Not every desert story is the same. Mine began when my health began to fail, eventually confining me to my home. Looking for the positive, I could see that this allowed me more time to immerse myself in God's Word. Writing devotionals has …( read more )

What a stunning reversal in normal summer weather patterns took place in late June, 2021! Rather than shivering and trying to keep dry on a typical camping trip, everyone in the USA Pacific Northwest was desperately trying to cope with the …( read more )

Years ago, I wrote a devotional for Palm Sunday entitled, "Donkey Business". I did not realize it at the time, but since then, I have had the opportunity to hear several inspired teachings that …( read more )

It was such a lovely day, so I decided to take the dogs for a run. I loaded my three-year-old granddaughter into the stroller, gathered up the dogs, and away we went. As we were walking, Ade asked several times if we could go down to the …( read more )

Even though I regularly ask God not to allow me to be led into temptation, it never occurred to me that I might lead someone else there. In my senior year in Bible school, I was ignoring the 9 p.m. curfew imposed on dorm dwellers. …( read more )

Recently, in a devotional published here on the PresbyCan Daily Devotional, Martin Wiles wrote how easily he and his wife can be sidetracked from their intended purchase by the clever displays in the store. He then applied it to our …( read more )

Most of my time in the work force was spent working evenings, nights, and weekends. It seemed to be a good idea, because my husband was with the children when I was not. But I often missed family celebrations and church. My faith …( read more )

"God won't put more on you than you can handle." Many a well-meaning Christian has made this statement — or some form of it — to someone who's going through a tough time. To a woman who has miscarried. To a man who has watched his …( read more )

My arms were full, and I didn't know whether or not I could make it to the car. At 14 years of age, I began my first real job: bagging groceries at the local Piggly Wiggly® grocery store. Though I had helped my grandfather on the ice …( read more )

"Judge carefully" … "Do not judge" … "Judge for yourself" … "Stop judging" – the Bible Well, is it okay to judge or not? The above texts aren't helpful, are they? It's no wonder: They're extracted from their contexts! Furthermore, …( read more )

During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV) It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. …( read more )

Several weeks ago, I heard about an interesting archaeological find which fits the description of the rock that God commanded Moses to strike in the wilderness of Horeb. I learned the details on a website known as "Real Discoveries". …( read more )

My dad was smiling when I went to visit him recently at the nursing home. "What are you thinking about?" I asked. "Well, it's funny the things that come into your mind when you have a lot of time on your hands and not much to do," he …( read more )

Have you switched yet? Studies suggest that whole grain breads are healthier than the white, doughy stuff our mothers used for our lunches. It includes the whole grain, not just bits left over from the milling process. You may have …( read more )

The legendary Scottish athlete and missionary, Eric Liddell (on whom the movie Chariots of Fire is based), was once asked about how he mixed his faith with his sprinting. He cheerfully replied, "God made me fast. And when I run, I feel …( read more )

Soft music was playing in the background as I was writing in my journal. It had been a while since my last entry. Again, my writing had been put on the back burner, and I found myself wanting to get back into writing and meditation again. …( read more )

I am the type of person who can't say "No." If somebody is sick or something else comes up and the person can't fulfill their volunteer position at our church, it is my name that comes to mind. If a … (read more)

Once I had an unusual dream: I was sitting in a pew, and a church leader was calling forward all who had done good deeds in church. The list of names was lengthy, and the line of people across the … (read more)

One of my daughters and her family has moved back to The Rock. Years ago, I did not know that there is a place called The Rock, let alone how big it is or where it is. Is it in … (read more)

It happened again! I couldn't believe that I could be enticed again. But there it was — staring me in the face — and tempting me to play the latest edition of a new "Hidden Object" game on the Internet. … (read more)

When we are driving anywhere, whether on a short or a long trip, there are roadside signs and signals revealing important information, instructions, and directions: speed limits, slow, stop, give way, keep left, turn right to such and such, freeway … (read more)

Because I was a teenage alcoholic, I still feel tempted to go out on a binge, especially when I'm under pressure or tired. Even when I entertained with our band, Glenfinnan, at a Scottish Burns Supper, I wanted to slake … (read more)

Several times this week, I found myself struggling with my impatience. I have been frustrated, and I find myself being argumentative with others with whom I have no disagreement. I have asked for guidance and patience from God while engaging … (read more)

Not long ago, I read the novel, No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod, with interest, perhaps because his characters were so much like some of the people I had met while I lived in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. The … (read more)

"Is it wrong to sin ten percent of the time?" The question recently came to my mind after I overheard a conversation where two Christians were discussing the limitations of the posted speed along the highway. "I always drive within … (read more)

One day as I was going for a walk, I had to stand at a busy intersection and wait for the traffic to clear and the light to turn. The intersection is at the highway leading through town, so there … (read more)

All sorts of small animals visit our yard during beautiful spring days. They run and play in the warm sun and the freshly-mown grass. We spend much time watching from our kitchen window. We began to notice that a squirrel … (read more)

Granddad was digging a cellar under an existing house. In years gone by, the best way was to use a horse-pulled scoop. This, of course, made a ramp under the house which was later filled in. My dad and his … (read more)

I really like the new way to marinate tough meat: just place it in a plastic food bag, and pour a little of one's favourite salad dressing over it. Zip the bag shut, and toss the whole thing in the … (read more)

Having had a difficulty that I didn't know how to deal with, I finally came to discuss it with clergy. I was told that I wasn't the only one having the same problem, meaning that others suffer from the same … (read more)

Part of my childhood involved several moves in order for my father to find work. After one particular move, I remember telling my cat, Trail, how much I missed my friends and my other home. Once, we moved into an … (read more)

My cousin in Alaska sent me an interesting picture a while back, and it started me thinking of obedience. In the picture, a baby moose was stuck, legs dangling through the ceiling, and chin resting on the roof of a … (read more)

Wouldn't you know it! The first winter we spend in our new community has turned out to be the worst winter we've had in at least ten years, if not more! There is so much snow, we hardly know where … (read more)