We were halfway through our Christmas Eve carol and candle-lighting service when it happened. One of the burning Advent wreath candles ignited a spray of red silk poinsettias. Fortunately, a parishioner sitting in a front pew had the … Read more

Here's a riddle for those of you familiar with church tradition: How are cake recipes and church bulletins alike? You'd likely agree that both list ingredients to be assembled and enjoyed. But did you remember the fire? Yes: They both … 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

I miss my homing pigeons. I miss seeing them flying around the property, walking on the lawn, or sitting on the loft sunning themselves. I miss feeding them twice a day and just looking after them. After we returned from 20 years away from … Read more

"He was trying to stop Jesus!" My mind was jolted by that remark in a recent sermon. It was not about a wicked person, but about a godly prophet: John the Baptist. Peter also tried to stop Jesus — twice! Obviously, well-meaning … Read more

As Tuesday closed in New York City, there was a strange silence. The streets were almost vacant of the usual flow of cars and trucks. They had disappeared, trying to avoid the coming blizzard. The weather forecasters had predicted a … Read more

I was looking for a Bible that I had bought from the Robert Simpson Company many, many years ago. Although I didn't find my Bible, which I had likely put in a secure place, in my search, I came upon a book with the title, *In search of … Read more

Last year, I read about a man who had four thousand light bulbs on his house and in the trees on his property. People came from miles around to see it. "It was beautiful," was the general consensus. "After all, that is what Christmas is … Read more

This event took place two thousand years ago as Jesus met John at the Jordan River. Last year, I stood beside the Jordan River, watching my friend being submerged into its waters. Covenant words were spoken, and the waters of … Read more

Over the past several years, I have enjoyed reading books about plants of the Bible. There are so many interesting stories about biblical plants, but often there are many controversies, as well, regarding the exact plant referred to in a … Read more

What is Advent? I researched the word and found that the dictionary defines the word as the arrival or coming of something or someone special, and, specifically, "a penitential season beginning four Sundays before Christmas." I also found that the … Read more

In preparing for our journey to Florida this year, we have continually been interrupted by one thing or another, to the point where I have said to the Lord, "Why?" We have been "on hold", so to speak, for some … Read more

The children were delighted! Behind every little window was a chocolate treat. Is Advent a time for feeding the children chocolate? Are we not supposed to see something else under those little windows as they open each day? I can … Read more

Somewhere back in my treasury of memories is a mental picture of myself at about age 21 or 22, a student at what was then Ewart College in Toronto, Ontario. I was away from home for the first time, and … Read more