More and more people are using the Internet to communicate. It makes sense. After all, it's quick and easy to send someone an email, text, or direct message. But I think that there's a growing problem. It's that people write things that … Read more
Search Results for: "Romans 12:"
Nothing Much Really
It was nothing much really, just a smile and a wave. Yet, I'll never forget it. That hot day, we were driving through one of many construction zones on our trip. Traffic had been reduced to a single lane with long waits. My eye was drawn … Read more
A Love Reaction To Racism
My husband Solomon and I have been living in Germany for many years as expatriates. I am British and Solomon is Nigerian. We are well integrated with the traditions and social intricacies of the German culture, and we speak the language … Read more
Addictions
I don't drink or use drugs, but I do admit that I have an addiction: using food to numb my reality, effectively committing suicide with a knife and fork. Being overly impulsive and compulsive goes along with that. Right after … Read more
A Better Way
After three summers in my 34-foot fifth wheel, you'd think that I'd have figured out what works best and where to put everything, but this year, I discovered several ways to improve both the use and function of space. I replaced the couch … Read more
A Spiritual Workout
A beefy guy with a buzz cut has a half-smoked cigarette behind his ear. Sitting next to him is a kid with a nose ring and eye makeup, wearing a black hat that says, "On my way to hell!" Those of various faiths board, in turbans and … Read more
Robber With A Bad Smell
For many years, I ran a small out-of-print bookshop from the bottom floor of my home. My training came from managing a similar business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Shortly before I left the city, a woman about my age was murdered by a … Read more
Epiphany: What Will You Bring?
Epiphany is observed on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas, to remember the Magi who came looking for King Jesus to worship Him following His divine birth. The Magi brought Him three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They were … Read more
Practice Hospitality
Traditionally, we like our family to be together on Christmas Day. If that is physically impossible, we at least try to make contact by telephone or webcam. One Christmas Day, my son and his family were at their home in the beautiful … Read more
Unforgiveness
Forgiving each other is not always easy. In the movie, The Crown, Queen Elizabeth II, a sincere believer, discovers that her uncle, the exiled Edward VIII, had plotted with Hitler in an attempt to betray England, and she finds that she … Read more
Those Sneaky Joy Robbers!
My friend, Mary, couldn't understand why her almonds were disappearing. She had set out a dishful for snacking, but she certainly wasn't eating them that fast. The only other person around was her husband, so naturally, she suspected him. … Read more
The Grizzly
As I approached the Yukon border, I noticed a bear hunkered down beside a highway sign. Slowing down in case he decided to run onto the road, I was amazed when he stood up on his hind legs and began waving at me with his left arm and paw. … Read more
Peaceful Coexistence
One hot, humid day in Florida, as I returned from a long walk tired and thirsty, I swung open the front patio gate and discovered that I had a "guard snake" protecting the entrance to my front door. Being a fairly new winter resident, I … Read more
The U-Turn
One Sunday morning, I left home having my destination clearly in mind. It was an easy trip, so I used the time to enjoy lovely music and relax — until suddenly, I realized that I was heading the wrong direction — to my old stomping … Read more
Unforgiven
Do you know what it feels like to be unforgiven? Is there some past mistake in your life that you regret but can never fix? Are you carrying a whole dose of guilt because someone else still feels wounded? Are you sometimes sad because you … Read more
The Selfie Stick
Ever since I was a teenager, I haven't liked having my picture taken. I do, however, like taking pictures of nature — birds, flowers, scenery — and especially of my family. So, for many years, I was the official picture taker. The … Read more
How To Be Ordinary
The title for this devotional might seem strange. I believe, however, that we can occasionally use a reminder to be ordinary. That's not so easy, after all. The soul instinctively craves to rise above ordinariness, lest we merge into a … Read more
Reassessment
Until recently, my husband and I have been playing cards with two other ladies. We tried to play once a week. Sometimes, it worked out, while at other times, life got in the way, especially as we grew elderly. We would rotate to each of … Read more
The Shared Mind
My collie, Bonnie, and my retriever, Sophie, were born only two months apart. They are now almost four years old, but what a handful they were the first couple of years. Training them to work together was a challenge, until they … Read more
The Pine Cone
A lonely pine cone was lying on my driveway. I looked around to see if there were others, but I couldn't see any more, and I wondered where it had come from and how it had got there. As I thought about this solitary pine cone, the song, "I … Read more
Cold Lunch
My girlfriend served up these words to me about her boss the other day at lunch: He called for magic but I was out of practice. In order to meet the short-time turnaround deadline I have to use a little flimflammery and deceive him with … Read more
To Judge Or Not To Judge
"Judge carefully" … "Do not judge" … "Judge for yourself" … "Stop judging" – the Bible Well, is it okay to judge or not? The above texts aren't helpful, are they? It's no wonder: They're extracted from their contexts! Furthermore, … Read more
Loving And The Mentally Challenged
He was in his early fifties, mentally challenged, and he fell in love. Oh, it was so beautiful to see! His friend, Marjorie, hung onto his arm like she would never let go of him. It brought tears to my eyes to see this adult man and woman … Read more
The Fulfilment
A friend and I were having an email conversation not too long ago and found ourselves sharing about family members with whom we desire to have better and deeper relationships. Due to circumstances beyond the control of us and them, … Read more
The Bible's Impact
At the start of each year, it has been and continues to be my practice to revisit the routines for my quiet time with the Lord. Over the years, I have journaled after reading a daily portion of the holy Bible. I have also underlined … Read more
When Is Evil Good And Good Evil?
Lately, I have been disturbed time and time again by phone calls and e-mails that are in the category of an unnecessary nuisance. The caller offers a service, like cleaning ducts. (I live on the seventh floor, which should say it all.) … Read more
Help Us To Pray
As a pastoral care volunteer at the local Long Term Care Centre, I have on several occasions been asked to be with a person nearing death, who was in the "Comfort Room" with family members present. At some point, they would expect me to … Read more
Who Is Our Enemy?
Due to dysfunction, disrespect, and violent behaviour, the police had to be called to remove a young adult family member from our home. Although the problem has existed for several years, it has recently escalated to the point where … Read more