I was going to be alone for the Easter weekend. My friend Katie agreed that it didn't feel like Easter this year. Despite the online Maundy Thursday and Good Friday services that we had both enjoyed, there would be no visiting with friends, no Easter breakfast at church.

I promptly descended into a COVID-19 self-pity state. "God, I hate feeling like this! Help!" The answer came quickly: "Help other people to feel like it's Easter. Send cards."

Yes! I could send those beautiful digital cards. For three hours that Friday, I sent cards. As a name came into my mind, out went a card. Some were people I hadn't heard from for a long time and had been wondering why.

A card with a beautiful Easter message came back from Katie. She had caught the card-sending spirit.

Among other things, my associate and general helper, Ray, works on my newspaper, Hi-Rise, which I publish from home in Toronto, Canada. He appeared, coat on, ready to leave for the long weekend. Suddenly his phone rang. The client for today had cancelled. "Since I am going to be around, I might as well do a few things — and maybe pick up some fish and chips later" — a two-hour bus trip there and back! "I'd like that lot," I replied, happy that I would not be alone, at least that day.

On Easter Sunday, a phone call came from the mother of Danny, my technical support person, who lives nearby. "I love those electronic cards," she said. "I know that you have been trying to reach me. I haven't replied because both my son and I had severe stress symptoms and sort of withdrew. But we got treatment and feel better now. I just got my Easter ham out of the oven. We'll be there in half an hour with two plates, one for Ray" — who wasn't supposed to be here.

The next day, a friend and colleague called. Usually he, his wife, and son shared an Easter meal in their home. "This year, because of COVID-19, we had lasagna with our son, outside his condo, in our car. It was only when I opened your beautiful card that I experienced the spirit of Easter."

One more thing. On Easter, I always enjoyed getting a chocolate bunny. One appeared on my desk on Monday!

By this time, I was feeling stunned by all that had happened. When I asked God for help, why was I surprised when I got it, especially when His answer involved listening for His direction and acting upon it? That set in motion the spiritual law described by Luke in today's Scripture: "Give, and it will be given to you."

I just finished a very stressful production period of my newspaper, more difficult due to COVID-19. Thinking of what happened as we moved through the rough spots, I praised God and kept going. I do not want to let this experience fade. I am asking His help with that.

Have you ever been surprised by God? Cherish it. Tell others. Together, we can help one another know God better and strengthen our faith in Him.

Prayer: Lord, help each one of us to trust that You hear and respond to our prayers. Even though it may take time, help us to remember that You will always hear and answer. In the name of Christ, we ask it. Amen.

My relationship with money has always been complicated.

We were always short of funds when I was a child, and when my father died, leaving no insurance, we depended on government assistance until I was old enough to get a job to help support myself and my mother.

I always took jobs I wanted that didn't pay very well. Over the years, I started to become financially secure. This, I believe, was linked to the fact that the Lord often prompted me to help someone financially, even though I didn't have much. The first time was paying the registration fee for someone who wanted to go to a young people's conference that I was planning to attend.

This continued over the years until I felt called to leave my job as an editor with the church, work in the community, and be self-employed — with no paycheque. Very scary! I started a consulting business. Not only was I swamped with clients, but also to my astonishment, I lost my lifelong fear of both public speaking and singing solos. I came to love doing both.

The Lord continued to present situations where I was told to give financial assistance, including loans, sometimes not returned. When that happened, He made it up in some other way.

Most frequently, He sent people across my path who gave me financial knowledge. I learned about investing and was guided to a wonderful financial advisor. My mortgage was paid off through the advice and help of another.

I eventually started a newspaper. That brought more financial challenges, and still does. The prompts still come, and so does the help. If I tell the Lord, "Not now; I am really short of money," the prompts just get stronger! Giving when money is tight somehow helps to unblock the flow.

This is my story. I am sharing it for two reasons. Many people are facing financial stress. So are churches, which find that with people worshipping virtually and not in the pews, giving is drying up.

Others must also be having these experiences. Is the Lord attempting to reach out to you? Is He asking you to look at money in a new way? Are churches being challenged, too? What about tithing? Teaching about stewardship?

I don't have answers. I can only share my experience and encourage you to look within. Is the Spirit speaking to you in some way about money?

Prayer: Lord, we are indeed worried about money. In this time of the pandemic, we have fears about being able to pay the bills. We ask for Your wisdom and guidance about finances, and the ability to hear and follow Your will. In the name of Christ, we ask this. Amen.

I was startled when I opened an email and found a striking picture of the devil talking to Jesus.

"With COVID-19, I have closed your churches!" the devil gloated. And the response from Jesus? "Wrong! I have opened one in every home!"

I love beautiful sanctuaries, wonderful organ music, and the comfort of being with other Christians. However, the Holy Spirit is turning our focus to the places where the people are, not only in our local communities, but everywhere in the world!

As churches develop innovative ways to reach out via the Internet, I find myself challenged to discover where the Spirit may take us. For instance, a staff member of a large church with many pastors told me that they are receiving thousands of inquiries on their outreach website.

This virus is causing people to wonder about the big questions of life. Why am I here? Could I die, not having done what I could have done, perhaps what I was meant to do? Is there more beyond this life? I feel confused and lost in this new world of the pandemic. Where is God?

I became concerned about people who do not use the Internet or can't afford it. So, I asked a number of churches if they would join a "Need help?" list in the Hi-Rise Community Newspaper, which I publish here in Toronto, Canada. They would list only their pastoral phone numbers. Seven agreed, and they are getting phone calls.

Evangelism involves being willing to put ourselves out there, believing that the Holy Spirit will do the work. The apostles knew that. They went out to the towns and cites and into homes, and they took the risk of rejection, empowered by the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to give them.

Now there is increasing pressure to allow churches to resume regular worship services. As this starts to happen, the challenge is whether our churches will not only continue in this new form of outreach, but build upon it, as the Spirit leads. Will we as individuals also seek to know the will of the Spirit in this matter?

Prayer: You sent Your disciples out into the world to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. Help us to understand where the Spirit may be leading Your churches, that we will not be fearful, but trust the leadership of the Spirit. Amen.

Matthew 7:7 – Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (NIV)

I have mobility issues, and getting up and down the two front steps outside my townhouse is a challenge. Recently, I realized that every time when I planned to go out, I was getting anxious ahead of time about getting up that second step. I asked myself, "What is going on here?"

Frustrated, I said to the Lord, "I don't want this; it is messing up my life! Please, dissolve it!"

I felt a subtle shift inside me. I thought about the step again — and the fear was gone.

Soon, I discovered other things which I did not realize were related to the spirit of fear. Like the little foxes in today's Scripture, they nibble away, undermining our lives, so subtly that we do not know that it is happening.

I realized that one of them was the fear of confrontation. Coming from a background of family conflict fuelled by alcohol, I have had great difficulty with conflict. Understanding the basis of it didn't help. I toughed it out as best I could.

I now understand that I was angry when I had to tell someone, "I don't agree" or "This action is not helpful", and that the anger was rooted in fear.

Now, I am learning to deal with conflict without anger, and I try to make sure that whatever I do is rooted in love. I have to examine myself carefully because mixed motives creep in: "Ha! Now, I can get even over … ." When I find a bad motive, I ask the Lord to dissolve it.

Amazingly enough, my experiences with conflict are starting to change. Others respond in a level, reasonable manner, and may even consider my point of view.

As for the tricky step into my house, I check within. Is that spirit of fear lurking about? All has been well except once, when I felt a sense of unease. Indeed, that day I was especially stiff and had a little trouble. My deeper self was not fearful; it was telling me, You need extra caution today.

So now, I am learning the difference between fear and wise caution.

I know that when the Lord has acted in our lives, the unwanted behaviour can creep back in. I am vigilant, as I don't want the spirit of fear back!

So, what can we all learn from this? The Lord wants us to grow in self-awareness and in faith. He will help us to do that if we are willing to work with Him.

If you have a fear or other behaviour that you don't want in your life, talk to Him about it. Your experience may be different than mine, but I know that He listens and cares. He can help in whatever way is best for you. Why not ask Him now?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have a behaviour in my life which I know does not honour You. I ask You now to remove it or show me how to do so. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

As I turned off my television last Saturday night, I was nearly in tears. I had been watching the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games, held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, last week.

Wounded veterans from 17 countries, 550 of them, many here with their families, competed for a week in 12 sports, such as indoor rowing, sitting volleyball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, archery, and swimming. They touched the hearts of people here and all over the world. I felt blessed by the example of their giving and their courage that the rest of us may live in peace and freedom.

What had moved me just then was the sight of a veteran from Afghanistan, with two artificial legs and an artificial arm, striding across the platform to receive, with his six comrades, an award from Prince Harry, founder of the games. The Prince, part of the British royal family, is also a veteran, having served in Afghanistan. He started the annual games as a way to help wounded veterans heal.

In his closing remarks, Prince Harry challenged everyone, "Let the examples of service and resilience that you have seen inspire you to take action to improve something big or small, in your life, for your family, or in your community. It doesn't matter how big or small your step is — just take it."

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving this coming weekend. What a challenge to respond to the blessings that God has given us!

"Thanksgiving" is a compound of two words: "thanks" and "giving". Many Scriptures urge us to give. Today's verse also tells us that as we give, we also receive.

How do we know what to give and to where? I believe that the answer comes from the heart. When we volunteer our time, or give financially, or reach out to someone, it should involve something that truly matters to us. For me, it is animal rescue groups. I have four cats, all rescues, who enrich my life. Other concerns are fighting for justice, or helping abused women. If we do not know how to give, the Holy Spirit will direct us.

I am often moved by Luke's account of Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem.

Luke 21:1-4 – And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, "Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had." (NKJV)

Jesus is telling us that it is not how much we give, but that we do so generously. As we obey the Lord in this way, He may even surprise us with a blessing that we did not expect or seek.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open our hearts and minds, and show each of us where there is a need that we can reach out and meet. Give us the will to act, in the name of Your Son Jesus, Who gave us the supreme gift: His life. Amen.

Birthdays have always been important to me. When I was a child, birthday parties were few, so as I grew up, I have always tried to get involved in a party somehow.

Maybe that's why I am so enthusiastic about Canada's 150th birthday party. This year, there are events across the country and especially on Canada Day, July 1. Even if you do not live in Canada, you may have heard of our year-long party. We haven't been exactly quiet about it!

To me, birthdays involve gifts. I feel blessed to live in a country where its Charter of Rights and Freedoms, enacted in 1982, opens with this statement: "Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law…".

That means honouring the rights of each individual, whatever their country of origin, their religion or lack of one, their gender, their skin colour, and much more. I believe that as God has blessed us so richly and as we recognize His supremacy in the Charter, we honour God as we offer a birthday gift at this time of celebration.

I wasn't born in Canada, but I grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and experienced many good things. Now is a good time to pay it forward by doing something to help someone else to experience the blessings that I have.

In many parts of the world, women are denied an active role in their society, whereas I had the privilege of starting and running my own business and doing the work that I love. So my gift to honour Canada's birthday is to support an organization that provides funds to women in the third world who want to start small businesses.

A high school student was a refugee from Syria last year. This year, she played a major role in her school's project to help children in the Middle East.

A family was re-united with a lost pet by an animal rescue group. Now they help the group rescue and find homes for animals.

I am grateful that I can worship as I wish without fear. Are you? Every church has needs.

Find the political party that matches your views. Volunteer to help their candidate get elected, or donate funds.

Is health care a priority? Hospitals and associations that are working to eliminate a specific disease all need volunteers and donations.

Education? Maybe you came from a background where educational opportunities were limited. Volunteer at your local school, and literacy groups need people to teach others reading skills, one on one.

Were you an immigrant who benefitted from classes in English as a second language? Maybe a neighbour needs help to practice his English.

These can be gifts to the supreme God that we honour, and for Canadians, our country. Happy 150th birthday, Canada!

Romans 8:28 – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (ESV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, each of us has been truly blessed by You. Help us to recognize that. Show us how we can honour Your supremacy and thank You by helping others, perhaps in ways that we have not considered before. Amen.

The image of a star comes to mind, because Epiphany, when we observe the arrival of the wise men, is in the first week of January. When they followed that star, it was because the Lord had placed the goal of doing so in their hearts.

Matthew 2:9b-11 – The star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of frankincense and of myrrh. (NIV)

We each have a star to follow as well. The Lord has placed within each one of us hopes, dreams, and goals, but we often push these aside.

My experience has been that the quiet voice of the Spirit gets louder and more persistent until I start listening. Even then, my response is likely to be, "I'm busy now. I really don't want to do this" or "I am a senior; I am past that sort of thing."

Then, I am reminded of the story of Abraham, who was told that his ninety-year-old wife Sarah would have a son.

Genesis 18:13-14 – Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son." (NIV)

Indeed, nothing is too hard for the Lord. We are not too old, too young, too inadequate, if it is the Lord's idea. The Lord knows what gifts we have to offer, and like the wise men, He will direct us to the place where we need to give them.

Some years ago, I left a secure job because the Lord was calling me to work in the community. I was scared because it involved becoming self-employed and operating with no paycheque. All my life, my greatest fear was financial insecurity. Not only was I challenged to face that fear, but He has always provided, to this day. I have also had a lifelong fear of public speaking, and although I have a good singing voice, I have been terrified when asked to do a solo.

Once I said "yes" to the Lord, however, over a six-month period, both fears not only disappeared, but now I also enjoy both public speaking and solo work. So my New Year's resolution will be to listen carefully for the Lord's direction, then to follow my star wherever it leads. That feels sort of scary. However, I am determined. Why not join me in this prayer?

Prayer: Lord, I ask You to take over. Help me to listen for and hear Your direction for my life, and to trust You, knowing that You will always be present to help and guide me as long as I seek to do Your will, and follow my star. Amen.