When my daughter Sarah was born, x-rays revealed that she was missing a lung and needed the assistance of life support to breathe. The doctors gave her ninety percent oxygen to keep her alive in an incubator. After surgery to move her … Read more

"How are you?" "I'm fine, thanks!" We've all engaged in this social greeting formula — even with complete strangers. I did last week while hiking along the river. I came across two fishermen standing in the water. On noticing me, one … Read more

On a visit to London, England, a friend escorted me to a number of historical and popular sites, one being St. Paul's Cathedral. A heroic survivor of the World War II blitz, and site of the 1981 royal wedding of Prince Charles and Lady … Read more

My annoyance over telemarketers has occasionally caused me to answer legitimate calls with a rather unfriendly tone. Once, I even hung up on someone. How rude! Thankfully, that person called right back. That got me thinking: How often … Read more

Over the years, I have acquired various labels: Sales Agent, Sales Executive, Regional Sales Executive, Youth Worker, Bible Student, Pastor, Caretaker, Religious Education Teacher, Information and Specialist Software Adviser in Higher … Read more

For many years, I ran a small out-of-print bookshop from the bottom floor of my home. My training came from managing a similar business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shortly before I left the city, a woman about my age was murdered by a … Read more

One Sunday morning, I left home having my destination clearly in mind. It was an easy trip, so I used the time to enjoy lovely music and relax — until suddenly, I realized that I was heading the wrong direction — to my old stomping … Read more

"Many car owners just don't listen to their cars. If they did, they could prevent a lot of damage." This was said by an experienced mechanic. He's convinced that if owners paid more attention to their vehicle sounds, they'd be quicker to … Read more

We have various inscriptions around inside our church and out the front on the lawn. They are there as a celebration and remembrance of various people who have given their lives in service, whether in membership, war, or leadership over … Read more

Baking bread in the summer mornings can be somewhat of a challenge, for I do not have the wood stove going, and the house is quite cool until late afternoon. Thus, once I have the dough formed, I scout about the house looking for sunbeams … Read more

Several years ago, I received the following anecdote from a clergyman and saved it: There is a monastery whose members gather around a new candidate and ask, "Why do you want to join?" Candidates may say things like "I am seeking peace", … Read more

In the past year, several opportunities or "doors" have been opened to me. One was to lead a much larger church group than I'm used to. Even when asked to take a small group, I was sure that someone else could do a better job. Now, here … Read more

My grandparents in England had a parlour at the front of their house that was never used. It contained their best furniture and their most valued knick-knacks. Although the room was dusted, it wasn't heated. It was cold and uninviting. … Read more

As I look over the last year, I ask myself, What have I done that God would be pleased with? Yes, I know that my times are in His hands, so I ask, What is He expecting of me in this new year? I trust Him explicitly with it all, but … Read more

Here is a poem that I wrote: My friend is a special person Who accepts me the way I am. My friend can see who I can be. My friend laughs and cries with me. My friend is always honest, Even though the words spoken hurt me at times. My … Read more

It seems that this winter has brought storms and weather in severity that some places haven't seen before, or for many years. The Great Lakes in North America contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water. For the first time in decades, … Read more

I guess that most everyone is familiar with the William Holman Hunt (1827-1910) picture, "The Light of the World", painted after he became a Christian. If one is not, there are various links on the Internet. Of note is the fact that … Read more

On my bedroom wall, I have a framed print of the famous scene painted by W. Holman Hunt of Jesus standing at the door knocking. It belonged to my grandmother, and it always hung beside her bed, which we shared when I would visit. As a … Read more

I recently watched a program on the television about a man who had been entered into the Guinness World Records for the longest flight of a paper airplane that he had made. He had spent a lifetime, since he was a young boy, not just … Read more

I found yesterday's devotional interesting, because my experience parallels Isabel Allison's in the confusion we experienced when comparing our conversion to the apostle Paul's. In a children's crusade when I was seven years old, the … Read more

It is the late spring and early summer time of the year in the Okanagan Valley. Every leaf and flower is newly in bloom; and it is a fresh time of year. The birds have all arrived from winter climes, … Read more

As I opened the fridge one morning to get milk for my morning cup of tea, I noticed the following phrases on items in the fridge: Improved recipe New buttery taste New great taste Same look, new taste Improved taste … Read more

In three most important ceremonies in my life, I gave my solemn promises, vows, and agreements. I gave assent to, and made my marriage vows from my heart to the boy I loved, I made my renewed covenant vows to … Read more

As a youngster, did you ever have fun with one of those old revolving doors? I did — with my brother. After entering an open section of the four-way revolving door, round and round we'd go until the weight of … Read more

Colleen lives on the side of a mountain. When her children were both home, they begged for a pet. She reminded them that there was no one home all day. One spring, a kitten appeared at the door. She fed … Read more

Recently, I watched a Christian film entitled Perfect Stranger, based on the novel Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory. Having a great interest in Christian apologetics, I was deeply moved by the movie's presentation of the Gospel. This … Read more

Our part of Canada has recently experienced very, very cold weather and severe wind chill. After a few days of experiencing and enduring this weather, we finally ventured out into the community to church and to the stores. It was … Read more

Recently at the office, I filled up my water bottle from the water cooler at the bottom of the stairs in the foyer. It is like me in the morning: slow. Tea always comes first in the morning, and for … Read more

While waiting for the information to come through about posters I design for a Christian organization, I thought I would tell you a little of what I do. Once all the details come to me via e-mail, the first thing … Read more

Long ago, I began the habit of keeping a record of ailments and illnesses that had come to visit me. The list is long, including measles, mumps as an adult, viral infections, surgery, and pneumonia. I also began to keep … Read more

Wow! This message which I received as a daily Bible reading from the Canadian Bible Society on April 18, 2007, hit me directly. It was a message to the church in Sardis, but I felt like God was speaking right … Read more

Years ago, we stayed in a little cabin in Banff, Alberta, Canada, while on our way to British Columbia to visit relatives. It was a neat little cabin with a few rooms in it. We thought we had locked the … Read more

I don't know about your wallet or purse, but mine contains discount cards, membership cards, cards that say who I am, and cards that allow me to receive health care and medical treatment. Most important are the cards that I … Read more