"Oh, thanks, Alan!" I gratefully exclaimed, as he came up beside me and grabbed my arm. We were going down a steep, rocky incline at one of the ancient sites in Israel, and he could see that I was having trouble keeping my balance. He … Read more

"Would you be available to sub today?" It was a text message early one morning recently from the principal of the school where I used to teach. I arrived at the school to find that my assignment included three different grade levels — … Read more

With more than 2,000 miles to walk, he chose carefully what to put in his backpack. World War II was over, and Earl Shaffer needed to walk it out of his system. He chose the Appalachian (or Government) Trail to do so. At the time, the … 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

Many, many years ago in the Netherlands, before big-box stores and supermarkets, different merchants delivered goods from door to door. On certain days of the week, they would come down the streets to do just that. The milkman came daily, … Read more

During the summer when I walk to our city park, I take bags and a grabber to pick up trash along the side of the road. As I pick up plastic drink bottles, straws, miniature liquor bottles, and assorted other trash, I mutter about "those … Read more

Many collective agreements have language which stipulates that if workers report for work, they are to be paid a minimum of four hours' pay unless there is an "Act of God" that prevents the company from operating. Years ago, a company … Read more

My parents loved the Lord, and they both used their gifts in service to others. For example, they would take homemade soup to hoboes, and when the orchard was ripe for picking, they would take apple pies to people who were in need. Many … Read more

Historic Molly Butler Lodge and Restaurant is in Greer, Arizona, USA. At 8,356 feet in elevation, it's a refreshing retreat from the ferocious Arizona heat. Established in 1910 by pioneer Molly Butler in the wilds of the White Mountains, … Read more

In August 2017, my husband of 54+ years, my sister Kathy, and I were thoroughly enjoying a trip by recreational vehicle (RV) along the Alaska Highway in northern British Columbia, Canada. God's splendour was amazing with the scenery of … Read more

Not long ago, a visitor here in Atlin, British Columbia, Canada, who was suffering with Alzheimer's, became lost. He wandered away from the home of friends where he was staying. The Search and Rescue team immediately went into action. … Read more

The famous preacher, Charles Price, wrote: We talk a lot about leadership, and rightly so, but our role is never to lead. It is to serve, and God is the one who makes leaders out of servants. If we want to know who our future leaders … Read more

The first thing that those who visit me remark on is all the sirens! The "Get out of the way, quick!" shrieks of fire engines headed for my neighbourhood's under-repaired housing. The life-or-death screams of ambulances attending victims … Read more

Imagine the scene that day: Jesus, the Man who did miracles and spoke powerfully — unlike any other — was making His way down the street, surrounded by His disciples and a noisy, jostling crowd. Everyone was trying to get close to Him, … Read more

I'm not proud to say it, but I can identify with the apostle Paul in this statement. Before I was saved at the age of thirty, I was well acquainted with sin. But then, a prerequisite for salvation is that we must know and admit that we … Read more

God has chosen ordinary people — you and me — to help others. Occasionally, it is for something very significant, but usually, it is for something small. However, in every case, we have to be willing to try in order for God to use us. … Read more

To be honest, sometimes, I feel like the work that I do for the Christian church is too much for me to handle. Quite often, there are too many things to do and not enough time to do them. There are church services to prepare for; there … Read more

One of my devotionals was published not long ago, and something wonderful happened: I got feedback! Yes, I got feedback, and not just from one person, but from a number of readers. How great is that? Well, in my books, it's pretty great. … Read more

Have you noticed lately a growing trend among store clerks to drop those "three little magic words": "please" and "thank you"? The cashier simply states what we owe, with no eye contact and no smile. If she were a child, we'd prompt her … Read more

Lucy, our old goat, and Mama, our old horse, have one thing in common: they suffer from arthritis. What they don't have in common is their attitude about their medication. Lucy accepts the apples dipped in the powdered medication with … Read more

Have you ever seen a double rainbow? I have. I have seen many rainbows in my lifetime, but only two double rainbows on two separate occasions. There are seven separate colours in a rainbow. Although it can be difficult to always see all … Read more

Cutting, hauling and stacking wood is a large part of our lifestyle in northern British Columbia, Canada. It is simply a fact of life. If we want to stay warm in the winter, we must work hard in the summer and get the wood in. As much as … Read more

An elderly friend of mine, who was once a very vital and successful woman, lived her life as a committed Christian both as a business owner and in her dedication to her beloved church for over fifty years. Her attributes … Read more

A few years ago, I was having one of those days when I was feeling very sorry for myself. Working full-time as an elementary teacher was taking a lot out of me. After a long day, I'd start my second … Read more

I have a paper route — so that I will get outside and get some exercise and fresh air five days a week. Some of my grandchildren have paper routes as well: two children in a family of four. The … Read more

When I was young, we visited the village often with my parents, siblings, and other members of the extended family. Every village would have a round kitchen or mud hut with a grass thatched roof. The village kitchen was the … Read more

A mother dog and eight puppies! You've got to be kidding! That's all we need: nine more dogs to look after. Penny had been discovered in a junk yard under an abandoned vehicle. Workers from the Humane Society had to … Read more

There's a family in town that our church has been helping for years. They always seem to get hit with a crisis, illness, or injury that makes it difficult for them to keep up with house payments, utility bills, and … Read more

As always, I started walking when the sun first lightened the horizon. This daily routine provides time to meditate and to recite poetry. A favourite quotation from Lorraine Hansberry's play, A Raisin In The Sun, came to mind: Child, when … Read more

My wife died in April, and I found myself alone in a two-bedroom apartment, trying to recover from prostate surgery, with my only child working overseas. The third day after the operation, I was a complete jelly and found myself … Read more

One day recently, enclosed with my Chatelaine magazine, I received a brochure from the Royal Canadian Mint with the title, "Rejoice, in the spirit of giving", in fairly bold letters. Then, in smaller letters, the following wording appeared: "Distinctive holiday … Read more

There are some things in my life that are consistent — going to bed at night, rising in the morning, brushing my teeth, and performing other routine acts that prepare me for the day. Five days each week have always … Read more

My wife and I have a bird feeder hanging just outside our kitchen window, and we enjoy watching the various kinds of birds that come to eat. Throughout one summer, two blue jays, in all probability mates who must have … Read more