Thoughts on Family Separation, Protest Violence, Political Paralysis, and the Call for Compassionate Leadership The relentless stream of unsettling headlines in recent years can feel overwhelming, each story carrying a weight of sadness, injustice, or bewilderment. As these events accumulate, I find myself reflecting on what they truly reveal about our nation. Are we facing an era of unprecedented hardship,…
Listening for Truth in a World Full of Competing Voices In our fast-paced world, it often feels like we’re surrounded by countless voices, each telling their own version of what’s true. Whether it’s the latest headline, a heated political debate, or a passionate sermon, everyone seems to have a story to share. Especially in times of chaos and confusion, it…
Contemplative Look at History, Prophecy, and Our Present Age Introduction The world today feels turbulent. As we look at America and the broader global stage, news headlines scream of conflict, division, and uncertainty. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, wondering how we got here and what comes next. In these moments, many people turn to the Bible—not just for comfort, but…
Learning to Speak Life in a World That Needs Encouragement Introduction: The Tongue’s Power and Influence Words are everywhere. From the conversations at our kitchen tables to the posts we share online, what we say matters. The biblical book of James has a lot to say about the power of words. James paints a vivid picture of the tongue—not just…
From Ritual Laws to the Heart: Jesus’ Redefinition of Defilement Introduction: Definition of Defilement in Scripture In the Bible, the concept of defilement is deeply significant. To be “defiled” means to be made impure or unclean, and Scripture addresses this idea in spiritual, moral, and ritual dimensions. While ritual impurity involves external acts and conditions, true defilement, according to Jesus,…
Reflections on Verbal Violence, Name Calling, and Jesus’ Teachings About Purity Recently, I came across a news article describing a female commentator’s deep disappointment with how the President repeatedly uses harsh words—calling female journalists “obnoxious,” “terrible,” “stupid,” “nasty,” “ugly,” “insubordinate,” and even “piggy.” What really struck me was not just the words themselves, but the concern that such language, when…
Why What We Say Matters More Than We Think Let’s be honest—none of us are perfect when it comes to watching what we say. Sometimes, words just slip out, and we wish we could take them back. But according to Scripture, especially the words of Jesus, what comes out of our mouths is much more important than we often realize.…
Understanding Spiritual, Moral, and Ritual Impurity in Simple Terms When you hear the word “defilement” in the Bible, it sounds complicated or old-fashioned. Scripture teaches that defilement is about how people can become spiritually, morally, or ritually “unclean.” This means they are separated from God. Let’s break down what this means in everyday language. Merriam-Webster’s defines defilement as to make…
What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter? The phrase “reprobate mind” might seem complicated at first, but it’s actually a straightforward idea from the Bible, especially found in Romans 1:28. In everyday language, having a reprobate mind means someone has turned away from God and chosen to live in ways that are against what God says is right.…
