

We require power to do anything. Sometimes, the power comes from within, but often we need external power. In many cases, this external power is supplied by electricity, and we are connected to that source. However, when a direct … Read more

How is your health? This is a question that is frequently asked. It normally applies to our physical health, and we may be asked many times throughout our lives. When my tenth great-grandchild arrived in October, there were many times … Read more

There are a lot of old sayings in my memory bank that pop up at appropriate moments in my life. It's a legacy from my grandparents, with whom I lived for twelve years. Recently, one came vividly to mind: "Eat what you can and can what … Read more

Recently, due to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), I had to leave a job that I have held for the past ten years. I struggle daily with symptoms of depression. It feels like I am in a meaningless void, kicked aside, and … Read more

I grew up in a dysfunctional family. My mother turned to arson when life dissatisfied her. If we could keep track of her discontent, sometimes it was possible to head her off, but it wasn't easy. We lived mostly in isolation in the bush … Read more

During World War II, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers built a much-needed highway through Canada connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States. It wasn't yet paved or open to the public, but my father decided to take our family down it … Read more

Because I was an athlete in my younger years, God often uses sporting illustrations to teach me spiritual truths — they resonate with me. I was reminded of one of those when we took the grandkids to the swimming pool during March … Read more

As I thought about how Jesus died for my sins, I realized that He died for me — His blood is on my hands. I might as well have been there to pound the nails in His hands and feet — the hammer fits my hand! In my mind, I saw a … Read more

Here I was, on a cold, wet, cloudy day in late January, noticing that a headlight on my car was dead. I wished that I had bothered to replace this headlight at the same time as I had done the other one when the weather was more agreeable: … Read more

My late Scottish mother-in-law taught me this song. We always got a chuckle out of it when she sang it, especially because she had false teeth. Last night there was murder at the fish shop A wee dug stole a haddie bone A big dug tried tae … Read more

In her room, she waits. Day after day, month after month, year after long year, she sits invisible to those outside. She listens and watches, hoping to see family and old friends who have seemingly forgotten about her. She awakens each … Read more

Sadly, on May 16th of this year, I lost one of my closest and dearest friends, Parise Arakelian. Often, when I tell others how we met through this PresbyCan ministry, they are surprised to hear that we never actually met in person, but … Read more

A broken cup. That is what I saw when I asked the Lord to show me what had happened to my life. Sick with an illness, possibly a viral attack, which robbed me of my life and for which doctors had no answers and no treatment, I was able … Read more

I was delighted when a friend returned from vacation in Florida and presented me with a large seashell. I immediately put it to my nose. Most people would put it to their ear, listening for the sea. But I am hard of hearing, and to put … Read more

In our younger years, my wife and I lived with our two children for a number of years in a tiny, isolated, Canadian arctic settlement on the west coast of Hudson Bay. The settlement was accessible only by air on an airstrip that had been … Read more

Many years ago, shortly after I came to Canada, I was sitting in a church when this lovely hymn was announced. Even though I had not heard it before, I found myself singing wholeheartedly with everyone else. I have never forgotten the … Read more

Yesterday, the power was out in the area where we live. The outage lasted four hours, and because we'd been given prior warning, we were prepared. It was a dark and rainy day. Even expecting and knowing the power to be off, I don't know … Read more