Years ago, my uncle walked from his workshop — the behind-the-hedge kitchen piece of the former old farmhouse — then he came out across the grassy house yard and into the kitchen of the newer house. He held out his hammer to me. He knew …( read more )

While waiting for everyone to arrive for Bible study, one lady proudly showed us a picture of her first grandson. We all congratulated her. Then, someone asked his name. "You'll never believe this — it's Royalty! His dad says that he …( read more )

One Sunday when I was driving to church, I was stopped by the police … so I thought. I saw those familiar flashing lights and pulled over. Another car pulled in behind me, followed by the cruiser. As I reached for my insurance form, the …( read more )

Several years ago, I received the following anecdote from a clergyman and saved it: There is a monastery whose members gather around a new candidate and ask, "Why do you want to join?" Candidates may say things like "I am seeking peace", …( read more )

My dad was a hard-working engineer for most of his life, and he provided for my mother and our large family as well as he could. Like most of his generation, he was a proud man and would rather do an honest day's work for an honest wage …( read more )

As a father of four, it warms my heart to see new life, especially newborn babies, because they tug at my own memories at the core of my being. But online photographs of twins born last December sent a pang of sorrow through my heart …( read more )

One year, members of a singles' church group that my son was attending planned to hold a chili contest. A lady from the group volunteered to make some chilli, but no one else was signing up; then, my son asked me to participate. When I …( read more )

In a world with so many different spiritual writings, why should anyone pay special attention to the Bible as a revelation from God? For me, convincing evidence comes from the fact that Isaiah, living 700 years prior to Jesus' time … (read more)

My friend, "Brooke", hosted her own birthday party recently in the social hall of her church. Three of her five children, their children, their grandchildren plus two great-grandmas, one great-great-grandma, and friends came to share in her special day! Brooke … (read more)

Gran never took her apron off unless she entertained company in the front room. Her aprons served as splash collectors, pot holders, egg carriers, and wash cloths for a fevered child's brow. I never saw her use an apron to … (read more)

I have been an elder in my church for twenty years, but recently, becoming a Jazzercise fitness instructor has given me new insights into my role. Much advance preparation went into the learning of routines for the audition/examination. There were … (read more)

Recently, on our way home after delivering a sermon tape to a member of our congregation who was ill, my husband brought our car to an abrupt halt. On looking up, I saw an elegant deer standing directly in front … (read more)

"Climb that corporate ladder." "My goal is to be a department manager within five years." "I get so tired of having to answer to someone else. Some day I am going to be my own boss." We live in a … (read more)