(to conclusions) I've been pondering the pain we may all be experiencing due to the global pandemic variables. I read in Titus 3:9 that we are "not to have anything to do with foolish arguments or controversies", and that we are to practice "sound speech" (Titus 2:8). This particular piece of advice supports discussion rather than complete silence, but I have been searching for the right words for some time. While looking for further direction, I picked up a magazine in the c

You don't have to worry about how to be a Grandma or a Grandpa, because your grandchildren will teach you how. It starts from the moment you look in their newborn eyes, and from there...you just have to pay attention. Fast forward several years....take the 'pillow' for example. Willow made a pillow in Sunday School on the same week we Ferried in for a visit. She decided quite instinctively, she would give the pillow to me. I was to take it home even though she hadn't had much

Photo by #unsplash, Dari Lli Do you remember as a young parent repeating something to your child you heard your parents say to you, something you didn't really appreciate? Why did you repeat it? Why were those your go to words? Chances are you found yourself in a crisis moment, and those words just spilled out of your mouth. Recognizing this irritation doesn't mean everything you heard your parents say was frustrating. I am sure there are true nuggets of wisdom they passed on

Mourn with those who mourn....Romans 12:15b As believers in Christ we know Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us (John 14:3), that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). We are comforted by all of our Lord's precious promises, but when the time comes to say goodbye to a loved one there is first a tearing, a ripping of the soul, a pain beyond all words. As a comforter, one who is mourning with those who mourn (John 12:15b) it is more than al

Thank you Brandon Erlinger-Ford for your photo, #unsplash. September is my favourite time of year, even knowing winter follows close behind. In some ways this year is like any other. There will be joys and challenges, but because of our unique global circumstances we need extra help to keep ourselves healthy, in mind, body and spirit. We need extra help knowing how to care for others too. Depending on your personality you may not be feeling a great deal of stress related to o

Through the Eyes of a Child I was inspired to write my upcoming Children's book through a story relayed to me about a little girl, who was struggling with her Grandmother’s illness. Her odd behaviour was a sign of her struggle. Her parents were hurting too and wondered how to help her. I have experience with community advocacy and specialized training, but I was not drawn to write about self-help steps, or grief stages, or a focus on Heaven. I was drawn, however, to what ever

(Every Once in a Magical Dittle, by Cindy Palin, on Cindy Palin Music & Words S02E03) Photo by Patty Brito of #unsplash Today we are inundated with information unlike ever before, so why subscribe to my podcast? This summer Cindy Palin Music & Words are focused on children's song and story. 1. Free and fun entertainment (summer episodes) 2. Brief and easy listening 3. Celebrate 'clean' content 4. Stir the imagination 5. Inspire future writers 6. Happy travelling fillers (for

I would like to begin the New Year with a worship song I penned back in 2011. The lyrics describe our Lord's creation, and my adoration for His great love for us. We can see it in everything around us (Romans 1:20). I couldn't think of a better way to shape my thoughts and ready my spirit for a New Year, than to glorify the One who gave us life. "This Night You Made For Me". Winter wheat orange freckles the snow, Twilight blue blankets my heart. Wish I could drive right off t

song story - week seven A global catastrophe has levelled the playing field. At this time in history we all are feeling weaker than ever before, at varying degrees for sure, but it is definitely there. That gnawing feeling that not everything is right as rain anymore. For some the answer to their pain and isolation is to find blame with those in leadership. Others have found their comfort in escaping into the world of Hallmark, where "I just want you to be happy" eases the ac

This Christmas season is worlds apart from last year. Last year there was unexpected sickness and surgeries. I had peace and support to get through it all, but is seems like a very distant blur. It seems like I was very much carried by those 'footprints' spoken of in the famous poem by the same name. Curiously, there is more joy and fullness this year, even in the midst of a pandemic. My head is spinning, but in a good way. By deciding to explore my Christmas Album all over a

One of my favourite classes in music studies at RDC was 'music appreciation'. We students were to lay our heads down on our desks and listen to different pieces and pick out each instrument. Sounds slack right? More like profound! If memory serves correct Cheryl Cooney was our Instructor, or did she teach 'Composition'? I was telling my husband the other night, while driving to the city, why I turned the music down so often. I love music, why wouldn't I have it blaring all th

reposted July 29, 2020 To love is a costly call, for love can have no strings. It steals time and breaks your heart and wrinkles everything. To love is to gamble if it were not for the Christ, Who swallowed death to save my heart because He knows my fight. The one I lose so hopelessly each morning when I wake. Because my heart is human and it hungers more to blame. To lust and twist and use this life for what I want instead. I merely open up my mouth and I can smell the dead

You've heard it before...open the door a crack and....Yup it only takes a crack and the stuff you don't want gettin' in and stinkin' up your soul get's in. Well I was thinking of some of the vocabulary that has become the norm on 90% of television, music and film. It's like we're all brain washed. We think we have to say THAT word or people aren't going to know how $%^#&&* we are. Or what about the barrage of questions, the doubts, the paralyzed lives - from generations of ve

Thanks Joanna Kosinska for your lovely photograph #unsplash Let's play a little 'I remember when' game, about my hometown (Olds, Alberta). I remember when the building north of the Post Office had a candy store in it called; The Beehive. If the weather co-operated I could ride my bike two miles into town on the country road that extends north past Dairy Queen. After my swimming lessons I would stop at The Beehive to buy five and ten cent candy. Many years later I am walking m

When I was newly married my husband so graciously taught me the importance of doing business in my hometown rather than outsourcing and justifying with lower prices. What about the cost of travel? More importantly what was the cost to home town relationships? What is the cost to our community when we shop elsewhere? We can shape our community by investing in our community! My Home Town Some signs have changed, some faces too, and I remember when I didn't know the value of

I know Mother's Day was yesterday, but that is a special day we set aside to truly stop everything and celebrate our Mothers. Everyday is parent day and there is nothing like parent pain, whether you are a Father or Mother. Don't get me wrong, parent pain is not all bad, but it is always present. There's the sleepy stupor pain when they're small and you can't get them to stop crying. There's the throbbing pain when they run away from you to their kindergarten class. You might

Yesterday I woke up from a nightmare. I knew it was a result of the newscast I had watched the night before, which was top notch, truthful and to the point. Obviously the facts stirred up a realistic deep-seated fear about the world’s dire circumstances, but the fear morphed into an exaggerated zombie apocalypse. This morning I woke up from a dream. In this dream I was invited to speak and sing to a new church plant, and like many similar dreams before I couldn’t remember my

Each year before Palm Sunday I revisit this song I wrote based on scripture. "Say to Daughter Zion, 'see your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey..." (Matthew 21:5) I understand that Israel was Daughter Zion, and they expected a King to rescue them from Roman rule. Jesus came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding a donkey (a symbol of peace). His beloved people did not know He had come to take the throne, but not the throne in Jerusalem. (first verse only) Daughte