Once, while my husband was studying for his master's degree, we were down to our last five dollars. We were out of staples like milk, bread, sugar, and eggs. I asked my studious husband if we could make a run … Read more

When I was in high school, I had a paper route, which included visiting a nursing home for the elderly. I went around the wards selling the local evening newspaper, and even stood outside the large cafeteria, waiting for the … Read more

We recently spent some time visiting with my husband's aunt. As we talked about our gardens, she shared the following. She had placed some dried-up bread bits outside, thinking that some critter would come along and enjoy a treat. Much … Read more

Off and on over the years, I have thought about animals and how unique each one is. For the most part, animals are pleasant to observe. I love seeing the robins hopping around my yard and hearing them sing. Horses … Read more

I can remember doing something stupid when I was a kid, and when my mother found out, I blamed my youngest brother for it. He got punished for what I did, and only after that, did I confess to my … Read more

On a recent television show, comedian Chris Rock confessed astonishment upon discovering that an ancestor had fought in the American civil war, owned land, and even ran for political office. These were astonishing achievements for an American black man living … Read more

When my husband was a student back in 1976, we were as poor as church mice. We always had more month than we had money to cover expenses. But as a teacher, he considered that getting his master's degree was … Read more

Years ago in Maybole, Scotland, all the churches in the town began an ecumenical healing ministry on behalf of the townsfolk. It unexpectedly grew out of a Lenten worship service one night when I asked if anyone in the mixed … Read more

When we first got Internet access and began using e-mail efficiently, my dad was visiting. I told him about how I could e-mail my brother in Texas, and my note would be there immediately. Dad was amazed at the technology … Read more

Our congregation has recently begun the building of a new church. I pass by almost once a day. I have watched the land being stripped and brought to a grade level needed for construction. I know that this is part … Read more

It's amazing to find "encourage" and "rebuke" in the same sentence. Usually, they are complete opposites and don't have anything to do with one another. If we were to hear the same words today in a sentence, it would probably … Read more

Having been involved with farming in my earlier years, I became acquainted with apple orchards and the maintenance required to take the perfect apple to the marketplace. The farmer knew the care it took to nurture the crop, including careful … Read more

On a recent car trip, my friends and I set out to visit churches which had been built in the mid-1800s by pioneer immigrants. Three of the churches made lasting impressions on me. However, what I remembered had nothing to … Read more

There's an old story told about two woodcutters who were in a forest. They were being paid commission for every log that they chopped. Both of them were ambitious and wanted to outdo the other. One of the woodcutters spent … Read more

We live in a new development area that once was farm land. Once the homes were built, it was up to us to plant trees and landscape our properties. It has been neat to watch over the past seven years … Read more

The news is out. Our food choices really affect our health and well-being. Apparently, fibre and anti-oxidant-rich whole grains are good for our health. Studies show that we can lower our personal risk of heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, and … Read more

Jackie was the local town drunk. He had once been a great singer and entertainer, and had dreams of taking the music world by storm. Initially, he had some success, but then he began drinking too much and taking drugs. … Read more

Driving with friends down some old back roads, I felt a kinship with the host of one of my favourite series on the History Channel, "In Search of…". I, too, was on a quest. I hoped to reconnect with the … Read more

Years ago, I bought a piece of piano sheet music as a gift for one of my daughters, since she loved to play the piano. I put it in a really safe spot so that I could wrap it up … Read more

I used to keep today's verse taped to the steering wheel of my car, especially on long trips out of state, because, as you perfectly well know, guys like me don't often ask for directions. Whenever I got lost anywhere, … Read more

I can remember going with my dad as a child to the auto wreckers on a Saturday morning to locate a part to repair the car. We would wander up and down the rows in search of a car similar … Read more

It is not unusual to hear a troubadour on the street playing and singing for the people passing by. Even from a distance away, amid the traffic, one can hear the melody of the guitar and the voice of the … Read more

Because I was a teenage alcoholic, I still feel tempted to go out on a binge, especially when I'm under pressure or tired. Even when I entertained with our band, Glenfinnan, at a Scottish Burns Supper, I wanted to slake … Read more

As I had not submitted any devotionals to Daily for some time and I decided to do so, I glanced back over the most recent ones which I had forwarded. I came across two which I thought were interesting, and … Read more

In restoring the solar lights in our garden area, I noted that the solar cells that cover the tops of the lamps had become covered with a film of lime, caused by rain and lawn watering. By removing this film … Read more

I usually passed by St. Ambrose's Chapel about twenty times a week. Whether I was walking up to the shops to buy some candy, or catching a bus into town, or even heading up to school, St. Ambrose's was always … Read more

I spend a lot of time looking out my seventh-floor window. I have never lived in this high a place before. It is as if I am perched high above a panorama opening to my field of vision. Amongst the … Read more

When something difficult comes into my life unaware, I understand that it could be God wanting to do a work in my heart that He can only do using that predicament. Sometimes, I wonder why I don't "get it". Why … Read more

Years ago, when I was nineteen, I moved into an apartment in the south side of Glasgow, my hometown. I stayed in a place called Battlefield, which was named after a Scottish civil war struggle in the sixteenth century, in … Read more

In my office at work, I am surrounded by many flowers, but most of them are silk. Although they always look very beautiful, they do not provide a fragrance. However, that does not stop many people from entering my office … Read more

Recently, while I was reading a article on the Internet, the following title caught my eye: "Planet Earth: Birds of Paradise". When I clicked on the link, it was a video showing 42 different species of birds that are found … Read more