Recently, our whole family went out for dinner at a special pizza restaurant. The menu was amazing, and we all looked forward to eating our chosen meals. Our two-year-old granddaughter, Ellie, was there, too, but as she couldn't read the … Read more

A stone tower, 32 metres (104 feet) high, stands on Svatobor, a hill near the town of Sušice in Czechia. Reconstructed in 1935, it serves as an observation point, allowing hikers and tourists a stunning view of Sušice and of the … Read more

Years ago, Granny gave me her recipe for bannock bread, which is a neat, round loaf baked on a flat sheet in the oven. It is simple food for plain people, but so satisfying. When I make it, it is not only delicious to eat, but baking it … Read more

I have a guitar bought years ago with money that my father gave me some time before he died. I cherish it because it serves as a remembrance of his love for me. Like the guitar that I bought and wrote about in `June … Read more

I don't know anyone right now who isn't worried about the future because of the war in Ukraine. We're all hoping and praying that it doesn't escalate because it's the nearest we've been to a nuclear conflict since the 1960s. The threat of … Read more

One day in 1947, my dad mentioned that he had not seen his father for over a week. So, the two of us went over to see him. He was sick in bed — really sick. Dad went and got the doctor to see what was wrong with him. The doctor went … Read more

For the people in the Netherlands during what is called the Hunger Winter of 1944-1945, things were desperate. The country had been occupied for almost five years. It was a very cold winter, there was very little fuel left, food was in … Read more

During all the years when John and I farmed, I made bread. When I first started making bread, I stuck to the recipe, but as time went on, my confidence grew in my own ability to know the amounts of the different ingredients needed to make … Read more

Recently, I heard the following advice from a scientist explaining digestion: Before eating, pause and take a few moments to be thankful. This allows your brain time to signal your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for … Read more

During the period between 2003 and 2004, I spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing the history of Presbyterians here in Meaford, Ontario, Canada, from 1854 to 2004. I found the names of the thirty ministers and student … Read more

As I look out of the window on my world this morning, I am reminded, once again, of how much I need to thank our Lord for all of the beauty that He has created, for all of His blessings, and most importantly, for all of His love. I also … Read more

Someone who wants to walk on a path in the dark certainly needs a flashlight in order to avoid tripping or stumbling, for in being so equipped, an accident can be prevented. God's Word to the believer fulfills the same function: it is a … Read more

It was a regular day at home. As I went about my usual activities, the doorbell rang. I made my way to answer the ring. What a surprise! A policeman stood before me. Thoughts were racing through my mind: "Why would this policeman be here? … Read more

In Canada, we waste about 50 percent of the food that we buy. Just imagine what effect that has on our budgets, our garbage, and our economy! We are all just too fussy. One friend throws out leftovers because she is tired of eating the … Read more

My grandson accidentally let go of his six-year-old sister's new birthday balloon. Just minutes previously, she'd been thrilled to receive a shiny, foil-coated balloon depicting her favourite Frozen characters. But filled with helium, it … Read more

As a writer, I always use a thesaurus to help me to choose a word that will best communicate the idea that I want to convey. A thesaurus is also useful in selecting a different word with the same meaning in order to get my point across … Read more

I enjoy toast for breakfast. Peanut butter and jam is my favourite morning fare on bread, and has been for years. It's good to know that peanut butter, in moderation, is good for you — protein, right? I love a sandwich for lunch, but in … Read more

From January 1967 until December 1970, we lived in Vienna, Austria. At that time, Vienna had two major-league soccer teams, one near to where we lived and the other not too far away. Quite often on a Saturday afternoon, our young son and … Read more

Just recently, I was made aware of a few people that we know who have quit believing and no longer attend church. They were raised in Christian homes, went to church on a regular basis, and at some point were involved in church work and … Read more

Today's Scriptures bring back memories of a time when a dear friend turned against me and complained to other members of the church. I felt shocked, betrayed, and abandoned by someone I had trusted. Nonetheless, the personal pain that I … Read more

Yesterday, God answered a question that I had asked in a moment of discouragement over 42 years ago — and I was blessed beyond words! A friend and I had taken Bibles with us into Russia, even though it involved considerable danger, … Read more

The pastor of my new church has been preaching verse by verse through the book of Exodus. I like his expository approach, as it's helped me to examine the Scriptures carefully. In particular, I was struck by the verses in today's passage. … Read more

Lately, my mind has been taken up with food, as I continue to pursue my weight-loss goals. I have found during this quest that the television ads are not my friends. I cannot venture a guess as to what percentage of them are focused on … Read more

When I was a young boy, my grandfather often took me to Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, popularly known as The Italian Market. Vendors would openly sell meat, poultry, fish, fruit, vegetables, and especially … Read more

Not long ago, a friend and I were discussing the term "born again". I mentioned how the image presented in today's Scripture has helped me personally to define this experience. I picture the Word of God as a seed, which by the power of … Read more

When my career in education (now in its fifty-first year) began to move towards administration, I enrolled in a course called "In the Vice-Principal's Chair". It was an event on Thursday evening and all day Friday. On Thursday evening, … Read more

Water, salt, sugar, oil, flour, and yeast. It's bread! Well, it could be! Most Saturdays, you will find my wife making buns for our church lunch on Sunday. She has done this for years now. They are delicious. But what goes into them? … Read more

I wasn't then, but I wanted to be. I'm still not, but I no longer care.

I was an ordinary kid. Not oooed- and ahhed-over by the girls. Not the teacher's pet. Didn't make straight As or have perfect attendance. I was skinny, freckle-faced, … Read more

Every fall, we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, a day set aside to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives. But do people actually do this, or is it just another day off? For a number of reasons, through time … Read more

These words were in a television advertisement: "Many are picked, but few are chosen." The ad showed huge piles of coffee beans and a man rejecting batch after batch of the beans and saying, "If they are not ripe enough … Read more

On an outing, my husband always manages to end up at a Christian bookstore, not that he is looking for something particular, but in browsing around, he never leaves the store empty-handed. On this particular day, I was the one … Read more

My pooch loves her walks far more than I enjoy them on these wintery days. She is a double-furred dog who loves the cold and snow. From the way she pulls me when we walk, she would make a fine … Read more

My granddaughter planned her very first family Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. As the pots boiled and the turkey cooked in the oven, we anticipated partaking in the feast. We did not disappoint her with our thanks. She was … Read more