Treasures of the heart
In my travels through distant lands seeing ancient sights, one theme resonates. It is a foreboding sense that the treasures and pleasures of this world are fleeting. It i... »
Curtis Peter van Gorder
Perfect timing
Today I was reminded of a miracle God did in answer to prayer. I am sure He answers my prayers every day and those of billions of others around the world; it’s just that... »
“I saw, I touched, I believed”
If Thomas could tell us what he experienced when Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose from the grave, his account might go something like this... A lot of people read th... »
Christmas oranges
Our family has a longstanding Christmas Day tradition of sharing tangerines before opening our presents. It’s a way to remember our grandparents and great-grandparents wh... »
Festivals of gratitude
Thanksgiving is a holiday observed in the United States, Canada, Liberia, Grenada, and St. Lucia, but much of the rest of the world seems to only know about it through va... »
Missed flights
In the last year, my wife and I have missed three flights. In our many years of traveling, this had never happened before. It was something different each time—exhaustion... »
Caught in a tempest
A retelling of Matthew 8:23–27, as told by a disciple. No one could tell stories like the Master—stories of soil and sheep, a lost coin and a lost son, wise and foolish s... »
The good place
In my high school literature class, we studied Jean-Paul Sartre’s play No Exit, in which hell’s occupants are confined to a room and have nothing to do but engage in frui... »
The eyewitness
—An account of Jesus’ arrest as told by the high priest’s servant, Malchus The past 24 hours have been disturbing, terrifying, wonderful. It started with an order from Ca... »
Deserted phone booths
A city where I used to live is dotted with deserted public telephone booths. Obsolete and derelict, they stand silent and empty, eerie reminders of their former usefulnes... »
Becky’s gift
Becky was a fellow student I sat next to in 5th grade some 50 years ago. Something reminded me of her this morning and, one thing leading to another, a whole host of memo... »
Mystery helix staircase
Around 1880, a boarding school for girls run by the Sisters of Loretto near Santa Fe, in the American state of New Mexico, needed a stairway to connect the choir loft to... »
Lonely at Christmas?
If you’re feeling lonely this Christmas, you’re not alone. Sad Christmas songs are popular because they strike a responsive chord in many. For a number of people, Christm... »