Change isn't easy for most folks, but when it has a purpose, well … Gossip had driven the previous pastor to another venue. During the interim period, the church had dwindled to around thirty faithful attendees. When the leaders … Read more

How often have I been captivated by the masked man, the man of mystery, in stories and film? The Man in the Iron Mask was reputed to be the wrongly imprisoned heir to the throne of France, and was restored to his reign by the Three … Read more

Do you ever feel like giving up on the Christian life, as if God doesn't hear your prayers, or even care? Growing up in a Presbyterian church in Ottawa, Canada, I learned a lot about prayer. I memorized the Lord's Prayer in Sunday School, … Read more

A landscape architect of my acquaintance envisions outdoor sport and recreation facilities, then draws plans so that others can build what he sees as possible. He supervises construction in the role of project leader while project … Read more

One of my favourite hymns, Jesus Paid It All, has had a profound effect on me, whether I have sung it in church, sung it in a choir, or listened to it on my iPod. Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He … Read more

I have been given odds and ends of colourful yarn to knit special dolls. My senior hands don't hold the needles as they should or make the rows as neatly as they could be. Nevertheless, I enjoy creating dolls — … Read more

Prince, my collie, loved playing with sticks. He was forever carrying one around in his mouth and was also forever trying to bring the stick inside through the dog door. No matter how many times he tried, however, he could … Read more

I had something out of my mouth before I thought! In a recent conversation on the telephone, I asked about a new espresso machine that my husband had purchased, wondering how much he should have spent to have something half … Read more

When we are in an airplane, we trust and hope that the landing approach will be a smooth one. What, then, about our approach to wherever it is we are going? If it is a vacation or a visit to … Read more

It happened between three and four o'clock in the morning. I was restless and couldn't get to sleep. A bit of difficulty breathing was making me uneasy. I had time to think and wonder. For five months I had been … Read more