Why Is Happiness Hard?
Why can it be so elusive to so many people? Happiness. You’d think that these days, people would be pretty happy. We seem to be […]
Blogs
The Anchor for the Storm
The meteorologists sought to prepare us for the worst, in the hope that it wouldn’t be the worst. And for us in Ontario, Hurricane Sandy […]
Happy Reformation Day
Wednesday isn’t just Halloween. It’s Reformation Day, too. 495 years since Luther took his hammer to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. I had a minister in Ottawa who thumbtacked the theses to our church door to celebrate. Quirky but good, I thought. So maybe this might be considered my own form of thumbtacking. Trick or treat…
Falling in Love
Now that’s a title that should capture your attention! I heard that phrase this morning while watching TV. The young lady was describing her relationship with the Lord. She said she loved Him, then she said, “No, I am IN LOVE with Him.”
Marice’s Church (jelly) Salad
For generations Beverly Smith’s family were stalwarts at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Swansea. “All the Smiths and Sinclairs lived within walking distance of the church. […]
Of Mice and Aircraft
Yesterday morning, I took my wife to the airport so she could fly to Florida for a women’s conference for the weekend. It was foggy […]
Good Listening
Thinking about stories this morning. There are library books due back and piles of books needing a shelf and tea in my cup so I took a moment to read before sorting. No news there perhaps.
The lost art of walking (in suburbia)
It all started with a new pair of shoes. I had an appointment in the south end of town, which means paying for parking. I […]
‘Sand Art’ Brownies
This recipe originally appeared in the December 2001 issue of the Presbyterian Record. By request, here it is again. Sand art brownies make a great gift (and a great craft for Sunday school.)
Courage
Sometimes amazing things happen in church. This morning I sat behind a friend. Actually they are all my friends, but this particular one is bravely facing cancer. When the Men’s Choir anthem title was announced she turned to me and said, “I asked them to sing that for me.”
Marion’s Apple Pie
Marion MacKenzie Barrett was born in the MacKenzie farmhouse, in Ashfield Township (Huron County). The MacKenzies emigrated from Gaelic-speaking Applecross, Scotland (on the mainland, across […]
Idolatry and the hockey lockout
The current NHL lockout has me fascinated. I’m as interested in seeing another Habs dynasty rise as the next Canadiens fan, but with each passing […]
Behold
“When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and the face of the earth is renewed.” Psalm 104 v. 30
This morning was one of the gorgeous October days when the air is crisp and good, and the sky is bright. The kids are on holiday from school this week, and today was a day for outside.
Behold I Make All Things New
When I was a student (a very long time ago), our art teacher set up some fruit in a basket on his desk. He instructed us to spend our class time trying to capture that image on paper. The next day he tacked the drawings on the wall. How very different each one was.
Chocolate Cake and Macaroons
Winnie Farrish Walters, a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, in Goderich, is probably the only woman, in town, to have a cake named after her. […]
The beauty of the season
I’ve heard numerous people remark that they think this year’s fall colours have been the best they’ve seen in a long time. There’s no doubt […]
Six life lessons I learned in the garden
I lived in our last house for ten years–longer than I have lived anywhere in my entire life. During that time I learned some important […]
Mary Clarke Fair’s Potato Scones
Glenna Fair, an elder at Wychwood Presbyterian Church, is a Toronto gal, born and bred. As a child she attended Hope United Church at Main […]
BOOK REVIEW: LIVING INTO FOCUS: Choosing What Matters in an Age of Distractions by Arthur Boers
Arthur Boers is a pastor, seminary professor, author, and Benedictine oblate who has seen his own spiritual journey take a number of turns over the […]
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today, I’m thankful for… Bright light. Isn’t October beautiful? The air is crisp and good, and the sky can be so bright. This is a snapshot of the sky over my church last week. When the sky lights up like this, it is easy to get your eyes off your feet and feel thankful.