Have you noticed how often the apostle Paul opens his letters with expressions of thanksgiving for people, specifically the believers? – I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. *(1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV …( read more )

There are some Christians today who believe that the cross was accidental and not a part of God's plan. They say that Christ's message of love is what is important now, and that to pin our faith on being forgiven through Jesus' agonizing …( read more )

I nearly stepped on the little thing before I saw it: A tiny butterfly, the size of the end of my thumb with markings similar to the monarch butterfly, sat on the pink clover. Because I don't want to trip on the rough ground of The Trail …( read more )

My friend, who works as a dispatcher for the police department, has experienced just about every circumstance one can imagine. One story that she shared recently had a profound effect on both of us. Caught on film was a possum trapped …( read more )

In my local social circle, I am often with Christians, but I have family and friends who are not Christians. It's difficult for me to explain to those non-believers that my "religion" is not like others such as Buddhism or Judaism. It's …( read more )

The pastor of my new church has been preaching verse by verse through the book of Exodus. I like his expository approach, as it's helped me to examine the Scriptures carefully. In particular, I was struck by the verses in today's passage. …( read more )

I became fascinated while watching a commercial about a waterproofing agent contained in a spray can that was able to repair leakages on almost anything. The salesman even demonstrated a rowboat with a screened hole in the bottom that had …( read more )

As I write, I'm thinking of a friend who is travelling to many parts of the Holy Land, places some of us only read about in the Bible. I thought, *How exciting it would be to visit the town of Christ's birth so close to the Christmas …( read more )

Because I am a non-confrontational person, being forthright, outspoken, or direct when speaking truth becomes an arduous task requiring discernment. I perceive others to have tendencies to sugar-coat truth in fear of animosity or …( read more )

I felt the slightest whisper of its touch as it lit on my arm. A mosquito! Instead of swatting it, as I normally would, I blew it away. This happened three or four times as I was walking my dog, Sparky, along our favourite trail beside a …( read more )

One day as I was coming home from grocery shopping with the help of my walker, I noticed time and again how the wheels got stuck and almost tripped me headlong over the walker. It took great skill to get over the curbs and even the tiniest …( read more )

While walking my dog this morning, I noticed hundreds, perhaps thousands, of earthworms scattered all over the street. This is a common sight when heavy rains force these little creatures out of their water-filled burrows to seek oxygen. …( read more )

One evening, I watched an old black and white movie called "The Misfits". It starred Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe in what turned out to be their very last movie. Both of them died soon after the film's release, so … (read more)

My friend says that she's figured out the answer to her weight problem. The label on her shampoo promises "extra volume and body". Jokingly, (I trust!) she says that instead she will start using Dawn dish soap in the shower, … (read more)

Many years ago, I heard a preacher present a riveting sermon on the sufferings of Jesus Christ, beginning with His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, through His trial, scourging, and ultimate suffering and death on the cross by crucifixion. … (read more)

Having two boys means lots of adventures, and I want to be right in the middle of it with them. That desire took us out in our boat on a warm sunny day with camera and map in hand, in … (read more)

Paul begins his first letter to the Corinthians with words of thanksgiving — thanksgiving for the people of Corinth and for all the spiritual gifts that God has given to them. Paul's words remind me of a very special gift … (read more)

Teaching my son to engage in real conversation, especially the ability to initiate and maintain dialogue, is a goal I persistently practice as a parent of a child who has autism. Many different books have been written on this subject … (read more)

One of my dachshunds has a special gift. Hoss is a goat herder. With his extremely short legs, long body, and the typically large head of the wire-haired variety, people often find Hoss's appearance quite comical, and at first glance, … (read more)

My son-in-law went fishing the other day, with an old trout rod we had bought him for Christmas one year. He was fishing for salmon on the banks of a local river, catching one big fish after another. A fisherman, … (read more)

Today, July 10, 2009, is the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. As I write this on the eve of the anniversary, 60 volumes of Calvin's works stand in front of me on the desk in my study, … (read more)

My car needed to go in for some scheduled warranty work. I usually keep my car tidy, but after a winter of snow and cold, it needed a little more care to tidy it up. After taking the time to … (read more)

It never ceases to amaze me how preaching affects different folk. There are lots of jokes about people sleeping through sermons, and some comedians have made their name by mocking preachers, but when all is said and done, preaching is … (read more)

Over the years, I have received many gifts: at my birthday, at Christmas, and at other times. Some were expensive; all made my life a little happier, at least for a while. It occurred to me the other day that … (read more)

Years ago, as a young housewife, I attended a business conference with my husband. There was a banquet in the evening, and some of the people I met were easy to talk to, but one man flitted from person to … (read more)

My childhood neighbourhood was situated across the street from a steel mill. Once I was old enough to realize I was poor, I wanted the things I didn't have. As an adult, I "got them", and lived among people who … (read more)

Schools here in Canada are beginning a new term of classes. I am reminded that here in Ontario, "the rules" forbid Christians to gather for any religious participation inside public school buildings, unless a separate room can be made available … (read more)

A vision for Ireland was shared at the Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor. Someone saw in a dream the island of Ireland covered in flagpoles with different groups around each pole, their backs to each other, the flags representing different churches … (read more)

One morning last month as I was watching the television news, there was an item concerning the troubles in Ireland, caused by the Protestants asserting their right to march in celebration of past battles won. There was videotape shown of … (read more)

In 1967 while taking a class in photography at the University of Cincinnati, I became acquainted with a young man named Charles Murray who also was a student at the school and training for the summer Olympics of 1968 as … (read more)

You know who Dear Abby is, don't you? Many people open a newspaper to her column first thing, while others are scanning the obituaries for familiar friends. The format of Dear Abby and copycat columns (see how many of the … (read more)

When I feel low because of life situations, or the coffee cup is empty, or the grandchildren are such children, and the pension cheque doesn't stretch to meet all my wants… and when my memory recalls words like, Blessed are … (read more)