Joe slumped to the floor, the life choked out of him, a victim of a terrible game young people play called the Choking Game or Blackout Challenge. The act of intentionally cutting off the source of oxygen to the brain to induce a temporary … Read more

Spider webs festoon the front of my house, draping themselves over the porch railing, making airy paths between the house and the porch roof, even arching across from the porch to the patio furniture. No, it's not a haunted house — it's … Read more

The aroma of horse hair overwhelmed me as I buried my face in Princess's mane. She grasped my ponytail scrunchie with her muzzle, slid it off, and waved it triumphantly. If a horse could laugh, she was doing it. This was a deliberate move … Read more

I am now on the other side of the communion table. What I see and hear are different from presiding at the table. Instead of an assemblage of heads, I see a cup and a loaf of bread. Instead of the memorized ritual of holy communion, I … Read more

Like most folks, I try not to let things distress or disturb me, but when they do, my prayers are peppered with worries and anxieties, which make it difficult to focus on my problem or really ask God for help. As a pastor, I should know … Read more

Do you believe in miracles? When you awoke this morning, did you consciously realize that you were breathing and your heart was beating? Our blood circulates; we blink and swallow instinctively; our hair and nails grow. We're alive! It's … Read more

Perhaps you have heard the story of the person hanging from a cliff waiting to be rescued. He has a vision of God's hand reaching down from heaven and lifting him to safety. So, when a helicopter appears, he sends it away. After he falls … Read more

This is a wise question — especially in view of today's wastefulness. Questioning needless waste is reasonable! But apparently, it wasn't one day when at a dinner party a woman poured an entire pint of perfume on Jesus. It was worth a … Read more

Several years ago, I found myself in Jerusalem in the most beautiful, fragrant garden I'd ever seen. Our guide claimed that it was where Jesus had spent His last free hours in prayer, and where the chosen disciple, Judas, had betrayed the … Read more

A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand. One of my many memories of that beautiful country was the number of sheep that roamed the countryside. When preparing for my trip, I read one statistic that sheep … Read more

As a young adult who was fond of long hair, I noticed that, with few exceptions, many female movie stars had shortened hair styles. I recall the 1970 movie, Love story: Actress Ali MacGraw revived the trend of long hair in the film … Read more

I have a favourite cologne. It's kept in a decorative glass container. Each time I've used it, it brings back memories of times past: special occasions, dinners with friends, dress-up times. I've had this cologne for years. It is not … Read more

Most of us likely know the expression, "Silence speaks louder than words." Years of experience have taught me that this proverb is true. Sometimes, I can give a better testimony simply by being silent, much to the disappointment of some … Read more

I had invited several friends to one of my speaking engagements, and I was touched by their response. "Oh, Brenda," said one lady breathlessly, "I have never heard you speak before!" "Oh, Brenda," said another, "I have only ever heard … Read more

On the night before he was to die, in despair of what he knew was to come, Jesus pleaded with his disciples. In Canada, Ontario winters often seem never-ending. I grew up in Ottawa, trudging through snow as early as … Read more

As a Sunday School teacher and Missions Education Coordinator in my church for many years, I've often thought about today's Scripture, wondering if I have just been teaching the Word rather than applying the Word. There were others who gave … Read more

In the two previous devotionals, I have talked about my four-year-old daughter's version of the Lord's Prayer in church one Sunday morning: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be my name. My kingdom come, my will be done, on … Read more

I've often wondered what would happen in our churches if we took seriously the responsibility of praying for our churches and the leaders involved in ministry. In C. Peter Wagner's book, "Church Planting for a Greater Harvest," he says that … Read more

I would so like to know what Jesus said when he returned thanks for the food. What one should say for grace at the table has always been a little problem for me. I remember well two opposite views from … Read more

Aunt Edna prided herself on her independence. No one was allowed to assist her in the maintenance of her home or even to drive her to and from her dialysis treatments. She was a good and generous person, but absolutely … Read more