It was time to renew my passport. New photos taken, check; references obtained and verified, check; and forms filled out, check. I determined that the quickest way to obtain a passport would be to visit the local Service Canada office. … Read more

Last week, my fiancé and I experienced the opportunity of a lifetime. We visited Yellowstone National Park. All around us were tangible indications of God's creation: grazing bison creating traffic snarls, blue pools of boiling-hot … Read more

Last Sunday in church, a young father sat in front of me, holding his beautiful baby son. This little child is about nine months old. He is cherubic, with red hair, beautiful blue eyes, and the most wonderful smile. Throughout the … Read more

During the past number of weeks, I have been struggling through a number of losses. In my head, I think, *How do people without faith cope without the comfort of God? How do people cope without His promise, "Never will I leave you; never … Read more

I am so blessed that God has gifted me a little beach retreat at a village in Saskatchewan, Canada, called Manitou Beach. While my renovation may never be complete, I feel so blessed here. I feel so close to God, enjoying His beautiful … Read more

I walk for stress relief and exercise. I also daily thank God for my numerous blessings. I believe that God has called me to minister to those who are grieving, ill, and struggling. However, the other day, I was having a pity party. I … Read more

This is a familiar passage from a well-known story of 2000 years ago. Fast forward to today: You have just sent a tweet which features a picture of a majestic star: Fellow scientists and academics, we have been charting the course of … Read more

The other day, I was walking and typing out a text when I looked up to see an angry-looking man. He reprimanded me, "This is a sidewalk. You need to be looking where you are going." I laughed, replying, "I am sorry. Usually it is me … Read more

According to Wikipedia , "The pandemic … caused the largest and worst civil unrest in the United States history since King assassination riots in 1968." Protests in Canada have also been widespread. Besides activities that "bite and … Read more

We are in the midst of a world crisis, the magnitude of which has not been seen since World War II. Physical isolation has separated us from loved ones for unknown periods of time. Frightened people are hoarding supplies. Nurses are … Read more

Many people may think that God could only manifest Himself directly in grand gestures like earthquakes or fire. There have been numerous pivotal times in my life when I have asked God for a sign. Several times, God has spoken directly to … Read more

Here in North America, society seems to be evolving to a state where everyone — irrespective of gender, race, culture, religion, or political views — has equal freedom to hold and practice their beliefs. Simultaneously, however, … Read more

Each time we share at the Lord's table, these verses, or ones like them, are spoken. Rarely, however, are any of the next verses given focus. The disciples did not have the benefit of knowing what would follow the Last Supper. However, … Read more

We know that Jesus, though God, had to be born human so that He could give His perfect life as the payment for our sins, but I really wonder why Jesus had to die such a horrific death. There were many ways that people died in those days. … Read more

This is my friend Esther's story: People say that there is no God, that there are many gods, or that our God is not all-powerful. I tell you that there is a perfect, Almighty God, and He is with us through all circumstances. On … Read more

I cannot function before my morning coffee, so when the phone rang early one day a month ago, awakening me from sleep, I was groggy and confused. It was my youngest niece speaking quickly and with great excitement. "You know those rings … Read more

Everyone knows the story of Jonah — God provides a big fish that swallows Jonah. We all know the Bible story … or do we? I would suggest that the story teaches: – God can put us on the right path even when we are disobedient; – We … Read more

Lately, I have been spending more time than previously reading the Bible, doing devotionals, and going to Bible study classes. I've also been devoting more time to church activities, but I've felt that something is missing. In the past … Read more

It has begun: the lights, the shopping, the baking, the gift wrapping, and all the hustle and bustle associated with Christmas. In fact, the lights and decorations were going up in some stores alongside the Halloween decorations. You have … Read more

Dust, dust, and more dust! This was on day one of an eight-day renovation project. I was surrounded by plaster dust, pieces of drywall that had been cut to fit the size of the ceiling, and bits of cardboard that had peeled from the … Read more

I try to attend worship on Sundays in two different churches: one at 9:30 a.m., where I sing in the choir, and another at 11:00 a.m. I had been asked to sing at the second service. During my daily devotions, I read about living water. … Read more

Although I usually park my sport utility vehicle parallel to the garage, on this day, I parked further away from the garage than normal. Hopping out of the vehicle, to the left of my foot, I noticed a glimmer of gold — my ankle bracelet, … Read more

I hear God speaking to me most often when I am walking. Perhaps, that is because my feet automatically go one in front of another, almost like involuntary action, and my mind is freed to enjoy the display of God's creation. During these … Read more

This passage is familiar to most of us who went to Sunday school. It is taught to children to instill in them the importance of children to both our heavenly Father and to Jesus. To me this passage is akin to learning the alphabet… just … Read more

I had led a blessed life, until depression robbed my husband of his very being. For 18 months, he suffered unbearably. God seemed oblivious to our prayers as my dear husband bounced in and out of hospital. On numerous occasions, in … Read more

I try to begin my days with a cup of coffee and my time with God. I begin with a few online meditations and continue into whichever specific book of the Bible that I have been studying. I know that my days unfold much better when I start … Read more

I have always understood the concepts of God and His beloved Son Jesus. The concept of a Holy Spirit, however, has always somewhat eluded me. While I may have encountered the Holy Spirit numerous times before, I had not made the … Read more

How could it be that I had read this verse yesterday — glossed over it, really — and today, the same verse spoke to me poignantly? Today, my prayers were those of the destitute: the tired, the downtrodden, and the humble. How could it … Read more

Whaaaaat? One minute I was striding purposefully along the parking lot towards my vehicle, and then, my ankle went under, and I was falling. Strangely, I was not afraid, but my first thought was, "Have I broken my ankle?" Slowly, I felt … Read more

As I entered the bank and noted the long line, I thought, "Oh well, I'm not in a hurry today." Looking ahead, I saw a grey-haired lady entering the bank from the other side. I could not help but notice that when she saw me, she picked up … Read more

This morning, I was driving through badly needed rain to have my vehicle serviced. As I looked to my left, I saw a break in the rain. The sun was shining brightly on a point of land. The contrast of the red shore, the blue water, the … Read more

During a recent holiday to Arizona, I would take two daily walks. Because of the intensity of the heat, I would walk in the early morning and before sunset. As I walked, I learned to meditate and listen for God's messages to me. In the … Read more

This morning, I stood in front of my patio windows witnessing the sunrise. I was overcome with the sense of God's power, and I felt profoundly privileged as the colours changed and the sun glistened on the snow. For the past three weeks, … Read more