I live in a large metropolitan area with a mild climate and an abundance of generous social services. Consequently, one needn't look far to see panhandlers and homeless tents. Whatever one's viewpoint, great human need all around us is … Read more

When I take the dogs walking through the woods, Earl, my cat, often joins us. He walks along very nicely for awhile, but then he scampers off into the underbrush and begins meowing, beckoning the dogs to leave the trail and follow him. … Read more

When I was growing up, I had my share of scraped knees and stubbed toes. My mom lovingly soothed my childhood injuries, though the sting of mercurochrome was sometimes worse than the original scrape. Cuts and scrapes are a normal part of … Read more

Recently, at our Thursday evening prayer meeting, we were praying for the people of our community and the surrounding area. Pastor Mark has been introducing himself to many of them, but he wonders whether they see their need for a … Read more

Years ago, I used to be a Vision and Values governor for a school where I did my best to uphold Christian values in a state-financed, nominally Christian school. My work as a governor made me realize that what I said and did, or assented … Read more

Every time I read about the apostle Peter's early life, I feel that we must be related. Poor Peter, always putting his foot in his mouth over one thing or another. I remember many times in my life when my mouth opened, seemingly of its own … Read more

There is a dog door into my front porch so that the dogs can come in to get out of the wet and cold. I also have a large, comfortable dog shelter on my front deck where they may take refuge in a storm. Yet, when I am away for the day, … Read more

She is like a hyperactive octopus. Her arms and hands never cease in their enthusiasm to reach and grab anything and everything in sight. We have nicknamed her Elastigirl, as her arms seem to have an amazing ability to stretch and stretch … Read more

When I was young, Saturday mornings were spent in front of the television set with my brothers, watching classic Western movies. The golden glow of the American southwest was a far cry from a cool Ontario morning! We loved the cowboys and … Read more

When I was about thirteen, an incident occurred that secured itself to my memory. It has to do with my mother. First, let me explain what kind of life my mother lived out before me as I grew. She was very hard-working. She was sweet to me … Read more

I remember years ago watching a parishioner stomp out of every communion service because a participating brother was "not living right". Today, such behaviour may seem over-reactive and judgmental. Still, we surely wonder: How can light … Read more

I remember a favourite saying of a friend of ours: "Lord, I'll climb the highest mountain, I'll swim the deepest sea, I'll be over next Tuesday … if it don't rain." Why is it that every good intention is so often accompanied by a … Read more

Sorrow can be a bitter pill to swallow, and I felt as if I were being swallowed by it. Days stretched into months. An act of betrayal by another had turned my family inside out and headed it straight for dissolution. Though the situation … Read more

"I would never do that! No, not me!" Hasn't that thought at some point drifted across your mind, maybe after seeing how badly someone messed up? I've had such thoughts more than I care to admit. On those occasions, I simply couldn't see … Read more

Being human means that we're subject to all sorts of feelings, injuries, and troubles. When I'm in pain, physically or emotionally, I very quickly talk to God to release me from what is causing it and look to Him to heal or solve my … Read more

In our area, this past winter seemed like a long time coming, but once it started, it seemed that it would never stop. During the month of February, we had very little snow, but bitterly cold winds with low temperatures to match. Many of … Read more

There is really only one answer: I do palliative care at our local nursing home. I sit with dying patients, both those who are peaceful and those who are frightened. I offer to pray with each of them. If they answer "yes", I pray aloud … Read more

There is really only one answer: I do palliative care at our local nursing home. I sit with dying patients, both those who are peaceful and those who are frightened. I offer to pray with each of them. If they answer "yes", I pray aloud … Read more

As I write this, we are preparing for our worship services for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. One of our music directors has asked me to do a reading, essentially a spoken word version of a song from Jesus Christ Superstar, which I … 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

In our Bible study, we have been looking at the Easter story. It was a six-week study, so we have been able to really look at the events in depth. I have heard the story many times, and perhaps you have as well. I am finding that when I … Read more

Are we indeed our brother's keeper? Many may think not, but as in our biological family, we do not survive well unless we help each other. Many of our brothers and sisters carry loneliness around with them like a blanket. What can we do … Read more

I was given a plain white porcelain cup, slightly over one inch tall. What could I do with such a wee thing? Still, out of respect for the giver, I kept it. Months afterwards, the horticultural fair listed an item: "Mini-arrangement, … Read more

Let's read again the account of Christ at Gethsemane just before His arrest, but this time, watch the words "nevertheless" and "but". Luke and Mark also recount Christ's "nevertheless … but" prayer. In our English Bibles, two different … Read more

While reading Psalm 136 to my autistic son, I could not help notice the surprised look on his face. At that moment, I realized how pleasantly this psalm must have resonated in his mind with the constant repetition of the … Read more

During the past year, I had the opportunity to talk with one of my fellow PCCWeb Daily devotional writers and dear friend, Parise Arakelian. Being from the west coast, she was shocked the first day I spoke to her via … Read more

Late one night following my husband's surgery, I made the decision to go home, which is just a few city blocks from the hospital, rather than spending the night by his bedside. Leaving the bright lights of the parking lot, … Read more

The highlight of the Daily Devotional tour of central Europe last summer was, of course, the Oberammergau Passion Play. This five-hour presentation of the last week of Jesus' life, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, has been performed every ten … Read more

How many times we have said, "I'll never do that again!" Personally, I've lost count. Most recently, I shot off my mouth to someone without thinking it through. I never meant what I said to be offensive, but it was. … Read more

During one Lenten season, our church held a special presentation: Christ in the Passover. Hearing Jesus depicted as the Passover Lamb, I was inspired by the beautiful setting in which our Saviour instituted the Lord's Supper and shared this special … Read more

Sometimes when I pray to Jesus, my heart is so full of the many ways in which I have disappointed Him. I'll remember a harsh word that I've recently spoken, or a promise that I've cast aside, or even a person that I've unintentionally … Read more

I am sure that many of us have heard these words spoken at funerals. I just heard them again at a funeral. There are days when I feel that I have had to say good-bye to way too many friends. … Read more

How many have ever heard someone say, "It's boring"? This seems to be a common expression, especially among youth. A popular detective on television was fond of saying, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." (Robert Blake … Read more