Posts by Scott Tolhurst

A while back, my wife and I decided we wanted another heartbeat in the house. Age, energy and strata rules narrowed our choices, so we decided on a bird. Not just any feathered friend. We wanted a songbird. We had a canary years ago and welcomed the soft tuneful sounds. So, we scoured the stores…

My wife and I have become trailer travelers. The statement suggests more proficiency than is appropriate. “We are learning to be trailer travelers” is more accurate. There are resources available to instruct us. I have visited a couple of RV centers. I’ve watched some YouTube tutorials and tugged the ear of those who are more…

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” – Is.55:8, ESV I prefer these paragraphs to focus on matters of heart; to offer direction for our soul’s connection with God. Not only is that needed conversation sorely lacking, but it is the fount of all things that…

The presence of God can be flash and crash – thunder and lightning. It is fireworks on Mt Sinai. It is the holy smoke of glorious fire. It is the power to bend trembling knees into worship. Unveiled, it is death for mortals to see. The presence of God is all of this, and more.…

I have many questions about the first Easter morning. My theological muscle tries to wrestle the event into a size I can grasp, but my curiosity is swallowed by mystery. Rather than delving into what we don’t know, let’s consider a more approachable question. What did the first Easter morning feel like? The post-resurrection appearances…

Some years ago, I had to make an emergency trip back to Ontario. That’s where I was born and raised, where my parents were still residing. Mom had a series of health issues and was in medical crisis. She was facing the final stages of infirmity that are often twinned to 87 years of living.…

There are times in life when we are pulled by our desires, expectations, hopes and mostly, by our faith. We have a sense of what God wants us to do and it attracts us.

I have a morning ritual. I take my coffee and toast to the den to begin my day. The den is dark at 5:30 am. Since I read from my devices, I have no need for lights. I do need my coffee, so before dawn I sip and read in shadows. The time is peaceful and quiet, most of the time.

At the time of writing this blog, there have been 39 mass shootings in the US in 2023. Let that sink in. The year has barely begun and already there have been 39 incidents of shooting where four or more people have been killed or wounded.* The violence has not been reserved to any one…

The title above is an edited quote from a Spanish poet named Antonio Machado. His poem reminds us that our footsteps create the path we need. We make our way in life by striding into it. Our lives do not come with maps. Since every life is a novice experience; we all step into uncharted…