Yesterday I stopped at the pharmacy counter in Walmart to pick up a prescription. There were several pharmacists in the back busily preparing prescriptions for others. I waved at the head pharmacist and said, "How are you Marc?" There was an almost imperceptible hesitation before he answered "Fine'" The clerk who was serving me smiled … Continue reading Do you really want to know how I’m feeling today?
Stories from my life
The inward and spiritual grace
The following are statements from the Catechism found in the Book of Common Prayer, which was used for centuries by Anglicans around the world. Catechist. What do you mean by the word Sacrament? Answer. I mean an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, given to us by Christ himself, as a … Continue reading The inward and spiritual grace
I didn’t get the message
Way back when I was still single, some time before 1970, I was living alone in a little Saskatchewan town and running a grain elevator. Well, I wasn't completely alone — there was a cat sharing the house with me. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that there would have to … Continue reading I didn’t get the message
Another sign of spring
This is income tax month in Canada, the deadline for filing is April 30. I am affected by this deadline in three ways. First, there are the people for whom I prepare and file personal income tax returns, then there are my business clients for whom I have to get files ready for their tax … Continue reading Another sign of spring
Back to work
Early in the fall of 2007, I became aware of distorted vision in my right eye. I went for an eye exam and was referred to Doctor Kevin Colleaux, a specialist in Saskatoon. Within a few days I received the first injection in that eye. Over the next three and one half years I had … Continue reading Back to work
Business and Church
I grew up in a small Saskatchewan town with four grocery stores and three churches. One store was owned by a cousin and another by an old friend of the family. Another was owned by a Catholic family and the fourth was the local Co-op. The three churches were the United Church of Canada, the … Continue reading Business and Church
The Father himself loves you
My father was a man with high principles and good intentions, but a short fuse. And when he blew up, he would stay angry for days while my mother and I tip-toed around to avoid further aggravating him. He was never physically violent, but the verbal abuse was just as damaging. It happened again one … Continue reading The Father himself loves you
Older, and maybe a little wiser
Forty-five years ago, around this time of year, I had paid a weekend visit to my fiancée in Saskatchewan and headed out Sunday afternoon for the six hour drive back to the Manitoba town where I managed a country grain elevator. I hadn't gone very far when I came up behind a semi that was … Continue reading Older, and maybe a little wiser
What you stare at, you steer for
That was what my wife was taught many years ago in her driver's education class. If you see danger on the road ahead and fix your eyes on it for fear of hitting it, you will unconsciously steer in the direction you are looking and will hit it for sure. The way to avoid danger … Continue reading What you stare at, you steer for
Rained out — in January!
A few of us, five to be exact, were planning on getting together over coffee this morning to discuss how we could better be effective witnesses of the gospel to the people around us, to Mister Average Canadian. There are no Tim Horton's close by, not really any coffee shops at all, so we decided … Continue reading Rained out — in January!
Flatlander Faith 