
6/14/2026
"Lord, You have been my dwelling place
in all generations."
Psalm 90:1
Everyone holds their breath as again we wait! Only one thing is certain, no two things are certain - No human knows what will happen moment by moment, shallow breath by breath; and second - God does! He knows everything about everything, because He is God Almighty the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He never sleeps according to Psalm 121. Our lives are in His most capable hands. He loves us, cares about and for us. Many people doubt that, and they doubt that His ways are much higher than our finite minds can begin to grasp. Personally I find peace in that knowledge and bedrock trust. He does know better, and He knows the plans He has for each of us. And so life goes on from one moment until the next, yet my life remains at peace, not always "calm," but I do have His peace that transcends all understanding. It has to be that way so that I can continue to keep my focus and my eyes on the Commander of the Armies of heaven. Simplistic, no, not really. It's called faith!
So why do I use teddy bears and children as illustrations for much that I write?! Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is made of little children, and we are to come as little children. I'll let you chew on that for a while. He doesn't want us to remain in a childish state, sucking our thumbs and hanging onto our mommy's skirt tails. He expects us to grow up as healthy Spirit filled children of God. Teddy bears - because I like them, and they bring me comfort and laughter. They remain quiet and allow me to say whatever I want to say, and they give me a hug afterwards. They agree with everything I say or think! And they let me know by their gentle, reassuring all-too-telling glance when I need to think about what to say and how to phrase it. They know, because they are all that is gentle and soft, unless of course I give them personalities that reflect my "other" side. Still, this was birthed in childhood, and perhaps it is "childish," to some, but it has saved my life in ways only trauma survivors can comprehend.
At church this morning our passage of scripture was found in Mark 12:38-44, warning against scribes of Jesus' day, those who teach the law and the prophets, but they actually did so to their own advantage, as did the Pharisees. They looked down on many as less than themselves. The message was also a warning against the false prophets and doctrines of today, protecting ourselves by discerning the truth from what the Word of God has to say. Sound doctrine, and one I continually preach myself. The only way we can avoid that error in judgment is to abide in Christ and be a student of the Word, read the Bible Genesis to Revelation, and spend time talking to Jesus about it. I certainly don't want anyone to think that I am teaching false doctrine by my love of Israel, and my stand against false doctrine in the church - Replacement Theology and the New Pauline Perspective or whatever new comes down the pike - and my bold pronouncement against antisemitism. But I do not fear what I say is wrong, because if one wants to know the truth of God's word they have only to read it.
There are many things being taught that are against the Word of God, and it is concerning, and people need to know it, but as pastors and teachers disciple the people, teaching them the Word as this Pastor is doing, then they learn to know and love God's Word and desire to know more and more. That's me. I have an insatiable hunger and thirst for more and more of Him. That candle's never gonna be snuffed out!
Artificial Intelligence was mentioned - as to the good or bad. I believe there can be good as we progress in technology, as it helps the Underground Church, those being persecuted for their belief in Christ. It is great in reaching the younger generation for Christ, but interestingly, more Bibles are being purchased by the younger men. They want to hold it in their hands, mark it up, devour the pages! I'm so ecstatic when I hear about that. I love to hold the Bible in my hands. I have kept all my old Bibles, tattered pages and all, and I still grab them for reference and notes I've written. My entire life is written on the pages of my Bible, and my journals. Scripture cards I've made. I thank God for index cards and notebook paper! I pray that once I'm gone to see my Savior that the notes I've written, and the words I've penned will be useful to others. I know there's a lot on those pages I'd love to forget, but it's my life. I often repeat the words to my children: "Have you learned nothing from my life!" I am referring, of course, to my mistakes and mishaps.
Yesterday I watched an older movie with Johnny Depp and Morgan Freeman called Transcendence. I have always loved the versatile roles Johnny Depp has played in portraying different personalities. I pray that now he's older he will realize his need for Jesus and adjust his life. I always pray for such things, because God wants everyone saved, and so should we. This movie is about AI and the dangerous side of it, but on reflection there is a much deeper look into the love of a husband for his wife and her ambitions which transcend his own. I won't ruin the story by speaking more about it, but I do recommend it as a look see into the dangers of too much technology and the extremism and desperation of those who oppose it. What may begin as an emotional feeling of right and wrong can become ugly and cruel. Fear is a horrible monster, but then we try so hard to play God, but we don't fear and reverence Him as Holy. There is only One God, and we need to understand that!



