Pet Therapy

But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  And … Continue reading Pet Therapy

I am not a dog lover

Up until I was nine years old my parents had a black and white collie named Penny.  He was the only dog I ever really loved, a constant companion in my wanderings over the hills and valleys of our southern Saskatchewan farm, and my protector. Later on we had a fox terrier named Trixie.  She … Continue reading I am not a dog lover

We wrestle not against flesh and blood

My father was usually a kind and considerate man, very much in earnest about Christian life.   However, he had an explosive temper, and each time he blew up it took several days for the rage to die down.  While the rage was burning inside him, every time he came into the house he would tell … Continue reading We wrestle not against flesh and blood

Voices of darkness

I had to be at work a little before 11:00 P.M. that Sunday night.  The factory work week began at 11:00 and as Quality Assurance Inspector I had to check the equipment before startup.  Although I interacted with the supervisors and workers on the factory floor, I worked alone, covering all that was happening.  This … Continue reading Voices of darkness

Don’t strike out at the pulpit

The story is told of a Scottish reverend who went out one day to visit his parishioners.  When he entered a local shop, the proprietress immediately thanked him for the wonderful sermon that he had preached a fortnight ago. Now the reverend was wary of attempts at flattery, so he questioned her about the topic … Continue reading Don’t strike out at the pulpit

The cat who came in from the cold

I glanced out the window one evening in late fall and was startled to see a white kitten sitting on our doorstep.  I walked around to the door and opened it, half expecting this kitten to dash off in fear when he saw me.  I was amazed when he calmly got up, walked into the … Continue reading The cat who came in from the cold

This blog’s first anniversary

June 13 was the first anniversary of this blog, a milestone that suggests a need to reflect on what I am doing here and where I want to go. As a side note, June 13 was also the date of our daughter's fourteenth wedding anniversary.  That is an event much more worthy of celebration.  It brought … Continue reading This blog’s first anniversary

The last best hope of mankind

Twenty-five years ago, as I walked the dirt streets of Plimoth, Massachusetts, Samuel Fuller fell into step beside me and began to visit.  “The churchmen in England say that we have no church here because we have no ministers.  A church is made up of Christian people; they don’t have a church over there.  Who … Continue reading The last best hope of mankind

Please don’t try to pressure us about Mexican doctors or miracle herbs

I haven’t been writing much lately, what with frequent trips to the city for medical appointments and dealing with the troubling news that has come from those appointments.  Now that things are beginning to settle down, I want to give a brief status report before I get back to writing about other things. My wife … Continue reading Please don’t try to pressure us about Mexican doctors or miracle herbs

Is it piety or sophistry?

One day in the early 1970’s I answered a newspaper ad and began to receive a periodical that promised to explain the teachings of the Bible for people seeking to understand the Christian faith.  The articles were well written, used extensive Scripture quotations and their logic seemed intellectually satisfying. The foundational thesis of their teachings … Continue reading Is it piety or sophistry?