A few months back, I was working on a possible breakthrough to help me change professions, but it failed. I was broken, unhappy, and in my despair, I told my uncle, "I feel God is blocking my way." My uncle gently rebuked me before … Read more
Search Results for: "Romans 15:"
Spreading The Gospel
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on this cold -44 degrees Celsius morning, from a fellow brother in Christ Jesus, who called to say hello and to say that he is receiving his PresbyCan … Read more
Sipping The Overflow
I have always loved coffee, but as my girls have grown to enjoy it too, I have come to love it even more! While growing up, I had a divided home: Dad was a pot-a-day coffee drinker, but my mom loved hot tea in the morning. My sweet … Read more
The Walker
I've recently started using a walker in the house. It helps my balance when I am moving around. It also proves to be very useful if I need to carry something from one place to another. I just load it up and I'm on my way. The seat comes in … Read more
I Can't Do This By Myself
As a teenager I gave my life to Christ, not fully understanding what it meant, but I wanted to take a stand for something very important that I believed in, so I took that step. What followed were twists and turns to my mostly … Read more
The Sunny Ones
Where we live, sunflowers grow abundantly. They grace gardens in town, bloom as farmers' crops, and even wave jauntily from the roadside ditches. My young granddaughters are fascinated with these flowers and how they faithfully follow the … Read more
The King Of Caulk
I don't mean to boast, but I just saw the king! Every fall, he shows up with his loaded gun blazing. Who is he? I lovingly call my husband the King of Caulk. He inspects every inch of this house for cracks, crevices, and holes that cold … Read more
Helping Others In Need
At our church in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, we have hostess groups that provide a service within our church family, serving lunches and other light refreshments following funerals, or for birthdays, anniversaries, and other … Read more
Discovering Hope
God has prepared for us things beyond our imagining. Our hope is for a renewed world and for fullness of life in the age to come. As Jesus taught us, we pray: "Thy kingdom come." – *`Living … Read more
Hope Unwrapped
Today is the beginning of Advent, which is a preparation for our Christmas season. In many churches, candles will be lit to celebrate different themes: hope, love, joy, and peace. Today, my mind went to the hope that we have as Christians. … Read more
Post Holiday Blues
As a young "baby Christian" mother of two sons, I missed my parents terribly. They lived nearly 700 miles from my young family. I looked forward to Christmas so much in the years when they could make the drive and bring along my younger … Read more
Our Need For Hope
What kind of sin steals a carefree childhood and spirals it into a world of alienation, shame, and secrecy? An evil that defies the very hope that Christ stands for, leaving hopelessness in its wake. Could it harm a child growing up in a … Read more
Be Right With Jesus
In the blink of an eye, what once held us spell-bound in movie theatres is now our reality. The world reels and drops to its knees as the invisible COVID-19 pandemic sends blow after blow. Adults have gathered their children, like mother … Read more
Hope Bubbles
Blowing soap bubbles and having them rise in iridescent splendour brings delight to young and old alike as we hope for the next bubble. Rainbow colours enchant the soul. "Happy" is the nearest word to describe how watching bubbles form … Read more
Grief Skills
Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) buried his wife and two children in 1840. Grief paralyzed him. He gave up composing. The days were dark, and the nights were worse. Visits from his music agent did not help. As one of his visits was ending and … Read more
Green Hope
My husband retired just before Christmas. Days later, we celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary. The whole month of December was a time of celebration. What now? We are both in good health. God willing, we have at least another ten … Read more
Water And The Word
At the time of writing, here in southern Ontario, Canada, we are experiencing a very hot and dry summer. The grass in our yard, as well as in the neighbourhood, is turning brown, and vegetable gardens are in dire need of water. In … Read more
Dedicated Caregivers
Some time ago here in southern Ontario, there was a television report about people in a nursing home being abused and/or mistreated by members of the staff. There were pictures of one elderly lady being tossed into her chair and of … Read more
Praying For The Persecuted
Either today or next Sunday, many Christians around the globe will observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. This practice not only comforts those who are suffering, but it unites believers worldwide in taking a … Read more
Sacred Cows
The dictionary defines "sacred cow" as something which cannot be tampered with or criticized for fear of public outcry; a person, institution, or belief system which, for no reason other than the demands of established social etiquette or … Read more
How Deep Is The Silence Of The Soul
Just after Christmas, a young teenager came to his grandparents and asked if he could stay with them for a little while, as things at his home weren't going well, and he had nowhere to go. No doubt there was a conversation with his … Read more
The Four Cups
On an outing, my husband always manages to end up at a Christian bookstore, not that he is looking for something particular, but in browsing around, he never leaves the store empty-handed. On this particular day, I was the one … Read more
Beyond The Clouds
It was late afternoon as I gazed out the car window and watched the changing scenery. An enormous, thick, grey cloud deck loomed over the countryside. My eyes travelled across its bleak underbelly, searching for its end, but found none. … Read more
Finding Meaning In Christmas
Some of my close friends found it difficult to celebrate Christmas this year. Last year, I, too, found myself dreading the season. Normally, I really enjoy seeing the coloured lights, attending the various carol concerts, and tasting the mouth-watering treats … Read more
Not Counterfeit
We spent too much time teaching our kids to believe in Santa Claus. We'd take them to the mall for the yearly Santa picture, the one where they scream and Santa cringes. We told them to be good or they … Read more
Filled With Inexpressible Joy
Why is there so little joy in many Christians when Scripture portrays joy as a vital ingredient for life? Jesus was eager that His followers be filled with joy. Paul was too. He said: For Paul, joy was vital because … Read more
God's Honour Code
"I love you as a son!" These words fell on the ears of a little girl as she lay on her bed in a Christian hospital near her village. Her father had just told her that he valued her as … Read more
Bumps In The Road
My morning coffee is usually for me an unhurried time, to start my day. There are times, though, when time does not permit a dilly-dallying with my coffee. This particular morning, I was on my second cup when it was … Read more
A Cord Of Three Strands
Inspired by today's Scripture, one local church in my area has developed a ministry entitled A Cord Of Three Strands, which involves small meeting groups consisting of a leader, the group, and most important of all, the Lord. The purpose … Read more
Accept One Another
My beloved adopted mother had passed away three years earlier. My brother-in-law, the family genealogist, suggested that I search for my biological siblings. I hesitated, out of fear, wondering what they would be like and what kind of life they … Read more
My Rear-View Mirror
Driving along the road, I glanced in the rear-view mirror just for a second, and when my eyes came back onto the road, I found myself drifting over into the next lane of traffic. With a quick manoeuvre, I was … Read more