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: "Matthew 21:"
Charging Your Battery
We require power to do anything. Sometimes, the power comes from within, but often we need external power. In many cases, this external power is supplied by electricity, and we are connected to that source. However, when a direct …( read more )
When God Answers "No"
The sad news came in mid-summer 2020. Because of the global pandemic, schools in Oregon, USA, will be using online education in the fall, with in-person education being postponed until at least November. This news had a dramatic effect on …( read more )
Lamb Selection Day
I admit it: I love parades — especially the drum lines and the bagpipes. When I was growing up in Toronto, Canada, my family went to the annual Christmas parade and it was a big deal. Here in Rabbit Lake, we don't have that kind of …( read more )
"Christmas" Stocking
Halloween bags still held treats. The calendar had barely turned from the fall feasts. But the staff were there, clearing the shelves. Anything that looked orange, yellow, or black was marked down to move out the door. Fall had been …( read more )
The Names Of God
While waiting for everyone to arrive for Bible study, one lady proudly showed us a picture of her first grandson. We all congratulated her. Then, someone asked his name. "You'll never believe this — it's Royalty! His dad says that he …( read more )
The Economy Or The Deluxe Package?
What do car washes and love have in common? This isn't a joke; it's to get us thinking. Obviously, both improve life: of vehicles, or of people. But that's not what I had in mind that day when I stood at the carwash mulling over the …( read more )
Perfect Love Casts Out Fear
by Isabel Allison A little lad, loved by kin of mine, looked straight ahead, then in voice sublime — for child philosophers tend to mime — spoke out amid the chatter of Christmas supper time: "This sure has been a good Christmas," …( read more )
Hosanna In The Highest Heaven!
The approach of Christmas certainly stirs up memories of yesteryear. Changes are replacing the ways of the old days. It was Advent, which means "coming", and the Finnish Lutheran church that I attended as I grew up was preparing the …( read more )
Lost And Found
Not too long ago, I joined a weight loss class. I finally accepted the fact that I needed help, and that I could not lose the weight on my own. To date, I've lost thirty-seven pounds, and I have gone down two dress sizes. I have also lost …( read more )
From The Lips Of Children — And Adults
While I was eating lunch with my sister-in-law and her little lad about three-and-a-half years of age, my sister-in-law's phone rang, and she left the table to answer. Just then, the little lad finished his bowl of spaghetti and cheese, …( read more )
The Piece In The Corner
Last fall, I worked off and on at installing laminate flooring in two bedrooms and the hallway of our small bungalow. This last week, I finished the second phase in our front hall. All the while, I kept thinking that there must be a …( read more )
A Definition Of Faith
Faith is a journey of trust in God. It starts with a walk along a path, and if we follow through, progresses to an ascent on a mountain. It is that important. The goal is to understand exactly what God is asking of us. It is a worthy …( read more )
Cleaning House
I remember many, many years ago that every spring, my mother did her spring cleaning. It seems that a lot of people on our street did that on the same day or in the same week, as soon as the weather turned nice. There would be blankets on …( read more )
To Forgive Is Divine
A news item one night was about parents who lost a child through another teen's weakness and grave error in judgment. The parents, being interviewed a couple of days after their daughter's death, made a public statement that they not only …( read more )
By Their Fruit
What does this mean? We could use it in many contexts. I was sitting, sipping my tea, and reflecting on an older movie that I have in my entertainment library, starring James Garner and Larry Fishburne, called "Decoration Day". It is the …( read more )
Altars Of Worship
Jesus quoted this prophetic Scripture from Isaiah 56:7 as He went into the temple following His palm-strewn entry into Jerusalem the day before. The religious leaders were alarmed by His show of authority as He forcefully overturned the …( read more )
Test The Spirits
As I was reading a relatively familiar passage in Matthew, an occasional occurrence happened to me that always amazes me: some of the words seemed to jump right off the page and instantly grab my attention. Perhaps Jesus might have …( read more )
And Because We Prayed
It all started with a prayer. In the quiet of the night, he prayed, "Lord, please use me in some way to reach out to my new friends and neighbours." Little did he know that God had already begun to answer his prayer one and a half months …( read more )
The Warmth Of A Hug
It took much too long for October to get to November. Decorations of horror and death littered neighbourhood lawns, and automated electronic hands moved on the desktops of fellow workers when I passed, reminding me of unseemly things that were … (read more)
Donkey Business
In the small town outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, where I grew up, the county ordinance prohibited any kind of livestock on our properties. However, that ordinance did not stop one family from keeping a donkey in their backyard. I … (read more)
Prayer Changes Us
My neighbour's face was pale, haggard, and tear-stained as she told me that she hadn't slept all night. She had received very upsetting news; she was worried, afraid, and despairing. "It's hopeless," said Sally, "and there's nothing I can do … (read more)
A Reminder Of Grace
Every year, our church gives out resilient, green palm branches as a reminder of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We usually receive them as we enter the church. Last year, I hung mine across the top of a painting in … (read more)
Advent Candles
Advent: a time of waiting, preparing, expectation. Even in the rush of life, a moment of silence and observation enters the heart that is open to the reason for the season. We know that peace comes from God's peace, that … (read more)
A Quiet Place To Paint
I was reading a novel in which the main characters were always saying, "Let's pray about it." That is a wise thing to do, I thought, but during one part in the book, it struck me as rather odd. The … (read more)
The Mouths Of Babes
One day recently at our church, we had a guest speaker who represented Gospel for Asia Missions. He showed us a video of a young missionary named Joseph who was trying to tell the people about the Lord. The people … (read more)
Why Palms Before The Lord?
Why palms before the Lord? That was one of the first questions I wanted to answer when I started reading about the plants of the Bible. How, I wondered, did all those Passover celebrants coming to Jerusalem from near and … (read more)
Wait! We've Got To Get The Book!
Ever since our now three-year-old granddaughter could sit up to the table in her high chair, we'd say this simple, age-old grace: Thank You for the world so sweet. Thank You for the food we eat. Thank You for the … (read more)
Hanging On A Limb
During my working years, there was a period when I was really down and out. Troubles seemed to flood in from every side. Although I tried to keep my problems to myself, my feelings have always had a way of … (read more)