Christmas is coming, and as well as signifying and celebrating the birth of Jesus, it is a time of gift giving. We wander the stores for the "right" gift for family, friends, neighbours, and service providers. We want to choose something … Read more

Throughout our lives, we all teach and are taught, some by profession, others only by example. We had a Sunday School teacher once who led us in Bible study, prayers, and hymns. On the odd warm Sunday afternoon, if we begged hard enough, … Read more

Every day, in numerous instances, be it personally, locally, or globally, there is an overwhelming need for prayer. An uncountable number of people pray for loved ones, for friends, for friends of friends, and for those not even known to … Read more

Rarely is there a newscast that doesn't carry a story of people being saved from burning homes, terrific car crashes, acts of violence, or other incidents which would have resulted in a different outcome had it not been for the valiant … Read more

Taking on a group of teenagers who may be teetering between questioning or adopting their religious beliefs would be daunting for many, especially — one would think — for a young, newly married minister. It might have been easier, … Read more

Homelessness and people on the streets asking for money, food, and/or work are not new, but they are increasing in most communities, and perhaps nowhere more than on the Lower Mainland or on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, … Read more

We celebrate our birthdays in many ways: we send cards, decorate our homes, give presents, and have parties. Christmas is a birthday — Christ's birthday — and by far, celebrated in the most varied ways and by the most diverse groups of … Read more

Throughout our married years, as times and people came and went, our Thanksgivings consisted of hosting parents, relatives, friends, university students, and then, our adult children and little grandkids. However, as time moved on, … Read more

A Presbyterian church is located midway between our community of Nanaimo, in central Vancouver Island, and the community of Qualicum Beach, a 45-minute drive north of us. Behind the church, a cross is carefully outlined in a sacred plot … Read more

I have a black silicone bracelet on my wrist that I put around my watch to protect the crystal. It tends to keep moving off, so I keep putting it back on. This is not the primary reason that I wear it, but perhaps, the constant on and … Read more

Often's the time when attending a celebration of life for the spouse or relative of a friend that the title of today's devotional has come to mind. It is also the title of a book about President John Fitzgerald Kennedy from the … Read more

This devotional has been running around my mind and onto several pieces of paper several times for months, and in that time, horrendous wars have erupted in the world with unspeakable atrocities committed. So the irony and seriousness of … Read more

In 1984, Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure wrote a song titled Do They Know It's Christmas? to raise money for the people of Ethiopia who were in dire need due to the famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Many musicians gathered together … Read more

The cruise director on a recent cruise doubled, or should I say tripled, as a comedian at night and conducted the non-denominational service on Sunday. It was a smaller cruise line; the number of staff and passengers totalled almost … Read more

Years ago, this Scripture was quoted to me by a dear friend and family doctor as being the epitaph on a simple stone marking the grave of the famous American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist, Charles Lindbergh, on … Read more

My pierced ears are graced with a pair of carved, silver eagles' head earrings, a gift from a friend whose life ended quickly and unexpectedly last year. When I became a hospice volunteer over eighteen years ago, Alice had already … Read more

One day, a month or so ago, upon coming to a relatively short, but busy corner that I've crossed many a time, I was so engrossed in my thoughts (no, not texting or on my cell phone — just my … Read more

Last year, a friend told me someone had welcomed her to The Million Dollar Club. My obviously naive knowledge of that phrase was limited. I thought that it had to do with real estate agents, and knowing that she was … Read more

I have long loved shoes known as clogs. They were a saving grace to me over forty years ago when I was expecting our first child and stood on cement floors for most of the day at work — and … Read more

English was always my favourite subject, though sometimes a teacher or two could be a bit challenging. (Admittedly, we students were probably challenging at times!) Such was one teacher we had in Grade 8. When asked a question, he often … Read more

In February 1997, a month after my father's passing, my brothers and I, living in different parts of British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, each received a letter from a third cousin once removed (as my mother would say) of my … Read more

By now, most of the North American continent, if not the world, knows of the finding and rescue of Rita Chretien of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. This extraordinary woman survived for 49 days from March 19th to May 6th, stuck … Read more

What a thrill it is to accompany our children those first years of school, to wait outside with them until the bell rings, and, often, to help out in the classroom. The thrill is again granted with our grandchildren, and … Read more

This devotional offers twofold evidence for trusting in God. Firstly, while lunching with a dear friend one day, we exchanged our experiences in putting our faith in God helping us locate lost articles. When we "give it to God", admitting … Read more

With increasing technology allowing us instantaneous information and the ability to be connected at all times, more and more, we are urged to live in the moment, in the Now. The message to us is that It is the journey, … Read more