When you look in the mirror and begin to criticize the way you look, the shape you don't like, the imperfections that are unmistakable to you, the hair that you do or do not have, remember this: God made you … Read more

There is a lilac that grows in my yard. Each year it has bloomed beautifully. This last year, though, something happened. In the middle of summer, a time that has been its peak, it turned brown and died. All these … Read more

I am thankful for the prayer ministry program in our church which was begun last spring. We're growing and learning and nurturing continuously! We're called Prayer Warriors and every now and then, we have powwows to inspire and encourage and … Read more

I love books. I love to read them and touch them, especially old books. I love to caress their covers and try to imagine how many hands have held them before. I love to give books to people and share … Read more

For the last several years our church has sent a mission team to Guatemala each summer to help build houses for widows and orphans of the civil war. It is an expensive proposition since there are no discount airfares from … Read more

This last Sunday, I noticed one of the first signs of summer: an announcement in our church bulletin to sign up for this year's Appalachian Service Project. Each summer our church, along with churches throughout the country, sends a group … Read more

When I was learning how to drive, my father taught me in a pickup truck, which had a manual transmission. I was scared because I thought I was going to blow the thing up by missing a shift, but I … Read more

I never cease to be amazed at the replies I receive which state that a devotional of mine spoke to them, was so timely for them, hit the spot for them on that particular day, for, you see, most devotionals … Read more

Our son plays Spuds basketball (co-ed ages 6-9). Two weeks ago at a basketball game, my son's team was playing against opposition which had only six players. It was obvious that the other team was at a disadvantage. By half … Read more

So many times I hear Christians say that you will know other Christians by their fruits. While I agree with this, one thing I see is that it may take time for this fruit to come about. Many Christians have … Read more

Last April, the Daily was attracting about 60-80 readers a day to our website, after two years on the Internet. A year ago today, Monday, April 20, 1998, I wrote computer instructions that would automatically send out the devotionals by … Read more

Yesterday afternoon as I was returning home from an errand, I was absolutely awe-stricken by something I saw. As I passed by a shopping/business complex I saw the most beautiful display of spring flowers in full bloom. It suddenly struck … Read more

These words are not new. Jesus spoke them first and we have all heard them many, many times. But putting them to practice is quite another thing. A businessperson with whom I was dealing became enraged and started cursing and … Read more

When I was barely old enough to know how to add and subtract, I remember very deliberately calculating that I would be 55 years old when the year 2000 came. It turns out that many other people I've mentioned this … Read more

Fear of time passing is not new. During the Middle Ages, when the year rolled over from 999 to 1000, there was a lot of superstition that resulted in panic and the expectation that the world was ending. As our … Read more

Recently I made changes to the script that updates the Daily Devotional each morning, to make it ready for Y2K, the year 2000. Many computers use only two digits to store dates, and without changes, they will interpret "00" as … Read more

I just came back from the Holy Land. But I got something there that I was not counting on. After we left the Sea of Galilee and entered the Kingdom of Jordan, I came down with a case of flu … Read more

During more than three years on the Internet, I have received innumerable e-mail virus warnings about not opening letters with various subjects, like "Join the Crew", "Good Times", "Penpal Greetings" or "It takes guts to say Jesus", because, they said, … Read more

In Newfoundland there is a bay called Bay d'Espoir, which means Bay of Hope. As a first time devotional writer, I finish what I think will be a series of four and prepare to send them to the Daily editor, … Read more

As I learn about the people of Bay d'Espoir, I realize what an inspiration they are. Their bay had several names over the centuries: French fishermen called the spectacular fjord the Bay of Hope, but for a time it was … Read more

The grand Newfoundland bay stretching over 50 kilometres in length and one time called Bay Despair, although named Bay d'Espoir (Bay of Hope), continues to inspire me. I am amazed that the great drainage basin which guides raindrops can become … Read more

I recently learned how the spectacular Newfoundland fjord, Bay d'Espoir — once pronounced Bay Despair — was named in the 1600s by French fishermen, Bay of Hope. As I researched the history of this beautiful region, I discovered that a … Read more

On Newfoundland's south coast a spectacular fjord stretches over 50 kilometres in length. At one time this great bay was called Bay Despair although the name is Bay d'Espoir. Ice free, it was named "Bay of Hope" by French fishermen … Read more

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and … Read more

Maybe that should be "prince of the powers on the air". There's a new television show running this season, about a coven of witches. Charmed is running on the WB network in the United States, and the CTV network has … Read more

In August, I signed up for a third and final course at the local college, which would complement two others I'd taken from the same instructor. The course, to run two weekends in October, if ever even offered again, would … Read more

On the horizon there is a trip planned, one that I am looking forward to with great anticipation. The itinerary for Easter Sunday says we will be at the Garden Tomb for a sunrise service. We will be present in … Read more

When Jesus was hanging naked on the cross, the soldiers divided his last earthly remains. His mother, the beloved disciple, and others were close by, looking on. They were more concerned about Jesus than they were about what happened to … Read more

What's a crucifixion like? A Jewish writer, Klausner, describes it as being the most cruel and terrible death that has ever been devised for taking vengeance by men against men. Cicero called it the most terrible and most cruel torture. … Read more

As we come to Good Friday, I want to describe what happened to Jesus on his final journey, to the cross. Scourging, or flogging, always preceded crucifixion. Under Pilate's order, Jesus was stripped naked, his hands tied behind his back. … Read more