A woman was vacuuming the sanctuary as I entered for our weekly Contemplative Prayer meeting. Filling in for the regular janitor, she hadn't been told of our coming, or that the vacuuming wasn't usually done on Mondays, nor was she … Read more

"Good morning … large double, double?" "Hi, you'd like a medium with cream and an apple fritter?" "Good morning, medium hot chocolate and a raspberry muffin?" By now, you've probably guessed that I work in a well-known doughnut shop. Customers … Read more

One day recently, I picked a large juicy orange from a tree. I held that orange in my hand and thought of the fruits of the Spirit. I saw the orange itself being love, for it surrounds the other fruits … Read more

It seems that ever since I decided that admitting that one is a Christian doesn't mean one has to be forceful, or shout it from the rooftops, or broach the subject with everyone with whom one comes in contact, I … Read more

Before we left our home in the north to reside in the south for a few months, we investigated a server for our e-mail. We sought one that could be used in the north as well as in the south, … Read more

Throughout our lives, we are given losses of many descriptions: loss of home, job, friendships, health, lives. Years ago, we counted on family, friends, church groups to get us through. However, in our ever-changing, fragmented world, where both members of … Read more

Joey Been was a wanderer, hence his name: he'd been everywhere! Thus when our cat did not come home one day, we were not overly concerned. By the third day, I began actively to call him. After a week, the … Read more

Frankly, I have always loved the sunlight. As a small child, I regularly went to the park around the corner from where we lived to play. My tan got so dark that one time we converted a neighbour's old Brownie … Read more

There are times when we feel down, and all seems to be going wrong. Those are the days when even friends seem to be far away. Usually it is the way we are thinking about ourselves. Nothing is going right. … Read more

Last year in mid-February, the family across the street still had their Christmas lights up, and lit. Another half-dozen neighbours down the block did so too. This year again, long into January, lights in many parts of the city are … Read more

I sat at my window the other day, watching the snow falling gently to the ground, and enjoying the beauty of the world covered in a blanket of clean, white snow. One of my favourite choruses came to mind: White … Read more

I awakened one morning to something that seemed strangely silent. I lay for a few moments, and then I got up and opened the curtains. There it was: a blanket of snow — the insulation that God sends to cover … Read more

As long as I can remember, Christianity has been part of my life. I was raised in a Christian home and attended Christian schools. During the past three years, however, I have come to truly understand and appreciate just what … Read more

One of my favourite "western" movies is John Ford's "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon". There is a scene in which the grizzled, soon-to-be-retired cavalry Captain Nathan Briddles, played by John Wayne, rides into the hostile Indian camp in an effort … Read more

We all receive a lot of junk mail, either by the post or e-mail. In my mail, however, was something a friend sent to me, and I wish share it with you. In the context of the letter were these … Read more

Each of us, at some time in the past, has found the need to lean on the comfort and encouragement of someone else. All of us have found that in a difficult situation, or perhaps even in the middle of … Read more

Christmas 2000 will forever be significant for me. On December 20th, while settling in to watch a movie on television, I was hit with a force in my chest that was like someone had dropped a refrigerator on me. Breathing … Read more

As I was attempting to clear some snow and ice from the sidewalk at the church, I was trying everything I could find to loosen the ice so that I could scrape it off. The temperature was above freezing (although … Read more

Often while I drive my husband's car with him as a passenger, he will hang onto the handle above the window, and promptly fall asleep. Soon after, completely relaxed, his hand will slip away, leaving the handle to snap back … Read more

In yesterday's devotional, I wrote about our granddaughter and the growth of her tumour, and explained the treatment she will have to undergo. Yesterday I talked positively and in strength. Today I will share something of the struggle I had … Read more

Like most, the connection I have with home is the telephone. It has been a year since our daughter called with the news of our granddaughter's illness. She has a brain tumour, on which surgery was done. Because of its … Read more

I have chosen to host international students for the past twelve years. I have had young men from the Netherlands, Japan, Korea and Germany. Each of them came to stay with me through the Youth For Understanding programme. They came … Read more

Once again it is that time of year when many — like myself — decide it is time to lose a few pounds, and start to work out to get back into shape. After taking a couple of years off, … Read more

There is a game or custom in some families, often used at Christmas parties, in which numbers are randomly dispensed to each person, following which the person with the lowest number is called upon, and invited to open a gift … Read more

I often find myself longing for and desiring to live again in times that have already passed me by. What is often referred to as "the good ol' days" is sometimes quite an alluring thought for me. Sometimes I find … Read more

This is how we prepare for God's future. Celebrations for the millennium and the 125th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church will fade in time and memory. The Jubilee still stands before us as one of the crucial efforts and endeavours … Read more

This is how we prepare for God's future. The prophet would have us consider God's will for the world and for the church as we embrace a new year dawning. "'For surely I know the plans I have for you', … Read more

Our gospel passage echoes the same words as the passage in Samuel: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour." God is the one who prepares for the future. From the beginning of time, … Read more

Samuel is a child of promise. His mother Hannah's prayer may be found at the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2, and explains why this simple story is told. Chapter 1 ends with Hannah saying: "For … Read more

It's time to Celebrate! "This day belongs to the Lord! Let's Celebrate and be glad today." (Psalm 118:24) It's time to Celebrate! "The Lord is our God, and he has given us light! Start the Celebration!" (Psalm 118:27) It's time … Read more

The date on our calendar and our readings both tell us to prepare for God's future. The Old Testament reading does it by following the early life of Samuel, promised to God for future service. The New Testament reading does … Read more