Year: 2005

Before long, it will be time to think about planting fall bulbs, like tulips or crocuses or narcissuses. Every time I plant some, I think about them being in the cold, frozen ground all winter. And yet in order for … Read more

Usually I am friendly and welcoming to newcomers in our church. One recent Sunday, I learned something about myself. Although I casually spoke to a stranger in our midst, I did not go out of my way to make him … Read more

Years ago, when I ministered in Scotland, I walked into the church halls one morning, only to discover that all of the windows had been broken. During the night, a local gang had come along, throwing bricks and stones through … Read more

Once after a busy day at work, I hurriedly drove to the gym for my daily exercise. I noticed there weren't many cars around and thought it must be due to the time of day. As I climbed out of … Read more

For most of her ten years, Bethany has had long hair. It is thick, naturally streaked, with just enough wave. Beautiful hair! Unfortunately, she also has an extremely sensitive head, which made daily hair brushing an ordeal that often ended … Read more

My mother has a number of African violets blooming and looking healthy. Recently, she went away for a month on vacation. When she got back, she was saddened to see that her violets were dry and very, very thirsty. They … Read more

For the past two weeks, we've been kept busy, helping our daughter to move. Some of the heavy pieces of furniture would have been almost impossible to move without the help of the dolly that my husband bought several years … Read more

Margaret, my beautician, was also my good friend. She was always eager to accommodate her customers and to go the second mile to meet their needs and their schedules. She was more like a member of the family than a … Read more

As a very new Christian, it seems the more I move ahead in my journey, the more times that I find myself reflecting back. It is not that I am reflecting back upon my sinful ways, but rather on the … Read more

We had a pitiful stand of rhubarb in the side garden. Fancy fertilizers and sprays had no effect. All efforts to encourage healthy growth had failed. Finally an old farmer revealed our problem. The root had been planted too close … Read more