On the first of July, 1983, I had the arduous task of packing up and moving out a music and Christian supply centre that I had been running for about three years. A friend and I packed up his trunk with what remaining stock I had and piled … Read more

A man carries a heavy box into his garage, places it on the floor, and begins to assemble the lawnmower contained inside. His wife comes to watch. "Honey, you seem to be having some trouble," his wife observes. "No, I'm doing okay, … Read more

My wife, who plays guitar with me, commented to me recently about how quickly I could tune my guitar, sometimes even without a tuner. Others who have watched me fiddle with the strings have said the same. I believe that the reason I can do … Read more

My wife and I, along with her dad, decided to visit her mother in the hospital following her surgery. Before I left home, I pulled out a couple of frozen prime steaks and placed them on the kitchen counter to thaw while we were away, … Read more

A few years ago, I was employed by the Salvation Army as a bail supervisor. My work entailed receiving, by court order, individuals who required weekly appointments at our office, and reminding the bail clients of their conditions of … Read more

A number of years ago, my wife's mother, in her eighties, was hospitalized for observation for a variety of concerns. While she was there, a retired pastor she was related to, but whom she detested, came to visit her. I heard her say under … Read more

Recently while driving into town, I noticed that the corn on the edge of a farm field was only half the height of the stalks in the centre part. I'm sure that this difference in growth was because the plants on the edge were in the shade … Read more

Now, I'm not suggesting that you all go out and buy a bottle of wine; that sort of thing is between you and the Lord! But years ago, I worked in the field of medical research, and I stumbled on a research paper on a study done at the … Read more

I've noticed in recent years that many kids are carrying backpacks to school, which look like they are a real burden to them. Some of them look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, as they trudge along the street. Interestingly enough, … Read more

The company that owns the forest behind my son's country property has been actively cutting down trees, which I thought was a shame, the bit of a tree hugger that I am. But what they are doing is thinning out the forest, so that the … Read more

I don't like it! This living alone experience sometimes feels like being alone on a desert island. Oh, I know that having God in our lives, we should be able to circumvent those feelings, but really, why does it always seem like that is … Read more

I've never had the patience to do grocery shopping or any other type of shopping much, and in the past, I've left it up to my wife and daughter to do it. However, this attitude changed due to an affliction. Let me explain. A number of … Read more

The highway out of our development is being surfaced with a fresh coating of tar. However, it's just a thin layer, and when we drive along it, we still feel the same old bumps in the road. It looks good, but obviously, it's a quick and … Read more

One morning while driving to church, I noticed all along the edge of the highway bags of litter that volunteers had cleaned up the previous day. Sad to say, in the centre of the highway along the route were dead raccoons. They had … Read more

Every morning when I take my dog for a walk, I stroll down a street that is lined on both sides with a variety of tall maple trees. Their top branches bend gracefully over from each side to touch one … Read more

Years ago, my grandfather had a small lodge in an old farmhouse beside a lake just north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. One summer when I was about nine years old, I was visiting him at the lodge, and one evening … Read more

As I was watering our vegetable garden at the back of the house, I was reminded of times when I needed refreshing from God, times when I was experiencing some of life's hot displeasures. Last night, the power went off, … Read more

When I was a young amateur guitarist, I would go to a lounge on a military base in Toronto to sit in ("jam", as we called it) with a bunch of local jazz musicians. I was the kid in the … Read more

I was sitting in a lab, waiting, while my wife was giving blood for tests, when a young mom came in with her baby. The infant was housed in one of the most classy strollers I'd ever seen, complete with … Read more

There have been a number of tragic encounters of human beings with bears over the years. Consequently, there is a great fear among the populus about even getting close to these creatures. However, I found quite interesting a recent article … Read more

On Easter morning in 1981, our clock radio came on about four o'clock, and a woman's voice said, "Let His joy fill your heart like a springtime sun." I quickly turned off the radio and offered some undesirable comments as … Read more

My wife Joy is a great baker, much to the enjoyment of me, my kids, and the grandchildren. Her cookies and loaves are melt-in-your-mouth delicacies. Sometimes while baking, though, she forgets one of the ingredients, and the final product doesn't … Read more

My wife is very skilled at crocheting, and she produces colourful shawls and baby blankets for charity. I'm amazed at how quickly she manufactures these works of art. Often, however, she runs into difficulty with the wool becoming ensnared and … Read more

My buddy, Albert, and I team up for various musical occasions in our church. We especially enjoy the privilege of manning a Salvation Army kettle and playing music there each year at Christmastime. My musician friend brings his violin, and … Read more

I can remember when I was a youngster that the first thing I would do when I visited my grandpa, with my parents, was to go to his closet where he kept his guitar. Sitting and strumming that instrument often … Read more

For many years, scientists have been trying to establish the missing link in the so-called evolutionary process from ape to human form. Some have laid claim to finding the link, only to be proven wrong and even deceptive, such as … Read more

When we first moved into our last house, I noticed that the hedge down the side of the front lawn looked like it was on its last legs. I remembered someone telling me that cutting back a bush can rejuvenate … Read more

Twice each day, my dog Gabby will come to me with bated breath, wanting her walk around the community. However because of her breed, (part Australian Shepherd and part Beagle), she requires a harness. This is because cattle dogs are … Read more

I often hear from Christians that they are satisfied to be just a silent witness. But is that enough? Let's listen in on a court case involving the questioning of a witness. Clerk: Mr. Jones, please take the Bible in … Read more

The Riot Act was passed in England in 1715, to be read to mobs to encourage them to disperse. Since then, the saying "reading the Riot Act" has come to mean "to command to stop doing something regarded as wrong … Read more