Guest Writer
Fingerprints
By Bonnie Baxter The sun cast long morning beams through my home’s front door window as I sat at my desk trying to get some work done. I glanced at the wall by the door, and noticed a greasy imprint of a hand, illuminated by the sun: all four fingers and even the palm. At first I felt a flash of exasperation at my housekeeping and that I hadn’t noticed the handprint before. I sized up the length and shape of the fingers to see if I could figure out who the culprit was. But then I remembered the…
Read MoreThe Gift
By Bonnie Baxter The Season! December. It’s here. I’ve always loved Christmas! I love the lights, the music, and the extra kindness most people seemed to show for a month or so. But as I got older, Christmas somehow got harder. It was overwhelming enough to keep up on regular house tasks and then add in decorating for Christmas, working, parties, concerts, not to mention shopping for the perfect gift for loved ones and having picture-perfect photo cards to send out. Also, my kids need a mom and my husband deserves a wife. My expectations for myself exceeded my abilities…
Read MoreI Am Waiting
By Marilyn Muller I am waiting for a plane which will take me west after a ten days’ stay with my daughter Rachael, her partner Christian and Alexi, our 7-1/2-year-old grandson. The folks here are at least bilingual, two are at least trilingual, with some hints of at least two more languages being understood and spoken. Last year when I visited, Christian’s guideline was “English only used when Grandma’s present.” During this visit, the guidelines have been softened and I find myself listening to conversations in French, Russian, and a dash of English. Alexi, my grandson, has done his best to patiently explain any of the…
Read MoreLegacy
A stuffy senior’s residence may seem like a strange place to find some direction for my life, but as many Bible characters could attest, God can use all kinds of people, places, and events to get our attention. I volunteer at our local nursing home. I quite enjoy visiting with my elderly friends and hearing their stories. Several of them are just longing to have someone show interest in what they have to say. Some residents are eager to share some of their memories – stories of their family members, their accomplishments or their former work. Other residents feel they…
Read MoreWhen I Grow Up
By Arlene Manson Last fall, I finally got a permanent job after six years of term positions. The goal I was working for – a permanent job – had been achieved. And this past spring, I turned 50. At this point, my life has kind of settled. So, what or where do I want to go next? This period of life has put me in a reflective mood. Lately, I have been reading books on spiritual disciplines and the like. I am trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. I know that I want…
Read MoreIn Every Breath
By Esther Dupperon After 45 minutes of twisting, stretching, and bending we were told to lay on our yoga mats and relax. How wonderful. The instructor put on some music, led us through a breathing practice, and then through a guided meditation. I fell asleep. Since that time, I have participated in many meditations, some simple breathing and some lasting hours. Sometimes I fall asleep, sometimes I am unable to focus my mind or relax my body. Other times, I have had a sense of peace, relaxation, and a closeness to God. Meditation can be prayerful, relaxing or mindful. It always…
Read MorePrayer Journaling
By Ruth Pradzynski I remember several years ago at a Christian women’s meeting, the speaker challenged us: “If there was one thing that you could do that would make a difference in your spiritual life this year, what would it be? I challenge you to do that one thing.” I knew right away what my one thing would be: to have a daily quiet time with God. I had never done this consistently, and I thereupon set a goal, to have a quiet time with God, daily. And it truly transformed my life. I had always “not been good at”…
Read MoreThinking Backwards: Thoughts on Luke 6
By May Thiessen I volunteer with a children’s program each week. Lately we’ve been looking at the teachings of Jesus, and specifically, we’ve been working at memorizing the Beatitudes. I was telling the children that in many ways, Jesus says things that seem to be backward compared to the way we’d normally do or say things. After all, the Beatitudes start, “Happy are the poor (Blessed are the poor in spirit)… Happy are the sad (Blessed are those that mourn)… Happy are you when people pick on you because you want to do what is right (Blessed are those who are persecuted…
Read MoreWhat 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 MoreBe Still…
By Laurie Fisher Lately these two little words have come into my consciousness a lot…and I don’t think I’m being necessarily exhorted to closet myself in a serene setting to contemplate the bigness of God. I think God is saying, “Back off. Hush. Pray. Watch. Be STILL.” I look at Ephesians 6:10-20 and see what I’m supposed to do. Three times it says, “stand firm” (be still?) Twice it says “pray” (although one of those times it says “at all times” and “with perseverance” so it’s really said more than twice) . And one of my personal favourites is Exodus…
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