For a while this summer, we saw no hummingbird visitors at our feeder. We wondered whether, with more flowers in bloom, perhaps the "hummers" did not need the feeder. When my husband climbed the ladder to bring the feeder in to refill it, … Read more

Have you ever wondered what true freedom really is? The dictionary defines it as the power to do what we want to do and to go where we want to go without being controlled; not being a slave or prisoner; not having or being affected by … Read more

Our rural village is located about halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Within the last few years, our minister was diagnosed as diabetic, and was also operated on twice to insert a stent into his heart. One Friday afternoon, … Read more

We live in a western town where several nationally-known artists live. Consequently, we take several magazines devoted to western art. One article was about John Nieto, an acclaimed Spanish/Indian artist, who suffered a stroke in 2002 which affected his speech … Read more

When speaking of man's spiritual condition, God's word uses the analogy of passing from death to life, and from darkness into light. Another analogy is with bondage and freedom: A number of years ago, as I was dropping my wife … Read more

Recently, I asked the members of my congregation, "How many of you hold a valid driver's licence and are currently still driving?" About one hundred hands went up — almost all the congregation. No surprises there. Then I asked, "How … Read more

We have had a blue balloon swinging on our balcony, celebrating the Olympics here in British Columbia, Canada. The only problem is that the winds and the rains have shrunk and deflated my blue balloon. It is a sad sight; … Read more

It always amazes me that God made Jesus' birth announcement to lowly, unimportant shepherds. Why? Does it mean that Jesus' mission was to be with the unimportant people, the poor, the outcast, and the needy? It certainly unfolded in that … Read more

In a hospital where I worked, there were many invisible people. They were people the institution could not have functioned without — but they were invisible, even to other employees. These were the cleaning people, the security guards, the kitchen … Read more

I feel so guilty. The other night, I ate a whole giant bar of chocolate. I should have left some for my family, but I wanted all of it for myself. I even felt a bit nauseated before I finished … Read more