I have had the opportunity to do some sightseeing in Europe. We travelled to Drielandpunt in Vaals. This is a three-country point, where the borders of Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany meet at a small monument marking this geographical … Read more

On our journey of life, it is normal to be looking ahead. Sometimes, we look back and hopefully learn from mistakes that we have made, but more often, we look ahead with hope and anticipation of good things that lie ahead. One of my … Read more

"I was here first!" It starts so early! This exclamation often ended in some pushing and shoving. The effort to be first in line seems to go way back in my memory. It seemed that to be first in line was some kind of great achievement … Read more

Recently, I've become acquainted with a woman who is rapidly losing her eyesight. She once had full sight, but as the years have advanced, her vision has declined, until now all that she can perceive is brightness and shadow. Her white … 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

When my brother was young, he would be the one to check the family before we went away on a holiday. "Did you unplug the iron?" he would say to our mother. "Is the stove off?" We could go once he was satisfied that nothing was left … Read more

Once upon a time, I taught chemistry in a particular high school, and — glory to God — I was a vessel through which many of the high school children received Jesus. On a certain day, one of my female students opened up to me and … Read more

I have a habit of listening to, and inviting myself into, other people's conversations. So the other day, as I was making a purchase, I was intrigued by the clerk's comment: "I'm looking for shirt stays." "Shirt stays?" I inquired as I … Read more

Our pastor designed a diagram easily understood by the congregation. It often appeared on the screen as he preached. There were some who rolled their eyes and muttered, "Not the circles again!" But most of us grinned and settled down for … Read more

My two-year-old granddaughter is not clumsy by nature, yet she goes through periods where she is continually tripping, stumbling, and falling. This occurs because she is constantly growing, and her mind has to be forever keeping up with … Read more

During just two weeks last year, my life suddenly overflowed with problems. My washing machine died for the third time in a few months after $170 in repairs. I was overwhelmingly busy, teaching Bible studies, finishing a pile of charity … Read more

The church that I attend, like many others today, is searching for a new pastor. Our pastor retired two years ago, after serving us for three decades. He still attends, along with his children and grandchildren. We knew that it would be … Read more

A policeman came to my door, asking, "Are you the wife of Richard DeShaw?" I said, "Dick! Never Richard!" Right then, an old Irish joke suddenly popped into my mind: An insensitive cop asks a woman, "Are you the Widow Brown?" … Read more

Humour is an important, positive aspect of our life. We are created in God's image. Hence, it is logical that God must have a great sense of humour! When we humans make a great discovery, I can imagine God smiling and thinking, "Well, … Read more

When my husband and I began to travel by boat up the inside passage on the west coast of Canada, there was one stipulation that I made, and that was that we would never travel at night. However, there was one occasion when we were … Read more

It was a very snowy winter. Snow after snow fell, day after day. We lived in a very white world. As spring thaw began, a team of horses pulling a sled suddenly went down so deep beside the winter-packed tracks that they threw snow over … Read more

Most often, I am an "all-or-nothing" person: either in or out. Whilst I happily recognize the reality of shades of grey in life's arena, I make my choices: I am impulsive, impatient, and confrontational. I want everything done ASAP, … Read more

The quotation, "Knowledge is power", is attributed to Francis Bacon, but the meaning given to it varies from author to author. The phrase often implies that with knowledge or education, one's potential or abilities in life will certainly … Read more

On October 10th, the first anniversary of his death, we buried my late husband's ashes at the Cataraqui Cemetery in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Ernie was buried on top of his mother's grave, with the gravestone marker noting "Beloved Son … Read more

As a boy, I used to love making model aircraft. Most of my allowance was spent on buying small kits of plastic jets or World War II aircraft. Sometimes, I even purchased model vintage cars, but those were usually very difficult to put … Read more

What if my prayers always started with "Lord, I trust You to provide me with what I need", rather than "Lord, this is what I want"? As I have moved along in my walk and my relationship with Jesus over the past twelve years, I am still … Read more

Often, as my day unfolds, I have a hymn ringing through my soul, both the music and the words. It usually is a hymn that I have known since childhood. "Breathe on me, breath of God" is with me today, and I wonder what God is trying to … Read more

A recent trip to Tennessee, U.S.A., had us travelling throughout the night. Around 5:30 a.m., I began to look for signs of daybreak. It was overcast, and we had driven through rain during the night, so although I was not expecting to see a … Read more

Our loving God created us in His image and He delights in us. He continually surprises us with hidden treasures in all of creation for us to discover and enjoy. For example, scientists have identified protein molecules called laminins. … Read more

We've approached a time of bustle — shopping, baking, holiday greetings, and home for Christmas. Why? Why are we celebrating Christmas? How would the average person answer that question? Tradition? Family? Love for hearth and home? Let's go back to … Read more

Periodically, believers are challenged by some sceptic who claims that the Christian hope of life eternal is just "pie in the sky by and by". Today's Scripture does talk about "the hope of glory", and people might think that such … Read more

We get the weather report sent to us every morning on our computer, and when there is bad weather ahead, we receive "Warnings Direct" for our area. We often receive repeated warnings of impending bad weather conditions. This morning's warning … Read more

What is Hang Son Doong? To those who already know the answer: "Good job!" The rest can read the National Geographic article and see the pictures . It is no ordinary hole in the ground. It is … Read more

Through my family's and the church's prayers, and even after thirty years of daily study of God's Word, my spiritual journey in the Lord and my little knowledge of Him still seem to me rather like and ant climbing a … Read more

The apostle Paul wrote to people who believed in Jesus Christ at Colosse around the year 60 A.D. My experience brings me to agree with what Paul said almost 2000 years ago. Decades ago, I found myself in a spiritually … Read more

Sometimes, life's most valuable lessons begin with failure. Recently, I embarked on one of these lessons by allowing thoughtless words to fly unchecked. Too late to retrieve them, I found myself in an acute state of unrest and basic dysfunction. … Read more

When I buy a program for my computer, the first thing I do is read the instruction manual. The one who wrote the program knows best how it works, because it is his creation. The same is true in discovering … Read more

My weight struggle is no secret. I am a member of Weight Watchers. I own all their books and gadgets. I even have a workout pal who nudges me into daily exercise. So then, you might well ask, "Brenda, are … Read more