At regular intervals, I have a telephone conversation with my lifelong friend in the Netherlands. Our loyalty to each other has been solid since our high school years. Even my move to another part of the world had no bearing on it. … Read more

Nutricia — that's one name that I'll never forget! It was given to a baby girl. Her mother got it from a label on a tin can. She liked the name, so called her daughter by that name. Nutricia was a brand name for milk supplements. In … Read more

When I read this verse, it hits me hard, because, as I look back on my life, during so little of it was I aware of the need to keep in step with the Spirit. When I look back at my training in the deaconess school, or even in seminary, I … Read more

Recently, I hosted a party for two friends whose birthdays fell in the same week. Although I had hoped for sunny weather so that we would be able to enjoy sitting out on the back patio, it rained that day, and we were kept indoors. What we … Read more

Some time ago, I was asked to visit a lady in the hospital. She had just survived a serious operation, she was in extreme pain, and she was worried about her husband who was at home alone and not coping well. She wanted to tell me about … Read more

One of my goats developed the ailment called pink eye. This necessitated putting drops into her eye to clear it up. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong! Every medicinal episode developed into a dreaded wrestling match. Even when she was tied … Read more

How could it be that I had read this verse yesterday — glossed over it, really — and today, the same verse spoke to me poignantly? Today, my prayers were those of the destitute: the tired, the downtrodden, and the humble. How could it … Read more

During a Bible study class, I learned that some of the older women had asked for and received a verse from God for their wedding, a verse that sustained them through the ups and downs of married life. I had thought that the "Love is…" … Read more

An interesting television show, "Canada's Worst Driver", has been on the air for a dozen years. The premise of the show is to find bad drivers and turn them into better drivers. Along the way, the host reminds them of one of the most … Read more

Rehearsed materials tend to stay around longer. For the final two weeks of school, I required my middle school language arts students to rehearse what they had learned during the year. The final exam would cover the entire book, so I … Read more

This year, I tenderly raised my four tomato plants in anticipation of a large crop of juicy, red tomatoes to share with my neighbours. Each day, I watered them faithfully, and as the season progressed, I checked their vines for ripe … Read more

Occasionally, my husband and I argue over a matter that neither of us knows enough about, like our current roofing issue. Wrestling over such matters is a silly waste of energy and a needless source of strain. These are times to simply … Read more

Yesterday was a good day, with lovely weather and sunshine all day. It pleased me a lot going through the day with peace and easy–going thoughts. But I have to admit that when I got up this morning, I never considered that I should … Read more

Lately, I have been disturbed time and time again by phone calls and e-mails that are in the category of an unnecessary nuisance. The caller offers a service, like cleaning ducts. (I live on the seventh floor, which should say it all.) … Read more

The young person sat before me and said, "I stole watermelons only once." I don't recall even nodding before the rest of the story came out: A group of us young people went in a car to large fields known for their watermelon patches. … Read more

Feeding eight dogs all at the same time is quite the process. In my house, each of the dogs has its own place for eating. As soon as it's mealtime, they are quick to take up their individual spots. Not all of them eat at the same pace, … Read more

Last summer, our family took a trip that included Yellowstone National Park, in Wyoming, USA. We learned that the park is situated over a dome of lava near the surface of the earth that creates a "hot spot" that fuels a huge number of … Read more

Waiting in line at a local coffee shop, I noticed that the large television screen over the fireplace wasn't advertising their products but showing horoscopes for the day. It wasn't a picture of a donut tempting us with its delicious, … Read more

I was sleeping, or I thought I was, and the thought came to me, If you want to build churches (not necessarily physically), get them into My Word. The Word is like a muscle that can propel us forward. It creates thirst, and it makes us … Read more

Early in my life, after graduating as a deaconess, I made Canadian church work my career, serving in Grande Prairie and Red Deer in Alberta, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I started Flora House. I was even sent to Newfoundland to help … Read more

So far in this whole year of our Lord, 2016, my wife and I have travelled to many towns and villages in our area to lead in worship in our Presbyterian churches. Some were without a minister, and in others, the pastor was on leave or on … Read more

Have you noticed how often the apostle Paul opens his letters with expressions of thanksgiving for people, specifically the believers? – I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. *(1 Corinthians 1:4 NIV … Read more

In October, Canadians observe Thanksgiving, a celebration of what the Lord has provided during this past growing season. In Jewish tradition, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Ingathering (also called the Festival of Tabernacles) … Read more

Getting the big head can push us away from God and others. Henry was a close friend of my father's, but they were different. Dad was quiet and reserved; Henry was outgoing and comical. Dad held post-graduate degrees; Henry never made it … Read more

In June of this year, I had the awesome opportunity to witness three adorable baby wrens leave their nesting box. Their loud chirping filled my backyard with the sound of joy and excitement as they set out to explore the world. Yet, for … Read more

One of my devotionals was published not long ago, and something wonderful happened: I got feedback! Yes, I got feedback, and not just from one person, but from a number of readers. How great is that? Well, in my books, it's pretty great. … Read more

Three of my neighbours moved away this week into seniors' residences. It seemed rather sudden, but it likely won't affect me since I never knew them very well. However, when I got a call yesterday from a very dear friend telling me that … Read more

Last year, my friend was the victim of identity theft. A dozen new credit cards were issued, but rarely did the credit card companies call first to confirm. The way identity theft works is that the perpetrator provides a false address … Read more

It is common knowledge that so many people today don't know about God and Jesus, and that our churches seem to be emptying of those who do, a sad and troubling picture if our gaze is riveted upon it long. It took my thoughts to the first … Read more

Recently, I met a person on the main street who offered to sell me a treasure map. He said, "I have marked the letter X where this treasure is located in the St. Lawrence River. You will be a very rich man if you buy this treasure map from … Read more

I was visiting my brother and his wife in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, USA. Los Angeles, California, where I live, has been in the grip of drought for five years, so you can imagine my measureless delight in the seemingly endless lakes, … Read more