Deep Love

How Deep the Father's Love for Us
Stewart Townend

How deep the Father's love for us?
How vast beyond all measure?
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss?
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Stuart Townend has been on a campaign to create modern hymns that are both theologically rich and easy to sing. He intended to connect today's believers with Scripture-based truth. This one is from 1995. A few things caught my attention ...

"How vast beyond all measure." In Ephesians Paul makes an interesting prayer for the Ephesians. He prays that God would grant them "to be strengthened with power through His Spirit" (Eph 3:16). What for? This is the interesting part. So that they could "know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge" (Eph 3:19). That ... is how big God's love is. "Vast beyond all measure."

"To make a wretch His treasure." We worry about "self-esteem" and try to find ways to feel good about ourselves and ... we're not too bad at it. King David, on the other hand, said, "I am a worm and not a man" (Psa 22:6). Jesus said that the person who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). Perhaps a proper understanding of how much we "wretches" have been forgiven will make us more loving.

"Ashamed I hear my mocking voice Call out among the scoffers." This one hits home to me. There has long been a debate about "Who crucified Christ?" Some say it was the Jews and the argument has created a rift for centuries between Christians and Jews for it. Others argue, "No, it was the Romans." Technically correct ... but ... I think it's not actually correct. I did it. You did it. We ... "wretches" did it. He died for sinners while we were yet sinners ... enemies (Rom 5:7-10). Scripture calls us "chosen" and "elect," but it's not because we're the best. It's because He chose for His purposes to save a wretch and make us His treasure. Because we were the ones that put Him on that cross.

This, then, is the love that compels us, that applies pressure to us to act.

News Weakly - 3/7/2026

The Trump I Expected
The President and Israel joined forces to strike at Tehran in a preemptive attack to remove threats against Israel. It's another "show of force" that has marked Trump's latest term, including a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities (June, 2025), a military assault to capture Venezuelan President Maduro (January, 2026), drug interventions in the Caribbean, attacks in Yemen, threats of military invasion of Greenland, and more. When he was running in 2016, it was a common "joke" that he might use his tagline, "You're fired," to refer to the nation's weapons rather than someone's job, and now ... it looks like he's doing it. (Okay, that "you're fired" joke was only mine, but you get what I mean.) (By way of comparison, historians rate Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama as the two presidents that used the most military force during peacetime.) And ... killing their supreme leader is probably not a good first step toward peace in the region.

No Fear of Peace
Pakistan has declared "open war" against Afghanistan as the two sides escalate the violence. Pakistan has experienced a surge in military attacks since Biden "strategically removed" the U.S. support, leaving the Taliban with billions of dollars worth of weapons to ... share with Pakistan. Don't worry, folks. There seems to be no fear that peace will break out soon.

The "Iran War"
Of course, the initial strike in Iran wasn't a one-off and "peace in the region" isn't really the aim. Now it's the "Iran War."

• Three American F-15s were shot down by friendly fire in Kuwait. Oops! At least the crews survived.
• The first ship sunk by a submarine-fired torpedo since World War II occurred when an American sub sank an Iranian warship.
• Oil prices are spiking as Iran expands the fighting to other places, including killing 4 American soldiers in Kuwait.

Just to list a few items. It just gets better and better. Here's my problem. No one seems to know what the endgame is. What's the point, the purpose? How will they know when to stop? I can't figure it out.

Terrorism
A new report is out about the danger of rising sea level from global climate change. The report says they missed something and it turns out that a 3 foot rise in sea level could kill over 100 million people worldwide. So ... I asked, "How much has sea level risen since 1990? The answer? 4 inches. Four inches? So ... tell me ... what is the actual threat that it will rise 3 feet? If "terrorism" is defined as the use of terror to further political, social, or ideological objectives, isn't this just ... terrorism? Trying to scare us into doing what they want? Here's my problem. "Believe the science," they tell us. "Science is right." But ... science doesn't believe science ... because science is always evolving, changing, adjusting, and not necessarily getting more accurate ... because we don't really know what's going on. So ... I hope no one minds if I ... reserve judgment on science.

Your Best Source for Fake News
The Bee reports that New York Mayor Mamandi is nervous now that Trump has managed to kill one Muslim dictator. Reasonable fear, I suppose. And Britain has sided with the Iran war when they realized Trump might be able to liberate them from radical Islam next. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a deal in the works. Finally, Bill Clinton is telling the Epstein committee, "It depends on what the definition of 'child-trafficking' is." Good ol' Bill.

Must be true; I read it on the internet.

Intent to Commit

The author of Hebrews says, "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12). The word of God is ... "able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Does that concern anyone? I mean, we can do things to look good or appear righteous, but the text says the Word can judge thoughts and intentions. How important is that?

Jesus said, "I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court" (Matt 5:22). In terms of sin, "intent to commit murder" is murder. Jesus said, "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt 5:28). Biblically, intent to commit adultery is adultery. You see, intentions reflect the real person under the cover of acts and actions. Jesus said, "Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders" (Matt 15:19). Sin is spawned by the heart. Our intentions go a long way to determine if it's sin. Scripture says, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Sam 16:7). In 1 Chronicles we read that God "searches all hearts and understands every intention of the thoughts" (1 Chron 28:9). God knows your intentions. And intentions are not neutral. They are the seed of every action. So, for example, speaking in tongues or prophesying or giving to the poor are useless if the intention isn't love (1 Cor 13:1-3). Intentions are critical.

Two thoughts, then. First, God knows your intentions, good or bad. And He can use it. Joseph told his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good ..." (Gen 50:20). Your intentions may be sinful, but God can use them. You aren't the end of the world. Second, "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick" (Jer 17:9). We have sick hearts, and are, therefore, unreliable in evaluating our intentions. We need the Word. The Word tells us our primary intention should be to love God and love others. How are you doing? The Word tells us we're to glorify God in everything we do. How are you doing. And, we need God's examination. David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psa 139:23-24). A good prayer.

Unimaginable

My wife and I watched the sequel to I Can Only Imagine (called, believe it or not, I Can Only Imagine 2). "Based on a true story" (I'm never quite sure what that means), it's about a crisis in the life of Bart Millard, the lead singer from MercyMe. Fine. There were some interesting points, though.

A key character was a guy named Tim Timmons. He was unassuming and just wanted to ... well ... praise the Lord, so to speak. He was fascinated with Horatio Spafford's story that is played out in the hymn, It Is Well With My Soul. The point gets bigger when he tells Millard he was dying of cancer ... and singing "It is well with my soul" was kind of important. The whole concept of "It is well with my soul" in the midst of crisis is often foreign to us believers ... but it shouldn't be. The movie brought that home in a powerful way.

The other thing was Millard's crisis. His son suffered from diabetes type 1 and Millard hated giving him injections because of his own history of his father causing him pain. The constant conflict with his son (over the diabetes as well as other things) leads him to tell his wife, "I'm pretty sure I'm the wrong guy to be his father." I get it. I've felt that way. I'm not faulting the character. But they failed to point out the truth in this case. Millard didn't choose to be his son's father; God did. And the idea that "I'm the wrong guy to be his father" suggests that "You, God, made a mistake."

I only mention it because I suspect Millard isn't alone out there. I think it's entirely possible that lots of Christians think that they're the wrong one ... the wrong wife or husband, the wrong father or mother, the wrong son or daughter. We might think, "They deserve better." We might think, "They'd be better off without me." I would like to encourage you that it's just not true. God is always in charge and He never makes mistakes and He uses all things to work together for good. I can look back at crisis after crisis in my life, either that I've caused or that were foisted off on me, that turned out to be blessings. Scripture says that's not an exception; it's the rule (Rom 8:28-29). So you, brother and sister, are the one God has chosen to do what you're doing. Don't count on yourself to get it right; count on Him.

Have This Mind

Yesterday I talked about the problem of "self" for the believer. The natural human perspective is, "What's in it for me?" It's almost impossible to think otherwise and it takes a great deal of effort to change that mode. Even when we're being altruistic, we're generally doing it because ... it makes us feel good about ourselves. But Scripture calls for a different mindset. Paul writes, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Php 2:3-4). Not "selfishness." Instead "regard one another as more important than yourself."

At this point, Paul launches into his, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus" text (Php 2:5). What mind? What attitude? Well, humility, of course, but examine exactly how that works.

[Christ], although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php 2:6-8)

We'll nod and say, "That's marvelous!", but ... do we see how big it is? We consider ourselves pretty important. Jesus was "in the form of God." That's as important as it gets. But He didn't think that needed to be held onto too tightly. He "emptied Himself." Paul says you and I need to have that mindset. How far did He "empty Himself"? He took on flesh. He took on servitude. He took on slavery. He took on obedience. He took on ... death ... on a cross. The King of kings and Lord of lords ... emptied Himself. Now ... you ... think like that.

Frankly, I can't imagine a world, a people, a person who actually does that. We approach relationships and choices and life from the "What about me?" attitude. It's human nature and we don't even think about what we're thinking about. We just ... do. Jesus didn't stop being "in the form of God" ... He didn't stop being God. And we're not asked to stop being people of value. What He did was set aside His prerogatives, His very real rights and privileges, and ... set ... self ... aside. He didn't become less; He elevated everyone else. He didn't cease to be "Lord" (Php 2:9-11). He just ... saved us ... at great cost to Himself and for our benefit. Imagine if we had that mind, that attitude, where giving up self for the sake of God and those around us was our way of life rather than the rare exception that slips through from time to time.

What About Me?

James addresses a common problem among humans in general and Christians in particular. He asks, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you?" He answers his own question. "Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?" Then he says, "You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:1-3). According to James, we have a big problem ... our primary concern and, also, our quarrels and conflicts, are all centered on ... self. "I want." "I'm concerned about my own pleasures." "I am the important one, and even when I talk to God about it, I'm asking for ... me."

James says it's "adultery" ... the Bride of Christ worshiping self rather than her Husband. By seeking our own desires over everyone else, we are giving our affection to ourselves, not Him. James says it is "friendship with the world" and it is "hostility toward God" (James 4:4). James says that God "jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us" (James 4:5). Interesting. The concept of God as "jealous" isn't just here. God says it (Exo 20:5) and it is repeated (e.g., Exo 34:14; Deut 4:24; Josh 24:19; Nahum 1:2). Linked to His holiness and His love, God claims to be jealous and ... He's serious.

Understand ... "jealousy" is not necessarily bad. Jealousy, contrasted with envy, is the fear or anger over the loss of something that is yours (or you believe to be yours). Envy, on the other hand, is the desire to possess what someone else possesses. In this sense, God ... owns us ... and He is righteously angry if anyone, us included, tries to take us from Him. It's part of His love and holiness. And when we spend our prayers trying to obtain for ourselves the pleasures we seek for ourselves, we make Him our enemy. I would think that people who classify themselves as believers would prefer to avoid that status of being God's enemy. Our standard, human approach to life of "me first" is antithetical to a living, breathing relationship with God. We must, then, "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:7-8). Repeatedly.

Tempted

We are all so glad to learn that God will never allow us to experience more than we can bear ... right? I mean, isn't that in the Bible?

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. (1 Cor 10:13)

No ... that's not what this text means. What does it mean? Let's look.

The first problem is our English word, "temptation." The Greek here isn't about "enticed to sin." It's about a trial, a testing, a proving. Sometimes God allows "enticement to sin" kinds of "temptations." (See, for instance, 1 Kings 22:23.) (Important note: He doesn't entice anyone to sin (James 1:13-15).) Sometimes He allows hard circumstances to test and prove. (Think of Abraham offering Isaac - Gen 22:1-19.) But the concept in view here is a testing, not an enticement. God will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able. The second problem is how you are able. It's not your strength, your ability, your fortitude. The ability is based on His provision of a "way of escape." You don't endure it because you hold up so well, but because He takes care of you. Sometimes, like with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, that's through the fire. We aren't "more than conquerors" around the trials ... it's in them (Rom 8:37). We endure because God is faithful. It's not about what you can face. It's about what you can face with Him.

Our strength comes from dependence, not self-sufficiency. Our confidence comes from His faithfulness, not our ability. All of us will face temptation--trials, enticements, trouble. It can certainly exceed our personal capacity to endure. "But God" ... that marvelous phrase. He is faithful. He provides. He provides a "way of escape," not necessarily a way to avoid (Isa 43:2; Psa 23:4; Rom 5:3-4; James 1:2-4). Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his affliction later ... that it was "beyond our strength" (1 Cor 1:8-9). He didn't nullify this text; he confirmed it. "Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead" (2 Cor 1:9). This isn't a promise of a trouble-free life. It's a promise of God's faithfulness in the midst of our testing.

Traditions of Men

Between the Testaments, right after the Maccabean revolt, a group we've come to know as "the Pharisees" had a serious concern for their people. Hellenization--Greek culture--was pressing in. Foreign domination was alive. The world was changing. And these learned men wanted to make sure that their people still found their "Bible" applicable to their lives. You know ... like an early "Life Application Bible" thing. So they gathered the texts and the traditions and they started laying out how these should be observed. Mind you, Jesus said, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 5:20). That is not "They're despicable people." It's "That's a high standard." Jesus said they "tithe mint and dill and cumin" (Matt 23:23). That's attention to detail. Jesus said they "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39). They had a lot to commend them. So, for instance, they took God's "No work on the Sabbath" command and created 39 categories of work forbidden and the concept of a "Sabbath day's journey" (2,000 cubits). Rules like these became religious law, causing Jesus to say they "have neglected the weightier provisions of the law" (Matt 23:23). He cited Isaiah (Isa 29:13) and told them, "Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:8). And we wise Christians nod our heads and agree with Jesus about them ... and then duplicate their behavior.

Growing up, I was told that rock and roll music was a sin. I'm looking ... I'm looking ... nope! Nothing in there about that. I was told that smoking was a sin. Smoking ... smoking ... smoking ... not in there either. We have clergy where no such clergy existed in Scripture. We think of "church" as particular buildings when no such buildings were used in the New Testament. No drinking, no dancing, no tattoos. Bow your head and close your eyes to pray. Oh! How about altar calls? Did you know they didn't exist until the 1800's when Charles Finney invented them? The Sinner's Prayer, "never challenge a pastor" (the "Lord's anointed"), no instruments in church. We have a ton of rules that aren't biblical and, yet, we tote them around like we're the spiritual ones and those who don't follow them are ... less ... you know ... like the Pharisees did.

In the end, we all know how Jesus referred to the Pharisees as "hypocrites" who followed legalism but failed to follow God's instructions. Jesus pronounced "woe" to the Pharisees (Matt 23:1-36), and that's not just a "that's gonna hurt" statement. It was an expression of grief over them (Matt 23:37-39) and a warning of impending judgment. I would suggest that emulating the Pharisees in pursuing the traditions of men and ignoring the real heart of God's Word is not a good course of action. We do need to know what He says and what He means and then take it seriously (James 1:22). We don't need to make up our own rules (Deut 4:2).

News Weakly - 2/28/2026

Accomplice to Murder?
Iran has threatened U.S. carriers and China, in an attempt to keep on good terms with the U.S., is planning to sell Iran some supersonic missiles capable of destroying American carriers. If a criminal wishes to buy a weapon to kill a person and a weapons dealer knowingly sells it to him for that purpose, is the weapons dealer guilty, too? If this goes through and Iran succeeds in attacking an American carrier with a Chinese missile, I'm pretty sure it won't end well ... for anyone.

In Typical Fashion
The Supreme Court ruled that the president did not have the emergency powers to order global tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ... so Trump invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to add a 10% global tariff ... no ... wait ... make it 15%. I always said Trump was a businessman. I just questioned whether he was a good president.

Mass Murder
In a horrible crime outside a home in Washington state, a man stabbed multiple people. The man killed four people and was killed himself by police. A protection order had been issued but not yet served prior to the event. The nation is rising to the anti-knife movement, calling for the banning of all knives ... or, at the very least, assault knives.

Another Blah, Blah, Blah
The President of the United States delivered the annual State of the Union address in which he defended his record. Like ... every other president before. Some lies, some truths. Lots of support and lots of outrage. Like every other president before. Not really ... news, is it?

Laser Tag
The report is out that the Defense Department used a "high-energy laser" to shoot down a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) drone over military air space in Texas. Apparently, the laser was on a drone itself. You know ... sci-fi stuff. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the story to me is where it cites "four people familiar with what transpired who were not authorized to discuss it publicly." I'm thinking this has to be a crime ... and it's not the shooting down that I'm talking about.

Your Best Source for Fake News
With all the big names dropping off the map from being linked to the Epstein scandal, one wonders how "fake news" it is when the Bee does a story about politicians on the Epstein list grilling other politicians on the Epstein list. Sounds like real news, to me. On the State of the Union, Trump talked a long, long time, causing the Bee to suggest that it was a plot to secure a third term ... by talking for 7 straight years. I don't know ... he might just be able to do it. And weren't we all a little bit surprised when the Bee reported that the Democratic response to the State of the Union was going to be delivered by Bad Bunny ... and it turned out not to be true? I mean ... made sense.

Must be true; I read it on the internet.

Too Fast in All the Wrong Places

I like reading Paul's epistles because they are stuffed full of great theology--what we call "orthodoxy" ... "right thinking"--followed by "Therefore we should" kinds of things--"orthopraxy" ... "right practice." Good stuff. James's epistle is different. He writes thoroughly practical instructions. I mean, he offers some "why's," but he's really big on "what we should do." Like this one:

Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. (James 1:19)

Clean, simple, easy to understand ... no questions. So ... why is it so rare? (It's ironic, in fact, that James says just two verses later, "Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves" (James 1:22) when we are so very bad at doing what James 1:19 says.)

The other day I saw a news item over the whole Nancy Guthrie story. NBC has been supportive, but ... some viewers are angry that a few of the news people aren't wearing yellow ribbons. Really? That's an issue to be angry about? I was reading the other day about a fairly recent phenomenon referred to as "outrage culture." It's not that outrage is new. It's that the culture is outraged rather than merely individuals. Or there's "cancel culture" where we shoot down an entire life because of social outrage. It seems like we're a people who are far more easily offended these days. We Christians aren't immune. In fact, we're prone to it. But ... we label it "righteous indignation." Yet, we have this command from James. He isn't vague. We are supposed to be quick to listen. We are supposed to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Instead we're not very good listeners, but we are really quick on the mouth draw and fast to shoot off in anger. Social media doesn't help. We have a louder platform for our speech and outrage ... sorry ... righteous indignation. But James doesn't leave us to guess why we should be slow to anger. "For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (James 1:20) "Hang on, James. Are you saying we aren't making the world a better place in our speedy, angry responses?" Exactly. That's precisely what James is saying.

We Christians--you know ... people of the book ... people with God's Word to guide us--think we have an obligation to correct sin where we find it and we will use moral outrage to do it. Mind you, Jesus did confront sin on occasion in His ministry on earth, but His normal operating procedure was not outrage, but love. We might want to reconsider our approach ... to so many people and things today. Maybe yelling at that driver that cut you off isn't the best response. "Quick to anger" doesn't accomplish what God wants. Maybe we should try listening more to people who disagree with us ... instead of waiting for their lips to stop moving and telling them every way they were wrong. Maybe we should be speaking the truth in love and pursuing their best interests--which begins with knowing Christ--rather than using our tongues and our anger to ... fail to accomplish what we think it should ... what God says it doesn't.

Judge

Jesus famously said, "Judge not, lest you be judged" (Matt 7:1). I would contend that interpreting that as "Don't judge" violates the rest of what He said, but I want to focus the attention somewhere else. Jesus did say to judge.

"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matt 7:3)

Ouch! When Jesus warned against judging others, it was on this basis ... judge yourself first. As it turns out, it is a common theme in Scripture. Paul told the Corinthians, "Examine yourselves" (2 Cor 13:5) and the Galatian Christians to "Let each one test his own work" (Gal 6:3-4). Jeremiah urged his readers to "test and examine our ways" (Lam 3:40). Paul told the Roman Christians, "Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom 14:4). David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psa 139:23-24). Paul wrote that we're supposed to restore "in the spirit of gentleness" a brother caught in a trespass with specific instructions to be "looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted" (Gal 6:1).

It turns out we are supposed to judge ... but we're supposed to judge ourselves first. In His parable about the unforgiving servant (Matt 18:21-35), a servant is forgiven by the master for a large sum and then fails to forgive his fellow servant for a pittance. Jesus didn't consider that a good idea (Matt 18:34-35). Conversely, Jesus assured us that the one who is forgiven much loves much (Luke 7:47). Maybe ... if we are careful ... we can judge ourselves first. We judge our own errors and see our own forgiven sins. We can then 1) correct our own errors (which are undoubtedly numerous) and 2) approach others with more love than judgmentalism.

Why, God?

When we endure hardships and trials, we always seem to want to ask God, "Why??" Sometimes we're mad. Sometimes we're just curious. Almost always there's at least some skepticism, as if it's not really possible it was for any good purpose. We ask, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and comfort ourselves that we'll know "someday." The answer, however, isn't so obscure or nebulous. We don't have to guess or hope. We actually have good information from God.

"Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19). Suffering builds trust in God. "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word" (Psa 119:67). Suffering corrects. "To you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me" (Php 1:29-30). Suffering assists in identifying with Christ and our fellow believers. I love this one.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

That is, when we suffer afflictions, we become ... experts, so to speak. We gain a ministry, if you will. We can say to someone else going through what we did, "I know how it feels" and "This is what God did for me."

In the end, we can be absolutely sure of two things. Like Joseph told his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20). Whether the "evil" is human-caused or not and whether the event was intentional or accidental, we can be sure "God meant it for good." Second, we know what good. "We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:28-29). He's always in the process of conforming us to the image of His Son. That's why it's "good to those who love God" ... because it's good to us to be shaped into Christ's image. What is God doing? The very best for us ... even when we don't know what or why. Will you trust Him for it?

Holy?

In Leviticus 10 we read the strange story of Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron's sons. In that story, the brothers "each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before YHWH" (Lev 10:1). "Unauthorized fire." What does that even mean? So the Lord corrected them. "No, guys, that's not how it works." No, actually, "And fire came out from before YHWH and consumed them, and they died before YHWH" (Lev 10:2). "Whoa! Overreact much, God?" Obviously not. But why was this such a big deal? I mean ... "unauthorized fire"? Well, the text doesn't leave us to wonder. "Then Moses said to Aaron, 'It is what YHWH spoke, saying, "By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored."'" And Aaron argued the point? No. "So Aaron, therefore, kept silent" (Lev 10:3). Apparently God highly values being treated as holy.

It wasn't just once. If you're familiar with Scripture, you'll remember that Moses, after leading the children of Israel for 40 years through the desert, didn't get to the Promised Land himself. Scripture says, "Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom YHWH knew face to face" (Deut 34:10). He was the premier prophet of Israel, but he didn't get into the Promised Land. Why? Well, the story goes that he struck the rock instead of speaking to it (Num 20:2-13). "Wait ... he hit it instead of speaking to it and that kept him out of the Promised Land?" Well ... no. Again, Scripture doesn't leave us to guess. It wasn't the deed. Instead, God told Moses, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them" (Num 20:12). So ... it wasn't "He struck the rock." It was his lack of faith ... and primarily He didn't treat God as holy. It's a seriously important thing to God.

Scripture lists a whole variety of attributes for God, but only one is listed in triplicate ... twice. In Isaiah (Isa 6:3) and in Revelation (Rev 4:8), God is described not as "holy," but as "holy, holy, holy." Three times. In the mode of speech of the day, that would be like underlining and italicizing and bold printing "holy." It would be like "holy, holier, holiest." He is the Most High, the Holy One, the ultimate "other." Not like us. That's what the word means. Set apart. We take His name in vain. We treat worship as entertainment and casual. We assume He agrees with our opinions and edit His character as Scripture puts it to agree with our own version. We regard Him as "the big man upstairs" or the like. We minimize sin and are outraged that He might actually have something like "wrath" towards it. We pursue Him for personal gain. We fail to reflect Him or to seek His glory rather than our own. We neglect His word by ignoring or editing or simply not doing it. Ask Nadab and Abihu. Ask Moses. This is not a wise approach for those of us who claim to be believers. And, like Moses, we may be forgiven, but that doesn't mean there aren't earthly consequences for our refusal to treat Him as holy when "holy" is His most important attribute.

An Unexpected Ignition

Growing up, I was taught that if someone you know was in an accident, you don't ask, "How bad was it?" You ask, "Are you okay?" That's so they know you're more concerned about the person than the event. I was taught when a woman says, "What do you think of my new dress?" a suitable answer is, "It's nice," but a better answer is, "It looks good on you" because the real aim is that she knows she looks good, not just the dress. And we've all heard "Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me" and we've all learned that's not true at all. Because what you say has very real effects.

James wrote, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well" (James 3:2). It turns out, the Bible is full of stuff on the problem of the tongue ... on the problem of communication.

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Prov 12:18)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Eph 4:29)

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! (Psa 141:3)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Prov 15:1)

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matt 12:36-37)

And that's just a few blatant examples. I don't know about you, but I'm sensing a trend here. One account says that, while there are over 60 references to sexual sin in the Bible, there are hundreds of references to the sins of the mouth. In fact, Jesus said, "What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person" (Matt 15:18). So what's the problem here? The heart. And, Paul wrote, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal" (1 Cor 13:1). There's a secret there, isn't there? It's not the eloquence or the speech as much as the motivation. When we communicate, are we motivated by love?

When we speak, you see, we're speaking "out." That is, we're taking what's inside and putting it outside. What we're not doing enough is considering the "out" first. We're not considering the listener. We tend to be slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger (as opposed to James 1:19). James compares our tongues to a fire starter. He says, "The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell" (James 3:5-6). And not in a good way. Perhaps we should consider David's prayer: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer" (Psa 19:14). Perhaps we should pay a lot more attention to our speech ... online and in person.

A Different "Consist"ency

Years ago my mother fell and broke her hip. She tells the story of her lying in bed in the early weeks of recovery and having to get up ... urgently. She realized ... she couldn't. She didn't want to wake Dad, so, as she was wont to do, she cried out to God. "Please, Father, help me to get up and get there." She told me she heard a voice (in her head) that clearly said, "Who did you think was getting you there in the past?" We're a funny people, we Christians. We think that we're pretty capable when the fundamental basis of our salvation is that we're not. Lots of Christians think they have a major role in most everything in their lives and, in fact, they are kind of miffed if they think God is interfering. "Of course I get myself dressed and take care of my family and get myself to work and all that. I don't need GOD for that."

In his epistle to the church at Colossae, Paul says, "He (Christ) is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Col 1:17) The Greek word translated "hold together" or "consist" means to be constituted, to be held in existence. It's what the philosophers call "ontological language." Ontology is the branch of metaphysics that deals with the nature of being. "All things" that exist are "held together" in Him. And the tense is present. The language says that the ongoing existence of ... everything is in Christ. The author of Hebrews says He "upholds all things by the word of His power" (Heb 1:3). Ongoing ... present tense. The imagery is that of God holding everything in His hand and actively holding it together. If He lets go ... it ceases to be.

He is the origin of all things and the sustainer of all things. He is the "organizing principle" of all creation. When He "introduced Himself" at the burning bush to Moses, He called Himself, "I AM WHO I AM," literally "existence." He is the one and only self-existent one. He is the "first cause." The rest of us are effects, results of His creation. The rest of us all hold together in Him. And lest you think at some point that you're doing fine without Him at this moment, think again. If He didn't hold you in His hand, you wouldn't just fail ... you'd cease to exist. Without Him we can do nothing (John 15:5). Conversely, He "is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph 3:20). Just keep that in mind. It's Him, not us ... and He is utterly capable.

News Weakly - 2/21/2026

Biased Bloodshed
"Israel continues bloodshed in Gaza," the media reports, generally ignoring the Israeli claim that Hamas continues to violate the truce. You and I don't know the full extent of this story, but they're asking us to cave to the Palestinians and retaliate against Israel. without any regard for Israel ... or God's Word (e.g., Gen 15:18-21; Gen 17:7-8; Exo 22:21; Isa 1:17; Rom 11:11-24; Psa 122:6). That, of course, is the bias of the world ... attacking God's chosen people.

Tech Talk, Tech Talk
The search for Nancy Guthrie continues. They found DNA evidence on a glove found near her home. Testing, they say, typically takes 24 hours. Note that this is not the five minutes shown on typical TV cop shows nor the typical "three day floor" generally accepted as the minimum time nor the general several weeks to several months for normal DNA analysis. Now ... I happen to know there is at least one device out there that can do the test in 2 hours (my name is on the patent), but ... 24 hours in this case is remarkably fast. I guess high profile cases improve technology? Or ... something.

Guilty By Association
Polling ranks Melania Trump as "second least popular" of recent first ladies (ironically just ahead of Hillary). Why? Oddly, not primarily because of what she's done. It's firstly about her "lack of visibility" ... what she hasn't done. And, of course, there is no doubt that simply being tied to "Trump" makes her "bad" all on her own to a whole lot of dunderheads. I have no feelings about the first lady specifically because she hasn't done anything positive or negative. I don't know her ... in any sense. And I'm not going to commit the extremely common fallacy of "guilty by association" even if I do have reasons to not be pleased with her husband.

Come On, Man
Now the president is giving ICE the authority to detain ... legal refugees? When the president "cracks down" on legal immigration, it's quite clear that he's anti-immigration ... for reasons that aren't at all clear to me. He doesn't want to "strain American communities"? We all know that one of the reasons God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was that they were inhospitable (Ezek 16:49-50). I can almost hear God saying, "Don't MAKE Me come down there, Donald."

Your Best Source for Fake News
I guess it's primarily because I just mentioned this text twice in the past couple weeks, but I got a kick out of this story. Recently deceased Tiffany Smith stood before the Great White Throne of Judgment and told Jesus, "You know, the Bible says you shouldn't judge people." She goes on to correct Him further. "We have to love each other, and loving means not judging." Thanks, Tiff. Then, in the wake of Melania's "poor ratings," Trump boasts that he now has the highest approval rating of any current U.S. president. Well? He does! Of course ... and the lowest ... so ... there's that. Finally, ICE is leaving Minneapolis (actual story). The Bee is reporting they're going to focus on actual American cities now. What next? A border wall ... around Minneapolis?

Must be true; I read it on the internet.

Short ... Not Necessarily Sweet

I was listening to a couple of old people at church talking about how we dress differently today for church. A phrase occurred to me. "I'm puttin' on my Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes." What was that?

No one really questioned the specifics. Nor did they question the suitability. It did not require expensive clothes or even attractive clothes. They understood it to mean "the best available clothing." The farmer who put on his cleanest pair of overalls considered himself to be wearing his "Sunday best." It was not dressing to impress, but dressing to respect. They intended to show respect for God, for the gathered saints, and to express their own dignity even in poverty ... their "made in God's image" worth.

Without intending to raise the debate again, you can see that times have changed. Use the phrase in today's churches ... even older churches ... and it would likely have no meaning to probably the majority because they don't understand the concept of dressing up for church. Even people who do dress up for church have chalked it up to "looking good" and "dressing to impress," not as a sign of respect for God and His people. It just struck me hearing those older people talk. They were even ridiculing the idea of dressing up for church.

The Life of Christ

The phrase, "the life of Christ," might refer to His life when He lived on Earth. We can get a pretty good picture of that life in the Gospels. But it could also refer to the life He gives to His followers. What do we mean when we use it in the latter sense?

What does the Bible tell us about the life that Christ gives His followers?

1. A Life of Transformation
Following Christ means leaving behind the old self and embracing a new way of living shaped by His Spirit. This isn’t superficial improvement—it’s a deep, inner renewal. Believers are called to deny themselves and follow Him (Matt 16:24). Paul describes counting all things as loss compared to knowing Christ, showing that this new life reorders our values and desires (Php 3:7-10). This transformed life is marked by a growing resemblance to Christ’s character (Rom 8:28-29).

2. A Life of Obedience and Devotion
The life Christ gives is not passive—it’s a daily walk of obedience, shaped by His teachings and empowered by His Spirit. True discipleship involves walking as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6). It includes a daily “death to self,” echoing Jesus’ call to take up the cross (Luke 9:23). This life is centered on God’s glory, not our own ambitions (1 Cor 10:31).

3. A Life of Service and Love
Christ’s life in His followers expresses itself outwardly through humble service. Jesus teaches that greatness in His kingdom comes through serving others (Matt 20:26). Believers are called to use their gifts to serve others as stewards of God’s grace (1 Peter 4:10). Service isn’t optional—it’s a defining mark of Christ’s life in us.

4. A Life of Commitment and Faithfulness
Following Christ means wholehearted commitment, even when it’s costly. Jesus calls His followers to put Him above all earthly relationships and loyalties (Matt 10:34-39). Commitment to Christ involves embracing His mission and setting aside our own desires. This life is marked by perseverance and devotion.

5. A Life Rooted in Christ Himself
Ultimately, the life Christ gives is His own life shared with believers. Jesus declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Through faith, believers gain a righteousness not from themselves but from Christ (Php 3:9). This is not merely moral improvement—it is participation in the life of Christ.

The Bible describes the life Christ gives His followers as:

•Transformed by His Spirit
•Obedient to His teachings
•Devoted to God’s glory
•Expressed through humble service
•Rooted in Christ’s own life

It’s a life that begins now and continues into eternity, shaped by His presence and empowered by His grace.

He's Dead, Jim

In the second chapter of James's letter to the "Diaspora," he asks a chilling question.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (Jas 2:14)

It seems to me to be a rhetorical question. That is, the obvious answer ... indeed, the reason for asking the question ... is "No!", making it a dangerous question. "Is your faith a saving faith?"

James goes on to argue the point. He gives an example of someone who sees someone else in need and ... wishes them well ... without, you know, actually helping. Did they actually wish them well if they simply wished and didn't do? He goes on to say, "Even so ..." (as in, "In the same way ... ") "... faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself" (James 2:17). And that's the chilling part. James is arguing that there is a type of faith that is ... dead, useless, not saving. We learn that this faith may be spoken ("someone may say ...") or even correct ("You believe that God is one"), but it's not saving faith if it lacks a particular component. "You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" (James 2:24). That is, faith is required for salvation, but not a faith that is alone; it must be a faith that changes us, that produces works.

It's said that we always act on what we truly believe. That seems to be what James is saying here. If you truly believe, you will act. Don't get lost in the terminology. He's not saying we're "justified by works" in the sense of "made right with God by works." This "justified" is the same sort that Jesus used when He said, "Wisdom is justified by her deeds" (Matt 11:19). The word means "to declare right," and in this case, the works declare that the faith is real. (The NASB translates the phrase, "Wisdom is vindicated by her deeds," recognizing that this is not the "made right with God" kind of justification.) How about you? Does your life indicate that your faith is living ... or dead? You can see it's a critical question since there is such a thing as "faith," both claimed and correct, that is dead and, therefore, useless.

Seeketh Not

I grew up with King James (the version, not the actual king ... I'm not THAT old), so a lot of Scripture is stuck in my head in King James. Like the "Charity" chapter where we learn cool things like "charity vaunteth not itself" (1 Cor 13:4) and "seeketh not her own" (1 Cor 13:5). (I didn't even know charity had a gender.) Imagine a 12-year-old reading "Charity vaunteth not itself" and trying to make sense of it. "Let's see ... when we give things to worthy causes, it shouldn't ... vaunt itself? I thought this was English." So, like, the New American Standard (1977 edition) offered, "love does not brag" and it was a whole new ballgame. "Oh! 'Charity' equals 'love' and ' vaunteth' equals 'brag.' Got it." Like some code translator.

You can see how language gave me a hard time back then. I get it. What I don't get is why we miss so much. If "love" is "a strong feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection," what in the world is Paul writing about (1 Cor 13:4-8)? Some makes sense. "Not rude." Sure, if you have strong feelings for someone, you won't be rude ... I guess. But "does not seek its own"? Don't we all seek our own? Isn't our standard question, "What's in it for me?" Don't lovers approach marriage with "Is he/she good for me?" Is that not the singular question of the human race? "What do I get out of it?" But this text tells us love does not pursue what it wants for the one giving love, but for the one being loved.

Try as we might, we don't seem to get this world's notion that "love is a warm feeling" out of our head. No thinking person can read Paul's description of love in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians and conclude it is merely some kind of feeling. It's not rational. It makes no sense. Conversely, when you take the commands, for instance, to love God and love your neighbor, pull out "love" and replace it with the text in 1 Corinthians 13, it becomes huge. We're not talking about having affection for God and your fellow man. We're talking about a massive, selfless, giving decision to pursue the best for someone else ... beginning with God. It's all very clear ... and somehow we just don't seem to notice it ... almost every time we talk about love and God and our fellow human beings.

I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies. "You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means." It kind of describes our entire society these days. Consider. "Virtual" is defined as "something that corresponds to reality." We've modified that to mean, "Something that isn't actually real." In a very, very similar way, "literal" is defined as "following the words of the original very closely and exactly" and we're using "literally" to mean "not really." We're literally using "literally" to mean "not literally."

Some are called "contronyms," words like "sanction" that means both "to permit" and "to penalize" or "oversight" which can mean "to supervise" or "to fail to notice." Then there are words that have shifted meanings like "moot" which once referred to things we need to examine further and now means things we don't need to discuss or "terrific" which once meant "causing terror" and now means "excellent." You see, we keep shifting language and soon we create our own "Tower of Babel" where language is just confused. It becomes a serious problem when those in power use them in contradictory ways. DEI is an acronym that means "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" ... virtually. In fact, it is mostly implemented by banning white men ... which is not diverse, not equitable, and not inclusive. We decry racism and argue that racism is limited to white people ... a form of racism. We castigate people for being judgmental ... which is a judgmental thing to do. We won't tolerate intolerance. We argue "love is love" and consider ourselves progressive when, in fact, we've simply shifted the definition and still block love that doesn't meet our criteria. (For instance, objectophilia, polygamy, polyamory, bestiality, etc. are all still "not love" because we've defined them that way ... which is the same thing they did when they banned interracial marriage.)

The world keeps telling us we're getting better and better. "Progress" they call it. God said, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9) and "Although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Rom 1:21). Is there any wonder we're in the state we're in? Is there really any question that the people of our day need Christ, a death to the old, a new heart?

Musical Magic

Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Col 3:16). It's an interesting verse on the face of it. It begins with "the word of Christ" and having it "richly dwell within you." A very good start. And then it instructs us to teach and admonish with wisdom using ... music. Interesting.

It's interesting that the Old Testament prophets wrote a lot of what we have today in poetry form. The Psalms, as we know, were a "song book" for the Hebrews, but we don't realize that the prophets sang or chanted their messages. Habakkuk 3 is a prayer that ends with "For the choir director, on my stringed instruments" (Hab 3:19) because it was intended to be sung. Isaiah begins chapter 5 with "Let me sing now for my well-beloved ..." (Isa 5:1). In 1 Samuel 10, Samuel anoints Saul as king and tells him he will meet "a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying" (1 Sam 10:5). Elisha was going to prophesy to the king of Israel and asked for a musician (2 Kings 3:15). It's all over in the Old Testament. You see, they weren't a people of the book as much as an oral tradition, so they chanted and sang ... because chanting and singing helps remember. And it's interesting because music itself has a capacity to produce emotions and memories that aren't simply reasoned or conscious. Music makes us feel without requiring knowing why. Music, for instance, calmed the tormented king (1 Sam 16:23). Music impacts multiple parts of the brain ... the auditory cortex, the motor cortex, the emotional centers, the memory networks. Emotions imbed memories deeper than mere memorization. (Alzheimer's patients have been found to be able to sing hymns even after forgetting most everything else.) Music, it seems is an almost magical thing.

We often incorporate Scripture into our songs and almost inadvertently end up memorizing texts. I'd guess that you probably know more songs that are straight from Scripture than you realize are straight from Scripture. Paul says to do this ... wisely. From the word of Christ, have it dwell richly in you and do it with music. We often note and appreciate music for the emotions it evokes, and that's not necessarily a bad thing, but do we get the power of music that can embed God's Word in our hearts and alter our thinking? Do we intentionally admonish and teach with music? We're probably much better at "singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" than teaching and admonishing one another with song. I wish more churches would consciously do that. You know ... because it's commanded.

News Weakly - 2/14/2026

(Look ... it's not my fault Valentine's Day falls on a Saturday. It's my "News Weakly" day and I'm going to pass on a "Valentine's Day" post. Try to bear up under the disappointment.)

Not Just "Them"
Sen. Marsha Blackburn is a Republican from Tennessee. She wants Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson investigated for attending the Grammy Awards. Why? "When a Justice participates in such a highly politicized event, it raises ethical questions." Like we don't live in a highly politicized nation where everything from entertainment to legislatures are highly politicized? Like Marsha Blackburn doesn't attend "highly politicized events"? Mind you, Jackson was nominated in the Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording category, so she had a perfectly good reason to be there. Sometimes it's abundantly clear that insanity runs in the country, not just the Democrats.

We've Come a Long Way, Baby
In a definitive ruling, a judge has ordered that certain humans do not have the right to life thanks to a 2024 voter-approved constitutional amendment in Arizona. The original state constitution believed in the right to life for all humans, but we've moved on from that, fortunately. We've come a long way, baby ... well ... let's not say "baby" because they're the ones that will die more frequently, but ... hey ... that's progress, right? I am curious when we'll get advanced enough to allow women "autonomous decision making" regarding the lives of the rest of those around them. Can you say "postpartum abortion"? (In a similar story, the governor of New York has authorized euthenasia in the state. I'm not nearly as concerned about that one. I mean, I think youth should visit Asia ... and Europe and lots of places.)

Blah Blah Blah
Big news ... the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. As if it's significant in life. Like the wondrous events of the Winter Olympics. Moving on ...

Call Me "Baffled"
Here's an odd news item. Apparently the FTC is warning Apple CEO Tim Cook that his Apple News is using "political bias" in boosting left-wing sources and suppressing right-wing sources. Really? That's a "violation"? I thought it was "business as usual." From the printed and broadcast news media to the online stuff, it seems obvious that all sources provide a political bias. Gone are the days of the Walter Cronkites of yesteryear who just ... presented the news. Go ahead ... try to find an unbiased source today. Don't be ridiculous, FTC.

Forget Democracy; Let's Do Anarchy
As the dust up over actually enforcing immigration laws continues, two stories lit up this problem this week. In New Jersey, Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed an executive order Wednesday barring federal immigration agents from carrying out operations on state property. That is, the governor of New Jersey is banning the government from enforcing immigration on state property. Not only that, but the calls for defunding DHS are coming to fruition, too. The Senate failed to fund the Department of Homeland Security, leaving them to run out of funding this week, and it looks like a prolonged event. They required 60% to pass it. The Dems successfully blocked the funding effort. Don't expect immigration enforcement in the near future, and don't complain that Trump has failed to provide it. This is on the legislative branch.

Your Best Source for Fake News
After the success of Turning Point USA's alternative halftime show, churches are adding Kid Rock's hit, Bawitdaba, to their hymnals. (As a point of fact, something like 12 million viewers watched the alternative show. A YouGov poll said 35% of Americans preferred Bad Bunny while 28% preferred the alternative. The percentages of preference don't match the percentages of viewership.) However, since more people actually watched Bad Bunny's show performed entirely in a language most Americans don't speak, the next Super Bowl halftime show will be performed entirely in Sindarin Elvish in an effort to be inclusive of Middle-earthers. "Expanding the market" as usual. Finally, after a genuinely shocking shooting at a school in Canada, a Canadian reporterperson announced policepersons have identified the gunperson thanks to a tip from a mailperson.

Must be true; I read it on the internet.

(We now return you to your regularly scheduled Valentine's Day activities.)

The Hard Way

We Christians in particular tend to extremes. We're either the "righteous indignation" type ... the "moral superiority" kind ... or the "I'm a sinner, too, so I can't say anything about your sin" kind ... the "judge not" type. But ... Jesus suggests something different. He says, "First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt 7:5). That's doing it the hard way.

We live with this tension in our lives and in Scripture. We're supposed to forgive (Matt 6:14-15; Eph 4:32; Col 3:13). Absolutely. And we're told, "He who is forgiven little, loves little" (Luke 7:47), so ... we're supposed to be ... more loving because we've been forgiven so much ourselves. There it is! See? Don't look at others' sins. I mean, isn't that exactly what Jesus did? When they brought that woman caught in adultery and then left, didn't He say, "Neither do I condemn you" (John 8:1-11)? That's a serious misreading of the text (that, by the way, doesn't exist in the earliest manuscripts ... making it unwise to build an entire doctrinal position on the text). Jesus said He wasn't in a position to be the person that would condemn her to death at that moment. He wouldn't be stoning her for adultery that day. He did not ignore or condone the sin. He specifically said, "Go and sin no more." That is, "You've been sinning up until now ... don't do it anymore." We, too, are called to first recognize and correct our own sin and then assist others in the same. We're called to forgive and love and "if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted" (Gal 6:1-2).

In the same way, we are commanded to speak the truth ... in love (Eph 4:15). Speaking the truth is fine and love is fine, but we rarely stick them together. We're to always speak the truth, but always with love ... a primary concern for the best interest of the other person. The hard way. We are not called to overlook sin and, thereby, condone and enable it. We are not called to correct everyone with pointing fingers and righteous outrage. We are also not called to ignore it. We're called first to love and, in that love, address our own sin and then theirs ... always with their own best interests in mind. It's the hard way ... but it's what we're supposed to do.

Making it Better

We're promised lots of good things in Scripture. Love, joy, peace. More than conquerors. The love of God. Grace, salvation, eternal life. Lots of good stuff. We're also promised some unpleasant stuff. The world will hate us. Everyone dies. There will be suffering. Lots of unpleasant stuff. It's all this stuff, however, that makes being a believer so important.

We live in a fallen world where disasters, natural or otherwise, occur often. People die. People suffer. Loved ones get sick. We have our own losses. So we need often to remind ourselves ... of God. We need to remind ourselves of Joseph's words to his brothers. "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen 50:20). It's not, you see, simply, "He pulled us through." It's not "This awful thing happened for whatever reason, but we made it." No ... it agrees specifically that it was evil ... and God intended it for good. We need to remind ourselves what Paul says we know ... "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Rom 8:28). We don't just survive ... we thrive. God makes every pain into an improvement on our lives. We're promised tribulation, distress, persecution, famine ... and we're promised "in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us" (Rom 8:37-39). (See also Romans 5:3-5, 1 Peter 1:6-9, and James 1:2-5). We can see that God can provide comfort in tribulation, but do we recognize that God is in the business of making our suffering a useful tool for making us better?

More than that, do we recognize that He's in the business of making our greatest blessings greater? We can find love in this world, but nothing compares to the love He gives (Psa 103:11; John 15:13; Rom 5:8; Rom 8:38-39; Eph 3:19). We can find joy in this world, but not the joy He gives (Psa 16:11; Neh 8:10; John 15:11.) We might have times of peace in our lives, but not like the peace He gives (John 14:27; Php 4:6-7; Isa 26:3; Col 3:15). He gives us eternal life ... with Him. Better. Just a small sampling. For all the difficulties in life, God makes them better. For all the blessings in life, God makes them better. Go ahead ... muddle through with your own small problems and pleasures. I'll take God's version any day.