Some days, I feel so imperfect, inefficient, and inadequate that I question whether or not God will both accept and forgive me. I've made many mistakes throughout my life, and sometimes, I shudder when I think about the scrapes that I got … Read more
Search Results for: "Acts 20:"
Staying Awake
I am not a morning person, and I used to dread 8:00 a.m. college classes. I would do everything to stay awake: drink coffee, tap my toe, chew on a mint, and take a walk at break time. It was still hard to stay awake and be alert. The … Read more
Cheerful Giving
By their example, my parents and grandparents taught my siblings and me the joy of being cheerful givers at home and in the community. We have great recollections of cheerful giving, not only at Christmas, but all year long. Watching … Read more
Distraction
Do you ever enter a room, and then wonder why? (Please say that I am not the only one who does this.) What am I doing? I look around, puzzled. With an exasperated sigh, I go back to the place where I was before, hoping to trigger my … Read more
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize
Recently, some of my family participated in a run to raise funds for breast cancer research. This type of run is not to prove who is fastest. Some take part in wheelchairs, some walk supported by another. The prize is that each person … Read more
The Gift Of Grace
Recently, we celebrated my daughter's birthday, and, of course, gifts were given as part of the festivities. This set me thinking about how my daughter would use the gifts that she received. If my daughter accepted the gifts and put them … Read more
Being Thankful
This past Christmas, I became more and more aware of the commercialism of the season. We were talking to one family in which everybody buys a present for everybody in the family. Certainly, there are financial constraints arising from … Read more
The Swan Pond
Some of the simplest joys that I can remember of living in Scotland were the times when Evelyn and I would take our two daughters to Culzean Castle to feed the birds at the Swan Pond. It was always wonderful … Read more
Giving And Receiving
Recently I had cause to remember the wonderful blessing I received after giving my last few dollars to a friend in need. Many years ago, money was really scarce in our home. We had three children to feed and clothe, … Read more
Selection School
Over thirty years ago, I went to Edinburgh, Scotland, to participate in the Church of Scotland's "Selection School". It was a three-day conference where candidates for ministry were selected by the church. The process involved seminars, … Read more
Pass It On
All right! I admit it! I am a regifter! I disagree with the few social experts who insist that it is indelicate at the very least and downright rude at its worst. I regift. I learned it from no stranger. … Read more
Christmas Biscuits
"But, dad, we ginned cotton straight through the Thanksgiving holidays," I moaned. "Can't we at least get off a few days for Christmas?" "Son, we finished early last year, and you hunted all winter," he answered. "Be thankful for that. … Read more
Giving And Receiving
For a short time, some years ago, I served as a hospice volunteer. Some of my most treasured keepsakes, not counting the wonderful memories, came from these people who were my patients. One lady crocheted to pass the time during … Read more
A Lesson In Kindness
It was December 24th. Everyone around me was ready for Christmas, but I wasn't. As a child of seven, I'd been in the hospital for two months with kidney problems, and I arrived home in time to spend the holiday … Read more
Kindness – The Simplest Act Of All
Kindness takes only a moment. Often, kindness does not involve work, or money, or even a huge commitment to bettering the world. So why do we not engage in this simple act of beauty more often? I don't know. Kindness … Read more
Ironman Canada (3)
The dedication involved in participating in an Olympics event or an "Ironman" competition is incredible. A friend who participated in the "Ironman Canada" race in Penticton, British Columbia, trained all winter, spending unimaginable hours swimming, cycling and running unbelievable distances. … Read more
New Beginnings
I remember at the beginning of a New Year, we used to sing "Standing at the portal of the opening year." Well, I never thought I would reach this one: the opening of the year 2000! Wow! I made it. … Read more
Remembering: What God Requires Of Us
How good is your memory? Mine is not as good as it might be. In fact, I'd be completely lost without my pocket diary. I write in it everything I'm supposed to do, and constantly check it in order to … Read more