"You have a very short frenum," the dentist announced as she removed her hands from my mouth. "A what?" "A frenum. It's the piece of soft tissue that runs in a thin vertical line between the lips and the gums. I have a long one, which …( read more )

I was sitting on my balcony, watching my hands show a slight tremor, and I thought about the value of our hands. Some months ago, I was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease, and while the medications have things well under control, I …( read more )

By contrast, this afternoon, I was sitting watching a gentle breeze blow the leaves on a tree one way, then, without explanation, blow them another way, and then, unexpectedly, stop blowing them. I certainly can't explain why wind …( read more )

What's better than an enthusiastic walking buddy to get us out of the house, even when the weather outside is frightful? I'm blessed to have such a friend. She's an ideal walking buddy because she stretches me. She's young, adventurous, …( read more )

Throughout the ages, there have been changes in people's lives. Most of these changes occur naturally as time goes by, while others have a sudden impact on our lives, as individuals as well as communities. The phrase "the new normal" has …( read more )

Everything that we say or do communicates what we want others to know about us. Sometimes, we do this by the clothes that we wear. When I wear a bright green shirt, the comments that I receive indicate that I am bringing happiness to my …( read more )

For a couple of years, I was privileged to lead a number of services at a church without a pastor. When they got a new minister, my regular worship with them was over, and in appreciation, they gave me a rose bush. I planted it behind our …( read more )

As I answered my ringing telephone, I heard a distressed sob as my daughter pleaded, "Can you come up to the house to help me, please?" Quickly hurrying to the main house, and running up the stairs to the second floor, I was totally …( read more )

Did you ever hear about The Great Gold Robbery of 1855? A train shipment of 200 pounds of gold was stolen on its way from London to Paris by four greedy conspirators. When I look back on 2020 and COVID-19, one event will stand out: I …( read more )

I am sitting in the beautiful setting of Bon Echo Provincial Park. Evidences of God are everywhere: the tall pines that tower over the campsite, the warm sunshine beaming down on us, and the stunning view when we walk down to the water's …( read more )

This is my friend Esther's story: People say that there is no God, that there are many gods, or that our God is not all-powerful. I tell you that there is a perfect, Almighty God, and He is with us through all circumstances. On …( read more )

Since 1962, I have been keeping a diary. When I first started, it was almost entirely work-related. Later, when I refocused (not retired), more personal things were entered on the appropriate pages. Every October or November, I purchase …( read more )

I avoid going to the doctor as much as possible. Thankfully, I haven't had much illness in my life, but when I suspect that something is wrong, I often let it ride, in case it's bad news. I know that's not smart, but that's the way I am. …( read more )

In November of 2011, I was told that the aortic pig valve in my heart, which had been placed there in 1993, was leaking badly and had to be replaced. Even though it had lasted much longer than I had been told to expect, it still came as a …( read more )

For the past 25 years or so, I have been a pastoral care volunteer at the local Long Term Care facility. During that time, I have led Bible discussions and worship services when needed. Because of my involvement, I have met many people who …( read more )

The air was warm, and a gentle breeze caressed my face. I was sitting in a recliner on the back porch of our house. Our view is amazing: pine trees, oak trees, and other tall trees surround the backyard property. As I was relaxing, I …( read more )

Can you imagine the sorrow that Florida is feeling as they go through an epidemic of violence? Do you recall the promising young singer shot, the mass shootings at a nightclub, and a two-year-old child snatched by an alligator in a lagoon? …( read more )

Raise your hand if you've never been afraid! While I cannot see your response, you can be sure that my arms are limp by my side. In fact, when I stroll down memory lane, I can think of a few scary, fearful instances in my life. For …( read more )

My mother did not live to see any of her grandchildren get married. She was a wonderful grandmother and she would have loved to have seen her grandchildren enter into holy matrimony, but it was not to be. During the last years of her …( read more )

What if the world suddenly stopped spinning? Would the entire human race cease to exist? What if your house were hit by a falling tree, or a tornado, or a bolt of lightning? What if you got sick and couldn't look after your elderly parent …( 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 )

It seemed as though my well had run dry regarding devotional material, because I have only so many experiences to draw from. But I had an email today from a sister in Christ. After commenting on one of my devotionals, she wrote, "I pray …( read more )

It was Sunday evening, and we were already tired just thinking about the following week. I had committed myself to entertain four days in a row, Thursday through Sunday, ending with a benefit for a cancer patient in one of our local halls …( read more )

Here in southern Ontario, Canada, we have had a very severe winter. It started somewhat late, but when it came, it came with a vengeance. We had temperatures of -25 to -30 degrees Celsius many nights in a row. February was the coldest …( read more )

Some time ago, our oldest daughter, her husband, and their five-year-old granddaughter visited us for a few days. They live far away, and we had not see our great-granddaughter since she was a baby, and they had not yet seen our new …( read more )

My daughter had been suffering for quite some time with discomfort and pain, and finally, she made an appointment with the doctor to have it checked out. The day arrived when I drove my daughter to the hospital for surgery. An exploratory …( read more )

I had to come up with a children's story one Sunday, and I had trouble finding a suitable subject. I agonized over it all week. I thought; I prayed; I checked some of the reference books I have; and still I could not come up with anything. …( read more )

"Tell me what your escape routes were," Rev. David Robertson asked his United Church congregation in High River, Alberta, Canada, to begin an impromptu worship service last Sunday. Just over a week earlier, on June 21, 13,000 residents …( read more )

Have you ever wondered what true freedom really is? The dictionary defines it as the power to do what we want to do and to go where we want to go without being controlled; not being a slave or prisoner; not having or being affected by …( read more )

October 31st is "Reformation Day", the day when, in 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 statements on the Castle Church doors in Wittenberg, Germany. In preparation for a church service in which this fact was to be mentioned, I studied … (read more)

As a part of growing in faith, my healing, and God's calling, I believed I should go to London Bible College (LBC), something which I did not want to do because I did not consider myself, as a dyslexic, suitable … (read more)

It was 1950. I had just graduated from high school. I eagerly headed out to Bible college to study God's Word. I was unaware, however, that I was about to commence my training with the development of a foundation of … (read more)

One of the hardest things in my life has been seeing a "For Sale" sign on our church property, especially since I was a part of the organizational process. Our liturgical congregation was drowning in mortgage debt, and the few … (read more)