(originally posted 10/28/25) Did you know that celebrating Halloween is fairly new to the American culture? Celebrating it in America only goes back about 100 years. It’s pagan roots go back much further-over 2,000 years. According to history.com, the Celts originally celebrated their new year on November 1st. They believed that the evening before was a time when the veil in the spiritual realm was at its thinnest, allowing dead spirits, and ghosts, to wander the earth. The

I was midway through my study on Jesus' message to the Revelation Churches when God prompted me to take a look at the Scriptures that defined the One who gave the words. Jesus. Prior to each letter, there is a short description about the One who speaks forth. After all, my mind was set on learning about the people in the Churches; where they came from, what they were doing right or wrong. I had completely glossed over the One who has the power over all things. So today, I wi

Laodicea was a wealthy city during the Roman Empire. Located on major trade routes, this city connected Ephesus, Smyrna and Sardis. It is thought to have been a church plant by Epaphras, one of Paul's disciples. As I did some research on this church, I would learn that the Laodicean's were affected by the Domitian's decrees. Emporer Domitian was agresseive in promoting his divinity. These early Christians were targeted for their beliefs as protections that once kept them safe

In these past few weeks we've read about the Loveless Church of Ephesus, the Persecuted Church in Smyrna, the Compromising Church in Pergamos, the Corrupt Church in Thyatira, the Dead Church of Sardis. I was a bit delighted when I realized that today we would look at the Faithful Church of Philadelphia. You may have heard that Philadelphia means "brotherly love". It was located in the fertile valley of of the Cogamus River, at the foot of Mount Tmolus. Philadelphia was known

Sardis was an ancient city, the former capital of the Kingdom of Lydia. It was known as a wealthy city of trade. And interestingly enough, it was said to be impenetrable, as it sat high upon the mountains. But . . . they were conquered twice. Were they overconfident? Did they fail to guard their city gates? Did they fail to guard their hearts? In Revelation 3:1-6 Jesus (through John's writings) commends the Church of Sardis for the things they have done. He tells the Church o

I came across these Scriptures this morning. They are a poignant reminder as to why it is important for God's Church to rise up. Ephesians 5:17- With the Lord's authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They don't care anymore about right and worng, and they have given t

The Church of Pergamum refers to the early Church that had its home in Pergamom, a wealthy city at the center of Roman government. It was a city known for it's beautiful art. But it was also known as a city that would worship pagan gods like Zeus, Athena and others who held strongholds in that area. In fact, Jesus, through John's writings acknowledges that this church, was located where satan has his throne! Twice He points out that satan lives in the city. To the Church of P

When John writes about the Church of Smyrna, my Bible titles it as the 'Persecuted Church.' In America, I'm not sure this letter is written to us . . . yet. But we have Christian brothers and sisters throughout the world who are living as the Persecuted Church. Although our news media steers clear of reporting these atrocities, one can check out websites like "Global Christian Relief" to read stories about modern day Christians whose lives are threatened because they belie

Many believe the seven Churches written about in Revelations 2 and 3 represent a time in history, to the first-century Apostolic Church. But I would wonder if Christians today might see themselves in these Scriptures. Remember God's Ekklesia is more than just churches and their denominations, It IS you and me. What part do we play as living temples for the Kingdom of Heaven? Paul talks about this in his letter to the Corinthians. Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who l

Recently I've been asking the Lord about our Church today. Why are we seemingly absent from the political realm? Why have we deemed that our "vote doesn't count anyway?" Or why are we silent when babies are murdered in the womb? Why do we argue over senseless things yet refuse to stand on the truths that are found in our Bibles? Matthew 16: 15-18 tells the story of Peter's declaration of Jesus. Then he (Jesus) asked them, "Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are

I've been directing many posts to the Church lately. Today, God seems to be nudging me to make a distinction as to who or what His Church is, in today's world. He has given us our purposes within the early Church. The Ekklesia. The Church which began when His Holy Spirit came up on the earliest believers. The witnesses to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This morning as I was reading, these words in I Peter 1:1-2 suddenly became clear to me. "To God's elect,

4th in the series In the last post, God had given Joshua a battle plan. Joshua and His people were to "Be strong and VERY courageous, meditate on God's Word, day AND night, and OBEY all that is written in it. Throughout the Book of Joshua, we see that God is faithful to His promises. We see divine victories. This book is a testimony to a God who shows up when a people study His Word and put their faith in Him. When a people stand upon the Word of the Lord and step out in obe

3rd in the Series Joshua Remember, God is instructing Joshua to lead the people into the land. He is giving Joshua a battle plan. It is detailed. It is precise. It is holy. "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. THEN you will be prosperous and successful."(Joshua 1:9) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your Go

2nd in the Series Joshua God has given the land to the Israelites. BUT they had to engage in the battle to gain what He had given them! They had to believe God's promise that the land belonged to them AND TAKE IT! God told Joshua that just as He had given the land to Moses, "everywhere you go, as far as the Negev Dessert to the Lebanon Mountains to the Euphrates River, to the Mediterranean Sea and all the land of the Hittites" that the land belonged to Joshua. (Joshua 1:1-4)

Well, the Primary Election is done. We know the names of those who will be on our ballots for November 3rd. We have time to plan. To look at the records of the candidates, to research where they stand on the issues that we hold close. Church-we still have time to change the trajectory of our state. Statistics show that 85% of the Evangelical Christian is NOT showing up to vote for Biblical principles. It's time we show up. Don't let the enemy stop you from making your vote co

Let me share some staggering statistics. According to an article by Karin Miller, Faith in Action, (*see statistic credits below) 50% of Evangelical Christians are registered to vote in our elections 25% of that original 50% show up at the poles to cast their vote 12.5% of that 25% are uninformed as they cast their votes 12.5% of Evangelical Christians are actually researching the candidates and applying Biblical principles as they cast their votes. Friends, this means that 8

I don’t know about you but for me it seems like it’s getting harder to focus on Jesus these days. Maybe it’s the season I’m in. Maybe it’s in the air we breathe. Or the “in your face” news feeds, television, social media outlets spewing opinions, vying for our attention. There is so much deception everywhere. And hate. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed the hatred I’m seeing now. Hatred for each other. Hatred for a man. A party. A movement. Intolerance. There’s an underlying a

Mike and I recently had the opportunity to attend the "Join the Movement Conference" put on by the Child Protection League. What an honor to be present with folks who are following God and His calling on their lives. Those who recognize that we are but "strangers in a foreign land." (I Peter 2:11) They have picked up their God assignments, have stayed faithful, persevering through many trials, to speak the truth about the attack on our children. While at times the conference