This seemed like a good idea, until dusk started to settle in, and we realized that we did not have a clue as to our location or where we were headed. Nightfall was quickly surrounding us, and we were literally lost in penetrating darkness. I could see that my husband was getting very concerned and visibly worried. I was apprehensive for a while. However, I started focusing on God and how He had always promised us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. In my times of darkness, He has always been the light that shone for me and illuminated the way.

Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (NKJV)

Many times, I have relied on this psalm in hours of darkness when facing other challenges, and I still do. It is this reassurance that has helped me to cope. I know that when I forget the darkness and remember that He is there, I do not need to fear. You can rely on Him also.

As we proceeded, we nearly hit a huge animal which was on the road. I kept reassuring my husband that we were in God's hands and that there was nothing to worry about, because when we got to the end of that road, there would be a place to eat and rest. How did I know? I just had the feeling in my heart that God was with us on that journey.

All of a sudden, a flash of pure white glided across our windshield. When I realized that the bird had been a snowy owl, I recognized it as a sign from God that everything was going to be fine. Sure enough, when we reached the end of the road, there was a little restaurant, which served Greek food (my favourite), and a modest hotel where we could bed down for the night.

Whether or not we receive signs to remind us that God is present with us, we can be assured that His promise is still true that the Holy Spirit is always with us, and we are always in His presence. He assured Moses of His presence with him and his people.

Exodus 33:14 – And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (NKJV)

How about you? In your travels through life, have you found yourself in a lost situation, having strayed from the path that God has set before you? Often, we grope in the darkness where there is no hope. Set aside the fear, as I did that night, and be assured that God will be with you. Do not fear!

Matthew 6:26-27 – Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow no reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? (NKJV)

Prayer: Father God, so many of us so often try to fix things ourselves and forget that we are not God. Help us, Father, to set aside our fears and place ourselves in Your hands. Thank You that we are loved and cared for even more than the birds of the air. Amen.

Christmas time came, and you guessed it, a brand new, fluffy housecoat as a gift was waiting for me, with the comment, "Now, you can throw out that old stained one." Confession: I still could not part with the old, comfortable housecoat, although the new one is lovely. The oldie sits in the back of the closet. I am thinking that I could embroider a nice flower around the stain, and give it new life, so to speak. Maybe, this would be a better way to deal with the housecoat issue.

I started thinking about stain removal.

Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (NKJV)

Can you imagine God throwing us out to get rid of the stains of sin on our souls? We surely need to get rid of those stains and not wear them forever like I did with the housecoat. But not once did He contemplate throwing us out — He found a better way to remove our sins and make us like new again.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)

His Son died on the cross so that our sin could be forgiven and washed whiter than snow. That is how much He loves us. All we need to do is come to Him with a repentant heart and accept the forgiveness that He offers us.

Today, can we come to Jesus, confess our sins, and ask Him to remove the stains from our souls? Think about it — but not for too long, for He is waiting for us to come to Him. Don't wait until you are burdened and heavy laden.

Matthew 11:28-29 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NKJV)

Your sin-stained soul will be cleansed when all is forgiven.

Prayer: Dear Father God, may this message be meaningful to many in Your kingdom today. Touch us in such a way that we will throw out those sins, repent, and come to You for cleansing. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Many communities are facing the challenge of homeless people. The reaction of most people is "Not in my neighbourhood!" There have been many meetings in the community that I live in, and a supportive living home is being considered. However, there are many protests. I understand the concerns of property owners, but I also realize that but for the grace of God, I, too, could be homeless. Disaster often strikes without any warning, and many are living from paycheque to paycheque.

There was another who was homeless — Jesus.

Matthew 8:20 – And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." (NKJV)

Our Lord was even born in a stable because there was no room for his family in the inn.

The apostle Paul also knew what it was like to be broken and homeless:

1 Corinthians 4:11 – To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. (NKJV)

If Jesus needed a place to sleep near you, would you say, "Not in my backyard"? Would we not give Him our best bed and clothing, and feed Him? Jesus said, "Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:40b NKJV)

We should treat others as kindly as we would wish to be treated in similar circumstances. We need to encourage rather than discourage. Let us each do as much as possible to help the homeless, even if it is just giving a friendly hello. I am almost 85, and not wealthy by any means. However, for the past few years, I have been knitting scarves and hats, and donating them to the homeless as the cold weather sets in. Perhaps you can do something as simple as that, or some other service like making up packs of essential personal care products. There are also various organizations that we can volunteer with or donate to.

Prayer: Dear Father God, there are so many in our midst today who are broken-hearted, downtrodden, hungry, and homeless, without a place to lay their heads. Instil in Your people kind and charitable hearts and help us to realize that any one of us could be in similar circumstances. Bless those who are out there helping to the best of their means and abilities. Help us to realize that we are our brothers' keepers. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The man, Vernon, was my mentally challenged brother. The day that Marjorie passed on, it was a sad day for many, especially Vernon, yet he knew that she was with God. I was reminded that nothing is impossible with God. Vernon had faith, even though it might have been as small as a grain of mustard seed.

Galatians 5:22-23a – God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. (CEV)

Vernon was a loving, kind, and gentle soul, in spite of his many challenges. There was very little in life that brought him joy. Unfortunately, our dad was often unkind to him. Whenever aunts or uncles visited, like they did in bygone times without an invitation, Vernon would be sent off to another room and not allowed to sit with the rest of us. How cruel that was! I don't think that dad knew any other way. Times were different then, and he just did not understand.

After our dad passed on, my brother was allowed to go to our small town's annual fall fair, and he always would be so excited as he looked forward to attending. He also loved the folks at the local volunteer fire department, who were so good to him. They would pick him up at Christmas to take him to a party to see Santa Claus. Yes, this gentle giant of a man still believed in Santa Claus! It took so little to make him happy.

Romans 12:2 – Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him. (CEV)

Make it a point to understand and be kind to those who are different in whatever way. In this, we will be doing what is pleasing to God. You may think, I could never love a person like that, and hope that I never have to face this challenge in my family. None of us is exempt; we never know until it happens. I know that you will learn how to deal with it if it does happen, and that you will help those who need it. Remember that with God, all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26b – There are some things that people cannot do, but God can do anything. (CEV)

Prayer: Dear God, stir the hearts of people to try to understand those among us who are different. They may be mentally, physically, or emotionally disabled. May we all show to everyone who crosses our path in life the love that You have taught us over the years. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

What prompted the question is that my brother was born mentally challenged. In those days, they called him "retarded". Sadly, my beloved brother got stared at often when he was out anywhere. Perhaps you, too, have felt the stigma surrounding mental health. Sadly, it still exists today, but thank God, people are changing their attitudes and becoming more tolerant of those who are different.

Vernon was the fifth child in a family of nine, and we all loved him. He truly was special. Sadly, after a short while in Grade 1 in a rural country school, he was sent home with the message that he could not learn. In spite of what the school system declared, Vernon did learn some things at home. Living on a farm, he had chores like the rest of the family. He chopped wood, carried water, and helped feed the animals.

Here is what I read in the Bible:

Matthew 25:40 – The King will reply, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (NIV 2011)

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

In this world, Jesus said, everyone is our brother or sister, and mentally challenged individuals are not people that we should be afraid of. Rather we need to try and understand them, to help them, and to love them. They breathe, eat, have feelings just like the rest of us. I am thankful that today, the mentally challenged are more accepted now than they were in the years when my parents were told that he could not learn.

Matthew 22:39b – You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (NKJV)

When mother passed on, Vernon looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Mom is with God, June." Even mentally challenged individuals are capable of a simple, childlike faith. They are precious in the sight of the Lord.

Our beloved brother went home to be with God in 2010.

I can't help but think of brotherly love as commanded by God. We are instructed to love one another — not just blood brothers or sisters, but neighbours and strangers, and not just the mentally healthy people either. So, if you encounter one of God's children who is facing a challenge, think on this. Don't shun them as my brother was shunned. Open your heart to those who are different. You will be rewarded not just by the love of the mentally challenged person, but by our Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come to You in prayer, asking that You lay it on the hearts of Your people to be more loving to all, and to put forth that extra effort to those among us who are considered different or mentally challenged. We know that You love each and every one of us, and not just the healthy ones. Everyone has worth in Your eyes. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

As Christmas approaches, I keep hearing these admonitions to children: "Have you been good or bad?" "If you are not good, Santa Claus will not come." The children quickly get the message, "I have to be good or I won't get that toy or video game that I have been longing for."

What a contrast between the coming of Santa Claus and the coming of Jesus Christ. He did not come into this world because we were good. Had we been good, it would not have been necessary. God's definition of "good" is "perfect", and we all fall short because of our sinfulness. Christ was sent into this world because we were bad. Had we been good according to God's original plan, He would not have had to send His one and only Son Jesus Christ into a sinful world to cover our sins, and to bring peace on earth, goodwill to men, and the promise of a place with Him in eternity.

Luke 1:30-33 – Then the angel told Mary, "Don't be afraid! God is pleased with you, and you will have a son. His name will be Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God Most High. The Lord God will make him king, as his ancestor David was. He will rule the people of Israel forever, and his kingdom will never end." (CEV)

So many have spurned this incredible gift, and the forces of evil and darkness are running rampant in this world today. It seems that the world is in more turmoil now than it was two thousand years ago. Satan is still roaming this earth to see whom he can devour. But there is still hope and God's promise:

John 3:16 – God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. (CEV)

At this blessed time of year, let us ever be mindful that in the long run, good can and will overcome evil.

Prayer: Almighty God, King of kings and Lord of lords, we know in our hearts that You have the whole world in Your hands, and that You will be triumphant. Watch over all the little children who are victims of so much evil in this world today. Surround them with Your protective angels day and night. We look forward to the day when we will be re-united with You in Your heavenly kingdom. Thank You for Jesus. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Psalm 51:2 – Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (NKJV)

Just as the physical cleansing from the shower made me feel clean and fresh once more, God's spiritual cleansing does even more for our souls. He washes those dirty sins away that we have been hanging onto for days or even years. When we confess them to Him, He washes them whiter than snow, and we feel clean and refreshed once more. He sends us showers of blessing.

There shall be showers of blessing,
This is the promise of love,
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Saviour above.
       – Daniel Whittle

Often, we find ourselves feeling weighed down by carrying heavy burdens of guilt and shame. This is when we need to turn to Jesus; He will make us new again. He will give us strength beyond what we could ever imagine. He will send us cleansing showers. He wants us to reach out to Him in our need. His love is reaching out to us to turn to Him.

Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light. (NKJV)

This is the promise of God. Let us therefore lay our burdens down before Him, and experience His showers of blessing and cleansing today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that all those who are sick and weary from both physical and spiritual ailments will turn to You in their need. May we realize that Your never-ending grace is reaching out to us to turn to You. You are the only One Who can cleanse us with healing waters, and we humbly thank You for cleansing us from our sins, and healing us when we are ill. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.