June 27, 2025

I belong nowhere and everywhere - I am a stranger, a guest at best. -Stephan Zweig-

Many people today, perhaps you, long for the world of yesterday and hope for a future of yesterday. It’s only natural in unstable times to reflect back and look forward to a better time and a better place. But Christians are not to live simply or solely by what is natural, for we are supernatural beings, partakers of eternal life. Our reflection is to be a detection of the reality of the impermanent world of today and the certainty of the coming of the world of the future. Hear the words of sacred scripture.  Hebrews 13:14-16 -- For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come. Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name Colossians 3:2—Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. John 18:36—Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world if My kingdom were of this world then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” Philippians 3:20-21—For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Perspective is essential to make an accurate assessment in order to make a wise investment. This world is not my home; I am just passing through, on my way to my home. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” (Helen Lemmel 1918)   Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

June 20, 2025

Historians of the future will have a hard time figuring out how so many organized groups of strident jackasses succeeded in leading us around by the nose and morally intimidating the majority into silence." - Thomas Sowell -

Dr. Sowell has delicately put his finger on it! The utopian urge sought through the agenda of progressive hubris has destroyed statues, claimed cities in America to be sovereign nations apart from America, staged rallies for the poor and stolen all the proceeds, lied to Congress under oath, wasted millions of dollars as they presented hoax charges and perpetrated sham trials, and pardoned people of crimes they have not committed if it is determined in the future they did, while also being unable to define what a woman is but demand to allow a kindergartener the right to become transgendered because they think it, with all the wisdom of a 5 year old, is a good idea.   All of this, in the name of truth that they do not believe exists. All of this, based on love which they are unable to define. All of this, based on laws in the constitution, that do not exist.   The irony is, with all the information we have, we are so bereft of wisdom. America has so much more, but we have become so much less. As H.L. Mencken quipped, “Nobody ever lost a bet when they bet on the stupidity of the American people.” Is it possible for the church to speak truth with wisdom and winsomeness to the culture and civilization? Is there any reason anyone should find our message plausible? What they see on the front page of the newspapers and hear through never-ending podcasts are stories of immorality, stories of financial impropriety, and stories of racial or relational stupidity. The church looks confused at best and contaminated at worst.  As the old proverb says, it is better to light a candle than curse the darkness. The church is to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth, and the pillar of truth. We, the church, can do this and be this as we seek to walk by the Spirit (Ephesians 5) and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Romans 13:14)  This is the only way we can provide a faithful and powerful presence of the Spirit to our secular society. This is how they will see Jesus.   Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

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June 13, 2025

The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it. - George Bernard Shaw -

Most people who know me observe that I have what some would call a melancholy temperament, mixed with a depressive disposition. That is why so many of my friends pray for Marsha regularly!  I like to think that I have a heightened sense of reality and that I function like a white corpuscle in the body, which seeks out disease, deals with it, and heals the body by bringing it to a state of homeostasis. This personality predisposition has allowed me, along with the ministry opportunities afforded me, to provide insightful and perceptive prognosis and prescription. However, it is essential to remember, as Steven Covey described it, that we operate within three circles: The Circle of Concern, the Circle of Influence, and the Circle of Control. We are often concerned about things that we cannot influence and are out of our control. Sometimes we have influence but not actual control. This is true in family life, vocational life, and our personal life.  For my recent birthday, Marsha gave me three clear glass spheres, each of different sizes, to remind me of the three conceptual areas that life fits into: Concern, Influence, and Control. Each day, I try to “see the whole board” of my life and strategically locate the parts inside to make the whole. As we get older, this is not only important, but it is also essential if we wish to maximize the investment and impact of our time during our stay upon the earth. Ecclesiastes reminds us that the days are short, and Paul declares that the days are evil. I want to make sure that I redeem the time as best I can. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred

June 6, 2025

It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it. –Oscar Wilde-

It is summer and time for some fun in reading. What is on your list? Let me suggest you go outside the box. In your Bible reading, I suggest you read Deuteronomy. It will reveal the glory and holiness of God and give you some good background that involves Judaism, which is a topic of interest these days. In understanding the world we live in, let me suggest the latest book by Os Guinness, Our Civilizational Moment. It will give you a good synthetic overview of what is happening and what might happen to Western Civilization. It is not too long or difficult, but it is excellent thinking and superb writing. And finally, to help in your theological thinking, let me suggest you start reading Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie. This will take you through summer and into fall and provide an excellent introduction on how to think theologically and systematically. All of us need to be theologians, just not at the same level. Remember, theology is simply organizing the topics of the Bible in a clear, consistent, and coherent manner so you can understand the mind and will of the Lord. (Eph 5) "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." —Richard Steele We need both. And remember we are to love the Lord with all our mind! As I always say, readers are leaders and leaders are readers.   Serving Him with you Until He comes for us. Fred