Life's Inanities and Ironies

In a world where truth is often diluted and compromise creeps into every corner, the short but powerful Epistle of Jude stands as a timeless beacon for believers. Written by Jude , the brother of James and half-brother of Jesus Christ , this letter isn't just ancient wisdom—it's a urgent call to action for Christians today. Originally intended as a message about our common salvation , Jude pivots to exhort us to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3). As fundamentalist Christians , we know the Bible is inerrant and unchanging, and Jude's words remind us why we must defend it fiercely against infiltration and apostasy . The Danger of False Teachers Jude wastes no time in exposing the threat: "certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4)...

In the quiet moments of reflection, God's Word often speaks loudest through ancient prophecies that echo into our modern lives. Today, let's dive into Isaiah 5 , where the prophet Isaiah delivers a poignant song about a vineyard—a metaphor that reveals God's heart for His people and challenges us to examine our own spiritual fruitfulness The Parable of the Vineyard Isaiah begins with a tender song: "Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1, KJV ). Picture this: A loving gardener plants a vineyard on a fertile hill, fences it for protection, clears away stones, selects the choicest vines, builds a watchtower, and even prepares a winepress. Every detail is attended to with care. Yet, when harvest time comes, the vines yield not sweet grapes, but wild, worthless ones. This isn't just a story of failed agriculture; it's God's indictment of Israel. As Isaiah explains, "The vineyard of the Lord of hosts ...

Hello, fellow believers! As a community of Christians, we stand unapologetically on the solid rock of God's inerrant Word, the Bible. It's our guide, our authority, and our source of truth in a world that's increasingly hostile to biblical principles. Today, I want to dive into a story that's as timeless as it is transformative: the account of Rahab from Joshua chapter 2 . I've framed this blog post around a homily I recently shared, but I've expanded it here to unpack the layers of God's grace, faith, and redemption. If you've ever felt defined by your past or wondered if God could really use someone like you, Rahab's story is a powerful reminder that in Christ, you're not the person you used to be. The Setting: A City on the Brink Let's set the scene straight from Scripture. Joshua 2:1-24 transports us to the ancient city of Jericho , a pagan stronghold in Canaan. This wasn't just any city—it was a symbol of defiance against God, fille...

 I found out today that this coming May, I'm going to be a great-grandpa. My oldest granddaughter, Autumn, and her husband, Ryan, are going to be parents—and my heart is overflowing with a joy I can hardly put into words. I'm really not sure how to feel about it except for this deep, extreme joy that washes over me. I mean, I'm getting older, of course and I expected eventually one of my grandkids would procreate, but I already knew that, and honestly, this news fills me with so much hope and something beautiful to look forward to in the days ahead. Autumn's dad, my oldest son Shaun, shared the news with me earlier today, his text full of excitement as he told me that he and my beautiful daughter-in-law, Heidi, are going to be "Grammy and Poppy"  now. It warms my soul just thinking about it. I have to tell you though, this whole idea of choosing special grandparent and great-grandparent names—or at least deciding what the little ones will call you—feels like s...