The flower-of-the-hour grew happily at the side of the strawberry patch in my garden. Its buds began to swell as it joyfully prepared to show its beautiful white and red flowers.

But, then, a lawnmower came roaring down upon it. The buds were gone and the plant stood as only a fraction of its former self. Read more…

On January 10, 2017 we had our house examined and tested for energy use. We had done a good job on the insulation side. But…

When it came to the air exchange test major problems were exposed. There were such significant leaks in the house the tester could not even get to the recommended internal air pressure.

Now the natural gas supplier had already sent us a report saying we were using 216% more gas than the 100 houses around us. But we did not feel any significant discomfort and were comfortable with the warmth in the house.

We didn’t know what the problem was until the expert arrived and exposed the gigantic flaws in our house.

What a parable! Around me I see people who name Jesus and yet have no spiritual power, discernment, effectiveness or humility. Yet when a prophet speaks truth to call them back to servanthood and costly duty in serving that very Jesus, they not only refuse to hear, since their religion affirms their status, but they even destroy the prophet. (“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways” [Matthew 5:11-12 God’s Word©]).

Are you comfortable in your religion because you are used to a spiritual half-life? If you only interact with those who agree with you where is your growing edge?

Or are you plugging up the holes in your holiness?

Is life comfortable with everything running smoothly? Then this is a time to fall humbly before God in thanksgiving and exercise faith to resist fleshly impulses. Don’t make the mistake of thinking “the good life” is where it’s at. Read more…

I have always found the parable of the Good Samaritan confusing. It doesn’t help that virtually all preachers and devotionals teach an error. Read more…

I still like winter. The beauty of the fresh-fallen snow refreshes the soul. Bundling up to go out to shovel, walk or play still feels like fun.

This morning we awoke to this scene, another big storm stretching from the Atlantic states through Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces. True, such a storm wreaks havoc on the modern industrial/commercial world, and unnecessary travel presents true danger that should certainly be avoided.

Our home, however, shelters us from the storm. We see it, hear it, watch it, but the walls and roof and furnace defeat the ill-effects of the storm.

I sense a parable in this storm. Read more…

I work outside at night, usually.

Last night was quite chilly (below freezing). But there was almost no wind so the cold did not bite. The moon was bright (2 days till a full moon)  even through the thin clouds, which eventually drifted away. Read more…

Wild Grapevine (Photo credit: bill barber)

For many years a wild grapevine flourished in the corner of the yard. It climbed up every tree, shrub, hedge and fence it could reach. But strangling the greenery in its own yard eventually wasn’t enough. It began to cross into the neighbour’s backyard. It climbed on the hedge, tangled in unwanted Manitoba maple trees and finally overpowered the red cherry tree nearby the fence line. Neighbour finally noticed it high in the cherry tree. It entangled the leaves and branches with such vigour that Neighbour could not pull it out of the tree. So Neighbour followed the stem of the invading plant, but found the roots far onto the next lot, beyond reach. So Neighbour trimmed and pulled the best that was possible, but year after year the grapevine returned. If only Neighbour’s neighbour cared enough to dig out the offending plant!

In front of our house stands a gorgeous cedar tree. At ten metres (thirty-three feet) it looks like a perfectly groomed tower of green. Our grandchildren have even burrowed into the centre and climbed its many branches.

But a very short time ago its shape changed. Read more…