Every year at this time, I am reminded that December is not a joyous month for everyone. And every year at this time, I am reminded of the worst December ever, for our family. December 2009 is when we lost our beloved son and brother, James. The night before James died, our whole family got together to celebrate the marriage of our oldest daughter, Irene. We did not know it was the last time our family would be all together….
Have you ever asked these questions? Most people have. Who am I? Why am I here? What is wrong with the world? How can what is wrong be made right? So, why did God create us? Does He have a purpose for us? Let’s take a look at what some Bible teachers are saying. Westminster Shorter Catechism Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever. John Piper…
What is the core issue of our day? Is it… COVID-19? Critical Race Theory? Transgenderism and LGBTQ+? Progressive Christianity? Woke-ism? Social Justice? Afghanistan? The Great Reset? Climate Change? Earthquakes? Hurricanes? Wildfires? All of the above, and many more, are of great concern to so many in our day. So why am I not addressing any of these issues? I’m not blind to the threats, or the devastation they have already caused. But the real core issue goes deeper than…
Have you ever asked that question? I have. If God is sovereign – and He is – doesn’t that mean He has already decreed what is going to happen in this world and in my life? If so, what is the good of prayer? Why pray? Jesus said, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8) If that is true, then why even ask? But right after saying that, Jesus goes on in…
My husband, Ian, did something for me a few years ago, that I will treasure always. He took an old black & white photo of my dad taken around 1949, when he was 28… and a colour photo of me in 1980, when I was 27… and put them together as one photograph. He colourized Daddy and the background to make it look as if we belong together. This picture is especially meaningful to me, for my dad died of…
December 29, 198_ began like any other winter morning in northern Alberta. But when they laid a tiny bundle in my arms early that afternoon, I knew my life would never be the same again. Six more children were born to us through the years. But there is something special about the firstborn child. As I gazed into her wonderful blue eyes and nuzzled her fuzzy blonde head, I prayed that Ian and I would be all she needed in…
I’m not superstitious, and have nothing against the 13th – Friday or otherwise. My mom was born Fri. May 13, 1932. Ian and I were married on Sat. Feb. 13, 1982. But I can see how superstitions get started for some people. My life does seem to have a lot of parallels and accompanying lessons. Take Sunday, December 13th, for example… Sunday, December 13, 2009 was the day Pastor Lyle did not preach the sermon he had prepared for that…
JAMES GORDON FLEWELLING July 10, 1984 – Dec. 12, 2009. Some people called him a big teddy bear. I called him my Gentle Giant. From the time he was born we knew James was going to be a big guy. Apparently he was in a hurry to be born, but didn’t want to venture out on his own… the doctors were convinced that he was malnourished and needed help being born ahead of schedule… but when he arrived, we could…
Eleven years ago tonight, on Friday, December 11, 2009, our family got together to celebrate the marriage of our eldest daughter, Irene, to her best friend, Sean. Sean was from Southern California, and had not been able to return to Alberta with Irene on Dec. 2. He surprised her by telling her he would arrive on Saturday, December 12. We didn’t know this until the day before our celebration was scheduled. When I asked Irene if we should postpone it…
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. – Luke 2:11-14 We hear these verses so often at this time of year….