In the late winter of 2020, a new virus appeared on the scene, shutting down businesses, public buildings, churches, and schools. We are in the grips of this pandemic whether we like it or not. With all the hype over the virus, people … Read more

The cross and the guillotine have some things in common: they were both cruel methods of execution. The guillotine was used by Germans and perfected by a French doctor, who hoped to make the beheading of a condemned person more efficient … Read more

In an old forest, the competition for growing space can be very severe. The large canopies of the big trees blot out the sunlight, so very little vegetation may be found on the forest floor. It is usually very easy … Read more

An old martial arts saying was passed around: "If you are going to have to go into a den of rattlesnakes, become a rattlesnake." The rattlesnakes do not prey on each other; they attack others. This is just another way of saying that we … Read more

How many of us like novelty tunes? Novelty tunes are funny songs. They were very popular when I was a teenager. We listened to such tunes as "The Purple People Eater", and "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". But one of my … Read more

Athletes train to become faster and stronger. We endeavour to bring as much power to our sport as we can. We may engage in a weight-training program. We might go out and run. Some will attend a sports camp. Our … 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

I always emphasize to my students that Jesus is the way; karate is a hobby. I support this position by giving a youth sermon during each martial arts class. In fact, all of the devotionals that I have submitted started … Read more

Back in my hometown, in the evenings, we would sometimes have games until it was time to go home. One favourite night-time game involved finding the other kids — while wearing a blindfold. Once when I was wearing the blindfold, … Read more

In my hometown there was an abandoned store, which used to be the company store, when the mining company owned the town. The vacant storefront became a meeting place for the neighbourhood youth. We would congregate on the old porch … Read more

Do you sometimes really have a problem making a decision? Sometimes we reach a fork in the road and wonder which way we should go. I travel north from Pittsburgh occasionally, through a little town called New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In … Read more

If you have done any hiking or work in the woods, you may have used a canteen. I can remember once working at putting up tents at a Scout camp, when I got so dry that I do not think … Read more

A number of years ago, my youngest son wanted to wrestle. His older brother wrestled, and he just naturally fell into the sport. Actually, he became pretty good. Problem: there was no Junior High coach. I knew very little about … Read more

Do you ever make promises? Do you usually keep your promises? Has anyone ever broken a promise made to you? We usually have good intentions, but sometimes things get in the way. Promises are made that cannot be kept. We … Read more

Have you ever had something happen that is so bizarre that you have no explanation for it except the hand of God? Back in the days when I was still teaching school, I was driving home from a meeting at … Read more

I try to stay in shape, so I lift weights several times a week. When I was young, I did this to improve my body; now it has become a necessity. People may lift these dumbbells to get stronger. One … Read more

Has the pitch of some huckster impressed you to the point that you had to have the product they were selling? I remember sending for a combination knife sharpener/glasscutter that would sharpen any knife razor sharp and cut glass into … Read more

As a child, I can remember learning to tie my shoe. It was difficult for me, and I can remember the joy when I learned how. There is a children's song that expresses this: "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe." I … Read more

Years ago, the boys in my neighbourhood used to play a very dangerous game called "lumberjack". It was something our parents did not know about, and it was very foolish to take chances with our lives in this fashion. One … Read more

Can you think of an instance when a nut caused a great deal of trouble? Do you remember the story of Chicken Little? The poor little guy was hit with an acorn falling from a tree and he believed the … Read more

Have you ever seen chickens wearing glasses? I have. When I was about five years old, my grandfather and I raised chickens. In a flock of chickens, there is always one that loses some feathers. As soon as the other … Read more

The Word says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Strange as it may seem, this reminds me of a man from my youth. I never knew his name; we just called him "the cleaner man". Once … Read more

Early in my martial arts career, I learned about the Samurai choosing the cherry blossom as his symbol because it had no thorns. The absence of thorns was to highlight the lack of deception. Being totally candid and brutally honest … Read more

I remember as a Junior High student watching horror movies at the theatre, then having to walk along the highway at night to get home. My senses seemed to be heightened. Every little sound seemed to make my hair stand … Read more