Devotional

The weeping elm tree was felled. It had once been a beautiful tree with long branches and a leafy canopy that stretched right to the ground. Now it was condemned to be burned to stop the spread of dutch elm … Read more

A wonderful parishioner of mine was telling the tales of the dirty thirties… again – tales I know by heart but love to hear again for what they express of life in another age. And these tales always have a … Read more

One of the greatest gifts given us by God, after the Gift of His Son, is the natural order of His creation. Our world is beautiful and awesome. The existence of "natural laws" (which are God's and we only imperfectly … Read more

One night my mother came to tuck me in. For most this constitutes a casual occurence in childhood. But it stands out as a momentous moment for me. My mother had Multiple Sclerosis and the effort to get up the … Read more

I have a vivid memory of one particular day when I was ministering in Trenton, Ontario. The doorbell rang, and it was Lottie Jones Florist with a big bouquet from a member of the congregation. As if in answer to … Read more

Life with the Peanuts characters is not always a put down. Lucy and Linus are home alone and Lucy is looking out the widow, musing that life is a drag. "I'm completely fed up. I've never felt so low in … Read more

When my nephew underwent major heart surgery at the age of one I found myself wishing that God had made life like a VCR so I could fastforward through the day and see if he survived. If all was well … Read more

"…make my joy complete:" Where did Jesus find true happiness in this life? His disciples saw it in his service and self-sacrifice and so the bible says to us today: "Have this mind in you that was in Christ Jesus" … Read more

Happiness is relational. Jesus takes time in the beatitudes to remind us that the truly happy life, the truly blessed life comes when we find our spirit connection – find it within ourselves find it in relation to the creation … Read more

Dr. Karl Menninger once observed, "Attitudes are more important than facts." And when you are seeking happiness in life this is doubly true. How you perceive life will determine life. How others perceive you will reinforce your happiness or your … Read more