They had a plan, but God's better plan overruled. Three boys in tow. That seemed enough to them. Not to God. On the day our son-in-law was to undergo a surgical procedure in Arkansas, USA, to ensure no more little ones came along, the … Read more

At almost every meal, it sat on the table. I remember many things about my paternal grandparents — probably because I stayed with them most of the time when I was small. My grandmother served as my first babysitter, and I gladly … Read more

I can see them now — all daintily lined up on stools. But that was only the beginning. In a time that many don't remember — although it wasn't too many years ago — most women's work was at home, not in the workforce. They cooked, … Read more

"I need a book of stamps," she said, and I knew why. She needed to make connection points. For as long as I can remember, Mom has used postage stamps — for one, to mail bill payments. She is and has been a snail-mailer. She doesn't like … Read more

I am familiar with hiding. Apart from the regular game of hide-and-seek, my cousin and I often invented other hiding games. We invented imaginary giants to hide from in my grandfather's barns. If we chose to play cowboys and Indians, one … Read more

He stood and talked to his brother, never realizing that in a few moments his life would change forever. When I became his pastor, he was a vibrant man and a diligent church worker. Some years before, his life had been changed when he … Read more

My wife and I once faced a financial situation where the outgo exceeded the income. We needed to escape, but we had no means to merely pick up and leave, nor did we have any employment awaiting us. The longer we stayed, the worse things … Read more

They were our neighbours, and they loved Christmas. The first church I pastored was a small congregation located several miles out in the country. Our next-door neighbours were a retired pastor and his family. Although it was only him, … Read more

When my wife yelled, "Come here!" I knew something was wrong. I was napping in my recliner on a Sunday afternoon when she called for help. Since I was only twenty feet from her, I asked, "Can't you just tell me what you want?" But … Read more

When I was growing up, radios were quite different from what they are today. The digital world — not to mention satellites — changed everything. Now, I punch the scan button, and the radio automatically advances to the next clear … Read more

Stopping for directions sometimes took a great deal of courage. In the days before GPS systems, smartphones, Google maps, Alexa, and Siri, finding an unfamiliar location could be challenging. Filling stations offered maps to travellers. … Read more

She ran from her past, but she couldn't hide from it. Frances and her sister lived with an abusive father. Their mother died when they were both very young. Their father molested them sexually and drank continuously. Finally, child … Read more

One took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate. Watching a few middle-schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn't unusual. In addition to the injuries, there are usually … Read more

She wasn't any good at rod-and-reel casting, because she never did it. Instead, my maternal grandmother was a cane pole caster. Weather permitting, she fished every time she got a chance, but she didn't take a rod and reel. She cut cane … Read more

"Your wife and daughter have been in a wreck." Frank listened to the voicemail. Anxiety crept up his throat. He and his brother had been hiking in a place with no cell phone reception. He could see that he had voicemails but couldn't … Read more

Dams burst, bridges crumbled, interstate highways closed, and roads washed away. October 3-4, 2015, was a historic weekend in South Carolina, USA. A low-pressure system moving through the southeastern section of the country tapped into … Read more

Quan struggled with a foreboding sense of insignificance. His people were celebrating a feast for their gods because they didn't want them to send evil spirits to punish them. Quan, however, wasn't participating. He would rather spend … Read more

Regardless of how taxing my dilemmas are, I can always refocus when I view the mountains up close and in person. Every motel in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, USA, has riverfront rooms, since a river runs parallel to the main street. The … Read more

We settled for less because we didn't know that we could have had more. My wife and I sat across the table from a couple whom I would soon help to renew their wedding vows. Since we hadn't seen them in quite some time, we enjoyed … Read more

Pete was obeying God, so why was his life falling apart? The events unfolded slowly at first, then more rapidly. Pete had answered God's call to full-time ministry a number of years before. Now, events with enough explosive power to … Read more

"I can't believe that I didn't think of that earlier. I made it so difficult," my wife said. A friend and I lounged at our favourite fast-food restaurant, shooting the breeze, while our wives walked to a nearby retail store. My friend … Read more

Young children can hide in the craziest places. "Levi, do you want to play hide-and-seek with Pop?" "Okay." "You hide, and Pop will find you." I sat in my recliner. He scampered off for the kitchen. "Ready or not, here I come," I … Read more

"You're in a 'spazzy' mood today. I'm sure you'll break something." The mind reader had struck again. Let me clarify. I've never visited a mind reader, but I live with one. My wife and I have an uncanny ability to read each other's … Read more

On any given day, disappointments can be overwhelming, and conquering through praise doesn't come easily. Enter the life of a middle school Language Arts teacher. For the first three weeks of school, the program that we use for grades, … Read more

Michael was angry at grace and God. But he hadn't always been. He once loved going to church — not that he had a choice. His parents made sure that he was there every time the doors opened. At a young age, he accepted Christ as his … Read more

Leaving an inheritance has meant very little in my family — at least where it concerns money. My maternal grandparents were the only ones in my family who accumulated a tidy sum of money. But even what they had wouldn't be considered … Read more

I once fasted, but not from food. I suddenly found myself saddled with two car payments. Knowing that I couldn't afford both, I had a decision to make. One of the vehicles would have to go. One was a new Chevrolet Tracker that I had just … Read more

All my male friends seemed to enjoy it, but somehow, I didn't share their enthusiasm. When I was a pre-teen, putting together model cars was the in thing. Most of my male friends did it and seemed to love it. I looked at the shelves … Read more

Fundamentalist was the term that Dad used to describe himself. Mom's take on things, I was unsure about. Occasionally, I would pick up vibes that she disagreed with some of Dad's philosophy. I knew that he believed that faith was the … Read more

"Fear God" was a command that I often heard in my dad's sermons. And I did. Some years after my father's death, I uncovered the only recorded sermon that I have of his. I had forgotten what a fireball that he was when he preached. Most … Read more

I stared at the button that read "Reset Settings", thinking that it might solve my issue. Fear, however, kept me from clicking it. Computers seem to have a mind of their own. Sometimes, an update will change the way something performs, … Read more

It was gone. Now, I had to learn a lesson about handling regrets. I thought about my now-gone treasure early one morning when a co-worker asked, "Have you ever regretted getting rid of something?" I love antiques and have since I was … Read more

Sometimes, a card or email can say it all. "You are my favourite teacher." "Do you put baby oil on your head to make it shine?" "You have taught me so much." "I was scared of you in the sixth grade, but now you are my favourite teacher." … Read more