Archive for January, 2024

Let God Be God

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

I am not a doctor or a nurse. I am an English major with a minor in journalism, and I received my master's degree in counselling and psychology. I went the education route and ended up working as a newspaper reporter for more than two … Read more

We All Need Each Other

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a severe form of arthritis that causes inflammation in my spine, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and hands. I could not shave or even look into a mirror because my neck was locked in a … Read more

A Colourful Cast Of Characters

Monday, January 29, 2024

Sometimes, I have a hard time writing. I think that I have to be optimistic and clever — or at least try — and I want to send the positive message of Christ and His love. So, there are days when I feel that I cannot write because my … Read more

The Master Gardener

Sunday, January 28, 2024

In our recreational vehicle (RV) park, the sites are small, just big enough for an 11-foot-wide park model (an RV that is set into place) and a driveway, leaving a couple of feet on each side between each unit. So, the avid gardeners have … Read more

A Mayberry Moment

Saturday, January 27, 2024

"Are you ready to hear a Mayberry moment?" I once pastored a small country church near a tiny country town — located, in fact, in the smallest county in the state. The chairman of the deacons served as the chief of police. We always … Read more

Comfortable Or Conformed?

Friday, January 26, 2024

For eleven years, my husband Marcelo and I had been renting an apartment in Chandler, Arizona, USA. In 2020, when it came time for us to renew our yearly lease, we were hit with some very unexpected news. In order to keep up with … Read more

Partnering With Jesus

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Many years ago, I began my first full-time teaching job with high hopes that I would be able to use and enjoy my gift of learning languages easily. My new assignment in the far north of British Columbia, Canada, was a tall order for a new … Read more

The Clariton

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Recently, I listened to a BBC radio programme called The Life Scientific with guest interviewee Professor Sir Michael Berry, a physicist, born in 1941, who reviewed his life's work with … Read more

The Heart

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

While visiting the veterinarian recently, the receptionist asked me if I would like to see the cat house. I am not really a cat person, but my daughter is, and I knew that she would be interested in what they had to show me. The cat … Read more

Do Good; Seek Justice

Monday, January 22, 2024

I am privileged to be the Presbyterian member of the Canadian content writing team for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25. One of my tasks was to reflect on the themes for the eight days and give them a Canadian … Read more

Words From The Heart

Sunday, January 21, 2024

I am so thankful to have English as my mother tongue. Many people around the world would like to learn to speak English, but our language presents many stumbling blocks for language learners. Indeed, it can be hard enough for even those of … Read more

It's All In How You See It

Saturday, January 20, 2024

It was early one morning when the four kittens — two black and two calico — made their presence known to us. I was peeking outside the window that overlooks our side yard when I saw them. They were following a larger grey cat out from … Read more

Whose Family Do You Belong To?

Friday, January 19, 2024

I was thumbing through some black-and-white photos, taken 60 or more years ago, by my mum and dad: photos of themselves, their friends, and the small town where they grew up. Smiling faces looked back at me from skiing and skating parties … Read more

Do It Again!

Thursday, January 18, 2024

"Again, Papa, again!" Riley wanted Papa to do more snow angels with her. Again! Again! Again! Haven't we all heard that from our children? When we really love something, we all want it to happen again. I read Psalm 126 today, and that is … Read more

When God Leads

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

We knew that when God leads, we had nothing to fear. My wife and I were shocked when our landlords delivered the news. When we had initially rented from them, they assured us that they wanted long-term tenants. Our unit and a neighbour's … Read more

Good Versus Evil

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

At the tender age of seven years, I was left behind with my grandmother when my mother emigrated overseas. I felt unprotected, and the danger of being harmed by evil people was never far from me. Though no harm came to me, I became … Read more

Gifts From Above

Monday, January 15, 2024

In 1989, my husband Marcelo was offered an electronics engineering position, and we moved from Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, to Arizona. During our first winter here, we chuckled when we saw people dressed in winter coats, gloves, … Read more

The Bringer Of Joy

Sunday, January 14, 2024

In the autumn, we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house. This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom. So, I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers to buy … Read more

The Power Of The Bible

Saturday, January 13, 2024

I write in my Bible — in the tiny margins, in between lines and columns — sometimes so densely that it obscures the text. I take notes on sermons, comment on verses, underline favourite verses, and record historical notes. I draw arrows … Read more

The Listening Ear

Friday, January 12, 2024

Listening to my grandchild takes practice and intentional listening. At four, she is still unable to pronounce a number of letters correctly. This issue makes various words difficult to grasp, as the sound that she is seeking to make … Read more

Grab The Back Of My Shirt

Thursday, January 11, 2024

As the little sister of four, I had plenty of opportunities to be left in the care of one of my older sisters or my older brother, Glen, while my parents were working or gone to some school or church event. One of Glen's jobs was to pick … Read more

Take A Number

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

Have you ever apologized to God for bringing your small requests? I know that I have! When I hear of so much suffering, how can I ask God to take away my headache? How can I ask for trivial things when other people are dealing with … Read more

Unexpected Blessing

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

The unexpected blessing came from … well … an unexpected place. "___________ said he would help you move some stuff," the email from the guidance counsellor stated. The student's name stuck in my mind like a fly to flypaper. I had … Read more

Look For The Helpers

Monday, January 8, 2024

Fred Rogers, the "Mr. Rogers" well known to generations of children, gave them comforting advice. He told them that if they were afraid or in trouble, to "look for the helpers" who would be able to help them. I recently took a solo trip … Read more

Light Shining In Darkness

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Being a writer, I have learned that it is vital to have a pen and a pad of paper or some sort of audio recording device readily available to save thoughts and ideas that come to mind. This is especially true at night. Very often in the … Read more

Wise Men?

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Professor Karl Barth, who lived from 1886 to 1968, was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century. His biographer, Busch, characterizes him as a bit of a rebel in his youth, probably as a reaction to an overzealous mother's … Read more

The Model Kit

Friday, January 5, 2024

When we were children, my older brother excelled at assembling and painting model kits, mostly of military aircraft and vehicles. The small boxes, with vivid photos on top, contained small grey plastic pieces, glue, paint, and instructions … Read more

Cotton Candy

Thursday, January 4, 2024

As children, my brother and I had been excitedly anticipating a circus in town. It was a hot summer's day, and finally, we arrived at the fairgrounds in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada, where we grew up. The two of us lined up by … Read more

Sankofa

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

The corner of Yonge and Dundas streets in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, will never look the same again at the Square that bore those two names. Soon this part of the city will bear the name "Sankofa Square", a concept that I have used in … Read more

The Victory

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Earl Grey came to me as a three-month-old kitten. I am not much of a cat person, but there was something special about Earl. My granddaughters called him "Jungle Cat", since he ran like a gazelle and climbed anything and everything. He … Read more

Second Chances

Monday, January 1, 2024

"Would you like to redo this assignment?" my math professor asked me as he handed back the work that I had turned in to him the previous day. There was no grade at the top of the paper. He smiled kindly at me. "Just review your work." … Read more

 



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