(May 03, 2025) Norman and Margaret Moss share another precious meditation…
We went into a restaurant recently and found our table. On it was an imitation rack for Scrabble letters, the tiles spelling out the word RESERVED.
Our son- in-law who enjoys a game of Scrabble said, ‘That’s wrong.’ Of course we asked why and the reply was ‘You can only have up to seven tiles at a time on your rack.’
Well… it gave us something to meditate on for a few moments.
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(April 11, 2025) Stuart Reynolds asks some questions, challenging us…
Luke 23:48ISV tells that the mixed crowd who witnessed Jesus Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary’s cross: ‘… beat their chests and left.’
Of this J.C. Ryle wrote, ‘Both Jew and Gentile left Calvary that evening heavy-hearted, self-condemned, and ill at ease!’ And William Barclay wrote: ‘[Christ’s] death did what even His life could not do— it broke the hard hearts of men!’
Easter 2025 is next weekend and I’m reminded of the question Alan Redpath asked, ‘In the light of the cross, isn’t it a scandal that you and I live today as we do?’
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(April 8, 2025) Editorial note: The late Georgia Cohen RN was famous for her caring… and her book, Nurse Georgee. The following excerpt shares her caring heart as she zeros in on some spiritual diagnoses— giving an opendoor opportunity to respond. If something clicks with you, exercise faith believing that the Lord will help.
[A reader just come across this excerpt that we originally posted years ago and shared his appreciation. As we’ve been hearing lately about Christians bothered with illnesses (even your editor), some people we know, some we don’t … we felt to rerun it reminding readers that our Saviour is the great miracle-worker and divine physician (Matthew 8:16-17). Praise God for today’s medical profession… maybe there’s some spiritual issues to be considered too].
Spiritual Healing
In my profession as a nurse I’ve had the privilege of assisting many great doctors help patients recovery from illnesses. It’s good to know that many medical professionals believe in God’s healing power or at least are open to the benefits of faith and what is often regarded as ‘spiritual healing.’
(April 07, 2025) Carol Round recalls a happy hike and shares a relevant challenge…
It was small and almost hidden by the remnants of dead leaves whose brown colour still carpeted the cold ground.
But the bright purple flower caught my attention.
It was a sign that a new season was struggling to emerge after a harsh Oklahoma winter.
Reminder
It was also Easter.
(April 03, 2025) Norman and Margaret Moss share another precious meditation…
It could be argued that Rudyard Kipling’s Just So stories should be called ‘Just not so.’
The rhinoceros, for instance, did not get his wrinkled skin because long ago he took off his skin and left it on the beach while he went swimming, and someone put cake crumbs inside to make it itchy. However Rudyard Kipling’s little daughter wanted the stories told just so which is how they got their name.
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(March 16, 2025) Mama Lava, sharing from her heart, reminds us of a great truth…
Sometimes I feel like a puddle of emotions, but then I remember that a puddle reflects what is above it and at my lowest, I can showcase almighty God on high!
God is Able!
There has been a fantastic song on repeat in my head as I’ve been contemplating my theme this month— God is Able. In fact, the lyrics come from the verse that was on this month’s first Assurance Card.
(March 08, 2025) Brian Bell encourages…
On January 1 this year I moved another year further into my seventieth decade of life— and the inspiration for this short meditation is drawn from my recent reflections on one of my favourite verses: ‘Once I was young and now I am old yet I have never seen the godly forsaken nor seen their children begging for bread’ (Psalm 37:25NLT).
This verse from David’s psalm speaks to me about three basic experiences—
1) David’s Experience of Life
The general experiences of life are common to every man and woman. While our specific individual experiences may differ, they come to us as we progress through life from young to old.
(March 05, 2025) Carol Round sincerely shares a relevant challenge…
Pushing my shopping cart into the corral, I noticed an older gentleman wandering around the parking lot of the big box store. He was carrying two sacks of groceries and appeared lost. Immediately, I knew he couldn’t find his vehicle.
Because I’d previously seen others doing the same and had experienced it myself, my heart went out to him.
Approaching the lost shopper, I asked if he needed help. Declining my assistance, he replied, ‘I’ll find it. Eventually.’
‘Are you sure? I don’t mind helping’ I said.
He refused again and I shared my secret of finding my vehicle in a large parking area. ‘I always park in the same area of the lot.’
Valuing Others
Driving home, I prayed for the man who’d refused my help. I also was reminded of the parable of the lost sheep. In Luke 15:1-2, Jesus overhears the Pharisees and teachers of the law muttering, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
(March 06, 2025) Norman and Margaret Moss share another precious meditation…
As most of our friends are aware we send out short videos each week in collaboration with Vessels of Virtues Ministries. These days we are using some pictures in the background and are always grateful for the help friends give in sending us favourite landscapes of their own that we can use.
Seeking an Image
However, just occasionally when desperate I involve the help of AI. Recently I was in search of a picture representing the baptism of our Lord. AI supplied one… but I had to point out that it was immersion not sprinkling, and the water being poured on the head of Jesus had to be removed.
I also pointed out that I’d discovered on close inspection that John the Baptist was not only gracefully robed in garments deemed appropriate by the artist, but was also wearing glasses!
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(February 10, 2025) Mama Lava, sharing from her heart, challenges us to trust our loving and caring God…
February! What a great month!
And what a perfect topic we have on the Back Porch: God is for us!
Initially I didn’t chose this topic on purpose. Last year, as I sat with the Lord, planning a 2025 roadmap through the topic of overcomimg anxiety, I did not realise how appropriate it would be to talk about God being for us during this month of love. But, my friends, that is how God works! He knew what He wished me to share this month— and His timing is perfect.
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Connecting with You! 