Our trip was going well until everything went sideways. The road in front of us was straight and the traffic light. All of a sudden, our small travel trailer began fishtailing back and forth, my husband fighting valiantly to control the …( read more )
Search Results for: "Isaiah 43:"
To Forgive And Forget
One particular day, when I was feeling riddled with shame for something that I had done before my salvation, a dear friend warned me, saying, "Lois, every time you doubt whether God would love and forgive you, it's as though you have taken …( read more )
Alone, Yet Not Alone!
I'm living the new normal! No one said that life was easy, and honestly, this journey without my husband is anything but easy! However, Christ encourages us with these words: As I travel this road alone, yet not alone, I give thanks for …( read more )
When God Enters The Stage
As a visitor at a church service some years ago, I watched as the reader marched up to the platform with an air of confidence to read an Isaiah portion from the large pulpit Bible. It had been placed on the lectern moments earlier in a …( read more )
Equipped For Every Good Work
I once counted up the times that I have moved through my life — a total of 35. That meant moving everything — pets, books, dishes, furniture — sometimes to another country, city, province, or state — changing mailing addresses and …( read more )
Old-Fashioned Or Vintage?
I enjoy challenges posed by seemingly contrary bits of Scripture like the ones above. They make me scratch my head. These Isaiah texts get me thinking about our own "former things" — items from past eras — like that 80s dress or that …( read more )
Quiet, Be Still
Interestingly, the event described in Mark's Gospel is the only time that we catch a glimpse of Jesus sleeping during His ministry. The day's teaching left Him exhausted, seeking privacy and rest. Nothing could disturb Him — not even …( read more )
Simple Trust
Recently, I took some neighbour kids to the pool. The six-year-old twins showed absolutely no fear in the water, especially because they've trusted a few adults to hold them and teach them. I was super-excited to see their joy for …( read more )
Chosen For Love
I once heard a story about a child who was taught a special tune in his native village. His teacher told him that if he forgot it when he grew up and went out into the world, he should come right back home and learn it all over again. We …( read more )
A Valentine Devotional
I've been thinking of Valentine's Day and how the heart is a symbol of love. Our church has a breakfast on the first Monday of the month, and I usually try to have some kind of related treat if there is a special day in that month. And so, …( read more )
The Fig Tree Has Blossomed
My father was a horticulturist, at least when it came to his fig tree; it was the focal point in the centre of our backyard. Dad would always be watching to see signs of life when the first green leaf would appear. He would spring into …( read more )
Little Ol' Me
An outstanding memory from my youth stems from when I was only ten years old. I was sitting alone in the third pew on the left-hand side of the church in Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada, of which my dad was the minister and my mom was the …( read more )
The Question
Not long ago Mocha, our 17-year-old dog, died, and one of the questions people often have for us when something like this happens is, "Does having so many others help you to miss less the one that has died?" The answer to the question …( read more )
The Words That Saved A Life
I once heard Ron Mehl use as a sermon illustration a story told by Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators, about a single missionary who served the Lord in China for many years. In 1948, all missionaries were expelled from the country …( read more )
In The Blink Of An Eye
My daughter had been suffering for quite some time with discomfort and pain, and finally, she made an appointment with the doctor to have it checked out. The day arrived when I drove my daughter to the hospital for surgery. An exploratory …( read more )
Rushing Waters
My years in farm country were filled with lessons from each changing season. When rainy season came, it would rain for days. The rush of rain was heavy at times and the downpour loud. There would be damage where the streams of water made …( read more )
Beneath The Cross Of Jesus
"Tell me what your escape routes were," Rev. David Robertson asked his United Church congregation in High River, Alberta, Canada, to begin an impromptu worship service last Sunday. Just over a week earlier, on June 21, 13,000 residents …( read more )
Blind Spots
It was years ago when I was still young, married, and already had two children. We came to Canada as a family, with enthusiasm, learning about life in a new country. In two years, we had an old model car, and after getting his driver's …( read more )
Life's Hot Moments
As I was watering our vegetable garden at the back of the house, I was reminded of times when I needed refreshing from God, times when I was experiencing some of life's hot displeasures. Last night, the power went off, … (read more)
Funky Rhubarb
"Something funny is growing in our rhubarb," daughter cried! Dad explained that the strange growth was normal. The rhubarb was going to seed. Just like me. Consequently, I'm feeling crummy. I just turned the magic age of 65. Ever since, … (read more)
I Am Forgiven
I've known, truly known, God's gracious forgiveness all my Christian life. I've experienced beautiful times of repentance and the Lord's merciful lifting of burdens of known sins. I've literally lost count of all the forgiveness I've prayed for and received. … (read more)
The Waters Of Marah
Israel's incident at "Marah", which means "bitter", can be compared to many of life's experiences as we journey through the wilderness of this world. If you are like most people, there probably have been hardships in your life when you … (read more)
Down The Yellow Line
The best decision would have been to stay home, but the young tend to think they're invincible. This was our thinking, when with friends, I found myself navigating our way to a late evening sports practice twenty minutes out of … (read more)
A New Beginning
Many years ago, we moved to a small instant town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was situated in a beautiful valley with majestic mountains all around. Everything was new, the people, houses, and streets — a true … (read more)