Archive for December, 2018

A Blank Page

Monday, December 31, 2018

Since 1962, I have been keeping a diary. When I first started, it was almost entirely work-related. Later, when I refocused (not retired), more personal things were entered on the appropriate pages. Every October or November, I purchase … Read more

Setting Goals

Sunday, December 30, 2018

Recently, I set a goal to write 100 devotionals for PresbyCan Daily before the end of 2018, and this is #100. I wrote my first devotional in 2000. Over the years, I have truly appreciated the feedback that I have received from … Read more

Through Your Eyes

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Lord, help me to see others as diamonds in the rough With today's society, that can be tough. Like the ocean tide that goes in and out Take out what's not You and leave what You're all about. Before the world can change I have to do my … Read more

A Strong Foundation

Friday, December 28, 2018

As I'm watching a documentary on New York City, I'm startled to see a much younger Donald Trump on the screen. He is commenting on that period in the city's history when buildings began to rise higher, each owner competing with the … Read more

The Unsung Heroes Of The Music World

Thursday, December 27, 2018

I started out playing French horn as a fifth-grader in our elementary school beginner band. One reason that I picked out the French horn was that my mom had encouraged me to choose something a little more unusual than clarinet or flute. … Read more

The Day After Christmas

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Christmas Day had been a letdown. Anticipation of the day had given way to disappointment over gifts not received, specifically a Toni doll. As advertised on television, this doll came with curlers for her blond hair that could be used … Read more

A Perfect Day

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas morning is probably one of the most emotion-laden mornings of the year. For many, it is a happy time of smiling children, presents under the tree, and stockings to open. For others, it might be a difficult time of depression or … Read more

God's Plan

Monday, December 24, 2018

Sometimes, we make plans to do certain things, and then later, we change our minds. Sometimes, plans are made for us. For instance, this past autumn, I had problems with my left eye, which resulted in an operation on October 23rd. After … Read more

A Christmas Letter From Grandpa

Sunday, December 23, 2018

This Christmas Day, I won't be seeing most of my eleven grandchildren. Almost all of them are married, and some have children. So, I decided to write a letter to them, which I am sharing with you, in the hope that you will be able to … Read more

Rainbows Of Colour And Flavour

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Nostalgic 1940s twelve-pack gift books of Life Savers® and tins of hard Christmas candy in every colour of the rainbow were available at the corner pharmacy. There was candy wrapped in personalized Scripture, boldly printed for us to … Read more

Christmas Remembrances

Friday, December 21, 2018

As I grow older, I yearn for the Christmases of my childhood. Being the first grandchild in the family for the first four years of my life meant a great deal of spoiling — by parents and grandparents. Though I don't remember those … Read more

The Basket Of Humility

Thursday, December 20, 2018

In Nigeria, Africa, the Mbe Bible-translating team was into Luke chapter 2, verse 7. They did not even pause at their Mbe word used for manger. They had always used the word okpang orally and in their partial translations. But now, … Read more

Keep Going

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

One of the highlights of life in my residence is the annual Christmas party for the children of the staff. Everything is geared for fun and laughter. To see the youngsters enjoying themselves is a great tonic for the residents, all of whom … Read more

Just Keep Breathing

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

In high school, one of my favourite teachers was Mr. Rogers. He taught English literature and creative writing. The tidbit which came up in a lesson that most resonated with me was, "Life's a bitch and then you die." That phrase reflected … Read more

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Monday, December 17, 2018

It had been pouring rain all day. Undeterred, we piled into the car to make our way to downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, to join my sisters and their families on the Karaoke Christmas Lights trolley bus tour. The traffic was … Read more

Coming Again

Sunday, December 16, 2018

It's the season. He's the reason. It's that time of year again when we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Born in a lowly stable. Heralded by a host of angels. Worshipped by shepherds and wise men. A tiny baby. A … Read more

And God Comes Near

Saturday, December 15, 2018

I have been reflecting on the role of nativity plays, pageants, and tableaux in the formation of our spirituality. Here are my thoughts. In December 2017, as I watched the children and young adults play their various roles in the tableaux … Read more

Ready Or Not

Friday, December 14, 2018

As my husband and I celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary today, I am reminded that we were not engaged prior to our marriage. On our first wedding anniversary, I wondered if I might receive a ring as an anniversary or Christmas gift. … Read more

The Foundation

Thursday, December 13, 2018

The friend and customer for whom I had finished a stained glass commission was extremely happy. He had brought me a small oil painting of the Holy Family and asked me to recreate it in glass for him to hang in his window for Christmas. … Read more

Practice Hospitality

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Traditionally, we like our family to be together on Christmas Day. If that is physically impossible, we at least try to make contact by telephone or webcam. One Christmas Day, my son and his family were at their home in the beautiful … Read more

Blue Christmas

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

One of our local churches has a "Blue Christmas" service every year. I haven't yet been able to get to one, but I presume that it is for people who are sad during the holiday. I think that when people are feeling sad, more sadness will … Read more

Struggling

Monday, December 10, 2018

Monday morning is my time to check my weight. Today, I was dreading it. I'd had a bad week. It wasn't good news. I've struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. It's in the family. My dad had a weight problem, as did his mother. … Read more

Anticipation

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Do you practice an active faith? I try to, but I admit that I don't always succeed. Advent provides a good example. The other day, I was thinking about the idea of anticipation and how, during Advent, we look forward with anticipation … Read more

Christmas Mourn

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Every year, my mother would take all four of us kids to the toy store to pick out a present. If we were not naughty but nice, Santa would deliver it on Christmas Eve. We eagerly set out in different directions to look. On one such … Read more

The Letter

Friday, December 7, 2018

Once a year before Christmas, I write a family newsletter, which I then send to friends and relatives. It depicts the major as well as some of the minor happenings of our life throughout the year. I always begin the letter with a … Read more

Destiny In A Dot

Thursday, December 6, 2018

The formation of life is surely a miracle beyond comprehension. It begins with a speck so small that it is invisible to the naked eye. Yet it contains a vast treasury of DNA coding: the coding of destiny which determines what the tiny dot … Read more

A Different Setting

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Music is a wonderful gift from God. While we enjoy it all year long, I think that it is especially meaningful in December. This is probably because of the number of Christmas carols that we both hear and sing. While no one on earth can … Read more

Give Your Best

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

It was just a few days before Christmas. "We need to go and buy a turkey," one said to the other. "I thought I saw a turkey in our freezer," said the other. Sure enough, deep down in the freezer, there was a turkey. And it had a date on … Read more

Courage And Faith

Monday, December 3, 2018

After years of childhood pain, I didn't love Christmas. I identified with the sentiments of Blue Christmas. I sat in darkness, spending time on a website called "Christmas Misery". I had plenty of memories of sorrow and loss to keep me … Read more

The Making Way

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Early this year, my daughter, her husband, and baby granddaughter came to live with me. A business opportunity in town had presented itself, and they decided to buy it and move home. How wonderful is this! was my first thought. My … Read more

Wait On The Lord

Saturday, December 1, 2018

The day after Labour Day, my wife and I were returning from a lovely weekend away at our family cabin. Unfortunately, we were rear-ended in the rush-hour traffic, and the grey 2012 Toyota Matrix that I loved was written off as a total … Read more

 



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