Life's Inanities and Ironies

Today's scripture text Colossians 3:14-17 Today, we gather to reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:14-17, a passage that calls us to live in the transformative power of God’s love and Word. Let us hear the Scripture anew: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This passage is a blueprint for Christian living, a call to let the Word of God not just visit us but dwell among us—taking root in our hearts, shaping our lives, and guiding our community. Let us unpack what this means for us as faithful follow...

Today, we turn to John 4:23-24, where Jesus declares to the Samaritan woman, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” From a fundamentalist Christian perspective, this passage is a clarion call to abandon worldly distractions and embrace a pure, biblical form of worship that honors God alone. First, let us understand the context. Jesus speaks to a Samaritan, a people despised by the Jews for their mixed heritage and false worship. Yet, He reveals a profound truth: the time of true worship has arrived through Him. As fundamentalists, we believe Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), and His words here establish a new covenant where external rituals—whether on Mount Gerizim or in Jerusalem—are secondary to the heart’s devotion. “Worship in spirit” means our wo...

Life can throw us into seasons that test our endurance—times when our bodies ache, our responsibilities overwhelm, and even the weather seems to conspire against us. For anyone facing such struggles, these moments can feel isolating and exhausting. Yet, there’s a thread of hope that weaves through every hardship: God’s unwavering promises. This blog post is for those who, like the author of the quoted text below, are grappling with physical limitations, work challenges, and environmental strains while clinging to faith. The author shared a raw and honest glimpse into their recent days: “The last couple of days have been really rough physically for me. Sometimes it's like that when you're on dialysis. I guess that combined with this week being Fair week it has been a little hard on me. Again not complaining. Just stating facts. From the time I got out of dialysis this Wednesday through now till Saturday morning which includes a day off and a another dialysis day. I am just about...

Today, we reflect on the life of King Hezekiah, a man whose faith in God shines as a beacon of hope and trust in the midst of trials. In 2 Kings 18:5, we read, “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him.” This verse captures the essence of Hezekiah’s unwavering faith—a faith that not only sustained him but also transformed the nation of Judah. Hezekiah lived in a turbulent time. The northern kingdom of Israel had fallen to the Assyrians, and Judah faced the same looming threat. The world around him was filled with fear, idolatry, and uncertainty. Yet, Hezekiah stood apart because he placed his trust wholly in God. His faith was not a passive sentiment but an active commitment that shaped his decisions and actions. First, Hezekiah’s faith led him to purify worship. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4). He called the people back to...

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....