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 )
Search Results for: "Lamentations 3:"
Always There
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 )
The Book Review
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 )
Excuses And Priorities
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 )
It's All Good
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 )
A Heart Of Flesh
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)
Waking Up With Jesus
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)
Bitter Or Better?
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)
Look More Closely
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)
Gently Directing
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)
New Beginnings
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)
Storing It Up
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)
New Every Morning
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)
Heading For Disaster
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)
Broken Resolutions
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)
The Freedom Of Forgiveness
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)
Kind Words, Roses And Hummingbirds
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)
A Jolt In My Journey
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)
The Gift of Friendship
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)
Blest Be The Day
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)
Great Is God's Faithfulness
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)
Great Is God's Faithfulness
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)
Love In Countless Little Gifts
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)
There Is Strength In The Name Of The Lord
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)
God Knows Better
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)
Sandwiches
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)
Seagulls On A Log
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)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness!
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)