Life in the garden is always on the move, seen and unseen. Animals lie dormant and then wake up, seeds are sown and come to life, and caterpillars change into butterflies and deposit their eggs. Meanwhile, a text message tells me that a … Read more

I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a severe form of arthritis that causes inflammation in my spine, knees, ankles, hips, shoulders, and hands. I could not shave or even look into a mirror because my neck was locked in a … Read more

I shop at the nearby supermarket, and sometimes, I have a quick gander at what they have in their garden department. Recently, I saw some plants that were looking all dried out and lifeless. So, because they were reduced in price, I … Read more

I had been trying for at least six months to make a change to my bank account. I had spoken with the bank numerous times and answered dozens of questions, filled out paperwork, and sent everything in, and yet, I had still not had … Read more

This Scripture caught my attention recently. Herod and Pilate became friends! How extraordinary that Luke recorded this part of Jesus' trial. Two men who appeared to be enemies became friends to accomplish their goal: getting rid of … Read more

Since I have arrived at our new home, I have spent time getting our garden into shape. After three years, the pruning is bearing fruit, literally. The old pear tree was a mess when we arrived, as were the other fruit trees. So, I pruned … Read more

Before we moved into town just over five years ago, we lived on four acres of land on the outskirts of town. For many years, one of my hobbies was having homing pigeons and several kinds of chickens. They gave us eggs, they ate all our … Read more

When I taught children of Wycliffe Bible Translator personnel in the Peruvian highlands in South America, the children would pick the raisins from their recess snack cookies and drop them into the grass saying that they didn't like … Read more

My friend, Anne, has the reputation of being an excellent story teller. She tells her stories at the museum where she volunteers and at various group meetings. She is also on the schedule to give the children's sermons several times a … Read more

During the last few years, as I have lost a lot of weight, I have had trouble with my false teeth, putting up with their inability to do the job accurately without a good fit. They are too big! Not being able to eat meat and certain … Read more

We have two apple trees planted at the end of our small lawn in the partial shade of a large fir situated in the adjacent garden. The soil is clay, and the trees have struggled with my pruning and their situation. This is the fifth year … Read more

This parable about the unfruitful fig tree is all about second chances. The parable relates to us the real ministry of Christ. He is sent among us to reclaim us for God's kingdom. He works hard at preparing the way for our salvation. He … Read more

At a supermarket recently, I found shelving on which were displayed some seeds to sow for annual flowers. I had wanted to plant some sweet peas for the garden to improve the soil and to grow something that was colourful and that will … Read more

I find it amazing to think that Christianity is actually the world's largest faith. About one-third of our planet's population is connected to Christ, and each year, that number is growing all over the earth. Beginning on a hillside in … Read more

I think I was blessed with a great piano teacher, for she always tried to make my lessons interesting. One of the ways she did this was by telling me a fascinating fact about the composer of the piece. Once … Read more

1. When a disaster strikes, even as far away as in Japan, it causes all of us to think about what it would be like if that happened to us. To see people's houses blown apart by advancing water and … Read more

An hibiscus tree has sat in a pot on my patio for several years. Last year, it did not bloom. It had become pot-bound, out of shape, and scraggly — really an eyesore. I had fond memories of this tree … Read more

Slow down! That was my New Year's resolution. As Wordsworth would say, "The world is too much with us." Even as I slide down the slippery, senescent, sixth-decade slope of life, I still scurry sunup to sundown, as if I … Read more

I sat in the car listening to the sound on the roof. It was raining, and eventually my patience was rewarded, as the clouds wearied of their charge. I walked, and, after a while, a cold sensation touched my legs. … Read more

I was out weeding the flowerbed, and observed how much grass was growing there. Looking around the lawn and finding bare places, I was puzzled, and wondered why the grass grew where I didn't want it, and yet, out in … Read more

The Japanese lilac tree in the front yard has not done well since it was planted three years ago. We had great hopes for this tree to be lovely, but the best that we have seen from the lilac tree … Read more

Our community is renowned as "The Bathtub Racing Capital of the World". The idea was conceived by one man in the late 1950s, and brought to fruition by several enthusiastic people, when the first Bathtub Race was launched for the … Read more

There is a lilac that grows in my yard. Each year it has bloomed beautifully. This last year, though, something happened. In the middle of summer, a time that has been its peak, it turned brown and died. All these … Read more

So many times I hear Christians say that you will know other Christians by their fruits. While I agree with this, one thing I see is that it may take time for this fruit to come about. Many Christians have … Read more

Nothing, I think, hurts so much and so deeply, as to go to someone and offer love and have that offer spurned. Yet it is the tragedy of many of us to give our heart to someone only to have … Read more

Did you ever listen to the children in the school yard? "If you won't do it my way I won't let you play!" Did you ever listen to the adults at work in an office building? "Welcome to our company. … Read more