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We have a huge hibiscus plant that blooms from August to September with dinner-plate-sized red flowers. Every spring, we wait with anticipation for the shoots of this showy perennial to appear. Yet when it begins to bud, we usually admire its beauty with a little sigh. A flowering hibiscus is both a delight and a gentle reminder that July is long gone and fall is swiftly approaching. Recently, my husband gave our hibiscus a brand new name: The Death of Summer. How appropriate. Autumn is a ... Read More about The Beauty of Letting Go

Last Wednesday night, I was helping my daughter with bedtime and reading my three-year-old grandson the story of "The Three Little Pigs." After I read the one line where the author writes how the pigs were afraid of the big bad wolf, that sweet boy exclaimed, "We can be brave because God is with us!" Who knew how much we would need these words this past week? In Matthew 28:20, we read about the final moments of Jesus on earth before He ascended to heaven. The disciples were with Him after ... Read More about We Can Be Brave

I work at a church. So in some ways, the fall always seems like the beginning of another new year. Our regular programs start up again, and I always look forward to all that's in store after the slower pace of summer. September affords us a fresh start as we move back into schedules and routines, even new opportunities and adventures. If you're anything like me, your calendar is already filled with plans you've made for the months ahead. Yet experience tells me this: those plans may very ... Read More about How To Face Uncertainty in Faith

Summer is in full swing. School is out. Air conditioners are running. Beaches are busy. For some, summer means a long-awaited family vacation. For others, it means more time on the deck and less time in the office. There's no denying that this season calls for a slower pace, more time to sit and linger. Over the last few weeks, I've been reading a little devotional called Rest: Creating Space for Soul Refreshment by Heather Nelson. It's reminded me of the Source of all that I have and need. ... Read More about How To Find True Rest

I grew up listening to vinyl records being played on our wooden stereo console. It sat proudly in our living room where I listened to the greatest hits of Christian contemporary music from the 70s and 80s, as well as my father's much-loved Southern Gospel groups, Tijuana Brass, and Johnny Cash. Sunday mornings usually meant enjoying my favourites on high volume while I got ready for church. However, as with any record player, there were occasional glitches when a scratched LP would cause the ... Read More about How To Keep Praying

Summer is finally here. Longer days, family vacations, and more time outside are just some of the reasons why I love this time of year. Summer can also be a time to refresh. Perhaps it's a new paint colour for the bedroom. Or some potted plants on the back deck. Or a new workout routine. Or even a different hairstyle. Summer also brings an opportunity to refresh our spiritual lives. Often, our quiet time with the Lord can become routine, can't it? We may feel stuck in the same pattern, ... Read More about Three Ways to Refresh Your Quiet Time