My nose was blocked with mucus, and it was so serious that I had to breathe from my mouth. I know that it sounds absurd, but I was afraid that when I would sleep at night, I might forget to breathe through my mouth, and I would die. The … Read more
Search Results for: "Matthew 12:"
God Speaks!
As I made a cup of tea to start the process of waking up, this song jumped into my brain: Nothing's too incy-wincy for His care Nothing's too big, big, big for His power Nothing's too teeny-weeny for His care. – Doug Horley I wrote … Read more
Wash Your Hands
Recently, I was asked to reflect upon what we understand by the Sabbath day today. From the seventh day of the creation story in Genesis, what are God's intentions in instituting the day of rest for humanity? To cut the theology short, … Read more
Gossip, Slander, And Lies
I have always liked classical, operetta, and opera music. When I was young, we did not have access to it, other than what we may have heard on the radio occasionally. But when we moved to Vienna, Austria, that great capital of the music … Read more
The (Un)pardonable Sin
For Hester Prynne in Nathanial Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter, it was an A; for many others, it is a D. In a puritanical time period, Hester Prynne made the mistake of having a sexual relationship outside of marriage and getting … Read more
Following The Leader
I have an entire collection of Walt Disney classic movies on VHS videotape that either I purchased or were given to me as gifts. All my children and grandchildren have enjoyed watching them over the years. But technology changes, and a VHS … Read more
Might God Replay His Videos?
We are amazed at all of the technology that has come into use in the past fifteen years, and we wonder what might be discovered, developed, and revealed within the next very few years. God created the cosmos with all of the possibilities … Read more
Careless Words
During the recent Canadian federal election, several candidates were forced to withdraw after comments they had made on social media surfaced. These comments, which were thoughtless, ill-considered, and sometimes offensive and hateful, … Read more
Standing Firm
The sound of the rain began as a welcome, gentle trickle, bouncing off the maroon-coloured leaves of the bushes just outside of our porch. I sat protected from the rain, and watched as the rain rapidly grew into a ferocious downpour, … Read more
As For Me …
All through the years, there have been people who believed in God, others who did not, and yet others who did or do when it suits them or when they think they need God. It has always been like that. Many years ago, there were many … Read more
He Understands
I have recently found an old electric typewriter that our children learned to type on in our home school years ago. Because it is electric, one just has to touch the keys lightly and it types the letter. But if … Read more
Standing Before The Judge
A minor fender bender seven months ago recently found me standing before the judge in a courtroom. Prepared with the evidence to support my case, I stood before the man who would decide the outcome. As it turned out, it … Read more
Reel It In
Our little dog, Peanut, is old. He also has only three teeth, which means that keeping his tongue in his mouth is a full-time job. Without his teeth, it is quick to slip out the sides of his lips, which … Read more
Heart Condition
In these times, we are well taught and warned to care for our hearts by partaking of a healthy diet with adequate exercise. Many of us can be seen throughout supermarkets diligently reading labels to know the contents of foods, and … Read more
The Jaws Of Life
Several weeks ago, I heard the news that my cousin had been in a terrible car accident. The paramedics had to use a device called the Jaws of Life in order to pull him out of the wreckage. My cousin was told by the paramedics that it was … Read more
Forgiven, Not Forgotten
I have worked with teens for the last several years, and one of the things that bothers me is the careless way they often speak to each other. I have developed a couple of short workshops to show, in a … Read more
Summertime
I am so looking forward to summer. I love being outside. I love going for walks. I love sitting in my yard, reading a book. I love puttering in my flower garden. I love watching the younger generation playing in … Read more
Processing The Flow
I do a lot of reading, a lot of listening, a lot of watching television, and, sometimes, a lot of talking. I like to say nice things to people, and I like for them to say nice things to me. … Read more
More Pigeons!
Today as I walked back from town, I noticed some wire netting that covered a large circular window. The netting is put there to stop the pigeons from being able to perch on the ledges. Many businesses spend thousands of … Read more
Drive Clean Test
On Monday morning, I took our seven-year-old car to the dealer for a "Drive Clean" test, which is a requirement every two years in Ontario prior to renewal of our vehicle permit. This test was first implemented in Toronto — … Read more
Looking For Signs
Several weeks ago, I had tentatively agreed to go on a mission trip to Honduras. As is often the case in such situations, after having made the commitment, I was assailed with second thoughts: "Since we have just moved, would … Read more
LISTEN Listen listen
When I was in Israel this year I stood on a mountaintop. That day I could see all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. There was a stillness, and something that is hard to describe. I thought of Elijah when … Read more
The Sign Of Jonah
How often have we begged God for a "sign" so that we would know God's will? When we pray, how do we recognize God's direction over the beguiling call of our desires and perceived needs? Wouldn't it be so nice … Read more
Hurters And Helpers
In February 1996, The Presbyterian Record published a game I created to use with children during Family Violence Prevention Week (page 50). It was called Hurters and Helpers. After an energetic game the children are invited to reflect on how … Read more