I once participated in a service of praise, prayer, and foot washing with Christian people during the Lenten season. Sitting in a circle, one by one, we knelt, washed, and dried our neighbour's feet, using a basin of warm water and a … Read more

My dad was a talented woodworker and carpenter, doing many renovations in our home and even building a rowboat. I took a woodworking class in high school, and although I was not skillful, I did gain an appreciation for the beauty of wood. … Read more

As a young camp counsellor at Gracefield Christian camp, near Ottawa, Canada, I really enjoyed canoeing. I practised my J-stroke, carefully loaded the flat-bottomed aluminum canoes, and even learned how to right a tipped canoe in deep … Read more

I find working on a jigsaw puzzle to be fascinating, addictive, and annoying, all at the same time. My mother loved doing them while she still had vision, spending hours figuring out the edges, then the main images. It's even harder when … Read more

As an artist, I have been asked to paint portraits, sometimes of one who has passed as a remembrance for the family. I studied with an exceptional art teacher, who trained in the ateliers and museums of … Read more

I was thumbing through some black-and-white photos, taken 60 or more years ago, by my mum and dad: photos of themselves, their friends, and the small town where they grew up. Smiling faces looked back at me from skiing and skating parties … Read more

When we were children, my older brother excelled at assembling and painting model kits, mostly of military aircraft and vehicles. The small boxes, with vivid photos on top, contained small grey plastic pieces, glue, paint, and instructions … Read more

Have you ever heard that saying, "Oh you look just like your father in that photo!"? In many families, there is a striking physical resemblance, or sometimes, it's temperament, talent, or ability. In my mother's family, we share … Read more

One of the privileges of living in Ottawa, Canada, is attending special live events, one being the annual Remembrance Day memorial parade and service. A large crowd surrounds the National War Memorial, filling the sidewalks on Elgin and … Read more

There are words in the Christian vocabulary that seem archaic, one of which is "abide". As it is used in the Bible, it means staying constantly, or remaining on a continual basis. "Abide" makes me think of an abode, a home, and when I form … Read more

When I was young, I heard words which I didn't understand, like "communism", "the Cold War", "segregation", and so on. I thought that there was something sinister about such things, because people were so serious and grave when talking … Read more

I have undergone a few surgeries in my life, for my foot and knees, and even had my tonsils out when I was ten. I learned a lot along the way about the body's complexities. I have learned the truth of what the psalmist declares, that we … Read more

In the late 1990s, I fulfilled my dream of attending Oxford University in England. For two weeks as a continuing education student, I went to Christ Church College, stayed in the dormitory, dined in the historic dining hall, and studied … Read more

I once knew a woman from our church community whom I really detested. Although gifted and attractive, she often said some very unkind and condemning things to others. I avoided her, and I wasn't the only one to do so. It really bothered me … Read more

I enjoy watching a dramatic courtroom trial. As a child, I would hurry home from school to watch black-and-white reruns of the American television series, Perry Mason. With the help of his assistant Della Street and private investigator … Read more

When I sleep, I always dream, even if I am just nodding off. I can't help myself from doing it, and I have tried to understand why my brain won't shut off at night! I often dream that I am either in the twilight or walking in darkness. … Read more

Have you ever been tagged as part of a group of people? When I was in high school, the athletic guys and girls were known as the "jocks", the academically minded quiet ones were known as "the brains", and some of the tags weren't as … Read more

Years ago, Granny gave me her recipe for bannock bread, which is a neat, round loaf baked on a flat sheet in the oven. It is simple food for plain people, but so satisfying. When I make it, it is not only delicious to eat, but baking it … Read more

At my office, we have a label maker, a nifty hand-held device used to type up labels and shoot them out, with a peel-and-stick backing to be removed before adorning files, drawers, and folders. Some people get a little carried away and … Read more

When I was growing up, I loved the music of the Beatles. I listened to their music, saved their newspaper and magazine pictures, and eagerly listened for every detail of their lives. I was only nine years old when John Lennon and Yoko Ono … Read more

When I was a child, I always had my nose in a book. My mother never had a hard time finding me! I was running through the forests of Narnia with the Pevensey children and Prince Caspian. I was on board the pirate ship having adventures on … Read more

I love to read, and I especially enjoy reading biographies. These accounts give me a real sense of connection with people of the past, and help me to see how history unfolded during their lifetimes. So many people with fascinating lives … Read more

My mother taught me the basic stitches of embroidery when I was young, and I have continued doing this needlework all my life. It is an enjoyable and rewarding hobby, and I glory in the colourful threads and the canvas slowly revealing the … Read more

When I attended Bible college in Toronto, Canada, in the 1980s, I had the great privilege of studying under gifted Bible teachers and inspiring preachers from around North America and beyond, who were invited to teach in the college … Read more

In our fast-paced, ambitious society, we are tempted by the latest thing, the newest product to test drive, and the exclusive access "by invitation only". At times, I feel that my life is static and that I'm really missing out on something … Read more

In the 1980s, my friends and I enjoyed the music of Canadian singer and songwriter Bruce Cockburn. One of my favourite hits of 1985 was People See Through You, perhaps because I thought that one day, justice would be satisfied over cruel … Read more

The city of Ottawa, Canada, where I live, is on an active seismic fault line, and we occasionally experience earth tremors. As a college dorm student, years ago, one such tremor at night woke us all up by shaking our bunk beds, and at … Read more

I have been to the west coast of Mexico a few times, and the approach to Puerta Vallarta is always memorable. The airplane arcs over the grey dragon-spine of the Sierra Madre Mountains and circles over the sparkling sea to make its landing … Read more

I shared the workplace lunchroom one day with a co-worker who held very little hope about society's future, and declared that he would never bring children into this world. A little later, he discussed his upcoming wedding plans. As I … Read more

When I was in high school, English literature, history, and languages were exciting and pleasant in which to immerse myself. Math and chemistry were a different matter! I had an English teacher who saw in me a love for writing and reading, … Read more

I am not a systematic house cleaner. I tend to clean as I go, or set time aside for a larger task. Sometimes, finding an unexpected cobwebbed corner will push me into action, but it's a not a favourite activity. Cleaning up my spiritual … Read more

A church that I once attended had a truly gifted minister. This man was articulate, yet compassionate; learned, yet able to explain Bible teaching clearly; and humorous, yet never in poor taste. He had a fine singing voice and played the … Read more

I think we've all heard the expression, "If it feels good, do it." Recently, I read a comment from an art instructor, whose newsletter I receive, advising artists not to get lost in theory and analysis, but just to go with "your gut … Read more