It was wash day. I got right to work, separating the laundry into piles and loading the washer. I reached for the cleaning agents and meticulously measured bleach, detergent, and fabric softener, pouring each into their respective …( read more )

Like most churches, our congregation has a time of silence during the prayers of adoration and confession. It is a holy moment when we humbly approach God quietly to seek individually His pardon for the mistakes, faults, and sins that we …( read more )

One Sunday when I was driving to church, I was stopped by the police … so I thought. I saw those familiar flashing lights and pulled over. Another car pulled in behind me, followed by the cruiser. As I reached for my insurance form, the …( read more )

Until recently, I hadn't given much thought to the reed (or mock sceptre) that was placed in Jesus' hand by His enemies on the day of His execution. But as part of my Lenten devotions, I read an interesting section about the reed in the …( read more )

This is a wise question — especially in view of today's wastefulness. Questioning needless waste is reasonable! But apparently, it wasn't one day when at a dinner party a woman poured an entire pint of perfume on Jesus. It was worth a …( read more )

I can remember as if it were just yesterday the anticipation of the arrival of the Sears Wish Book. Growing up, we lived in the country, so trips into the larger city were few, especially in the winter. This, I believe, added to the …( read more )

Does God test us? You bet He does! How many times have you thought or heard something that seems like it is a nudge from God, and have chosen to let it go until later? Maybe you questioned whether it might have been just a thought …( read more )

There is not a day that goes by that I do not end up saying "Sorry" to God. There is not a Sunday in worship, when the prayers of confession are read and said, that I don't feel guilty and in need of those prayers. Some folks would say …( read more )

I feel sorry for John the Baptist at this time in his life. He was an outdoors man who spent most of his life in the wilderness, in bright, open spaces, with no boundaries. When Herod arrested him, the cruel king didn't have to torture …( read more )

I needed a black skirt for a concert, so I googled the word "skirt", hoping to find fashion ideas. To my surprise, I got fishing sites and discovered that a skirt is a kind of fishing lure. This is not … (read more)

Through my own sinful choices, I'd become alone! I'd become separated, without fellowship with God. I was not entirely without belief, for I still prayed at Him — sometimes. However, I was positively estranged from the kind of interactive fellowship … (read more)

Can you imagine collecting a lifetime of tears in a bottle? How would those tears describe your life? Several weeks ago, I received a lovely email devotional explaining the ancient custom of collecting tears. One individual shared her experience in … (read more)

I was in a queue at a set of traffic lights in town. We were stationary, so I looked expectantly towards the red lights in front of me, when a movement in the car in front of me caught my … (read more)

Many churches (including mine) take a strong stand against any form of gambling, because they understand the personal cost paid by those enthralled by the faint hope of ill-gotten gains. However, that doesn't stop people from visiting casinos or buying … (read more)

My dog, Ginger, lay down at my feet, looking up at me. She usually lies with her head down unless she wants the food in my hand. However, I had no food this time, only a book that I was … (read more)

The hummingbirds are back! What a delight to watch those miniature helicopters whiz around the flower garden. To encourage them to come closer, we boil up syrup for the feeders. Hubby diligently hangs the feeders along the back porch. Then … (read more)

From the vantage point of my sunroom, I have enjoyed watching the changing seasons. There are so many contrasting sights to be seen in the beauty of our Father's world, for example the pristine whiteness of winter, the lush greenness … (read more)

The sinful woman washed Jesus' feet to show her love and hospitality to Him. She was also seeking forgiveness for her sinful past. Would you wash your father's feet? I did, when I was about ten years old. My father … (read more)

One of the scariest things I have ever done is to buy a house. The reason I say it was scary is on account of the cost that was incurred. When I signed the loan, I felt a very heavy … (read more)

I marvelled at the centurion's faith. Did he even know Jesus, or just know of Him? I wondered. And I wonder still. I asked God about it. He answered in my heart in that still, small way of His. Right … (read more)