Life's Inanities and Ironies

The Mount of Olives (Hebrew: *Har ha-Zetim*; Arabic: *Jabal al-Tur*) is a limestone ridge rising east of Jerusalem’s Old City, separated from it by the Kidron Valley. At its highest point (around 2,694 feet / 820 meters on Mount Scopus to the north), it offers one of the most iconic panoramic views of the Temple Mount, Dome of the Rock, and ancient walls. Its name derives from the olive groves that once blanketed its slopes—trees whose oil was used for anointing kings and priests in biblical times. This ridge has witnessed over 3,000 years of recorded history, serving as a place of prayer, prophecy, mourning, triumph, and divine encounter. It is sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, with layers of biblical events, archaeological remains, and ongoing religious significance.   Old Testament Roots: A Place of Refuge, Idolatry, and Prophecy The Mount of Olives first appears in Scripture during King David’s flight from his rebellious son Absalom around 1000 BC. David ascended the ...

In the hustle of modern life—where notifications ping like enemy fire and headlines scream doom—it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. As conservative Christians , we fight hard for biblical values : the sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, the pursuit of justice in a fallen world. But amid the battles, are we staring at the wrong horizon? Drawing from Acts 1:3-11 , this post explores the Ascension of Jesus and a piercing angelic question: *What are you looking at?* It's a call to refocus on the mission that outlasts elections and cultures. If you're weary from scrolling through culture-war casualties or praying for revival that feels delayed, pull up a chair. Let's unpack this ancient scene and apply it to our Indiana winters and beyond. (Shoutout to my fellow Hoosiers—yes, even in Indianapolis , the Gospel calls us outward.) The Proofs and the Promise: Forty Days of Resurrection Reality Picture the disciples: battle-scarred from betrayal, crucifixion...