In my opinion, whoever invented the roof rake deserves not only all the money that they have made through this invention, but a medal as well. The amount of snow that we have experienced this winter has been phenomenal. Keeping ahead of it … Read more
Archive for April, 2021
Bread From Heaven
For the people in the Netherlands during what is called the Hunger Winter of 1944-1945, things were desperate. The country had been occupied for almost five years. It was a very cold winter, there was very little fuel left, food was in … Read more
Location! Location! Location!
Who doesn't know these three priorities in real estate: Location! Location! Location! That's it. Nothing matters more. It's true for spiritual real estate also. I'm referring to God and His kingdom reign. That's a genuine, specific … Read more
The Woman Who Sold Time
I was fascinated when I heard the story of Ruth Belville. She inherited a family business that had been started by her father in 1836 — selling time! In those days in London, anyone who wanted to know the exact time had few options that … Read more
Oh, Her Again
I wrote awhile back about calling 911 for a woman lying in the grass beside a parking lot, with all that she owned in the world scattered around her. When the firemen arrived and saw the woman on … Read more
A Lesson From The Owl
My husband had been having a hard time at the school where we worked together. He was letting the overwhelming needs of the students, both academic and emotional, get to him. Our school was small, and students of all ages were rewarded … Read more
Our Master Craftsman
I am just a so-so crafter. Oh, I can enjoy an occasional craft project done with a group of friends or at a ladies' retreat, but I am not an avid quilter, painter, or knitter, as are some of my friends. If I were to claim any artistic … Read more
Misinformation Or Truth
Just three years ago today, a "John Doe" (as the judge described him) committed the worst murder spree in the history of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when he drove a van down Yonge Street, killing ten people and injuring sixteen others. It … Read more
Rays Of Light
As children, we enjoyed playing with and learning about the properties of light through using its rays. A small, bright light in a dark room allowed us to make shadow puppets on the wall, using our hands. The magnifying glass opened up new … Read more
The Frustration Of The Unknown
After numerous doctor visits which brought no answers, my wife and I were frustrated. The unknown started after a recent move. My wife lifted an item and felt a stabbing pain. Thinking that she had pulled the mesh from a recent hernia … Read more
The Boundary
There had been so much snow that I was now able to walk over the corral fence, instead of having to open the big gate to go in. Interestingly enough, however, Frank, my gelding, and the three goats had made no move to cross the boundary … Read more
The Past Year
Like many of my pastor peers, for the past year, I've been leading online services and preaching each week from my office desk. This pandemic has changed everything about church, and I now wonder: when all of this is over, what will the … Read more
Frederick's Tools
My friend nostalgically opened the leather crafting tools that she and her granddaughter had placed in a shadow box years before. Tenderly, she touched the worn wooden handles of tools that her husband's great-grandfather Frederick had … Read more
Roller Coasters And Hurdles
I've never been one to enjoy wild rides at the exhibition! No! No roller coasters for me! Watching others was enough to make my stomach churn! In high school, track and field wasn't a favourite either, especially the hurdles! No, I … Read more
Shed Your Heavy Load
In his first letter to the "Pilgrims of the Dispersion", the apostle Peter gives all kinds of advice to young and old alike, and then he tells them: These verses remind me of a story that I read some time ago about a vendor on his way to … Read more
We Are Never Alone
Recently, a fellow resident shared her story. In 1989, Dorothy's husband of 42 years suddenly died from a massive heart attack, just two weeks before they were to leave on a planned cruise. Her son, John, who lived nearby, was very … Read more
Turning Negatives To Positives
The other morning, I was looking out the kitchen window at a fair amount of water lying on the concrete landing. I turned and said to my husband, "Too bad that when the man did that work out there, he didn't put a bit of a slant on the … Read more
It's In You To Give
You may have seen the phrase in today's title a time or two, but it holds special meaning for me, and the pandemic is messing it up! For years, my weekly routine included a trip to the Canadian Blood Services. I gave about two hours each … Read more
Living Stones
A stone wall was planned as a retaining wall above our house to keep the sandy bank from eroding. A lovely, mature cedar tree grew there, and we didn't want it to topple onto our house. My husband hired a skilled local mason, and prepared … Read more
Small Miracles
My husband and I planted our first garden last year. During the COVID-19 shutdown, we had more leisure time than usual and needed a project to keep our minds and hands occupied. Not all of our crop prospered, but the garden held our … Read more
The Big Move
How many times have you moved in your lifetime? It always amazes me to learn that some people live in the same house their entire lives, perhaps never even travelling more than five or ten miles from the place that they were born. … Read more
Captain Of Our Salvation
I have been on a cruise ship, travelling among the islands of the Caribbean. One of the privileges was for each passenger to meet and greet the captain of the ship. Fully dressed in uniform, he graciously welcomed each passenger and posed … Read more
Those Stubborn Doubts
Some made promises, but I doubted that they'd keep them. No middle-schooler wants to be uprooted and moved hundreds of miles from his friends — but that's what happened when Dad decided to pastor a church in Jackson, Tennessee, USA. … Read more
Who Is He?
The phone rang. When I answered, a deep, intimidating male voice informed me that I was in serious trouble with respect to my income tax. The voice continued saying that the police were now on their way to arrest me, and that my best … Read more
The In Between
When I was a child, prior to the invention of the Internet, I lived in Europe. I missed my family, who still lived in the United States. Once a week, though, my grandparents would initiate a phone call to us. When the phone finally rang, … Read more
The Crucifix
In 1951, when I was eight years old, my family did not regularly attend church, although I did understand that Jesus loved me. During Easter break that year, my family took a vacation to see friends in southern California, USA. One of our … Read more
Jesus Loves Me
Winter hangs on wherever there are shady places with patches of snow. In spite of that, during Holy Week, I've been diligently tidying up the house by putting away winter decorations and pulling out spring ones in anticipation of Easter. … Read more
- Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy