Year: 2011

1. When a disaster strikes, even as far away as in Japan, it causes all of us to think about what it would be like if that happened to us. To see people's houses blown apart by advancing water and … Read more

As these days pass by one by one, I find myself taking longer-than-usual pause moments. I was leaving on Friday morning for an appointment when I caught the unfolding story of the earthquake in Japan, a story that was just … Read more

Not long ago, I witnessed a congregation hard at work renovating their tiny church building. As I watched their progress over a number of weeks and months, I began to consider some of the reasons why renovations of church structures … Read more

An old joke tells of a married couple searching for bathing suits. The woman laughingly asks hubby if she should get a bikini or an all-in-one suit. "Better get a bikini," he replies. "You'll never get it all in one!" … Read more

Our yellow lab loves shoes — not just anyone's shoes, it seems, but mine in particular. Thank goodness, he loves only to move them and not to chew them, or I would probably be writing a different devotional. At times, … Read more

Today is a brand new day — a clean slate — a road not travelled before. Where will we allow it to take us? Will we be bound to past mistakes, hurts, sorrows, and brokenness? Will we allow these to … Read more

Some time ago, I took to heart Paul's exhortation to make prayer my first priority. I used my Bible dictionary of Greek words and learned meanings for requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving. Requests are statements of urgent need. God waits … Read more

This is Ash Wednesday, a day for sackcloth and ashes. Philippians speaks to me loud and clear — everything in my life feels like ashes — I look on my life as garbage. Sin is the cause of our unsuitable … Read more

Today is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, as the French call it. It's also known as Pancake Day in Britain, or more precisely "Shrove Tuesday". Historically it was the day that all went to confession to have sins "shriven" or … Read more

"Keep short accounts with Jesus! Deal quickly with convictions as they arise. Don't muck about, repent, turn around to God, ask forgiveness, get back to living His kingdom life of righteousness, peace, and joy" was our pastor's regular, humorous exhortation, … Read more