...and a time to speak...

"Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:23-26 God is so funny. Maybe not "ha-ha" funny, but his timing is better than a professional stand-up comedian, that's for sure. Many of you readers may remember that I have had the privilege of teaching high school junior and senior girls at my church over the past several years. Many of these ladies I still see regularly and they trust me enough to continue to allow me to speak into their lives as they also speak into mine. After a particularly deep conversation I had with two of these girls recently, the next day ...

This week I was confronted with yet another news article aimed at defaming the POTUS, but this time the content was personal enough to warrant a response. This one was from Forbes.com and the headline read "Trump Bans Diversity Training, Claiming It's Divisive, Anti-American Propaganda" and I am going to do my clumsy best to explain why this headline is not only misleading, but a flat out lie. Before I begin, I want to make it perfectly clear that I know individual racism still exists in the hearts of certain white people (and all the other colors as well, but we'll get into that later). This post isn't here to refute that in the least. This post is here to dispel the lies purported by an ideology that says ALL white people are racists because they are simply born that way. I ask you to dig deep with me into the core of this theory and if we come out on different sides, that's okay! I love a cheerful debate and welcome your insights into this as we all navigat...

Christians, it's time. Time for the inevitable recognition and discussion about our own bad... very, very bad... behavior as of late. This is without a doubt not going to be the favorite post I've ever written. In fact, I've dreaded it. It's been on my mind for quite some time, but I have been avoiding it like the plague (or maybe the Covid??). But, I just keep thinking, if only Paul could see us now. What would he write to us in his letters? I fear it would be a reprimand of the highest order and the worst part would be that we would deserve every word. Christians everywhere, we should be choosing our own switches and bracing for that first swat against the backs of our legs. It's really gotten that bad out there. It has absolutely turned putrid and if we as believers do not do our part to stop it in it's tracks, this November might be our undoing. Read the following VERY carefully.  Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to l...

Obey. Say what? You got it, obey. "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil." John 3:19 I am not sure what is more offensive to culture's ears today than the idea of obedience to God. So offensive in fact that culture just went ahead and made itself a brand new replacement god. Culture's god is the god of feelings. The god of romantic love. The god of instant gratification and treat yo'self. The god of fluffy, happy, kittens all over my face giddiness. Most importantly, the god of "it's my life," "it's my body," and "it's my right." And just like all of the other man-made, lower-case "g", false idol god's of other religions, American culture's god is also an idol. He is a figment of culture's over-indulgent imagination. But why would they do this? Because the real, upper-case "G" God was too m...

For Abri "He must increase, but I must decrease." These were the words of John the Baptist in John 3:30 in response to his followers when they asked him about this new fellow, Jesus, who had recently burst onto the scene. Jesus and His followers were just over there baptizing people, the same way John had been, and a dispute broke out about purification. Instead of a long dissertation on theology, John simply states (among some other things) that he himself must decrease and Jesus Himself must increase. He just boils it right down. I am no longer important here, only Jesus is. My way of baptizing is coming to an end so that Jesus' way takes center stage. How impossible to say is that simple little statement in today's world? No, we aren't expecting another Messiah to enter the arena. We aren't anxiously awaiting yet another God-Man that has been promised to us through scores and scores of prophets over the last thousand years. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, already...

Pandemic 2020 prayer life has taken different directions for many people. Understandably, folks are scared, depressed or anxious at being cooped up for days on end with very little sunshine at times. Some are concerned about shortages of essential food and hygiene items. Others who have not previously had a call on their life to home school children are now being asked to do just that for weeks on end. For me, I really miss working outside the home. It is a part of my God-given personality. I need office-environment work. I am relishing this time with my kiddos to be sure, but having to use prolonged, school-related brain power is not in my wheel house and has me feeling unsettled. Long story short, we are ALL unsettled over some part of this new normal. We are getting through it with uplifting, and often hilarious, social media content and much prayer. Hopefully the latter before the former (cough... talking to myself). Also, Alexa. She is new to us and I can not be more thankful for...