Sunday’s Blessing – 03/22/2026 – 5th Sunday of Lent – Propitiation

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/22/2026 – 5th Sunday of Lent – Propitiation

I love words. I worked with a guy years ago who also loved words. We used to compete with each other to try and find the smallest word which we had never heard before. That’s where I learned words like vet and din. Others were not so small, but still unknown to me at the time, like confluence and cacophony. Whenever I encounter words I either have never heard before or don’t really know the meaning, I look them up. That’s where today’s topic originated.

There are words used by ministers and hymn writers which most who hear them gloss over because they do not understand them. In the original version of “Come Thou Found of Every Blessing,” the author included this line: “Here I raise mine Ebenezer, hither by Thy help I’m come.” What in the world is an Ebenezer? Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help" (Hebrew: Eben-haezer), is a memorial stone set up by the prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 7:12 to commemorate God’s help in defeating the Philistines. It’s a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

One such word I came across was propitiation. When I first heard it, I threw it in the bone pile with other terms like justification, sanctification, Hittites, Jebusites, and all the other “ites”. Later, while studying a passage in Hebrews, I came across propitiation and decided to find out what it really meant. I was mesmerized. I could not believe the powerful truth contained in this word.

When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, one their first stops was Mt. Sinai. It is here that God revealed to Moses His plan for the Chosen People. Explicit instructions were given on how they were to worship the Lord. God started with the Ark (the place of His presence) and then described how the entire Tabernacle was to be built. Once completed, the priests were to go in once a year to offer blood from the sacrificial lamb by placing on the Mercy Seat located on top of the Ark, underneath the outstretched wings of the two angels which covered it. This blood-sacrifice was later called the Propitiation.

The writer of Hebrews then tells us that all of what God revealed to Moses regarding the Ark and the Tabernacle were based on the REAL ones in Heaven. Man would use the copies, or replicas, in their worship to God on earth. Then, when Jesus was crucified as The Perfect Sacrifice for the Sin of the World on Calvary, carried His own blood to Heaven and placed it on the REAL Ark in Heaven, which paid the ransom for all people, providing a way for restoration back to God.

Jesus became our Propitiation, which is how we can now be saved. The blood of Jesus paid the price for all sin, past, present, and future, so that we, by faith, can now be placed in right standing with God, completely forgiven as the righteousness of God in Christ. I know those are a lot of words. It’s difficult to fully explain in brief articles like this. I’ll leave some scripture references below if you want to study it further. The bottom line from all of this is Jesus became our Propitiation, the one thing in all of existence, which could save us from our sin and allow us to once again know the Father through intimate fellowship. The cross was where the sacrifice was made. The time in the tomb was when Jesus regained the Keys of Death, Hell, and the Grave. The resurrection defeated all principalities, powers, and dominion, but the Propitiation on the Ark in Heaven is where the price was actually paid.

That is what the whole season of Lent, Easter, and Ascension all celebrate. Every part became our path back to God.

Today’s blessing:

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices; thus it is necessary for this priest also to have something to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer gifts according to the law. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second. Hebrews 8:1-7 (ESV)

He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 (ESV)

For further study:

Hebrews 2:17

Hebrews 8:1-7

Exodus 25:10

1 John 2:2

1 John 4:10

Romans 3:25

Sunday’s Blessing – 4th Sunday of Lent – Living or Dead?

Sunday’s Blessing – 4th Sunday of Lent – Living or Dead?

As Spring approaches, lots of folks are doing all kinds of things to get ready. I’m no different. Last Saturday I spent a good deal of time mowing the lawn. The grass was left a little long in the fall to help protect is from the freezing weather of winter. All of the dead grass has to be cut off so the new grass underneath can flourish. It took three passes, and five huge garbage cans full of clippings, but it looks great. 

Then there were shrubs to trim, patio furniture to clean up and restain, a pond with a spillway to clean out and refurbish, and the list just keeps on going. In the middle of all of this, my wife said, “This sure is a lot of work.” And before I even had a chance to think about it, these words came out of my mouth: “Living things take a lot of effort. Dead things don’t.”

I’m sure I’ve heard those words before, but I don’t recall when or from whom. Or maybe they just came out of my heart, knowing what I know about God and His word. Regardless, it is the truth. Dead things are just cut down and burned or discarded. Living things require maintenance, nourishment, knowledge, and care. But the rewards are so worth it. The beautiful flowers from trees and plants give a whole spring and summer’s worth of enjoyment. The bees and humming birds, butterflies and chipmunks, squirrels and racoons all get to enjoy the fruits of our labor.

Just as all of this comes about in the natural, the same things are happening in the spiritual. When you pursue the Giver of Life, you grow, you flourish, and you produce fruit.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 (ESV)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Isaiah 55:1-3 (ESV)

God stands ready to help you come out of the “winter” of your life, whether it is to trust Him as Savior or simply regain the “spring” in your life. If you will come, then He will satisfy. He will fill to the uttermost that seemingly unquenchable hunger and thirst which keeps you unsatisfied.

Today’s blessing:

And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Luke 24:5 (ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” John 8:47-51 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/08/2026 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – Spirit Led

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/08/2026 – 3rd Sunday of Lent – Spirit Led

Years ago I had a friendship with a worship leader in Montgomery. Gil Melendez led worship at Christian Life Church, pastored by Steve Vickers. Gil was a very caring person with a pure heart for the Lord. During one of the worship conferences they held at CLC I heard Gil discuss the worship ministry there, which included their Mission Statement: When we lift our voice in praise, the Holy Ghost will say.

This is taken from Acts 13:1-3, where the Church at Jerusalem sent out the first missionaries, Paul and Barnabas. This was a major turn of the page to the way things had always been done. Until this time, everyone was encouraged, or even required, to “come” to the place of worship (the synagogue or temple in Judaism) instead of others “going” to them to share the love of God and the message of hope, The Gospel (good news) of Jesus.

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3 (ESV)

There was a very diverse group of people from all tiers of society and across many cultures. They had all gathered for one purpose: worshiping the Lord. Other translations use the word “ministering”. It means, “1. to be a public servant, 2. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (revering God while serving man).” It’s where the church gets its term “lay person”, meaning someone who does ministry but is not in an ”official” capacity, like a pastor. This is a bit humorous to me, because the writer of Acts (believed to be Luke) describes them as prophets and teachers. But as these submitted themselves to the Lord in a posture of worship, probably singing songs expressing their love to God for all He had done, the Holy Spirit broke in and gave them specific direction on what to do next.

They did not convene a committee to study the matter. They did not put off the task until they had a clearcut path for the missionaries to follow. They did not put it before a focus group to see if it would be successful. They simply did what the Spirit directed them to do. They laid hands on Paul (Saul at this point) and Barnabas and sent them off. This one simple act of obedience resulted in all of Asia hearing the gospel, as Paul and others embarked on missions which lasted the rest of their lives.

Again, what does this have to do with Lent? Actually, it has everything to do with Lent. God still speaks to His people. When we “minister” to Him (the very purpose for Lent in the first place) the Holy Spirit will say, even to us. This is not just truth for “those” people back then. It is for every Believer (follower of Jesus). And it’s not just for Lent, but every waking moment of every single day. When we keep our focus on the Lord we will hear what the Spirit is saying. What a way to live!

Now for today’s blessing:

And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:11 (ESV)

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29 (ESV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-26 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/01/2026 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – Thermostat or Thermometer

Sunday’s Blessing – 03/01/2026 – 2nd Sunday of Lent – Thermostat or Thermometer

I am curious by nature. I tend to notice change when it occurs in other people and things around me. Unfortunately, I don’t always notice it in me. Humans are constantly changing, being affected by their environment, including people and things which surround them.

I first noticed this back in elementary school. There were cliques who acted, talked, and dressed alike for no other reason than to be identified with the people in their group. For whatever reason, their fashion, habits, and personality all reflected what the collective came to call “it” (whatever that means).

Another instance came from my travels abroad. My company sent me to London twice for two weeks at a time. When I arrived, I joined some others from our company who were already there working on the project. I noticed something peculiar about them. Their speech was different. Not just the words they used, but also the way they spoke. They had already begun being assimilated into their environment. After my first week there, I noticed in myself. I was amazed at how quickly we adapt to how we hear others speak.

In my current work environment, mostly virtual meetings and e-mail/texts, I noticed a change in the way these folks communicate. There three specifics I have observed. The first is the use of specific words/phrases which have spread to others. At the top of my pet-peeves is the phrase, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but …” This is unnecessary and carries with it a sense of arrogance implying they are, indeed, correct.

Another behavior in both spoken and written communication is “verbing” (changing nouns into verbs – texting for instance) and omission of necessary verbs. For instance, normal people would say, “The data needs to be corrected.” This has now become, “The data needs corrected.” My brain, influenced by observational comedians, immediately thinks, “Data, you need get your act together.” I realize I’m not normal, but it irritates me to no end. I once corrected the grammar written in the task description assigned to me and was chastised for doing so.

The last in my rant has to do with verbal ticks. I’m not speaking of involuntary caused by medical conditions or syndromes like Teret’s. It’s unconscious mimicking of others. Since most of our meetings are virtual (without cameras), when someone has to pause in their statement (usually giving reports of current activity), they begin making sounds to assure the others on the meeting know they are not finished, but instead searching for what they will say next. The most common one is the “ch” sound, as in cheese. It’s repeated while trying to form the next statement. This has spread like wildfire. I now hear it by many on these calls.

I realize very little of this has any bearing on Lent, but it most certainly is relevant to our life as Christians. Where and how we spend our time impacts our life. Who we associate with impacts our life. Before you say it, I am not talking about Christians becoming like the ostrich and bury our heads in the “Christian” ground by getting a job at a Christian company and only associate with Christians, and only go to Christian gatherings, and only listen/read Christian things. I’m simply drawing attention to the fact that we are influenced by these things. Bottom line, we need to be thermostats instead of thermometers. A thermometer is changed by its environment. A thermostat changes its environment.

This is exactly what Jesus was trying to communicate when He told us to be “salt and light.” We need to shine our Light into dark places. We need to season those with whom we associate with Salt. These things are not accomplished by carrying a Bible large enough to choke a mule, or by speaking King James English using archaic words which do not communicate in today’s vernacular. Being salt and light means “speaking the truth in love” and “lifting up the heads which hang down.”

Jesus spent time with “sinners” because how else would they hear His message? He had conversations with pious religious zealots and dishonest businessmen. He had dinner with those who had no regard for helping others and He also fed those who were hungry. At times, He was affected by His environment. He was “moved with compassion” when He saw the suffering of others. He “wept” when His friend died, knowing he would come back to life.

If at all possible, let’s find a way to be human and be touched by people and things around us for the sake of redemption, not compromise. Let us “reveal” Christ to others by showing them what Jesus would do if He were in the room, because He is.

Today’s blessing:

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. James 1:25 (ESV)

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 2/22/2026 – First Sunday of Lent

Sunday’s Blessing – 2/22/2026 – First Sunday of Lent

Lent is not very familiar to most protestants who are not part of a liturgical church. Most only know the word “lint” which has nothing to do with the religious observance. Most people know about Mardi Gras, but don’t understand the relationship it has to the liturgical calendar.

Mardi Gras ends with a day know as Fat Tuesday. It is basically a festival of decadence where the participants explore most every vice. The reason it ends with Fat Tuesday is because Ash Wednesday follows, which is the eve of the beginning of Lent. Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance, preparing your heart for Lent, so Mardi Gras allows folks to get it all out of their system before beginning a forty day fast.

Mardi Gras nor Fat Tuesday are part of the religious observance of Lent. It is amusing to me, however, that some folks who observe Lent also participate in Mardi Gras. The two are diametrically opposed.

The period of fasting before Easter is called Lent because the term is derived from the Old English word “lencten”, meaning "spring" or "lengthening" of days, as the season occurs during springtime. It is a 40-day, solemn Christian observance of reflection, prayer, and fasting, echoing the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert before his public ministry.

The word lent is also the past participle of lend. Even though it is not the same meaning as Lent, it is interesting to me how the meanings are related. Our lives have been lent to us by God. The Lentin season is to remember that life is but a vapor and to dedicate ourselves to remember the sacrifice of our Savior on Calvary. The 40 day fast preceding Easter allow us to identify with the suffering He endured, not only on the cross, but in living a life fully yielded to the purpose God had for His existence.

So, whether it’s Lent of lent, it is helpful as Christians to take time to remember. In remembering, it will make living much more meaningful as you pursue the purpose God has for you.

Now for today’s blessing:

O teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (ESV)

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16 (ESV)

Since his days are determined,

and the number of his months is with you,

and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,

look away from him and leave him alone,

that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day. Job 14:5-6 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 2/15/2026 – Take Another Look

Sunday’s Blessing – 2/15/2026 – Take Another Look

One of the most frequently viewed articles on my blog is True vs. Truth About God. It contains an image which illustrates how perspective can play a huge role in how we see things. In the image you see an object (cylinder) whose shadow is being projected on a surface with light from two different directions. In one image (blue) the object appears to be square. The other image (yellow) the object appears to be round. Both are “true” based on perspective, but neither view fully describes the object in question.

 

The reason for this thought was a conversation I had with a friend this week regarding critics of scripture. Some say the Bible is wrought with “errors” because of the various accounts of certain events recorded by different authors. The gospels contain descriptions of events from the writer’s perspective. However, since they are not identical, they are written off as wrong.

Ask two people to describe “red”. You will get two very different descriptions. We need to realize when we hear someone speak about any topic that there could be information being omitted; not maliciously, but simply not something they observed.

Let me try to clarify with an example of something which happened to me. I was driving north on I-65 between Cullman and Lacon when I saw a truck pulled over on the shoulder. What I didn’t see was the object in the road which caused the truck to pull over. It was a gear used to tighten straps to secure the load. When I finally spotted the object, it was too late to swerve around the object. As I straddled it, thinking I avoided contact, my rear axle hit the object, making a very loud noise. I looked in my rearview mirror and noticed both hubcaps from my rear wheels were rolling down the interstate, eventually rolling into the trees on the east side of the road. I didn’t stop at that time since I was on my way to a meeting but made note of the location so I could come back for the hubcaps.

I returned to the spot later that week and began searching for the lost items. I stood on the top of the embankment looking among the trees and underbrush for the hubcaps. There was no sign of them. I then decided to change my perspective. I walked down among the trees and looked again. Amazingly, both hubcaps were located and were not damaged at all.

When it comes to understanding God, and the scripture, we need to take a second look before forming an opinion on the meaning of what we see. It could make a huge difference in how our lives will be impacted. This very thing is what prompted my study of the Names of God so many years ago. I wanted to understand more about this One we called God. I wanted to know His character, His nature, His motivations, His ways.

What does all of this have to do with Valentine’s Day weekend? Nothing really, except for the fact that some believe love is blind. I can never agree with that. Love, in my opinion, is when you fully realize who someone is, and then love them anyway. God loves us without reserve. The only way we can fully give ourselves to Him, or anyone else, is to gain trust that they will receive us unconditionally. That is true love.

Now for today’s blessing:

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3b (ESV)

And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. Exodus 33:17-19 (ESV)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:4-7 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/08/2026 – Flue

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/08/2026 – Flue

If you’ve read much of my writing you know I am enamored with words. The English language is such a terrible means of communicating, yet having been born in The United States, I have very few other choices. So I continue to try, as futile as it may be. I have a running theme of FaceBook posts which I call “English is Hard,” where I list a string of words, usually homonyms (words which are pronounce the same but have different meanings), followed by some random thought on communication.

This has now spilled over into this series of blog posts called “Sunday’s Blessing.” This week during all the cold weather I built a fire in the fireplace. When I first lit the paper and kindling, the smoke started billowing into the house instead of up the chimney. I immediately thought the flue must be closed. Upon inspection, however, I discovered it was already open. “Flue” then became my latest series of words to think on. “Flew, flu, flue: English is Hard.” Three different words. Three very different meanings.

How this became a part of “Sunday’s Blessing” was the thoughts I had regarding “flue.” It’s part of the chimney designed to control airflow. When open it allows the hot smokey air to exit out the chimney instead of backing up into the house. When closed it keeps the outside air from coming into the house via the chimney.

When I lit the fire this week and found the flue already open, it occurred to me that all this time the heat from the HVAC unit had been flying out the chimney, causing the unit run more than needed, costing additional electricity and gas. This reminded me of the Christian life. In an attempt to please our Father by being a “good” Christian, we constantly take inventory of our life to see if there is anything there which would hinder our relationship with Him. Thinking we have everything under control, we come to the realization our “flue” is open, allowing the enemy access to our life to do what he does best – steal, kill, and destroy.

The Holy Spirit was given to the Believer to guide them into all truth. He leads us by directing our steps and also by helping us avoid hidden snares. He reveals “open flues” to prevent leaks in our spiritual lives. Keep the flame burning hot in your life. Allow the Spirit to help remove the leaky places and allow your cup to stay full.

Now for today’s blessing:

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” Song of Solomon 2:15 (ESV)

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, 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. Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV)

for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV)

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37b-38 (ESV)