Decorating the Christmas tree is an integral part of the celebrations each year. I once helped out at a commercial Christmas tree farm near Ottawa, Canada, in December. It was an impressive operation: planting spruce, balsam fir, and pine … Read more

Several years ago, I learned two profound lessons from a young girl. 1. When you become aware of a problem, always try to figure out how you can help. My wife and I had decided to fly from Toronto to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to visit … Read more

In my Bible study group, someone relayed an amazing true story that had been circulating over the Internet. A photographer, while visiting Botswana's Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Southern Africa, captured on film a family of lions as … Read more

A few years ago, I took a class on the subject of genealogy. Written in my notes was the suggestion that the holiday season provides a good opportunity to dive into family history. For example, round-the-dinner-table gatherings at … Read more

A few years ago, I wrote a devotional entitled " Tiny Running Feet ". The story revolved around a little boy running towards the front of the church with outstretched arms in order to help carry a huge cross to its final destination: a … Read more

Several years ago in Colorado, a cow confronted a bear. The young cub was trying to help itself to some apples from a tree at the corner of the cow's field. The cow was annoyed (she's called "Apple", by the way) and proceeded to eject the … Read more

Recently, during a time of reflection regarding the Christmas tree, I read a very interesting study entitled, God's Christmas Tree, written by J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. The premise of the study is that although some may question the … Read more

Nelson Mandela was truly one the most influential Christian leaders of our time. "The world has lost one of its great moral leaders and statesmen. He demonstrated that the only path forward for the nation was to reject the appeal of … Read more

"Take this to your mother to hold in her hands," the little girl said. This little girl stood out at the front of a group of much taller children who had just come into our inner-city mission. I was surprised to see her again so soon. … Read more

When a group of us in our church were discussing how we came to know Jesus as our Saviour, one of the men shared the following story: "Our six-year-old daughter had been begging me and my wife to take her … Read more

Every day, we enjoy the beauties of nature from our deck overlooking the Westport Pond and beyond it, Foley "Mountain". We watch God's creatures and note especially how they care for family: On the pond a string of mergansers, with … Read more

Many who have worshipped on Christmas Eve or who have attended Church School Christmas pageants held on a Sunday evening during the month of December will be able to recall an instance when a particular child "stole the show" or at least … Read more

One day recently at our church, we had a guest speaker who represented Gospel for Asia Missions. He showed us a video of a young missionary named Joseph who was trying to tell the people about the Lord. The people … Read more

We have a Yellow Labrador retriever that weighs 95 pounds. We also have a new kitten. The kitten weighs at the most 3 pounds. When I am alone in the house and working from our home-based office, the dog will … Read more

I love old movies, and at this time of year, I get to watch one of my all-time favorites, "The Wizard of Oz". The colours, the music, the story, and the characters all blend together perfectly, and my television screen … Read more

I know that God has promised to be in the midst of His people when they gather in His name, but somehow that summer Sunday morning, I wasn't expecting much. Our pastor was away and so was half of our … Read more

[Editor's Note: Although those of the Reformed tradition baptize infants while those of the Anabaptist and other traditions dedicate infants, the point of this devotional about including older children is the same in either case.] The week after we celebrated … Read more

As a minister I have always felt that it is important to include children in the worship service. This, to me, usually meant a children's story which might, or might not, be on the sermon topic. It wasn't until we … Read more

This passage from Isaiah is a familiar one for the Advent Season. I know that I have read it often, but it has only been recently that this image of a stump has really intrigued me. Where we live, on … Read more

Yesterday, I wrote about the overwhelming joy and gladness I experienced when my grandson was born. In the short (two plus) years of his life he has taught me much about God and humankind. The most common metaphor in scripture … Read more

What does this Season mean to you? Is it buying a live tree all green and trim; but perhaps a bit thin, or is your tree all silver and tinsel flocked white or artificial? Did you buy it at Eatons, … Read more