Month: June 2008

At a recent worship service, the congregation witnessed the baptism of a young child, with his parents and grandparents. The mother of the child had grown up through the ranks of the Christian education programme within the church. Now with … Read more

When I first became a Christian, I found it tough to try to live up to Christ's standards. I wanted to remain the same and Christ to be different. I wanted Him to accept who I was, instead of me … Read more

The principal of my rural school in the nineteen thirties and forties was convinced that the today's Scripture was the answer to all child-rearing problems. The parents, who supported him completely, backed up his theory of "tough love". In those … Read more

Many years ago, when I was a young, inexperienced seminarian, my path crossed that of a woman who was consumed by guilt. Seeing my clergy collar, she wailed, "God may forgive you, but never me, never me, never me…" Her … Read more

My mom used to make great steak pies. I loved to watch her make up the dough for the crust and pound upon it until the pastry was ready to be rolled. She would then get out the rolling pin … Read more

I love watching wild birds — whether they are flying across the sky, or hopping around my yard, or swimming in a lake. Recently, while going for a walk, I stopped and rested on a park bench by a small … Read more

I love to do crafts. It is not uncommon for me to be working on multiple projects at the same time, including knitting on my needles and doing counted cross-stitch. The reason that I have a few projects on the … Read more

When I was a child, I used to love visiting Springburn Park in Glasgow, Scotland. It had three massive ponds, full of sticklebacks, minnows, and perch. The park was about three miles from my home, and, during the long days … Read more

Have you ever gotten into a conversation with someone who does not go to church or does not know the Lord? I am amazed at how those of us who are part of the church can be perceived. Even though … Read more

As I write, the birds in the nearby trees are singing their hearts out. Every evening as the sun is setting, they serenade the residents of our mobile home park, regaling us with their lilting music. It is springtime, which … Read more