The homeless and working poor often live in motels during times of transitions. Circumstances and duration in a motel may vary, but the need for acceptance, friendship, hope, interaction, and understanding is common among this population. For nearly two decades John Russell has been serving among homeless and low-income individuals. … Read More
Chaplain Thomas Scott McCullagh Civilian Member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police “F” Division
Chaplain Tom McCullagh has been an employee of the RCMP since March 12, 2008. Chaplain Tom is not your average chaplain. His involvement in the RCMP reaches far beyond what people would consider “traditional” roles for a police chaplain. He always makes himself available, no matter where employees are located … Read More
The Widows of Mosul
Salome* is a thirty-five-year-old Muslim widow with four children, living in Mosul, Iraq. One of her two boys is handicapped and both of her girls, one of them (4 months) and the other one (18 months) died of starvation. You can see the anguish in her face as she shares, … Read More
Reconciliation is Not Always Pretty
My father was a man of few words, yet many sayings. When it came to reaching out to others, he often said, “Charity begins at home.” He was not a man on a mission to change himself—let alone the rest of the world—and he certainly was not a man who … Read More
John 13: 1-38
Scripture Reading: It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the … Read More
Instagram is “Predator’s Paradise”
With over 1 billion users, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms. Users of all ages can be found scrolling through pictures, posting comments, and sending direct messages. Due to the popularity, easy accessibility, and opportunity for anonymity Instagram is becoming increasingly popular among sex traffickers and … Read More
The Righteous Road
Debs and I miss the entrance to our friend Maria’s house, so, we hop out of the taxi and backtrack on foot. I suspiciously step around any wet patches since we noticed on our drive by that a sewage pipe had burst. Concentrating on my feet, I almost bump right … Read More
John 12: 1 – 50
Scripture Reading: Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure … Read More
Using Modern-Day Parables
She is an immigrant from North Africa, estranged from her husband and children, as well as her family. We spent months in language exchange, using modern-day parables and stories. One morning we were reading the Sermon on the Mount together, and she repeatedly exclaimed, “This is so beautiful!” In her … Read More
The Bride
The day was amazing! The wind swept lightly over a golden Alberta wheat field that was the backdrop to our youngest daughter’s wedding this past September. Friends and family from all over the world (literally) had gathered to celebrate this moment with Emily and Philip. I linked her arm in … Read More