For many years, I have enjoyed listening to Queen Elizabeth's message on Christmas Day. This past Christmas, the Queen mentioned the importance of small steps leading to great change. She said that this was consistent with the teachings of …( read more )

Because we are tempted to judge others by their possessions, it is easy to jump to a conclusion when we know their address. For example, when we hear the word "penthouse", it is easy to assume that the described location is opulent and …( read more )

How is your health? This is a question that is frequently asked. It normally applies to our physical health, and we may be asked many times throughout our lives. When my tenth great-grandchild arrived in October, there were many times …( read more )

Each day when we awaken, we face a new beginning. If the day on the calendar is a 1, then that day is a new month. If it is January 1, then it is the beginning of a new year. 2020 is the start of a new decade. Each beginning comes with an …( read more )

Over the years, you have probably walked over many welcome mats at people's front doors. You may even have one of your own. The mat serves a practical purpose: to clean our footwear. But if it has on it the word "Welcome", it makes a …( read more )

For every gift, there is usually both a donor and a recipient. Normally, the donor willingly gives a possession and welcomes a positive and grateful response. If the recipient makes good use of the gift, it pleases the donor. If the …( read more )

It is said that we have only a brief time — minutes or even seconds — to make a good first impression. That may be true, but it is also true that we are continually making impressions, positive or negative, that last for a long time, …( read more )

A major USA bank has recently been running television advertisements with the theme, "I Can." It has caused me to think about how frequently we are tempted to add the three letters "n-o-t" after the word "can". In fact, it is so common …( read more )

It seems that from a young age until death, life is not very peaceful. We are continually being either pushed or pulled, sometimes by others and sometimes by our own desires. I was reminded of this recently when I listened to a number of …( read more )

Two things in life are certain. The first constant is change. From the time of birth, a baby is constantly facing change. Change is sometimes welcomed, but often, it is not. Like it or not, we continually face change. How often have …( read more )

There are many ways that we greet other people, but perhaps this biblical greeting is not the most usual! A common way of greeting another person is to inquire about their physical state. Equally important, however, is their mental or …( read more )

I was blessed with parents who both followed the biblical instruction to keep their promises. While many such circumstances come to my mind, there are two that I will share with you. My father accepted a senior lay leadership role in …( read more )

I am fortunate to live in a lovely home where all my needs are met. To serve the various interests of the residents, there are many activities, ranging from Blackjack to Bible study. The residence is privately owned and operated, and is …( read more )

A lady who lives on my floor and would therefore be considered a neighbour, recently shared with me her experience with another neighbour. Her husband had died some years previously. They had no children. When health factors required that …( read more )

Since I have moved into a new facility where my needs are met, I am frequently asked how I am enjoying my new home. It has caused me to think about what is required for a "home". Firstly, there is a physical structure. Unfortunately, …( read more )

When I lived in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada, some years ago, the local Ministerial Association invited a prominent minister to lead a series of evangelistic meetings. The speaker wasn't Billy Graham, but he was well-known, and so, his visit …( read more )

I live in a home that is occupied largely by seniors. There are frequent changes, with people departing and others moving in. Change, as expected, brings stress. The other day, an older lady (with her family) was inspecting a unit on my …( read more )

God seems to prepare things for us in even the simplest of ways. Recently, a neighbour shared with me her upset and then her happiness from incidents that occurred during a shopping trip. Having completed her task of picking up a few …( read more )

The famous preacher, Charles Price, wrote: We talk a lot about leadership, and rightly so, but our role is never to lead. It is to serve, and God is the one who makes leaders out of servants. If we want to know who our future leaders …( read more )

Change is constant. From the time we are infants, we continually adapt to changing circumstances. What is important is how we react to the changes. Even institutions such as the PresbyCan Daily Devotional change. When I first started …( read more )

Time is a continuum of the past, the present, and the future. We can learn from things that happened in the past, but we can never return to relive the past. It is history! We spend much time and effort trying to influence the future. It …( read more )

Humour is an important, positive aspect of our life. We are created in God's image. Hence, it is logical that God must have a great sense of humour! When we humans make a great discovery, I can imagine God smiling and thinking, "Well, …( read more )

Have you ever noticed how frequently God ministers through simple things? A simple touch — a kind word — even just a smile. Since we expect to see results immediately, it often seems strange that blessings come long after that simple …( read more )

There are many references to hair in the Bible, but this particular one challenges my imagination — to think that God even knows the number of our hairs. Some males like myself, with few hairs on our heads, may make the numbering …( read more )

Although I have almost completed fourscore and six years, some of you reading this will be even further along than I am on the runway of life. However, most of you will have more time before you take off and "fly away". When shopping at …( read more )

The Bible has many references directing us to be hospitable. I was blessed to watch my parents practice this teaching on many occasions. One such occasion happened on a Sunday in 1943. A gentleman from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with his …( read more )

Yesterday, today, forever, Jesus is the same, All may change, but Jesus never — Glory to His name! – Albert B. Simpson It is now 2019, and we have changed our 2018 calendars for new ones. It seems that there are two constants in …( read more )

This Christmas Day, I won't be seeing most of my eleven grandchildren. Almost all of them are married, and some have children. So, I decided to write a letter to them, which I am sharing with you, in the hope that you will be able to …( read more )

One of the highlights of life in my residence is the annual Christmas party for the children of the staff. Everything is geared for fun and laughter. To see the youngsters enjoying themselves is a great tonic for the residents, all of whom …( read more )

Traditionally, we like our family to be together on Christmas Day. If that is physically impossible, we at least try to make contact by telephone or webcam. One Christmas Day, my son and his family were at their home in the beautiful …( read more )

Music is a wonderful gift from God. While we enjoy it all year long, I think that it is especially meaningful in December. This is probably because of the number of Christmas carols that we both hear and sing. While no one on earth can …( read more )

At this holiday time of the year, the word "family" often seems to come up. Thanksgiving is observed in Canada in October and in the United States in November. Next month there will again be times of holiday celebrations, especially at …( read more )

One of the benefits of living in my lovely new residence is the privilege of meeting many people. I discovered that a woman who recently arrived had been a nurse at the hospital in Collingwood, Ontario, during the time that my son was …( read more )