Here’s a catchy little ditty about delusions that caught my eye the other day…. In a day of illusions And other confusions, Upon their delusions They base their conclusions. (The Speaker’s Quote Book, Roy B. Zuck) This short verse sparks a lot of thoughts about delusions and the negative impact which results. I say negative because delusion is a false belief or opinion without clear evidence to the contrary. This leads to an abnormal mental state usually exhibited by paranoia, fear, mistrust, and hostility. Question is, how might these conditions contribute to the cultural and moral bre ..read more

There’s a lesson that recounts a simple yet profound tale about grudges. The old farmer, steadfast and weathered, plows his fields with a mule. A visitor, perhaps well-intentioned, offers unsolicited advice: “Use ‘Gee’ and ‘Haw’ commands instead of tugging on the reins.” Practical wisdom, it seems. But the farmer’s response reveals more than mere stubbornness. His mule, once a source of pain, had kicked him years ago. Since then, silence has been their language. A grudge, like a heavy stone, rests upon the farmer’s heart. Yet consider this: The grudge weighs heavier on the one who clings to i ..read more

Escalation of war in the Middle East continues to be a threat to the world. We watched this demonstrated during Iran’s unprecedented direct airstrike attack on Israel last Saturday, April 13. That’s when Iran reportedly launched more than 300 cruise missiles and drones at Israel, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officials. (The Times of Israel) It’s claimed the attack was retaliatory after an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria, on April 1. At least three senior commanders and four officers overseeing Iran’s covert operations in the Middle East were r ..read more

We were alarmed about two and a half weeks ago upon hearing the news that a ship collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. On March 26, the 985 feet long container ship named Dali reportedly lost power and crashed into the iconic bridge which led to a breach that caused a significant part of it to collapse into the Patapsco River. The tragedy was costly in more ways than one. The worst of it was that lives were lost. Six construction workers on the bridge at the time are said to have fallen to their deaths. At this writing, it’s reported that the bodies of two victims have been ..read more

I was researching the amazing ways God works through his Power (a.k.a., The Holy Spirit). In the process, when I picked up one of my sermon illustration books, I came across something inside the front cover that piqued my interest. There, folded in half, I found an old typewritten sheet of paper with a story that just happened (Not a coincidence, I’m sure.) to relate to the subject I was researching. It’s amusing in some way, and its veracity could even be questioned. Yet it has a neat message that demonstrates God’s wonder-working Power whether you believe the story or not: Dwight Nelson ..read more

20But now Christ has been raised out from the dead, the firstfruit of those having fallen asleep. 21For since death came by a man, so also by a man has come the resurrection of the dead. 22For as indeed in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in the own order: Christ the firstfruit, then those of Christ at His coming, (1 Corinthians 15:20-23, Berean Literal Bible, BLB). Christians all over the world will soon celebrate one of the holiest days of the year—the resurrection of Jesus Chri ..read more

At a time when Israel is still at war with terrorists since last October 7, and under a lot of heat even by those supposed to be their closest allies, we could hardly call this a time to rejoice. Rather, it’s a time for distress, division, and downright deceit, not to speak of death and destruction no matter whose side one is on. And it doesn’t appear to be getting any better very soon—just worse.   I noticed in the news where Israeli spokeswoman, Tal Heinrich, said that, “Either you’re with us or you’re with terrorists.” The comment came after US President Joe Biden and Senate Majority ..read more

Charlie Brown is at bat. STRIKE THREE. He had struck out again and slumps over to the bench. “Rats! I’ll never be a big-league player. I just don’t have it! All my life I’ve dreamed of playing in the big leagues, but I know I’ll never make it.” Lucy turns to console him. “Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead. What you need to do is set yourself more immediate goals.” He looks up. “Immediate goals?” Lucy says, “Yes. Start with this next inning when you go out to pitch. See if you can walk out on the mound without falling down!” (PEANUTS, Charles Shultz) Lucy made a good point with Char ..read more

In this day and age of permissiveness, we don’t seem to hear about God’s wrath very often if at all. Yes, our loving God is kind and good and that’s also important. But what about making God angry and the consequences that comes with it? The story is told of a little Scottish boy who wouldn’t eat his prunes. So his mother sent him off to bed saying, “God is angry with you, watch out for His wrath!” Soon after the boy went to his room a violent storm broke out. Amidst flashes of lightning and peals of thunder the mother looked into the boy’s room, worried that he would be terrified ..read more

Here’s a funny joke, or variations of it, I’ve seen or heard before that never fails to give me a chuckle: Once there was a guy named Bill who wanted a horse. On Craigslist, Bill saw a Christian horse so he went to check it out. When Bill got to the ranch, the horse’s owner said “It’s easy to ride him. Just say ‘praise the Lord’ to make him go, and ‘amen’ to make him stop.” Bill got on the horse and said “praise the Lord.” the horse started to walk. “Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, praise the Lord” and the horse is running. Now Bill sees the cliff and says: “AMEN.” The horse stops and Bill ..read more