One hot summer day, I watched our Blue Healer, Rocky, saunter across the field and walk into the neighbour's pond. With the sun behind him, he looked rather handsome as he emerged from the refreshing water and walked through the tall … Read more

I learned a lesson the other day — don't throw around phrases that can hurt people. I don't mean the "sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me" kind of stuff (which really do hurt, by the way). I mean referring to … Read more

Do you ever feel as though your life is an endless cycle of one step forward, two steps back, despite your greatest efforts? To be sure, there are stretches when things run smoothly for a while, but then, there inevitably comes a bump in … Read more

I can't forget our disappointing dialogue. Two of us were lamenting over societal woes, when suddenly, he walked away, exclaiming, "This is too depressing!" That's not how I wished the conversation to proceed! He never got to hear the … Read more

Let's be honest: we all struggle with sin. All of us have a selfish habit or shameful secret in our lives. We try to deal with it and often come to God asking for forgiveness, understanding, and support. We look for His grace to allow us … Read more

Old habits are hard to break. For four years, we lived in a small townhouse. Our Chihuahua, Twix, was accustomed to the way that the doors to the bedroom and the outside opened, and he would stand at the appropriate side of the door to … Read more

Monday morning is my time to check my weight. Today, I was dreading it. I'd had a bad week. It wasn't good news. I've struggled with my weight since I was a teenager. It's in the family. My dad had a weight problem, as did his mother. … Read more

One Sunday recently, as our pastor prayed at the start of worship, he asked God to fill each one of us, and to do His transforming work in every part of our lives. As we prayed this, suddenly a thought shot through my mind: "All of me … Read more

Every spring around Memorial Day, I arrive at the cemetery where my parents, brother, and husband are buried, to discover nearly obscured tombstones. Due to abundant rain and warmer temperatures, quack grass quickly sprouts from one tiny … Read more

What does this mean? We could use it in many contexts. I was sitting, sipping my tea, and reflecting on an older movie that I have in my entertainment library, starring James Garner and Larry Fishburne, called "Decoration Day". It is the … Read more

I could feel the anger rising within me. I was trying very hard to keep my mouth closed, to stop spewing out those angry, constrained words that were slowly rising from the pit of my stomach, trying desperately to escape … Read more

I have a confession. I'm a lawbreaker. "Why aren't you in jail?" you might speculate. I wasn't caught or convicted. You see, I was driving down a local interstate freeway not long ago when I looked down at my speedometer … Read more

For those of us in northern climes, a snowfall in winter is a common sight. Everyone has a different way of dealing with snow. One winter, I was very lazy, and never cleared away any of the snow that fell in our laneway. I just kept … Read more

The apostle Paul is one of my favourite Bible characters. I often wonder how he would be accepted in today's world. We like people with a Christian mask: a smile and uplifting words that make us feel good. We expect … Read more

While driving to work one morning, I was listening to a preacher on the radio. He said something like, "It's a lot easier to deal with God than it is to deal with God's people." I thought about that for … Read more

A new year has dawned upon us. On my wall hangs a new calendar. Each year, I get calendars made with pictures of our family on each month's page. As I look at January, our whole family is there smiling … Read more

I remember a childhood friend's father fondly for his words of wisdom to his children. "Don't do as I do; do as I say do. At my age, I know the right way to live, but sometimes, I fail to … Read more

As soon as I saw the little creature staring at me, I knew I was gone. Cute as a button, white as could be, with a little streak of black on its head, it was mewing. My heart ached as … Read more

I ruptured my right Achilles tendon playing in a game for the church softball team. After surgery to repair it, a blood clot formed in my leg while it was healing. As a result, my leg swells when it isn't … Read more

For some months now, my grandson, who earlier underwent surgery to remove a tumour on his brain, has been living with me. The recovery has sometimes been difficult. Last week, a series of problems in my own life left me … Read more

"We admitted we were powerless over the effects of our separation from God — that our lives had become unmanageable." Some time ago, I was asked to do a study on the 12-step programme and the related scriptures. The step … Read more

Stephen Farris has written a marvellous little book entitled You Don't Have to be Perfect!, and if you've ever been tempted to put yourself down or write yourself off, or label yourself as good for nothing, then I recommend you … Read more

Let's leap backward a thousand years or so. Dripping wet from the Jordan's waters, the newly baptized Messiah was driven by the Holy Spirit into the desert. After fasting forty days and nights, Jesus was exhausted and famished. Like Eve, … Read more

When I feel low because of life situations, or the coffee cup is empty, or the grandchildren are such children, and the pension cheque doesn't stretch to meet all my wants… and when my memory recalls words like, Blessed are … Read more