I love a good checklist! Checklists are so … functional. They are neat and orderly, systematic and defined, satisfying my mostly orderly mind and soul. Some days when I don't have a specific list of errands or chores to tackle, I could …( read more )

I noticed the handicap van that they drove, and I knew that it was my time to serve. One Saturday morning when my wife and I were in the middle of packing for our move later in the month, we ran out of boxes. She suggested that I stop by …( read more )

"Sally has to go!" lamented the farmer. "It's because of her bad influence on the other cows. She's the dominant cow in the herd; and that's bad." This farmer, in the video that I watched, had seen enough of Sally's bad influence on …( read more )

I never really thought too much about the first verse, and certainly not about the results that it could create. I have had situations that caused a lot of hurt and mixed feelings in the past. Then one day, it hit me: *Is there something …( read more )

When I read about the fruits of the Holy Spirit, I quickly realize how shallow I am, and that despite my best intentions, I can never display all of these blessings on any given day. I recognize my sinful shortcomings and become fully …( read more )

I love to receive my grandchildren's annual school photographs. I can see how they've changed and grown. They often stand back to back with each other — and me — to see who is taller. The younger ones stand straight as their height is …( read more )

I'm a romantic. I love to read Christian romance books. I enjoy watching Hallmark movies. I love happy endings! The greatest love story ever written is God's love story. God is a good, good Father — it's who He is. How amazing is this …( read more )

Now that the starter plants have been transferred to the outside garden beds, I stop amidst my morning chores to pop over and examine them. I check to see if each plant looks healthy and has enough moist soil around it. If not, then I do …( read more )

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 )

My parents were very close, in love all their married lives, and it showed. They also had great faith, and that showed as well. At age 65, my dad was killed. A few weeks after his funeral, I asked my mum how she could keep going. With …( read more )

You may have already started your Christmas card list. Soon it will be time to post the cards. But are we making the same mistake that we have made in the last few years? Who should really be receiving our Christmas greetings? Notice what …( read more )

When I read this verse, it hits me hard, because, as I look back on my life, during so little of it was I aware of the need to keep in step with the Spirit. When I look back at my training in the deaconess school, or even in seminary, I …( read more )

This past couple of years has been a struggle for me. My rapidly deteriorating arthritic hips and knees have made it difficult for me to function as usual, and now, I have recently had a total right hip replacement. Instead of thanking God …( read more )

Mom's five-month local hospital stay started with two fractured vertebrae. After some X-rays and MRIs, the doctors decided that she needed to get the fractured vertebrae fixed, so she was transferred to another hospital that was …( read more )

Having been involved in a church committee debate over the colour of paint, I was struck (and maybe stung) by Nan St. Louis' recent devotional, " Where are you? " which mentioned the negative effect on others of Christians who disagree …( read more )

On a recent Sunday, I attended church for the first time in a month. I had been sick with high blood pressure and in the hospital. Now I am back to normal, just feeling very weak. But that Sunday was way beyond my control. Besides …( read more )

It was another windy day. I was coming back home on the sunny side of the street to get to my building. As I came around a corner, the wind picked up to gusts over 70 kilometres per hour, whirling debris around. Before my unbelieving …( read more )

It is always a joy to be with family after a long absence. For many years, I have been settled, living on my own. My large family keeps in touch, except for a few who have become distanced for whatever reasons. A recent family …( read more )

The summer season always produces the most delicious varieties of fruit. There are so many kinds that I often find it hard to make a choice as I walk up and down the aisles filled with their enticing scents and vibrant colours. I simply …( read more )

Have you ever seen a double rainbow? I have. I have seen many rainbows in my lifetime, but only two double rainbows on two separate occasions. There are seven separate colours in a rainbow. Although it can be difficult to always see all …( read more )

In homogenized milk, the fat-rich cream molecules are dispersed throughout the skim milk so that the liquid is all the same. Knowing God's wide, deep, high, and long love, made available to me by Jesus, is the rich cream of my life. God …( read more )

Have you ever wondered what true freedom really is? The dictionary defines it as the power to do what we want to do and to go where we want to go without being controlled; not being a slave or prisoner; not having or being affected by …( read more )

Every day, I walk my dog, Sparky, down a long trail with woods on both sides. It's good exercise for both of us. He loves to sniff around and run back and forth while I just sort of plod along, … (read more)

We've been having a little line trouble at our house lately. The telephone line has a buzz and the computer line is not hooking up to the Internet properly. May I be totally honest with you? I've been having some … (read more)

As I write this, there's a lovely, quiet rain this morning. It patters about my house and makes the front street shiny. I relax and breathe deeply. I have returned from a holiday in rain-forest-green Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where … (read more)

Remember when grocery shopping was fun and the labels on the products actually told what to expect when you opened the package, bottle, or can? Dad and I would go grocery shopping every Friday evening. We carefully checked the list … (read more)

My wife is very skilled at crocheting, and she produces colourful shawls and baby blankets for charity. I'm amazed at how quickly she manufactures these works of art. Often, however, she runs into difficulty with the wool becoming ensnared and … (read more)

Why is there so little joy in many Christians when Scripture portrays joy as a vital ingredient for life? Jesus was eager that His followers be filled with joy. Paul was too. He said: For Paul, joy was vital because … (read more)

Almost thirty years ago, I began a journey, seeking to understand and express the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It began with memorizing the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. At the time, I felt … (read more)

We own a small holiday trailer that we keep in our driveway during the spring and summer months. That way, it is handy to hook onto and use whenever we choose to do so. Once fall comes, though, we don't … (read more)

Our grape arbour is filled with grapes this year. What a joy it is to go pick this fruit directly from the vine. These are Muscadine and Scuppernong grapes. One must dispose of the skin and the seed before eating … (read more)

I enjoy baking. I bake a lot: I bake for special occasions; I bake for my children, grandchildren, and friends. It was a day like any other day when I got a call from my daughter. She asked me if … (read more)

A click here and a click there, and then another click, and another click. The index finger keeps clicking on the mouse and the eyes keep watching the computer monitor to see the white arrow deleting and manipulating the coloured … (read more)