I have always loved scissors. A friend was getting rid of an old, heavy pair, but I couldn't bear the thought of the vintage scissors going into the garbage, so I brought them home. They were dull, but I reasoned that they would at least … Read more

For awhile recently, the Holy Spirit has impressed upon me Isaiah's experience of seeing God in the temple, and with Christmas being the time of Immanuel — "God with us" — the two just came together. So wrote Isaiah about the day when … Read more

On July 24th, 2022, our daughter's husband walked out on her, and thus began our unexpected journey. Their three-bedroom house had to be vacated and everything brought to our garage, which became wall-to-wall bins. The house needed some … Read more

When Larry and I were younger, we used to go canoeing on the Current River. Usually, we had others to enjoy the ride with us. On one of our trips, we came upon a cave with a spring of water that fed the river. Several of us went in to take … Read more

In January, I told how God spoke to me through others' devotionals. I've recently realized that He's speaking to me in a different way — through hymns that pop into my mind in random moments. At … Read more

As much as I look forward to the return of rain after the heat of summer. I dread it at the same time, as I hate the mess of mud. With the dogs and small children running about, there always seems to be an overabundance of it. Take the … Read more

My two-year-old granddaughter, Adelyn, was outside with me one evening while I was working around the yard. The day before, we had been rock-picking and building a pile to throw into newly dug post holes. We had been gathering the rocks … 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

The hymn writer, James Rowe, penned the hymn, Love lifted me. When I sing the first few words, "I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore," I am brought back to my childhood. I was going home from my friend's house, which … Read more

I have been retired for some time, but I never find life boring because I know that God isn't finished with me yet. I often wonder what He has in store for me in these latter years, but He never leaves me wondering for very long. Last … Read more

For the past several summers, my husband and I and another couple have been attending mud volleyball tournaments to show our support for the youth and the counsellors at the summer church camp that we attend. Mud volleyball is played … Read more

I have been working hard to beautify my property. Gardening in the north is difficult because there really isn't what you would call soil. Rocks and something resembling dirt are abundant, but not soil. Thus, I have been planting flowers … Read more

Those familiar with stage performance know the term "upstaging". This occurs when a performer pulls the audience's attention toward him or herself while the main focus is elsewhere: An actor stands in front of the one speaking; another … Read more

As all my friends know, I love music and play the piano and organ. I invite you to listen as a special solo is going through my head. Yes, I never sing a solo, but listen: "O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him." It's from … Read more

I love going to church. I look forward to singing familiar hymns, partaking in holy communion with my brothers and sisters in Christ, and enjoying the fellowship in our church hall downstairs after the service. But one particular Sunday, … Read more

Germany and its World War I allies began the practice on April 30, 1916, as a way to conserve coal. America soon followed suit. When I was a child, I relished the extra daylight hours that Daylight Saving Time provided. There was more … Read more

Often, I stop for a cup of fresh coffee in a nice café. So it was the other day for such a treat. It was a slow day with only a few customers in conversation, some about fashion, some about sports, others about education, and some I … Read more

Writing is not always easy. Sometimes, I just have to wait and wait and wait. The ideas don't come. There is no motivation, even though I am watching and hoping and looking for both inspiration and enthusiasm to put fingers to keyboard. … Read more

On Easter morning in 1981, our clock radio came on about four o'clock, and a woman's voice said, "Let His joy fill your heart like a springtime sun." I quickly turned off the radio and offered some undesirable comments as … Read more

Suddenly, I was awakened! The sound was scary: vicious winds and pounding rain! It was the third bad storm to hit British Columbia's west coast in ten days. The leaves had long since been whipped off the trees, and the … Read more

I try to walk my dog every day, rain or shine. It seems that the rainy season has finally hit, and so recently, I had to walk in a torrential downpour. I was the only person silly enough to be … Read more

As a very new Christian, it seems the more I move ahead in my journey, the more times that I find myself reflecting back. It is not that I am reflecting back upon my sinful ways, but rather on the … Read more

We have so much to be thankful for! Thanksgiving Day is a day set apart to reflect on our many blessings. But how many of us actually do this daily? We don't really need a special day to express our … Read more

In the two previous devotionals, I have talked about my four-year-old daughter's version of the Lord's Prayer in church one Sunday morning: "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be my name. My kingdom come, my will be done, on … Read more

Have you ever watched a magpie chase a gopher? The other day I happened upon such a scene. I never thought of magpies as birds of prey, but I could see that this bird intended to have lunch soon. As … Read more

A recent devotional entitled Giving Thanks rekindled my own little fire on 'giving thanks'. It spoke of the writer's fear for her daughter's warmth and safety in the midst of the terrible ice storm in Quebec, and while … Read more

Dear Heavenly Father, each day I praise you and give thanks for all your mercies. But today, suddenly a spirit has come over me that wants to say thanks to you in ways not often done before. Thanks for gifts … Read more

Rereading this Psalm recently, I was stopped by verse six. "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced …" Some versions used pierced and some use opened. In any case I didn't get the connection. … Read more

Years ago, workers were building a bridge across part of the New York harbour. Where one of the buttresses was to be put, they discovered an old scow, filled with rocks, that had sunk, and it was settled deep down … Read more

The work of a potter moulding the clay at his wheel is well understood as a Biblical analogy of the relationship between God and us, His people, because the basics of the potter's craft have changed very little over the … Read more