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)

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/01/2026 – Homeostasis

Sunday’s Blessing – 02/01/2026 – Homeostasis

One of my favorite college classes was Biology 101. It was fascinating to learn all the details about life; how it formed, how it was sustained, etc. One of the words that stuck with me through the years was homeostasis. Science tells us this process evolved. I choose to believe it was by design of the Maker. Take a look and decide for yourself.

Homeostasis is the physiological process by which a living organism maintains a stable, constant internal environment despite changing external conditions. It acts as a dynamic equilibrium, constantly regulating variables like temperature, pH, blood sugar, and electrolyte levels to keep them within a narrow, survival-friendly range.

I can’t imagine any of this kind of “adjustments” to a living thing happening accidentally, or even out of necessity (the argument used for evolution). However, I have no problem believing that someone with the ability could design such things. That “someone” is who I call God. Not just a god, but THE God; Jehovah, Adonia, Yahweh, Creator, Father, The Great I AM. With that premise, I can easily see how He formed a brain in humans, and the rest of the animals, which can control everything inside the body down to the tiniest cell, allowing us to live.

I can hear the questions now. “So, why do we get sick?” “Why do people die?” We live in an imperfect world. We were told this in the Garden and reminded of it by Jesus when He said, “In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Sin causes death. Jesus restores life.

The Holy Spirit within the believer is our “homeostasis”. He is constantly working to bring us to a place of peace, joy, and love. He helps keep us clean, refreshed, and guiding us toward the best outcome. When we learn to hear Him, and quickly follow His leading, we will experience God’s best in our life.

Today’s blessing:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 1 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/25/2026 – Snow

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/25/2026 – Snow

Snow and ice have been on everyone’s mind this week. Psalm 147 has some things to say about snow and ice. The description given to this psalm by the translators is “He Heals the Brokenhearted”. I love the sight of new fallen snow. It covers all the unsightly things and makes them look so beautiful. Even the comeliest of views is made perfect by a blanket of snow.

For us in the modern world it does create havoc on our lifestyle. It keeps us from seeing the beauty because of our anger and frustration over not being able to do what we had planned. Maybe if we simply embraced the beauty of the new-fallen snow or the glistening of ice on the plants and trees it would allow the healing of God to touch in places we didn’t even know were broken. Sometimes, until you experience peace, you didn’t even know you were living in chaos. Or, perhaps you have grown so accustomed to pain, you are surprised when you experience comfort instead of hurt.

Let’s take the opportunity, even if we are inconvenienced by the weather, as a time to reflect on the goodness of God and allow ourselves to be OK for a minute. You might be surprised by the outcome.

Today’s blessing:

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your children within you.

He makes peace in your borders;

he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

He sends out his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

He gives snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes.

He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;

who can stand before his cold?

He sends out his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

He declares his word to Jacob,

his statutes and rule to Israel.

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;

they do not know his rules.

Praise the LORD! Psalm 147:12-20 (ESV)

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/18/2026 – Holidays

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/18/2026 – Holidays

Monday is a national holiday in the United States. It is a day set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The word holiday is derived from the term “holy day,” and has its roots, at least for Christians, in the writings of Moses, where God directed Israel to “remember this day and keep it holy.” We have pretty much lost that concept in the West, but nonetheless we still call ourselves keeping holidays.

Israel was commanded to keep the seventh day holy unto God, who called it the Sabbath. I wrote several articles a few months ago on the Sabbath. Perhaps you can look them up here on the blog. There were other days where God Himself directed Israel to celebrate. They are represented by the various feasts implemented under the Law of Moses; things like Passover, Feast of Tabernacles, etc. Others have been added through the years by Jewish leaders to include things like Chanukah, Yom Kippur, etc.

Western Christian cannibalized the Sabbath and called it Sunday yet apply the commandment to it to guilt their members to attend regularly. Sunday has never been the Sabbath. For most Western Christians, Sunday is anything but a day of rest. Some denominations (cults as others consider them) still meet on Saturday (Seventh Day Adventists) while others do not regard any day above another in terms of spiritual significance (Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Personally, I do not think God cares much about what we call this day or that day, or what we do or do not do on any given day. His whole focus is for His people (all of them, Jew and Gentile alike) to recognize their rest is found in the True Sabbath, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, the Good Shepherd, the Son of God. He alone is our sabbath and He is worthy to be honored and remembered every day!

Today’s Blessing:

May you find sabbath rest wherever you are

So you can declare like Paul who said, “Regardless of my state, I am content.”

And you can maintain your rest (or peace as I like to call it) at all times

Bringing the rest of God with you into every life you touch

May all the days between holidays be joyful and fulfilling

Since Christ came to redeem you every day of your life

Including the ones which have already past

Washing you with forgiveness past, present, and future

May you realize that every day is a “holy” day because of THAT day

When Jesus was “begotten” of the Father and became His True

May you hear the same words the Father spoke over Jesus

This is my beloved child (you) in whom I am well pleased

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/11/2025 – Epiphany

Sunday’s Blessing – 01/11/2025 – Epiphany

This past week the Day of Epiphany was celebrated on the liturgical calendar. It marks the event when the magi (kings from the east) came to see the Messiah born in Bethlehem. It was a very significant moment in the plan of God to redeem all of mankind, not just the people of Israel. All the debate about whether there were only three kings has caused us to miss the real importance of this part of Advent.

The kings which followed the star to Bethlehem were not Jews, yet God included them in the telling of the story of the birth of the Only Begotten of the Father. You see, this Grace and Truth was sent for all people, including the Gentiles (anyone born outside of the Twelve Tribes of Israel). The promise God made to Adam in the Garden of Eden was spoken to a human, not a Jew. Even though God later designated Israel as his Chosen People, He never excluded the rest of humanity. The Messiah would come from Israel, but He would be sent as the Savior for everyone! That is very good news.

Epiphany simply means, “a moment of sudden revelation or insight.” As we saw with the angel appearing to the shepherds, then Simeon outside the temple, and Anna inside the temple walls, God has now revealed His plan to the magi. These kings (regardless of the number) represented all people outside the Nation of Israel. God led them by supernatural wonders, drawing them to see the Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love embodied in the tiny Babe of Bethlehem. They, more than most, understood the importance of lineage and heritage. The throne was handed to the heir of the king if there was one. They realized this Child represented God Himself, and this “epiphany” led them to come and worship Him. Not only did they bring themselves, but they also brought treasures to bless the Messiah.

Today, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to draw people to Christ. If you have not already experienced the “sudden revelation” that God loves you and wants to care for you – all of you – to bring His hope, joy, peace, and love into your life – every part of your life – then perhaps today will be that day. It is the whole meaning of the celebration of Advent. Without the coming of Messiah, Easter would be pointless. Without Easter, then Advent is pointless. This is why both are celebrated in the life of Christians. Join in the celebration and see all that God can do.

Today’s blessing:

May you have an encounter with the Babe of Bethlehem/Sacrifice of Calvary

So your life can be transformed into the fullness of all God brings

So you may realize your purpose in the earth

Which will lead others to a place of Epiphany

May you find the grace, like the magi, to present yourself to the Savior

Withholding nothing, including your treasure

So in return, God can give you His entire Kingdom

Which will bless so many more than you could ever imagine

May the impact of “finding the King in Bethlehem” change you forever

Leading you into a life of seeking the True Treasures found in God

By learning the character and nature of the Creator

And “the chief end of man is to worship God and enjoy Him forever” (the Shorter Catechism)

Sunday’s Blessing – 1/4/2026 – The Year Ahead

Sunday’s Blessing – 1/4/2026 – The Year Ahead

I’m not big on numerology. Some base their life on it like a horoscope. I’m more prone to follow what I believe to be the leading of the Holy Spirit, Who always leads us toward peace. However, I do like to take a look at the meaning of numbers from the Bible, not for direction, but for confirmation. Take a look at what this year’s number means:

In the Bible, the number 26 is significant through its connection to God's sacred name, YHWH (Yahweh), whose Hebrew letters (Yod, Heh, Waw, Heh) sum to 26, symbolizing divine presence and perfection, while the biblical book of Numbers 26 details the crucial second census of the new Israelite generation ready to enter the Promised Land, signifying new beginnings, God's faithfulness to His covenant, and judgment on the rebellious former generation. 

The reason I like this so much is because it is true every year! God has promised those who are in covenant with Him that He would be present in us (via the Holy Spirit) forever, and that He would continue to work in us toward completion of perfection, the image of His Son, Jesus! Also, as I mentioned last week about the New Year, every day is a New Beginning in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Regardless of what is behind you, there is hope for a better future. As saw in the weeks of celebrating Advent, the Messiah came to bring Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. Those things are not just for feeling around the yule log sipping cider or hot chocolate. Those same four things are God’s desire for you every single day. When the pipe bursts or the car dies or the child is sick or you are late for work or … hope is still available; joy can still be found; peace can slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure; love is always a possible response. These are not obtained through self-will, motivational TED Talks, or crystals (nothing inherently wrong with any of that) but will be manifest when the acknowledgement of the presence of the Prince of Peace, the Hope of Heaven, the Joy of the Lord, and the Agape Love of God.

These are not trite catch-phrases learned in church. These are descriptions of the various aspects of God Himself. Just as you can know a person (friend, spouse, co-worker) in many different ways (e.g. spouse can be friend, lover, confidant, one who meets your needs, one whose needs you can meet, co-laborer in house chores/repairs, co-explorer in adventures on vacation or at the mall, etc.) God is multifaceted and is to be sought after in order to discover the many ways He impacts your life.

That is the motivation behind my fascination with the Names of God. It’s not a hobby. It’s a deep dive into learning more about the One who loves me most. The more you discover the more ways you can relate to Him and to His ways. Learn His character so when you encounter something that is not from Him you will quickly recognize it. Become aware of His presence in every aspect of your life. It’s not a New Year’s resolution, it’s a way of life.

Today’s Blessing:

Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. Isaiah 45:15 ESV

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 ESV

Because He is not hiding from you, but for you!

…but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action. Daniel 11:32b ESV

Jesus said, “But you have not known him. I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and I keep his word.” John 8:55 ESV

Jesus said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9b ESV

When you receive Christ, He will reveal the Father to you, then you can live!

Sunday’s Blessing – 12/28/2025 - New Year

Sunday’s Blessing – 12/28/2025 - New Year

Why does January 1 have significant impact on our frame of mind? Is January 1 really the first day of the year? There is nothing in scripture which dictates this. Google “Hebrew calendar” if you really want to get confused. They use both lunar and solar calendars, having to add an entire lunar month occasionally to stay in sync with the solar cycle. The New Year begins in the spring to coincide with agricultural seasons, which is when most of the Jewish festivals are celebrated.

So, why do we get either 1) so excited we can hardly wait for the new year, 2) dread having to start another year, or 3) being glad this year is finally over? It’s just a day. In the west we follow the Gregorian calendar, but other cultures have a totally different way of counting years, with their New Year coming in random places based on our calendar.

Scripture does speak of “the first day of the first month”, relating to the Hebrew calendar followed in Biblical times. However, God always reserves the right to change things whenever He chooses. After Israel had been led by Moses back to Mount Sinai, God spoke an amazing word to them. I think of this often when facing difficult circumstances.

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 

Exodus 12:1-2 (ESV)

This coincides with the Christian celebration of Easter. This actually makes perfect sense to me, that Easter, the time of rebirth through the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and seating of Christ at the right hand of God, would be celebrated as the New Year. That is the page in the calendar you want to see coming every year. It reminds us of our redemption and restoration. Our relationship and fellowship with our Creator are acknowledged. We are reminded of our freedom from death, hell, and the grave.

January 1 holds no magic power. It does not control us in any way. It’s simply a way of counting years in our society, which is subject to change by religious, scientific, or government officials. Do not allow a date on the calendar dictate how you live your life. I have actually heard ministers speak of remembering the day you were “saved,” saying, “If you don’t remember the exact date you were saved then you may not be a Christian.” I don’t have to remember that date, because I remember the day the psalmist spoke of:

Open to me the gates of righteousness,

that I may enter through them

and give thanks to the Lord.

This is the gate of the Lord;

the righteous shall enter through it.

I thank you that you have answered me

and have become my salvation.

The stone that the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

This is the Lord’s doing;

it is marvelous in our eyes.

This is the day that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:19-24 (ESV) 

“This is the day” refers to the day Jesus became our redemption. I can rejoice in that day because I have been identified with Christ in every way, as Paul describes in Ephesians 1 and 2. It was the work of the Holy Spirit who baptized me into Christ. I can, and do, rejoice in what God has done in me. January 1 has no bearing on me because of THAT day in Jerusalem, on the hill called Golgotha, when the Messiah of Christmas became the Sacrifice of Easter, making way for all who would believe to be reconciled to the Father.

So, Happy New Year, everyone! It’s going to be a great year because of THAT day! Let any resolutions you make come from the relationship you have with the Savior, not a date on a calendar.

Today’s Blessing:

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,  

The Lord bless you and keep you;

the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” 

Numbers 6:22-27 (ESV)