Year: 2014

For as long as I remember, I've heard people make New Year's resolutions about something they are going to change in their lives. Then later, I observe that they are back doing the very thing that they committed not to do. Year after … Read more

A new year is about to begin, and I wonder: How many of us have made New Year's resolutions? A couple of resolutions of mine are to attend church regularly and to try and donate more of my time to worthwhile projects or actions that will … Read more

I spent a total of over eight months living in a camp in the desert of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. This included the Christmas season and the change of the year from 1965 to 1966. There were about forty of us living in a camp, and … Read more

For many years, I went down the path of setting worldly goals and making New Year's resolutions, some of which were short-lived and left me feeling defeated when I inevitably failed. There were goals that I reached, but these achievements … Read more

Because of our past year, we are perhaps anticipating a new year of shadows and darkness, but regardless, has not our Jesus brought us through to this moment in time? If we could see the future, would we require faith? If we were to see … Read more

One year, my husband and I gave our children a telescope for Christmas. It was a gift that the whole family enjoyed as we took turns observing the beautiful night-lit sky. This experience reminded me of King David's words: Then, I … Read more

I'll never forget the days when our two children were born and then the day our grandson arrived. The birth of a child is always a very special occasion. But the birth of the Child Who came at Christmas is good news for each and every one … Read more

I was manning a booth at the Western Fair in London, Ontario, Canada, one August, when a man I'll call Hans appeared from out of the crowd and very quickly engaged me in his story. During the Second World War, Hans, at barely seventeen, … Read more

Over the years, our family has experienced many different kinds of Christmas celebrations. When I was a little boy in the Netherlands, we exchanged presents on St. Nicholas Day, December 6th — just small items, like a colouring book, … Read more

While growing up in Westmont, New Jersey, USA, I was like every child anxiously waiting for Christmas to arrive. Part of every celebration was to have a decorated tree. I remember repeatedly asking my dad when we were getting our tree. The … Read more