My brother David and I rode our bikes all over the countryside of Germany where we grew up. Usually, we followed a clear path through the forests, over the fields, and around our village. However, one day, we abandoned the path, and ended …( read more )

"Please, will you ask her?" I pleaded with my older sister for the umpteenth time. Katrise lived next door. She was my older sister's best friend and was having her Sweet Sixteen birthday party in a few days. I wasn't invited; I was only …( read more )

It was early in my life that I was asked to sing solos in school and community gatherings in Finland. Before World War II, it was intended that I continue to have singing lessons from an opera singer who spent her summers in our village. …( read more )

Currently, our weekly ecumenical Bible study group is studying the book of Acts. As we progress through Luke's letter to Theophilus, the Holy Spirit is repeatedly evident in all the activities of Christians in the early church. They heal …( read more )

After my salvation experience in 1978, I had an unquenchable desire to read, learn, and understand the Bible. It became my first love. If I heard good lessons from Bible expositors on the radio, I would request their offered cassette …( read more )

Far out in the Pacific Ocean, away to the north of Papua New Guinea's mainland, just before 9:30 a.m. on the beautiful morning of February 26, 2014, six persons, John and Marjo Brownie (Wycliffe Bible Translators), one of their …( read more )

I love old clocks. Their soothing, clockwork heartbeats are a comforting reminder of the passage of time, as opposed to the cold and impersonal digital timekeepers of today. A decade ago, I decided to collect old clocks. There followed a …( read more )

Initially in my early church life, I'd be most uncomfortable when anyone preached on the above Scripture. I didn't believe that I could attain to Jesus' love for every Christian in and outside my church. No, not me! Oh, my, … (read more)

I often wonder what it was like to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground, to watch Jericho's walls collapse, or to walk with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. But imagine being present at that most astonishing event: … (read more)

Years ago in Maybole, Scotland, all the churches in the town began an ecumenical healing ministry on behalf of the townsfolk. It unexpectedly grew out of a Lenten worship service one night when I asked if anyone in the mixed … (read more)

Many years ago, we moved to a small instant town on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was situated in a beautiful valley with majestic mountains all around. Everything was new, the people, houses, and streets — a true … (read more)

Several years ago, I was reminded ever so clearly how God passionately wants us to hear His voice. We had a chapter of a large Christian women's organization in our town. Every month, this organization would have a dinner meeting, … (read more)

Years ago at Christmas, a family member gave me a kit that included all the materials needed to complete an afghan. She gave it to me for two reasons. First, she knew I enjoyed crocheting, and would get tremendous pleasure … (read more)

There have been times in my life when God has "long been silent", not because He had nothing to say to me, but because I was not in the mood to listen. My Bible, while sitting on the bookshelf, had … (read more)

Just shortly after I became a Christian, I was still questioning many things and got to the point of finally yelling out loud (while in my car, alone), "Okay God, if you are really real, show me something, right now!" … (read more)

My wife and I love Mexican food, and one of the local restaurants routinely places discount coupons in the newspaper. Out of habit, I keep one of these coupons in my car, just in case the sudden urge to "eat … (read more)

In this age of computers and advanced technology, we need a password (or a PIN) for just about everything. Just the other day my husband was getting quite frustrated because he couldn't remember the password he had used for his … (read more)

I started thinking about faces after watching a couple of TV documentaries earlier this year. One was about an earthquake in Pakistan. A reporter with a camera was walking about among the debris as rescue workers attempted to help the … (read more)

How shall I meditate? Christian meditation must be centred in God alone, the only true God; in Jesus Christ, the only one who has the power to save; and in the Holy Spirit who makes it all come together. Silence, … (read more)

I shall never forget that letter. A few days before, I had conducted worship in an area church. At the door, following the service, there were expressions of appreciation and enthusiastic handshakes from departing worshippers. This letter, however, was special. … (read more)

As teen-age rebellions go, I suppose this one is relatively mild: my daughter finds "our" church boring and prefers to attend worship service at quite a different church. Despite membership and active participation in our town's Ecumenical Council, despite reinforcing … (read more)

Just a few verses, stating very simply the foundation of our Christian hope. The risen Christ makes himself known to his disciples. They were never the same again. They couldn't stop talking about it. We have a woman in our … (read more)

A senior executive of one of the largest bank in New York City told the story of how he rose to his prominent and influential position. At first he served as an office boy. Then one day the president of … (read more)