Somewhere in Russia, mid-19th century... I trudge slowly through the dark forest, huddled deep in my coat in vain pursuit of its meager protection. The heavy rain and howling winds slam into me, threatening to toss me from the dirt path and worming … [Read more...]

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them. One picture … [Read more...]

Susan, I'm concerned why you thought "Outrageous Biblical Heroes" was appropriate? There's more to the Old Testament than what he portrayed. Much more. I think for us, disciples in the Word, we dig to find what's going on. But this article is fodder … [Read more...]

A young peasant had two water cans which were attached to a yoke. Each day he put the yoke over his shoulders and went down to the river, filled the cans, and walked back to his modest hut. The water can on the right side of the yoke was fine and … [Read more...]

I often feel that death is not the enemy of life, but its friend; for it is the knowledge that our years are limited which makes them so precious. It is the truth that time is but lent to us which makes us, at our best, look upon our years as a trust … [Read more...]

During his first Sunday service leading the community, the new pastor noticed an older congregant walk over to the usher and demand rather loudly that the air conditioning be turned down because it was too cold. The usher nodded kindly and took care … [Read more...]

When I say I have faith I'm not shouting "I found God" I'm whispering "I get lost." That's why I chose this way. When I say I have faith I don't speak of it with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble. I need God to be my guide. When I say … [Read more...]

There is a story of a pilgrim who approached his teacher, asking him to reveal the nature of Heaven and Hell. The teacher, without hesitation, told the pilgrim how gross and stupid he was for asking such a question. The pilgrim was furious, his … [Read more...]

I left work, early, so I could have some uninterrupted study time, right before the final in my Youth Issues class. When I got to class, everybody was doing their last-minute studying. The teacher came in and said he would review with us for just … [Read more...]

Of all the stories told about the great teacher of Kozhnitz, this is perhaps one of the strangest and the most wondrous. Among the teacher's many righteous students was a learned man, a pious individual who, like so many others in those … [Read more...]