Image by u_osk932pj9i from Pixabay I’ve been reading Sarah Speed’s beautiful poems in the Sanctified Arts Lent/Easter Leaflet I received at Bridgenorth United Church. Poetry is not my strength, but occasionally I give it a try. This Easter poem was inspired by God, Sarah, and my great-grandson Riley. Plastic Box A plastic box. A yellow lid. I know…
Why Tell Stories Over the years, my readers have often asked, “Why do you write books? Why do you tell stories?” Our Bible tells us that Jesus’ disciples asked him the same question after he told the story of the farmer planting seed (Matthew 13:1–9, The Message). “Why do you tell stories, Jesus?” He answered,…
My website is back thanks to the efforts of Nick Burd from Niteowl Creative who built my website in the first place and the help of my friend Greg Phillips from Sterling Mutuals who was one of my church kids at Dunsford United Church. I am truly grateful for both of them. For many of…
Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash Madeline L’Engle, in her book of reflections, Glimpses of Grace, wrote about the ability of children — especially toddlers — to reach a place of being totally outside themselves when they play. I remember going for walks with my great-grandson Riley when he was two. He would…
Poster Painted by Mary Englebreit (available for sale on line) Richard Wagamese, in his book of reflections Embers, offers this piece of wisdom for living: “You have to learn to make your own moccasins… You make them from the hide of your experience, all the places you have walked. You sew them with the thread…
A common question people ask when they learn that I’m a writer is, “What do you write?” Their faces often show surprise when I answer, “Novels, short stories, children’s books, worship resources, blogs, and a newspaper column.” I usually smile and add, “My pen likes variety.” When I look out at God’s spectacular world,…
Thrifting! Last weekend, from my chair in my friend’s basement, I could see nine extra-large reusable bags, heavy with freshly washed and ironed, gently used children’s clothes, lovingly and carefully chosen from thrift shops around the city. My friend, Nancy, always detested shopping. Over the last few years, though, she has found delight shopping for…
It’s Our Choice I’ve written so many times about making choices because our choices are the bottom line. They make a difference for ourselves and for the world. Even Jesus made choices: “When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said,…