Faith
What Do You See?
By Alicia Krogsgaard Close your eyes. What vision of God does your mind portray? Do you see an old man, white hair and beard, somewhat clueless, stooping over the world, looking down? Do you see a stark white spirit holding a lightning rod, ready to throw it at those of us who are messing up? Do you see a frumpy old Santa figure listening to all your wants as you sit on his knee? Do you see the kind face of your earthly father? Or perhaps a stern, you-better-straighten-up face stares at you? When you envision God, what do you…
Read MoreSeeing the Unseen
By Andrea Muirhead It’s cold. Its -35 degrees Celsius, as I drive down the highway. It’s been a long winter and it’s far from over. People around me are feeling the winter “blues.” I am too. But today the sun is shining brightly, so brightly that I need to wear my sunglasses. I remember as a kid driving places with my dad and being amazed at the animals we would see from the car. One day, I asked him how he could see those totally camouflaged animals in the field. His reply was that he had trained his eyes…
Read MoreHello/Goodbye
By Jennifer Wallace “Hello/ Goodbye” is a show that airs on CBC that grips my heart; it taps into emotions that are so quick to surface. The interviewer is good at what he does. Without being obtrusive, he asks questions and strangers open up their lives to him in these beautiful reunions and departures at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. There is something intensely attractive and universal about hellos and goodbyes. They are the moments we remember. It was summer. John and I and the kids were driving out to Ontario. We were excited for the road trip, excited to see…
Read MoreA Prayer for You
By Jenn Gurel Several times in my Christian life, I have felt at odds with my relationship with God, like there was something missing. I have resolved over and over to “do better”, to “get my act together” and to “dig deeper and listen”, but I still repeat the same cycle of fall in love-fall away. One morning, while reading my Bible, I was reminded of Eat, Pray, Love and decided to write how I could do all three: a reminder for when I feel like I’m slipping away. My prayer is that these three thoughts will help others in…
Read MoreYour Body is Mine
Jennifer Wallace “Your body is mine! Your body is mine!” I hear my son singing a song that sounds…well inappropriate for a five-year-old or anyone to be singing. I ask him about it and he tells me he made it up. “And where did you hear this? Where did you get the idea?” I ask concerned about what I might hear for an answer. “You, mom!” “What?!” I respond. “…‘Member when you told us that everyone in the family thinks your body is theirs?” I do remember and it is all making sense now. I was laughing and slightly exasperated…
Read MoreConsistency Is Key
Deanna Cook I skipped going to the gym for two weeks. I kept making excuses: I was too busy, I would go tomorrow, and on and on. And finally, two weeks had passed, while dust starts to collect on my running shoes. When I actually go to the gym, I enjoy it. The more I go, the stronger I become: my flexibility increases, I sleep better, and my eating is better. And when I don’t go, I can feel it in my left shoulder and in my right hip. I’m achier, tighter and, therefore, grouchier. And the first time back,…
Read MoreGrammar Girl
Andrea Muirhead If there was a super hero called Grammar Girl, it would not be me. Grammar is one of those things I take for granted. I don’t pay much attention to it, but I work with many international people who are learning the English language and they pay close attention to grammar and all its ins and outs. A few Sundays ago, I was listening to a speaker who read a very familiar passage, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have…
Read MoreDo not be afraid
Deanna Cook Fright, horror, panic, trepidation, dread, dismay, distress, aversion, dread, terror, anxiety, fear. Fear is what I felt 15 years ago the night our plane crashed. Fear is caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or is a threat. Sometimes fear is caused by the unknown. Sometimes fear is based on past experiences. We can all think of something that has caused us fear in the past. If being honest, we can think of a fear we have right now. I have a fear: it’s a fear of flying. I don’t sleep…
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