Riding in the back seat, our two small boys were excited as we neared Redwood National Park in California, USA. We told them that we would soon see very old giant trees. As we got out of the car and walked to one of the ancient Sequoias, … Read more

I've been thinking and reading a lot about forgiveness recently. I guess the older that we get, the more that we realize how many mistakes that we've committed, foolish choices that we've made, and careless words that we've said, and end … 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

It is very pleasant to look down from my fifth-floor balcony onto the street below, while I try to establish facts about the many pedestrians, who are from many different countries. They are close enough to see but too far away to engage … Read more

It should have been easy to back the Ford Escape out of the garage. After all, it's half the size of our former Ford Expedition. With that big vehicle, I had figured out when to start and stop turning in the eight-metre space between the … Read more

The words slipped out of my mouth, and I was instantly sorry, but I couldn't stuff them back in. Like the proverbial feathers, they had been scattered to the four winds, and couldn't be retrieved. Scanning back over a lifetime, I — we … Read more

When I was nervous or trying to complete school assignments, I chewed pencils so fervently that my parents feared that I would develop lead poisoning (even though pencil lead is made of graphite). When my young granddaughter began chewing … Read more

Each spring, the melting snows flow into the Madawaska River. From its source in Algonquin Provincial Park, it spills from lake to lake, punctuated by hydro dams along its course, until at last, it meets the Ottawa River. The lakes rise … Read more

God in His mercy and love has answered many of my prayers. Some situations required an urgent answer; others not so much. When my children were very small, I was at death's door. I was quickly slipping away. I cried to the Lord in … Read more

A broken cup. That is what I saw when I asked the Lord to show me what had happened to my life. Sick with an illness, possibly a viral attack, which robbed me of my life and for which doctors had no answers and no treatment, I was able … Read more

It happened suddenly. In my den, I stepped away from my ironing board and lost my balance. Mid-air, I dreaded injuring my already-compromised hip. Almost at the floor, the seat of my pants caught on a plastic projection sticking out from … Read more

I have always had a challenge understanding the idea of "infinity". Even as a child in science and math class, I had difficulty grasping infinite time or infinite space. So, too, with the love of God: I've heard many ministers and Sunday … Read more

As I look out of my living room window early in the morning, I see a seagull standing on the rooftop of the neighbour's two-story building. What is he looking for? Another sea gull? He looks so alone, taking stock of his domain. The ocean … Read more

This summer, my brother and I had two roofs to re-shingle. Before we could start, however, the old rolled roofing needed to be removed. Why? Because the weight of the old roofing plus the weight of the new roofing could prove to be too … Read more

I recently bought a tablet computer. I use it mainly for reading, as it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to hold a book. I also use it for my email, and I have a Bible app that I really like because I can check different versions … Read more

Lately, I have had more trips to medical appointments, in turn resulting in more tests, even in a neighbouring city. To find the distant places can be a challenge, but if instructions are given to ease the way, it is easy and … Read more

In Eugene Peterson's book of daily devotionals, Praying With the Psalms, more than thirty of the 365 readings are about praise for God. Peterson's comments in the September 17th devotional were like a cold, wet washcloth to the face as I … Read more

As season leads to season, one year after another, comes the season of Christmas, heralded by Advent, when we sing: Prepare the royal highway; The King of kings is near! Let ev'ry hill and valley A level road appear! Then … Read more

In the last year and a half, I have had a more difficult time dealing with my anger. They say — and I'm still trying to figure out who "they" are — that it's probably due to changes in my … Read more

The Lord's loving-kindness and tender mercy are so awesome. In the early days of my renewed Christian journey, so often after not being selected to serve the Lord in a certain church task, I'd discover that my Lord's loving-kindness had … Read more

As I write this, the whole world is watching a miracle. The Chilean miners, who have been trapped underground for 69 days, are beginning to surface, and our whole planet is rejoicing. It's a remarkable feat and a wonderful testimony … Read more

The apostle Paul wrote to people who believed in Jesus Christ at Colosse around the year 60 A.D. My experience brings me to agree with what Paul said almost 2000 years ago. Decades ago, I found myself in a spiritually … Read more

We all know that cats devour birds. In our house, therefore, we have mouse traps, as well as a cat-deterrent noise device, placed strategically around the birds' flight cage. The birds' enclosure is also constructed of heavy metal meshing which … Read more

Recently, I joined a prayer ministry that has enriched my own personal communication with God. Based on Scripture promises, I am encouraged to depend on the Holy Spirit's leading, and have found a beautiful example of prayer based on God's … Read more

I love being a Christian. I love the experience of being a sinner saved by Christ. Without Christ's grace and mercy, I don't know where I would be right now. Without God's compassion, I don't know where I would end … Read more

When we moved to our present home some 22 years ago, the trees and shrubs were ever so small. The line of cedars making a natural fence between us and our neighbours was thin. The cedars did not touch each … Read more

A recent conversation came around to how we celebrate Valentine's Day. I shared that we have two boys, and that to show our love to each other, we all take red and pink paper and cut it into heart shapes. … Read more

I have become a scrapbooking enthusiast. I am carefully recording the memories that my grandchildren and I have enjoyed when they visited in my home. I am carefully aiming to communicate my love to them in future years when they … Read more

When we are young, we can't seem to wait to grow up and be adults. On looking back, though, we see that life goes by so fast. As youths, we were not wise enough to recognize just how short life … Read more

The loud pop startled me. I thought a stone had bounced off my windshield. But no. Instead, my rear window had splintered into a million pieces. Thankfully, none of the bits had fallen out of place and hurt someone. The … Read more

One of the saddest things that I have seen in more than twenty years of ministry is a person who refuses God's help and rejects His healing. I can remember being called to help one young lad, decades ago, who … Read more

When we were young, we couldn't wait to grow up and be adults. On looking back, we now see that life goes by so fast. At the time, though, we were not wise enough to recognize just how short life … Read more

There are a few advantages to not having a dishwasher. I get plenty of time to think as I slow down to face the sink and the growing mound of dishes it holds. I get a feeling of accomplishment as … Read more