Word and Light. Those are the two main descriptors John uses for the Lord in the opening verse of his gospel. THE Word, THE light. It seems inconceivable that the One who created the universe, galaxies, our world, and us, came into it and was not known. Yet, it still happens now. Even as one … Continue reading Word and Light
“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
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
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
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
Are you a wallflower that longs to be more? Is God calling you to be a wallflower who steps out in faith? Are you willing to be the flower that God has called you to be, designed you to be, a greenhouse flower? Most of my life I have lived as a wallflower and still … Continue reading Wallflower or Showpiece?
A few weeks ago, I wrote about envisioning and touching a homeless person. Imagine with me, meeting a homeless man or woman. Their hair is matted and filthy. Lice are crawling through it and onto their forehead. Their clothes smell of feces and urine. Sores are evident on their grime-covered skin and you are sure … Continue reading Transference 2