Getting to know someone doesn't just happen — nor does getting to know God. When I arrived in this world, the first person I met was a doctor. Then, I met the nurses, who handed me to a lady who snuggled me against her chest. A few … Read more
Search Results for: "Ephesians 1:"
God's Guarantee
Guarantees can be the difference between misery and enjoyment, but God's guarantee differs. Only a few times have I purchased a car without a warranty, and only once in my lifetime have I bought a car from someone I didn't know. My wife … Read more
Inheritance In The Waiting
Mine wasn't sizable, but it seemed enormous at the time, especially when I had no idea that I even had an inheritance in the waiting. I was fifteen and doing what many teens do — lying on my bed, trying to escape my parents. But when I … Read more
Spiritual Benefits
I've worked in places where benefits were good, places where they were meagre, and places where they were nonexistent. While a good salary might attract us to a particular job, benefits enhance the chance that we'll actually apply for … Read more
Undeserved Mercy
I was the recipient of grace … undeserved mercy. "I promised God that I'd help the next person I knew whom He had called into ministry." He spoke the words, and then handed me an envelope. I was following God's call, which, in this … Read more
Seeing Clearly
"My goodness, these glasses are dirty! I can barely read." I'd just grabbed a pair from the table to help me read the paper. I pulled them off and realized that it wasn't dirt that made them blurry — I'd picked up the single vision … Read more
He Is Our Inheritance
It seems like only yesterday that my sister gently cradled a small box in her hand and gently lifted the lid. Inside, for her Christmas tree, rested heirloom ornaments, her inheritance from our grandmother. One by one, she raised each … Read more
The Window
When we are zipping along the Alaska Highway, my granddaughters love it if I open the power-operated windows in the back seat so that the exhilarating air rushes in. They yell and scream with delight, especially during the winter months … Read more
Our Identity Markers
Have you noticed how our protective face masks have become useful as identity markers? We're seeing them designed with logos, symbols, flags, or colours representing various group identities: sports teams, activist movements, social … Read more
Not For Future Use Only
"Do not postpone for the future what you so greatly need in the present." (attributed to Hudson Taylor) Her vintage dishes showed little wear. Of course! She had considered them too precious for everyday use, so she carefully preserved … Read more
Adopted By Grace
The glorious, unshakable, objective foundation of our being Christians is that God chose you and me to be adopted and share in His inheritance, bound together by God's grace and love in the one body of Christ! The deepest and strongest … Read more
Inconvenient Blessings
In our rural community, we experience power outages during severe winter weather. We prepare by placing ice bags in our freezer, and no one lifts the lid. We hunker down next to the fireplace, play board games, and heat our dinner on the … Read more
Christmas Choice
With the importance of the moment smiling through his bushy red moustache, Grandpa eased into his chair at one end of the long, full table where the jars of red cranberry sauce nestled in poinsettia skirts — the final touch of Grandma's … Read more
Addictions
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
Our Inheritance
An inheritance is something passed down from parents to their children or other persons named in their will. As a child of my parents, I inherited their cottage when they passed away. When my husband and I retired, almost twenty years ago, … Read more
Encounters With God
It's that time of year again: time to go through drawers and closets, sorting out, downsizing, and organizing. It's something that I like to do about this time each year, before the good weather comes when I would rather be outside … Read more
The Royal Birth: Two Responses
Each Christmas, we acknowledge a royal birth. Baby Jesus was, after all, born to be King. He was destined for a throne "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion." (Ephesians 1:21 NIV) What can be said about royal births? … Read more
Theological Bankruptcy
Have you come to a point in your life as a Christian where you feel that you can give no more to the Lord's work? You feel spent. You've given and given, but not enough is given back to replenish you. More is expected from you — in time, … Read more
It's A Squirrel's Life
Our backyard with its many trees is a heaven for squirrels. I enjoy watching the squirrels frolic high up in the black walnut branches. I imagine the squirrel's view from high up in the trees. From there, the neighbourhood dogs are of no … Read more
Chosen For Redemption
When I think back on my childhood, I remember playing all kinds of games with neighbourhood children, like baseball, British Bulldog, and Red Rover. Many of the games began with choosing sides. I can still remember the agony of waiting … Read more
Unconditional Love
Have you ever done something that you were ashamed of and felt that you could never be forgiven for? Like most people, I suspect, I have been guilty of things that I'd hate to admit to. Not everyone has come from a loving, nurturing home, … Read more
Chosen For Love
I once heard a story about a child who was taught a special tune in his native village. His teacher told him that if he forgot it when he grew up and went out into the world, he should come right back home and learn it all over again. We … Read more
The Undo Button
What a glorious day it was when I discovered the undo button on my computer! "Undo" is a command in many computer programs that allows us to undo almost anything that we have done. With a click on the button, I can undo my last action or … Read more
Daily Blessings
As I go through each day and get to an advanced age, I tend to be more mindful of the blessings that God bestows on each of us. He has sent showers of blessings to us over the years, just as He has promised. One of those blessings is the … Read more
God's Guarantee
Guarantees can be the difference between misery and enjoyment. Only once in my lifetime have I purchased a car without a warranty. In fact, only once in my lifetime have I purchased a car from an individual whom I didn't know. My wife and … Read more
Amazing Grace
I've been reading a lot about grace lately, and the more I read, the more I realize how amazing God's grace really is. G – God's R – Riches A – At C – Christ's E – Expense Grace, grace, God's grace, Grace that will cleanse and pardon … Read more
Perfume's Power
Smell is a big deal in the animal kingdom. It's a big deal in God's kingdom, too. Scent marks our authenticity as Christians. What does this mean for you and me? I got thinking of that after hearing a chinchilla rancher explain how she … Read more
Praying For The Persecuted
Either today or next Sunday, many Christians around the globe will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This practice not only comforts those who are suffering, but it unites believers worldwide in taking a … Read more
Surfing Or Connecting?
Much of life is mere surfing: we skim from one surface to another. However, in the process, we miss many precious details. We surf the flowers, but miss their intricate beauty. We surf past neighbours, but never really know them. We surf … Read more
God's Atomic Power
Power can be used for good or harm. German physicist, Otto Hahn, discovered how to split the atom in 1938. Scientists feared that Nazi Germany might use the knowledge to continue their attack on Europe. World-renowned scientist, Albert … Read more