She longed for their presence. The military had called her husband and her son to fight a Middle Eastern war. She worried night and day — never totally focused on anything that she did. What if both were killed? Or suppose that they … Read more

One lovely spring day, my brother and I were on a day trip, meandering along back country roads that followed the Columbia River, which divides the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington. On our route was a small, four-vehicle ferry crossing … Read more

Some years back, we were driving home to British Columbia from our daughter's place in Alberta. Having headed out much later than planned due to a family emergency, my husband decided to stray onto an unfamiliar route. This seemed like a … Read more

It was a bright, sunny day at the beach, a perfect day to relax and read. Yet the glare of the sun was so intense that my sunglasses weren't enough to block its powerful rays. As I shielded my eyes, today's verse came to mind: "The Lord … Read more

She had been abused and needed a safe place. Johnnie was in a situation of her own making. For thirteen years, she had endured an abusive marriage — one she had entered merely to be on her own and make her own life. Jim had seemed like … Read more

I often listen to a Christian radio station located in upstate New York, USA. Their tagline is "God's Presence is with you giving you eternal life". Those words are like a hug from God just for me. I like to think that God's Presence will … Read more

At regular intervals, I have a telephone conversation with my lifelong friend in the Netherlands. Our loyalty to each other has been solid since our high school years. Even my move to another part of the world had no bearing on it. … Read more

Even amidst a hectic and chaotic lifestyle, it is still important to seek out those few quiet moments early in the day and dedicate the day to the Lord. Perhaps you can identify with a Christian family that I know of, whose day begins … Read more

Comfort zone: a behavioural state that doesn't fabricate anxiety because we're using patterns that we've learned will deliver an expected level of performance without risk. I wasn't in mine. Having recently graduated from Bible College … Read more

While on the PCCWeb Daily Devotional tour of central Europe and the Oberammergau Passion Play at this time last year, we purchased a "Heidi" doll for our younger granddaughter, Caraline, and a "no name" (but wearing the traditional folk dress … Read more

Several years ago, it was reported that a bureaucrat met Mother Teresa at an airport and accompanied her in a limousine to her speaking engagement. The bureaucrat was puzzled because Mother Teresa would interrupt their conversation to speak with someone, … Read more

October is the month when the swallows fly from San Juan Capistrano, California, to winter in South America. They return regularly on March 19th the following year. They have done this for hundreds of years. Can we possibly imagine what … Read more

One morning recently, I drove by the ambulance service and the fire department on my way into town. Later, at eleven o'clock, I came back down the same street. Both buildings were gone. Behind where they had stood was a … Read more

There I was, driving down Keele Street, nearly late for an appointment, but sure that I could find the cemetery to take that one remaining photograph before I went on. I was sure of the location; I had been there … Read more

Except for two short culvert tunnels, our regular walking route was completely out in the open and on paved pathways, and was really pretty routine. Having hotter weather forced us to take a unique and more rigorous route, which leads … Read more

Each fall, I love to watch the Canada geese as they prepare to migrate south. So many things they do make me think of people, especially Christians. Geese fly in a V formation so that the birds behind can fly … Read more

Some time back, I took up the habit of keeping a spiritual journal or diary. One of my recent journal entries was about living in the present moment. It seems to me that our western culture is so addicted to … Read more

There's seldom time to do much visiting during the workday, but sometimes there are co-workers who make the day brighter. I had such a friend who shared coffee breaks with me. After a few words with her, my load became … Read more

The only glimpse ever given of God, except that curious passage when Moses is granted a discrete view of God's back (Exodus 33:18-23), is in the person of Jesus Christ. Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and … Read more

The church has dug deep looking at the why and the wherefore and all the rest regarding God, though I don't think we have ever attempted a biography, such as that of Jack Miles in his book God: A Biography. … Read more

I love the way Jack Miles' Pulitzer prize winning book God: A Biography addresses the nature of God and the many ways people perceive the divine. Penelope Mesic, writing a review in the Chicago Tribune, captures the essence of the … Read more

How often have we thought of God as a punishing, angry God? We think of Jonathan Edwards' Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, and we cringe at such an awesome, holy, but wrathful God. But for God's chosen … Read more

Moses stood upon the lava rock strewn mountain in front of that camel's hair tent, Bedouin garbed, grey wispy hair rope bound in place arguing with God's presence in the whirling pillared cloud. Arguing on behalf of a confused hope … Read more