Too much of a good thing can be harmful. Exercise is good, but too much can damage the body. More importantly, it might damage relationships with others. One Krispy Kreme® doughnut wouldn't harm me, but eating a dozen a day most likely … Read more

Conscience sensitivity is very relative. Some things may not necessarily be sins, but our consciences may also not permit indulgence in such. Paul wrote, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful." *(1 Corinthians … Read more

Nasty. Repulsive. Though he doesn't know what an adjective is, I could tell that these two were circling in his mind. My wife recently introduced our middle grandson to table food. We could tell that baby food wasn't satisfying him any … Read more

The morning was chaotic, not much different than any other 1940s morning, having many interruptions. My sister-in-law quickly reached for her second apron before her neighbour arrived for coffee. She tied it securely at the waist over the … Read more

Seven dogs bring a lot of the outside in with them during every day of every season. During the winter, the snow comes in stuck to feet and legs. It's mud during the spring, bugs and dust during the summer, and dry leaves and sticks … Read more

I don't drink or use drugs, but I do admit that I have an addiction: using food to numb my reality, effectively committing suicide with a knife and fork. Being overly impulsive and compulsive goes along with that. Right after … Read more

I've heard that in Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, attendees must stand up, say their names, and state that they are alcoholics. I need to start a Chocolates Anonymous or a Carbohydrates Anonymous where I would stand up and say, "My name is … Read more

I had reached the magic number; I knew what the doctor would say. Fifty is the age when physical tests of various sorts begin to take place — one of which I dreaded. When I visited the doctor for a regular checkup, he said, "We need to … Read more

Hearing about ugly episodes is a normal part of any day. The early settlers in the Virginia Colony along the James River — in what would become the United States of America — had some ugly in them, even though they were responsible for … Read more

Since we moved into town a couple of years ago, I am now, when the weather permits, able to walk in a populated area of the town. Late last summer, on my walks, I would see a number of residences where the yards were not well kept. Some … Read more

Another year has drawn to an end, and we anticipate a new year ahead of us — a brand new year — a time of new beginnings, new opportunities, a time to start over again. Whether or not we make any new year's resolutions, we can still … Read more

In our town of 8,500 people, we have eleven Christian church buildings: eight still active, one for sale, one already sold, and three without clergy. Obviously, in the past, our forebears felt the need to build all these churches in which … Read more

Recently, my husband and I purchased a new living room set. The following day, we noticed that my cat Nikkie had a piece of paper stuck underneath his body. So I carefully removed it, along with some of his fur. The label read, "Under … Read more

When I started writing devotionals again last December, I went through emotional agony at the thought of my dysfunctional life hanging out there naked in cyberworld for all to see. I had felt led by God to write these devotionals. When I … Read more

There was a man sent from God whose name was Jim. God chose him to be a witness to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, so that all men who believed on the name of Christ might receive the gift of eternal life. When Jim came to Jesus, he made a … Read more

Sitting in a booth in a Shari's Restaurant the other day with a friend, I looked outside as someone's car alarm was blaring incessantly. I wondered what was taking the guy in the back seat so long to turn it … Read more

I love spring! Where we live, we are surrounded by trees, and it is amazing to watch the leaves come out. Over the last few days, the trees have changed from bare to almost-filled with green leaves again. We are … Read more

Have you ever done something in your life that you regret now, and you wish that it had never happened and that you could start all over again? I know I have, and not only once, but a few times. … Read more

My weight struggle is no secret. I am a member of Weight Watchers. I own all their books and gadgets. I even have a workout pal who nudges me into daily exercise. So then, you might well ask, "Brenda, are you thin?" No, I am not thin, but … Read more

Not too long ago, I was speaking with an elderly person. This individual was telling me the story of an old gentleman in excellent health, who committed suicide. He left a note telling his friends and family that he was not depressed, nor … Read more

A recovering alcoholic once told me that he ate a bunch of chocolate bars because he couldn't get his hands on a bottle of whiskey. Then, he said that he had to stop overeating because it gave him the same effects as the booze. That … Read more

I am struggling (for the first time in my life) with overweight. I console myself by saying that I am not obese, but if the truth be told, I am getting there! All my life, I was a skinny mini (98 pounds "soaking wet" at my wedding) who … Read more

I can remember going with my dad as a child to the auto wreckers on a Saturday morning to locate a part to repair the car. We would wander up and down the rows in search of a car similar … Read more

There is this recurring picture in my mind: I walk into a room to visit the parents of one of our children and see something I will never forget. It is a flashback to those years spent at Flora House … Read more

Recently, I had a kitchen disaster, when the frying pan I used burst into flames. I had put the pan on too high a flame, which caused the oil in the pan to overheat. When I put the wet vegetables … Read more

"Feel my finger!" she cried. "It isn't wet. It doesn't have bumps on it. I have self control!" Our granddaughter had sucked that same digit every day since birth. All alone in her bedroom, she chose to discipline herself and … Read more

Often, I go for a walk at lunchtime, allowing my brain to be refreshed from the melee of students and computers, and giving my eyes a rest from the screen. One day, the streets were dirty and slippery in places, … Read more

It's spring. (I think!) Once more, closet clutter rears its ugly head. This is my basic rule: the person who inherits from me will throw it out. Give away anything you haven't used in the past year. Toss out clothes … Read more

One warm spring day, my children ventured outdoors with a bucket of sidewalk chalk in hand. The leaves had not yet sprouted on the trees, and the grass had just begun to turn green. We drew a number of brightly-coloured … Read more

When I feel low because of life situations, or the coffee cup is empty, or the grandchildren are such children, and the pension cheque doesn't stretch to meet all my wants… and when my memory recalls words like, Blessed are … Read more