I am going through some health struggles, which can affect me both emotionally and spiritually. It often means that I don't deal with other people very well, especially if I feel ignored, misunderstood, mistreated, rejected, or alone. When …( read more )

Why did God allow those two other men, criminals, to have centre stage next to our Lord Jesus? What was God's purpose in their crucifixion on crosses beside the Son of God? This question has been bothering me for years. The crucifixion …( read more )

Last year, during the Lenten season, our pastor played a song in church called Watch the Lamb by Ray Boltz. This song is a beautiful depiction of the scene portrayed in today's Scripture. Not much is known about Simon of Cyrene except …( read more )

I saw a memorable film on television. It was the story of a broken marriage — a story in which a teen-age daughter was very embittered by the break-up of her parents. The father walked by the edge of the schoolyard at recess time to see …( read more )

I sometimes think that we Christians can get a little too smug about what we would and would not do. It's not surprising. After all, we have the benefit of hindsight. We have our Bibles and two thousand years of Christian tradition behind …( read more )

Standing at a distance from the cross, I found myself in a group of three women who were gazing at the man who was hanging there for His sin of blasphemy, as ordered by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The … (read more)

Just a few months after my arrival at my first posting on a native reservation out on the prairies of Canada in 1987, I was informed that I was to lead the three nights' wake service of a young man … (read more)

My late husband was a chaplain attached to the local Royal Canadian Legion, and when one of the members was near death, his two nephews approached my husband to conduct their uncle's funeral service. My husband readily agreed, although he … (read more)

Those of us who have suffered a serious illness, disaster, accident, or loss (or have a loved one who has suffered), know how unexpectedly our world can shrink and change overnight. During springtime, we reflect upon the enormity of our … (read more)

These days, it seems that we need passwords to access so many things. Online shopping requires one. Our bank machines require one. In fact, so many things require passwords that keeping track of them all nearly drives me nuts. Passwords … (read more)

During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, I love to sit on the back patio and enjoy the beautiful landscape my husband has designed in our yard. Beside the evergreens, the fig tree is one of my favourites, especially for … (read more)

As a writer of young adult fiction, probably my most satisfying moments are when I finally finish another book. The story is complete, all questions answered, a satisfactory wind-up, no loose ends. I can sit back and say, "It is … (read more)

During my childhood in England, shopping was an almost daily occurrence, in order to ensure that our food was as fresh as possible. Home refrigerators were rare, because they were not even close to affordable for the average household. My … (read more)

I often wonder what it was like to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground, to watch Jericho's walls collapse, or to walk with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. But imagine being present at that most astonishing event: … (read more)

Recently while doing some research for a history book, I ran across an interesting story that caused me to stop and ponder. In 1824, Patrick Bergren, an 18-year-old teenager, entered his master's place of business at night and took "one … (read more)

Most of us likely know the expression, "Silence speaks louder than words." Years of experience have taught me that this proverb is true. Sometimes, I can give a better testimony simply by being silent, much to the disappointment of some … (read more)

The calendar today for the northern hemisphere says "spring", but the landscape in many places looks like winter. When the skies are so gray, many struggle with loneliness. It's just the time between. I know that one day, the snow … (read more)

Have you ever contemplated what Christ went through for us when He gave His life on the cross at Golgotha? I have — and when I do, it actually brings tears to my eyes to think that He died such … (read more)

On a trip to Britain to visit family, my husband and I decided to spend a few days in London. There, among the pageantry and history, I discovered an interesting story. In 1670, Thomas Blood, disguised as a parson and … (read more)

As we entered the church, the sign read, "Please no perfume. Respect those with allergies." I am one such sufferer. Perfume chokes me up and makes my eyes weep as if I were peeling an onion. It is very embarrassing, … (read more)

Words adequate to give expression to the overwhelming sadness, numbing shock, and gnawing grief that grip so many in the face of the tsunami which hit south-eastern Asia on December 26th are impossible to find. We are called, however, to … (read more)

Last week, our choir director asked me to write a word picture about the meaning of compassion. As I prayed about how to word this, my thoughts turned to the anguish that God must have experienced when Adam and Eve … (read more)

I had never been part of a drama before, but when our pastor pleaded for more men to participate in the Easter play, I couldn't say no. After months of set building, rehearsal, and preparing all the special effects necessary … (read more)

It was just a little three-and-a-half inch by one-and-a-half inch article halfway down page five in the morning newspaper: "Catholics To Hold Cross High". It stated that as part of World Youth Day Celebrations, a twelve-foot-high cross was going to … (read more)

Often, towards the end of a speech or lecture, the presenter will say something like, "One last word before I leave you." Or, perhaps, sometimes we have felt it necessary to have the last word, or been the brunt of … (read more)

The day is bright, clear and sunny. A soft breeze rustles the leaves of the large oak tree that stands strong and tall in my front yard. It is peaceful. Yet approximately five hundred miles from here, there is chaos. … (read more)

Have you felt the hands of Christ? Do you ever sense his comforting presence? I have a beautiful little figurine of a very young, trusting child cuddled in a caressing hand. On the bottom is this verse: "I will not … (read more)

The powerlessness of the manger becomes the powerlessness of the cross and the taunts and jeers of the crowd were correct: "He saved others; he cannot save himself." Indeed he cannot save himself. He hangs there, his flesh torn apart … (read more)

The sky darkened as Jesus died. It was as though the sun itself could not bear to look down upon the deed people had done. This very same darkness awaits all who dismiss Christ from their lives. The temple veil … (read more)

The authorities in Jerusalem deliberately crucified Jesus between two criminals. They staged the crucifixion as a theatrical event to maximize the humiliation of Jesus in front of the crowds by placing him between two robbers. Three crosses on the hill … (read more)

I recently watched the movie Dead Man Walking and was moved by the power of the story. The movie is based on the work of Sister Helen Prejean who acts as spiritual advisor to death-row inmates. A scene near the … (read more)