Author: Karen Abbott

Recently, I have been dealing with a difficult financial situation. It's not health-related, but nonetheless daunting. By nature, I tend to take matters into my own hands and have occasionally lived to regret it. This time, I simply put my … Read more

As I was reading about this demon-filled Gerasene man, who was so possessed by a "legion" of demons that he was cutting himself with stones, I realized that when I was young, I never heard about young people cutting themselves or … Read more

Have you ever done something that you were ashamed of and felt that you could never be forgiven for? Like most people, I suspect, I have been guilty of things that I'd hate to admit to. Not everyone has come from a loving, nurturing home, … Read more

Even in mid-November in this eastern part of Canada, people were taking advantage of the relatively mild weather and putting out their Christmas decorations: lights, Christmas trees, and those inflatable lawn decorations. One day, I … Read more

Recently, I attended the memorial service of a Christian friend. While I have gone to many such events, this one impacted me as no other has done. This woman's life, from the time she became a Christian, was one of service to others. The … Read more

Recently, I hosted a party for two friends whose birthdays fell in the same week. Although I had hoped for sunny weather so that we would be able to enjoy sitting out on the back patio, it rained that day, and we were kept indoors. What we … Read more

In October, Canadians observe Thanksgiving, a celebration of what the Lord has provided during this past growing season. In Jewish tradition, the Festival of Weeks and the Festival of Ingathering (also called the Festival of Tabernacles) … Read more

Recently, we celebrated my daughter's birthday, and, of course, gifts were given as part of the festivities. This set me thinking about how my daughter would use the gifts that she received. If my daughter accepted the gifts and put them … Read more

A favourite hymn of mine is The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended, and the fourth verse never fails to move me: The sun that bids us rest is waking Our brethren 'neath the western sky, And hour by hour fresh lips are making Thy wondrous … Read more

Recently, I attended a tent revival meeting, and the evangelist made a statement that really surprised me. To paraphrase, he said that he doesn't concern himself about the contentious issues between the church and the world. The Bible is … Read more