I read a cute story on Facebook about a little boy who thought that he was old enough to visit his grandparents by himself. After much discussion, his parents agreed, and with his suitcase in hand, they took him to the train station. … Read more

We had not been to church for quite a while, mainly because of the COVID-19 situation as well as on account of personal medical issues. But in April, we started attending again. Mind you, a lot has changed: attendance has decreased, and … Read more

Sometimes, things happen in our lives that we remember forever. All of us have such memories and stories, and they are often ones that we repeat to others throughout our lifetime. I expect that that was what it was like for the shepherds … Read more

I have had many friends in my life — ones from childhood, my school years, university days, and adulthood. Many of these friendships waned, not for bad reasons, but simply because we moved on with our lives in career, location, and life. … Read more

During these days of crisis and uncertainty, the memories and experiences of the British people during the dark times of the Second World War come to mind. The nation faced a dangerous and seemingly unstoppable enemy army, as it marched … Read more

For years, it has been a pattern. Evening comes, it's time to get ready for bed, and into my mind come memories and thoughts from the day or the past. Every one is tainted by hurt, and at its heart, by self-pity or my desire for … Read more

Travelling is not my thing. I find it extremely stressful and rather scary, yet every once in a while, I am enticed into a little jaunt here or there. During one such short foray this past summer, God continued to teach me to trust in … Read more

The recipe that I was following called for toasted nuts. At one time, I wouldn't have bothered with the toasting process as I didn't think that it was that important. Through the cooking channel, however, I discovered that toasting the … Read more

On the sun-drenched morning of January 13th, my wife Janice and I took a leisurely walk along the Waikoloa golf course bordering our condo unit on the Big Island. With the promise of yet another beautiful Hawaiian day, it was strange … Read more

Are you feeling lonely today? Loneliness is a hollow emptiness, a feeling of isolation and disconnection, of not knowing what to do, as no one seems to care. In reading about this subject, I note that loneliness is increasing everywhere. … Read more

I enjoy watching the ducks and geese that frequently visit the pond across the street from my home. This year, I took the cutest picture of four goslings all lined up in a row following their mother as she led them into the water. For a … Read more

Twice a month for a great number of years now, I have been leading a Bible discussion at the local Long Term Care Centre. On special occasions such as Christmas, New Year's, and Good Friday, I lead a worship service there as well. My wife … Read more

Sometimes, what's ahead and behind is just as important as what's in the middle. My wife and I took a vacation to visit my brother and sister-in-law, who recently moved to West Virginia, USA. They live in an area where coal mines are … Read more

My Yorkshire Terrier, Sienna, who weighs five pounds four ounces, was the most fearful little creature I'd ever met when she first came to live with us as a puppy. No one could get near her, and she shook and trembled in every new … Read more

One day, I was studying Psalm 121, and as I do quite often, I checked my Dutch and German Bibles. I noticed that in those two languages, there is only one word for shade or shadow, the emphasis being on shadow. That made me think more … Read more

Many years ago, when I first started hearing audible voices, I was in touch with a dear friend from my teenage days. She gave me the following good, sound advice: This is hard advice to follow, but it helps me very much: Keep an attitude … Read more

Recently, I rode my bicycle in a charity event for work. Not knowing what the route would be like, I trained on hills and on rough and smooth roads. I also had my bicycle tuned up just before the event. The day was overcast and gloomy, but … Read more

I was given a plain white porcelain cup, slightly over one inch tall. What could I do with such a wee thing? Still, out of respect for the giver, I kept it. Months afterwards, the horticultural fair listed an item: "Mini-arrangement, … Read more

My Amish neighbours have a foal in their pasture whose mother is never far away. Sometimes, I even see the little one tied behind a buckboard that is rolling along our macadam roadway. It seems that the mare will not pull the buckboard … Read more

Every day can be an adventure with the Lord, a "God day", even if we don't see it at the time. God always seems to give me a personal analogy when I give the Sunday School lesson for the kids at church.

My lesson was from the book of … Read more

I have spent my life moving. So far, I have moved twenty times, including once as recently as this past January. Only once have I lived five years in one house. Being just in my late thirties, it is hard … Read more

There can be times in our walk as Christians when we feel like we are so very far from God, whether it is from our actions or lack of action, or just something that we are wading through in our … Read more

Not too long ago, our church building was sold to a funeral company. Our church membership was slowly being reduced for various reasons, and the building was becoming a burden to the few members who were left. We had no … Read more

We all have things every day which cause us concern or worry — from big things, like how to pay the bills — to small things, like a child who sometimes worries about going to sleep in case of bad … Read more

Near the beginning of June, my husband had surgery on his carotid artery. It was at that time that he suffered a mini-stroke. I knew that there was something wrong because it was a long time before he came out … Read more

After two weeks in Florida, USA, away from the winter, with our only concern being how we were going to spend our sunny days, it was time to think about the journey home. Knowing that the drive would take us … Read more

My morning coffee is usually for me an unhurried time, to start my day. There are times, though, when time does not permit a dilly-dallying with my coffee. This particular morning, I was on my second cup when it was … Read more

My first job, when I was very young, was as an orthodontist assistant. The office was in the basement of a building owned by an alcoholic who lived upstairs. From downstairs, we could hear the verbal abuse and the arguments. … Read more

You may have watched pictures of the wildfires that once again swept the Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, area in late July, reminding us of the devastating fires of August 2003, when 239 homes burned to the ground. This time, again, … Read more

One of my favourite songs of all time is "The wind beneath my wings". This was written by Larry Henley and Jeff Silbar and has been sung by many different recording artists. It never fails to leave me with chill … Read more

I remember being invited to attend a Bible study held at our church, and being very reluctant to attend it, but for some reason, my busy schedule allowed it. The Bible study, indeed, was a life-changer! At the end of … Read more

I found myself at an impasse in my life. A door had opened to serve the Lord in an area in which I have skills. I was both very excited and somewhat fearful of the opportunity. Somehow the fear began … Read more

I was driving down the Interstate and had an arterial venial malformation — a leak in my brain — and as a result, within fifteen seconds, I was totally unconscious. The end result was two brain surgeries and six years … Read more