We have a fireplace in our new home that has no chimney. It was put there as a focal point for the room. Other than that, it serves no good purpose. I love a good fire. I find the heat … Read more
Archive for March, 2005
I Used To Know That God
Today I saw a presentation by a representative of the Gideons. He told about the miracles he sees all over the world when he does one simple thing: placing the Scriptures in the hands of ordinary people. Sometimes he only … Read more
God Didn't Leave Me
Five years ago, I had what I call "My Bad Year". It was a year when my life as I had known it fell about my ears. My mother died; my marriage ended. The furnace died in the house which … Read more
Our Rewards Are Not Of This World
Recently I observed my husband as he attempted to struggle with a jam-packed wallet filled with plastic cards. He was looking for a card of his own, with his address on it, to pass on to another. Have you noticed … Read more
Hallelujah! He Is Risen!
I was as proud as a peacock strutting in my new Easter clothes — a gift from my sister, who died at a young age. Having always had hand-me-downs, I felt so special that I could go to Sunday School … Read more
The Message Of The Ancient Cross
Over the years, I've travelled many miles to see some of the great landmarks of history. I've climbed monuments and gone in elevators that whisked me up to the top of man-made towers where I stood fascinated by the view. … Read more
Cross Examined
In 1978, I visited Spain and toured the northern city of Bilbao. On top of a large hill, there is a beautiful cathedral. To get there, one has to climb hundreds of steps. When I reached the top of the … Read more
Remembering When We Met Christ
Recently, I ran across a picture that triggered a memory of a special pre-Easter service I attended while living in Cape Breton. It was a beautiful re-enactment of the Last Supper. At the time, our congregation was too small to … Read more
Power In The Blood
A pastor friend of mine in Scotland served a little country church in one of the nation's wealthiest areas. Most of his small congregation was made up of successful business people, who had retired to the parish where he ministered. … Read more
Is Love A Crime?
My husband and I recently had occasion to go to the United States. Ronald dreads going across the border because he has had several bad experiences. On one crossing, he had to wait for hours while his car was searched. … Read more
We Have All You Need For Easter
As I waited for my husband to come out of the drug mart, I noted the sign inside that read, "We have all you need for Easter!" Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and cards made up the displays in the store. … Read more
To The Rescue!
My mother-in-law was a beautiful-spirited woman who enjoyed the great outdoors. One of her many pleasures in life included picking berries. On one such occasion, her whole family went on an outing to pick some wild ones. Everything seemed fine, … Read more
Ploughing Ahead
Beginning in winter and continuing through until spring, the farmers in the west of Scotland plough their land. The ground is hard, but the farmers are determined to have the soil exposed to the elements, so that it will break … Read more
A Plate Full
My patient husband has doggedly tested (not by cooking — just eating!) the recipes for sixteen cookbooks. Occasionally, he has faltered. After several weeks of casseroles, he mournfully wondered if he would ever see roast beef again. One complicated recipe … Read more
We Are Surrounded
I arrived at work, but since we had no parking lot, I was left on my own to find a spot. I found one away across the street, but it presented me with a challenge, as I had to parallel … Read more
Pruning Time
After what has seemed a long winter, comes the month of March. On the farm, while the apple trees are still dormant, it is time to prune the trees. The sap has not yet begun to run, and while it … Read more
Free Runners
The other night, I was flicking through the cable television channels, trying to find something to watch. I usually do this after a stressful day, in order to help me wind down. Eventually, I came across The Learning Channel and … Read more
Inside Out
Several years ago, my husband treated me to the concert of a woman whom I much admired. She'd certainly "paid her dues". For years and years, she had scrubbed floors by day and sung in smoky bars by night, until … Read more
The Journey Home
There's a place I look forward to visiting — perhaps because I'm familiar with its landmarks and all that they represent to me — but I dislike the journey enough that I don't go there nearly as often as I … Read more
Never Too Old
In my church there are distinct divisions between young women, middle-aged women, and the seniors of the church. We have circles and classes to accommodate the various age groups. With the older group, the "seniors", we often hear the comment, … Read more
Crumpled And Made Whole
One day, my friend and I were installing curtains at church. She brought teeny little nails and a hammer to use. Because the wood was so hard, quite a few of those teeny nails bent over and crumpled under the … Read more
Two Horses
Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing. … Read more
Fill Us Up – Encourage One Another
The other day, my daughter missed the bus again! Our family is attempting to save money, so we have been using only one car. Unfortunately, my husband had the car at work. Luckily, he had brought our tandem bike up … Read more
Faltering Steps
When our grandson was learning to walk, my husband and I would sit a few feet apart and coax him to come to us, holding out a favourite toy for encouragement. How delighted we were when he took those first … Read more
Green Or Blue?
I know what is green and what is blue, and have known so successfully for the last 49 years. My wife and I, however, have differing perceptions about the matter. Now it may well be that my colour perception is … Read more
Interior Cleanliness
We have been doing some house renovations recently — both inside and outside. The outside is all done now, but the inside is just beginning. There is some drywall work done but a lot more to do. We are taking … Read more
I Waited Too Long
My friend called from the hospital, "Ivie, I've just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer." We talked for a few minutes, and she said, "I want you to come see me. I want to talk to you." She and I had … Read more
Bright Reflections
When I was in the navy, one of my watch stations was to search for ships on the horizon. On a clear and calm day, this was a difficult task, because the reflection of the sun off the water made … Read more
Anti-Sin Software
I spend a lot of time on a computer. I work for a computer software company, and also communicate with many friends on the Internet. Because of this, I have several interesting tools on my computer. One is an anti-virus … Read more
God Uses Mistakes
I once worked for a few years as the secretary of my church. There are many good reasons why a church secretary should not be a member of the church she serves. The congregation works overtime proofing her work. No … Read more
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