September 11, 2026

Another Day That Will Live in Infamy

We all remember that day, 9/11, 25 years ago. Evil became visible. Our country was attacked, many of our people died and we and the world have never been the same since. The irony is that our attackers declared we are the great Satan. We perhaps believe the reverse. The common denominator is that Satan was and is still involved. In fact, he is behind it all. Satan has one goal in mind, delay the Messianic Rule of Christ. This involves the destruction of both the Jewish people and the global Church. The fact that there is a rise in Antisemitism and persecution of the Christian church is to state the obvious. What is so profound is how pronounced this is in America. How in the world can this be? The answer is that another world is at work. We are not alone. When Paul said in Ephesians 6, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, he actually meant what he said! There is an unseen world* and an unseen battle** and we are in the midst of it. Spiritual warfare is both individual and institutional. It involves every Christian and impacts every country. We are commanded to pray for ourselves, the church, and our leaders. You ask why? Because, as C.S. Lewis reminds us: "Every square inch of the universe is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan." Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred *The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser **The Unseen Battle by Joel Muddamalle

September 4, 2026

Tsunami “Tsu” Harbor  - “Nami” wave “Harbor Wave”

Change is the only constant, and I think we are going to see some major and massive changes in the not-too-distant future. Today we are seeing a crisis of character in our leaders, both social and spiritual. The result is an ever-growing distrust in our leaders and institutions. A question of competency is also being asked and answered. In a word: Cynicism. We are also experiencing a generational changeover, a transition of tradition. We have seen the last two generations come and “are going” with their wealth and wisdom diminishing. We are discovering that both have been spent with little contribution or continuation to show for it. Of course, on the technological side we are advancing, but on the ethical and moral side we are collapsing. In a word: Pessimism. Even now, churches are closing; some are shrinking. COVID gave people a reason to stay home and “worship,” and the habit has stuck. But there are other reasons, and the church’s response has been to try to lure people back by sociology, not spirituality.  Seminaries and Bible colleges are also shrinking, merging, and closing. But what is even worse is the lack of doctrinal truth and the inculcation of theological error. In a word: Syncretism Do not hear what I am not saying. I am saying that the world has always been this way and the church has always been called to be the salt and light, the pillar of truth to preserve and present the only durable hope there has ever been to a lost and dying world. Nietzsche declared, “When the world discovers that God is dead, there will be universal madness.”  Well, Nietzsche is dead, but Jesus is alive. In a word: Optimism I’m not a prophet or the son of a prophet, but I know this: Jesus is the sure and steady anchor of my soul. Now the God of peace who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever.  Amen Hebrews 13:20-21 Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

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

July 31, 2026

 

He Could Have Called for Angels

I often engage in creative mental displacement by placing myself in another’s situation. I frequently ask myself what I would have done if I were Jesus, having endured the savage scourging and then stretched upon the cross with all of its physical and spiritual ramifications.  I am certain that I would have called the holy angels to gather above and around me, and I would have pronounced to the crowd at the foot of the cross, both Roman soldiers and Jewish priests: To Hell with you! Love did not do that. Instead, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.” That is how we know from Scripture that God is Love (I John 4:7-8). Many years ago, Dr. John Mitchell gave me a good and biblical definition of love. “Love is sincerely wishing God’s very best for someone else and doing everything you can to see that come about.” Jesus could have called for angels and brought judgment upon me. Instead, he died for me. I guess that is how we know that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him has everlasting life.” How and to whom will I express love this week? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

July 24, 2026

We cannot tell how crooked our thinking is until we line it up with the edge of scripture. ~ Elizabeth Elliot ~

Another friend departed and went to heaven last week. He was old and lived a good life; he lived a godly life, but his death disturbed me. The memories flooded my mind in a most vivid manner. I reminded myself that his death is an ending with a future. I know that, and he knew that because the scriptures say that. Do you know that? Serving Him with you Until He comes for us,  Fred

July 17, 2026

Every Spot of the Old World is Overrun with Oppression -Thomas Payne-

Much of the modern Middle East is governed by an ancient worldview that has created a cultural vortex that cries “death to all Jews and Christians”.  Some are overt, others are covert. But make no mistake - - Hate is the operative word. The ideology of Islam is a geopolitical religion that will rule the world by coercing and conquering all other religions by conversion or death. Death seems to be the choice of the day. Death to the Jews, death to America, death to Christians, and death to all Muslims who will not submit to this tyrannical view of history and prophecy. What are we to do? Clearly the Crusades of 1,000 AD offer little guidance as a model for anyone today. Christians are to be known by their love to the unlovable as evidenced by our Lord toward us.  Islam is now known by its hate. The juxtaposition is clear. We are to love our enemy, pray for them, and share the good news. As John Mitchell reminds us, “Love is sincerely wishing God’s very best for someone else and doing what you can do to see that come about.” The most loving thing I can do is share the good news of eternal life even to those who wish my death. I am not suggesting blind optimism, and we must reject fatalistic pessimism. We are not to deny the reality we live in or surrender to despair. The solution is Biblical Realism. Read the Book of Acts and see how the early Church, that lived in a hostile world of death, managed to manifest the love of God and literally change the world…for the good! Many died and most lived with injustice. However, the providential hand of God manifested the sovereign plan of God in a very hostile environment. That is because the gospel does not depend on environment but on relationship. As I read my Bible it reminds me that the truth of the future allows me to be at peace in the present. I may not be safe in this world, but I am eternally secured for the next one. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

July 10, 2026

Free at last, Free at last, Thank God Almighty we are free at last." ~Martin Luther King~

Freedom is what this country is based on. Freedom from a monarch, freedom from a despotic king. That is what we celebrated last week, July 4th and 250 years of freedom. This is a freedom that demanded a revolutionary war, a fight for freedom, which has resulted in the greatest country in all of Western civilization. I remember going to see the “Freedom Train” in 1976 as it made its stop in San Jose, California, celebrating 200 years of American Freedom. It was quite a sight to see fifty years ago. However, there is another kind of freedom that is elucidated in the book of Romans. It is not simply social or political freedom; it is theological freedom, and it is forever! “Therefore, let it be known to you, men, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things from which you could not be freed through the law of Moses.” (13:38-39) Did you see it? “Freed”. It actually is the Greek word for “Justified”.  It often means to be declared righteous and free from the guilt of sin before a holy God. In a court of law, it involves forensic justification and being declared not guilty! Declared innocent. Of course, this only comes through believing in who Jesus is and what Jesus did. As the Apostle Paul reminds us earlier in his letter to the Romans: Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2 If you are reading “Friday with Fred” I assume you are free. How about telling someone else this week, who is not free, how they can be free. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

July 3, 2026

 

Living in the Land of the Luddites

If you want a challenge to your sanctification, try being without the internet for 7 days. I never knew how dependent I was on it for my domestic and ministry life. Communication through email GONE! Zoom meetings GONE! Zoom Classes GONE! Calendar coordination GONE! Alexa and Siri help GONE! Talk about frustrating. I had to go to different places at different times to find access for classes and send and get emails so I could respond to emails to perpetuate academic life, church life, and home life. All of which was a very large disruption to my life. HOWEVER, looking at this from a different angle…… There was a bit more silence in my life. There was a bit more quiet in my life. There was a bit more calm in my life. There was a bit less TV in my life. There was a bit more GOD in my life. Therefore, I will obey the psalmist: “Be still and know I am God.” Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred P.S. As of this writing time of this Friday with Fred…. I still have no internet!

June 26, 2026

The Providence of God

It is interesting that as you get older, you begin thinking about when you were younger. For me, that goes back to my 4th grade birthday party. But the majority of my archaeological dig in my mind goes back to high school, when I was, let’s just say, not much. Academically, I was questionable. Physiologically, I was a lump. Athletically, I was average. Sociologically, tolerable. Not much of a resume.  As I am now quite a bit older, in my 7th decade, I look back to those days. I have realized something very profound. None of my “friends” in those days would ever consider me as amounting to much. And that is probably true from a human perspective. But over these years, God has demonstrated in my life His life in me. It is the Divine hand in a Human glove. I was simply an ordinary human glove that God, in his divine grace, inserted Himself through His drawing and my conversion. I became a new creation, who, slowly but with remarkable providential strategy, exposed me to the right people, trained me in the right places at the right time, and allowed me unique opportunities. Certainly, my high school friends would never have dreamed that I would be doing what I have done and what I am doing right now. I'm sure they would say he just didn't have it in him. And that would be correct until God came into my life and directed it toward a life set apart to glorify Him. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are simply jars of clay, broken so that God may receive the glory as He uses us in service to Him. (2 Corinthians 4:7) There is no doubt I was a cracked pot with very little potential. Much like every one of us. But when God puts His divine hand into a human glove. There is tremendous potential. But of course, we need to allow Him to do so. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. But by His doing, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” I Corinthians 1:25-31- Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

June 19, 2026

 

The Church's mission is not to baptize the latest cultural movement but to proclaim the unchanging truth of God's Word. - Eric Wallace -

Enough said!  But I would like to add a few thoughts. Some of the latest cultural trends regarding the church are the unfettered and unfiltered use of AI for sermons. The perceived lack of need for seminary training since we have a ‘Bot’ to produce whatever is needed for the life of the church is precarious at best. What “they” or “it” produce is "extraordinarily elegant, an avatar’s extravaganza, but increasingly ideologically possessed". (We call it bias.) But it makes the Silicon Valley creators fabulously wealthy. I work with an academic institution, and I see students face the temptations of overusing technology and forgetting how to use critical thinking or misusing the technology, aka plagiarism. This is truly an ethical dilemma, but a spiritual one as well. The basic danger is that the improper use of AI in an unrestricted manner erodes a person's self-confidence. It will become like an illicit drug that promises ecstasy as it contorts “reality” to be what a person’s “perception” is through its use. (I hear the echo of Allen Ginzberg). The dependency will grow as will its demand, and leave a person without confidence in their abilities, apart from the aid of AI. I am not a Luddite, as evidenced by my use of my Apple computer, Grammarly, Siri, Microsoft office, and Constant Contact email to support the production and distribution of Friday with Fred.  As the old proverb reminds us, technology is a good servant but a poor master. I think this is what Neil Postman in 1985 had in mind in his prescient book, Amusing Ourselves to Death. If you have not read it, you should. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

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June 12, 2026

 

"The Bible is the book of my life. It's the book I live with, the book I live by, the book I want to die by."  N. T. Wright

Let me be perfectly clear. There are millions of people who wish to distort, deny, disallow, disavow, disfigure, deform, damage, or disown the existence or the essence of the Bible. That is because the Bible gets in the way of what people think they want, but not what they need. The devil wants to deny or distort the Bible. The liberal wants to reduce and reject the Bible. The politician wants to twist and turn the Bible. The word of God has been challenged from the beginning by the serpent, and Adam and Eve believed his purposeful misinterpretation. It has been the same ever since. The battle for the Bible today denies its authenticity, accuracy, and authority. Let me be perfectly clear. The word of God, the Bible, is inspired, infallible, and inerrant (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21). Jesus made it perfectly clear: Thy word is truth. (John 17:17) If He is true, then the Bible is true. As Merrill Tenny enduringly reminds us; This book will keep you from sin or sin will keep you from this book. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

June 5, 2026

 

Trusting in You is so easy to do when I see You for who You really are. ~Twila Paris~

I know many of you who receive Friday with Fred. Then again, there are many others who I do not know that have been introduced to Friday with Fred by someone. However, I do know that many of us struggle with God concerning what, why, and how He does things in our lives. This is not blasphemy, it is simply an honest state of confusion, usually in the midst of personal pain. It often includes what we call “doubt,” which means “being in two minds". When I find myself in that place, I remind myself of two attributes of the Lord, His sovereignty and His providence. God’s sovereignty refers to what He intends to accomplish, while His providence describes the means by which He orchestrates circumstances and connections to ensure those intentions come to pass. These concepts, His Sovereign Plan and His Providential Procedure, work together but operate at different levels. Dr. Tony Evans says “Sovereignty denotes God’s rule over all creation. Everything that occurs either results from His direct action or His conscious permission, and nothing exists outside His complete control." Sovereignty is fundamentally about God’s ultimate authority and the certainty of His purposes. Providence, by contrast, encompasses the miraculous and mysterious ways God intersects and interconnects events to bring about His sovereignty. “In essence, sovereignty is the destination—what God has determined will happen. Providence is the journey—how God guides all circumstances, including human choices and even evil, toward that predetermined end.”  When we understand the connection between providence and sovereignty, we see the wisdom of God’s working in history and in our lives. I do not know about you, but I am starting to feel better. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 29, 2026

 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. C.T. Studd

I met with one of my Theological Think Tanks this week. They are men and women who live in Finland, Sweden, Prague, and Azerbaijan. We meet each month to discuss advanced theological issues and discuss strategic ministry strategies. These 15 ministry leaders live in difficult circumstances since their countries are not particularly friendly to the evangelical faith. But their faith radiates in the darkness as they proclaim Jesus is Lord. When I get off the Zoom call with them, I always feel a sense of joy and gratitude that I get to impact these ministry leaders. But I also have a nagging question that asks, "Is my fire still burning hot enough, or am I cooling off?”  I sense this question again when I get off the Zoom call with my Philippine Theological Think Tank. These men are fanatical about their faith and their mission for the Lord. I count it a privilege to serve these men and feel a part of the ministry they are involved in, changing the church and culture in the Philippines. But again, I ask myself - Am I sliding? I know that I am 35 years older than these people, but I do not want that to be a convenient excuse. I want to remember the words of C.T. Studd:  When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord, with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 22, 2026

Strategic Plans for the Ministry Should Always be Written in Pencil- And always Give God the Eraser.

As Peter Drucker reminds us, “Leaders do the right things, Managers do things right.” I try to do both. And so, I am a planner. In fact, I am a strategic planner. In fact, my list-making and prioritization philosophy borders on obsessive-compulsive behavior. That's because I want to make sure I have a strategic and tactical plan by which I invest my life. But I have discovered that oftentimes God has bigger and certainly better plans than I could ever imagine. The Lord has given me maximized freedom with minimal restriction. As such, I have a sense of responsibility and accountability. For as Jesus said; “To whom much is given, much is required.” As I reflect on the investment of my life of ministry, a haunting question reverberates in my mind: What would you have tried if you were not afraid? Fear comes in all shapes and sizes. I’m not smart enough, I am not eloquent enough, there are so many others with so much more, what am I doing in the same room? And then the Lord reminds me of the Moses syndrome, “Fred, it is not about you, it is about Me.” What happens when half the story becomes the whole story? The real story is that God, in His grace and mercy, decides to use each of us in a way to magnify His Glory through us. The Apostle Paul calls this the “Cracked Pot strategy” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7.  “For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves…” The greatness and glory of God shine forth best in ordinary earthenware -- old, cracked pots. It is not about me, it is about Him. Paul introduced this concept to the Corinthians in his first letter. "For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”  1 Corinthians 1:26 -29 When it is about me, I fear. When it is about Him, I am Free. Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 15, 2026

Who Needs Theology?

There are times when the world goes a little fast and gets a little crazy. It also seems like it is out of control. It could make you wonder if our God really knows what is going on. Let me quote myself. God is a consciously knowing being, and this knowledge is perfect and absolute in kind and inclusiveness. God knows everything and everyone, actual and possible, from all eternity (1 Chron. 28:9; Isa. 40:13-14, 27-28; Heb. 4:13; 1 John 3:20). He knows the acts which free moral agents will perform and might have performed. He knows us completely – our needs, what we are, and what we can be. Thus, God cannot learn anything new. His knowledge will not fail. It has no limitations. As the Psalmist acknowledges: 'Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord thou dost know it all.' (Psalm 139:4) Who is like our God? There is none. He alone is wise, eternal, and all in all. In light of the picture that the scriptures paint for us of who and what our God is, how should we then live? Peter answers this -- In holy conduct with a heavenly outlook. Truly, our God is an awesome God who reigns from heaven above. If God is for us, it doesn’t matter who is against us.  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred

May 8, 2026

Those things we never say …. Enough

Thank you… Good job… I really appreciate you...Forgive me… I am sorry... You look great… I really like you… I sure love you. I’m sure we all say some of these sometimes. But I imagine it is not enough. I find it is easier to say these things to some people. They are nice people, easy people to be with, and they reciprocate. That feels good and makes it easy to be with them. But there are other people who are uneasy, anxious, and edgy, and hard to be with.  What makes this so hard? Perhaps we are too fixated on ourselves to focus on others. For some of us, we might be too critical of people and assume the worst- (Oops; did I just make a confession? I like to call it a heightened sense of reality.) I have always been a reflective person, but age seems to provide a degree of sensitivity in my reflection that is new. Maybe it is because the sense of the chase has diminished, and the competition aspect has faded. Maybe it is simply perspective and wisdom that comes with age. I also hope it is a sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Scripture in my life. For whatever reason, I hope to make Philippians 4:8 a reality in my life. “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”  Serving Him with you Until He comes for us, Fred