When I was a child, Ivory soap advertisements claimed that its product was 99 and 44/100ths percent pure. I do recall that this soap sloughed the dirt from my hands and feet just fine. Ivory also had the amazing property of floating on … Read more

One hot, humid day in Florida, as I returned from a long walk tired and thirsty, I swung open the front patio gate and discovered that I had a "guard snake" protecting the entrance to my front door. Being a fairly new winter resident, I … Read more

I have one stronger fingernail. Years ago, when I was vacuuming near my heirloom treadle Singer sewing machine, I decided to lift back its heavy cast iron functioning part and vacuum under it. When I finished and was hinging it down into … Read more

I make mistakes constantly. One would think that after living for just over six decades, I would be full of so much wisdom that I would never do anything incorrect again, but the older I get, the more I repeat the same mistakes, even … Read more

I'm making a folding display frame that will stand up on a table and hold the name tags for recurring clergy meetings. When not in use, it closes up with a clasp, but it needs a carrying handle. So, I went to a thrift shop and bought one … Read more

It was an ordinary thing to do, to play Jesus loves me on the piano, but the effect wasn't ordinary that day. I was at a drop-in centre where the less fortunate come for lunch and companionship. As usual, I heard heart-wrenching stories … Read more

As my little spring seedlings began to grow bigger and stronger, preparing for life outside, I began turning them on a regular basis. As they were situated in front of large windows and received full sun much of the day, having these … Read more

I look forward to spring, not only because of the work in my garden, but also for the many household chores involved. In a sudden surge of energy, spring cleaning includes washing blankets and polishing floors, reorganizing closets and … Read more

I've been a mother for 70 years, and Mother's Day this year made me think of the years gone by. Now, all my children are retired and have their own families. There have been times to be proud and, yes, times of difficulty! Growing up was … Read more

From May 6th to 12th, we were on a riverboat cruise in the Netherlands. I learned that many ships, especially freighters, which ply the rivers and canals of Europe, have devices, called in Dutch "Spit Palen", which are vertical posts … Read more

Several years ago, I learned two profound lessons from a young girl. 1. When you become aware of a problem, always try to figure out how you can help. My wife and I had decided to fly from Toronto to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, to visit … Read more

In our Bible study group, we were reflecting on the reality of the temptations that we face as we seek to live Christ-centred lives. During the discussion, Ted offered some down-to-earth wisdom: "The birds are going to fly in and out, but … Read more

The other night as I lay in bed contemplating the day's finished work and what needed to be done on the morrow, once again, I felt somewhat overwhelmed: so much to do, so little time to do it in. It was then that the story of God feeding … Read more

Everybody has a father story, and they run the gamut. I grew up in a traditional family. My father was present, supportive, and loving. Many families aren't as fortunate. Some fathers drink to excess, abuse or run around on their wives, … Read more

You may remember that a few years ago, there was a plush toy, "Tickle Me Elmo", based on the Muppet character Elmo from the children's television show, Sesame Street. When Elmo's tummy was squeezed, he shook, vibrated, and giggled. … Read more

I cannot honestly read Paul's second letter to Timothy without reflecting on how his words are relevant for today. The great apostle was forewarning his protégé that things would get a lot worse before they became better. He was telling … Read more

I was sitting in the hospital room, watching my husband Kurt sleeping soundly. The last few days had been a nightmare for both him and me. It all started when he came inside our house after doing some raking. He told me that he must have … Read more

One Sunday morning, I left home having my destination clearly in mind. It was an easy trip, so I used the time to enjoy lovely music and relax — until suddenly, I realized that I was heading the wrong direction — to my old stomping … Read more

I have a mantle clock. It's quite old. It needs winding about once a week. Because it chimes the hour, re-setting it is a pain if I forget to wind it and it stops, because I would have to allow all the chimes to cycle. So, when it stops, I … Read more

Almost two decades ago, a young girl from Zimbabwe won a scholarship to study at a university in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This was quite an accomplishment, and she was understandably very excited. However, three weeks before she was … Read more

I don't drive. So, when my husband died, I had to walk or take the bus wherever I went. As I live in the centre of a busy university town, this meant that, suddenly, I was spending time every day surrounded by the people I had ignored … Read more

They popped over the tree tops and whizzed along the top of the field. When I was a young lad, crop dusters were common where there was flat farmland. Fields were planted with cotton, corn, and soybeans. Laws preventing certain chemicals … Read more

Sometimes, it takes a period of enforced inactivity to make us look at things from a different perspective. This winter, I suffered a bad attack of the flu. I thought that I'd soon recover and that "tomorrow will be better". But as the … Read more

My brother, who lives in our cabin, is the gardener in our family. So, when he went to Mexico in the fall, he asked me to start the spring seedlings so that they would be ready for him to plant when he got back in May. *Oh my, what a … Read more

April 27th, 2018, marked five years since the Dutch prince, Willem Alexander, was crowned King of the Netherlands. We were in Holland at that time, and there were great celebrations in many places. In the town where we were staying, there … Read more

Most church people whom I know try to make the world a better place. They understand their weaknesses and shortcomings; they are aware of their limits and abilities; and they are conscious of their faults and sins. Despite this, they … Read more

It's been said that the disciple John was Jesus' special, favourite disciple. John was "the one Jesus loved", a phrase seen twice in the Gospel of John. I've felt uneasy about that text. Why would John portray himself as Jesus' favourite? … Read more

One Sunday recently, as our pastor prayed at the start of worship, he asked God to fill each one of us, and to do His transforming work in every part of our lives. As we prayed this, suddenly a thought shot through my mind: "All of me … Read more

Just trust God, and everything will work out for the good. The Porters were college friends with whom we had a common bond: we were both from South Carolina; they also had two small children who were close in age to our two, one of which … Read more

From the earliest record that we have, it is plainly shown that we have been created with a need for companionship. With that need comes a responsibility to meet that need with love and compassion. From the moment a child is born, that … Read more