Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Unseen Acts of Kindness July 28, 2025 Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. ~ Matthew 6:1 NIV ~ When I was a young boy we lived just down the road from a public swimming pool. During the summer months I would be there almost everyday swimming and playing for hours. The best thing of all was they had a concession stand there. You could buy a cup of ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Breeze July 27, 2025 Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' ~ Genesis 32:26 NIV ~ "Then the man said, 'Let me go, for it is daybreak.' But Jacob replied, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'" (Genesis 32:26 NIV) I had been waiting for summer. Now that it had come, I ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR God's Plunder Room July 23, 2025 My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt. ~ Deuteronomy 26:5 NLT ~ "My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live in Egypt." (Deuteronomy 26:5 NLT) We called it the plunder room because that’s what we did there. My maternal grandmother’s home had ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR A Friend I Never Met July 21, 2025 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. ~ Eccl. 3:12 NIV ~ "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." (Eccl. 3:12 NIV) Is it possible to mourn a friend you’ve never met? A friend of mine passed away recently. ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Patience in the Process July 20, 2025 Before he left, he [a nobleman] called together ten of his servants and divided among them ten pounds of silver, saying, ‘Invest this for me while I am gone.’ ~ Luke 19:13 NLT ~ Our youngest son had been asking me to help him make jam for days. Nick had confidence in my jam-making skills, and the last time we made jelly together, we were happy with th ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR The Purple Orchid July 18, 2025 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  ~ James 3:10 NIV ~ There have been a couple of plant phenomena in our home recently. It began when our purple orchid grew a flower stalk and produced a multitude of beautiful, long-lasting purple orchids. When they finally died down an ...Continue Reading

Welcome ToTHE ILLUSTRATORThe ShapingJuly 16, 2025And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.~ Romans 8:28 NIV ~   "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 NIV) One of my hobbies is paper quilling. This involves taking thin strips of coloured paper and rolling them tightly around a spool, into a tight ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Pinball Anyone? July 14, 2024 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. ~ 2 Thess. 3:16 NLT ~ Have you ever played pinball, an arcade game where a steel ball is violently slapped around by paddles inside a machine and points are tallied up as it strikes different flashy components? I bet you have. In fact, ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Taking the First Step July 13, 2025 And He [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two... ~ Mark 6:7 ESV ~ "And He [Jesus] called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—but to wear sandals and not put on ...Continue Reading

Welcome To THE ILLUSTRATOR Cowering in Fear July 11, 2025 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged... ~ 1 Corinthians 7:32a NIV ~ Here in Canada we recently celebrated Canada Day. Besides being a day to contemplate how God has blessed this land and to thank Him that this nation is our home, it is also a day where families get together for barbeques and picnics; where couples go out ...Continue Reading