I remember how, on more than one occasion, my junior high home economics teacher told our class, "A woman spends half her life wondering who she will marry, and the other half wondering what to feed him for dinner." Whether or not the … Read more
Search Results for: "John 21:"
Foot In Mouth
Every time I read about the apostle Peter's early life, I feel that we must be related. Poor Peter, always putting his foot in his mouth over one thing or another. I remember many times in my life when my mouth opened, seemingly of its own … Read more
The Good Old Days
Early in May, I was overcome by a wave of nostalgia. I was driving along and saw a long line of yellow six-inch pipe strung out along the side of the road. Obviously, there was a pipeline project in the making, and in an instant flashback, … Read more
Breakfast Buddies
One of the things that I miss dearly at the church is our monthly men's breakfast. About a dozen of us guys get together and sit down to a delicious breakfast which two of the group carefully prepare. We typically eat well and laugh well … Read more
Helping The Aged
At one point some years ago, there were about 85 volunteers at our local Long Term Care Centre who went there on a regular basis to help out, mostly to assist those residents who like to be involved in the programs, but are not able to … Read more
Our Heaven-Sent Eyeglasses
It's been said that the disciple John was Jesus' special, favourite disciple. John was "the one Jesus loved", a phrase seen twice in the Gospel of John. I've felt uneasy about that text. Why would John portray himself as Jesus' favourite? … Read more
The White Drape
In our church, there is a cross at the front of the sanctuary. The cross is bare for most of the year, but during Lent, it is draped in a purple cloth. Now, it is draped in white, in honour of the risen Christ. The changing colours of the … Read more
Written Memories
During the last number of years, I have visited a considerable number of elderly people, and most of them seem to want to talk about their life's experiences. I knew one gentleman who told me a great many stories about how things were in … Read more
The Apostles' Creed
I love the Apostles' Creed. It is a succinct summary of a great many of the beliefs that I hold as a Christian. I call it an "executive summary". Nevertheless, it is obvious that no mention of Jesus' earthly life is made in the Creed … 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
The Written Word
I have kept a diary since 1962. It started out as a record of the daily progress of my pipeline construction in northern British Columbia, Canada, including the movement of people and equipment, records of meetings with owners and … Read more
My Brother's Keeper
Are we indeed our brother's keeper? Many may think not, but as in our biological family, we do not survive well unless we help each other. Many of our brothers and sisters carry loneliness around with them like a blanket. What can we do … Read more
Don't Be Discouraged
After His resurrection, Jesus showed Himself to His followers on several occasions. One of those was at the Sea of Galilee, after they had caught no fish all the previous night. This story reminded me of the time when I worked in the … Read more
The Instruction
Raising two large puppies at the same time is quite an adventure and a real challenge. At present, I am seeking to instruct them to heel when we are out walking. As the one pup, Sophie, is two months older than Bonnie, I sometimes … Read more
For Unto Us A Child Is Born
For a number of years, it has been the custom in our town for merchants to decorate their store windows with a certain theme during certain seasons. There have been a number of different themes over the years at different times. One day … Read more
The Comfortable Pew
In 1965, Pierre Berton wrote a bestseller entitled The Comfortable Pew: A critical look at Christianity and the religious establishment in the new age. He ends the book with an optimistic prescription that a transformation is … Read more
Let's Go Fishing
My identification with this account of Jesus and the disciples at the Sea of Galilee is very keen. I love everything about fishing, and I can really understand that they had been out all night and caught nothing. Although I … Read more
Never Say Never
How many times we have said, "I'll never do that again!" Personally, I've lost count. Most recently, I shot off my mouth to someone without thinking it through. I never meant what I said to be offensive, but it was. … Read more
Accepting Help
In February, my husband had surgery that we knew would take time and rehabilitation in hospital, rehab center, and at home, with help. While he was in the hospital and the rehab center, we were asked, "Who does the banking, … Read more
Do You Love Me?
Sometimes, when I playfully ask hubby if he loves me, he reams off his "proof list". It generally includes things like cutting the lawn, folding laundry, and loving me just the way I am! The English language includes only one word for … Read more
In His Time
Recently, I read the testimony of a Christian woman from Nigeria whose relatives, a dedicated pastor, his wife, and one of their sons, had been brutally killed when violence broke out in a religious riot in 2004. Two other sons, aged 11 … Read more
Come And Have Breakfast
The alarm goes off; the neighbour's rooster crows; I climb out of bed and dress. The first rays of morning light find me on the way to the YMCA. As I drive, thoughts of praise and thanks for the birth … Read more
What Is That To You?
My two grandchildren are very competitive. The main phrase in their vocabulary is "It's not fair", referring to what one thinks the other is receiving that he's not getting. This is characteristic not only of little brothers and sisters, but … Read more
Be Prepared In All Times To Witness
We recently spent a week on the Gulf coast of Florida, where each night, we were blessed to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico. Our morning also found us walking the beach. On this particular morning, I … Read more
Feed My Sheep
My wife and I have a bird feeder hanging just outside our kitchen window, and we enjoy watching the various kinds of birds that come to eat. Throughout one summer, two blue jays, in all probability mates who must have … Read more
The Can Opener
Last month, some members of our community took time from their daily routine to help people whose lives had been shattered by the hurricane, Katrina. They gathered a truckload of blankets, non-perishable food items, medical supplies, and two commercial tents, … Read more
What's It To You?
Other cars whizzed by us. We were stopped. I mean — really stopped. While dad had just been keeping up with traffic flow, a policeman perceived that as speeding. Yet even as he wrote out the ticket, other vehicles continued … Read more