Do you have a bucket list of things that you have never done but want to do before you die? This list could consist of places to see, goals to achieve, or adventures to be had. I have had a full and exciting life, and should God call me …( read more )

When I was growing up, our chicken house usually housed a dozen or so generally docile hens, but the least disturbance could result in a cacophony of indignant clucking and flapping of wings before they'd all settle back down again on …( read more )

Her smile seemed to envelop her from head to toe. Whenever I saw Abby, she seemed to radiate a smile that showed in her face, her eyes, and her body language. When she stood on the church platform to give announcements, read Scripture, or …( read more )

The sad news came in mid-summer 2020. Because of the global pandemic, schools in Oregon, USA, will be using online education in the fall, with in-person education being postponed until at least November. This news had a dramatic effect on …( read more )

I love living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, a corner of the United States that enjoys four full seasons. I emphasize four seasons because there are varying lengths and kinds of seasons around the globe. When God created the …( read more )

These days, we live in a society that is so litigious — "unreasonably prone to go to law to settle disputes". No matter the cause, whenever anything bad happens to someone, the first thought is often, "Who is to blame for this misfortune? …( read more )

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time …( read more )

One of the most important and helpful pieces of advice that I have received is "Learn your coffee barista's name — and use it!" Let me explain. I'm not a coffee addict, but I am a latte lover! Now that our local coffee shops are …( read more )

Today's world may seem dark and frightening. Many people harbour fear and dread of an uncertain future. Along with a deadly disease has come widespread unemployment. Life as we have always known it may never again be quite the same. A …( read more )

Back in the day, a housewife doing her weekly laundry the good old-fashioned way knew when her clothes were clean. Through various iterations of laundry methods — from washing clothes on the riverbank, to using a washtub and scrub board, …( read more )

Sisters Tatyana, Anna, and their mother Anna are Ukrainian immigrants who, along with their families, have lived in my neighbourhood for the past 20 years. These families attend a local American church, and the ladies say that their …( read more )

Suddenly, without warning, many of us have been given a gift — a gift of time. If we live in an area that has placed us under stay-at-home orders, we may now find ourselves with unexpected time on our hands. A month ago, we were likely …( read more )

Our topsy-turvy world seems to be spinning — faster and faster — more out of control with each passing day, battling a seemingly unstoppable virus, with neither a vaccine to prevent it, nor a sure treatment to cure it. It is indeed a …( read more )

"I'll be praying for you" are words which can be a soothing balm to our troubled souls in our time of need. Alas, though genuine and heartfelt, my promise to pray for others is sometimes soon forgotten. After years of feeling regretful …( read more )

Spring is coming, and track season is just around the corner. This means that I'll soon be spending many hours in the bleachers watching my grandson Ryan's high school track meets as he runs sprints, relays, and hurdles. Runners wear …( read more )

It's been said that fear, greed, and/or a desire for power rule the world. Let's consider for a moment how fear affects the world — and particularly us as individual believers. There is truly just cause for fear in today's world. War, …( read more )

Don't get me wrong — I loved my old car. Though it was almost ten years old, it was easy to drive and was still in great shape. My family, however, strongly encouraged me to consider getting a newer car with better safety features. …( read more )

Do you live in or near a city where you can enjoy the annual holiday tradition, Tuba Christmas? Tuba Christmas was conceived in 1974 by a tuba player as a tribute to his teacher and mentor. The very first Tuba Christmas was held at the …( read more )

What do you do when you are in serious trouble like King Hezekiah of Judah was? Ravenous Assyria was on the move, and swallowing up the tiny kingdom of Judah was next on King Sennacherib's agenda. He sent a letter to King Hezekiah, …( read more )

Have you ever thought about how many "firsts" that we all experience in a lifetime? Some of those firsts we don't remember at all: our first breath, first step, first birthday, first tooth … . But the years tumble along, and we begin to …( read more )

My friend was dropping by one morning for a short visit, so I spent a few minutes beforehand tidying up things in preparation. Okay, I may have just been moving a little stack of books and papers from one place to another out of sight, …( read more )

The open palm of the hand is generally understood as an indication of trust and surrender. It shows peaceful acceptance and acquiescence. In the Christian world, a raised, open palm is also a sign of adoration and praise to God. Its …( read more )

A newborn baby's first possession is his name. Parents normally put much time and consideration into the name that they give their child. It is a person's name that identifies and sets him apart from all the other people in the world. …( read more )

Imagine a long, endless line stretching in both directions far into infinity. Everything that God has created has its place somewhere along the spectrum of this line. In one direction, it stretches far away into deep outer space with all …( read more )

Over a lifetime of moves and other changes along the way, I have been a part of several churches. My current church was once very large, but as is true of many churches today, it has diminished significantly in numbers over the years. The …( read more )

This past summer, I went on my first cruise. My daughter's family and I had planned a "last hurrah" sort of family trip before their two busy, active teenagers would soon be heading off to college and unknown parts of the world. One leg …( read more )

Have you ever seen blessings in disguise in your life? You know, those things which — at the time — seemed to be inconveniences or obstacles, but later proved to be for the very best? Sometimes, these stumbling blocks are just …( read more )

I love a good checklist! Checklists are so … functional. They are neat and orderly, systematic and defined, satisfying my mostly orderly mind and soul. Some days when I don't have a specific list of errands or chores to tackle, I could …( read more )

I started out playing French horn as a fifth-grader in our elementary school beginner band. One reason that I picked out the French horn was that my mom had encouraged me to choose something a little more unusual than clarinet or flute. …( read more )