When our oldest son passed away due to illness, I wrote the song, "You're Still God". You can click here to listen to a recording of it. You're still God in the midst of the trembling quake You're still God even when our heart breaks … Read more

I was typing a message of consolation to a fellow believer on my cell phone and was just about finished, when my two-year-old great-grandson came running in, jumped on my lap, and proceeded to give me a big hug and kiss. What happened … Read more

My nephew has a green thumb. Flowers and plants just seem to bloom and flourish under his skillful care. His home is adorned with healthy, luscious leaves and different shapes, varieties, and colours of beautiful flowers. However, I do … Read more

I recently asked my two great-grandsons, "Why did God give us tears?" The three-year-old answered, "Because we're crying", and the six-year-old said, "Hmmm, I got it! Because when we're sad we can't just make a noise. We have to make a … Read more

Many moons ago, I was employed as a substitute teacher at a nearby Christian daycare. The regular teacher needed to take some additional training classes, and I would be filling in the K-4 K-5 class until she returned. I asked the … Read more

As much as I love God — and believe me, I really do love Him — it seems that there are times when I feel so far from Him. Now if I'm going to honest — and that I must be — the feelings of isolation usually start with a decline in my … Read more

If you have seen the 1983 classic, "A Christmas Story", you may remember the scene where the mother is about to take her first bite of dinner when Ralphie, her oldest son, interrupts her to ask for "More red cabbage, please." As she gets … Read more

As I thought about how Jesus died for my sins, I realized that He died for me — His blood is on my hands. I might as well have been there to pound the nails in His hands and feet — the hammer fits my hand! In my mind, I saw a … Read more

I remember a favourite saying of a friend of ours: "Lord, I'll climb the highest mountain, I'll swim the deepest sea, I'll be over next Tuesday … if it don't rain." Why is it that every good intention is so often accompanied by a … Read more

"Pugh!" my husband Marcelo blurted out. I smelled it, too. It permeated our entire living room, and the bad news was that the smell got even stronger when we walked near the chair that I always sit in. I assured Marcelo that the smell … Read more

Have you ever gone through a trial when, although others may be around, you feel like "It is only God and me"? I well remember going through such a time. My husband Marcelo was asleep on the couch, where he had spent the night for the … Read more

"It is her quietness that speaks so loudly." At least that is what I believe the Holy Spirit was saying to me as I studied very closely the picture of the Mona Lisa that I found in the encyclopedia. As I gazed at it, I noticed that the … Read more

"What, no mirror?" Pride chided Jewel. Jewel loathed mirrors! Just seeing her reflection would stir within her the haunting voices that had plagued her since childhood: "We wish you were never born." "You deserve every bad thing that … Read more

On Friday, June 14th, 2002, our grandson was born. He was premature and had many complications. He died two days later on Sunday, Father's Day. You can imagine the grief, heartache, and loss that we all faced, especially our son and … Read more

Hector is someone with whom we can all identify, for forgetting the past is a choice that we, too, will face. Hector kept thinking about the pastor's message that morning, entitled "Forgetting the past". Angrily, he thought, "Surely, … Read more

Every year, my mother would take all four of us kids to the toy store to pick out a present. If we were not naughty but nice, Santa would deliver it on Christmas Eve. We eagerly set out in different directions to look. On one such … 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

My grandparents were wonderful people, and they had thirteen children! When I was a child, they lived within walking distance, and every day, I loved going to their house. They always found time for me and always made me feel so loved … Read more

I'm not proud to say it, but I can identify with the apostle Paul in this statement. Before I was saved at the age of thirty, I was well acquainted with sin. But then, a prerequisite for salvation is that we must know and admit that we … Read more

In my spirit, I heard it as plain as day: "Cheryl, I know thee well." It didn't seem like an accusation, but it was a statement that went straight to my soul and pierced me deeply. I have never forgotten it! I had been 30 years of age … Read more

We were early that very first Sunday morning when my husband Marcelo and I walked into what would become our new church home. Sitting on the back row in her wheelchair, an elderly woman, excited to see us, motioned for us to come near. … Read more

Sadly, I did it again. I unleashed my tongue when I should have bitten it. As my husband was leaving the house this morning, I made a remark to him that I was immediately sorry for, the moment after I had said it. His remark back to me … Read more

Just recently, I received an email from a well-known Christian establishment. The email subject read, "Slightly Imperfect Gift Sale". The items had minor chips or scratches that caused them to fall short of perfection. It got me to … Read more

I recall an instance in my life when I found forgiveness to be an extreme struggle to resolve. One evening, I had just finished reading Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 . I closed my Bible, and said out loud, … Read more

The invitation read: Because you have been falsely accused, ridiculed, mocked, and rejected, a table has been prepared for you in the presence of your enemies. Please accept our invitation. It went on to spell out the specifics: date, … Read more

Several years ago, one of the members of a church we attended lost her son to a drive-by shooting. As she grieved, and as we all did, I prayed and asked God how I might be used to be a comfort to her, and the following story was dropped … Read more

I was on my way to an appointment. I had only left the house and been driving for a matter of minutes, when I realized that I had forgotten something. I hurried back home, opened the front door and walked in. Immediately, I could sense … Read more

Shortly after I came to know the Lord as my personal Saviour, I was going through an extremely difficult period in my life. The pot that was my life had been formed and fired, but it had imperfections that had to be corrected. It was then … Read more