Exceptionally strong winds in Nevada and Utah, USA, have caused large quantities of rolling tumbleweed to invade town, where it has congregated at fences, which provide a barrier to rest against, burying cars and other objects in the … Read more
Search Results for: "Matthew 13:"
The Bringer Of Joy
In the autumn, we managed to clear some of our financial liabilities for the house. This has enabled us, for the first time in a number of years, to have some financial headroom. So, I took Caroline out to visit the local jewellers to buy … Read more
Seeds Of Faith
When I was a child, I had a heart disease, and I was bedridden for a number of years. It was a difficult and lonely time for me, and I am sure that this was also a challenging time for my parents as they cared for me, to keep me busily … Read more
God's Rewards
His comment came during one of the most taxing times of a school year. As I stood outside my doorway during the changing of classes, a young man — whom I had previously taught — passed my way. I normally spoke to him first, but this … Read more
Mountain In The Front Yard
The rugged Selkirk Mountain Range, spanning Canada and the USA, is home to grizzly bears, cougars, and wolves. When my father was still able to go down into the mines, we lived at the foot of one of the mountains, in tenement housing … Read more
Hear, Listen, And Understand
My husband has a moderate-to-severe hearing loss and wears hearing aids. At first, they were the basic kind. As we drove in the car, he would complain, "You're talking to the windshield. I can't hear you." I would get impatient with this … Read more
From Blessing To Curse
To my horror, I discovered that the white spring flower flourishing in my garden is on the list of invasive species. This delicate, six-petalled flower called "Star of Bethlehem" has been a blessing in England, but here, it "got away" and … Read more
Feeling Lost
Uncertainty, loneliness, and confusion — anxiety, aimlessness, and desertion: these aching feelings can echo their hollow voices throughout our hearts. We shudder at the coldness of how feeling lost empties us. Has your soul ever felt … Read more
Those Sneaky Joy Robbers!
My friend, Mary, couldn't understand why her almonds were disappearing. She had set out a dishful for snacking, but she certainly wasn't eating them that fast. The only other person around was her husband, so naturally, she suspected him. … Read more
Culling Cuckaburrows
Pulling cuckaburrows was a new experience for me in farm life. Visiting my maternal grandparents on the farm was always enjoyable. Every day was a new adventure, doing things that I had never experienced in the city. Along with my … Read more
God In All Things
A few days ago, I attended a funeral for the father of a woman with whom I used to work. This woman's family doesn't live near me, so it was quite a long drive to get to the funeral; the return trip was about 730 kilometres (450 miles). It … Read more
Seeds Of Discontent
When I study the Bible for the activities that I am involved in, my mind quite often wanders to an event which happened in my life, either recently or a long time ago. This happened when I was studying the Parable of the Weeds. While I … Read more
Out Of The Mouth Of Babes
Last summer, my daughter, her husband and their young family travelled through Washington State, USA, on their way to Yellowstone Park. They stopped in a little Bavarian-themed town called Leavenworth, to look around. One of the stores … Read more
Shhh, It's A Secret
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
The Harvest
I awoke this morning from a vivid, song-filled dream. Off to the right in my peripheral vision, I saw a white-robed man loudly pounding a grand piano, accompanied by invisible stringed instruments and trumpets. Music filled the air while … Read more
On Fake Jewellery
Here's a question for ladies (and men, too): What if we were required to dispose of every piece of fake jewellery in our homes and keep only what is solid gold or pure gem? What would remain? Probably very little. But here's the real … Read more
Singing In The Garden
I like to sing just as much as I like to garden, so my plans for the summer were to be singing in the garden. However, when the talents were being handed out for singing and gardening, I was lined up for knitting and reading. According to … Read more
On Dandelions And Worship
Recently, some Facebook friends posted pictures of their garden flowers. They were all pretty, but only one got a "like" from me: the dandelions. I liked them because I saw a glint of mischief in them. They were obviously unwelcome in … Read more
Deotropism
I am attempting to grow Red Lion Amaryllis plants from seed. I hope to be rewarded eventually with a vivid red flower as big as my hand, which blooms after four years during Christmastide. I thought that it would be a challenge to … Read more
Listen To The Teacher
A favourite lament of a high school teacher of mine was, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. I can teach you all knowledge, but I can't make you think." As a daydreamer, I … Read more
Blessed, The Peacemakers
As with other parents, my role often called for the function of peacemaker between my daughter and son during their childhood and teenage years. Now, I have the honour and blessing, with just a little amusement, of seeing my children … Read more
Touching Base
Like the seeds sown in this parable, the world has pressed in on me at work; at home, our health has suffered as Caroline has been in the wars too; and then Caroline starts the final countdown to grow our … Read more
A Dab Of This And That
On May 9, 2009, Lauretta Balderston described her mother's bread-making techniques. In her devotional, Just A Pinch , she wrote: God takes our efforts, even when all we have is a pinch of faith, and uses them for His glory, in His time … Read more
Comparisons
I bought my husband an ocotillo cactus last week. It is supposed to grow rather large, but it looks rather dead. The roots are hacked close, and we really have doubts that it will grow. What we need is good soil for this dead trophy in … Read more
A Heavenly Pearl
A friend of mine once lost the diamond in her wedding ring. She searched everywhere, but it was never found. Since then, I always check to make sure the prongs on my ring are holding my diamond securely. I do not wear a lot of jewellery, … Read more
Wait For The Harvest
In southern Georgia, the mild climate in fall and winter provides ideal time to enjoy working in the yard and garden. There are many lovely plants that lend themselves beautifully to this season. The colourful pansy is one of them. … Read more
A Real Treasure
As Halloween arrives, the stores are full of costumes. I like the pirate ones that come out every year. They're not as scary as some ugly ones which glorify gore and violence. Pirates are like your lovable rogues who say … Read more
Let's Pray For A Revival
One Sunday during his sermon, our pastor took water in a glass, dry whisky (popularly known in some parts of our country as afawfaw) in another glass, and an earthworm. In the glass of water, he put the earthworm, and … Read more
Broken Glass
I have noticed broken glass on the tarmac where I ride my bike. I guess it is from broken wine bottles or beer glasses discarded by revellers. I had to repair a puncture to my wheel the other day from … Read more
Do You Remember Dandelions?
How well I remember being taught how and when to pull out the dandelions. But oh, how I loved the fluffy, soft, yet sometimes prickly little yellow "flowers". Many are the moms who have received countless beautiful bright bouquets proudly … Read more