Southern Ontario Cooperative of ESL Ministries
By Sandi Howell Easter is a time of joy, fun, and games to celebrate Spring, and new life. We remember His death on the cross and soak in the joy of His rising from the dead. But, many miss the whole 3-year ministry of our Lord before his Resurrection Sunday and how it fits into […]
By Elmer Warkentin I love you – be my Valentine. Love is the story of us. Can’t stop lovin’ you. Your love is magic. This is Valentine’s Day lingo, love language. It’s romantic, it’s written in red. Once a year. I asked Jesus, “How much do you love me?” He replied, “This much.” – and […]
By CY Yan The world is in turmoil! Political tension is mounting to an all-time high, old and new conflicts are boiling over the edge. There is no end in sight for the heart-wrenching atrocities happening in Israel and the West Bank, Ukraine and Russia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, and other places of the world. Innocent blood […]
By Tom McCormick As September is often a new beginning for many, it may be worthwhile to think again on the most important things, and so refocus our hearts and lives. Summer has hopefully brought refreshment, a change of pace, new challenges and growth, as well as an eagerness to begin again. Jesus said there […]
By Allan Pole I tend to pack more than I will use when I travel. I might need this item! So, in it goes – just in case. The average citizens of the world’s wealthier nations enjoy an unparalleled standard of living. Storage and junk removal are huge industries! Similarly, our lives resemble over-stuffed suitcases. […]
By Glen Zeidler It’s FridayHope is lostDeath has wonSin has conqueredBut it’s FridayIt is only FridaySunday is a comin’! S.M. Lockridge (1913-2000) In January 1964, Dusty Springfield recorded the song “Wishing and Hoping.” It was about a girl who was hoping that a boy would take notice of her. Hope for most people is wishful […]
By Simon Yung In 2004, Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton released a worship song titled “Friend of God” that became an instant hit. Our church sang it a lot in our Sunday worship in the following years. The lyrics read: “I am a friend of GodHe calls me friendWho am I that You are mindful […]
By Jeff McCarrell Editor’s Note: This devotional can serve as a refresher of the Christmas story and the key concepts therein for all of us, and it can also be used as study material with the students. It is written in plainer English for that purpose. “The Gospel” is the “Good News” of Jesus’ life […]
By Elmer Warkentin Ever feel really rich? I did, at least once – on my morning walk here in Guelph. I had been feasting on one of Paul’s radical claims during my quiet time: “Everything belongs to you . . ., the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs […]
By Tom More What do you do when you are faced with disappointments and unexpected roadblocks? The pandemic has been an emphatic, sometimes stark, reminder that we are subject to letdowns. While we ought to see changes and setbacks as part of the Lord’s many seasons, we often despair. For some, I’m sure, this has […]