Now that the starter plants have been transferred to the outside garden beds, I stop amidst my morning chores to pop over and examine them. I check to see if each plant looks healthy and has enough moist soil around it. If not, then I do …( read more )

In today's broken world, there is an ongoing deficit of hope, and it would seem that the need for encouragement and a true sense of self-worth is one of the greatest threats facing the world. Typically, I would not have given much thought …( read more )

At the time of writing, here in southern Ontario, Canada, we are experiencing a very hot and dry summer. The grass in our yard, as well as in the neighbourhood, is turning brown, and vegetable gardens are in dire need of water. In …( read more )

Joshua needed a prod. He had been Moses' assistant, and now it was up to him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. But Joshua was hesitating. Doubting. Was he the right man to do this? Would the people follow him? Was he able to …( read more )

When I was in high school, our teachers held a pep rally before every big American-style football game. Cheerleaders in short skirts and bulky sweaters led us in cheers designed to increase the courage of the team, especially if the …( read more )

As I cruise the posts at Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon looking for a book to hit my fancy, I am often influenced by the choices of others. Their appreciation of a particular work makes me check out the book at the library or buy it …( read more )

In Christian vernacular, we use the word giant as a substitute for a major problem in our lives. This idea or imagery developed from the biblical narrative of David and Goliath. More than three years ago, I had a setback after being …( read more )

One thing that I have learned since having a horse is that I must be alert at all times when I am out riding in the cart pulled by my gelding, Frank. Why? Because horses are easily spooked. We can be out enjoying the stillness of a crisp …( read more )

I once heard Ron Mehl use as a sermon illustration a story told by Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, about a single missionary who served the Lord in China for many years. In 1948, all missionaries were expelled from the country …( read more )

I have had a dream to write since I was in grade 5. It all started when I was selected to go on a special trip to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, for the annual jamboree for bus patrols. As a bus patrol, I was responsible to ensure that younger …( read more )

Every day can be an adventure with the Lord, a "God day", even if we don't see it at the time. God always seems to give me a personal analogy when I give the Sunday School lesson for the kids at church.

My lesson was from the book of …( read more )

There have been times in my life when I've had responsibilities which I've thought were greater than I could handle placed on my shoulders. Then I've thought of Joshua, who inherited a tremendous responsibility when Moses died, and the task … (read more)

We once had a Sheltie, named Tammy, whose timidity kept her from enjoying life outside the safety of our home. Our solution to this problem was to yoke her with a young puppy named Pepper, whose gregarious nature was infectious. … (read more)

I decided to do something really great for my two budgies, Sunny and Cordelle. I built them a flight cage. God created birds to fly, and that's what I wanted mine to be able to do. Thus, I gathered up … (read more)

We live in a world where fear seems to be the motivator! Terrorism, bomb threats, super bugs — the list goes on. We are bombarded with fears in the news, the Internet, and the newspapers. No wonder there are days … (read more)

We recently went out west for our holiday, and our journey took us to the Rocky Mountains in western Canada. Our first hotel was nestled in the Rockies, and as I sat there and reflected on the vastness and majestic … (read more)

I found myself at an impasse in my life. A door had opened to serve the Lord in an area in which I have skills. I was both very excited and somewhat fearful of the opportunity. Somehow the fear began … (read more)

Timidly, I knocked at the door. I'd been away from the hospital setting for some time, and so it was with a certain amount of apprehension that I prepared my mind for the visit. A nurse quietly opened the door, … (read more)

Recently, my daughter and I were having a mother/daughter chat. As we talked, we started remembering some of the more challenging episodes in our lives: her leaving home for the first year of university, and searching for her first job. … (read more)

A young high school student came to me one day and said, "I don't know what to expect when I get to school. I am just entering high school and I'm scared." Further inquiry led me to ask him what … (read more)

Living on an island on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada, leaves us with basically three commercial modes of transportation to and from the mainland. We may travel by foot or by car using one of two ferries. One … (read more)

Joshua had just been given the responsibility of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses had died. Picture him standing on a cliff of a mountain or small hill, looking into the valley of the Promised Land. Can … (read more)

A local radio station is running a promotion to increase its daytime listeners. It's giving away coffee mugs with the station's call letters on them, asking listeners to drink coffee at work with the station's mugs. It promises listeners that, … (read more)

Our shared journey through Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress this past week is quickly coming to an end. As I get ready to close, I want to thank you for listening to "the journey" as seen through the eyes of Bunyan's character, … (read more)