Ken Bakewell

In the late winter of 2020, a new virus appeared on the scene, shutting down businesses, public buildings, churches, and schools. We are in the grips of this pandemic whether we like it or not. With all the hype over the virus, people … Read more

The cross and the guillotine have some things in common: they were both cruel methods of execution. The guillotine was used by Germans and perfected by a French doctor, who hoped to make the beheading of a condemned person more efficient … Read more

In an old forest, the competition for growing space can be very severe. The large canopies of the big trees blot out the sunlight, so very little vegetation may be found on the forest floor. It is usually very easy … Read more

An old martial arts saying was passed around: "If you are going to have to go into a den of rattlesnakes, become a rattlesnake." The rattlesnakes do not prey on each other; they attack others. This is just another way of saying that we … Read more

How many of us like novelty tunes? Novelty tunes are funny songs. They were very popular when I was a teenager. We listened to such tunes as "The Purple People Eater", and "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini". But one of my … Read more

Athletes train to become faster and stronger. We endeavour to bring as much power to our sport as we can. We may engage in a weight-training program. We might go out and run. Some will attend a sports camp. Our … Read more

How many have ever heard someone say, "It's boring"? This seems to be a common expression, especially among youth. A popular detective on television was fond of saying, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime." (Robert Blake … Read more

I always emphasize to my students that Jesus is the way; karate is a hobby. I support this position by giving a youth sermon during each martial arts class. In fact, all of the devotionals that I have submitted started … Read more

Back in my hometown, in the evenings, we would sometimes have games until it was time to go home. One favourite night-time game involved finding the other kids — while wearing a blindfold. Once when I was wearing the blindfold, … Read more

In my hometown there was an abandoned store, which used to be the company store, when the mining company owned the town. The vacant storefront became a meeting place for the neighbourhood youth. We would congregate on the old porch … Read more