Quite recently, I visited my leader from the church who was quite sick. You must know that I wasn't aware that the sickness was something severe until I saw him looking quite wasted. I also didn't know that he would die the next day. I … Read more

When coming out from the church one day, I met a man who was both deaf and mute. We had never had any personal interaction before, and I don't know how to communicate in sign language. But he smiled at me. I smiled back and he smiled … Read more

Many years ago, when finances were always tight, I was perusing the Sears catalogue and came across an absolutely perfect bathing suit in a stunning orange. I really needed a new suit, and this was my colour. It was also priced … Read more

The nightstand clock confirmed that it was 2 a.m., yet sleep was nowhere in sight. Completely exhausted, I found myself resorting to counting imaginary sheep. One, two, … ninety-eight, ninety-nine. Then, just before reaching one … Read more

It seems to me that a lot of time and effort goes into entertaining our children. During school breaks and vacations, we see reports on television about what to do and where to go: theme parks, craft fairs, hikes, and activities at nature … Read more

After attending Bible college, I went to Malawi in the summer of 1986 on a short-term mission trip. I stayed with a missionary couple in the city of Blantyre and experienced their Christian ministry in that country. One day, the … Read more

To be born Welsh is to be born with music in your blood and poetry in your soul. – Welsh proverb Welsh men's choirs are world-renowned and have become the most treasured and remarkable feature of Wales. Hymn singing there was closely tied … Read more

Years ago, I wrote a devotional for Palm Sunday entitled, "Donkey Business". I did not realize it at the time, but since then, I have had the opportunity to hear several inspired teachings that … Read more

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual deadline to submit our income tax returns at this time of year has been delayed. It's no-one's favourite thing to do. I don't know of anyone who rushes joyfully to pay their taxes! Instead, we … Read more

Jesus came into Jerusalem in the most public way imaginable. If He had come riding a horse, He would be sending the message that He was a man of conquest and war. His victory is of a different nature altogether! Up to this time, Jesus had … Read more

April 27th, 2018, marked five years since the Dutch prince, Willem Alexander, was crowned King of the Netherlands. We were in Holland at that time, and there were great celebrations in many places. In the town where we were staying, there … Read more

Sometimes, I wish that I had a time machine and could go back to the days when Jesus was teaching in the Jerusalem temple. His lessons and stories must have been captivating. His understanding of the mysteries of God and what life is all … Read more

I've always been a short person, so I know how Zacchaeus must have felt when he couldn't see above the crowd to catch a glimpse of Jesus. I've been in more than a few places and situations where I have struggled to see what's happening — … Read more

Recently, I watched a wonderful video presentation by Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. His message clearly demonstrated how nature itself, from the heavens to the great deep, is literally singing … Read more

The days of winter seem to hold the darkest hours of the year. Many people leave home for their workplaces in the dark and also return in the dark. In addition, winter mornings are in a deep-freeze. I also think of a large company of … Read more

Shortly after the end of the Second World War, in June 1945, the children in our school in Holland were told that in the very near future, Winston Churchill was going to be driven past our school. We knew who he was; we had learned about … Read more

Apart from Easter, no day on the Christian calendar is so blatantly joyous as Palm Sunday. As we picture the scene, we see Jesus seated on a young donkey, entering Jerusalem in the traditional way of a king coming in peace. He was greeted … Read more

"Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was heeee …" I can remember singing this song in Sunday School. I loved that song because I was a little girl, and I knew what it felt like … Read more

Frankie Valli is known for a song back in the 1960s entitled, "Big Girls Don't Cry" — remember? Can you hear him whining "cry-yii-yii"? If you're too young, you might not know this one. You can find it on … Read more

By now, most of the North American continent, if not the world, knows of the finding and rescue of Rita Chretien of Penticton, British Columbia, Canada. This extraordinary woman survived for 49 days from March 19th to May 6th, stuck … Read more

Chance, the seven-year-old Sheltie we adopted from the animal shelter, was having a bad day. We were dog-sitting for our neighbours, which meant that on top of our own nine, we now had two more canines romping about the place. … Read more

I was downcast, worried, and in physical pain in several different locations on my middle-aged body. It was a rainy Saturday, and I returned to bed after breakfast, thankful for a moment's relaxation. For some time, I had struggled with … Read more

A little parcel came through my mail recently. It contained three CDs of original, authentic Slovak music — one of which contained Christmas songs and carols. Although I neither read nor speak Slovak, as soon as I heard Ticha Noc, … Read more

On top of the Mount of Olives, I was handed a branch from a palm tree. It was Palm Sunday, and I was standing looking out over the place where Jesus stood before entering Jerusalem. I stood in awe, thinking … Read more

Having things we love in this world can bring us great comfort and also great pain, for example, our cat — an inside cat that somehow got outside. He had been sick just a month before, so this added to … Read more

Every Saturday, from the rise of the early morning sun, and even in the rain, the streets become alive with a different kind of commuter. This commuter is not heading to work in the city, but rather heading from street … Read more

Over the years, I've developed a problem, not a serious problem, but an annoying one. My one consolation is that I have learned I'm not alone. My quandary must be catching, for some of my friends suffer from the same … Read more

A few days ago, I reread the story of Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus. Seeing (in my mind's eye) Zacchaeus perched on a tree limb brought back memories of my tomboy childhood. Most of the children in my neighbourhood were boys. … Read more

"I flung it out!" I can still hear my aunt's Scottish accent as she voiced these words. She was replying to her sister's question about the whereabouts of her old chesterfield. The older sister had lived through the Great Depression … Read more

Great excitement filled the air: the parade was coming. The little Mexican village of Ajijic on the shores of Lake Chapala was in an excited buzz. We were sitting at a roadside cafe, looking out on the local square with … Read more

Recently I watched a BBC programme about two deaths in Ramallah, part of a series about war in the Middle East and its causes. As I watched, I perceived the fear, terror, and hatred in the faces on both sides. … Read more

I spent my career in the financial world and dealing with risk was an everyday necessity. We called it "risk tolerance" and had to determine how much of it a person possessed when they talked about making an investment. It … Read more