Life's Inanities and Ironies

 The scene in Bethany is one of profound grief. Jesus, arriving four days after the death of his friend Lazarus , stands before a tomb where the air is heavy with sorrow and the scent of decay. A crowd of mourners, having come to comfort Martha and Mary , stands by as a poignant question hangs in the air: "Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?". Then, in a moment of stunning paradox, the Son of God, the "resurrection and the life," gives us the shortest verse in the Bible: "Jesus wept".  This familiar story, found in the eleventh chapter of the Gospel of John , is far more than a simple act of miraculous power. It is a multi-layered narrative that reveals the divine and human nature of Jesus, subverts first-century Jewish expectations of life and death, and provides a powerful analogy for spiritual salvation and the ongoing work of the Christian community. By examining the historical context, the theologica...

Frien ds, fellow believers, and seekers of truth, The topics of homosexuality and transsexuality are some of the most debated and emotionally charged issues in our culture today. As Christians who hold the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, it is essential that we approach these subjects not with the noise of the world, but with the quiet and humble authority of Scripture. My aim here is to provide a clear, biblical overview of what the Old and New Testaments say, and to consider what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ would have us understand. The Foundation in Genesis: God’s Intentional Design To truly understand the biblical perspective on sexuality and gender, we must begin at the beginning, in the book of Genesis. The creation narrative provides the foundational blueprint for God’s design for humanity. In Genesis 1:27 , we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." This verse establishes a fundam...

In a world drowning in distractions and fleeting pleasures, the timeless words of Jesus Christ cut through the noise like a clarion call. Today, I want to dive deep into the Parable of the Wedding Banquet from Matthew 22:1-14 —a story that's not just ancient history but a living, breathing warning and promise for every soul. As fundamentalist Christians , we hold fast to the inerrant Word of God, and this parable demands our undivided attention. It's a vivid portrait of God's sovereign grace , human rebellion, and the eternal consequences of our response. Let's unpack it together, expanding on its profound truths to stir our hearts toward deeper faith and obedience. Imagine the scene : A mighty king—our Heavenly Father—prepares a lavish wedding feast for his beloved son, Jesus Christ. Invitations are sent to the elite, the chosen ones—symbolizing God's covenant people, Israel. But shockingly, they snub the invite. Some ignore it, too busy with farms and businesses...

As Christians, we stand firm on the unchanging truth of Scripture. Every verse is inspired by the Holy Spirit , pointing us to Christ and His redemptive work. Today, let's dive deep into Zechariah 9:9 —a prophecy that explodes with divine promise and finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion ! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." This isn't just ancient poetry; it's God's blueprint for the Messiah , written centuries before His birth, proving the Bible's supernatural accuracy. Imagine the scene: Israel, weary from captivity and foreign rule, hears this call to explosive joy. No subdued whispers here— Zechariah demands shouts of triumph! Why? Because their King is on the way. But He's not the kind the world expects. No chariot of gold or warhorse charging into battle. Ins...

 Today, I want to invite you on a profound spiritual journey—a journey that takes us back thousands of years, into the very heart of ancient Israelite worship, and then catapults us forward to the eternal truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ . We’re going to explore Yom Kippur , the Jewish Day of Atonement , and discover how this solemn observance illuminates the glorious work of our Savior. Now, as Christians, we live under grace, not under the Law . This is a foundational truth of our faith, and it’s a truth that sets us free! Yet, to dismiss the Old Testament , to ignore the rich tapestry of God’s dealings with Israel, would be to miss the very blueprint for understanding our redemption . As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, the Law, its rituals, and its sacrifices were but a "shadow of the good things to come, and not the true form of these realities" ( Hebrews 10:1 ). The shadows always point to a substance, and for us, that substance is Christ. Yom Kippur: A Day of Ho...

In a world drowning in moral relativism, political upheaval, and spiritual apathy, the timeless words of Scripture call us back to the throne of the Almighty . As a Christian, I stand unapologetically on the inerrant Word of God—the Bible in its literal, historical, and grammatical sense. No compromises, no dilutions. Recently, I delivered a homily based on Psalm 98, a powerful anthem of praise that demands our wholehearted response to God's sovereign acts. Today, I'm expanding that message into this blog post, drawing not just from the Psalms but from the full counsel of God's Word. We'll explore how this psalm points to Christ's ultimate victory, the joy of true worship, and the certainty of divine judgment. Whether you're a seasoned believer or seeking truth, let's dive in and let the Scriptures speak. The Call to a New Song: Celebrating God's Marvelous Deeds Psalm 98 opens with an exhilarating command: " O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he h...

This is being published as a guide of sorts for when the rapture of the church has occurred.  Trying to put the information out on what to do if it has. A Message of Hope for a World Left Behind The world has changed. In a moment, without warning, millions of people vanished, leaving behind an unprecedented void of confusion and fear. If you are reading this, you are among those who were left, and the questions swirling in your mind are likely beyond anything you've ever had to consider. What was this event? Why did it happen? And what comes next? What you are witnessing is the unfolding of an ancient prophecy—the beginning of a period known as the Tribulation . While it is a time of great peril, it is also a time of profound grace, where a path to salvation remains open to all who seek it. What Just Happened? The Unfolding of Prophecy The sudden disappearance of countless individuals is the fulfillment of a biblical event known as the "Rapture." It is the moment when al...

Today, I want us to journey into a part of our spiritual heritage that, while distinct, offers profound insights into the very heart of our Christian faith. We’re going to explore the Jewish High Holy Days, particularly what are known as the “ Days of Awe .” Now, some of you might be thinking, "Why are we looking at Jewish traditions? We are followers of Jesus, the Messiah!" And that's a vital question. Indeed, we are Christians, believing that Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. However, as Paul so eloquently reminds us in Romans 11, we are "wild olive shoots grafted into the cultivated olive tree" of Israel. Our faith doesn't exist in a vacuum; it has deep, rich roots in God's ancient covenant with His people. By understanding these roots, we gain a fuller, more vibrant appreciation for the salvation we have in Christ. Rosh Hashanah : The Day of Judgment and Remembrance The Days of Awe, or Yamim Nora'im in Hebrew, are a ten-day period that b...

 Hey there, fellow seekers of faith! In a world where "grace" is often thrown around like a get-out-of-jail-free card, it's easy to skim over one of the Bible's most straightforward teachings: obedience. I recently came across a powerful homily that hit me right between the eyes on this topic, and I felt compelled to turn it into a blog post. Titled Obedience: Often Ignored and Seldom Preached or Taught, it reminds us that true love for Jesus isn't just about warm feelings—it's about action. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Let's dive in and let God's Word do the talking. The Misunderstood Side of Grace We've all heard it: "We're saved by grace, not by works!" And that's absolutely true—Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that crystal clear. But somewhere along the way, many Christians (myself included at times) have twisted grace into something loose and permissive. It's like treating ...

“ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) As Christians, one of the most important questions we can ask is whether a true believer can lose their salvation after accepting Christ. This issue has been debated for centuries, and it’s one that every follower of Jesus should understand. The Bible, our ultimate authority, provides clear answers when we interpret it literally and consistently. In this post, we’ll explore what Scripture says about the security of our salvation and why we can have confidence in God’s promises. The Bible’s Clear Teaching: Salvation is Secure For those who have truly accepted Christ, the Bible offers powerful assurances that our salvation is eternally secure. Let’s look at some key passages that affirm this trut...