Being Ordinary for Jesus Some years ago while attending university, I was faced with a routine question asked of many theology students. What story do you have? What’s your personal testimony? My instant reaction was to tell all the bad and crazy things I had ever done, t... Read more
Home for Christmas I’ve always looked forward to Christmas. My earliest memories of the holiday are filled with hope and joy. Read more
Lisa's Church My wife and I belong to a social media group called “Next Door Neighbor.” The posts typically beg for help finding a missing cat or want help identifying the “creep” who stole their daughter’s Jeep. But the other day, a different post caught our h... Read more
Last Call Everyone knew her, or at least recognized her voice. For 29 years she had been the Tillamook County (Ore.) emergency response dispatcher. When you heard her call sign, “813,” on your radio, your heart began to beat faster. Read more
Blessed Are the Peacemakers The night was Christmas Eve, 1914. World War I raged across the ravaged countryside of France. Read more
The Power of Appreciation I have a new respect for teachers. Of course, I respected them before accepting my new role as a faculty member at Union College, but now I really respect them. While having summers off and weekends free is a new (and welcome) experience, first-ye... Read more
The Best Gift An old proverb says, “If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.” There’s wisdom in these few words. The idea is to focus on just one thing. If we keep our eyes on what is most important and pursue it with all our heart, we will have... Read more
An Encounter With Jesus I grew up in a Christian home. My parents were active in church, and they gave me every opportunity to build a strong relationship with Jesus. But as a teenager I began to drift from God. Read more
The Egyptian Plate My father, Victor Duerksen, turns 101 years old this September. Overall, he’s in good health and has a positive outlook. He lives in his own place, and the home-care worker who comes in several hours a day has become a good friend. Yet, when I was... Read more
