What is faith and why do we need it?   The answers to those questions are actually quite simple. It is living them out that may be harder.   What is faith? I define faith as believing in something greater than myself. For me, I name that as God, a spiritual presence that is greater than I can imagine, that loves us beyond definition and that binds all of the universe together. For others, that “greater than myself” is named in many ways. In AA, they refer to a Higher Power. In others faiths, it may be Allah, Heavenly Father, Supreme...

We’ve all had those frustrating moments when we know our child is lying to us. It is so easy to see them as bad and deceptive, but the truth lying is a natural reaction in a child who is maturing. Yes, we’d like our children to not tell lies, but we shouldn’t make a big deal about it when they do. I’ll tell you why I say that first, and then I’ll suggest what you can do.   Here’s what you need to know about why children (and even adults) tell lies: Children under 8 years can’t hold two thoughts/feelings (mixed...

It’s December 24th and the malls and stores will be filled with those trying to find last minute gifts. But here’s a last minute gift idea that won’t have you heading off hoping to find a parking spot at the mall. Why not give your loved ones the gift of presence?   We want to surprise our family with presents under the tree, but the greatest gift we can give is our presence! True presence is the best present of all. Giving our attention, our time, our focus to the ones we love is a gift of more value than anything...

Christmas Day Family Worship whether you are a family of one or a family of 15 or somewhere in between or more Needed: 5 candles, four of the same colour and one a different colour Candle holders If you wish, you could also use a manger and its characters for this. Take everyone away and add them back in as you read about the characters. Sing the carols with gusto. Don’t worry about whether you’re singing in tune or even know the tune. Feel free to sing other carols in the place of ones suggested. Thanks to the Youth at High...

Okay, so I admit it. I’m 55 years old and I still believe in Santa Claus. Yes, I know that I am the one who wraps the gifts and places them under the tree. I know that I’m the one who diligently finds stocking stuffers and fills the stockings on Christmas Eve. Yes, I know that David is the one who drinks the milk, and eats the cookies, leaving just a few appropriately placed crumbs on the plate. And in spite of all that, deep down in my heart, I believe in Santa Claus. I’m usually quite practical and down to earth,...

“In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be taxed….all went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her first born son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no place...

“Do as I say, not as I do!” are dangerous words to come out of a parent’s/grandparent’s mouth. While we hope that children learn more from our words than our actions, the opposite is true. It is our actions that will influence our children. They’ll notice choices we make, words we use, feelings we express and the things we do. They are more likely to imitate our actions than to follow our words.   It’s the same with God. God’s actions speak to us about who God is and about God’s will for our lives. Jesus said, “Love God with all...

O, be careful little eyes what you see….   for the Father up above is looking down in love, O, be careful little eyes what you see.   O, be careful little hands what you do… O, be careful little ears what you hear…   O, be careful little mouth what you say… O, be careful little feet where you go…   I remember singing that song in Sunday School as a child. God was the judge, ever watchful of little eyes, ears, mouths, feet and hands which might be getting into trouble. The statement that the “Father…is looking down in...

The four of us were sitting in the living room, our almost daily before bedtime ritual. It’s something all of us look forward to. At about 9:30 pm each evening is the Lukey-Robertson gratitude and family prayer time. We each say what we’re thankful for, but also feel free to name things that didn’t go so well, or frustrations we are feeling. Then we end with a prayer that we’ve said together since the kids were small, “Thank you, God, for being with us today. Please be with all the people we love, all the people who need you and all...

It’s Hallowe’en time again.  Every year I hear questions about its purpose and why we celebrate the occasion.  Now I could go into historical background for the holiday, but I think the reason that it holds on, long after all the beliefs with which it was connected have gone, is because it is fun.   How many things do we do in our lives that are just for fun?  My guess is not many.  It is ingrained in us that what we do must have a purpose. (Thank our Puritan, Protestant & Victorian ancestors for that!)  Activities are chosen for skills...