Ruth McCowan

I don't know of anyone who doesn't like receiving gifts. I certainly do. For me, the best kinds of presents are the ones that I'm not expecting, and the ones that I'm not expected to pay back. Let me describe … Read more

When my contract with the church came to an end, and I couldn't see any other job opportunities within the church, I knew that I had to look outside the church for work. This was the first time that I … Read more

Living in British Columbia, Canada, we now have a graduated system for driver licensing. When someone wants to learn to drive a car, they must first pass their written test to get their "L", which is their learner's permit. Their … Read more

There are so many things in life that we just can't explain. Often these are the things that are completely beyond our control. Maybe someone we love was taken from us because of a thoughtless accident, or as a result … Read more

This past summer, while we were on holidays, my children challenged me to climb up a forty-foot climbing wall. Wall climbing is not normally an activity that I would choose, but I did not want to disappoint my children, so … Read more

In a recent English class, where we were learning reading and writing skills, we were exploring the meaning behind different words. Our instructor listed a variety of words, and we were asked to choose one word and come up with … Read more

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we stand in silence to remember. We wear the poppies to help us to remember and to help honour those who gave their lives for us, for our … Read more

When Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi, he was in prison and in chains, and yet he writes this letter which is filled with thanksgiving and hope. How does he do it? Paul had a purpose in … Read more

When my daughter was in Grade Two, she taught us both a very valuable lesson. That was the year that she discovered what an eraser was meant for. My daughter is a perfectionist (I don't know where she gets that … Read more

During the Advent season, as we journey towards the manger, and as we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath, let us journey with love. We're getting closer, aren't we? Christmas is not far away now. If you have … Read more