“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John 15:1-2 NIV My stepfather was an impulsive, eccentric, no-nonsense, but intelligent man. Once he got … Continue reading Becoming Fruitful
The grey asphalt with its twin ribbons of yellow stretched out before us. Outside the passenger window, various heights, lengths, and shades of green nourished my soul. Resting on the horizon above stretched a fluffy white vista of mountains and valleys, like another land or a far-off, unknown world. As a girl, I loved lying … Continue reading A Far-off Country
A new year. 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days. It feels like a fresh slate, a horizon of possibilities spreading out before us. But it is just another day. No magic to it, or much different from the day before. There is nothing more special about New Year’s Day than any other day. Each morning … Continue reading Fresh Starts
The day was like any other, despite the butterflies and spontaneous smile that crossed her lips whenever she thought of Joseph. Soon they would be married, and she would begin the life she had dreamed of since she was a young girl; a godly husband, her own home, and children, by Yahweh’s grace. Her little … Continue reading Mary Most Favoured
I love the changing seasons. They each provide unique beauty and gifts. Fall spreads a change of colour to the trees and plants. Some shout their beauty, while others remain muted. Without the one, however, the other becomes mundane. Pewter skies and cooler air bring an appreciation for the rarer days of blue, and the … Continue reading Changing Seasons
“Oh, Lord, please help me get there on time!”, I prayed aloud as I sped along the city streets to get home. My firstborn son, in kindergarten, was due to be dropped off. Daniel was a shy, anxious child. I knew if I was not home to greet him, it would cause him stress. The … Continue reading Forget Not
Ghosts, witches, goblins, spirits of the dead wandering, and evil spirits lurking. It's the time of year when there is a lot of talk about spirits. Most of us don’t believe in these things and laugh it off. But the Bible tells us that there is a real spirit world. In 2 Kings 6:13-17, we … Continue reading Do You Believe in Spirits?
Soft, pliable dough squishes through my fingers as I massage it into a round ball. Pleasure sings in my heart as I sense the smoothness of it under my rolling pin. Using the right amount of pressure, I stretch the elastic mass at different angles, slowly forming it into a circle. I drape the unwrinkled … Continue reading Perfection
September. Back to school. My first experience with school was when I was five. There was no kindergarten where we lived, and so my mom, being my mom and the mother of seven children, pushed to have me put in grade one. As a result, I found myself on a hard, cold seat in a … Continue reading Schoolyard Angst
I was struggling, and sleep eluded me. My mind was whirling with the scenario on repeat in my brain. My insides were in knots, and a heaviness sat on my chest. I felt misunderstood, hurt, and unloved. Sinful thoughts and desires rose up in my heart for self-glory and justification. I knew my thoughts and … Continue reading Perfect Power