We left home yesterday morning for a shopping trip to Saskatoon, fully aware of the forecast of an Alberta Clipper, a fast moving winter storm that would pass through this area in the afternoon. The forecast of the time and the area affected were still a little vague in the morning and we though we … Continue reading Bad choices, happy ending
choices
The other epidemic
Image by picman2 from Pixabay There is an epidemic stalking our land, people are dying, others are left incapable of working or maintaining relationships. No, I’m not talking about COVID, this is an epidemic that was around before COVID and will probably still be afflicting people long after COVID is gone. Since this epidemic only affects people hooked … Continue reading The other epidemic
Day one of my eightieth year
Image by M W from Pixabay Another birthday, this one is number 79. That many candles on a birthday cake would set off the smoke alarm; perhaps I should feel more alarmed than I do. In my younger days I couldn't comprehend the world being able to withstand the impact when all those 9's in 1999 would rotate … Continue reading Day one of my eightieth year
Amazing grace
That saved a wretch like me I am not wretched because of things others have done to me, even though those things may have been horribly wretched. I am wretched because of the things I have done, the choices I have made. God is not a sadistic puppet master who made me do bad things, … Continue reading Amazing grace
Lonely people
We had dinner the other day with a man, his newest girlfriend, his mother and his youngest son. This man works hard, is very well paid, and is using his money to try to fix his broken relationships. When he was a young man he married and two sons were born to him. He and … Continue reading Lonely people
Inside or outside?
There is a line that we cross when we give our hearts to the Lord. Many people stop once they have crossed the line, mill around with others they find there and wonder why they are not experiencing the blessings of Christian life that they were promised. After awhile, some of them step back to … Continue reading Inside or outside?
Who is our Lord?
We are told in 1 Kings chapter 17 that the people of Samaria "feared the LORD, and served their own gods." In reading the whole account, we find that the people understood that they needed to reverence Yahweh to save their lives from the lions. But when it came to the mundane affairs of life, … Continue reading Who is our Lord?
Authenticity and tradition
On Saturday we travelled to Moose Jaw to attend a workshop for writers. We've only lived there for short periods of time, the last one being 37 years ago, but it still feels like this is where our roots are. I wanted to visit my 91 year old cousin after the workshop, but there was … Continue reading Authenticity and tradition
Builders
Isn't it strange that princes and kings, And clowns that caper in sawdust rings, And common folks, you and me, Are buildings of eternity? To each is given a bag of tools, A shapeless mass, and a book of rules; And each must make, ere life is flown, A stumbling block, or a stepping stone. … Continue reading Builders
Life isn’t fair
These are real people that I’m going to write about, but I’m not going to use their real names. Elsie and Elizabeth were already quite elderly when we knew them; the story of their earlier life was told to us by others. They were sisters, born in pioneer days on a prairie farm and grew … Continue reading Life isn’t fair
Flatlander Faith 