What If It IS True, that ...

  Blog 32: Intimacy and Fear Relationships are tough! Words are sometimes spoken out of fear and words are sometimes NOT spoken out of fear. The fear that surfaces in our subconscious is most likely precipitated by a fear of rejection in one form or another. The fear could be simply expressed by one of the parties leaving the conversation (or the relationship). Fear can prompt one to choose a behavior that they might not normally choose if the person felt safe in expressing themselves, verbally or physically. Fear can hold us back from experiencing many blessings in our lives or it can lead us to say something unkind or lead us to having a burst of anger and doing something rash. One Google report says that there are 354 verses with the word “fear” in them in the Holy Bible, another report suggests 365, which would mean that one could read a verse a day for a year that included the word “fear”. Another account says 1025 instances. Many of these verses are to instruct us not t...

  Blog 31: We Can and Should Be Grateful in ALL Things People can experience suffering in a variety of ways from birth, or even before birth. I don’t know anyone who wants to experience physical or emotional pain. In my field of work, I have been around people who experience one or both kinds of suffering, sometimes daily; including myself. I also know that it can feel very challenging if not impossible to be grateful when one is suffering. We all suffer in different degrees and for different reasons, and at different times. Types of suffering are too numerous to count, and it is something that everyone can relate to at various times in their lives. There was a disaster, recently, in a community in which I am very familiar. My immediate family or close friends were not significantly affected; however, I did witness the hardest hit areas firsthand. I saw true devastation up close and personal so much that I experienced it with nearly all my senses. I also experienced shock and...

  People in the LGBTQIA+ community celebrated “Pride Month” in June. I had a sense as I would guess most people do, of what this was supposed to be about, but I wanted more information on how this movement started, so I did a bit of research. So, to give a very brief and cryptic historical summary based on my google query, I learned the following information: ·        Prior to June 1969 bars that hosted “gay” people would be raided ·        In June 1969, customers at the Stonewall Inn in New York protested ·        The issue grew bigger with mass protests occurring ·        Brenda Howard, reportedly a bisexual activist, organized a pride march on the first anniversary of the Stonewall Inn protest. ·        They use the rainbow flag to signify diversity and use “pride” to signify self-esteem in their choices   Now ...

  I think it is safe to say that not one adult will leave this earth without experiencing some relationship drama in their life. We are all imperfect humans who are born with a tendency to be self-seeking. You can even recognize this in people who seem to be the most giving or seem to have hearts of servitude. I can think of certain individuals in my own sphere, for example, who for all observational purposes appear to be helpful, giving, and kind to strangers on a regular basis. Yet if you follow these people around for a couple of days, weeks, months, or even years, you may find that their loved ones get very little if any positive attention. Now, one could say that the “neglected” people in the life of such a person might be hard to love. Or perhaps like with someone I know, they just keep giving to try to "earn" love (that should not have to be earned but should be naturally given). The one then receiving all the love, nurturing, encouragement, etc. has more to give t...

            What if it is true, at least for most people of free will, that we spend our time where our heart is also?! Another way to put it is that we tend to spend our time, money and talents on what we value most in life. There is a scripture verse that speaks to this concept in this way: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21, ESV.           I think that we can each attest to how this scripture plays out in our lives as well as in the lives of those we are close to, or whom we refer to as in our ‘inner circle’, or even in the periphery of that circle. I may be a bit more observant than some, but I can honestly say that I can clearly identify certain values of many people in my sphere.           Perhaps you will consider asking yourself where your “treasure’s” lie. Where do you spend your time, your money, your focus? Is it a...

  Everyone should have the right to be happy, right? But at what or who’s expense? Some people have the attitude of “if it feels good, do it.” Can you imagine the kind of world we would live in if everyone lived in accordance with that line of thinking?? I suppose that it might resemble something a bit terrifying… like, uh, perhaps ‘utter chaos.’ I would not doubt that everyone reading this wished at some point in their lives that they could do whatever they want, whenever they want or perhaps, they know someone else who is narcissistic (sorry, gotta call it what it is) and lives life in a self-serving manner such as to do as they please without considering others. So, whatever happened to the type of reasoning that led to attitudes like “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31) yes, that frequently used quote came from the Christian Bible. Another frequent quote I have heard goes something like ‘do nothing out of selfishness, but in humility, count ot...

  It seems to be obvious to many people that several communities, especially in certain states, need a reality check about right and wrong. A prime example of this is the uninformed and/or confused, and/or ignorant people who are demonstrating in Minneapolis, MN. One truth I heard a protestor say was something like ‘Jesus loves all people, and all people should have a chance to have a good life’ (paraphrased). This is true. That said, the choices we make influence how that pans out. It is NOT okay to infringe on the lives of others to have that ‘good life’. Let’s say you are in the grocery store, and you think that your time is more valuable than people in front of you, so you choose to put yourself in front of the checkout line. How do you think that will work out for you? You may now be thinking to yourself, “I would never do that’. If that is true, then how can you even consider that it is okay to break the rules concerning coming into a country illegally?? ALL of life has...

  In Christ Alone Everyone who is reading this blog has just survived through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Christmas being one of two most significant holiday seasons for people of the Christian faith. It is the time of year when we celebrate the birth of Christ. Most believers know that no one knows the exact date that Christ was born, and we may even be celebrating the birth of Jesus in a different season than when he was born. All that said, it does not make this time of year any less joyful. It is symbolic of our faith, and that is what matters. Thanksgiving and New Years Eve are also important times of the year when people tend to get together with family and friends. These can be very joyfully filled get togethers as well as signify possible stress, filled with familial discord. We can each contribute to the ease or the difficulty that these ‘reunions’ bring. Most of us hopefully have the sense to forgo bringing up sensitive topics relating to religion, politic...

So, what if it is true that your perception is tainted by fantasy rather than rooted in reality? Wouldn't you want to know so that you are not wasting your time on foolish pursuits if it were so? I would, given a reliable source of proof. Would you rather live your days believing what you wish was true or what someone else has convinced you were true rather than what makes sense based on what wisdom suggests? Are you able to trust your sources for what you believe, or are they based on the beliefs of someone else? Or, even more concerning, are your beliefs based on what is convenient or attractive to you at any given moment? There are so many opinions being expressed concerning local, national, and world events and of course there are just as many divergent views on said happenings. One can get lost without a proverbial compass. That being said, herein I offer a soft place to land with wisdom that will never die. Of course, said wisdom is not from me, but from the author of a...

  “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.” (James 3:1-3 ESV) The world is made up of all kinds of people. We have all likely said or done something in our lives that we later regretted, sometimes even immediately after we said or did the hurtful, hateful, or even just thoughtless deed. I may be referring just to those who have at the very least, a set of general personal guidelines as to how to relate to others in a positive manner, if not those of us who have a moral compass that is set to the standard that God established for us.  Because some people sadly do or say anything they want to regardless of whom it hurts. It is sad that there are many selfish,...

It is very evident that there are people in this world who are desperate for common sense to prevail in the hearts and minds of Americans. There is also evidence to suggest that there are people who would rather support false realities, hatred of the truth, and their own selfish pursuits. It is normal for people to have differences in opinions and want to express their opinions, as they should be able to. After all the very first amendment of the constitution of the United States of America is “Freedom of Speech”. This means that people are supposed to be free to say what they want to without fear of retaliation. On September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk was invited to a college campus in Utah to share his opinions and to also offer the opportunity for others to share their opinions on many matters of interest to all Americans. This is something this 31-year-old, who was wise beyond his years, did on a regular basis not only on college campuses, but in high schools as well. His desire ...

  Have you ever felt as though you were stuck? There are several ways in which this can happen. The most obvious one being to get stuck physically, such as in a traffic jam where there is not enough space in front of or behind your car for you to even get out of the lane you are in. In this regard, most adults can relate. I imagine that people of all ages can relate to being stuck physically somehow.   How have you been stuck? There are also ways of being or feeling “stuck” that are not as obvious as when it is physical in nature.   For example, I have felt “stuck” spiritually where my faith may feel stagnant, or waning, or lacking in some way or another. It rarely takes me long to realize in these types of situations that if I am lacking in faith or feel spiritually stagnant, it is because it is I who has moved away from God, and not God who moved away from me. There are times, however, when relationships are not the way I would like them to be. This type of situatio...

So, where is the writer going with a title like this, you may wonder!?! Well, I initially had one intention and then days went by without my completing the blog and my writing has taken a different direction from my original goal. Frankly, I also feel that if you are someone with high moral integrity, such as one who closely lives like Christ taught, you may have one viewpoint on what it means to submit than if you simply “go with the flow” as others do. Romans 13:1 Says “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” So, this would suggest to me that Christ follower or not, people need to get over themselves and their selfish and destructive outbursts that result because of differing opinions. We all need to respect the governing authorities who are in place from local officials and police to the president and his cabinet members and everything in between. The problem can oft...

  I am willing to bet that everyone reading this blog has had the sensation of being weak in the knees at some point in their lives... or at the very least has known someone else who has had this experience. For one to be weak in the knees may not always be a pleasant experience. It could very well be a precursor to a serious medical incident related to the brain, heart, or at least, a symptom of a physical issue in one’s hips or legs. But it does not have to be! Now that we have the negative stuff out of the way, let’s explore some of the ways that being “weak in the knees” can be a good thing! Get ready, I bet you can guess where I’m going to go first… “love connections” (or more realistically – “infatuations”). So, picture this… you see someone across a crowded room, your eyes meet, you smile at each other simultaneously, get weak in the knees (yes, both of you), and the rest is history. Of course, you are both single at the time and you’ve likely seen some version of th...

In this post, I intend to both share some common Biblical scriptures as well as some of my own thoughts on love. I hope that you will share your thoughts following this blog, or privately if you are one of the few people who know me personally. That offer goes for not only this blog, but any of the “What If It Is True That” blog posts. One of my favorite passages in scripture is the entire chapter 13 in 1 Corinthians of the Holy Bible. The ESV version as copied from BibleGateway.com reads as follows in its entirety: The Way of Love 13  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  2  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,  but have not love, I gain nothing. 4  Love is patie...

 It is highly likely that anyone reading this blog has made at least one promise/vow (such as marriage, or New Years Resolution) in their lifetime thus far; perhaps even in the past few days or at least has contemplated such. It is not an off-the-wall concept to want to make commitments when we are ruled by our feelings and good intentions. However, when we do promise "this or that" no matter what it is, there will be people who count on us to fulfill such a promise. Ecclesiastes 5:5 says: " It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."  It is true that this is an Old Testament message and even though those of us who are believers are covered by the blood of Christ and not governed by Old Testament law, it still makes sense that we should honor our commitment's. Those of us who have broken a vow, or perhaps multiple commitments (this writer included) may feel some extra conviction when it comes to the discussion of such things. We ...

What if it is true that ... God is real!?! I began to write this post months ago but only got as far as the theme with one paragraph that is included later in this text. The fact that Christmas is right around the corner is what prompted me to continue with this subject matter at this time. Most people are aware, to some degree anyway, that the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is what Christmas is all about. This is evidenced by all the nativity scenes one is able to view on people's lawns as well as the fact that "Christian" church pews fill up at this time of year. There are people who choose not to even set foot into a church at other times of the year much less show up to regularly fellowship with other believers on a weekly basis. There are also plenty of people who celebrate Christmas simply as a tradition of getting together with family, and or all that is entailed with gift giving. You may choose not to believe in God, but that doesn't make God any les...

 We are well into the Christmas season as evidenced in the stores, the festive clothing people are wearing, and the lights and decorations that are showing up daily in yards around town. This is a time when we tend to reflect on the past and times when we shared joys of the season with loved ones who are no longer with us. There may also be a sense of melancholy in the air with thoughts of what could have been. Then, lest we forget, there are some people who have heavy hearts due to thoughts of the family and friends who are either physically distant, emotionally distant or both. Not everyone can claim the blessing of having a church family, I gratefully do have people in this category in my life, some of whom I have known for decades or even for most of my life. I am grateful for these people I know, with whom I share a faith in God. Some of my best memories of Christmastime are connected with the message of Jesus birth that I share at church with family and friends. These a...

 Someone who knows I do this blog, and who's opinion I value, asked me today if I was planning to write a blog for Thanksgiving. I have been feeling melancholy of late in spite of the fact that I have much to be thankful for, so, I am a real-life example of someone who can be having a personal pity party and still have gratitude. In spite of myself and my personal pity party, I do feel led to write a blog on Thanksgiving, for Thanksgiving. So, here goes. I believe that thankfulness, gratefulness, faith, and love are congruent with each other as far as being attitudes of choice. Most of these are also part of a grouping of a specific nine aspects considered part of the "fruit of the spirit" as discussed in the book of Galatians in the Bible. What if it is true that Thanksgiving, aka giving thanks is simply a choice. I tend to vacillate from pondering my many blessings, to feeling sad about certain things. That which saddens me are things like world events, unfulfillment in...

"YOUR Truth" MAY NOT be "THE Truth" There was a time, seemingly not that long ago, when common knowledge of what "truth" meant was evident in the hearts and minds of mankind in general. Today, evidence suggests that such an awareness is not so common… or perhaps, is just being ignored. According to Miriam Webster dictionary definitions (as found on random web locations as well as in the physical bound dictionary), the word ‘truth’ is used specifically in relation to ‘facts’ ‘reality’ ‘actual events’ and such. Nowadays, people have taken personal liberty regarding what “truth” means in a similar way as they have taken liberty in terms of what “justice” should look like. But we will save the topic of “justice” for another time. Most Christ followers are aware of a familiar scripture that states “Jesus said to him ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. This is quoted in the book of John, Chapter 14, ve...