In the Christian church year, the season of Advent begins the first week of December. We light a symbolic candle of Hope that first Sunday. In today’s world we need Hope. The daily news is full of war, murder, hunger and more. In Advent, we Christians begin again the story… Continue reading
Every year on November eleventh in Canada, we participate in rituals of Remembrance. Every day the viciousness, the cruelty, the destructiveness of war somewhere in the world, stride into our homes and minds on the wings of the news media and technology. We know war exists. We know its cost… Continue reading
This year as Thanksgiving approaches, I am thinking about giving thanks for people beyond my family and friends. An entire web of people surrounds me, some paid, many volunteers, who make my life easier. Store clerks are first on my list. Last week, I was in Peterborough’s “Independent” grocery store,… Continue reading
Today, I’m thinking about our lives as examples for others. Most of us don’t feel worthy of being examples. Most of us see only our own mistakes. Whether or not we are aware of it, we are examples. Saturday morning, we received an invitation from our friends, Ian and Sandi…. Continue reading
The world news media these days is a constant diet of war, violence, cruelty and greed. For dessert, the menu offers environmental disaster, flood or wildfires caused by weather. All of it is based on truth. These events are happening. People I love assure me I need to know all… Continue reading
Everywhere I turn lately, I have been met with the thought “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” – at choir practice, in my devotions, the birds, my flowers, a small family gathering. What a great message to hear over and over. This past week I spent a few hours gardening…. Continue reading
It’s spring. Yay! Time to plant my flowers. I love gardening. In Dunsford, we had many big flower gardens. They were so beautiful. Of course, I was younger back then and full of energy and surrounded by little grandchildren who came to help dig and plant and water. I remember… Continue reading
Usually, flowers on a stick are artificial. My introduction to orchid flowers has taught me yet again that things are not always what they seem on the surface. Two years ago, the first orchid entered our home as a gift. Beautiful, vibrantly coloured, luxurious, that orchid looked like real flowers… Continue reading
Rev. Will Willimon (Biblical scholar) told this story: In a heated confrontation with one of my parishioners after my sermon, I finally said, “I’m not going to continue to argue with you, George, I’ll never persuade you.” George replied, “Humph. Glad that our… Continue reading
