Each day when I leave the house, I give myself a little pat-down. Bulge in the right pocket — that means I've got my wallet. Lump in the left-hand pocket. That's my house keys. Need those. Bump in the top pocket. I've got my pen. Bump in … Read more

On New Year's Eve 2023, 48 per cent of the people who made a resolution said they resolved to improve fitness. These people resolved to be more fit by exercising, … Read more

Children are so motivated by rewards. When I teach French to my grandchildren, we usually play number bingo, using cards from my teaching days. They listen as I call out the numbers in French, and when they have a complete row, they shout … Read more

How many of us remember Clark Kent running after he heard a cry for help, grabbing his suit jacket, and removing it as he changed into Superman? He was leaving the mild-mannered, weakling Clark behind and becoming the powerful superhero. … Read more

My surroundings needed a little tender loving care to make them more functional. My plan was to switch the use of one room to another purpose. I asked God to lead the way in the things that I had planned to do, and I followed His … Read more

One morning at the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) base near Tijuana, Mexico, the staff and students were taught self-protection moves. That area has a reputation for being rough, and tighter security measures, like a nightly patrol, had been … Read more

At the tender age of seven years, I was left behind with my grandmother when my mother emigrated overseas. I felt unprotected, and the danger of being harmed by evil people was never far from me. Though no harm came to me, I became … 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

I went to see Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One the other day. The special effects and stunts were entertaining, but what struck me was the message of a film that isn't advertised for a Christian audience: the fight between … Read more

On a beautiful day last week, I had occasion to enjoy an outdoor lunch with my wife, my daughter, and her husband, here in Canada on a visit from New Mexico, USA. We were eating at a restaurant on Granville Island, in Vancouver, British … Read more

Spider webs festoon the front of my house, draping themselves over the porch railing, making airy paths between the house and the porch roof, even arching across from the porch to the patio furniture. No, it's not a haunted house — it's … Read more

Our world today is full of protective devices. Some are part of our everyday life whether we choose them or not. Airbags in cars, highway guard rails, and stop signs are universal safety equipment intended for the common good. Other … Read more

For today, I thought I'd share a personal prayer as I have presented it to my Lord. I call it "My Wish List". It is a compilation of excerpts from three Scripture portions: Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 110, and Psalm 118. Feel free to make … Read more

Sixty-seven years ago, I spent my last summer at Bible camp, always with the same counsellor, Christine, who wore jeans and old plaid shirts at a time when no other woman in my life did that. I trusted her enough to speak up during evening … Read more

Millions of Christians wonder if we are now living in the end times. They watch in shock as morale in North America deteriorates. Churches are becoming increasingly marginalized. More and more, theologians and false teachers manipulate and … Read more

Three years ago, I volunteered at Gleanings for the Hungry, a mercy ministry in Dinuba, California, USA. One of my jobs was gardening. I like weeding, usually. I like the way that a neat and tidy garden looks, as a result of pulling up … Read more

My father loved the Lord. Everyone who knew him or met him, knew it. Everywhere he went, he spoke about how Jesus loves us and came to save us. He also loved to sing. He sang everywhere — choruses, hymns, and little songs that he made … Read more

I had a telephone call today from a friend. He was suffering with a return of anxiety stimulated by the necessity for a colectomy and other things. He needed to talk to someone about his situation, and as his old mentor, I was the person … Read more

Listening to recent discussions about an acceptable minimum wage, I remembered how fortunate that I was to have received good training from godly parents using principles based on the Bible. I was born during the Great Depression before … Read more

Nothing warms my heart more than watching our youth pastor gathering his flock at the front of our church for story time and prayer. The platform comes to life with the flutter of waving hands signalling their parents until they have made … 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

Timber country — a land of dust, mud, and torrential rains — was not a place for lovely, flat, satin ballerina slippers. But oh! how this young girl's heart longed for a pair. As I read Anna Pavlova's biography, I pirouetted alongside … Read more

Recently, I had to take my year-old collie, Kayley, to Whitehorse, Yukon, for her rabies and booster vaccines. Kayley gets very anxious travelling in the truck, and the two-hour trip each way is especially difficult for her. In light of … Read more

Yesterday, I was sitting on my walker in front of a store before heading back home. A skinny, disheveled man was there before me, pacing. "Why aren't they open yet?" he fumed. Ah! So, this was why God had nudged me to wait. I smiled at … Read more

As I strap on my neck brace, I think about the comfort and support that it provides. It's lightweight, made of foam rubber, and covered with a cut-off sock to keep it clean. I have minor neck problems that are aggravated by sitting for … Read more

Recently, I was overjoyed by a lovely surprise visit from my grandson and his wife, both RCMP officers, who drove a long distance to come by with their 11-month-old baby daughter. As we were in conversation, the baby was crawling on the … Read more

In the early days of the Internet, there was a handwritten letter in my mailbox. I hadn't seen anyone put it there, but I opened it without much thought. Then, like an icy deluge, its words poured over me, accusing, condemning, judging — … Read more

Sometimes, it takes only one prayer to make the difference. When I gave birth to our first child, a nurse cheerily informed my husband — relegated to the waiting room — that he had a little girl. She then went off shift, and he … Read more

When this comforting verse was emailed to me, it came illustrated with a charming picture of a medieval castle set in a forested landscape. It readily conveyed the image of a strong, protecting God. Yet centuries ago, this was possibly … Read more

A lot of healing has gone on over the years. Like many of my fellow Christians with a history, I rejoice in not being the person I once was. However, like the Incredible Hulk, I am not likeable when I am angry. Fortunately, my wife is … Read more

For about ten years, in both eyes, I have had glaucoma, a disease which increases pressure in the eye, and which, if left untreated, can cause total blindness. Mine was kept under control with eye drops at bedtime every day. However, a … Read more

One of the highlights of life in my residence is the annual Christmas party for the children of the staff. Everything is geared for fun and laughter. To see the youngsters enjoying themselves is a great tonic for the residents, all of whom … Read more

I opened the door and let the dogs out at 6:30 a.m., the same as any other morning. As I was coming back into the house, however, I noticed through the living room window that the livestock were going berserk in the corral. At the same … Read more