Over many years of being a pastor, one of the saddest things about ministry that I experienced was the number of people who took their faith for granted and attended church infrequently. No matter how hard that I tried to encourage them … Read more

Years ago, my aunt, my grandmother — known as Nan — and I were walking across the hospital parking lot after visiting my grandfather, who was recovering from surgery. It was dark and icy. As we approached our vehicle, I went ahead of … Read more

I have read Matthew 18:1-11 many times and have gotten various things from it, according to what God had for me at the moment. Most of the time, my heart sought simplicity! How should I believe? Jesus said, "become like little children"! … Read more

We spend much of our life making agreements with one another. Even babies and their mothers "agree" to share food and company. It is not surprising, therefore, that Jesus teaches how agreements should be made. Over the years, I have … Read more

Amidst our recent preparations and travels, as my family and I relocated from the far north of British Columbia, Canada, to the next province, Alberta, I found myself humming or singing the wonderful song *`The Family of … Read more

Little children are just amazing. I've always loved being around them. I've watched them learn to walk, and I've seen the joy and delight in their faces as they play and learn. I've seen how they live in the moment and experience new … Read more

Last Sunday in church, a young father sat in front of me, holding his beautiful baby son. This little child is about nine months old. He is cherubic, with red hair, beautiful blue eyes, and the most wonderful smile. Throughout the … Read more

I spend a lot of time with my toddler grandson these days. His way of being in the world got me thinking about why Jesus commended little children to us as our role model for entering the kingdom of heaven. What is so endearing about … Read more

The nightstand clock confirmed that it was 2 a.m., yet sleep was nowhere in sight. Completely exhausted, I found myself resorting to counting imaginary sheep. One, two, … ninety-eight, ninety-nine. Then, just before reaching one … Read more

I've just returned from the gas station, where I filled up the gas tank in my car for just under $20. Gas prices in the USA have been rising almost daily to the point where they're more than double what they were two years ago, so you may … Read more

As I pondered these interactions of Jesus with children, I wondered how I could best describe us as children. Firstly, children are dependent. From the time of conception and for years thereafter, a child depends on its mother or … Read more

It seems to me that a lot of time and effort goes into entertaining our children. During school breaks and vacations, we see reports on television about what to do and where to go: theme parks, craft fairs, hikes, and activities at nature … Read more

My father loved the Lord. Everyone who knew him or met him, knew it. Everywhere he went, he spoke about how Jesus loves us and came to save us. He also loved to sing. He sang everywhere — choruses, hymns, and little songs that he made … Read more

The day dawned sunny and bright. Though it was still chilly, it was a perfect Saturday morning to walk the three-quarters of a mile to my favourite coffee shop. Though seating is still limited because of COVID-19 restrictions, morning is … Read more

Years back, when I was much younger in the faith, I had a little dispute with one of my friends on a certain day. After our argument, we didn't talk to each other for days. But my friend, who was older and more mature, taught me a lesson … Read more

I've always been geographically dyslexic. My family used my inability as a reverse GPS. They'd ask me which way to go, and the opposite direction was always right. But I never thought that I could become spiritually dyslexic. It started … Read more

I live in a home that is occupied largely by seniors. There are frequent changes, with people departing and others moving in. Change, as expected, brings stress. The other day, an older lady (with her family) was inspecting a unit on my … Read more

Every day, in numerous instances, be it personally, locally, or globally, there is an overwhelming need for prayer. An uncountable number of people pray for loved ones, for friends, for friends of friends, and for those not even known to … Read more

"It's not fair! She has more than me!" This child's howling cry of injustice is familiar to us. Of course, we know it applies only to ice cream and cake, never to peas and carrots. Such a complaint may indeed be uttered by a sweet, … Read more

Have you ever wondered how you escaped a car accident with only a scratch, whereas it could have been so much worse? I have, on many occasions. There were times, while driving my car, when I changed the radio station or inserted a music … Read more

Last week, I had the carpet cleaners in to clean the rugs in my apartment. They were in a mess from dirt tracked in during the winter. Everything in the living and dining areas was well cleaned, but unfortunately, the cleaners left a big … Read more

They gathered around their teacher with wide-open eyes, eager to hear what she'd say. Our annual Vacation Bible School had arrived. Things would be different this year, since our classroom building was under renovation and we were short … Read more

I always seem to have had a far-flung circle of family, friends, and colleagues. I grew up in Ontario and still have two sisters nearby, but two siblings and both my parents moved to the west coast many years ago. My parents emigrated … Read more

I grew up in a large family with three brothers and two sisters. Usually, we all got along very well, but sometimes, a fight would break out, and we would end up pitching fits against each other. My poor mother had to come in and stop the … Read more

Some weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a day-long video workshop on a sensitive topic that can be divisive and difficult for some people to talk about. So the opportunity to discuss it with others in a safe environment … Read more

Having been involved in a church committee debate over the colour of paint, I was struck (and maybe stung) by Nan St. Louis' recent devotional, " Where are you? " which mentioned the negative effect on others of Christians who disagree … Read more

As I was reading the fourth and last chapter of the book of Jonah, I started thinking about how much like Jonah we all tend to be. Jonah was upset at the fact that the people of Nineveh did not get punished for their sins the way that he … Read more

When I was small, my parents raised us to keep our mouths closed and our ears open. Considering the fact that I was a chatterbox, I never really grasped this; in fact, I never understood it. I was also raised not to ask for help. I guess … Read more

Have you met Mr. and Mrs. Grudge? Let me introduce them to you. These people go through life, forgiving with great reluctance and carrying around feelings of ill will over various grievances. The grievances could be real or imagined. On … Read more

The seventh-grade boy locked eyes with the girl sitting opposite him in my middle school counselling office. Though he was her friend, he had told her a blatant lie the day before. She had learned the truth just as the last bell sounded, … Read more

When I was very young, we lived in a small cabin out on the family homestead some miles beyond the small village of Forest Grove here in the Cariboo region of British Columbia, Canada. There was no electricity or such utilities back then. … Read more

A news item one night was about parents who lost a child through another teen's weakness and grave error in judgment. The parents, being interviewed a couple of days after their daughter's death, made a public statement that they not only … Read more

With what glory and holy innocence Father blesses each one of His children! That includes you and me. Recently, I heard the pure, pealing bells of loving sanctification fill a busy barbershop, revealing and heralding our Lord's loving, … Read more