[Note: After today The Up Devotional will go on pause for a week. It returns on November 21, 2022.] Some Greeks wanted to see Jesus. “Anyone who loves their life will lose it,” he said, “while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). Talk about heavy! … Continue reading Something greater than ourselves
remembrance day
Abide with me
Today is Remembrance Day, also called Veterans Day or Armistice Day in other countries. We remember and give thanks for those who lost their lives in the miseries of war. In so doing we wear poppies. We read In Flanders Fields. We thank veterans. We pray for peace. We consider the value of our freedoms. … Continue reading Abide with me
The work of remembering
Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. It’s a day to remember and honour those who fought and died in the horrors of war, paying the ultimate sacrifice. I think we need to acknowledge that remembering takes work. We live in a time when we’re very “in the moment.” Many people venerate all things here-and-now and … Continue reading The work of remembering
Our coordinate, route & destination for peace
There are a lot of stories of about people over-relying on, or misusing, the GPS units in their vehicles. In England a big rainfall made the police close a road. The river went over the banks, making it impassable. But every day for two weeks at least one car drove past the warning sign and right … Continue reading Our coordinate, route & destination for peace
Advice from a veteran
Today is Remembrance Day. In some countries it’s called Veterans Day or Memorial Day or Armistice Day. It’s a day to honour those who fought and died in the horrors of war. It’s a day to be thankful for those who served their country. And it’s a day to pray. Over the years I’ve had … Continue reading Advice from a veteran
No matter the chaos around you
We live in turbulent times. In North America, over 40 million people are diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. There seems to be sabre-rattling between North Korea and America. There are natural disasters. Terror attacks continue in Las Vegas, Manhattan, and elsewhere. Plus, the past 100 years have been plagued with global conflict. All of this … Continue reading No matter the chaos around you
If not you, who?
Revelation 21:4-5 "'He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV) Today's Thought It was a grade 11 philosophy class. We were reading challenging thinkers like Martin Buber and Friedrich Nietzsche. But when it came to … Continue reading If not you, who?
Invisible chains
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (NIV) Today's Thought There’s something you’ve done. It’s on your conscience like a concrete slab on a leaf. You want it off so you’ve asked God to flex some muscle … Continue reading Invisible chains