For most of us, the vagaries of life have a way of grabbing our attention sometimes so fully that we have trouble focusing on our daily tasks and we encounter that burning sensation in our chest that seems to persist without abatement. Our sleep is interrupted sometimes completely by a mind that will not let … More RIDING THE WAVE OF DISAPPOINTMENT

Our western culture imposes all sorts of burdens on us consistent with the notion of self help. Pedal to the metal is the response of many who see in themselves deficiencies that need to be addressed. There is, all too often, the false assumption that “only I can fix” these perceived deficiencies and that, to … More RELOCATING THE LOAD

I love this period of the year as spring nudges out winter. We experience re-birth.  For Christians too this time of year sees an extra spring in our step. Catholic Christians in particular have just come off the lengthy period of lent in preparation for the celebration of Easter and the scriptures always start in … More BOARDING THE SHIP

The joy of real freedom is not to be taken lightly. I say this because those who have struggled to be free and have achieved their freedom are joyful indeed. Freedom has much more to do with your inner sense of peace then it has to do with whether or not you are or have … More LEARNING TO BE FREE

Helen and I took 3 1/2 days to drive north from Yuma, Arizona to our recreational property near Keremeos, B.C. We were in Keremeos for about a week before returning to our home at Vanderhoof. It was an interesting winter in the south as I think I had indicated in earlier blogs posted while in … More SPIRITUAL VISION: IN SEARCH OF TRANSFIGURATION

The Supreme Court of Canada decision in “Carter” which was handed down in 2015 held to be invalid certain provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada that prohibited assistance in taking one’s own life where the assistance was rendered by a physician and where: The person seeking assistance is a competent adult who clearly consents … More EUTHANASIA: THE SLIPPERY SLOPE

Lent might be viewed as the alarm clock on your bedside table. It is meant to wake you up. For many years, in fact for most of my life, the importance of an awakening was lost in the daily shuffle of accommodating myself to the realities of the material world with little serious consideration given … More AN AWAKENING

Helen and I have just returned from a walk in the desert this morning and used the time to discuss an appropriate topic for this blog. Our discussion centered on the issue of “rules” within the context of our faith tradition which is a particularly timely subject given the advent of Lent and the rules … More ENGAGING THE SPIRIT

As I sit at my desk putting this blog together, and waiting for the sun to warm things up a little so that Helen and I can get out and play a little golf, I reflect on comments that Fr John Friel made this morning at Mass about living in the moment. His comments have … More LIVING IN THE MOMENT

As I sit in the relative comfort of our abode at Yuma, Arizona listening to the desert winds howling outside our door, I think of the coming of Lent and the call of the Holy Spirit to each of us to spend some time this Lent with Jesus. It is a good time for us … More AN ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS