Most times, I find it very hard to be joyful when I'm depressed. Does that sound like an oxymoron to you? I don't mean the outward expression of joy, but the joy that comes from having the living God live … Read more

On most computer systems, several computing tasks that are done by the mouse can also be accomplished using the keyboard. In any particular software, the effectiveness of the keyboard in carrying out tasks that could also be done using the … Read more

I came across a new word the other day: acedia. It means "spiritual languor". I guess it's like belief burnout or compassion fatigue. It's when we lose our connection to God, His church, or His people, and we end up … Read more

To some, seeing a little boy waving wouldn't add up to being listed as the highlight of your week. But to me it was. "I saw you," he said, as I drew closer to where the nine-year-old was standing in … Read more

I remember a song called Me and My Shadow. I was my father's shadow. Every Friday evening, we would go for groceries. Often we would have to walk because the car was not working yet again. We did the same … Read more

We live in a world where children are too often left alone and are so much in need of parental love that it's hard to believe, unless you carefully take stock of our times. A casual observance of the daily … Read more

I've a beautiful painting hanging over the fireplace in my home. It's a picture of Dunure Castle, an old medieval fort that sits above a cliff on the west coast of Scotland. At one time, it was owned by the … Read more

At first, her story shocked me. "Yes", she said. "God did do a miracle in my brother's life. Even as a child, he was a very gifted artist. Realizing that an unexpected illness would kill him, our prayers refused to … Read more

Every month, I order a product online. At first, it was a learning experience to know what to do, what to click on, and what not to click on. Each time became easier and easier. Then one day, the company … Read more

Part of my seminary training was spent dealing with people who had emotional problems. A group of our senior students were tutored by professional social workers who were attached to a local hospital. The purpose of the tutoring was not … Read more

Running up the church steps, I stopped abruptly, partly because my way was blocked and partly because of the intense emotion I experienced when I saw what was happening in front of me. A well-dressed woman huddled over an elderly … Read more

We used to live near a brook that was home to many ducks. One particularly blustery morning, my dog and I were walking by the brook and saw an unusual number of tiny ducklings in the icy water. At the … Read more

A ship wrecked long ago served as a marker for shallow water, and showed what could happen when we venture into waters that are too shallow. The ship was covered with barnacles, and the birds used it as a place … Read more

I was involved in a radio debate a few months ago, regarding an issue about a local church having an evangelical crusade during school hours. Kids were taken out of their school for two hours, over a period of three … Read more

One morning as the sun began to light the skies over South Carolina, USA, I heard the chirping of several birds. This seemed odd, as it was a rather cool morning. Wanting to muffle their song and snuggle in bed … Read more

How easy it is to praise the Lord when everything in our life seems to be going great! We all know how difficult we human beings find it to praise rather than to grumble when things are going wrong. It … Read more

I'm always amazed at the amount of good that church people do in the world. Congregations are full of individuals who like to give of themselves to causes and charities over and above what they commit to their own church. … Read more

Remember when we learned our A-B-Cs as little children? You know, the traditional: A is for apple; B is for ball; and so on. It has proved quite beneficial, hasn't it? I began to wonder if there could be a … Read more

A couple of times recently, I've heard a make-believe story about a pig and a chicken. According to the yarn, the two animals were travelling down the road together, when they saw a sign out in front of the local … Read more

Frances Ridley Havergal is perhaps one of the most well-known hymn writers of the nineteenth century. Her hymn of consecration and service, "Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee," is included in most hymnals. During her … Read more

Outside my kitchen window, I have a view of the pasture in the early morning. It is a little lower than the yard, so the dew gathers there as vapour. Frosty crystals dance with light in their brief and brilliant … Read more

How greatly the word free is used to grab our attention — on postal flyers, in newspaper or television advertisements, and even on the Internet! We are enticed to try new cosmetic products, cereals, and gourmet foods being offered free! … Read more

My dad passed on about six years ago now. He had lived a good long life, bloomed where he was planted, and left a legacy for his children and grandchildren. There was sadness and grieving and pain, though; my dad … Read more

Not long ago, I read the novel, No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod, with interest, perhaps because his characters were so much like some of the people I had met while I lived in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. The … Read more

When I was a boy, the rag and bone man used to visit our street every summer. He came with his old chestnut-coloured horse and a cart filled with castaway clothes. He usually wore a cloth cap, checkered shirt, and … Read more

Christians can easily fall into the trap of being bored with God. I know it would be really hard to vocalize that thought. Who would want to admit to being guilty of thinking that God is boring? Think about how … Read more

I have been writing devotionals for a few years now. It all started rather innocently. I was subscribed to the Presbyterian Church in Canada's Daily devotional which I read every day. At the end of each devotional, there is a … Read more

My husband, Bill, and I went down to a church here in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, to their Vacation Bible School to distribute Bibles to the children, on behalf of the Gideons. Having lived with Bill all these years, I still … Read more

"Is it wrong to sin ten percent of the time?" The question recently came to my mind after I overheard a conversation where two Christians were discussing the limitations of the posted speed along the highway. "I always drive within … Read more

I love journals and nice notebooks. I enjoy writing out my thoughts and then transferring them to the computer. When I first get a new journal, I marvel at the white, empty pages, and I visualize them filled with my … Read more

Two years ago, our local television morning show asked for the definition of a Canadian. The winner coined this phrase: "A Canadian is an immigrant with authority!" It is true that at one time, most Canadians came from somewhere else. … Read more