The ten-kilometre Sun Run is being advertised on our local television station as I write this. To run for a cause seems to give one enough energy to finish, even with muscles screaming and lungs straining for air. The runners … Read more

Have you ever felt like a bird, flying through the air with the wings of an eagle, so strong, so fast, so high? As I look out of my front window, I can see an "eagle tree", stretching up so … Read more

The Lord has promised to renew our strength when we wait on Him. Wow! With this truth, I can rise energetically, and look forward to this day with Him. I can face anything with the Lord beside me. It is … Read more

During my childhood, the beautiful grounds of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Bermuda had a striking sundial, and it drew me as a little girl to its side, and made me think deep thoughts about time during my teen years. … Read more

Recently in church, my eyes were drawn to a wall hanging about Christ's crucifixion, made by some of the talented quilters in our congregation. The ladies tell me that they were not aware of the symbolism while it was in … Read more

Years ago, I visited a famous Roman Catholic basilica in Spain. It sat on a high hill, and there were many steps leading up to it. It was a beautiful medieval building, and I was impressed by the architecture on … Read more

Frequently through my Christian journey, education, and wrestlings, the changes the Lord has wanted to bring in my life have turned out as a bungee jump in reverse: no risk to my life at all, but rather leading higher to … Read more

When we tell someone to look up, we are encouraging them to have a positive attitude, boosting their morale, and reminding them not to give up when the going gets rough. We look up to read the road signs to … Read more

Most of us can remember specific times when something significant took place, especially occasions of unexpected blessing in our lives. This seems to be the case as the prophet Isaiah reflects back to a certain year, to an event that … Read more

The Israelites of Moses' day trudged, sandal-shod, through the desert of Sinai. The need to find shelter from the blistering heat meant survival. Finding shelter meant so much more than just finding a pleasant place to rest for a night. … Read more

Have you ever spent a day watching the activity of a mother bird following the arrival of her latest brood? She has one purpose only: to bring good things to the open mouths of her hungry children. Unable to care … Read more

Chance, the seven-year-old Sheltie we adopted from the animal shelter, was having a bad day. We were dog-sitting for our neighbours, which meant that on top of our own nine, we now had two more canines romping about the place. … Read more

In 1996, I became so ill that eventually I had Red Cross homemaker service and used a wheelchair. Slow death was my future. In desperation, I asked people of the church to pray for me. My husband prayed. Today, at … Read more

Jesus said: Why would Jesus want us to take His yoke upon us? Is not a yoke intended to enable animals to pull a burden? It sounds like He really wants to make our lives harder. In an antique shop, … Read more

Ever watched a yo-yo? Up and down — up and down. Round and round! Excuse me — round and round? A skilful player can direct the yo-yo up and down the string with incredible accuracy. The player's dexterity can bring … Read more

How is it that when someone needs help to open a stubborn jar, that person is the only one in the house at the time? After trying the tea-towel method, the hot water, and tapping the side of the lid … Read more

The Trojan horse may seem like odd imagery for God's calling. I see it as helpful. Let me explain it first. In Greek mythology, a hollow wooden horse filled with Greek soldiers was left at the gates of Troy. The … Read more

During the recent season of Lent, I entered a competition where the object was to sum up in ten words or less, "What does Lent mean to you?" My first thought was, "Lent: Not living on borrowed time!" My second … Read more

My Aunt Trudy was a professional tracer. No, she didn't try to find people who were lost or get information for bounty hunters; she traced blueprints and diagrams for a shipping engineering firm. She must have had a steady hand … Read more

Wireless technology is amazing. We can go online — wireless. We can use cell phones — wireless. Our landline roam phones — wireless. Technology just keeps expanding and growing all of the time. I saw a cartoon with two telephone … Read more

After a few weeks of repeatedly throwing kitchen peelings, food scraps, waste, and various animal manures on the top of the other rotting vegetation on my compost heap, it is frequently necessary to open up the heap to merge the … Read more

It is a beautiful, but brisk, evening here on Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario, as I am writing. In contemplation, I am sitting in our parlour in front of our wood-burning fireplace. In the fireplace, a maple log is burning … Read more

Our rural village is located about halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Within the last few years, our minister was diagnosed as diabetic, and was also operated on twice to insert a stent into his heart. One Friday afternoon, … Read more

Following the loss of my mother, a beautiful collection of heartfelt poems entitled A Mother's Love (Blue Mountain Press) has been an inspiration to me. These poems reflect my personal appreciation for the value of my mother's life and are … Read more

My collie, Belle, has collie eye anomaly, which permanently affects her vision. Thus, I closely monitor both her behaviour and the visible health of her eyes in order to detect further vision problems which may be developing. Not long ago, … Read more

Today, time has become our most precious commodity, and we are often tempted to allow prayer to be crowded out with all the demands placed upon our lives. But the value of prayer in the Christian life is without price. … Read more

Almost thirty years ago, I began a journey, seeking to understand and express the fruit of the Holy Spirit. It began with memorizing the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. At the time, I felt … Read more

Life can feel like a thrilling roller-coaster ride. A day can be filled with "scream-provoking" or "fear-filled" moments that overwhelm us by their intensity, or they can be mere side-show distractions that draw our attention and keep our mind focused … Read more

A few years ago, my friend, Mary, hand-crocheted a beautiful afghan for me. It must have taken her many hours to crochet this blanket because not only did she crochet a pattern, but also she weaved long strands of wool … Read more

We live a five-minute drive from Kempenfelt Bay. We go there often to enjoy the walking paths or just to sit on one of the many benches, watching the water, or the people young and old walking their dogs, or … Read more

At fifty years of age, there are many things I still don't understand any more than I did when I was younger. For example, a tornado rips through a heavily populated area, killing innocent people and instantly destroying possessions that … Read more