Reach

A British Columbia community's "out-of-the-box" plan to ease its family doctor shortage by hiring physicians as city employees is sparking interest from across Canada, says Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi.

The mayor said the community has hired its first family doctor for a city-operated medical clinic, and the Victoria-area city is looking to hire seven more under the first-in-Canada pilot project.

The family doctors will be paid as community employees, receiving full medical benefits, vacation and a pension, he said.

An "overheated" immigration system that admitted record numbers of newcomers to the country has harmed Canada's decades-old consensus on the benefits of immigration, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said, as he reflected on the changes in his department in a year-end interview.

The system, he said, needed some discipline to get the country back on track.

Luke 2:8-11

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

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1 Corinthians 16:13; Hebrews 10:35-36

We've been talking about the need in our day for a courage transfusion. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 16:13, we've looked at three important commands: Stay alert! Stand alone! Grow up! 

Now the last command won't surprise you at all; you're all ready for it: Get tough! I didn't say "mean," I said "tough." Look at the way it reads: "Be strong." 

Refugee crises have been on the rise in many parts of the world for over a decade, often met with widespread hostility and indifference. Yet, in the midst of this global pattern, Mizoram, a small Christian-majority state in northeast India, has been quietly providing not only aid but a sense of dignity to those fleeing a violent conflict in neighbouring Myanmar.

As part of my “The Dinner Table” series, I set out to understand what life as a refugee really means — and how this generosity shapes their experience — within this uniquely welcoming corner of the world.

After 10 minutes of furious bidding, an inscribed marble slab featuring the Ten Commandments sold for $5.02 million on Wednesday at Sotheby’s auction house in New York.

The stone — written in archaic Samaritan Hebrew script — is the oldest known text of the Decalogue of its kind and estimated to have been carved sometime between 300 and 800 C.E.

The identity of the winning bidder was not disclosed.

Worldwide comedian Matt Rife, known for his raunchy humour, has recently opened up about getting baptized and what led to that decision. 

The 29-year-old comedian who tours around the world with his comedy recently opened up about his faith on the History Hyenas podcast with Yannis Papas and Chris Distefano.

"I got baptized in August in a dude's pool," said Rife. "I've never been a super religious person, but when my grandpa passed away, something hit me that I was like, 'I'll never see this person again.'"

Luke 2:6-7

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 1:27

It's childish not to want to change. My mind drifts to the two little grandchildren who were living in our home for a few months before our son Chuck and his wife Jeni moved them to their new home. The little show stealer those days was Jessica. (We call her Jess). She's a little red-haired doll and is absolutely adorable. On occasion back then she walked around in a dirty nappy. As a result, this little cutie spread the aroma everywhere she went. 

And her daddy would say to her, "Jess?" 

She'd say, "Yes...?" 

On Dec. 19, 2024, at approximately, 12:30 p.m., Grande Prairie RCMP responded to a two vehicle motor vehicle collision on Range Road 63 between Highway 43 and Township Road 720. A northbound SUV lost control and was struck by a southbound crane truck. The female driver of the SUV, a 19-year-old female from Grande Prairie, was declared deceased at the scene.

Grande Prairie RCMP would like to send their deepest condolences to the family and friends of all involved in this horrible incident.

Information provided by the Grande Prairie RCMP