It was October, and Christmas catalogues had already begun to arrive. When we went to town, my granddaughters were thrilled to notice Christmas displays in the stores. They begged to wander the aisles that sported the latest Christmas … Read more

Young children can hide in the craziest places. "Levi, do you want to play hide-and-seek with Pop?" "Okay." "You hide, and Pop will find you." I sat in my recliner. He scampered off for the kitchen. "Ready or not, here I come," I … Read more

During quiet time with the Lord, I pictured in my mind the crown of thorns on Jesus' head, and heard in my spirit the words, "The day creation rejoiced." I began to wonder, if it were possible, how the thorns might possibly have … Read more

There are so many calls for my attention these days. Recently, my cell phone received a national alert that was only a test, and the message said that I did not need to take any action. My coffee pot beeps when the coffee is ready, and … Read more

"One UI, optimizing apps" appeared on my phone screen as it turned on. Curious as to what it meant, I looked it up and discovered that "UI" is a shortcut that stands for "user interface" — visual or audio elements that humans use to … Read more

About two weeks into working under my pastor, I came to the conclusion that he was too overbearing and domineering. I was absolutely sure of that, and this caused a lot of issues in the church. A year later, as I looked back at all the … Read more

Logging and lumber trucks travelling the roadways of my dad's sawmill camp stirred clouds of dust that settled within our humble cabin. My job as a child was to dust our rooms daily, and I was mesmerized at times while watching flecks in … Read more

I have read the PresbyCan Daily Devotional for several years now, and like everyone else, some days God uses it to really speak directly to me. Here's just such an example. I'm an avid gardener. I find weeding particularly meditative. … Read more

We are in the midst of a world crisis, the magnitude of which has not been seen since World War II. Physical isolation has separated us from loved ones for unknown periods of time. Frightened people are hoarding supplies. Nurses are … Read more

What we see and what we hear has a powerful influence on our thoughts and actions, and has had from the beginning of time. For instance, remember Eve? She was the first woman, the first wife, and the first mother, but unfortunately, she … Read more

Walking in the garden was a Sunday afternoon tradition. Edisto Gardens is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA — the only town that the 250-mile-long Edisto River passes through. The river is one of only a few blackwater rivers — … Read more

My sister-in-law and family recently had my children for a sleepover so that we could clear up the caravan on our return from our holiday. Whilst I was glad to have the time to mothball the caravan, I missed my children. As a … Read more

"It's not all about you!" a grade three teacher proclaimed one day when a pupil raised his hand and told her to stop reading. He needed to go to the washroom, but didn't want to miss story time. He expected the entire class to accommodate … Read more

Occasionally, my husband and I argue over a matter that neither of us knows enough about, like our current roofing issue. Wrestling over such matters is a silly waste of energy and a needless source of strain. These are times to simply … Read more

We have all heard of temptation, but have you ever heard of Temptations® cat treats? Recently, I sent away for two of their "Snacky Mice" treat holders as a promotional, one for my cat Sweetheart, and one for her friend. I filled up both … Read more

The other day when I was tramping through the brush to untangle one of the horses' stake lines, I found myself heaving such a sigh of pleasure and relief. Why? Because we don't have any type of snake in the far north. It's just too cold … Read more

The other day when I was tramping through the brush to untangle one of the horses' stake lines, I found myself heaving such a sigh of pleasure and relief. Why? Because we don't have any type of snake in the far north. It's just too cold … Read more

"It's that woman's fault!!" declared Adam. "'Tis not!" shouted Eve. "It's that serpent's fault!" "Mission accomplished," mused the serpent. You're familiar with this scenario in Genesis. Adam, to his horror, realizes that God is aware of … Read more

A talking snake story? How can anyone believe that ancient myth about a snake who once talked to Eve, saying, "God knows that when you eat of [the fruit] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil"? … Read more

The seed of doubt that was planted in the mind of Eve by the serpent in the Book of Genesis still has the ability to rear its ugly head in our minds and hearts today. Just like sin, doubt can creep right in, in a way that we aren't even … Read more

For many years, I received the customary ashes for Lent without any thought to the biblical basis of this ancient practice. However, when the priest applied the ashes to my forehead in the form of a cross, I was faced with the unpleasant … Read more

During a past frightening experience, a young, panic-stricken woman unexpectedly walked into the home where our weekly Bible study group was in progress. She was hyperventilating and her hands were shaking. Suddenly, we found ourselves in the middle of a … Read more

As I opened the fridge one morning to get milk for my morning cup of tea, I noticed the following phrases on items in the fridge: Improved recipe New buttery taste New great taste Same look, new taste Improved taste … Read more

A number of years ago, my wife and I were attending a function in Maine, USA, just over the border from where we live. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. The fellowship with friends was wonderful. At one o'clock, they … Read more

I call it the "blame game". Someone does something diabolically wicked and it's reported in the newspaper. The evidence is there, and enough witnesses come forward to make the conviction stand. Then we read about parents, relatives, and … Read more

Although I have not read the book, The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement by Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell, I did read an excerpt from the volume which was circulating via the Internet. The article explains a … Read more

In Al Gore's disturbing documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, he quotes two leaked memos. One states, "Reposition global warming as theory rather than fact." The other says, "Doubt is our product, since it is the best means of creating controversy in … Read more

When our children were growing up, we purchased a horse called Luckie. Unlike many other things acquired during these years, she did not wear out. After the children were grown, gone away to college, and on to careers and homes … Read more

Having been diagnosed with diabetes, I was placed on a diet to control the level of sugar and thus control my diabetic problem without medication. I strived to do this, with success. It seemed a simple thing to do, and, … Read more

Like most women, I do not like snakes. I run from their presence. I switch the channel if one shows up on television. I shudder at the very thought of being near one. In Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of … Read more

Hide and seek was one of my favourite childhood games. I was pretty good at it, the hiding part that is. Sometimes I was too good, for while I hid scrunched in some miserable position, like a sardine pressed between … Read more

On the last weekend of June, I was in front of a ham radio set, listening to the babble of Morse code dots and dashes in my earphones. Each June, amateur radio operators in Canada and the United States stage … Read more

Women endure the experience of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) in the daily struggle with being female. It may be an irritation causing her to want to verbally kick someone through the nearest door, or the cravings for that chocolate ice cream … Read more