The Church Mouse

And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. (Exodus 13:21) “Metanoia [repent], for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matthew 4:17) “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” (Acts 3:19) “John’s baptism was a baptism of metanoia [repentance]. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” (Acts 19:4) This week marks the fourth anniversary of … Read more

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the … Read more

And God spoke all these words: 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.  (Exodus 20: 1-3)   After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. (John 2: 22)   So. This week a Chat and Chew, one of the participants; whose name I won’t tell you because what happens at Chat n Chew stays at Chat n Chew, came armed … Read more

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.  (William Shakespeare ‘Romeo and Juliet). No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. (Genesis 17:5).  But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, Jacob, and formed you, Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. When you pass through waters, I will be with you; through rivers, you shall not be swept away. (Isaiah 43: 1-4) Back when I was in my late teens, I … Read more

For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He [a]knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103: 11-14)   In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.” (Genesis … Read more

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Mark 9: 5,6 Way back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was doing my undergrad at Queen’s I signed up for a course through the English Department with the really exciting title of “Selected Women Writers”.  My reasoning for taking this course was:  I needed a credit that was relatively easy.  I liked to read.  I am a woman … Read more

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)   Last Sunday, Hydro One … Read more

  “Do justly, Love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (1Corinthians 13: 4-7) Over the Christmas holidays, as happens with … Read more

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a … Read more

Integrity:  a fundamental virtue characterized by adhering to ethical and moral principles consistently.  (The Helpful Professor) Integrity is doing what you said you were going to do.  (Stephen Covey, the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People) When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said,, “What is this dream you had?  Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” (Genesis 37: 10,11) I have an acquaintance that stands me … Read more