Month: July 2005

In our ladies' small group, we are learning to say a simple "Thank you" when someone compliments us. Most people try to minimize a compliment, so this is a learning process. We also give each group member a hug when … Read more

I have a friend who says she's a mountain climber, because she's always climbing out of deep valleys. Trouble seems to seek her out. There's always something painful going on in her life. Don't get the idea she's a pessimistic … Read more

I was observing a robin as he scurried along through the tall green grass. He moved quickly, then stopped, tilted his head, and bang — down went his beak into the ground. Often he came up empty. Then he got … Read more

My lawn was full of cinch bugs! As a well-known beagle would say, "Argh!" While I was otherwise occupied, they invaded my lush green lawn, eating its root system and killing the grass. My only economically feasible recourse has been … Read more

I turned to see where my house guest was. Had she stumbled in the dark? "Gloria," I called, "Are you okay?" "I'm fine," she replied. "I just can't move." My first thoughts were that she'd probably tripped on our sidewalk … Read more

"I'll just turn off the stove; be right over." No matter how late the invitation to dinner, our neighbour Ray always gave us the same answer. One week he turned off the same pot of carrots two nights in a … Read more

When I ministered in Scotland, I served one of the most beautiful parishes in the country. Every morning, I would head out along the coast road to the village of Dunure, passing by many farms, fields, and forests. At the … Read more

We have just returned home from the 150th year celebration of a little village in south-western Ontario. We joined others for a parade, the official opening, band performances, and a community dinner. The parade consisted of antique and new cars, … Read more

A beautiful big Western Cedar sits outside our kitchen window. Balancing on its branches are a few feeders which attract several sorts of little songbirds, such as pine siskins, chickadees, finches, sparrows, and the like. It's interesting to watch the … Read more

Recently, I heard a group of Christian women on fixed income lamenting that they had nothing to give the church and the kingdom of God. Someone in the group replied, "We can share our faith stories with others. Every Christian … Read more