Hanging on a wall in our guestroom is an old framed piece of linen on which someone long ago laboriously embroidered: I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown," and … Read more
Search Results for: "Psalm 16:"
Tackling Life's Trials
One took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate. Watching a few middle-schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn't unusual. In addition to the injuries, there are usually … Read more
The Road Of Life
The road from my winter home to my summer home rises from 1700 feet (518 metres) to 6400 feet (1950 metres), and it is 143 miles (230 kilometres) from the Sonoran Desert to the White Mountains of Arizona, USA. For half an hour, I travel on … Read more
God's Waiting Room
Almost a year ago, I was in between two options concerning a major decision in my life, and I was really expecting a definite answer from God. During those two weeks, I wasn't settled, and I didn't do a lot of my normal, necessary … Read more
Straight Paths
Most mornings, I walk around my recreational vehicle (RV) park for about half an hour, using different routes. There is not much organization as to how the roads are laid out — they wander here and there, some short, some long — so it … Read more
The Upcoming Move
In early May, we will be relocating to a lovely acreage in the Tawatinaw Valley, Alberta, Canada. As I think upon all that such a move will entail, I become more and more aware of what will need to be packed and what will need to find a … Read more
Weather Predictions And More
Winter isn't my favourite season. Although it's very beautiful after a snowfall — a winter wonderland, as they say — I don't like it when the wind blows and visibility becomes almost nil, especially if we have to travel somewhere. We … 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
By Your Side
My sister-in-law and family recently had my children for a sleepover so that we could clear up the caravan on our return from our holiday. Whilst I was glad to have the time to mothball the caravan, I missed my children. As a … Read more
History And His Story
One Saturday afternoon back in 2003, I received a call from a leading member of our congregation, a good friend of mine, who asked me if he could come and see me, "Right now!" Needless to say, I wondered what the emergency was. Ten … Read more
In The Light Of His Countenance
Last year during Lent, a friend of mine who sometimes attends church complained that the pastor's sermons contained too much about God and Jesus and sin, and not enough that's "uplifting". Actually, I think I get that — because many of … Read more
Pleasant Land
Many times, guests who visit our home for the first time are amused by a sign near the entrance of our subdivision which reads, "Land of Pleasant Living". Some individuals, like my husband, think that it's a wonderful title, but others, … Read more
Reconstruction
I often take the bus to the other side of the city, and during the hour that it takes to get there and back, I notice some reconstruction taking place. On the roads and streets, there are excavators digging up water mains, machines … Read more
Jesus, My Guide
Recently, visiting a cherished friend in the north, I was talked into going for a paddle in their frontiersman canoe. A solid thing, a comfortable thing, I finesse my way into the forward seat and manage to shove us off the pebbly beach. … Read more
A Goodly Heritage
There is nothing like moving house to show us that we have a lot of things that we don't really need — and perhaps never did. These were things that we could not live without, so we thought when we bought them, but as we downsize, we … Read more
Thinking About The Past, Looking To The Future
One morning, our devotional was from Deuteronomy 32, the passage where Moses was talking to the people about some of the things which had happened to them in their past, and the following verse spoke to my heart: A while ago, I read a … Read more
Extraction Of A Tooth
It did not take long to seek for help for my toothache. I was able to put up with the increasing pain for only a day. A phone call was quickly made and an appointment set for dental evaluation. I was yelping in pain when I was told that … Read more
Strips Of Linen
Throughout the years, I have closely followed the fascinating debate among scientific experts regarding the most controversial ancient relic, the Shroud of Turin. This mysterious cloth bears the image of a crucified man whom many believe to be the risen … Read more
The Little Black Box
Try as I might, I was unable, for several days, to connect with the Internet. Ultimately, I had to call on someone who had previously solved my computer problems, someone whom I'd forgotten about. I wrote this poem about it. … Read more
When We Trust God
Some years ago, as a family, we, along with hundreds of others, faced the reality of my husband's job loss. Around us, couples experienced desperation, panic, fear, and worry at the realization of having to trade a strong, rich, working … Read more
Navigating New Territory
It all seemed as clear as mud to me when my husband Ron and I traced our upcoming journey to the Buffalo and Niagara Falls area on the kitchen table. The map's blue lines and red squiggles didn't look much … Read more
In Between Times
As I turned to leave my friend who had just lost her husband, she squeezed my hand as the tears rolled down her cheeks and said, "Pray for me in these 'in-between times'. By faith, I know I can survive … Read more
The Lapidary
Lapidary: One who cuts, polishes and engraves precious stones. Just think what we have awaiting us when we see Jesus and our heavenly home for the first time. We can hardly imagine the joy that will be ours then. I … Read more
Stuck In A Rut?
The snow in our backyard is quite deep. Our two dogs have worn a path all the way around the edge of the yard and across the middle of the yard. The other day when I looked out the window … Read more
Follow Your Dog's Lead
My dog and I walk the same route every day, and yet, to watch her, you would think it to be completely new territory for her, and maybe it is. She steps out into the clear, fresh air, looks eagerly … Read more
The King's Message
Hanging on a wall in our guestroom is an old framed piece of linen on which someone long ago laboriously embroidered: I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light, that I … Read more
My Greatest Pleasure
What is our greatest pleasure? The answer will tell us much about ourselves. The problem, however, is to narrow it down to one pleasure. Most of us have several pleasures that rank high. For me, to be part of a … Read more
I Feel Completely Secure
At this present moment I do feel completely secure. Psalm 16 was my first experience with Christian meditation based on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "Meditating On the Word." I know every word of Psalm 16 by heart. I have listened to it … Read more
My God And My All
For God alone I wait in silence as I meditate on his Word in Psalm 16. What is he going to say to me? What is he going to do in me? Then the Psalm writer explodes. "All the good … Read more
You Are My Lord
Why do we meditate? Dietrich Bonhoeffer answers it this way: Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God's Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for … Read more