An Epiphany: It was one of those moments that don’t come your way too often. Just a few minutes of complete joy. Where your heart sings and you are glad to be alive. For me it was a feast for my eyes after a time of busyness and weariness of soul. I stood there and marveled, just a few steps from my…

A Cozy Hideaway: The sides of my garage door are graced by decorative outside lights. Think street lamps in Victorian England. At the base are three small openings, barely wide enough to allow a small bird to squeeze through. Sure enough, every spring nest-building commences, with tiny homes appearing inside the lamps, perfectly-shaped feathered nests made of twigs, string, foxtails, grass and…

Victor Ethan Grant entered this world on November 30, 1908, one of eight children. His grandfather Charles had immigrated from Scotland to Canada in the 1850’s and the family eventually crossed into America, taking residence in Wisconsin first and then settling in Illinois. In his early 20’s Vic drove from Chicago to California in a Ford Model T in search of a…

Encountering God: In 1820, at just 16 years of age, Richard Fuller entered Harvard University, graduated four years later, studied law and was admitted to the bar where he quickly rose to eminence as a lawyer. One day Fuller received a visitation from God that was so powerful he abandoned law and for the rest of his life devoted himself to Christian…

“For God is my witness how I long for you all and think of you with love and the tender mercy of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:8 Separated by Miles But Not Spirit: I receive nice letters from time to time from those who enjoy this weekly prayer devotional. I do not share them usually as they are mostly personal and private. But…

Once in awhile I find prayer challenging. Why are some prayers answered and others not? And occasionally I struggle with God, wondering why He allows what He allows. A terrible accident. Cancer. Broken hearts. How does it work? Why is Peggy Hank paralyzed from a seemingly minor surf accident and I’m not. I bodysurfed some big waves in the early 70’s off…

Refuge & Impact: I admire a number of people in my life and right at the top of my list is Pastor Sam and his youth leaders, KJ, Billy and Taylor as well as a number of volunteers. I watch how they reach out to the hundred or more kids who attend Refuge and Impact every week and I never cease to…

My Version of Psalm 23 You are my Shepherd, You will always care for me, Laying me down in green meadows, near soothing waters, Refreshing and restoring my soul, leading me in the right way. If I plunge into darkness, I will not fear for You are with me, Protecting, correcting, guiding and encouraging. You will honor me before my enemies, anointing…

Taking a Moment to Pray: Starting off this devotional with prayer needs. In a world full of challenges, this week has quite a few… Caleb Scott– who left for Lebanon yesterday to serve as a missionary for an extended time, reaching out to Syrian refugees; his skin has recently flared up with a bad case of eczema making him really uncomfortable Billy…

She sat directly across from me in the Upper Room on a beautiful, warm Saturday morning. A white handkerchief covered her bare head, hiding the effects of massive amounts of chemo. A yellow shawl was draped loosely around her thinning body. A Bible rested comfortably on her knees, open to Psalm 29, the passage we had just read. Head tilted slight upward,…