I have dogs. My daughter has cats. We each have our own house, but we share the same property. My dogs have thus not grown up with her cats, and her cats have not grown up with my dogs. So, when the dogs go up to the big house with me … Read more

I recently had a colonoscopy, as many others have had. It's described as a medical test that is used to detect changes or abnormalities in the colon or large intestine. During the procedure, a tiny video camera allows the doctor to view … Read more

During the last several years, there have been reports of hundreds of thousands of people being displaced by wars and uprisings, or leaving their homeland for economic reasons. We hear and read about them on a daily basis. Many are living … Read more

You may have already started your Christmas card list. Soon it will be time to post the cards. But are we making the same mistake that we have made in the last few years? Who should really be receiving our Christmas greetings? Notice what … Read more

Some time ago here in southern Ontario, there was a television report about people in a nursing home being abused and/or mistreated by members of the staff. There were pictures of one elderly lady being tossed into her chair and of … Read more

I can see a how a grieving person could be drawn into the false comfort of turning to a medium or a spiritist. Like a moth to the flame, some might seek out such a "practitioner" to try to re-connect desperately with the dear departed. … Read more

One day as I was coming home from grocery shopping with the help of my walker, I noticed time and again how the wheels got stuck and almost tripped me headlong over the walker. It took great skill to get over the curbs and even the tiniest … Read more

Our son is now unemployed and homeless. A recent university graduate with big dreams and empty pockets, he was facing one of life's crossroads: return home or stay put — security versus opportunity. The scenic university town had captured his … Read more

When three of my grandsons were young, I walked them to school each morning. On one particular day, the path and the gate we used were blocked by a huge mound of snow. We had to climb up and slide … Read more

Over the past few months, I have heard several people saying, "What would Jesus do?" in relationship to different situations in their lives. Well, today, I was given the opportunity to walk it out in my own life. The past … Read more

Over the years, our church in downtown Brampton, Ontario, Canada, has run what we call a Food Cupboard, praying that the cupboard will never be bare. It hasn't been. Though the numbers of people have increased due to economic … Read more

I am terrible about judging competitions. I tend to root for the underdog, instead of dealing with things fairly. In the past, I've judged Hallowe'en costume contests, cutest pet awards, and cake-tasting competitions. A couple of years ago, I even … Read more

My mom's father, the Reverend James C. Madison, was close to 80 when he died, eight years ago. For many years, Grandpa had served faithfully as a minister in North Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana, USA, and was one of the … Read more

Our four-year-old daughter memorized the Lord's Prayer about a year ago. Recently we were in church, and she was saying the prayer more loudly than she normally does. I suddenly realized that she had started off, "Our Father, who art … Read more