Do you remember the old Tom and Jerry cartoons? Long before they were deemed politically incorrect because of the comic violence in them, I used to love watching them every night on television. They made me really laugh, but I … Read more

I've never been to the point in life that I did not have sufficient food to eat. However, I've been on enough diets to know the feel of hunger pains. One thing I've learned from these moments is that true … Read more

When we moved to our present home some 22 years ago, the trees and shrubs were ever so small. The line of cedars making a natural fence between us and our neighbours was thin. The cedars did not touch each … Read more

I have been driving for just over thirty years. When I first began to drive, it was very rare to have to put your own gasoline in your car. Over the years, it has become harder and harder to come … Read more

At our monthly Session meeting recently, one of our elders gave the devotional. She read from a similar passage of Paul's on this subject of gifts, using the new Message version of the Bible. The elder reminded us that we … Read more

I had calculated sufficient time to drive the distance to my friend's house for a party. What I hadn't considered was roadblocks. I spent considerable time manoeuvring around two of them. The party was almost over when I arrived. This … Read more

From the moment we are born, we are being taught. First, it is our parents, and then slowly, others are integrated into our lives: grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, babysitters, Sunday School teachers, school teachers, friends. We learn even from those … Read more

When my husband retired and we moved to the area where we now live, it wasn't long before we found a group of people who enjoyed playing games together. And when I'm seated around the table, surrounded by friends, my … Read more

We call them the good old days — times past when life was less stressful and people were more innocent. We remember them fondly in our hearts. For every generation, "the good old days" are a different decade, a different … Read more

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

When I was little, we lived on an airport base, and I loved it when I was given the responsibility to walk down the hill to the "Admin" building, where my dad worked, to collect our mail from the box. … Read more

There's a family in town that our church has been helping for years. They always seem to get hit with a crisis, illness, or injury that makes it difficult for them to keep up with house payments, utility bills, and … Read more

For years now, I have been collecting miniature plates made by Limoge with the theme "love story". These miniatures are expensive for their size but are a great investment for me. A few years ago, I decided to take them … Read more

I just love it when the Scriptures come to life for me, whether it is through my reading or my daily walk with the Lord. I started out on a snowy Saturday morning to get my Tim Hortons® coffee. The trip turned out to be one of those … Read more

There's an old hymn called "Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild", which a lot of people have bought into theologically. It depicts Christ as being a peaceful, loving guy Who wouldn't dream of disturbing anyone's life or meddling with their lifestyle … Read more

"Scrapbooking is my passion", my friend said. "I love it. I could devote all my waking hours to it." Several more times during the party, I heard others describe their love of "scrapbooking" as their passion. Hearing their comments reminded … Read more

Jeramie, my three-year-old grandson, watched as my teenaged daughter, at the end of a summer's babysitting for my son and his family, helped load the car. My parents had come along with me to Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada, to pick … Read more

I love looking at maps. If anyone wants to keep me occupied and quiet for a while, all that is needed is to give me a map, and I will pore over it for ages. I love to look at … Read more

I have come to realize a lack of self-study. Just when I think I have it all together, something happens to make me see a need for a deeper inner look at myself. In a given situation, I often fail … Read more

Twice, I've had the privilege of visiting a small stone church in the middle of what one would call "nowhere". As I sat in the front pew, I found myself wanting to know more about the people who had the … Read more

It's a question that we all ask at some time in our lives: "How can I beat death and obtain everlasting life?" When I was eighteen, I overdosed on tranquilizers and almost died. I was saved by three friends, to … Read more

I have been through a period of spiritual dryness during the past two months. This may sound like a short time — and it is — but for me, it has seemed like an eternity. The dryness came as I … Read more

I joined the church as a teenager, giving my heart and life to Christ and promising to walk in His ways. I didn't understand then that I'd just taken the first step on a life journey. I thought that once … Read more

When I first came to live in the United States, the sky seemed very different. It was more expansive. I used to spend a lot of time looking at the wonderful clouds during the day and peering at the vast … Read more

It was one of those Sunday mornings when I was tempted to stay home. A small spiritual battle was taking place, like a tug-of-war. A pretext lifted its ugly head, and it was a fight. I had recently moved from … Read more

As far back as I can remember, I heard my parents saying, "Robbie, remember — first things first!" Every day, my parents arose first, washed, dressed, and prepared for the day, and then got my sisters and me up — … Read more

Is it spring in your area yet? At the end of March, I made a visit to the north of New Brunswick here in Canada to speak at a Christian Women's Club. The washboard potholes on the road to Bathurst … Read more

Every closet, cabinet, and drawer in my home is filled to capacity with things I've collected over 46 years of living in the same house. Being a sentimental person with a historical mind, I can not part with a single … Read more

Spring cleaning! I pulled every piece of furniture away from the walls, washed them down, cleaned the stove of its winter ashes, and picked out a brass frame, clock, and lamp I wanted to put on the little table when … Read more

One fall, I decided to plant some tulip bulbs in my front garden. The winter came and went. Finally spring arrived. At the beginning of spring, I went out to look at the garden soil, in anticipation, hoping to see … Read more