The Importance of Israel

Much is happening in the Middle East! The troublesome news remind us that we are living in the 'last' of the last days, those last days. Through the prophet Zechariah (12:1-3) God declared that in the last days preceding the Second Coming of Christ, Jerusalem, and certainly all of Israel would be a stumbling stone among the nations. Another prophecy found in Zechariah 12:6-9 describes tiny Israel as being so powerful militarily that she will defeat the surrounding nations that would attack her. This we have seen numerous times since Israel became a nation in 1948.

Israel's history is undeniably the fulfillment of prophecy, exactly as foretold in the Bible. Yet to be fulfilled in the future is the prophecy declaring that Israel will be deceived into making a false peace covenant that will set her up for an attack by all the nations of the world at Armageddon under the leadership of the Antichrist. Most world leaders will accept a false peace treaty, described in Daniel 9:27, This false messiah will be so politically influential and powerful, so militarily strong that he will guarantee this peace agreement. Then, after a few years, he will break that treaty himself, and Israel's "peaceful" neighbors will turn and make war against the Jewish people. That will be Satan's last attempt to destroy the Jews-God's people. History shows that the Jewish people have come under attack from many nations of the world, but God has preserved His people even during those troublesome times. Current events are moving us along to the One World Government, a government in which the Antichrist will control all banking and commerce with his identifying number, (Revelation 13:16-18) a remarkable prophecy which modern day computer technology will provide.

There are thousands of verses in the Bible dealing with Israel. Prophecies pertaining to Israel are a major part of the Scriptures, yet nothing about the great events foretold in the Bible concerning Israel are found in the writings of any of the world religions. Nor do they contain any prophecies concerning the coming of Israel's Messiah; His birth, the place of His birth, His rejection, the very day of His ride into Jerusalem on a donkey, His crucifixion, His rise from the dead three days later. Only the Bible contains these prophecies many written hundreds of years before their fulfillment. Prophecy proves the existence of the true God and that the Bible is His Word. The fulfillment of numerous prophecies in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus cannot be explained by coincidence and proves that Jesus is, indeed, the only Savior of mankind, exactly as He claimed to be. It is difficult to explain how a person can be an atheist or agnostic with such irrefutable proof. But, as Peter points out in 2 Peter 3:5; "For they are willingly ignorant of the Word of God. Sadly, the world is spiritually blinded by unbelief. But true believers trust the Word of God-it is their supreme authority for life and godliness I willingly accept the Bible's claims and its promises... and yes, it's prophecies! 

Jesus is coming soon, are you ready?

Celebrating Our Deliverance

 Exodus 12:41 records the day when the children of Israel left Egypt after 430 years of slavery. After that many years the people felt 'comfortable' in their habitat, and life droned on year after year. Not until God sent Moses to lead them out of bondage, did they see any hope for the future. After that many years of slavery their understanding of who they were was nonexistent. Egypt didn't just control their labor - it shaped their identity. They were born into slavery, raised in opposition and conditioned to believe they were nothing more than slaves. For generations, they had belonged to Pharaoh.

So, when scripture says "on this very day" all the people of God went out from Egypt, it recorded more than a historical date it recorded a divine intervention. God was now beginning to fulfill His promise of a Promised Land. (There are at least 170 references to this Promised Land in the Bible) Genesis 14: 11-12 also records that while their bodies walked out of Egypt, their hearts were still in Egypt. God's work has always been-will always be with the heart of man. While their leaving Egypt was a physical deliverance, the people would never really be free until their hearts and minds belonged to God, just as it is for us today. The wilderness wandering was not just about reaching a new land - it was about learning to become a new people. Egypt had to be left behind - its foods-its lifestyle and yes, its gods. The people would carry the identity of Egypt 'within' themselves until they learned to trust and depend upon God and follow His ways. (Can you see the spiritual application here?)

The Exodus was not just a change in geography - it was the beginning of a change in identity. For centuries, the people of Israel had been defined by their chains. Slavery shaped how they saw themselves, how they saw others and even how they imagined God. So, when God led His people out of Egypt, He began the process of restoring who they were and what they were meant to be. (Again, note the spiritual application)

new We often celebrate the moment of our deliverance. (a memorial) And we certainly should do this, but if we are honest with ourselves, we can often see hints of "Egypt" in our lives. We wrestle with fear, shame, habits, Insecurity or doubt. The patterns of the past life don't change overnight! But our journey of faith produces new lives new thoughts attitudes; all developed by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. Some call this 'progressive sanctification,' a theological term that describes the ongoing process of Christians becoming more conformed to the image of Christ; empowered to live a life pleasing to God. It's a lifelong journey. a continuous work of the Holy Spirit. We must allow Him to reshape our thoughts, our hearts and our lives, reminding ourselves continually, that we belong to Him. A life of continual surrender is certainly in order! Have a blessed week! - Pastor Bruce

Memorial Day

In 2000, only 28% of Americans understood the meaning of Memorial Day. It is important that we do not forget the sacrifices of our military service members. We must pause to honor, reflect and remember the precious lives lost while fighting in war. Here are some facts about Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a national holiday set aside to honor military service members who died fighting in a war. It is often confused with Veterans Day, November 11, when we thank and honor all those who served in the military.

Memorial Day was initially called Decoration Day because graves were decorated with flowers and flags. In May of 1874, Mrs. Laura D. Richardson of Knoxville, Tennessee, Chairperson of a committe to obtain flowers for decorating the graves in the national cemetery of Knoxville, saw flags in a store window. She had an idea and subsequently purchased the flags and had the local lumber mill provide the wood for tiny flagpoles. This began the movement to decorate graves with flags.

The holiday had been observed on May 30, but in 1971, when it became a national holiday, Congress changed it to the last Monday of May to create a three-day weekend. This change, some argued, would contribute to Americans neglecting the true meaning and observances of the holiday.

Poppies a symbol of death in war, have been worn on Memorial Day since 1915 to remember the fallen. This movement was initiated by an American teacher named Moina Michael who read the well-known poem by a Canadian military doctor, "In Flanders Fields."

Flags At Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldier's and Airmen's Home National Cemetery every Friday before Memorial Day, American flags are placed before the gravestones and niches of service members buried there. It takes approximately three hours to place the flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones. Soldiers remain in the cemetery throughout the weekend to ensure that a flag remains at each gravestone.

Every year on Memorial Day, the president of the United States gives a speech and places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at the Arlington National Cemetery. Batteries on military installations fire a 21-gun salute to the nation's fallen heroes.

In an effort to remind and re-education Americans about the true meaning of Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day was established by Congress in 2000. Americans are asked to pause at 3 p.m. local time and remember those who have perished in battle. To this day, many Americans still do not understand the true meaning of Memorial Day, nor do they take any measures to observe Memorial Day for what it was established to be May each of us do our part to recognize the significance of the holiday and give honor to those who have helped to guarantee our freedoms

The Symphony of Life

Paderewski, the famous composer-pianist was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America some years ago. It was an evening to remember black tuxedos and long evening dresses a high-society extravaganza. Present in the audience that evening was a mother with her fidgety 9-year-old son. Weary of waiting for the concert to begin, the boy squirmed constantly in his seat. His mother had hopes that her son would be encouraged to practice the piano if he could just hear the immortal Paderewski play. Against his wishes, he had to come.

As the mother turned to talk with friends, her son could stay seated no longer. He slipped away from her side, strangely drawn to the ebony grand piano and its leather tufted seat on the big stage flooded with blinding lights. Without much notice from the audience, the boy sat down on the piano seat, staring wide-eyed at the black and white keys. He placed his small, fingers in the right location and began to play "chopsticks!" The roar of the crowd was hushed as hundreds of frowning faces turned to the stage. Irritated and embarrassed, they began to cry out, "Get that boy away from there!" "Somebody stop him!" "How did he get up there?"

Backstage, the master pianist overheard

the sound out front and quickly grabbed his coat and rushed out on to the stage. Without one word of announcement, he stooped over behind the boy, reached around his sides and began playing a countermelody to harmonize with and enhance the boy's playing of chopsticks. As the two of them played together, Paderewski kept whispering to the boy, "Keep on playing....don't stop...don't quit." The audience, once irritated by the boy's action was now treated to a special improvised rendition of "chopsticks."

And so, it is with us. We go on through life, facing heartache, disappointment and experiences. We hammer away at our projects which seem about as significant as "chopsticks" in a concert hall. But, just about the time we want to give up, along comes the Master of our souls, who leans over and whispers, "Keep going... don't quit... don't stop... don't give up!" He provides a "heavenly" melody, adding the right touch to our lives. I remember a song of long ago that we used to sing in our youth group back In Chicago

Life is a symphony, since the man of Galilee Changed my discords into song, Makes life sweet the whole day long. Life is a symphony, praise the Lord of Calvary No more a stranger, He is the arranger of my symphony.

Bush Eyes

  A newly appointed missionary was walking along a jungle trail with some natives. Suddenly, one of the natives fired his gun and by doing so, killed a huge green snake lying in the path ahead. The missionary had not seen the snake and would have stepped on it. As they walked on, the native stopped the missionary and asked, “Do you see the leopard?” The missionary said that he did not see the leopard – just shadows. When the leopard was pointed out to him, he asked, “Why could I not see the snake or the leopard? I walk on the same path as you do – you see the snake; I just see the path. You point out the leopard and I just see shadows.  Why can’t I see those things?”  The native responded, “You have to develop ‘bush eyes.’ If you stay in the jungle long enough, you will develop what we call ‘bush eyes.’

 
Some people can walk through life and never see the blessings of God; are never truly grateful for what they receive from Him. But when the Holy Spirit begins to develop our ‘bush eyes’ we begin to see blessings we have never seen before.

•   We begin to develop attitudes of gratitude for things around us.
•   We begin to see the beauty and worth of persons around us.
•   We begin to see God where no one else sees Him.
•   We begin to see God when everyone else sees a newborn baby.
•   We begin to see God when everyone else sees a flower.
• ·We begin to see God in a bubbling stream of water when others just see the movement
  

            of  water.

• We begin to hear God speak to us in a song – when others just hear a melody.
• We begin to hear the voice of God even in a moment of silence – when others think that silence is a waste of time.
• We begin to see God in the vastness of the heavens – when others just see points of light.

 
Complaining seems to be a way of life for many, even Christians. One of the sins that God dislikes is that of complaining – or murmuring.  Numbers 11:1 reads, “Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.” Our society seems to have something in common with those Israelites thousands of years ago. There seems to be very little gratitude for what God has blessed us with. I can understand where an unbeliever might be ungrateful, but the Christian ought always to be grateful to God for His unlimited blessings. Reading the Book of Psalms, we find innumerable references to being thankful. One we are most familiar with is found in Psalm 100:4, “Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING and into His court with PRAISE.” The spiritual life is not difficult. We often make it difficult. All we need to do is look a little closer at the ‘ordinary’ things in our lives, realizing that they come from God. Asking God to develop our ‘bush eyes’ will enable us to see unlimited blessings that heretofore have gone unnoticed. As has been said, ‘from a grateful heart springs untold blessing.’  May that blessing be yours!                    

Finding Balance: A Christian Father's Perspective on Stoicism

 

Finding Balance: A Christian Father's Perspective on Stoicism

It’s been a while since I posted…sorry about that, we’ve been hard at work launching the new site, but here I am back behind the keyboard making with the clickety clacks, as my whole world is in front of me watching Oliver and Company. Rylan is on his fourth viewing this weekend (my brain is constantly playing a looped mix of theme songs from the Minno Laugh and Grow Bible, Bible Man the Animated Adventures, and Billy Joel slowly eroding my sanity). That said… Oliver and Company has always been my favorite animated Disney film. 

I know the film is full of music and fun, but also there are some lessons to be grasped for my little dude. Be it Oliver’s resilience in the face of adversity or Dodger’s sense of duty and responsibility, the way the gang maintains their dignity and make the best of their situation despite the circumstances, the way Fagin still chooses to do the right thing even though Sykes absolves him of his debt… as I ponder the themes and how they might shape my young son’s character it strikes me how much Stoicism is on display in these characters and in this story.  And thus here we are… as Rita ironically belts out “Streets of Gold” I'm reflecting on this philosophical tension… as one does right?  The growing attraction to Stoicism among Christian men, particularly fathers, gives me pause… not least because I've felt its pull myself.

The Intersection of Stoic Philosophy and Christian Thought Isn't New

When Paul stood at the Areopagus… you know, the famous Mars Hill incident  (Acts 17:16-34), he engaged with Stoic philosophers, even quoting their poets in verse 28, “ ‘For in him we live and move and have our being. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring’”.  Paul does this to build a bridge to the Gospel. Where they saw an unknown god, Paul flipped the script and proclaimed the personal, sovereign Lord.

Just last week, as I was dealing with Rylan… pulling a Rylan.. I caught myself falling into pure Stoic reasoning: "Calm down buddy, find your center.” It sounds like the right thing to say, right? It’s how I’ve been conditioned to handle my emotions… “Control your response, emotions are a choice, no one is responsible for my reactions but me, maintain composure". While these aren't bad principles, per se, I realize I operate from a position of self-reliance rather than God-dependence. And as a result, I end up exploding in rage as my reliance on self is a reliance on a weak flesh and a simple mind. Instead, I needed to model what David expressed in Psalm 62:5: "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." 

When Kairi comes to me with her fears about school, or some middle schooler on the bus.. or at the skating rink saturday  when she was worried about the kid in the Zimmerman hat and if he was making fun of her… my instinct is often to echo Seneca: "We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." While there's truth there, I'm learning to instead point her to 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." The difference is HUGE! One philosophy offers cold comfort, while our Father offers warm embrace.

The Allure… and the DANGER of Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius wrote, "Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." This sentiment resonates with many of us seeking stability in chaotic times. However, as I hold this against Paul's words in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," the fundamental contrast becomes clear.

The danger lies not in Stoicism's practical wisdom, but in its underlying assumption of self-sufficiency; how we respond to our circumstances. 

When Epictetus teaches, "The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control," it sounds remarkably practical. But Jesus says, in John 15:5: "Apart from Me you can do nothing." The Stoic pursuit of self-mastery fundamentally opposes the Christian understanding of complete dependence on God.

The stoics write that "We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” The biblical perspective goes deeper; Scripture teaches "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding". Our response should flow from dependence on God, not self-reliance.

The Stoic focus on self-sufficiency as "the ultimate virtue" directly contradicts biblical truth. The Bible declares, "But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength", pointing to God as the source of all strength and virtue.

Rather than seeking self-sufficiency, Scripture calls us to God-dependency. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble". This is not weakness, but rather the path to true strength through submission to and reliance on our Creator.

The Christian life isn't about mastering ourselves through force of will, but about surrendering to the One who masters us through His grace and power.

How do we Find the Biblical Balance

In those moments when Micah (coming soon!) keeps us up all night and Tiff and I are running on empty, Epictetus would tell us "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." But I'm learning I need to lean into James when he says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Marcus Aurelius says "Accept the things to which fate binds you." But as I look at my beige brigade, I want them to know something far more powerful… Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." This isn't mere acceptance, it's triumphant hope.

A Father's Prayer

As I navigate this journey of fatherhood, I'm grateful for the wisdom of the Stoics. Their insights into human nature and self-discipline aren't worthless… in fact they’re common grace gifts from God. But I want more for my children. When Rylan faces disappointment, when Kairi encounters injustice, when baby Micah cries in the night, I want them to know more than self-reliance. I want them to know the God who "neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalm 121:4).

Reflections on Pastor Steve Lawson's Fall

My heart is heavy today, the more I dig into what happened with Steve Lawson, I am gutted and I figure the best way to deal with my feelings is to write them out.

Pastor Steven Lawson

I've looked up to him for years and have been so impacted by his powerful preaching of God's Word, I listen to the expositors podcast, I'm always right there when one passion drops a video, G3 is on my bucket list…To hear of his fall into temptation and sin… it's just devastating. 

But as much as it pains me to see this happen to someone I respect so much, I have to remember that none of us are immune to the enemy's schemes. Even the most godly among us can stumble if we're not careful.

The Reality of Temptation

The hard truth is, temptation is something we all face in this fallen world. Like it says in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind." Being a pastor or spiritual leader doesn't make you exempt. If anything, those in ministry have an even bigger target on their backs.

James really nails it in chapter 1 when he describes how temptation works: "Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." It's a slippery slope that can quickly spiral out of control if we entertain those desires.

Guarding Our Hearts

So how do we as believers safeguard ourselves against falling into the same trap? God's Word gives us some key principles:

1. Run the other way. When temptation comes knocking, flee from it! As 2 Timothy 2:22 says, "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace." Don't stick around and try to resist in your own strength.
2. Stay alert and pray up. Remember what Jesus told His disciples in Gethsemane? "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." We've got to keep our guard up and lean hard on the Lord through prayer. 
3. Walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 tells us plainly, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The more we stay in step with the Holy Spirit, the more power we'll have to say no to sin.

Hope in the Cross

when one of our leaders falls, it's easy to lose heart. But even in the pain and brokenness, we have to cling to the hope of the gospel. 1 Peter 2:24 is such a beautiful reminder: "He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

No matter how far we've fallen, the blood of Jesus is more than enough to cleanse us and make us right with God again, if we repent. 1 John 1:9 gives us that assurance. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Now, this doesn't mean there won't still be consequences to face. The Bible is clear that our sin can impact generations. Exodus 34:7 warns that God visits "the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." The ripple effects of our transgressions can impact generations. All the more reason to walk in holiness and integrity.

Pressing On

So in times like this I need to keep my eyes locked on Jesus. May thsi be a wake-up call for us to be more vigilant, to lean harder on God's grace, and to recommit to purity with everything in us.

In Christ, there is always forgiveness, restoration, and hope on the other side of failure. Proverbs 24:16 says, "for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." By God's strength, may we rise above temptation and live in a way that brings our Father glory. He's worth it.

Clinging to grace,

Manuel

The Temple's True Purpose

 

 "And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of robbers." Matthew 21:12-13 

I just watched a video that included a montage of Pastors preaching from books they've written (and just so happen to be selling in the lobby by the way) and it gave me pause. Obviously, I am a christian marketer and graphic Designer so please take everything I say with as many grains of salt as necessary, but as I reflect, I can't help but think about the state of the modern church... what role commerce plays in the house of God.

The temple was meant to be a sacred space, a house of prayer where people could encounter the living God. But all too often, we've turned it into something else entirely.

A Den of Thieves

Instead of a place of worship, we've made the church a den of thieves - a place of corruption and greed. We sell our religion like a lifestyle, hawking t-shirts, mugs and books, and cheating the elect out of true doctrine and theology. Like the merchants in Jesus' day, we take advantage of the poor in spirit who are desperately seeking atonement.

Lakewood Church

But Jesus will not stand for it. By overturning tables and rebuking the money-changers, He exposes our greedy, corrupt hearts. He shines a light on our wickedness and gives us an opportunity to repent and turn back to Him.

The Heart of God

This is the heart of God, church. He is a God of justice who confronts sin and rightly condemns it. But in doing so, He also extends an invitation to repent and be cleansed and restored. Like a skilled surgeon, He uses a sharp knife to cut out the cancer of greed and pride from our hearts, so that we can be made whole and healthy again.

The merchants in the temple had a choice when confronted by Jesus: repent and accept God's forgiveness, or harden their hearts and continue in their sin. We face that same choice today. When God's Word confronts the sin in our lives, will we allow Jesus to cleanse His temple, or will we cling stubbornly to our wickedness?

A Living Temple

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. I pray that we as a family - Tiffany, Kairi, Rylan, little Nugget and I - would have the wisdom to submit to God's correction. May we invite Jesus to overturn the tables of greed in our hearts and drive out every unclean thing, so that we can be a living temple of His presence - a house of worship, prayer, and sacrifice.

Among the church, there are many who come each Sunday and play the part of a good Christian, but inwardly are far from God. They are religious but not born again. If that's you today, I plead with you - don't harden your heart. Allow Jesus to do business with you, to expose your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. He loves you too much to leave you in your greed and pride.

Trying to walk out my faith in His Grace,

-Manuel

Standing Firm on God's Word

Today I've been hearing about the victory won in the story of Pastor Matthew Meinecke in Seattle. As a fellow believer, along my beautiful wife Tiffany, and a father to our precious children Kairi, Rylan, and little Nugget on the way, this story hits close to home. It's a powerful reminder of the spiritual battle we face, and the potential persecution my children might face in this fallen world and the importance of standing firm on the authority of God's Word.

Pastor Matthew Meinecke

Pastor Meinecke's experience of being arrested simply for reading the Bible aloud in public is a sobering illustration of how our culture is increasingly hostile to biblical truth. 

It breaks my heart to see how the world rejects the very words that bring life and salvation. we shouldn't be surprised by this opposition - Jesus Himself warned us that the world would hate us because it first hated Him. We live in a culture that's increasingly hostile to biblical truth, and we need to be prepared for that reality.

The World's Rejection of Biblical Authority

Make no mistake - the world is fundamentally at odds with Scripture. We see this played out daily in our society:

The sanctity of life is under attack, with abortion celebrated as a right rather than mourned as a tragedy.

God's design for marriage and sexuality is mocked and rejected.

Absolute truth is denied in favor of moral relativism.

The world wants nothing to do with biblical morality or the authority of God's word. But here's the thing - this shouldn't surprise us! Jesus told us plainly, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18).

The Unchanging Nature of God's Truth

In the face of this opposition, we must remember that God's truth doesn't change. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." The world may shift like sand, but God's word stands firm. It's not just true - it is truth itself. Jesus prayed in John 17:17, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

This truth isn't just some dry, academic concept. No, it's living and active! Hebrews 4:12 tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God's truth cuts through the noise of our culture and speaks directly to our hearts.

Our Response as Believers

So how do we respond when the world opposes biblical truth? First, we need to be grounded in the gospel. Our acceptance before God isn't based on the world's approval, but on the finished work of Christ. We run to God, not from Him, even when we stumble.

Second, we engage the world with truth and grace. We don't shy away from biblical convictions, but we also don't expect non-believers to live like believers. Our call is to lovingly speak truth while embodying the transforming power of the gospel.

Finally, we remember that our battle isn't against flesh and blood. We're in a spiritual war, and our weapons are spiritual - prayer, the word of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Preciousness of God's Truth

As we stand firm in God's truth, let's not forget how precious it is. Psalm 19:10 says God's words are "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." When the world rejects God's truth, they're rejecting something of immeasurable value. Our task is to show them its worth through our lives and our words.

The Hope of the Gospel

But in the face of this hostility, I'm encouraged by Pastor Meinecke's unwavering commitment to proclaiming the Gospel. Despite facing physical attacks and wrongful arrest, he persevered in his mission to share God's Word. It reminds me of the apostles in Acts, who rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. So we can't lose heart when you face opposition. The same world that opposes God's word desperately needs the hope of the gospel. So let's be bold in our witness, steadfast in our faith, and overflowing with the love of Christ.

Remember Paul's words in Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." We're called to be different, to stand out in a world that rejects God's truth. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. For we know that in the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

As I think about how to respond to this story, I'm challenged to be more grounded in the Gospel myself. 

My acceptance before God isn't based on the world's opinion of me, but solely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. When I stumble and feel like a failure, I need to run to God, not away from Him. He is my righteousness and my refuge.

I'm also convicted of my need to engage the world with both truth and grace, just as Pastor Meinecke did. It's not about winning arguments, but about lovingly speaking God's truth while embodying the transforming power of the Gospel

I pray for boldness to share my faith with others, even when it's uncomfortable or met with resistance.

Above all, this story reminds me of how precious and powerful the Word of God truly is. In a world that desperately needs the hope of the Gospel, I want to treasure Scripture and let it saturate my mind and heart. As the psalmist wrote, it is more to be desired than gold and sweeter than honey.

So I'm praying for Pastor Meinecke and thanking God for his faithfulness. May his story inspire me and many others to stand firm on the authority of God's Word, to proclaim the Gospel with boldness, and to find our hope and identity in Christ alone. For I know that one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

All glory to God,

Manuel

A Distorted View Of Liberty

So... processing the news out of North Dakota. A district judge there just struck down the state's abortion ban, claiming that the right to end the life of an unborn child is somehow protected by the state constitution. The judge based this on an incredibly twisted interpretation of constitutional rights like "life and liberty." Since when does liberty include the ability to deny RIGHT TO LIFE  of another human being?

District Judge Bruce Romanick

It's heartbreaking to see this same story play out again and again. 

Courts in 10 other states have done the same thing somehow discovering these previously unknown "rights" to abortion. These judges are undermining the will of the people and the sanctity of human life, all under the guise of peoples autonomy, talk about activism from the bench.

But the situation is even worse next door in my home state of Minnesota. 

Our state Supreme Court has recognized a constitutional right to abortion since way back in 1995. And now, thanks to a law passed by pro-abortion politicians and signed by VP candidate TIM WALZ last year, there are zero restrictions on when abortions can be performed in Minnesota. This is abortion on demand up until the moment of birth. It's unfathomable and abhorrent.

Vice Presidential Nominee Tim Walz

Now before people jump on, "it's only 1% of abortions that happen after 21 weeks" the fact is that there were according to NPR over 1 million abortions performed last year...so open your calculator app and you'll see that's 10k viable HUMAN BEINGS murdered in the womb. 

The Fundamental Right to Life

As Christians, we know that life begins at conception and is a precious gift from God. Every single life, no matter how small, bears His image and has inherent dignity and worth. Abortion is a grievous offense against our Creator.

The other side wants to enshrine in law a right to destroy life based on a distorted notion of personal liberty. But what about the liberty of the unborn child? They are endowed by God with the most fundamental right of all - the right to life itself. We cannot allow that to be taken away based on the whims of another person.

Seeking God's Will

Processing news like this, it's easy to feel angry or discouraged. But we have to remember that our hope is not in earthly judges or human laws, but in Christ alone. These are a stark reminder of the fallen world we live in and the spiritual battle raging around us.

As overwhelming as it seems, we have to keep fighting to defend life. God calls us to be a voice for the voiceless and to seek justice for the oppressed. That starts with getting on our knees in prayer, repenting for how we as the Church have failed to uphold the dignity of life, and asking God to move in the hearts of our nation.

We also have to look for opportunities to share the hope and healing found in Christ. So many women turn to abortion because they feel they have no other choice. The Gospel is the ultimate answer - the truth that every life is valuable because every person is loved by God and created for a purpose.

As I pray through all of this, I keep coming back to Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." This is the lens we must view the abortion issue through. I'm holding onto that truth extra tight this week. Will you join me in praying for eyes to see as God sees?

Standing for life and clinging to HIS grace,

Manuel

A Plea for Biblical Pastors: Reflections on Alistair Begg's Retirement

It's a bittersweet day, y'all. One of my favorite pastors, Alistair Begg, just announced his retirement after nearly 50 years in ministry. While I'm happy for him to get some well-deserved rest, it's tough to see such a faithful shepherd step down. But as Begg himself said, he wants to "pass the baton safely" to the next generation.

Alistair Begg | Parkside Church

This got me thinking about the biblical qualifications for pastors and elders. What does God's Word actually say about the requirements for church leadership? And how does that compare to what we often see in the modern church?

The Biblical Standard

When we look at passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, a clear picture emerges of what an overseer should look like:

• Above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach
• Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money
• Manages his own family well, sees that his children obey him
• Not a recent convert
• Has a good reputation with outsiders

In essence, an elder must be a mature man of integrity whose life and doctrine are exemplary. His character and conduct should be above question. He must be able to faithfully teach sound doctrine and refute false teaching.

Where We've Gone Astray

But if we're honest, how many pastors today truly meet this high bar? Too often, we elevate men to leadership based on charisma, eloquence, or the ability to draw a crowd, rather than on their spiritual maturity and adherence to Scripture.

We overlook glaring character flaws and moral failings, as long as the pastor is a dynamic speaker or the church is growing numerically. Accountability is lacking, and "celebrity" pastors are put on a pedestal where they are almost untouchable.

Some churches have even abandoned the biblical qualifications altogether, ordaining women or unrepentant homosexuals as pastors in direct contradiction to God's Word. It's heartbreaking to see how far we've strayed.

A Plea for Faithfulness

Brothers and sisters, it's time for us to get back to the Bible when it comes to church leadership. We need elders who are "above reproach," not just in their public persona but in their private lives. Men who will preach the Word faithfully, even when it's unpopular. Shepherds who truly love the flock and aren't in it for money, power, or prestige.

I'm not saying pastors have to be perfect - none of us are! But there should be a consistent pattern of godly character that is evident to all. And when a leader does fall into sin, he should be lovingly confronted and disciplined according to Scripture, not covered up or excused.

So as we bid farewell to faithful pastors like Alistair Begg and welcome new ones, let's commit to praying for our leaders and holding them to the biblical standard. May God raise up a generation of humble, holy shepherds who will lead His church with integrity. That's my heart's cry.

As I reflect on this, I'm reminded of how much I need Jesus. Left to myself, I fall woefully short of God's standard. But praise God, Christ lived the perfect life I couldn't live and died the death I deserved. Through faith in Him, my sins are forgiven and I'm clothed in His righteousness. That's the good news our pastors must proclaim!

Lord, give us pastors who preach Christ crucified, risen and returning. Men who model what it means to be washed in the blood and walking in newness of life. In a world of compromise, raise up leaders who hold fast to Your Word. May Your church shine like a city on a hill for Your glory alone. Amen.

Clinging to His grace,

Manuel 

Read the article here

Eschatology Through a Child's Eyes: Learning from RyGuy's Playtime

The End Times Through a Child's Eyes: Learning from RyGuy's Playtime… that’s a lot more rhyming than I was shooting for…

I’ve been really digging into Eschatology lately ever since Pastor Bruce mentioned he would be talking about it at the beginning of the New Year. Eschatology is scary for most people; apocalyptic literature is scary and confusing and hard to interpret. The goal of this article is to explain that glorious time we all look forward to - the Millennium! 

Admittedly, I have a sinking suspicion that I will be the odd man out in terms of my views among my church family as we unpack this at Wyanett Evangelical Free Church. I anticipate a lot of Pre-millennial dispensationalism, as is the default setting for most Evangelicals… not much love for the Amillennial views I lean into.   

But wouldn’t you know, and not to over spiritualize , watching my little dude Rylan play with his toys this morning got me thinking about the four different systems of eschatology (bear with me here, I promise this connection makes sense). 

So there he was, completely absorbed in his own little world, first playing with his Sonic characters, then grabbing his Godzilla collection. He divides his playtime into distinct "chapters" similar to God's story unfolding through different ages or aeons or dispensations.

My four-year-old , the tiny Theologian, gave a sweeping and loud sermon without even knowing it. 

First, there was the "Sonic epoch" where Sonic fought Shadow while Tails zoomed around in his plane. Then came the "Godzilla Dispensation" complete with adorable roars and lots of “Daddy look Godzillas's charging up to fight King Ghidorah.”

A brief "Nintendo age" followed as he grabbed the Switch and ate lunch, and then, in what I can only describe as a crossover event of biblical proportions, Sonic and Godzilla joined forces before the great "cleanup covenant" was enacted.

This simple afternoon of play became a whole sermon on how God works out His divine plan through different periods or dispensations in history. 

Just as RyGuy naturally understood that each of his toys deserved its own special time and rules as he played with them in that way, God has worked through distinct periods in human history, each with its own particular way that He relates to and tests mankind.

Think about it from the innocence and purity of Eden (before the fall) to the law at Sinai… from the church age to the coming kingdom… God's story unfolds in these chapters, each one revealing more of His character and moving us closer to His ultimate purpose. 

And yes, I did just compare my son's playtime to God's sovereign plan… told ya it would make sense!

The Four Views: Where Do We Stick the Millennium and the Rapture?

Dispensational Pre-millennialism: The Two Distinct People of God

Dispensational Pre-millenialists are the most common nowadays. Even non-believers might know this system and its timeline, thanks to Left Behind and probably 2/3rds of the action films on Pure Flix. In this system, God is working through two distinct programs: Israel with its covenants and promises and, in parenthesis, is the Church with its covenants and promises. 

There's a pre-tribulation rapture of the Church, a literal seven-year tribulation period,

Israel's national restoration, including temple worship and sacrifices, Christ's physical thousand-year reign, then Armageddon and the final judgment and new creation. It's distinctive is the separation of Israel from the church and the pre-trib rapture. It's similar to the next view…

Historic Pre-millennialism: The United People of God

John Piper (one of my heroes), Justin Martyr, Papias, and many other early church fathers held this view. This is similar to Dispensational Pre-millennialism, but presents a more unified narrative of God's people. Unlike its dispensational cousin, it sees the church not as a parenthesis, but as grafted into God's ongoing story with Israel. It's timeline is very similar to above with a seven year tribulation, a literal millennium following Christ's return, followed by Armageddon and the New Heavens and New Earth. Its main distinctives are the Post-tribulation rapture and that the Church and Israel are one people of God. This view would be the one I would hold if it weren't for the following view…

Amillennialism: The Already-Not-Yet Kingdom

Alright yah’ll don't grab the torches and pitchforks yet but I am an Amillennialist…and I'm in good company with Augustine, Luther, JI Packer, Voddie Baucham, and Sam Storms. Even though it's not as popular as Pre-millennialism, it does remain the dominant view in many Orthodox and Messianic denominations. 

So what do I believe? The simplest way I can say it is the Millennium as a present reality, inaugurated at Christ's first coming, and even though we are in the Millennium, we will not see it fully realized until the Second Advent of Christ. Just like how my kidlets are growing, but not fully grown, the kingdom is here, but not in its fullness.

So how does that work in terms of timeline? I believe that the Millennium started when Satan was bound at the cross. This inaugerated the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God in heaven and on earth.

There is a seperation of the spiritual from the earthly where right now Christ and the saints are ruling from thrones in Heaven. That's the first resurrection, an intermediary state where we are absent from the body, but with the Lord, ruling and reigning during this Millennium, seated in the heavenly. 

MEANWHILE, we are in the Millennium on earth in that where John writes that the devil is chained and unable to deceive the NATIONS, that happened at Calvary, which is why we are told to go out into all the world and make disciples of all NATIONS. So he is chained, but that binding is qualified to his ability to keep the gospel away from the NATIONS. He is still seeking to kill and destroy, still lying and deceiving, but he is restrained in his ability to keep us from spreading the kingdom of God. 

So what about the Tribulation, the Rapture, Armageddon, the New Heavens and the New Earth? The Tribulation leading to Armageddon is a future event which will culminate in Christ’s return, where we will meet in the air with Christ and those in Heaven that fell asleep before, and we will return with Christ; truly an apantesis where we meet Him and return home with Him. The armies of the enemy and the earth will be consumed by a fire from heaven and when our feet meet the ground, it will be on a new heaven and new earth in our glorified bodies. 

Post-millennialism: The Optimistic Vision

Post-mills, like the great John Edwards, see the Millennium as the church's gradual triumph before Christ's return. Think of it like teaching Kairi to ride her bike, or Rylan to use the potty…progress comes through persistent effort and faithful dedication… and a ton of laundry.

It takes the Amill position but makes it more political and kingdom based. They believe Christ's return will be hastened by their efforts in creating the kingdom literally on this earth, with the new creation and new heaven being more of ethereal or symbolic, rather than a literal new creation. They believe the great tribulation was the reign of Nero and we are now in the Golden Age. 

So what does it all mean????

You know what strikes me most? Just as my four-year-old can enjoy his toys without getting caught up in the "right" way to play with them, perhaps we could learn something about holding our eschatological views with humility. Whether you're Dispensational like many of our church family are, or Amillennial like those of us in the Reformed camp, the core truth remains…Christ wins in the end.

The beauty of it all is that, just like Rylan's playtime, each view helps us understand different aspects of God's whole story. And while I have my own convictions (which Tiff has patiently listened to me discuss way too much and way too often for her liking), I'm reminded that our ultimate hope isn't in having the perfect end-times timeline, but in the perfect Savior who holds all time in His hands.

Now, if you'll excuse me, Rylan is insisting I read the loading screen on “Chase McCaid” (His name for Lego City Undercover)... again… oooo Legos… building the kingdom… different blocks for different eschatologies…oops there I go over spiritualizing again… These are the moments that matter yah’ll… theological reflections and toy battles, all part of this beautiful journey of faith and dudeliness.

In HIS grace,

Manuel