A number of years ago, National Geographic came under scrutiny for digitally moving some pyramids, if memory serves me correctly. It was not a major adjustment, but was meant to make the image fit their front cover page. But for a publication noted for journalistic integrity, it wasn't something that could just be swept under the rug. Even though the scene evoked the same sense of place and realism, and no one would have known, the reality is, truth was altered. Digital manip

For Monday's blog share is an article from ACBC again, this time on speaking truth in love to others, specifically in regards to confrontation. It's a really tough thing to do, but Biblical. For me the difficulty is in the balance I think. It's easy to speak truth harshly to someone, and it's easy to speak to someone in a way that's gentle and non-confrontational. But to speak truth (the full truth), while also being compassionate is a difficult balance to strike. But I found

The Psalmist has a tendency to strike a chord (pun intended) with those who read their work. The full gamut of emotions can be seen within the Psalter; it is a book the depth of which can't ever be reached. Yet it is such a simple read. I recommended to a friend of mine who struggles some with reading Scripture, that they consider reading the Psalms. They're oftentimes short, and very approachable. The writers very much wear their emotions on their sleeves. Sometimes so much

Tonight's post share comes from a site I've mentioned previously, one that I actually have used quite often over the years. Got Questions does a great job of breaking down answers in a concise and Biblical way, and I found this particular article to be very practical. Spiritual gifts can be something that confuses many, and some tend to either go overboard with the idea or shy away from it altogether. But believers have them, and it's something to look into. God has designe

The other day as I headed to church, I noticed, as I often do, the trees alongside of the road. At this time of year, the trees along this particular stretch of road are adorned with some of the best fall color. But a thought came to mind about them. Spring is a very pretty time of year, but I think many would argue that it is fall where trees really are at their most beautiful. And yet, it is for such a brief time and then they are bare, lifeless, asleep. It reminded me that

For the next post share, I actually want to share a video I watched recently. In it, Answers in Genesis Canada's Calvin Smith gives an excellent presentation on why we should trust Scriptures and how those behind science are not neutral towards Scripture or a Biblical worldview. I admit the video is on the longer side, but if it's a choice between that and a 30 minute to an hour show you might watch on TV, consider watching this instead with your family. I believe you'll come

I'm kind of purposely not following the polling results for todays voting. I did of course exercise my right to vote today. But politics has become so unsettling anymore that sometimes it's best to not follow. It can also be a huge source of worry and anxiety, and to that I'd like to just put a few verses to think on. "Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against th

Tomorrow is know in some church circles as Reformation Day, celebrating the anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to that church door so long ago. What ensued was a major turning point in the history of the church. Many great things came out of the reformation and much of it can be summed up in what we call the five solas. While they themselves weren't developed in the 1500s (I'd argue they developed in Scripture), the summing up of these came some time later. I

It's been a minute since I have been able to take part in helping our with our youth at church. But it's something I enjoy being able to do when able. Sometimes though, it can feel (really any service) like you're just going through the motions. The old question can linger in our minds: "does what I'm doing really matter?" Well to kick our knees out from under us on the front end, God doesn't NEED any of us. Jesus said that if His disciples went quiet, that the stones would c

I feel a little bad sharing posts from only a few sources, but the truth is I'm not much of a reader, and I'm not sure of a lot of different sources. So if you have any suggestions feel free to share with me, I'd love to know. That said, I recently read this post from Tim Challies, and it's a really good one. I have to admit, reading it I cringed a little because I know that I am very guilty of praying for God's will, yet expecting it to just be painful and not anything I re

Stony Man mountain stands majestically in the distance, second only to Hawksbill in height in Shenandoah National Park. The warm sunset light bathes the landscape with a reddish glow as clouds cross the sky. Moments like these last for such a short while. Before you know it, the light is gone and the land sits in silent darkness awaiting the coming dawn. As I sit here in the doctor's office it's hard not to have a mixture of emotions. This isn't the time or place to go into a

It's a fair question, one that many people probably would answer with an emphatic "yes!" But what does Scripture say? Well today is going to be another share-a-post day, and I'm sharing this article from Ligonier Ministries. I hope that you find it helpful as you seek to answer that question not just on emotion, but on what God's Word actually says.

Notation after the fact: Below is a post that I intentionally wrote a little while back, but didn't share. The point was to bring an idea of looking ahead. I hope that comes through as you read this. Mostly that it points you ahead to the future hope we have in Christ. Will it be the final article in this series? I had one other idea that I have yet to write so we will see. I made a couple minor edits for posting now. Also, no photo for this one, though there is no real need

Going on several days being home but unfortunately still a bit under the weather. As such, today is a perfect day to share an article from one of my personal favorite speakers on Youtube. Calvin Smith works with Answers in Genesis as director and speaker for Answers in Genesis Canada, and the videos they put out are quite good and very helpful. For things like geology, to a newbie like me, it's a nice way to get my feet wet into that topic, along with many others that deal wi

The Christian Sabbath is a topic that can be a little, I don't know, confusing maybe, for some people. Some argue that the idea of a Sabbath rest was for the O.T. and we are no longer bound to any such thing in the new covenant. Of the ten commandments, it is the only one that doesn't have a direct restatement in the New Testament (I believe that's the case anyway). Others would say that since God Himself rested on the 7th day, then the idea of the Sabbath precedes the comman

It's been a long day. If that's the right phrase. We. Had a midnight red eye flight, and I am just plain wiped! Perhaps that is as good a reason as any to do something that bloggers do at times, though I personally have been shy to the idea; that is, to not only communicate ones thoughts, but to curate and share the thoughts of others. So today, I am going to share this article by Tim Challies. In it, he shares one of my favorite verses, as well as the very difficult applica

I recently wrote a post about packing, you can check that out here. Simple enough idea: work for the things that are eternal, because everything else you can't take with you. Now here I am, ready for a second trip, hoping I have everything packed that needs to be. It's easy to second guess, but eventually you have to just recognize you have it packed, somewhere. Our team leader for this mission trip sent a fitting message to our group this evening. In it he quoted a very help

I'm finding blogging to be an interesting thing. It can be cathartic, but it can be a little stressful. It's nice to write out thoughts,...

No, not me, and not my photo. One day I might start doing some of these types of shots for my blog, but until then, you'll have to...

A nice stock photo. I should probably start shooting some stuff like this too for these posts. Those who can't do, teach. It's a phrase...