My dad became what we affectionately called "the coffee guru" of our family. Daddy loved his coffee. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he wanted to find out what made coffee so good. He took the time to study and research online, … Read more

One summer night, when my six-year-old granddaughter, Riley, and I came into the house after a wiener roast, as always, she wanted to play on my iPad®. After telling her where it was, I took a forbidden bite of leftover cherry delight … Read more

I recently attended a funeral for a friend who was a huge support to me in the recreational vehicle (RV) resort chapel ministry that I lead each summer. Bob supported me when there was … Read more

If we learned nothing else, we learned to be sensitive. Parent-teacher conference day: no teachers look forward to it. Secretly, we probably wish that no parents would schedule a conference, and equally we attempt to deal with issues … Read more

Last month, my husband Terry and I arrived at the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) Base at San Antonio del Mar, Mexico, on the Pacific coast just south of the American border. We had flown down to volunteer, doing whatever needed to be done … Read more

(KJV) I have osteoporosis, and have gone from being 4'11½" tall to 4'7". Though I am small in stature, I know that I have a big God living in me! I have often been confined to my bed when the pain in my joints and back was severe. … Read more

Having eight dogs requires a lot of regular upkeep to ensure that my little house is always neat, tidy, and clean. I therefore wipe down my floors and vacuum each day. It may sound like a lot, but in reality, it takes me only twenty to … Read more

When I read Martin Wiles' devotional on January 9, 2024, Unexpected Blessing, I was reminded of a time when God made a way for my family to move. In July, 2008, just prior to our daughter … Read more

I live in a large metropolitan area with a mild climate and an abundance of generous social services. Consequently, one needn't look far to see panhandlers and homeless tents. Whatever one's viewpoint, great human need all around us is … Read more

I find working on a jigsaw puzzle to be fascinating, addictive, and annoying, all at the same time. My mother loved doing them while she still had vision, spending hours figuring out the edges, then the main images. It's even harder when … Read more

There is balance to a life of faith. Our Reformed ancestors sought to re-establish such a balance centuries ago as they placed emphasis on "faith" and not so much on "works", so much so that Martin Luther called the book of James "an … Read more

I'm currently reading a series of biographical books: Great Generals. I've finished two books on General Patton and General Grant and am now reading a book about General Eisenhower. All three of them were called on to make major … Read more

The first line of the email read: "Have you ever felt the weight of the world pressing in, drowning out the gentle whispers of God's love?" It was an email from a Christian clothing company, so I figured that it was some kind of pitch for … Read more

These days, I find that I am stressed — I'm juggling a bunch of deadlines. While I was praying recently, I began thinking about the distractions and pressures that tend to pull me away from following Jesus. Stress, anxiety, and worry are … Read more

By nature, I am an introvert. In a crowd, I keep quiet, not because I am shy, but rather because I don't feel that I have anything to say and because I prefer to think rather than to speak. Still, there have been times when I decided to … Read more

There's something about February 14th that makes many hearts thrill and flutter. In the Philippines, Valentine's Day is a grand, festive day, and various businesses sell roses, stuffed toys, and chocolates — the famous items that are … Read more

On Valentine's Day several years ago, when I was about to visit someone in The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, I decided to buy her some chocolate. Once in the store, I was moved to pick up about a dozen small chocolate bars for … Read more

It was time to renew my passport. New photos taken, check; references obtained and verified, check; and forms filled out, check. I determined that the quickest way to obtain a passport would be to visit the local Service Canada office. … Read more

Another season was upon us. Moving. The word sends prickly shivers up my spine. I've done it so often. Either Dad was moving our family when I was young, or I was moving myself as I followed in his footsteps as a minister. Some moves, I … Read more

When I was a young child, a television newscaster reported one night that there was an intruder seen trying to break into homes in the vicinity where we lived, and he was still at large. Of course, we bolted the doors and made sure that … Read more

I've recently started using a walker in the house. It helps my balance when I am moving around. It also proves to be very useful if I need to carry something from one place to another. I just load it up and I'm on my way. The seat comes in … Read more

During the colder months of the year, the minute our goats hear me outside in the morning, they begin crying out very loudly for their hay ration. Mmmmaaaaaaaaa echoes round and round the dark barnyard until their breakfast hits their … Read more

When my two college-aged grandchildren are home on school break, I'm often invited to the home of my daughter and son-in-law for games night with my grandkids and their friends. When we play word games or trivia games, that's when our … Read more

In life situations, delay is usually a bad thing, indicating procrastination or putting off doing something that is necessary or useful. An example of this is when my semi-comatose mother lay dying. My father delayed going to the hospital … Read more

As an artist, I have been asked to paint portraits, sometimes of one who has passed as a remembrance for the family. I studied with an exceptional art teacher, who trained in the ateliers and museums of … Read more

In the parking lot of the grocery store where I sometimes shop, there is a man who stands with a smile on his face and hope in his eyes. He is never demanding or rude, but if the customers allow him, he takes their shopping carts away … Read more

When tragedy strikes, I've heard people ask, "How could a loving God do that?" He is all powerful, but for reasons beyond our understanding, He allows horrible things to happen, and through the experience, "God is able to bless you … Read more

Climate change is one of the biggest issues that we're facing today. Whether we believe that human activity has caused it or not, there seems to be something going on with regard to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and more storms … Read more

This year, I will be resigning from what I have considered to be a home for me: the school here in the Philippines that provided me with a scholarship to continue with my studies in secondary education. It eventually became the workplace … Read more