This past summer, my brother, Jim, built us a large greenhouse. When he was finished, we all followed him inside the new structure to admire it. On either side of the doorway, he had fitted large plate glass windows which we had picked up …( read more )

When some of us get together and discuss the future of our churches at various functions or meetings, or with pastors on a personal basis, the conversation always seems to come around to the perception that attendance in a number of …( read more )

I think that today's verse supports the saying, "If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it." David was commissioning his son Solomon to build the temple, and giving him encouragement to do it. Like many of us when requested to …( read more )

Are you looking for a book to read, one that contains history and mystery, interesting facts and inspirational stories, as well as an occasional romance? If so, I would like to recommend one that I have read a number of times. The book is …( read more )

A new year is about to begin, and I wonder: How many of us have made New Year's resolutions? A couple of resolutions of mine are to attend church regularly and to try and donate more of my time to worthwhile projects or actions that will …( read more )

Over the years, there have been a lot of different clichés that everyone likes to use. One I've noticed lately is "It's all good" — which got me to thinking about what the Bible says is good. (All quotations are from the NKJV.) – It is …( read more )

I joined my husband on a run to the dump to dispose of some spring cleaning from the yard. As we were driving into the dump, I said to him, "Remember that day you saw the doctor at the dump?" … (read more)

Isn't it strange how one of those profound and sacred insights into the all-consuming love and grace of God that overwhelms our very souls seems to build up over time? My last graceful moment started with a very innocuous homily … (read more)

In the hush before dawn, birds begin singing as the dew rises from the ground. Subtle rays of light peek through the varied greens of the trees, revealing bright colours springing forth in every direction on flowers and plants as … (read more)

Today is a brand new day — a clean slate — a road not travelled before. Where will we allow it to take us? Will we be bound to past mistakes, hurts, sorrows, and brokenness? Will we allow these to … (read more)

Having a father who was a gardener and loved to be outside planting and working the soil has left a deep impression on my life. Recently, as I was cutting the lawn, a co-worker passed by and stopped to chat. … (read more)

As I was sitting in a public area recently, I saw a beautiful picture unfold before my eyes. A very tall dad walked in, with his very small son walking slowly in front of him. As soon as they entered … (read more)

The fall has arrived and a new school year has begun. For many, this is a year of new challenges, with a new grade, new friends, new surroundings, and an opportunity to make a new impression — a new beginning! … (read more)

We recently spent some time visiting with my husband's aunt. As we talked about our gardens, she shared the following. She had placed some dried-up bread bits outside, thinking that some critter would come along and enjoy a treat. Much … (read more)

There is a weight loss program which gives a point value for every kind of food that we dieters eat. We quickly discover the foods with low point values. On the computer, all we have to do is enter what … (read more)

Years ago, my husband bought me a brand new, full-length leather coat. I felt very special while wearing this coat. It was stylish. This coat had a zip-out liner, so I could wear it year-round. It was very warm with … (read more)

Before my husband retired, he had occasion to attend several meetings at the company's head office in Europe. After the children were grown, I often travelled with him, taking a few days to do some sightseeing either before or after … (read more)

Here we are late into the New Year. The January 1st crunch of resolution has passed. So has most of my resolve. I really struggled with my weight loss plans from November right into January. That is, I had a … (read more)

Recently, it was necessary to dispose of my sister's personal belongings, and I was amazed at all the items which she had collected and saved during her lifetime. I came across two little exercise books, upon which she had written … (read more)

Throughout my life, especially while experiencing the loss of our parents, and including the past ten years as a volunteer with those who are terminally ill and bereaved, I've found God's comforting graciousness expressed in many, many wonderful ways. Recently, … (read more)

Deciding to move to a church that is closer to our home was something that I struggled with for over a year. We felt that the distance we were travelling was too far, and gradually we positioned our minds in … (read more)

I believe that friends are gifts from God, who puts them in our paths, and we in theirs, in a multitude of ways and for a multitude of reasons. Henry Churchill King is quoted as saying, "The very possibility of … (read more)

Recently my oldest son was going through a personal struggle. As I awoke slowly from a restless night, my first thought was that the new day did not seem too welcoming. But I have learned that the promises of God's … (read more)

Yet another year has flown by. It seems each passing year goes more quickly than the year before! And so now, we are faced with the beginning of another brand new year with: – new opportunities – new challenges – … (read more)

Recently, the day that I had been dreading for three months arrived: the day when my mentor and friend, the Area Minister under whom I have been working for the past fourteen years, moved out-of-state to take another job. I … (read more)

One morning as I was making school lunches, preparing breakfast and sorting out clothes for the kids, I was feeling a little unappreciated. Here I was, working hard making everyone's morning run smoothly — and no one even seemed to … (read more)

Like most, the connection I have with home is the telephone. It has been a year since our daughter called with the news of our granddaughter's illness. She has a brain tumour, on which surgery was done. Because of its … (read more)

"We admitted we were powerless over the effects of our separation from God — that our lives had become unmanageable." Some time ago, I was asked to do a study on the 12-step programme and the related scriptures. The step … (read more)

Our son turned twelve and, at his request, we decided to register him for hockey for the first time. He desperately needed to learn how to skate effectively, so we had registered him in a hockey camp. When we got … (read more)

Several years ago, I was considered one of the Sandwich Generation. My husband and I both worked and volunteered; my parents, living in another community, were older and not in good health, requiring me to visit them frequently; our children … (read more)

I've not counted the number of times nor the hours I've spent crossing the water from Vancouver Island to the mainland, but the scenery and experience are never the same. Recently, aboard the 6:30 a.m. ferry, I hunkered down with … (read more)

Over the past year, I have awakened to this hymn and gone to sleep singing it: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great … (read more)