Years ago, I wrote a devotional for Palm Sunday entitled, "Donkey Business". I did not realize it at the time, but since then, I have had the opportunity to hear several inspired teachings that …( read more )
Search Results for: "John 12:"
Ordinary People Doing God's Work
During the period between 2003 and 2004, I spent a considerable amount of time researching and writing the history of Presbyterians here in Meaford, Ontario, Canada, from 1854 to 2004. I found the names of the thirty ministers and student …( read more )
Light Therapy
It's that SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) time of the year again! I don't like the dark, and I'm longing for the days when they get longer again. I've been using my light therapy lamp since the beginning of November. It's become part of …( read more )
Our Divine Windshield Wiper
For some peculiar reason, I kept missing my destination. I couldn't understand why. I had often driven to that property, which was nearly impossible to miss. Yet that day, I failed to see it — repeatedly. Finally, I realized that it was …( read more )
Where's The Light?
For those darkest hours of the night when I am too tired to see anything clearly, I keep a small night light burning in the kitchen to guide my steps. At that time of night, I'm half sleep walking. Sometimes, I feel like that during …( read more )
A God Incident
A church in Canada that I used to be associated with became known as the "immigrant church" because the elders decided to assist people from other nations. In these countries, those we helped could routinely be sent to "re-education …( read more )
Simply Serve
Every Wednesday during Lent, the church where I attend offers a soup lunch and Bible study. Last week was my turn to provide and serve the soup. Although not a huge task, making soup from scratch can take a bit of time and preparation. I …( read more )
Recognizing Danger
One morning in late August, my wife discovered a big clump of wasps or bees on a branch of the cedar tree near the flower garden behind our house. She called me to have a look at it, and I thought that it was a nest being built by wasps. …( read more )
The Power Of Darkness
When my husband and I began to travel by boat up the inside passage on the west coast of Canada, there was one stipulation that I made, and that was that we would never travel at night. However, there was one occasion when we were …( read more )
Facing Tough Times
In our area, this past winter seemed like a long time coming, but once it started, it seemed that it would never stop. During the month of February, we had very little snow, but bitterly cold winds with low temperatures to match. Many of …( read more )
God's Selfie-Free Zone
Can you imagine anyone risking their life for the sake of a selfie (a self-portrait using one's cell phone)? It happens, and that's why "Selfie-Free Zone" signs are posted in various areas of the world. Some spots are especially appealing …( read more )
Let Our Light Shine
Advent begins tomorrow, November 29th, in this year of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2015. One of the features of Advent in many churches is an Advent wreath, with a candle lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. No thanks to …( read more )
Seeking The Son
On author Robin Lee Hatcher's Facebook page, she posted a photo that showed sunflowers that her husband had planted alongside their house. What grabbed my attention was that they grew almost to the eavestrough, but one yellow sunflower …( read more )
Love Story
As a young adult who was fond of long hair, I noticed that, with few exceptions, many female movie stars had shortened hair styles. I recall the 1970 movie, Love story: Actress Ali MacGraw revived the trend of long hair in the film …( read more )
The Winds Of Change
Sparky and I have not been to The Trail for a couple of weeks, so as we enter through the narrow opening in the tall grasses, I am astounded at the changes that meet my eyes. We are instantly engulfed in a maelstrom of whirling leaves, …( read more )
Birthday Candles
Throughout my ministry, Christmas Eve was always a high point of the year, and some years, I put a lot of effort into developing a themed script, illustrated with projected slides. After the children portrayed the nativity story, we would …( read more )
Lifting Up The Cross
Last year, during the Lenten season, our pastor played a song in church called Watch the Lamb by Ray Boltz. This song is a beautiful depiction of the scene portrayed in today's Scripture. Not much is known about Simon of Cyrene except …( read more )
My Blinking Coffee Maker
My coffee maker is winking at me! Honestly: on and off, on and off goes the little red light. It's actually telling me that the machine needs cleaning, but what it isn't recognizing is that I have cleaned it — … (read more)
Choose Wisely
I began my day, as I always do, reading my Bible, praying for family and friends, enjoying the view from my sunroom, and watching the birds at the feeders. All of a sudden, my eye caught a bright flash of … (read more)
A Beloved Disciple
I recently participated in a fascinating, in-depth Bible study that examined the identity of the obscure figure in the fourth gospel referred to four times as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". This intriguing research has been an invaluable source of … (read more)
For Zion's Sake
Current events in Israel remind me of an old cartoon I saved depicting modern day news in the language of Scripture. While the cartoon makes light of the serious ongoing conflict in the Middle East, it clearly demonstrates how little … (read more)
The School Bully
I was bullied at elementary school by an ugly-looking kid who just loved to terrorize me. I hated going to school because I knew that at some point in the day, he was going to get in my face and … (read more)
What Shall I Say?
Have you ever imagined our Saviour being in communion with the Father and yet at a loss for the right words to pray? The words of Jesus in today's scripture, "What shall I say?" demonstrate the inner conflict and struggle … (read more)
Seeing Jesus
This is one of my favourite verses from the Bible, because it encapsulates the work of the church. Congregations can get caught up in building programs, financial campaigns, and missional projects, but in the end, if no one comes to … (read more)
Supreme Blessedness
Like many Christians, I have attended many retreats, conferences, conventions, and revival rallies. Generally, before and during the gatherings, there's a great anticipation, excitement, and expectation of the wonderful life-changing preaching, teachings, and spiritual happenings to come. From the first … (read more)
The Christ-Bearer
As Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He did so, riding upon a donkey — a young colt. The little donkey took him through the throngs of people crowding the city. Many were thrilled to see Him and acknowledge Him for who … (read more)
Voice From Heaven
As much as I'd like to be a "ray of sunshine" or "a babbling brook" all the time in my Christian walk, I must confess that I have my periods of darkness. During these "dark nights of the soul", I've … (read more)
The Lead Horse
When my sister and her friends invited me to go horseback riding, I asked for a gentle horse, and then took my position, last on the trail. Suddenly, my mount took off, and we passed everyone at full gallop. I … (read more)
Heated Times
I well remember watching the clock as a child. The times I remember the most are those when Mom was baking cookies or a cake. Mother would tell us it would be another five minutes before the cookies were done. … (read more)