I was working outside this afternoon, putting our water hoses away for the season and listening to the chatter of Canada geese from a pond about a half mile away. I couldn’t see the pond from ground level, there is a railway line between here and there that is built up high enough to block … Continue reading Father Goose
Saskatchewan
Are we accumulating friends or enemies?
I once read this statement and it has stuck in my mind: "Friends may come and friends may go, but enemies accumulate." It was probably said by some famous person or by a character in a famous book, but that part didn't stick. I think there are two reasons why it stuck in my mind. … Continue reading Are we accumulating friends or enemies?
Living waters or bitter waters? (Monday’s version)
“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,” (Psalm 46:4). Ezekiel and the apostle John recorded visions of clear, pure, life giving water that flowed from the throne of God. Jesus told a Samaritan woman that He could give her water that would forever satisfy the thirsting of her … Continue reading Living waters or bitter waters? (Monday’s version)
Three score and ten
We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that … Continue reading Three score and ten
Illusions
I was awakened early one summer morning by a “tweetie-tweet-tweet-tweet - thunk!” directly outside our bedroom window, repeated over and over again. I finally got up and peeked through the blind. There was a yellow warbler on the outside window ledge. He would sing his song, then fly up toward the top corner of the … Continue reading Illusions
Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
I was a member of the Anglican Church of Canada throughout the years of my youth . Fifty years ago, I concluded that it might well have an abundance of outward and visible form, but was sadly lacking in the true inward and spiritual grace. Since that time, the Anglican Church of Canada has abandoned … Continue reading Things I learned from the Anglican Church of Canada
Leadhead and the Golden Rule
I first took note of Norman when the camp leaders took us all on a hike to Lebret. He was a quiet boy, walking with us, yet alone. He seemed like the rest of us, except that he could not hold his head up straight. It tilted towards his right shoulder, almost resting on the … Continue reading Leadhead and the Golden Rule
A Rock of Refuge
In 1951, when I was nine, my parents bought a small farm just outside of Craik, Saskatchewan. Our living was provided by the cream and butter from a few cows, the eggs from 200 hens and garden produce from two acres of market garden. My father also worked as janitor at the local eight-bed hospital. … Continue reading A Rock of Refuge
Where the mosquito doth abound
. . . the Saffron-winged Meadowhawk doth also abound. I was cutting grass this afternoon and as I cut around the shrubs, I disturbed large numbers of beautiful medium-sized dragonflies with translucent saffron-coloured wings. The Saffron-winged Meadowhawks are back! We are in the third year of extraordinarily wet weather. There is much water lying in … Continue reading Where the mosquito doth abound
Vacation Bible School Memories
Two weeks ago it was announced in our congregation that one more Vacation Bible School teacher was needed, for the oldest class. That sounded like something I could do, so this 70-year-old grandpa spent the past week teaching Bible lessons to a group of twelve and thirteen-year-old girls (no boys in that age group came … Continue reading Vacation Bible School Memories