When Trust Becomes Dangerous

4 Comments / May 28, 2026

As a rule, most of us are pretty trusting. We want to believe the best about people and systems. Whether it be about our own families, our government, our workplace, or whatever. We want to believe the best.

And there is nothing innately wrong with this unless…we refuse to see the truth that is obvious in front of us. Unless we turn a blind eye to a painful truth.

That’s when this bright outlook and happy trusting will lead us down a very dangerous path.

One of these systems that most of us want to trust is this new “AI” (artificial intelligence) world we are living in. I tend to avoid it, but just googling for an answer on the internet puts you right in the middle of it. So unless we are completely off the internet, it cannot be avoided.

And so we need to understand the dangers that surround this world. We need to be aware, particularly if we want to use the system.

A year or two ago, when AI was just starting to be implemented, my mother googled a Bible question. When the answer came up, it was clearly a wrong answer, according to scripture. So AI isn’t always right. I put that knowledge in the back of my mind for later.

A few weeks ago, I went on to do my weekly hymn post on Facebook. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get my regular hymn website to come up. Google refused to show it. Even if I put in the exact web address. I decided to go to a different search engine and there it was.

This has happened every week since. Google will not bring up a reputable website. For reasons unknown to me, the site that I regularly visited to get hymn lyrics was blacklisted by google.

So now I have learned that google (and all AI systems) will give me the information they want me to have. The information is filtered, censored, and biased.

AI can be wrong. And it most certainly is censored.

This should be enough to make any believer nervous.

It is not that we can’t use google. Or that it’s sinful to use AI. That would be totally impractical for most people. But we do need to realize that, at its very heart, it cannot be trusted 100%.

Most of you have probably heard of AI “friends” encouraging people to commit suicide. This is an extreme case of wrong (and deadly) counsel from a machine.

But it’s important to note that these machines are not just occasionally giving wrong counsel, they are designed to give imperfect, incomplete information—the information that its designers want to be given. We must keep this in mind as we navigate this strange new world.

However we choose to navigate this “tech revolution”—to use it or to not use it—won’t stop it. Most importantly, we need to understand that it is a dangerous, imperfect system. We cannot just accept its answers and counsel at face value. It should never replace the Bible and godly people in our lives.

I doubt many of you reading this would be making such a substitution but so many people are these days. Do we realize this?

I feel like I am becoming my Grandma, who struggled with all the changes (many of them wicked) that came about during her years. The changes we’ve seen if we are over the age of 50 have been substantial.

Just 25 years ago, cell phones were not smart phones; the internet was not our only resource for information; people read books and newspapers and magazines; there was no social media.

We older people know what it was like to parent without the phone calling our names. We know what it was like to work without being accessible 24/7. We knew the work it took to really search for an answer and to be okay if we didn’t find it.

I know I am sounding old as I write these things. But, old or not, I am thankful I got to live in a world without cellphones and AI. I really am.

But having come from a vastly different world can make us naive to this one if we aren’t careful. So we need to be aware. And we need to understand the danger.

Yes, you can ignore all the changes and choose not to use it, but it is pretty much guaranteed that your children and grandchildren will not make the same choice as you are. Know the truth so you can have knowledgeable conversations that bring wisdom to this topic.

Life is unpredictable and none of us could have predicted where this world would be at this point in time. Thankfully, God knows. And everything that is happening goes along perfectly with what we know is coming upon this world at some point in time, according to the book of Revelation in the Bible.

There’s only one thing in the world in which we can trust 100%. And that’s the Holy Bible. All other things that come our way must be tested by it—including AI.

May we keep our eyes and ears open and, while we certainly want to have a positive outlook on life, may we not “trust” our way onto a dangerous path that will harm ourselves or our families.

When There is a Fork in the Road

1 Comment / May 21, 2026

A dedicated Hindu has found Christ, the only One who can free Him from the bonds of sin and death. Upon his turning to Christ, he has become aware that the Hindu idols he has worshipped in the past represent all that is opposite of Christ. His spiritual eyes are opened and he sees them for what they are—evil and demonic.

As he and his converted relatives seek to rid their home of these idols, gathering them for a fire in their backyard, there is quite a stir among their Hindu relatives and neighbors. As this family that God providentially saved out of such wretched manmade religion sought to please the God who led them from all-encompassing darkness into His marvelous light (I Peter 2:9), they encountered much hatred and opposition.

The young man says the following as he describes this particular time in his life:

“At first neighbors and relatives steadfastly refused to accept the forgiveness God offers through Christ. I understood exactly how they felt. Nothing could persuade them until truth meant more to them than tradition.”

Let’s read that again—

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

I was struck profoundly and immediately upon reading this sentence with how relevant this sentence is to us all! How tempting is it to place TRADITION over TRUTH? None of us is immune from this temptation.

This is not just a temptation to those who are in foreign false religions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism. This is why so many stay in “Christian” religions and churches that are clearly far from true, biblical Christianity. It is generally why Catholics who claim to be born again stay Catholic. It is why people stay in “worship” services that have become mockeries of all that is sacred. It is why legalists stay in their legalistic churches that add works to salvation. It is why those who profess Christ continue going to churches that ignore and neglect the Bible.

Tradition and familiarity are painfully difficult to leave.

They are. There is no question about it.

This profound insight was a great reminder to me that we can never let tradition or familiarity be our driving factor when making any decision, particularly decisions about our spiritual health.

We must instead be guided by TRUTH. The truth we find in God’s Word alone.

The young Hindu from the story above (true story) sought TRUTH over his tradition. The cost was great, but the reward was so much greater.

There is nothing wrong with tradition or familiarity. These things can be quite good and helpful and sometimes they travel in a parallel path with truth.

But when there is a fork in the road and we are forced to choose tradition or truth, may we be sure to follow hard after TRUTH. For that is the only thing that will lead us towards Christ and eternal life.

𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘑𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘑𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘥; 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦. (John 8:31-32)

The Muddy Waters of American Christianity

Leave a Comment / May 13, 2026

I am thankful to live in America. I really am. The blessings here are countless. If you are a traveler or a reader, you, too, know just how blessed we are here in this country. There is a reason so many want to come here.

But there are a few downsides to this country, as well. Perhaps the most important being the muddy, undefined Christianity that is found here.

I have been thinking about that some over the past years but it was made so much clearer to me when I recently read the testimony of a Hindu from a foreign land.

What does new life with Christ look like in America? It’s a quick prayer and then, for so many, a return back to the sin and worldliness that was characterizing their lives before a prayer. No change, no freedom, no victory, no love. Instead, there is a wrong assumption regarding God’s grace and this keeps them imprisoned in sin and worldliness.

Contrast this to this line from the testimony of a former Hindu:

I had begun to understand that being “born again” really involved—through Christ’s death and resurrection for me—the death of my old self and the resurrection of a new person.

No option for both to exist together. The old man has died and a new man is alive (Colossians 3).

It’s not about just a sentence prayer spoken to Almighty God. If the words spoken yield no transformation from an old man to a new man then it’s just a sentence.

Living among heathens or pagans, the difference in the believer vs those around them is like night and day. The new believer in a heathen land recognizes that the two religious systems are diametrically opposed to one another. It’s very obvious.

Here in muddy, religious America that is harder to see. Everyone loves Christ. Everyone points to Jesus. Everyone claims He is their Savior.

Well, not everyone, of course. But, rather strangely, it has become the “popular” thing to do.

And this muddies the waters considerably. Jesus tells us to expect to be hated by the world. He says that the world will persecute us. (John 15:18-20)

The temptation is to believe that America is just different. Yes, Christians are persecuted in other lands, but not here. This is a wonderful Christian nation.

I think it’s important we ask ourselves if that’s really true. Is the Christianity represented here in America what we read about in the Bible?

Does the Bible teach that we can continue on in our sin, claiming God’s grace over it all? Does the Bible teach that living a sinful lifestyle without any conviction represents genuine faith? Does the Bible teach that we can love the world and partake of all of its philosophies, entertainment, styles, pastimes, etc. in our new lives?

And if it does teach this, is the Christianity of America actually genuine Christianity?

Look, I am not judging individuals here. We can never do that. There are too many factors, too many unique journeys. We can’t know and that’s not our place.

What I want to do today is to encourage you to step back and look at the movement of Christianity as a whole here in this country (if you live here) or wherever you live. Does it represent biblical Christianity?

Or is it a comfortable Christianity that allows for our fleshly desires and cares more about feelings and emotions than about what God’s Word says?

The Hindu that was miraculously saved removed the false gods and idols from his house immediately. He realized right away that this was something he had to do.

What about our false gods before Christ? Do we remove them from their place when we come to Christ? Do we even think about it when we get saved? Do we even think about it after we are saved? The idols that are so “accepted” in these muddy religious waters… things like sports, popularity, careers, family, money, etc.

I know I am preaching to the choir. Most of you reading this are not unfamiliar with this dynamic as I’ve talked about it often. But this testimony of the Hindu really made it much clearer than it’s been to me for a long time.

The real Jesus Christ makes a different in lives or He doesn’t. And we can’t have it both ways.

If Jesus makes a difference then those that are genuinely saved will be different; Christ’s power will transform them from their old self to their new self—slowly or quickly matters not—there will be a change.

And if Jesus doesn’t make a difference and people just go on to live in the chains of sin and the prison of worldliness, then what good even is Christianity and of what value the Bible?

It is so very easy to find ourselves going down downstream with the crowd. It’s takes no thought. And it doesn’t invite criticism.

However, as believers, we are called to swim upstream. We are called to live by the truth of God’s Word and to examine every single thing through its lens.

Just because someone uses the names of God and Jesus does not mean they are genuine. Just because our favorite athlete points to the sky and gives credit to God does not mean he is saved. Just because an author or preacher says something that sounds biblical does not mean they are biblical.

Let’s keep our eyes open and pray for discernment as we navigate these muddy American Christian waters.

Bank Adventures

Leave a Comment / May 4, 2026

A few months ago, I went to the bank to try to figure out why a deposit wasn’t showing on my statement. I had called and talked to someone but she, after sending the statements away to the “appropriate department”, had insisted rather condescendingly that all was well with my account. I was sure that it wasn’t.

I decided to head over to the local branch and talk to someone in person. This is not our main bank and I don’t go there very often. This means they naturally do not know me there.

As I tried to explain the problem to the bank teller, she eyed me indifferently. She wasn’t mean but she also wasn’t nice. I felt a bit frustrated at her apathy, although I did try very hard to stay kind and keep my voice neutral.

She finally turned to her computer and said, “what’s your last name?”

When I said my last name, her face brightened and her whole demeanor changed. Oh, yes, I see those checks come in and I process them, she said and, quite unexpectedly, she became much more interested in what was going on with my account.

I don’t know this woman and, to my knowledge, she doesn’t know me. But, for whatever reason, my last name triggered a response.

Despite the change in her attitude, she didn’t really help me.

A few days later, never really receiving any answers from the women at my local branch, I called the branch in the next town. The young man who answered the phone was cheerful and kind before I even spoke a word. He took down my information and within 24 hours had answered where my disappearing deposit had gone (to the wrong account).

A few weeks later, I went into my regular bank. We have personal and business accounts there and had a very good relationship with the former manager of the branch. (Disappointingly, the current manager is very disinterested in her customers but that’s irrelevant here.)

On this particular day the teller didn’t know me and she was stammering, saying she needed my ID to finish my transaction. I was surprised because I was making a large deposit into my account (and I was not withdrawing a cent) so I was kindly trying to understand why.

The former bank manager, who works from several branches in a certain department, just happened to be there in a next door office with the door open. I could see him listening to what was going on and soon he came out and told her that I am who I say I am and she didn’t need my ID to process the deposit.

There is just something about being known, isn’t there?

As I reflect on my experiences at the two different banks, I realized I ran into five very different types of people.

First, woman #1 that I called at Bank #1. Ostensibly, she acted like she cared but obviously she a) had no idea what she was doing (claimed to send it away but could never have actually done that, as it was a simple mistake to find) and b) didn’t really care, as her condescension in telling me that all was well was clearly not care.

Some people can pretend to be nice but, in the end, show their true colors of self-interest and lack of compassion.

Second, woman #2 from Bank #1. This woman was cold and apathetic until she heard my name. For some unknown reason this filled her with interest to help me. When I was unknown to her, she was totally disinterested. And she never did help me.

This woman is a great example of the biased person that James talks about in his second chapter (verses 1-8). She changed her demeanor and her behavior based on who the person was rather than treating all people the same.

Third, man #1 at Bank #1, different branch. This young man answered my call with a pleasant and kind voice. He listened to my problem, acknowledged my concern, and promised to get back to me. And he did so in a timely manner. He also actually found the issue.

He was a great example of customer service. And of how we should live life—with kindness, concern, and follow-through of promises.

Fourth, woman #1 at Bank #2. This woman was kind but lacking in knowledge of who I was. It wasn’t her fault and she was just doing what she was supposed to be doing.

She was a good example of an employee, showing kindness and following the bank rules. Many people do not have that level of integrity anymore.

Fifth, and finally, man #1 at Bank #2. This former manager unselfishly stepped in to a situation when he could have just ignored us for his own selfish agenda.

This man was busy working on his own thing and he wouldn’t have had to take the time to help. But his kindness of heart and friendly demeanor put us both at ease and saved us both some extra work.

So why even share this?

Well, here’s why. We all have an opportunity to talk to people every single day. We have an opportunity to face problems and solve them.

Oh, most of us do not work at a bank. But we work, volunteer, or serve somewhere. And, if we live with someone else, we have these opportunities at home every single day.

How do we treat the people around us? How do we help them solve their problems?

Are we filled with a lot of complaining and frustration and unkind words? Or do we choose joy and kindness and unselfishness when someone reaches out for help?

I’ll be the first to confess that if you were a little mouse in my house watching when my husband comes in asking for help while I’m busy doing something, you would notice that I would not be a model responder. Oh, if I don’t have my own agenda at the time, I can be quite kind and helpful. But if I am in the middle of something… well, I am still working on that.

Today, when the unexpected crops up, let’s try to be kind and pleasant. Let’s conduct ourselves with integrity. Let’s be without bias, having a good attitude and a joyful spirit, no matter who the Lord puts in our path. And let’s be proactive in helping others, rather than selfishly saying to ourselves that it’s “not our problem”. Most importantly, let’s bring the love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy for others that Jesus has shown us.

We won’t do this perfectly, of course, but let’s keep trying. And in so doing, we will be like Jesus, showing a skeptical world that Christ absolutely does makes a difference.

Staying in Our Story

Leave a Comment / April 21, 2026

The other day I heard the phrase “stay in your story” and I’ve been reflecting on it ever since.

The phrase was said in reference to a persecuted Christian who spent years in prison and, as a very old man, was able to see his son actually serve as chaplain in that very same prison. Only God, right?

But only by “staying in his story” was he able to see the miraculous way God would work.

Obviously, there are times we must escape our stories. There are lots of reasons we must choose to leave a particular aspect of our story—heretical teaching, abuse, the future for our families, etc.

But, let’s put those very valid reasons aside for a moment and think on the ways we leave/change our stories every single day by walking away from people or situations. How often do we just escape our problems rather than facing them and learning from them?

This phrase has had me thinking about how much easier it is to walk away from a person or a situation than to stay in the thick of it and figure it out.

My husband and I will sometimes watch House Hunters International and, occasionally, there will be a couple who walks away from family and friends to go live on an island somewhere.

Sometimes that looks like a good option, right? Just leave. People are messy. Relationships are hard. Situations are sticky.

I am not implying that it is wrong for a couple to do this. I am sure some have really good reasons. But can I be honest? There are times when escaping to an island looks quite appealing to me and it isn’t for good reasons at all. I’m sure you have felt the same way at times.

Many times we find ourselves in situations we simply can’t escape and we can find ourselves “chomping at the bit” for a nonexistent escape route.

We live in a culture that tells us to run. If someone is “toxic” run. If you don’t have personal peace, run. If you aren’t happy, just…run.

If your spouse isn’t making you happy, run to someone else. If your church doesn’t do something the way that you like, just leave. If someone is annoying, just ignore them. If your friend hurt you, just avoid them.

Run away, leave, ignore, avoid…

But, yet, in doing these things, we don’t leave any room for God to work.

When we choose to stay in our story and have faith that God will work all things for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28) we leave room for God to work in amazing ways.

But, oh, that’s so much harder to live out than it is to type. And, in reflecting back on my life, I will readily admit that I have probably left people and situations that I shouldn’t have. And when I am in a situation I can’t escape, I can become grumpy and anxious. Oh, I have so far to go when I examine my heart regarding this particular subject!

Do you, like me, find yourself laying the same unsolvable puzzle or frustrating situation at the foot of the cross over and over again?

Sometimes—maybe even oftentimes—the way God changes a situation is by changing us. The verse that comes after the very popular Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29, where we read that God’s purpose is to conform us into the image of His Son.

Frustrating people don’t generally become “un-frustrating” (only by God’s work in their lives is that even possible); Frustrating situations don’t generally disappear overnight.

But…

God will use these people and situations to work in our hearts. Puzzling, unfixable situations and frustrating, difficult people can teach us so much. We learn how to love unconditionally. We learn how to forgive. We learn how to offer undeserved grace to others. These situations release our grip from this world. They teach us to stop trusting in our own strength and help us understand how much we need God. Walking through these valleys will often cause us to evaluate what is important to us and…perhaps…show us what has become an idol in our life without us even realizing it.

When we stop making our comfort and happiness our idol and, instead, surrender our will to God’s and then turn to Him in prayer, seeking His will in His Word as we travel our dark valleys…well, this is when God will work in our own hearts and minds to conform us into His Son’s image.

I don’t know what you are facing today. I only know what I am facing today. May we both consider the value of “staying in our story” before we choose to run away.

Familiar Dirt

Leave a Comment / April 9, 2026

I shared the following on my Facebook page at the beginning of this week and I thought my email readers might appreciate it, as well. Hope it’s encouraging to you!

This past Sunday, as we all know, was Resurrection Sunday and my husband and I had to drive separately as we had to be at church at two different times.

In our church, we can purchase flowers to help brighten the sanctuary for this particular morning and so, after the service, I grabbed one the color of the sunset and took it to my car for the drive home.

I didn’t worry too much about situating it perfectly as I only had a five minute ride that had only one turn. I could hold on to it for that turn. All went very well until…

There was a second turn I hadn’t really thought about…the turn into my house. I am not sure what happened. Perhaps I grew distracted thinking about my day. Or I just had forgotten the tulip was there. But as I turned into my house, the tulip went flying, and made a royal mess on my recently swept car floor.

I was so annoyed.

But I took a picture. Because it seemed like there must be a lesson here (always, right?!)

My mind went to my sin, in this instance. We are so careful with a besetting sin. We pay attention, we work with the Holy Spirit, through prayer and scripture, to rid our lives of that sin.

And then…

Life throws us a curve ball. Or we allow ourselves to be too busy. Or whatever the reason…we start functioning on “autopilot”. We don’t pay as close attention.

And, plop! Just like that tulip slipped on to the floor and spilled dirt everywhere, we slip and find ourselves in a familiar pile of dirt. It can be very discouraging.

While a vacuum cleaned all that dirt in my car right up, a vacuum is absolutely useless in cleaning up our sinful messes. Thankfully, we have something far greater to cleanse our lives from the messes we make. We have a faithful God who forgives!

I John 1:9 puts it like this—

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When we make a mess (which is almost every day, right?), we have a Savior who not only forgives and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, but who gives us a brand new fresh start each morning (Lamentations 3:22-24).

Praise the Lord for His amazing grace and abundant mercy! Today is a brand new day.

May we redeem the time, confess our sins, and use the gift of each day to seek the Lord in all our ways.

Here Lies a Man…

Leave a Comment / March 30, 2026

Yesterday, My Sunday School teacher (also my father-in-law) shared this epitaph that someone had found on a tombstone:

Here lies a man who went out of this world without knowing why he came into it.

Is that not one of the saddest things you ever heard? To never know purpose? To flounder and to wander through this world, always asking the question “why am I here?”

I don’t believe he is the only person who died not knowing why they were born. And even those who find some semblance of purpose through their jobs, their manmade religions, their families, or charity work still feel empty if they take a moment to actually examine their hearts and be honest with themselves.

This is because we all have only one true purpose and that is to worship, glorify, and obey the One True God in the way He demands, according to His Word, the Holy Bible.

There is rebellion in a man’s heart that keeps him from having a natural desire to do this. And so he searches in all kinds of places, hoping to fill that desire to worship with inferior, temporal things.

It’s only when we bow our knee to Jesus Christ and turn to Him alone as our Savior from sin and death, that we can even begin to understand our true purpose in this world. Jesus is not just one way. He is the only way to be right with God (John 14:6).

We can choose to bow our knee to Jesus Christ now and acknowledge Him as Lord….or we will be forced to do this later. It’s our choice. God leaves it up to us. For now.

Paul puts it like this—

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Believing this—that Jesus is our Savior and Lord and our only way to be right with God—is life-changing.

I came across these verses yesterday (also from Philippians) and found myself meditating on them and what they mean for me (and for you) today, in this current time we find ourselves living in.

Here’s what Paul writes—

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-14).

Paul tells us to follow him as he follows Christ (I Corinthians 11:1). His example has been providentially given to us by God. If this is true, then what can we learn or be looking to attain for our own lives, based on this passage from Philippians?

First: All things are considered loss when compared to Christ. Counted as garbage, even. While these verses are nice to read, they are very difficult verses to actually live out. God has been revealing some idols in my life over the course of the last few months. Things that have taken too high of a priority in my life. While it can be painful, I am so thankful that God is opening my eyes to this.

Second: Christ alone is my righteousness. We stand before God clothed in Christ’s righteousness. There is nothing good in us and we can do nothing to make ourselves right with God (Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:10) Any good works we do for the Lord should be because we love Him, and not because we need to do them to attain salvation or because we think He will be mad at us if we don’t do them. We can get a little mixed up with our motivation for good works, can’t we? Even those of us who know and believe this truth with our whole hearts.

Third: We must stop looking behind us and press toward the mark. One of Satan’s biggest tricks is to get us focusing on all we’ve done wrong in the past. Or to imprison us in our disappointments, our grudges, our unmet expectations of yesteryear. Again, easy to read and be inspired by these verses, but much more difficult to actually live out.

As we approach Resurrection Sunday and take time to reflect on what Christ has done for us, may we also reflect on the change His victory at the cross has wrought in our own lives.

May we remember our true purpose and turn from those temporal things that call to us, demanding our allegiance. May we turn back yet again with bowed knee and surrendered heart to the One who loves us most.

Bowling for Dollars

Leave a Comment / February 24, 2026

Once upon a time, in 1970-something, a young family regularly watched the game show Bowling for Dollars. The young father spent a majority of the show criticizing the bowlers who didn’t do very well. As a bowler himself, he felt very qualified to judge them.

One day, the man decided to try out for the show. After all, it looked so easy. He was a decent bowler. He would, of course, do so much better than these pathetic contestants they watched every week.

He passed the first two trials and then went on to be a participant of the taped episode.

It was at that time, that he recognized that bowling for money in front of both a live audience and a tv audience wasn’t just about bowling. It was about the pressure not to make a fool of yourself.

Which he promptly did. After he was done, his rolls had been extremely unimpressive and included several gutter balls. He came home with $7.

After that, he watched the game show with quite a different spirit. He had been there and it wasn’t as easy as it looked.

It is quite easy to judge people for things we think we understand; things we think we’d do differently.

Years and years ago, I had a friend (who I am no longer in touch with) whose husband had an affair.

In my immaturity, I quickly stated (quite unwisely, I might add), “well, I would leave him.” or some such stupid thing.

Her profound answer has stuck with me my entire life: “Well,” she said tiredly, “you really don’t know what you would do until you are in my place.”

I have never forgotten that.

We don’t know what we would do. We think we do know. But we don’t. It’s so important we stop judging people hurriedly and without knowledge and, instead, pray for them.

It’s so easy to do, isn’t it? Even if we are wise enough not to speak it, we are thinking it.

Oh, that we may recognize that we don’t know. We just don’t know what someone is going through. And in that humble recognition, may our love and grace grow for those who are going through things we can’t possibly imagine. We really don’t know how we would respond.

No, they may not be handling things the way we would. They may even be handling them sinfully (which does need to be addressed), but love needs to be our motive and love should be what drives our thoughts and speech. Not censure.

Maybe you have this down. I definitely don’t. But God continues to show me this and grow me in this area. And I’m not the same person I was. God is so faithful.

So let’s keep growing together in our knowledge of God’s Word, in discernment, in wisdom, in love, and, yes…in grace.

The Allure of a Lie

4 Comments / February 19, 2026

There is one particular thing that I’ve encountered over and over again as I seek God through His Word and compare what I see in the world to what I read in the Bible.

And that being: An unwillingness of certain people to even have a thoughtful discussion.

So many people toss out something you’ve studied at length with a quick word given with ridicule. In fact, “study” has become a word that is viewed with disdain in a lot of ways. Particularly if it comes to the Bible and comparing what it says, both for our lives today and for what it says regarding the future, to the things we are encountering in the world around us—particular the world that calls itself “Christian” or “evangelical”.

A pastor by the name of David Nelson (1793-1844) wrote a book back in the early 1800s that addresses this unwillingness to study for oneself:

We do suppose that of all the scoffers who were to come in the last day and who were to be wilfully ignorant, there is scarce, one but would be willing to receive historic knowledge, at least, provided an angel could just grasp it in his hand, and throw it into his brain, without any exertion on his part. But the toil of research he never encounters. He may snatch at some plausible objection to truth, as he hears it repeated: but to impartial investigation he is an utter stranger.

As Pastor Nelson implies, we do find that people who are unwilling to study for themselves, are, however, eager to grab on to and repeat a lie that promotes what they want to believe.

I say “they”. But, honestly, we can all be in danger of this, including myself. It is so much easier and alluring to believe an appealing lie than to face an unpleasant truth.

David Nelson goes on to say this about the one who would prefer to believe a lie—

still it is true, that one small cunningly devised falsehood will influence him further than one hundred plain and forcible arguments in favour of Revelation.

It is true, isn’t it? A cleverly devised falsehood will be most influential in the one who does not love the truth, and a mountain of Bible verses, facts, or documentation given as proof that his belief is not true will not change the mind of one who does not love the truth.

I’ve been thinking a lot about 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 over thee past few months, in regards to this:

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

This is speaking specifically to the day when the world will fall for the deception of the antichrist. But there is a lesson for us all in these verses: If we do not love the truth, we will be vulnerable to deception.

A genuine love for truth is the only thing that will protect us.

And this genuine love for truth will only be developed in the one who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, takes the time to pray and study the Bible. Not just read it, but study it.

Horatius Bonar has the best wisdom about our own personal study of God’s Word—

The Word must be studied in all its fullness. Over its whole length and breadth we must spread ourselves. Above all theologies, creeds, catechisms, books and hymns, the Word must be meditated on, that we may grow in the knowledge of all its parts, and in assimilation to its models.

Our souls must be steeped in it, not in certain favourite parts of it, but in the whole. We must know it, not from the report of others, but from our own experience and vision, else will our life be but an imitation, our religion second-hand, and therefore second-rate.

Another cannot breathe the air for us, nor eat for us, nor drink for us. We must do these for ourselves. So no one can do our religion for us, nor infuse into us the life of truth which he may possess. These are not things of proxy or merchandise, or human impartation. Out of the Book of God and by the Spirit of God must each one of us be taught, else we learn in vain. Hence the exceeding danger of human influence or authority.

Just like another cannot breathe the air for us, nor eat for us, nor drink for us, so no one can do our religion for us nor infuse into us the life of truth.

Oh, how many Christians rely on others for their growth? I used to do this myself, to be honest. I’ve shared that here often. I feel like my Christian life was status quo and without vigor until I picked up God’s Word for myself and began to study it on a regular basis.

I am a testimony of its power working to steadfastly transform an undeserved, sinful woman into the image of Christ, little by little.

This doesn’t mean we won’t continue to have blind spots that keep us from seeing ourselves as we really are. It doesn’t mean we will be perfect or that we will never fight sin or worldliness again.

What it does mean is that God, through our daily study of His Word and time spent in prayer, will open our blind eyes and then enable us to fight against the sin and worldliness that He has revealed to us. That’s it. All glory to God.

I want to be careful here. I have not “arrived”, by any stretch of the imagination (just ask my family!!) I am serious when I say any change in me is by God’s grace. But the Word is changing me. And it will do the same for you.

But it is only through our daily study of God’s Word that we will be filled with a love for the truth and be transformed into the image of Christ.

And this can only happen if we are willing to see ourselves as we really are. It can only happen if we are willing to see the people we love, the people we struggle to love, the world, and all that is happening in the world around us as they really are.

If we hold tightly to a lie—to our own reality that doesn’t represent truth—well, then, we will never change. And we will never be all that we can be for God’s Kingdom.

Oh, to be believers that love God’s Word—all of it in its entirety. Oh, to be believers that study the Bible, all of it—not just the parts that we like or find comforting. Oh, to be believers that will keep ourselves from deception and delusion because we dearly love the truth.

It’s Not One or the Other

1 Comment / February 11, 2026

I’ve had an interesting past week, which included visits to a surgery center and the hospital. As I reflect on these visits, I realize they are a great analogy as to how we are to approach the “love vs truth” dichotomy we find in Christianity today.

A nurse or doctor who is loving and kind is worthless if they won’t do the hard stuff. If they won’t give us the medicine that we need because it will make us “feel bad”, they can be as nice as can be but we will understand their complete incompetence, won’t we?

As we grow sicker and sicker—or even lose our life—their “love” will mean nothing. In fact, we will recognize that it wasn’t love at all that drove their actions, but rather a self-love that made them want to avoid our “bad feelings”.

On the other hand, a nurse who is mean and gruff who gives us the right medicine, in spite of how it will make us “feel”, is certainly not the blessing they could be. They can do everything right, but if they do it with a frown on their face and a mean spirit…well, love is important, isn’t it?

Love and truth aren’t enemies. They are the greatest of friends.

I’ve noticed a really strange dichotomy in the recent years and I really want to encourage my readers to avoid it. It seems that many Christians are drawn only towards the “love and grace” posts, podcasts, sermons, and books. While another group is drawn only towards the “truth and discernment” posts, podcast, sermons, and books.

This ought not to be. As believers, we need to highly value both. I strive very hard to be balanced here because God has clearly shown in scripture that BOTH are important. I am well aware I don’t do this perfectly but I am trying.

If we step back and really think about it, we will recognize that there is no genuine love without truth.

Truth, no matter how it’s spoken, will save your life. To confirm the salvation of someone who has no fruit and zero interest in repentance or being more like Christ is not true love. No matter how that truth is spoken, if someone who has been deceived repents and believes on the name of Jesus Christ, they will receive eternal life.

But love does change everything. It makes [some] hearers much more willing to listen and plants many more seeds than a harsh, critical word. I write “some” in brackets because, at this juncture, we find many who have no interest in hearing the truth, no matter how lovingly it is said.

We are told that people will turn from the truth in the last days (2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are told there will be many false “Jesus”s in the last days and they will deceive many (Matthew 24:5). We are told that there will be perilous times in the last days with people following their lusts and calling it godliness (2 Timothy 3:1-9). And we are told that people will be deluded in the last days because they did not love the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11).

No matter how close we are to the actual return of Christ, we are most definitely seeing these things the Bible warns us of. Christianity is getting more and more confusing every day because so many things are done in the “name of Jesus”.

But is it the real Jesus? When we compare this “Jesus” to scripture, we can see most definitely it is not our beloved Savior who died for us and calls us to forsake our sin and the world and follow Him.

The Bible is true or it isn’t. Our faith is either based on the Bible or it’s based on human philosophy and opinion.

We can’t just define Jesus to be the way we want Him to be and then call ourselves a “Christian”.

Honestly, I think many of us Christians thought we would be in jail by now, being persecuted for standing up for the true, biblical Jesus.

Instead, we find ourselves being persecuted and rejected by those who either profess a different Jesus or are deceived to think all of the “Jesus”s are the same person.

So let me go back to the beginning of this post. As genuine believers, who desire to follow Christ wholeheartedly, we need to understand that there is a very concerted effort to move the world towards a one world religion (which is exactly what scripture tells us will happen! The Bible is 100% true!)

This is something that can’t be done without taking the eyes of the people off of God’s Word. And so there has been a real effort to move the hearts and minds of Christians from the Bible and to, instead, value more highly human opinions and their own personal experiences.

As we live in the midst of this crazy, confusing migration of “Christians” from Bible-believing religion to mysticism (let’s call it what it is), we must be passionate about both truth and love. We cannot—we dare not—eliminate either one in this very dangerous time.

And by doing this, God will use us to plant seeds for His Kingdom. He is still working in the midst of the “Christian” chaos and He is still using His people here on earth. We don’t want to be deceived into unbiblical thinking or a wrong focus, lest we be rendered ineffective. We don’t have to choose one or the other because, as believers, we must choose BOTH, just as Jesus shows us so perfectly in scripture.

We won’t change the world, but one day at a time, we can make a difference in the lives we touch. May we be courageous enough to speak the hard truths of scripture with love and grace. May we love others well and stand boldly in the swelling tide of apostasy.

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