August 28, 2026

We Have More and Have Become Less

Our world has more and more information, but less and less wisdom. More data; less clarity. More stimulation; less synthesis. More distraction; less stillness. More pontificating; less pondering. More opinion; less research. More speaking; less listening. More to look at; less to see. More amusements; less joy. We have more, but we have become less.  It is true that churches today have the best and the brightest in terms of worship packages and performing arts ministries that are supposed to enhance our effectiveness and efficiency in our worship of the Lord. But are we getting "our money's worth" and is it really "worship" according to the Bible?    We have created and generated multiple paradigms and programs produced on a variety of platforms from dot matrix to digital, designed to provide discipleship and mentorship, or to just help Christians grow up in the faith. But surveys and polls seem to indicate that American Christians are about as ignorant of the Bible, Theology, and Christian virtues as the average American is about America's history.   We have more conferences and resources with titles such as: "Leadership of the Church," "The Need for the B.H.A.G. (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)" or "The Vectors of Vital Vision," "The Essential Essence of our Existence," or "The Documents to Discover our Determinative Church DNA." The "for-profit" service industry for Christian "non-profits" is ready to produce analysis and provide capital campaign programs to raise a million dollars at the cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars.   Don't get me wrong. None of these resources are "in and of themselves" wicked or wrong to use. Experts with expertise can be essential. But is it possible that, as Oscar Wilde acidly and perhaps accurately said, "We know the price of everything and the value of nothing."   We must never confuse activity with achievement. Make no mistake, the activity of the Christian dancing bears and the jugglers for Jesus can be entertaining to watch, but are they effective in producing empowered Christians who are ready and willing to engage the culture for the cause of Christ? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

August 21, 2026

 

It's Not What You Are, But What You Appear To Be

We live in a culture today that strives for longevity of life and desires external beauty. Of course, beauty standards are fickle and change from culture to culture. However, internally we see a remarkable contrast. On the one hand, we are morally corrupt, and on the other hand, we are made in the image of God and thus possess enormous worth. I appreciate the fact that God is no respecter of persons in that He loves the world, and He seeks the lost. He goes after not only the “good” but also the “bad”. The book of Acts provides many examples of God seeking “the good, the bad, and the ugly.” The preaching of Philip in Acts 8 reaches the Samaritans (definitely bad people in the eyes of the Jews) who believe in Jesus and are in fact baptized. Philip also preaches Jesus to a local ugly man, Simon the sorcerer, who also believes and is baptized. But then the story shifts to the Ethiopian eunuch coming back from worship at the temple, reading Isaiah, and Philip shares Jesus as the fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah. The eunuch, a “good man,” believes and is baptized. It is the same message by the same messenger with the same result. I need to remind myself of four facts each day as I encounter “good, bad, and ugly” people. First, I was one of them. Second, each of them is eternal. Third, each of them is loved by God. Fourth, I am an ambassador for Jesus and so are you! Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

August 14, 2026

I have a new friend… his name is Insomnia

We only became acquainted a few weeks ago. I’m not sure if we met under stress or over fatigue. (Perhaps it is too much caffeine.)  But we are getting to know each other quite well since we are spending a great deal of time together. Perhaps it is an age thing. Whatever it is, I have a lot of time on my hands. However, I have discovered that a dark, quiet house is a good place to meet the Lord. Modernity with all its technological advancements and distractions pushes and pulls me, filling, if not overloading, my days with good things that often drown out the best things. And make no mistake, He is the best. Perhaps this is my new normal. Time will tell. But no matter what, I will redeem the time. But I may need a nap this afternoon. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

August 7, 2026

God is both a Creative Composer and Conductor

I enjoy classical music. (I also like Led Zeppelin). All music originates as a composition created by the composer but only comes to life as the conductor transforms the notes on a page and brings them to life and sound through the musicians and their instruments.  Our God, the only true and wise God, is a creative composer, manifested by His creative sovereign plans. But we only see the plans revealed as He, the divine conductor, plays His providential score in real time. In today’s chaotic and confused world, it is often difficult to see the providential hand of God at work, let alone evidence of a divine plan. Life seems like a “crapshoot” with all its frantic and frenzied events that seem to have no relationship with reason or link to logic. Read the newspaper, watch TV, listen to the radio, and see if the events of the day make sense or seem senseless to you. In the midst of all the noise and the muddle of the world, it is sometimes difficult to perceive, understand, and appreciate the sovereign plans of God as they are worked out through His providential care for my life. “Care for my life? You mean God cares for me?” Remember the divine perspective that Joseph came to understand as his brothers sought to kill him. “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20) Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred