Life's Inanities and Ironies

Scripture Reading: Habakkuk 2:2-3 (NIV) "Then the Lord replied: ‘Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.’ Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Habakkuk, a small book in the Old Testament with a powerful message for us. Habakkuk was a prophet who lived in troubled times, surrounded by violence and injustice in the land of Judah. He cried out to God, asking why evil seemed to go unchecked. God answered, revealing His plan to judge Judah through the Babylonians and, in time, to judge the Babylonians themselves. In Habakkuk 2:2-3, God gives Habakkuk a specific instruction: write down this vision of judgment and hope. This passage speaks to us today. In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, we are called to trust in God’s word—its authority, clarity, ...

 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me.” —Psalm 28:7 (NIV) Chronic illness is a relentless challenge, testing not just the body but the spirit. For nearly three years, I’ve been living with kidne y failure, and for the past two, my body has produced little to no urine. Prostate issues and low testosterone compound my struggles. Every 40 minutes, I’m struck by an urgent need to urinate, yet nothing comes. Sitting down briefly eases the sharp, stabbing pain at my bladder’s exit, like knives twisting within me. In recent days, a stubborn cough has taken hold, resisting every remedy I’ve tried . “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  —James 1:2-3 (NIV) Explaining these symptoms to doctors has been an exercise in frustration—they often don’t fully understand the toll this takes. Days like today are especially heavy. My e...

Good day, brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we come together to seek God’s wisdom on a matter close to His heart—how we, as His people, are to approach work and charity. The Bible, our unchanging guide, speaks clearly on these topics. It calls us to care for those who cannot provide for themselves—widows, orphans, and the truly poor—while also warning against supporting those who can work but choose not to. As a people committed to honoring God’s Word, we must understand and live out these teachings with faithfulness and discernment, reflecting both His love and His call to responsibility. Caring for Those Who Cannot Work Let us begin with God’s command to show compassion. The Scriptures leave no doubt about our duty to the needy. In James 1:27, we read, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This is a powerful charge—our faith is not j...

  It is Tuesday going into Wednesday of Fair week here in Indiana and I can't sleep till the laundry for the kitchen is done and I have been able to get this brain worm down on “paper”. Opening your heart and mind to God is definitely a two edged sword  The Significance of Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:1 stands as the cornerstone of our faith, whether we gather as Christians or as Jews. It is the opening declaration of the Bible, proclaiming , "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This single verse establishes God as the sovereign Creator of all things, setting the stage for the entire biblical narrative. For both Christians and Jews, this truth is foundational—it shapes our understanding of the world, our place in it, and our relationship with the Divine. Today, we reflect on this verse together, honoring our shared heritage while exploring its profound meaning within our respective traditions. The Traditional Translation and Its Support The most direct and w...

The Word of God is clear and unchanging. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Apostle Paul delivers a powerful command: "Pray without ceasing." This is not a casual suggestion—it’s a divine directive for every believer. But what does it mean to pray without ceasing? It’s not about locking ourselves in a prayer closet all day, neglecting our responsibilities. No, it’s something far more profound: it’s about living in a state where we can instantly turn to God and carry on a straight, open conversation with Him at any moment. Today, we’ll explore this biblical truth, see how it’s modeled in Scripture, and learn how to live it out as followers of Jesus Christ. What Does "Pray Without Ceasing" Mean? To "pray without ceasing" is to have an open line of communication with God, always ready to speak to Him as naturally as we’d talk to a friend standing beside us. Think Tevya in " Fiddler on The Roof ", It’s about being so attuned to His presence that we can in...

Based on Luke 15:22-24 Today, we reflect on one of the most beautiful passages in Scripture, Luke 15:22-24, from the Parable of the Prodigal Son. These verses capture the heart of a father’s mercy: “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” This moment is not just a homecoming; it’s a revelation of God’s boundless love and forgiveness. Let’s unpack this scene and see what it teaches us about pardon, grace, and the heart of our Heavenly Father. First, notice the father’s response. The son, who squandered his inheritance and lived recklessly, returns home expecting judgment—or at best, to be treated as a servant. Yet, the father doesn’t wait for an apology or demand repayment. He runs to his son, embraces him, and before ...

Speaking Truth with a Heart of Love Friends, today we’re stepping into some challenging waters—drag shows and homosexuality—topics that stir up strong feelings in our world. As followers of Christ, we can’t dodge these conversations. God’s Word has something to say, and it’s our job to listen and share it, not with anger or judgmentalism, but with the same heart Jesus showed: firm in truth, overflowing with love. Think of the boldness of a preacher like Billy Sunday, but softened by the Savior’s call to the lost. That’s where we’ll stand today Drag Shows: A Step Away from God’s Plan Let’s start with what scripture says about gender and identity. In Deuteronomy 22:5, we read, " A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this." God set up a beautiful order when He made us male and female, and this verse reminds us He cares about that distinction. Drag shows—where men dress as women or women as men—move a...

Tonight was the opening of our 2025 Miami County Fair and although those in charge brought the message God laid on their hearts I was given a different one I'd like to share with you. Good evening, beloved 4-H members, families, volunteers, and friends. As we gather tonight for this Vespers service, the air is filled with anticipation. The 4-H fair is about to begin—a vibrant celebration of hard work, creativity, and community. Before the barns open, the exhibits shine, and the ribbons are awarded, let us pause to center our hearts, lift our spirits, and give thanks to God for bringing us together. This moment is sacred, a chance to reflect on our journey and seek God’s guidance for the days ahead. The 4-H pledge is our guiding light: “I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world.” These words aren’t just a promise we recite; they’re a call to live w...

 Today we come together to reflect on a challenging and sensitive topic that has stirred much discussion in our world: the comparison of political leaders, specifically the comparison of Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler. This is not an easy subject, for it touches on history, faith, and our responsibility as Christians to discern truth and act in love. Yet, with the guidance of Scripture and the grace of God, let us explore this together, seeking wisdom and understanding. The Word of God  Let us begin by turning to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verses 1 through 5, where our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank ...

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 11:19 “But I was like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter. I did not realize that they had plotted against me, saying, ‘Let us destroy the tree and its fruit; let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name be remembered no more.’” Today we stand before a powerful and sobering verse from the prophet Jeremiah, a man who knew what it meant to be faithful in the face of fierce opposition. Jeremiah 11:19 paints a vivid picture of a gentle lamb, unaware of the schemes against it, led to slaughter. This is not just Jeremiah’s story—it’s a shadow of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and a mirror for our own lives when we stray from God’s path. Drawing from the fiery preaching of Billy Sunday, particularly his 1915 Syracuse sermon on backsliding, let’s explore what this verse means for us today: the danger of drifting from God, the plots of the enemy, and the urgent call to return to the Lord’s way. The Lamb’s Innocence and the Enemy’s Plot  Jeremiah compar...

Just wanted to run you through an average dialysis day for me and so many others. ----------------------------------------- The alarm shrieks, cutting through the dawn quiet at 7:30 AM, sharp and insistent. Dave groans, rolling over to silence it. His body feels heavy, like it’s still tethered to the bed, but he knows he can’t linger. Dialysis days start early, and the clinic waits for no one. He swings his legs over the side of the bed, pausing to catch his breath. The familiar ache in his lower back is there, a dull throb---a reminder of the fluid his kidneys can’t clear anymore. He shuffles to the bathroom, splashes cold water on his face, and stares at his reflection. His eyes are a little puffy today, but he forces a half-smile. “You got this,” he mutters, a mantra he’s leaned into since his diagnosis. He knows that it's only the strength from God that is getting him through each day. Breakfast is light—oatmeal with a few blueberries, no salt, no bananas. He’s memorized the re...

Scripture text: Hebrews 9:13-14 Today, we turn to the infallible, inerrant Word of God, found in Hebrews 9:13-14, which declares: "For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God." This is not a suggestion or a metaphor—it is the literal truth, breathed by the Holy Spirit, revealing the foundation of our salvation. The Insufficiency of the Old Covenant  In the Old Testament, God established a system of sacrifices—blood of goats and bulls, ashes of a heifer—to temporarily cleanse His people from outward impurity. But let’s be absolutely clear: these sacrifices were powerless to save. The Bible itself testifies in Hebrews 10:4, "For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins....

 Dear readers, today we turn to the timeless truth of God’s Holy Word to explore a vital lesson: the difference between "faith the size of a mustard seed" and " oh ye of little faith." These phrases, spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ, are not mere words—they are a divine call to examine our hearts and align our lives with the unchanging standards of Scripture. In a world drifting from biblical values, Christians must hold fast to the truth that even the smallest faith, when rooted in God’s promises, can accomplish great things. Yet, we are also warned against a faith weakened by doubt. Let us reflect on this today: do we trust God fully, or do we falter when the storms of life arise?   What Scripture Teaches About Faith The Bible, God’s inspired and inerrant Word, reveals the power of true faith. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus says , "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will b...

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 28:7-20 Today we turn to a sobering passage in God’s Word—1 Samuel 28:7-20—where we see King Saul, once chosen by God, spiral into desperation and disobedience. In his fear and rebellion, he seeks out a medium to contact the dead, turning from the living God to the powers of darkness. This passage is a stark warning for us today: when we reject God’s guidance and turn to forbidden paths, we invite judgment and despair. Let’s dive into this text and let the Holy Spirit teach us how to walk in obedience and trust in God alone. Saul’s Rebellion: Turning from God’s Word In 1 Samuel 28, we find Saul at the end of his rope. The Philistines are gathering for war, and Saul’s heart is gripped with fear (v. 5). He inquires of the Lord, but God is silent—no answer through prophets, dreams, or the Urim (v. 6). Why? Because Saul had long been disobedient. He failed to fully obey God’s command to destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15), and he rejected the word of the Lord t...

 Scripture Readings: Revelation 7:1-8, Revelation 14:1-5, Matthew 24:14 Today we turn our hearts to a powerful and urgent truth from God’s Word—the 144,000 sealed servants of God in the Book of Revelation. In these last days, as the world grows darker and the signs of Christ’s return draw near, the Bible reveals a special group chosen by God to shine His light amidst the chaos of the tribulation. Who are these 144,000, and what can we learn from their mission? Let us dive into Scripture and prepare our hearts for the work God calls us to, even now.   The Identity of the 144,000: God’s Chosen Remnant In Revelation 7, we see a pause in the unfolding judgments of the tribulation—a moment where God’s mercy shines through. The angel declares, “ Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads” (Revelation 7:3). These servants are 144,000, with 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel—Judah, Reuben, Gad, and so on. ...

Delivered with fervent conviction and anchored in the unchanging Word of God, reflecting on recent headlines of the Israel-Iran conflict  We stand today at a pivotal moment in history, a time when the world seems to teeter on the brink of chaos and eternity. Open your newspapers, scroll your screens, or turn on the news—what do you see? War. Missiles blazing through the night sky. Nations clashing with unrelenting fury. Just this week, we witnessed Israel’s decisive and blistering strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military strongholds, taking out top generals and scientists in a bold act of self-defense. Iran, in retaliation, unleashed a barrage of ballistic missiles aimed at Israeli homes, schools, and hospitals. A 6-day-old infant was miraculously pulled from the rubble in central Israel, a fragile life spared amidst the  destruction. Yet, tragedy struck elsewhere as an Israeli-Arab family in Tamra perished under the impact of an Iranian missile. The Middle East is a...