On the advice of my Internet provider, I decided to upgrade my modem. I surfed to the manufacturer's web page, downloaded a programme, unzipped it and ran it. Assuming success, I restarted the computer and tried to access the modem. But instead of the faster connection speeds I was promised, my computer could not find the modem at all.

Just like that, I was without fax capability, and had no way to connect to the Internet. I called (long distance) to the manufacturer, and after layers of touch-tone menus and ten minutes on hold, I finally reached their technical support person. He told me I had "fried" my modem, by upgrading it with a programme intended for a different model. He offered to replace it free of charge. To be eligible for this offer, I had to go to their web page, print off the order form, fill it out and fax it to them. My first fax was overlooked, and two weeks later I had to go through the whole process again. When I finally received my new modem, I had trouble installing it and had to seek out (and pay for) local technical support.

Isn't it great to know that communicating with God will never be interrupted by hardware failure? The system is always up and on-line. The Father is ready to download His message directly into our hearts.

As I watch the world become more and more complex, it's a comfort to know the Lord doesn't have any system requirements. All I need is an open heart and a quiet place: He is there, ready to listen and help me link to the kingdom.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for listening and watching over us as we face the challenges of each day. Thank you for the Internet and the ease with which we can communicate with other Christians across time and space. Bless us with patience as we deal with the complex world we have made, and guide our words and deeds to seek first the kingdom. Amen.

Over nine months our family watched cancer creep through my mother's body, defying all treatments. Mom tried to be strong for us. She fought against the disease because we wanted her to live.

One day just before she died my father awakened her for her medication. She looked at him, smiled and said "Oh, it's you." "Who did you think it might be?" he asked, puzzled since he was her only nurse. "Oh, I thought this time it might be Jesus," she replied plainly. "Either way I don't mind."The simplicity of my mother's final days, consisting mainly of prayer, pills and sleep, made me question all the busy-work in my own life. During that time I was surprised at how easy it was to stop everything so I could spend a part of each day with her.

Jesus always made time for the important things. He didn't cancel or reschedule appointments. Instead of just "managing" his time, Jesus only did the important things. In that way He always had time for his friends, or for anyone else who needed to talk to Him, day or night. Jesus lived every day on earth knowing the end of His life was near. With His help and by His example we can learn to do this too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us an example for our lives through your son Jesus. Help us to recognize and accept the plans you have for us with a gracious and loving heart. Amen.

On January 1, 1998, I made a New Year's resolution. Normally I try to avoid resolutions because I believe they set me up for failure. It's so hard to start new things in the dark cold winter. Yet, each year I am tempted. In past years I have made the usual resolutions: exercise, lose weight, eat properly, but before January is out they have usually faded away. So for 1998 I tried something new. I resolved to read a daily devotional. I kept at it (religiously) for 12 weeks. My life was greatly enriched and my time spent with this Daily devotional page and my own Bible readings and prayers were rich and rewarding. I even became a bit compulsive about it, sometimes more than an hour would slip by.

Then, as inevitably happens with resolutions, I missed a day. One day became two, two days became a week. Finally I forced myself to begin again. "One day at a time", the saying goes when you fall off the wagon. I opened my Bible to Isaiah 43 and found the words of God "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past." Relief washed over me. God doesn't care what my excuses are. He will always welcome me into his presence.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your infinite patience and love. Do a new thing in me and help me perceive it. I dedicate this day to you. Work in my heart with your Holy Spirit so that I may be like a stream in the wasteland. Amen.

Every week a small group of people meet at our church to pray. Last week I went for the first time and I asked them to pray for my grandmother. She is 92 years old and was hospitalized with terrible chest pains. The hospitalization left her confused, frustrated and angry and accelerated her dementia. The nurses struggled to keep her calm and the whole scene was very difficult for our family to watch.

When it was my turn in the meeting, I prayed that the Lord would give Grandma peace with her circumstances, that she might somehow, despite her senility, accept God's will for her. But my prayer partner interrupted me and prayed for healing (something I did not have the courage to ask). Since she is 92 years old, I recognize that Grandma may pass away at any moment. I felt I did not have the right to ask for healing. All the doctors told us she probably would not leave the hospital; that each angina attack weakened her more.

Before our prayer group met again the next week, Grandma was back at home. Much of her senility had actually diminished and her strength was restored. Some of her old personality returned too, and as soon as she felt strong enough, she went back to the hospital to visit her sister-in-law. I have praised God every day for this miracle and for my prayer partner who had the courage to ask.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you said ask, and we shall receive. Guide us to pray for those things we need, so that you can show us your desire to answer our prayers. Help us to accept the answer you provide: joy and thanksgiving when it is yes, and peace and acceptance when your answer is no or wait. Amen.