After nearly 100 years, the beautiful stained-glass windows in our church needed repair. Plywood panels temporarily fill the empty spaces, and our sanctuary is much dimmer now. We’re not sure how...

Sometimes I ask myself, What will be the last words people hear from me? The last words I heard from my cousin Javier were, “Take care of yourself, dear.” He died...

It was the week before Christmas, and I was pouting. “Bah, humbug, God; I’m estranged from my family so I’ll sit here alone again and make my own dinner. At least...

When I was a child, I would stare up into the sky on Christmas night and wonder if the brightest star I could find was the same one that led the...

Having grown up in an area known for its abundance of stone, I am fascinated by stonework. Traveling throughout the region, one can see houses, churches, walls, and fences made of...

The Bible study I was leading didn’t go well. People were distracted, and their comments were scattered. I couldn’t seem to bring their attention back to the study. As I drove...

At Christmas, a time full of great expectations of joy, death is an unwelcome visitor. Unfortunately, we have no guarantee that death will bypass the holiday season and choose some other,...

Most mornings I walk our dog, Emma, along a country road near our home. Usually, we see some wildlife on our walks — deer, squirrels, and rabbits. These sightings have become...

I love Bible stories like Gideon’s, where persons suddenly find themselves facing an enormous task that they don’t feel qualified for. Gideon’s initial response isn’t exactly faith-filled, but the angel of...

During the four Sundays before Christmas, my church lights one candle each week on an Advent wreath to anticipate the birth of Jesus. Each candle represents an aspect of Christ’s light...