I am getting older, and with age comes an increasing awareness of the need for God's timing, grace, and provision, not just for eternity — what I like to call "pie in the sky when you die" — but also His providential mercy to enable us … Read more

A childhood memory that has left a permanent imprint on my heart is my father and mother pulling me in my wooden sled through the town streets to purchase our yearly Christmas tree from the downtown Boy Scout lot. As I peered out from … Read more

Recently, I had minor surgery to remove a small skin cancer on my face. Though the surgery left a two-inch scar, I was grateful that the cancer was detected and treated in time. As I recovered, I marvelled at God's handiwork in healing and … Read more

Informed by the news media these days, I am led to be praying for the nations of the world where bad things are happening, trusting that God has got this. Today, I felt the need to pray for my own nation, England. It seems to me that … Read more

Tickly feelings on my fingers awakened me from my snooze in the recliner. I opened my eyes to see beady eyes glaring up at me. It was a wee mouse scampering onto my hand. In reflecting back, I'm less amazed by the little creature's … Read more

Throughout the ages, there have been changes in people's lives. Most of these changes occur naturally as time goes by, while others have a sudden impact on our lives, as individuals as well as communities. The phrase "the new normal" has … Read more

A friend of mine is suffering from an annoying physical ailment, which also causes much loss of sleep. This, in turn, aggravates the situation even more. The physician involved has prescribed an appropriate medication. The medication, … Read more

I have had many friends in my life — ones from childhood, my school years, university days, and adulthood. Many of these friendships waned, not for bad reasons, but simply because we moved on with our lives in career, location, and life. … Read more

I recently had a blow — with a diagnosis that I had a rare form of crippling arthritis. As this uninvited guest took over my days and nights with chronic pain, my faith was pushed to the breaking point. Thankfully, God in His mercy has … Read more

It was a bright, sunny day at the beach, a perfect day to relax and read. Yet the glare of the sun was so intense that my sunglasses weren't enough to block its powerful rays. As I shielded my eyes, today's verse came to mind: "The Lord … Read more

When a broken arm put an end to my driving for several months, I felt that life as I knew it was over. I was wrong, of course. Life went on in a new direction, highly supported by others who drove me where I needed to go. Our life's road … Read more

After three summers in my 34-foot fifth wheel, you'd think that I'd have figured out what works best and where to put everything, but this year, I discovered several ways to improve both the use and function of space. I replaced the couch … Read more

I recently wrote a devotional about our foster child in the Philippines. She's a principal now and is in charge of several schools. We keep in touch through Facebook, and she often posts pictures of the schools, which are usually in old … Read more

My son and I recently went to northern Arizona for my birthday. The scenery was incredible. One morning, we ventured a few miles into Utah and took a side road labelled "Paria Canyon Movie Set". It turned into a five-mile downhill journey … Read more

When we lived in England, we resided in a pleasant town just south of London. One Friday evening, we were away to London for a show, and on Saturday morning, I saw that there was a broken window in the door of the back entrance to the … Read more

Of the multitude of quilts that I've made, only a few have been large: three queen-sized bed quilts for me and one each for my daughter and my son. I'd much rather make a lap quilt or a wall hanging that I can finish in a week or less. … Read more

What do car washes and love have in common? This isn't a joke; it's to get us thinking. Obviously, both improve life: of vehicles, or of people. But that's not what I had in mind that day when I stood at the carwash mulling over the … Read more

When my husband and I were asked to lead an Alpha small group at our church a few years ago, we were in the right place at the right time. Thus began many Bible studies and many special relationships with so many wonderful people in our … Read more

I have one stronger fingernail. Years ago, when I was vacuuming near my heirloom treadle Singer sewing machine, I decided to lift back its heavy cast iron functioning part and vacuum under it. When I finished and was hinging it down into … Read more

The recipe that I was following called for toasted nuts. At one time, I wouldn't have bothered with the toasting process as I didn't think that it was that important. Through the cooking channel, however, I discovered that toasting the … Read more

I'm a romantic. I love to read Christian romance books. I enjoy watching Hallmark movies. I love happy endings! The greatest love story ever written is God's love story. God is a good, good Father — it's who He is. How amazing is this … Read more

I think that I have been doing things backwards! I often seem to struggle with understanding — or more precisely not understanding — why people do what they do, why life seems such a challenge at times, and why I can't seem to figure … Read more

Once in a while, I enjoy doing a word puzzle to enhance my vocabulary and concentration skills. The goal of one particular game was to find as many words as possible within the phrase, REMEMBER YOUR VALENTINE. It is believed that these … Read more

I had been "in the woods" with my telephone, television, and Internet provider for what seemed like a very long time. I felt that something was wrong with my bills, and I began to inquire about it. I took to the telephone to call the … Read more

Now being 85, I have been busy writing my latest book on the story of my life. In so doing, I have recognized that the basic force that has guided me all my life is the love of God moving in my soul. John puts it clearly: It is obvious … Read more

It is a beautiful evening. The sky is painted with brush strokes of deep purple and orange, with splashes of pink throughout the expanse. The waves create a melodious chant, as they gently kiss the shoreline. The wind is warm as it blows … Read more

I have always had a challenge understanding the idea of "infinity". Even as a child in science and math class, I had difficulty grasping infinite time or infinite space. So, too, with the love of God: I've heard many ministers and Sunday … Read more

This morning when I drove into the church parking lot, I was surprised to see a flock of blue jays hopping on the grass in front of our Fellowship Hall. They were feeding on something, but as there were no berries on the trees, I wondered … Read more

My three miniature long-haired dachshunds love to be with me. They follow me wherever they can, which includes going up to bed with me at night. Unfortunately for them, however, they cannot get onto my bed. Their little legs are simply … Read more

A gentleman whom I see on a regular basis shared with me that he was quite excited about the possible purchase of a sailboat that he was going to see at the end of his work day. A few days passed until I saw him again. After greetings, … Read more

The cross and the guillotine have some things in common: they were both cruel methods of execution. The guillotine was used by Germans and perfected by a French doctor, who hoped to make the beheading of a condemned person more efficient … Read more

Some time ago, a dear friend gave me a special gift of heart-shaped measuring spoons, a memento from her nephew's wedding. Knowing that I would put the spoons to good practical use, she wanted me to have them. So now, whenever I bake, I … Read more

Recently, during a time of reflection regarding the Christmas tree, I read a very interesting study entitled, God's Christmas Tree, written by J. Hampton Keathley III, Th.M. The premise of the study is that although some may question the … Read more