The above texts remind me of The Three Little Pigs story, specifically the foolish piggy who built his house with straw. The big, bad wolf easily toppled his house — all because of faulty building material. That's essentially the …( read more )
Archive for April, 2017
Exult In God's Kindness
Oh, my apple trees! Their delicate pink-and-white, curled-up, wee buds are opening in the sunshine. These new, little trees thrill me! At a horticulture workshop a few years ago, I was shown how to graft eating-apple stem pieces onto …( read more )
The Eye Of The Needle
Do you ever find that, after thinking about a person or subject for the first time in months, the same name or word soon comes to your attention once more? I call this a God-instance rather than a coincidence. God is telling us to pay …( read more )
Healing The Hurting
God brought the saying to my mind; I never imagined anything would come of it. Every second week, I change the saying on the sign in front of the church that I pastor. Since I tire of trying to find unique sayings — and since we didn't …( read more )
Another Chance
I have two old dogs. One is over sixteen. The other, though not quite as old, is severely affected with arthritis. Not long ago, the eldest took a bad fall and was unable to get up. Even with help, she could not stand, much less walk. The …( read more )
Watch Your Medicine
"You must take the blue pill in the morning. The pink pill is for bedtime. But remember that the red pill is the one that you take at noon." This is the type of conversation that I hear on a regular basis as I visit shut-ins in their …( read more )
Remembering The Rainbow
We live on a beautiful and exceptional planet. As far as we can tell, it's the only one that can sustain life as we know it. There may be other Earth-like planets in the universe, but this is the only one that we can presently call …( read more )
Trusting Him Through Thick And Thin
I had led a blessed life, until depression robbed my husband of his very being. For 18 months, he suffered unbearably. God seemed oblivious to our prayers as my dear husband bounced in and out of hospital. On numerous occasions, in …( read more )
Be Honest About Yourself!
I am one of those so-called stubborn elderly people holding onto my independence tooth and nail. I have rejected help, saying, "Please, let me do things in my own home." I find people are very helpful anyway, so when I can't get my coat …( read more )
A Broken Clock
A few nights ago, a young neighbour boy came over to play. He was hanging out in the sitting room, colouring quietly. After some time, he began playing with a decorative pillow, tossing it up in the air and back down again. But soon, he …( read more )
Love Lifted Me
The hymn writer, James Rowe, penned the hymn, Love lifted me. When I sing the first few words, "I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore," I am brought back to my childhood. I was going home from my friend's house, which …( read more )
Lights In The Darkness
In our younger years, my wife and I lived with our two children for a number of years in a tiny, isolated, Canadian arctic settlement on the west coast of Hudson Bay. The settlement was accessible only by air on an airstrip that had been …( read more )
Empty Tombs
"The third day He rose again from the dead." – The Apostles' Creed I had been thinking about going to Egypt, off and on, for well over 50 years. It was one of the places that I wanted to learn about and see. On the first of October, …( read more )
Unsung Heroes
We remember the bad times, the bad news, and the bad people who have affected our lives by what they have done. Every day, television and newspapers scream out tragedies, horrific devastation, and suffering. Our minds are automatically …( read more )
Titanic Pride And The Cross
Today marks 105 years since the sinking of the Titanic. On April 14th, 1912, this "unsinkable" ship met its fate in the Atlantic Ocean. Then 100 years later, on January 13, 2012, the cruise ship, Costa Concordia, met its fate in the …( read more )
A Meal For All Time
The evening that Jesus shared His last Passover meal with His disciples was an evening full of remarkable events. From the washing of feet to the treachery of Judas, it was an evening that would change lives, and change history. One of …( read more )
A Reed In His Hand
Until recently, I hadn't given much thought to the reed (or mock sceptre) that was placed in Jesus' hand by His enemies on the day of His execution. But as part of my Lenten devotions, I read an interesting section about the reed in the …( read more )
Human Nature
Being human means that we're subject to all sorts of feelings, injuries, and troubles. When I'm in pain, physically or emotionally, I very quickly talk to God to release me from what is causing it and look to Him to heal or solve my …( read more )
Grace, More Than A Name
Although my dear mother's given name wasn't Grace, my father called her Gracie because of the way her brain worked. Her thought processes reminded him of Gracie Allen from the old George Burns and Gracie Allen radio show. In that show, …( read more )
He Gave Life
A friend returned from a blood donor clinic sporting a red Band-Aid® with the words "I gave life". That made me think about blood and how important it is. Blood is life. By the fifth week of pregnancy — the first week that a mother …( read more )
God's Handiwork Is Everywhere
Have you ever examined the seed head of a dandelion before you puckered your lips together, blew, and watched its seeds scatter and rise into the air to fly away? Have you ever seen a double rainbow? Or have you ever examined a snowflake …( read more )
Facing Tough Times
In our area, this past winter seemed like a long time coming, but once it started, it seemed that it would never stop. During the month of February, we had very little snow, but bitterly cold winds with low temperatures to match. Many of …( read more )
Gold And Honey
The psalmist is speaking of two lovely things in life which most of us enjoy: gold and honey. When gold is cleaned and polished, it shines. It sparkles. It's captivating. Most of us enjoy wearing jewellery made of it and displaying it at …( read more )
Something To Think About
At two degrees north of the Arctic Circle, in Inuvik, Canada, the sun sets for the last time below the horizon in early December. After nearly 30 days of darkness, the return of the sun is celebrated around January 6th at the annual Inuvik …( read more )
Simple Acts Of Kindness
In previous devotionals, I have mentioned that I frequently co-author children's sermons with my friend, Anne. Because we share our sermons with other writers, they share with us. This week, I received a copy of a children's sermon that …( read more )
Preparing For The Impossible
An incident that happened some fifty years ago is as detailed in my mind as though it were yesterday. The only difference today is my attitude — an attitude of grateful thanks to my heavenly Father, Who was not only aware of the …( read more )