There are constant warnings about being careful to whom we give our personal information, changing our passwords frequently, not clicking on links in emails unless we are certain who has sent them, protecting our credit cards when paying at the checkout, and so on.

However, a person's identity can also be lost through an identity crisis, which can sometimes happen when there's a major change in a person's long-term relationships, health, or employment. Here are some things that can be symptoms of an identity crisis:

• Having low self-esteem, questioning your value or worth
• Feeling lost or aimless, without a sense of purpose
• Changing yourself to suit any environment, situation, or relationship
• Feeling insecure, anxious, or dissatisfied with life
• Having trouble answering questions about yourself
• Not being able to trust that you can make good decisions.

There is one identity, however, that cannot be stolen, which permanently defines who we are, and that is our identity in Jesus Christ.

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, each of us is given a new identity: each is now a child of God. The Bible tells us that we have become new persons, that we have been chosen and adopted into God's family, and that we belong to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! (TLB)

Galatians 2:20b – It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)

Before we were in Christ, we were destined to die. Now we are destined for an abundant, eternal life in Him. He promises us:

John 10:10b – I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. (NKJV)

The more that we get to know Jesus by reading His Word and spending time with Him in daily prayer, the more that we will understand our identity in Him and know that we are of immeasurable worth to God. Having support from family members, friends, and our church community can help us to cope with big changes or stressful situations in our lives. Don't be afraid to reach out. And remember: God is only a prayer away!

Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, we thank You that You can make us into new creations and that we can know who we are in Jesus Christ. Make us aware of Your great love for each one of us, and help us to see ourselves as You see us. Grant us the grace to fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

A walker is described as a walking aid that a patient may be issued in order to improve their walking pattern, balance, or safety. A walker is a helpful device that gives support to maintain balance or stability while walking.

This morning, as I was doing one of my morning devotions, which included a video, I found myself up and dancing around in time with the upbeat, uplifting song with the help of my walker. It felt really good to be able to dance — something that I haven't done in quite some time, and something that I would never attempt to do without the help of my walker.

Likewise, as Christians, we have a Helper — the Holy Spirit. There are many things that we cannot do on our own, but with the help of the Holy Spirit we can. The Holy Spirit strengthens us when we are weak, convicts us of our sins, leads us to repent of those sins, helps us to understand God's Word, helps us to pray when we don't have the right words, and empowers us to become more and more like Jesus.

Various versions of John 14:26 describe the Holy Spirit as Counsellor, Comforter, or Helper, Who will teach us all things. In John 16:13, Jesus promised us that "the Spirit of truth … will guide you into all truth." (NIV)

Ephesians 1:13 – And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. (NIV)

Acts 2:38 – Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (NIV)

Acts 15:8 – God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. (NIV)

Just as there are many things that I can do only with the help of my walker, only by the power of the Holy Spirit are we able to fully live the Christian life. Just as it felt good when I was dancing around with the help of my walker, so it feels good and right when we are living in the power of the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to work in our lives.

Prayer: God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace as we trust in You, so that we may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV) And may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. (2 Corinthians 13:14 NIV) In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Recently, two of the hostess groups had prepared a luncheon following a funeral. There were leftovers, and the family wanted to help others out by giving them this abundance. There was no problem for the hostess groups to find a place to take the leftovers where they would be well received and appreciated. However, on the way, while packing up the food in the car at the front of the church, they spotted six men lounging. So, they went over to them and asked if they would be interested in some sandwiches from a funeral. All but one came alive and graciously accepted. They started eating the sandwiches immediately and exclaimed how good they were. You could see the joy on their faces. It was a little thing to do, but what a difference it made to them!

The rest of the food was delivered to the original destination, and, as always, it was readily accepted with open arms. Not everyone is as blessed as we are. God is forever sending people in our path to be helped.

We also have a pantry at our church, and every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., people come and receive a bag of groceries and often, a frozen meal prepared in advance by our faithful volunteers. What a wonderful outreach to our community!

When we open our eyes and look at all the problems in the lives of people around us, we'll realize how good we have it. We are all called to help people in need. When we begin helping other people, we're doing God's work!

What does it look like in our daily lives as Christians to share each other's troubles and problems? Do we act, or pass them by? It's the little things that count — over and over and over — like sharing leftover sandwiches from a funeral reception with the homeless or preparing food to hand out every week.

Romans 15:2-3a – Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. (MSG)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are so blessed! Give us hearts that care for those around us and help us to reach out to those in need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

On July 9, a suspicious death at an Owen Sound rooming house, first thought to be a fentanyl overdose, is now being treated as a homicide.

On July 11, shortly after 1 a.m., Owen Sound police responded to a fatal shooting at an apartment complex. The homicide was believed to be a targeted shooting, and two men have been charged with first-degree murder.

On August 17, an Owen Sound restaurant owner, who was beaten by three male patrons outside his restaurant in a dispute over an unpaid bill, was sent to hospital and was put on life support. He died a few days later. He is survived by his wife and six-year-old daughter.

So much bad news!

But then, there's the really bad news: Because humankind is sinful and separated from God, if the people in the news who died so suddenly had not been reconciled to God, then their eternal fate would have been even worse than death.

That's why I'm so grateful for the good news of the Bible — the best news ever!

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

This is good news for all of us, good news for a troubled world.

There is a Saviour — His name is Jesus. He took our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. He made it possible for each one of us to be forgiven for our sins and live forever with Him, when we confess our sins and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour.

Have you heard this good news? If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, are you sharing this good news with those around you? Is your life a testimony of God's grace that will draw others to Him?

Otherwise, if you're still looking for a Saviour, please pray this prayer with me: "Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I am so sorry for all of my sins. Please forgive me. I'm ready to trust You as my Lord and Saviour. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins. Help me to live a life that is pleasing to You. In Your name, I pray. Amen."

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the good news of the Bible and for Your Son's sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Help us to draw others to You. Amen.

Their three-bedroom house had to be vacated and everything brought to our garage, which became wall-to-wall bins.

The house needed some repairs and cleaning in order to be put on the market.

My husband began making an apartment in our basement so that our daughter could move in with us. When the living room and bedroom were completed at the beginning of November, she and her three cats moved in.

We also needed to find a place for her three horses to stay. It was then that we experienced a miracle! We found a place that was a three-minute drive from our home, at a price that she could afford! God is good!

There were still many 40-minute trips each way to finish emptying the house and get it ready to sell.

In mid-January, my husband came down with a "classic case of shingles", so the doctor called it. He was in a lot of pain, and working on the apartment was out of the question for many weeks.

The house went on the market in April, but it hasn't sold yet. There are ongoing expenses every month — mortgage, electricity, insurance — and so, we wait — and pray — and trust!

Psalm 37:7a – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (ESV)

Psalm 40:1 – I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. (ESV)

Psalm 130:5 – I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope. (ESV)

Psalm 27:14 – Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (ESV)

Yes, life is unpredictable, as many of our readers well know. Most of us have experienced bad times at some point in our lives. But let us trust that God is faithful, that He hears our prayers, and that He answers in His perfect timing. Pray with me:

Prayer: Gracious God, it's sometimes hard to hear Your voice in difficult times. Fear and worry set in and overwhelm me. Trying to trust in Your plan for my life while I wait isn't always easy to do. But You are faithful. You have been faithful in the past and You will be faithful today and every day to come. Help me, God, to remain faithful to You as I wait. Help me to serve You and live for You even in this difficult time in my life. Help me to keep trusting. Help me to keep praying. Help me to be patient, knowing that "they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 ESV) In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Robins are a sure sign of spring's arrival. We recently discovered that a pair of robins were building a nest on a ladder that was close to our shed. Shortly after that, we discovered that there were three eggs in the nest. I was so blessed to get pictures of the mother robin sitting on the nest, and the babies after they hatched, and as they quickly grew. And then one day, they were gone!

A mother robin typically lays three to four eggs in her first nesting of the season. She lays one egg per day at mid-morning and doesn't sit on her nest to incubate the eggs until all of them have been laid. This way, the baby robins all start developing at the same time. After laying her eggs, a mother robin sits on the nest for about 12-14 days until her babies hatch. They leave the nest 14-16 days later.

What a joy it was to watch the miracle of life unfold right before our eyes!

Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (NIV)

Luke 12:27 – Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (NIV)

God takes care of His creation. He provides food for the birds and water for the wild flowers. But God considers us of greater value than the birds and the flowers. We are His precious children, and He loves us and protects us from the storms of life, much like the mother and father robin protect their babies.

God loves us unconditionally, just as we are, not because of anything that we have done or will do, and despite our weaknesses and failures. We don't deserve it, and we can't earn it. There is nothing that we can do to make God love His beloved children more. There is nothing that we can do to make God love His beloved children less. His love for His children will never end. He wants all to believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son.

1 John 4:9 – This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (NIV)

Just as God loves us, we are called to love others. May we let God's love transform us so that we can share His love with the world around us.

John 13:34 – A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (NIV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your creation, and that just as You care for the birds and the flowers, You care for us as well. May we be inspired by Your great love for us! Transform us by Your love so that we can love others as You love us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

When she and her husband bought their first house a few years later, Jewel needed a companion, and our daughter was able to rescue a horse named Jazy from a friend who wasn't able to look after her any longer. Jewel and Jazy became fast friends.

When Jewel died very suddenly, Jazy needed a new friend. Blossom was rescued next. A short while later, another friend needed someone to take one of her horses, and so, Merlin was rescued. Sadly, he died suddenly after only eight months. The next rescue was Ben. Jazy, Blossom, and Ben are still living happily together.

A few days ago, our daughter received a message from another friend whose horse, Tess, was not being well cared for at the place where she was being boarded. She asked our daughter if she would rescue it and keep it with her three other horses. Despite involvement from the SPCA and the police, this rescue took almost three days due to an uncooperative property owner. Tess has finally arrived and is settling in nicely with her new friends.

On a spiritual level, like these horses, we, too, all need to be rescued — from the penalty of our sin, which separates us from God and which can destroy our lives.

Romans 3:23 – For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. (NLT)

Jesus came to give His life to rescue and save us from eternal death, the penalty of sin. When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are saved — rescued!

We can't rescue ourselves from our sin, any more than Tess or the others could rescue themselves. Therefore, let us thank God that He had a plan to save each one of us!

Psalm 13:5 – But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. (NLT)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You never leave us nor forsake us and that You want to rescue us from the darkness of the world and bring us into Your glorious light. We are so grateful that Jesus gave His life for our sins, just as You planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. All glory be to You forever and ever! Amen.