Truth & Grace

The Reason People are Delusional

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:23:23 GMT

The masses today have become delusional. A delusion, by definition, is a fixed, false belief that is resistant to reason.

" . . . resistant to reason or contradictory evidence and is not accounted for by a person’s cultural or religious background.” Isaiah writes the words of the Lord: “Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations” (Isa. 66:4). They’re delusional!

God’s response to those who choose their own way and delight in abominations? “I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them.” Why? “Because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.”

God gives us choices, and our choices take us where we are going—in this life and in the life to come. Choices have consequences. God gives people over to their own desires, whatever that might be. The Bible is sure. When the Rapture occurs, God will send strong delusion, and for good reason:

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

II Thessalonians 2:10-12

It is for those who delight not in the things in which He delights. How does someone keep from being given over to delusion? By listening when He speaks, by answering when He calls. He is at the door. We have His Word. He is calling even now. There is still time.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man will hear my voice,

and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,

and he with me. Revelation 3:20

See the GRACE blog entitled, “The Tenderness of God.”

The Tenderness of God

Mon, 11 May 2026 01:00:00 GMT

In response to the Finding Truth blog entitled, “The Reason People are Delusional,” consider for a moment . . .

We read of the lovingkindness of our God and His long patience in giving us time to choose Him: “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts” (Isaiah 65:2). All the day . Israel is in the picture here. Just two chapters earlier, we read:

I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and praises of the LORD,

according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us,

and the great goodness toward the house of Israel,

which He hath bestowed upon them according to His mercies,

and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. Isaiah 63:7

He goes on to say that in their affliction He was afflicted. The angel of His presence saved them. Let that sink in. And in His love and pity, He redeemed them and bare them and carried them. “ As one whom his mother comforteth , so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem,” He says (Isaiah 66:13).

The “as” in the verse is a metaphor, a comparison using the words like , as or similar to . Charles Spurgeon says of this particular comparison:

This is a peculiarly delightful metaphor.

A father can comfort, but I think he is not much at home in the work.

When God speaks of His pity, He compares Himself to their father . . .

But when He speaks about comfort, He selects the mother . . .

A mother knows by instinct how to do it.

It has been said that to be a mother is to forever have your heart walk around outside your body. I know this to be true. We feel every pain our children feel. What a beautiful picture of God’s love and care for us— such grace!

Tending the Sheep Gate

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:16:06 GMT

In a day's time, we serve up many things--not just food, for ourselves or others, but words. Think about it.

It is estimated that the average person (who's average? ) speaks 60,000 words in a day. Honestly, that seems exhausting; yet we do it day after day. Knowing that many books consist of no more than about 90,000 words, in a week's time, we could have volumes. And what if all of our words were written in a book? Actually, they are. The Bible says that we will give account even for "every idle word."

Just recently when I was preparing to speak at a conference that was sheep themed, I took stock of how my words add up according to what Jesus (my Shepherd) desires them to be. We are the sheep of His pasture, and we control the gate--it's the mouth--and often we aren't good at it. Micah 7:5 admonishes, "Keep the doors of thy mouth." Good advice! Although it seems like an easy task, it isn't. As soon as our feet hit the floor in the morning, we have a challenge--to be sweet or sour, encouraging or discouraging, godly or ungodly--nudging family and friends and strangers either closer to God or pushing them further away from Him.

Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Some the most famous Bible stories reveal characters who struggled to keep the gate, just as we do. Moses faltered, Miriam murmured, the Israelites complained (many times over), Martha fussed, Peter denied. We're human; that's what we do--default to our humanity.

The people and circumstances that we find unsettling are no doubt part of our sanctification process in becoming more Christlike. As I was typing this blog, my daughter laughed at something she was reading. When I asked, she said: "Even the two oo's in cooperate have their own separate sounds." Even with our different personalities and temperaments, strengths and weaknesses, we have the awesome opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in tending the gate.

I am reminded of the story in 2 Kings 4, when Elisha entered into Gilgal, he told his servant to gather herbs and set on the great pot to make pottage for the sons of the prophets. Not knowing that some of the herbs were poisonous, someone ate the soup, immediately became ill, and cried out, "There's death in the pot!" Have you ever heard someone say, "Don't stir the pot," in referring to a tense situation?

My husband preached a sermon from this story that I've never forgotten. It was entitled "Death in the Pot." The points were these: Someone supplied it, someone stirred it, someone served it, someone swallowed it, and someone saved it. I encourage you to use these same actions to help every sticky, "wordy" situation in which you find yourself. Supply only good words; don't " stir the pot"; serve up harmful words; don't swallow everything being tossed into a conversation; and save every situation as much as possible, just as Elisha, the prophet of God did. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." We all could use a good lesson in tending the sheep gate, don't you think?

Why be Difficult?

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 20:38:59 GMT

We have all heard the saying "sorry, not sorry" sometime. Hopefully, we heard it and didn't say it.

"Sorry, not sorry" has become a popular thing to say on social media when someone has found another's actions to be less than honorable. It is a non-apology. Cambridge calls it a "fauxpology." It means that whoever said it has no remorse for their actions, even if they should, such as the person who eats the last piece of cake. Are they sorry? No, not really, right? And we aren't happy that they did it!

My mother used to humorously say when we were growing up, "Why be difficult when with a little effort you could be totally impossible?" Difficult people are part of our spiritual training program, our sanctification process. While they are annoying and not going away anytime soon, it behooves us to learn from them and set a better course of action for ourselves.

So, what does a sincere apology look like? To issue the most Christlike (and effective) apology, we must own our part of the blame. It's tempting to say something like, "I'm sorry, but you started it " or " If I have done something to offend you , I'm sorry." We should try to avoid both the "but" apology and the "if" apology." We also want to avoid the somewhat flippant "I'm sorry you feel that way" apology since it focuses on their reaction rather than on our own behavior.

That being said, we must graciously listen first. Allow the other person to explain why they feel the way they do--and try not to interrupt or be defensive (a hard job indeed!). When it's our turn to talk, we must be specific. Instead of simply saying, "I'm sorry," say exactly what caused the offense: "I'm sorry I was an hour late." In person, it is also important to mind our body language. Being relaxed and sincere goes a long way toward healing hurts.

The Bible says that in handling offenses wisely, we might "gain a brother." What a good outcome from something that could have been a lifelong hindrance, and sad testimony, for both parties involved. We must cheerfully forgive--for Christ's sake and the gospel's, and for our own.

Tempted to be Tempted

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 05:06:02 GMT

It has been said that people can resist anything but temptation. We know it’s true. It comes to us in so many forms, and it’s there every time we turn around.

We are tempted to be discouraged, tempted to murmur and complain, tempted to covet, tempted to doubt God, tempted to give up, or to give in.

In Genesis 39, Joseph is in Potiphar’s house. Before arriving there, he had been left in a pit to die, compliments of his jealous brothers, and then taken from the pit to be sold as a slave in Egypt. What things might he have already been tempted to do?

But then, in Potiphar’s house, it doesn’t take long until Potipher’s wife sets her sights on him, and we hear her saying to Joseph, “Lie with me.” Do you think Joseph was tempted? He was young; she was beautiful. All the men were out of the house that day (premeditated planning on her part no doubt). It was an opportune moment, but Joseph stayed strong. He fled, shrugging out of his cloak, and running for the door (the best thing we can do whenever tempted).

There’s no sin in being tempted; it’s the giving in that’s the sin. People who aren’t pure aren’t pure because they don’t think pure thoughts. This fact is without exception. Joseph was able to resist because he had kept his heart and mind stayed on God. He even said to Potipher’s wife, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).

F. B. Meyer says in his book, Joseph: Beloved, Despised, Exalted , to expect temptation in the days of prosperity and to expect it to arise from the least expected place. He explains that the strength of temptation lies in the response of our nature to its suggestions. If our nature is spiritually strong, we stand a better chance of refusing the temptation. “It is said that the germs of the potato and vine disease are always floating in the air; but they can find no place of operation—no bed—in healthy plants. But when plants become degenerate and unable to resist their attacks, they sweep away the farmer’s hopes.”

This fact gives us hope that we too can resist temptations that the devil throws at us. It’s always a battle for the mind. The Apostle Paul admonishes in Philippians 4 what our thought life should look like:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report,

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The Best Kind of Gift Card

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:10:00 GMT

Sometimes unexpected things are the best gifts; and, really, God blesses us with all kinds of good things for which we didn't even think to ask Him.

I’m sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace, wearing my favorite soft gray pajama pants and warm pink cashmere hoodie. I didn’t expect to be doing that at 9:00 on this Monday morning since I’m usually standing in front of a class teaching. However, it was 19 degrees outside last time I looked and school is closed for the day. We didn’t get the ice we were expecting, but students obviously can’t be standing outside waiting for the bus in such weather; so here we are.

My daughter, who is also sitting in front of the fire, working from home because her office is closed, just said to me, “An unexpected day off is like a gift card.”

“You’re right!” I exclaimed. “I’ve never thought about it like that, but it’s true! It’s a gift!” I’ll never have another unexpected day off without thinking of it as a gift card. We both have a list of things we want/need to accomplish today—we’re either overachievers or God just closed the whole city to help us get all of our things done—and we are each giddy (yes, grown girls get giddy too) trying to decide what to do first.

For me, I sat down to write this blog (while I watch a Hallmark movie). Seriously, how blessed is the whole world to have the God we have! He gives good things, and He has perfect timing. Every day is a gift, and an unexpected day off is the best kind of gift card. Thank you, Lord.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches,

but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” - 1 Timothy 6:17

Why Jesus Came the First Time

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 01:14:17 GMT

It’s Christmas! For those of us who have grown up with the Christmas story, it’s hard to imagine that so many others in the world don’t know it, or tell it, or believe in it, or share it—the real meaning of Christmas, that is.

Christmas is our chance as Christians to “light up” the world. Sadly, many Christians don’t put up trees or lights, and they’re Scrooges if anybody else looks excited about it, bah-humbugging everybody they pass.

How can anyone not be excited about Christmas? It’s the announcement heard around the world that affects every human being that ever lives. The story of Christ’s birth in Luke 2 is the go-to reading in December. I also found myself there again this morning as Christmas draws near, but it was the end of the chapter that caught my attention.

At that time, Jesus was twelve years old (that was quite a growth spirt in just one chapter), but verse 40 tells how He spent those years from 0-12: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

The story that follows is the one where His father and mother lose Him. That’s always been a fascinating account to me. They must have been pretty chill parents. How did they go three days before they realized Jesus wasn’t with them! They lost Jesus! They found Him back in Jerusalem where He had tarried. He was sitting in the temple doing a Q&A with the doctors.

When His parents asked Him what He was doing, “he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

And that is why He came. His business? It’s found just a few chapters later in Luke 19:10 when Jesus told Zacchaeus, “This day is salvation come to this house... For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” He came for us!

You could have stayed in Heaven’s glory far above this mortal clay

You were completely fully God with nothing else for You to gain

You could have surely kept Your distance but Your love was just so great

You came anyway.

It's important that you know He is going to come again!

"And every eye shall see Him" (Revelation 1:7).

(Lyrics are from the song, You Came Anyway, written by Jeff Bumgardner, Michael Farren)

Our Gracious God

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 03:49:29 GMT

As an English teacher, I love the way roots of words create so many different like-minded words. Grace, gracious, grateful, gratitude—they all intermingle, and they stem from our gracious God.

I have a book in my library entitled Simply God: Everyday Theology for Everyday People by James D. Cantelon, which has provided food for thought for me over the years anytime I’ve picked it up. A favorite quote comes from his brief comment on the book of “Song of Solomon,” and says: “Its high regard for human love gives the reader, by way of analogy, insight into divine love. As far as his creation and creatures are concerned, God is first and foremost a lover.”

In our negative-driven secular and spiritual circles, God’s love and eternally gracious manner is often overlooked; yet I am reminded that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). He IS that!

He says in His Word, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity [love]” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Interesting, don’t you think, that we can’t even get into heaven without faith, yet God says love is greater than faith.

“The Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him”

(2 Chron. 30:9).

“Gracious is the Lord , and righteous; yea, our God is merciful” (Psalm 116:5).

“Turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness”

(Joel 2:13)

He is gracious and of great kindness. Doesn’t it just make us want to be more gracious when we remember our loving, giving, gracious God!

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits , even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19)—”Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies” (Psalm 103:3-4).

If Joy and Prayer had children, Gratitude would be their firstborn.

C. H. Spurgeon

The Most Terrifying Thought

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:43:58 GMT

Although people may not want to admit it, even the bravest of them have fears; and being fearful isn’t limited to the young or to the feeble. We all have them.

Being caught in a tornado, or swept away in a tsunami; being kidnapped and held for ransom (or perhaps not for ransom, a more terrifying thought); receiving a dreaded diagnosis; losing someone you don’t think you can live without. The list of fears is inexhaustible, and I hesitate to mention more for fear of creating more fear of things that you may never have thought of!

Imagine one of the above things happening and there’s no hope of being rescued or found or cured or sustained. While on Planet Earth, there’s no guarantee. After all, we live in a fallen world. But the most terrifying thought of all is that when life on Earth as we know it is finished—a reality that is closer than ever!—there’s an eternity just beyond.

Those who have rejected Jesus in this life will have no hope in the life to come. There’s no more terrifying thought than that! No hope.

Time is of the essence. The clock is ticking. The end has been heralded.

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21), they were told not to be deceived, there would be signs—wars, rumors of wars, nations rising against nations, famines, pestilences, earthquakes in divers places; persecution of Christians, persecution of Jews; rise of false prophets; iniquity abounding; love of many waxing cold.

Jesus goes on to say that the gospel will be preached to the whole world as a witness to all nations; “and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14). But before then, there will be seven years of tribulation like the world has never known.

We see these things happening now all around us in anticipation of the expected end. How much closer must we be to the Rapture that occurs seven years before the end when Jesus comes in the clouds and every eye shall see Him (Rev. 1:7)! The most terrifying thought for those who don’t know Him! But for the Christian...

“When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads;

for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).

Grace upon Grace

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 03:52:36 GMT

There's no other word for grace but amazing! No other explanation will do.

There’s no other word for grace but amazing! Where would we be without it? We wouldn’t get far, would we? As believers, grace has been extended to us—not just the on day we were saved, but every day since. It’s been grace upon grace, upon grace, upon grace. It also occurs to me that I’ve never had to live where grace has not already been.

I was born into a family of Christian parents. They had been slack in their Christian walk when they first started our family, they would say. However, after some near-death experiences, my dad (a lineman for the Alabama Power Company at the time) knew when he was almost electrocuted for the third time that God was making it clear that it was past time for him to get back to God.

That next Sunday, we were in church. He later called a “family pow-wow” to let us know that every time the doors were open, we would be there. I was only three at the time, but for the next year I heard amazing things every time I went to church; and then one night at the age of four, as I lay in the bed, I began to cry. I wanted to be saved.

That was just the beginning of grace upon grace for me. I grew up in a pastor’s home, married a preacher at the age of twenty-five. So much ministry, so much life, and grace has been there all along. Now that Dave is in Heaven waiting until the day I see him again, I see God’s grace still carrying me, day in and day out. Grace upon grace—it’s the story of my life. And I’m forever grateful.

There’s no other word for grace but amazing!

No other explanation will do.

Unmerited favor, the song that I sing,

No other word for grace but amazing!

The Word is Mercy

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 03:10:16 GMT

So many sights to see in Heaven, but the most beautiful is the rainbow above the throne!

I’ve just been reading Oliver B. Greene’s book, Heaven, and been drawn into—all of it really—but especially a chapter entitled, “The Most Beautiful Sight in Heaven.” The chapter begins with a passage from Revelation 4:

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven:

and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said,

Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone:

and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. Rev. 4:1-3

So many thoughts here!

A door was opened in heaven. We know Jesus is THE DOOR (John 10:9). “If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” This was said to the Laodicean church—representative of the lukewarm church in the last days just before the Rapture—and the promise is to “any (any one) man.” It’s personal. Jesus is the door to Heaven. One only needs to open it.

Come up hither. John heard a voice as a trumpet coming out of the door! We know from First Thessalonians:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout. With the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (v. 16). This references what we know as the Rapture, when we as Christians are “caught up...to meet the Lord in the air!” (v. 17).

And, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. The throne of God is a symbol of justice and judgment. His throne is “for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom” (Hebrews 1:8). If we as sinners should receive justice when we stand before Him, we would be consumed. BUT DON’T MISS THIS...

There was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. The rainbow changes the picture and the outcome. The rainbow is mentioned only four times in Scripture—and every time it’s a symbol of mercy (Genesis 9, Ezekiel 1, Revelation 10).

This is important because “we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ” (not the Great White Throne Judgment). The Lord Jesus sits on the throne to judge in righteousness and holiness, but the rainbow of mercy hovers over the Judgment Seat! What a beautiful picture for the Bride of Christ.

There is a rainbow. What mercy!

New Paragraph

Gracious Thoughts

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 19:45:43 GMT

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

GRACIOUSNESS IS NOT A TRAIT.

IT’S A CHOICE.

~~~~~~

I ASKED GOD,

“WHY ARE YOU TAKING ME THROUGH TROUBLED WATER?”

HE REPLIED,

“BECAUSE YOUR ENEMIES CAN’T SWIM.”

(Can I get an ‘Amen’?)

~~~~~~

Why do we close our eyes when we

pray, cry, kiss, dream?

Because the most beautiful things in life are not seen

but felt only by the heart.

~~~~~~

Tracing God’s hand of faithfulness from the past

is so much more calming

than trying to predict the future.

Lysa Terkeurst

~~~~~~

Graciousness is the fruit of someone who knows how badly

they themselves need grace.

Tullian Tchividjian

~~~~~~

When you finally learn that a person’s behavior

has more to do with their own internal struggle

than it ever did with you…

you learn GRACE.

~~~~~~

Your smile is your logo.

Your personality is your business card.

How you leave others feeling after an experience with you

becomes our trademark.

J.Danzie

~~~~~~

THROW KINDNESS AROUND LIKE CONFETTI

~~~~~~

Apologizing does not always mean you are wrong.

It just means that you value your relationships

more than your ego.

~~~~~~

Be the human version of somebody’s

first bite of chocolate cake.

~~~~~~

A secret to happiness is letting every situation be what it is,

instead of what you think it should be.

~~~~~~

Be happy in front of people who don’t like you.

It kills them.

~~~~~~

Be in love with your life.

Every minute of it.

~~~~~~

Be careful of what you hear about a woman.

Rumors either come from a man who can’t have her

or a woman who can’t compete with her.

~~~~~~

Be careful with your words.

Once they are said,

they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.

~~~~~~

Tact is the art of

MAKING A POINT

without

MAKING AN ENEMY

Sir Isaac Newton

~~~~~~

There’s always some truth behind Just kidding

Knowledge behind I don’t know

Emotion behind I don’t care

And pain behind It’s okay.

So pay close attention to how people feel.

~~~~~~

There is a huge amount of freedom

that comes to you when you

take nothing personally.

~~~~~~

I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness.

Jonah

~~~~~~

Forgiveness doesn’t

EXCUSE THEIR BEHAVIOR.

Forgiveness prevents their behavior from

DESTROYING YOUR HEART.

#beyondordinary

~~~~~~

Drawing a Line in the Sand

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 03:30:48 GMT

We know what it means to “draw a line in the sand.”

We know what it means to “draw a line in the sand.” We have either done that ourselves or have seen it done, figuratively speaking, when we have given someone every opportunity to change course and they have not. We may not have literally stood on the sand and taken a stick and drawn a line in a the sand, but we know what it means.

If we fast-track back to the beginning of time, Adam and Eve walked in the garden in the cool of the day in perfect fellowship with God. But one day, Eve walked away from her husband long enough to be tempted and to partake of the only tree that was forbidden, the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and she served it up to her husband, who knowingly partook and fell with her.

It was a devastating moment for the whole world. Sin had entered and a Savior, a sacrifice for sin, was going to be needed. Three short chapters after the record of the fall, wickedness and violence had increased so much that God said His spirit would not always strive (plead) with man.

And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man,

For that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years…

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,

And that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 6:3, 4

We have a gracious, merciful, longsuffering, loving God whose hand is outstretched still for man to repent and receive Him. But the day is coming when His spirit will no longer strive. The line in the sand will be drawn.

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

2 Corinthians 6:2

God is ready to assume full responsibility

for the life wholly yielded to Him.

Andrew Murray

Taking Every Thought Captive

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 16:40:47 GMT

It’s true, we are what we eat. It’s also true, we are what we think.

It has been said that we have more than 10,000 thoughts cross our minds each day. How important our thinking must be! Of the 10,000 thoughts you had yesterday, or that you will have today, what would your percentage be of healthy, good-for-you, God-pleasing thoughts? 1,000 thoughts? That’s only 10% of the total. And most of us would readily admit there are many days when we don’t even have that many!

Emily George, author of Loving God with All Your Mind , says, “Negative thinking is to your spirit what the flu is to your body.” The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians (4:8):

“Whatsoever things are true , whatsoever things are honest , whatsoever things are just , whatsoever things are pure , whatsoever things are lovely , whatsoever things are of good report ; if there be any virtue , and if there be any praise , THINK ON THESE THINGS.” (capitalized for emphasis)

Since our thoughts turn into words, think of all the things you’ve said in the last day. Would anybody say of it that it was absolutely lovely? “Example: “She looks terrible today.” Why, what an absolutely lovely thing for you to say! Admittedly, we could say a lot of things that are true, couldn’t we? But how different our world would be if we only chose what is lovely .

Besides our words, here are more thoughts about which the Philippians 4:8 principle can be applied:

THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD. The goal is to know Him personally. Every one of His words is true. For example, you might think, “I don’t feel forgiven. But what is true ? “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

THOUGHTS ABOUT YOURSELF. Sometimes we are our hardest critics. Read Psalm 139 to get a great perspective about yourself. Knowing that our mother’s perspective is biased because she birthed us physically, imagine God’s perspective in birthing you spiritually. He thinks you’re something special.

THOUGHTS ABOUT OTHERS. Believe the best. In relationships with others, we must take every thought captive before it runs away. We think, “My boss wants to see me. I must have done something wrong” or “She hasn’t called me. She must be mad at me.” Our minds almost always assume the worst: “My stomach hurts. I must have stomach cancer.” No, you might just have indigestion.

Many times it is just our own fears that make us not believe the best. Most fears are irrational. Just take every thought captive and go about your day with peace of mind.

The Danger of Living in Darkness

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 21:03:04 GMT

Some people enjoy darkness—an alarming thought—but most people prefer light.

There’s safety in that. Light allows you to see where you’re going. It keeps you from stumbling and floundering and falling and possibly injuring yourself.

So it is with those who spiritually wander aimlessly rather than walking in the light that God gives. His Word gives light to those who want to see where they’re headed.

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

What you get by walking in the light?

Knowledge.

How we desperately need the knowledge of the glory of God! His light shines deep down into our hearts so that we don’t have to stumble and flounder and miss Him. Why would people prefer darkness over light?

Because they love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).

The danger of continuing in darkness is that you can run out of time. God’s light has been revealed. He gave His Word and then sent His Son, to give us an escape.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Those who refuse the light will find themselves in eternal darkness. To hear and not believe at the moment when light is shed is to deny; and with each delay or denial, the heart becomes harder. Time’s ticking. Walk toward the light.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light...

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Ephesians 5:6-14

You Can't Believe Everything you Hear

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:26:04 GMT

At one time, maybe that was possible, but we can’t believe everything we hear these days.

The thing to remember about Artificial Intelligence that has merged on the scene is that it’s … artificial. That’s going to play into End Times, no doubt.

Where then is truth to be found? How do we know what can be trusted? Jesus, when praying to God the Father in John 17, declared: “Thy Word is truth.” In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and they were the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (15:16).

Ah, so truth can be found. We just have to look in the right place. That would be in the Holy Bible, God’s inspired and preserved Word. A note of caution: choosing a tried-and-true version of the Bible is vital. One can’t separate inspiration and preservation. That was God’s intention all along. No need to be changing things up.

I saw recently that one of the translations has changed God’s saying, “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3, right before the flood) to read “My spirit shall not always abide with man.” That’s a stark difference! The popular NIV has more than 60,000 words omitted from the King James. Who wouldn’t want the whole truth, right?

Why is the true Word important? Because “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) and because “he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

Have the Word, read the Word, believe the Word. It’s a matter of life and death!

A Daily Attitude Adjustment

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:49:23 GMT

Do you ever wake up with so much on your mind that you wish you had a Not-to-Do List rather than an over-whelming To-Do List?

Where to even start, huh?

First things first. Don’t panic. That’s what our family says when the list is longer than the hours in the day to get it all done. It’s important to get the right perspective before the day even starts. Our first thought should be “Thank you, Lord, that you’ve allowed me to see another day.” Many people didn’t make it through the night, but God opened your eyes.

Second, can you swing your legs to the side of the bed and stand up? “Thank you, Lord, that I’m on my feet this morning.” The list begins to lengthen when you realize the awesomeness of being alive to see another day and to do things.

The steps continue… to the bathroom for some much-needed relief (thank Him that it’s indoors), on to the sink to brush our teeth (thank the Lord you have some teeth), a wet cloth to wipe our still-sleepy eyes… ah, on to the kitchen to start our coffee. So much to thank Him for, and the day just started.

You get the idea. Our To-Do List must start with thankfulness to the Lord. I like to pray: “Thank you, Lord, that I can see, and hear, and taste, and touch, and smell, and walk, and talk, and think, and remember.”

Guaranteed, the day will be better if we learn to be more thankful. “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). This day. Every day.

If the day goes south, feel free to pray: “Thank you, Lord, that this day you’ve given me has finally come to an end.” Tomorrow’s another day.

Thank the Lord every morning when you get up

that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not.

Being forced to do your best, will breed in you

temperance and self-control, diligence and strength of will,

cheerfulness and content,

and a hundred other virtues which the idle never know.

Truth & Grace

The Reason People are Delusional

The masses today have become delusional. A delusion, by definition, is a fixed, false belief that is resistant to reason.

The Tenderness of God

In response to the Finding Truth blog entitled, “The Reason People are Delusional,” consider for a moment . . .

Tending the Sheep Gate

In a day's time, we serve up many things--not just food, for ourselves or others, but words. Think about it.

Why be Difficult?

We have all heard the saying "sorry, not sorry" sometime. Hopefully, we heard it and didn't say it.

Tempted to be Tempted

It has been said that people can resist anything but temptation. We know it’s true. It comes to us in so many forms, and it’s there every time we turn around.

The Best Kind of Gift Card

Sometimes unexpected things are the best gifts; and, really, God blesses us with all kinds of good things for which we didn't even think to ask Him.

Why Jesus Came the First Time

It’s Christmas! For those of us who have grown up with the Christmas story, it’s hard to imagine that so many others in the world don’t know it, or tell it, or believe in it, or share it—the real meaning of Christmas, that is.

Our Gracious God

As an English teacher, I love the way roots of words create so many different like-minded words. Grace, gracious, grateful, gratitude—they all intermingle, and they stem from our gracious God.

The Most Terrifying Thought

Although people may not want to admit it, even the bravest of them have fears; and being fearful isn’t limited to the young or to the feeble. We all have them.

Grace upon Grace

There's no other word for grace but amazing! No other explanation will do.

The Word is Mercy

So many sights to see in Heaven, but the most beautiful is the rainbow above the throne!

Gracious Thoughts

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Drawing a Line in the Sand

We know what it means to “draw a line in the sand.”

Taking Every Thought Captive

It’s true, we are what we eat. It’s also true, we are what we think.

The Danger of Living in Darkness

Some people enjoy darkness—an alarming thought—but most people prefer light.

You Can't Believe Everything you Hear

At one time, maybe that was possible, but we can’t believe everything we hear these days. ﻿

A Daily Attitude Adjustment

Do you ever wake up with so much on your mind that you wish you had a Not-to-Do List rather than an over-whelming To-Do List? ﻿

At one time, maybe that was possible, but we can’t believe everything we hear these days.

Do you ever wake up with so much on your mind that you wish you had a Not-to-Do List rather than an over-whelming To-Do List?