Devotional Archives
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ASH WEDNESDAY
February 22, 2012
Recently while observing a group of blackbirds gathered around our backyard feeder, I noticed one solitary red-winged blackbird. While some birds are plain and drab looking, the red-winged blackbird has distinctive, bright red coloring on ...
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Whom Can I Rely On?
February 21, 2012
Having been brought up in an Asian culture, I believed that having a man in the household was important. I married twice; both marriages ended in divorce. The first man flirted with my housemaid, and ...
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The Lord’s Prayer
February 20, 2012
For some years my wife, Betty, and I have ended our morning devotions by praying the Lord’s Prayer together. The last thing each night, we again join hands and pray together the same prayer. An ...
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A Sacrifice of Silence
February 19, 2012
As the Lenten season approached, I wondered what I ought to give up for 40 days. I once did without chocolate. Another year I fasted from popcorn, which led me to give up going to ...
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The Offer of Salvation
February 18, 2012
One day I visited the Russian Museum near the center of St. Petersburg. While looking at the paintings of Russian artists, I was filled with delight at an enormous picture called The Bronze Serpent. This ...
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In the Middle of the Night
February 17, 2012
It’s the middle of the night, and it’s peaceful in the house. My family sleeps peacefully; but I stir restlessly in bed. I awoke with heavy cares weighing on my heart, and I can’t get ...
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Friendships
February 16, 2012
While eating lunch at a fast-food restaurant, I overheard a conversation between two high-school girls. “I’ve unfriended Jessica,” one girl began. “Really?” came her shocked companion’s reply. “She really messed up this time. Our friendship ...
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Be Careful What You Ask
February 15, 2012
The winter of 2003 followed a very dry summer and subsequently high hay prices in our area — about triple what we usually paid. When we fed our livestock, we carefully doled out every blade ...
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Help My Unbelief
February 14, 2012
I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3:8-30) and focus on the strength of their faith. They would not have worshiped Nebuchadnezzar’s God even if they were not to be saved from ...
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Finishing Well
February 13, 2012
The ancient tree was split and bent to the ground as two great limbs splayed in opposite directions. Though bowed by age and storms, it was crowned with blossoms like thick white hair. The tree ...
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Remember Whose You Are
February 12, 2012
When I turned 16 and got my driver’s license, my parents were worried about my being behind the wheel of a car. They were also concerned about the places I was going. They realized that ...
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A Gift of Encouragement
February 11, 2012
Cancer treatments and surgery were dark clouds on my horizon when I received an unexpected package in the mail. What could it be? I wondered. As I opened it, light broke through the shadows of ...
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God’s Chosen Ones
February 10, 2012
A few days ago, a junior worker came to me with his identity card. He asked me to sign the card so that he could return to his home “after hours.” He lived in a ...
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God’s Care
February 09, 2012
Many times I have observed my four-year-old son calmly sleeping. His face reflects peace, tranquility that comes from knowing that his parents are there to care and provide for him. My job and the realities ...
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Whose Rules?
February 08, 2012
One night five of us in the dorm decided to play a board game. As we started playing, it became clear that each of us had a different understanding of the rules. After two or ...
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Grandpa’s Memory
February 07, 2012
I have no memories of my grandpa before Alzheimer’s claimed his mind and personality. Most of my memories revolve around the time my family spent sharing a house with my grandparents. I wasn’t sure why ...
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Significance
February 06, 2012
For many years, my wife and I planned our dream trip to the Pacific Northwest after we retired from teaching. In June 2006, the dream came true. On a cliff overlooking the magnificent Oregon coast ...
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Removing Stains
February 05, 2012
We had enjoyed the company of long-time friends. After they went home I started washing the dishes. I noticed that some people had rinsed their tea and coffee cups already, but others had placed the ...
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Our Time, Our Opportunity
February 04, 2012
Jesus spoke abruptly to his mother when she told him that the host had run out of wine at the wedding feast. Still, Jesus had a point. After all, it was not his fault that ...
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God’s Mosaic
February 03, 2012
Years ago, my daughter made a gift for her grandmother by taking a lamp that had been broken and using a hammer to break the glass into even smaller pieces. She glued these bits of ...
