I remember my early days as a church worker. One of my greatest challenges was meeting up with the 7 a.m. resumption (start) time marked for church workers on Sundays. Before I became a church worker, 9 a.m. was my church resumption time … Read more

While on vacation 35 years ago, my husband and I arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. I was about to learn about the diversity of its people and its culture, especially its French beignet (ben-yay), likened to a doughnut pastry that is … Read more

It was such a lovely day, so I decided to take the dogs for a run. I loaded my three-year-old granddaughter into the stroller, gathered up the dogs, and away we went. As we were walking, Ade asked several times if we could go down to the … Read more

Fluttering back and forth on a little swing in the gilded birdcage, my cousin's canary sang in trills and tweets. The yellow bird and his song were limited to one location and he could swing on only one tiny apparatus. His bright song … Read more

I grew up in a dysfunctional family. My mother turned to arson when life dissatisfied her. If we could keep track of her discontent, sometimes it was possible to head her off, but it wasn't easy. We lived mostly in isolation in the bush … Read more

"The church failed me!" I used to say. My two sons were abused by their choirmaster. The youngest died, and my eldest lives with the impact. I saw that church as a body of sinners, the kind of blame that much of the outside world gives to … Read more

Almost daily, the neighbour twins run over to my house to check the fruit seeds that we have planted in broken mugs in the kitchen window. We've had one success so far: the soursop seed grew to be a foot-and-a half tall before we … Read more

Having been involved in a church committee debate over the colour of paint, I was struck (and maybe stung) by Nan St. Louis' recent devotional, " Where are you? " which mentioned the negative effect on others of Christians who disagree … Read more

After my salvation experience in 1978, I had an unquenchable desire to read, learn, and understand the Bible. It became my first love. If I heard good lessons from Bible expositors on the radio, I would request their offered cassette … Read more

Some time ago, I was talking with some people about the Lord and our lives as Christians, along with experiences that we have had in life. They were using words like "God spoke to me", feeling that they had a word from God, and talking … Read more

During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV) It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. … Read more

I grew up in a home that had a china cabinet with a row of china cups behind the glass. They were brought out once a year to be dusted or washed, and maybe one other time to serve tea in. Recently, I was talking to a friend about going … Read more

I love debating with other people. It's part of my training as a pastor. At seminary or university, candidates for ministry are taught apologetics through class presentations or theological debates. The arguments usually spill over into … Read more

As I write this, it has just been announced that a number of baseball players have been suspended for the use of illegal, enhancement-performing drugs. They continue to be the subject of different news sources. These players obviously had … Read more

Over the years, whenever I would go to see the youthful and exciting presentation of Anne Of Green Gables at the Confederation Centre of the Arts, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, I would be intrigued with a special scene … Read more

A recent bike ride took me into new territory, but not so new that I hadn't been over it before. I had driven in the car that way many times, but had never ridden my bike. As I rode along, … Read more

For two years, many years ago, every Sunday afternoon, we would drive forty-five miles into south Boston to a Mission to be part of a wonderful Sunday School program with lots of Bible teaching, singing, and a light lunch. One … Read more

I was waiting for my children to come out from some lessons at the Leisure Centre. From the comfort of my van, I watched the boys with bikes, scooters, and skate boards practicing their tricks at the skate park. A … Read more

When I was a "tween" (between childhood and adolescence), I was sweet on a boy in my class. Like many tween girls do, I found excuses to walk out of my way past his house. My hope was to catch … Read more

I am allergic to shrimp, so I attempt to avoid them. However, it's not as easy as one might think. Nice restaurants camouflage them in soups, sauces, egg rolls, and other delicious recipes. Recently, I discovered, just before putting the … Read more

For the first nine years of my work in ministry, I pastored a beautiful area in the southwest of Scotland. The countryside was stunning, and as I travelled throughout the area in my car, I often saw the farmers working … Read more

Recently on a Sunday afternoon, our grandchildren were here for a visit. The youngest of the three, now in her second year, is very active, and we all know when she is among us. I have glass-topped tables in the … Read more

The following quotation, from one whom I have grown to love, was received by e-mail some time ago: Christmas decorations and the tree that were so late in getting up are still in place, and although I am not in … Read more

My friend, Nomie, told me about her children. They were sixteen months apart, Lori being the older. One day, Lori's little brother was annoying her. When she complained to her mother, Nomie advised her, "Just ignore him." Later, when she … Read more

For many years after peace was declared following World War II, a massive army of men, women, and teenagers in Britain invaded school buildings on weeknights, between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 p.m., to attend classes defined as Evening … Read more

For years, I struggled with migraine headaches. I did discover a couple of the triggers, so I tried to avoid them to the best of my ability. Unfortunately, it wasn't always possible. Then I found a product that was said … Read more

Once, privacy was very important. It still is, but there is very little left in our technological society today. I use the Internet, knowing that every word I write can be picked up and read by others — other than … Read more

Dishes have always been of special interest to me. I have "everyday dishes" and "good china", and for those really relaxed days, I have two-sectioned plates that are microwave safe. My good china is taken out of the china cabinet … Read more

The little rural church in which I grew up taught children that God hears every word spoken. Our teacher taught that every word we spoke was a reflection on our God, our church, and our family. This was in the … Read more

In our ladies' small group, we are learning to say a simple "Thank you" when someone compliments us. Most people try to minimize a compliment, so this is a learning process. We also give each group member a hug when … Read more

My husband loves digging in the dirt. When the first breeze of warm air blows in the springtime, his thoughts turn to growing something. Tools to till the soil are brought out of storage, and his lawn mower is readied … Read more

His words echo as clearly across the years as if it were yesterday. Our school principal was a giant of a man physically, besides being the pastor of the local Baptist Church. He was in the school system long before … Read more

Years ago in Nursing Assistant training, we were given an exercise to help us gain insight into the difficulties with which some of our patients would have to live every day. We were each given a bag of things that … Read more