I headed into the…
God of Justice
She was perhaps the greatest “scapecow” in history. We don’t know if her name was Daisy, Madeline, or Gwendolyn (each name has been suggested), but Mrs. O’Leary’s cow was blamed for the 1871 Great Chicago Fire that left every third resident of the city homeless. Carried by strong winds through wooden structures, the fire burned for three days and took the lives of nearly 300 people.
For years, many believed the fire began when the cow knocked over a lantern left burning in a shed. After further investigation—126 years later—the city’s Committee on Police and Fire passed a resolution exonerating the…
Secret Giver
For Christopher, a physically disabled veteran, everyday activities had become more challenging, took longer to finish, and increased his pain. Still, he did his best to serve his wife and child. Passersby would see him using a push-mower to cut his lawn every week.
One day, Christopher received a letter—and an expensive riding lawnmower—from an anonymous donor. The secret giver’s satisfaction came through the privilege of helping someone in need.
Jesus doesn’t say that all of our giving should be in secret, but He does remind us to check our motives when we give (Matthew 6:1). He also said: “So when you…
The Hand of Comfort
Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of…
Fear of the Unknown
Read: Hebrews 11:8-12
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his…
Feeding the Wolf
Read: Romans 6:15–23
Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires…
God is Love
God is love in His very nature and His love is revealed in many ways.
IN CREATION. His voice is on the…
The Gift of Time
Read: Luke 6:37–38
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. —Proverbs 11:25
The Money
Read: Matthew 6:24–34
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you…
Dad, you’re strong and courageous
Dad, you’re strong and courageous
“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18:19)
Abraham is known as the Father of many nations. He…
Worth It, or Worthy?
Helen Roseveare, an English missionary physician in the African Congo, was taken prisoner by rebels during the Simba Rebellion in 1964. Beaten and abused by her captors, she suffered terribly. In the days that followed, she found herself asking, “Is it worth it?”
As she began to ponder the cost of following Jesus, she sensed God speaking to her about it. Years later she explained to an interviewer, “When the awful moments came during the rebellion and the price seemed too high to pay, the Lord seemed to say to me, ‘Change the question. It’s not, ‘Is it worth it?’ It’s…
Death Zone
In 2019, a climber saw his last sunrise from the peak of Mount Everest. He survived the dangerous ascent, but the high altitude squeezed his heart, and he passed away on the trek down. One medical expert warns climbers not to think of the summit as their journey’s end. They must get up and down quickly, remembering “they’re in the Death Zone.”
David survived his dangerous climb to the top. He killed lions and bears, slew Goliath, dodged Saul’s spear and pursuing army, and conquered Philistines and Ammonites to become king of the mountain.
But David forgot he was in the…
Where Are the Fathers?
Where Are the Fathers?
Read: Proverbs 23:24 “The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.”
I recently received a lifestyle magazine in the mail. The feature articles carried the theme of mothers since in May we were celebrating Mother’s Day. There was significant coverage on mothers and how wonderful they are. Now,…
Rainbow Halo
On a hike in the mountains, Adrian found himself above some low-lying clouds. With the sun behind him, Adrian looked down and saw not only his shadow but also a brilliant display known as a Brocken spectre. This phenomenon resembles a rainbow halo, encircling the shadow of the person. It occurs when the sunlight reflects back off the clouds below. Adrian described it as a “magical” moment, one that delighted him immensely.
We can imagine how similarly stunning seeing the first rainbow must have been for Noah. More than just a delight to his eyes, the refracted light and resulting colors…
Flourish Again
Given enough sunlight and water, vibrant wildflowers carpet areas of California such as Antelope Valley and Figueroa Mountain. But what happens when drought strikes? Scientists have discovered that certain wildflowers store large quantities of their seeds underground instead of allowing them to push through the soil and bloom. After the drought, the plants use the seeds they have saved to begin to flourish again.
The ancient Israelites thrived in the land of Egypt, despite harsh conditions. Slave masters forced them to work in fields and make bricks. Ruthless overseers required them to build entire cities for Pharaoh. The king of…
India - Grief
One of my earliest childhood memories was of my parents wrestling with grief. My uncle had been killed in a car crash just weeks before Christmas, leaving behind my aunt (my Dad’s sister) and three small children.
The layers of grief that my parents were experiencing was beyond me. Clearly, there were tears; there was loss; there was struggle. There was…
