I'm a romantic. I love to read Christian romance books. I enjoy watching Hallmark movies. I love happy endings! The greatest love story ever written is God's love story. God is a good, good Father — it's who He is. How amazing is this …( read more )

One morning in late August, my wife discovered a big clump of wasps or bees on a branch of the cedar tree near the flower garden behind our house. She called me to have a look at it, and I thought that it was a nest being built by wasps. …( read more )

This was the scriptural theme for a new Bible study, the verse to memorize. Later in the same day, as I opened the mail, a pamphlet from an evangelistic association proclaimed the same verse. Coincidence? This is how God gets our …( read more )

A friend shared how she had once asked God to stop sending trials because she couldn't handle any more. She confessed, "God did grant me a trial-free year; but it was a spiritually dry year." She missed the warm presence of the Lord. She …( read more )

It was a very snowy winter. Snow after snow fell, day after day. We lived in a very white world. As spring thaw began, a team of horses pulling a sled suddenly went down so deep beside the winter-packed tracks that they threw snow over …( read more )

During His trial, Jesus was asked by Pilate, "What is truth?" (John 18:38 NKJV) It seems that in today's world, the subject of truth is a rather slippery one. Many prefer to live in a world of relativism where there are no absolutes. …( read more )

During my growing-up years, Christianity was an integral part of my lifestyle. Very soon after I met the young man who was to become my husband, I was taken to his family home to be introduced to his loved ones. I quickly learned that the …( read more )

A few months ago, at the first meeting of our Bible study group focused on the Gospel of John, I learned the context of the book. Jewish-Christians in Rome before 90 A.D. were shunned by both their synagogue and their extended families. …( read more )

When I think about mine, it sometimes appears pretty selfish. I have a general daily prayer list. While I don't adhere rigidly to it, for the most part, my prayers follow this schedule. Occasionally, I pause to consider who is benefiting …( read more )

Many years ago, I saw a war film, Full Metal Jacket, about a group of infantrymen during the Vietnam War. The scene I remember most vividly, which has stuck with me over the years, opened with the men returning to base camp from leave. …( read more )

Approximately two years ago, our church building was sold to a funeral company. Due to declining membership, the few members who were left found it difficult to keep up with the bills. We had no other option but to sell, … (read more)

Approximately two years ago, our church building was sold to a funeral company. Due to declining membership, the few members who were left in our congregation found it difficult to keep up with the bills. We had no other option … (read more)

As a member of the prayer ministry of our church, I began every Monday on my computer reading and praying for all those who had made requests during several services the Sunday before. The requests were varied, with earnest petitions … (read more)

Why is there so little joy in many Christians when Scripture portrays joy as a vital ingredient for life? Jesus was eager that His followers be filled with joy. Paul was too. He said: For Paul, joy was vital because … (read more)

I spend my physical time in two different worlds: home and work; and my friends and neighbours know at a whiff which world I have just come from. Why? Because when I am working at home out in the barn … (read more)

Last year, we bought a new house, and this spring, we discovered that there are daffodils in our lawn! "So what?" you might ask. Yes, I do enjoy their colour and beauty — they provide splashes of sunshine wherever they … (read more)

"A rose between two thorns!" You've heard this expression; but have you ever applied it to our Christian calling? Jesus did. In effect, He called His followers to be a sweet aroma in the midst of prickly evil. This is … (read more)

During the holiday season, I especially enjoy sending old-fashioned greeting cards to family and friends as an expression of my faith. Since I am very selective about my choice in cards, I carefully take the opportunity to remind others about … (read more)

Before moving to Delaware, USA, ten years ago, I attended a Bible study in Pennsylvania with Christians from various backgrounds and denominations. This unique ministry was called "Jesus Focus", and began in 1974 at a time when many churches failed … (read more)

Like many teenagers back in the seventies, I enjoyed seeing the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Later, however, I heard that many Christians considered the film to be offensive. One reason for this criticism was the omission of the resurrection of … (read more)

This passage is challenging in many ways, but especially when we love to be right. We talk about right and wrong as if the dividing line were clear and precise, but it isn't always. Consider the letter H. We pronounce … (read more)

My husband and boys decided to put in a sprinkler system for the front lawn. It would come on and water on our designated day in the early morning hours before the heat of the day. Installation of this meant … (read more)

A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of working with St. David's Relief Foundation in Bosnia. We were in a small town that had been attacked during the war. While our job was to put on roofs and … (read more)

Recently, my nephew took his mother and several others of us out for dinner to celebrate her 89th birthday. He took us to a fine dining room in Mennonite country near St. Jacobs in rural Ontario, Canada. On the way, … (read more)

Have you ever driven a car and attempted to do something else at the same time, like change a tape, talk to child in the back seat, or look at a map? As soon as you take your eyes off … (read more)

The Christian life is one that is a conflict between the kingdom and the flesh. I find myself continually being distracted, sidetracked, by the world, because I am acquisitive, a hoarder by inclination and upbringing. It is a hard … (read more)

A young man once cleared a small area in a forest, erected a small house and a barn, and, together with his bride, began a new life in humble and lowly fashion. On a certain occasion, the young man became … (read more)

There's a sign on the side of the road coming into a small town in northwest Florida. It's been there for years, with a simple statement to those who drive by: "Jesus loves you. He's coming soon." Nestled in the … (read more)

Uoah had a powerful character, even after retirement from the Cuban military. He had always been a defender of Marxist-Leninism, with weapons ready to enforce. I last saw Uoah when he invited me to eat lunch with him at his … (read more)

Someone has written concerning Jesus: His birth was contrary to the laws of nature — He was born of the Virgin Mary. His life was lived contrary to others — He always sought to serve and desired not to have … (read more)

John Westerhoff was invited to Northern Ireland to lead a spiritual retreat on reconciliation with a mixed group of Catholics and Protestants, young and old. He was feeling like a failure as the week slipped by and old animosities seemed … (read more)

The Church of Jesus Christ always seeks to gather the shattered fragments of faith that are the one Church of our Lord and Saviour, bring the pieces together in an embrace of love and unity. That dream is encompassed in … (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)