Monthly Archives: October 2025

Have a Good Answer

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I’ve had a couple of people give me great (bad) examples for this Seriously. I had engaged each of them and as we were having a friendly discussion, I asked if they knew where they would spend eternity. They answered with enthusiasm “heaven.” Then I asked them why they believed that. They each sort of shrugged their shoulders and didn’t have a good response. 

What if a coworker, or your eight year old, asked you those questions? Would you have answers that are biblical and lead them to eternal life? 

  • We are all sinners deserving death and hell. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
  • We are not saved by good works or being a “good person.” Any good we do is simply the RESULT of being in Christ, NOT what earns us a place in Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).
  • “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Innocent Fun

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It is that time of the year. As the country and “church at large” continue to slide, we are observing the preparation for the high holy day of wickedness to outdo previous years. The neighborhood scenes depicting violent crimes, horror, gruesomeness, and death increase in number and appearance of authenticity. Are you kidding me? Innocent fun? 

Our God conquered death. Death is the enemy and nothing to be glamorized or celebrated as cool. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good” (Romans 12:9). Brother we are to ABHOR evil. We are to “detest utterly” (Strongs g0655). It’s not cute, innocent, or fun. Oh God, have mercy. 

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter” (Isaiah 5:20).

It’s a Keeper

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An expression Grandad would use of something he valued was, “It’s a Keeper.”  In this day of everything being considered disposable, to have something that is valued enough to keep is rare. Even though “a Keeper” was normally something material, relationships would fall under this topic as well. Relationships are also considered disposable these days and in particular marriage. What a heartbreak when a marriage is torn apart. People think it will be so much easier with someone else. 

If you are struggling, brother, fix it in a way God would honor. 

“Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously” (Malachi 2:14-16).

Did you catch that? GOD HATES DIVORCE! If nothing else, let fear of God be the motivator to fix it. A good marriage is to be treasured because it is of a gift of God. 

Make it a Keeper!

“So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself” (Ephesians 5:28).

Right Thinking

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Thirty years ago, I wrote the following October Mom’s Corner. At the age of 70, there are no longer children in my home, but the reality of this scenario hasn’t changed. A young, homeschool mom described it to me earlier this week from her life and home. God uses the situations we find difficult for our growth and other’s good. I hope this story from my past will encourage you and spur you to look for those right thoughts when facing discouraging situations.

How Do I Think?

Resting in the quiet of the afternoon following a turbulent morning of peacemaking between Joseph (6), John (4), and Anna (2), I was cuddled up in my recliner chair. A heavy heart, jumbled mind, Bible, and notebook were my companions as my pen titled the page, “Thinking Right Thoughts When Discouraged and Worn Out by My Children’s Unkindness to Each Other.” Five “thoughts” soon filled the recently empty lines.

Number One 

Every mother faces these same problems. Do you take any comfort in knowing my children fuss with each other? As I prayed about the situation, God reminded me every child is just like mine, and every mother must deal with the same things. None of us enjoys having children squabble. I need to change my mindset to expect the unkindness and be thrilled if any kind deed comes from them, rather than expect the kindness and be discouraged when it doesn’t happen.

Number Two

God is developing my character as much as He is working in their lives. We say this often, but I have to keep telling it to myself. God is as much concerned with my learning to be patient, kind, loving, and gentle as He is in my children developing these qualities. What frequent opportunities He gives me to learn them, practice them, and even fail at them (thereby gaining humility and therefore God’s grace through my failures).

Number Three

God is developing my faith, as I trust Him to do this work since I can’t myself. I can consistently train and teach my children. I can be an example to them, but it is God who works in their lives just as He works in mine. Therefore, my eyes must be on my Lord and my faith rooted in His working in their lives in His time. As a mother with both older and younger children I have proof of this as I have seen Nathan, Christopher, and Sarah develop more godly attitudes toward each other as they have grown up.

Number Four

God is teaching me to rest in Him since my strength and will cannot bring it to pass. If I could, I would certainly force my children to have godly attitudes toward each other, and I do try. The truth is I can command some measure of outward conformity to the standard, but I cannot change a selfish heart. God is the One who does that, but He wants me to rest in Him as I wait for His timing. I can even trust that through the bickering He is working good in my life and theirs. 

Number Five

My greatest goal–even more than my goal to have a peaceful home and loving children–needs to be to teach my children to love God. Often the squabbles in our home make me focus more on peace and quiet than on the goal of turning my children’s hearts toward loving their heavenly Father. As we focus on loving God, certainly a by-product of that, in time, will be children who have servant’s hearts and are willing to give up their rights.

I find I can get so overpowered by thoughts and feelings of discouragement that I have to sit down and write truth out, like I did here, to bring my perspective back where it should be. Then I have to control my mind to think these right thoughts when situations arise that trigger discouragement. In the midst of the emotions it is hard for me to do.

Usually, the change in thinking comes when I get down on my knees, cry out to God for His forgiveness for my self-focus, and ask for His help in my thinking truth. I pray each of you will use these situations you face with your children to see the benefits He is working for both you and them.

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The lift-off of the Space Shuttle was of great interest for us when we lived in Florida. We could see the smoke trail as it headed into orbit even from across the state. According to NASA the average cost to launch a shuttle was over $400 million for fuel, manpower, and materials.  

The years are counting down until your children are launched in one way or another into life. The value of your investment into the lives of each of your children is beyond measure. The best of the best “fuel” needed in their lives is the Word of God fueling a love for Jesus. “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way” (Psalms 119:127-128).

Not only is the Word of God the best “fuel,” it provides the best guidance for the “project.” We haven’t been saved to have our “best life now”, but to love and serve our Lord Jesus Who loves us and redeemed us with His blood.

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

And counting….

The Cost is Huge

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Last week in the Scripture I used for Seriously, I chose not to include “Psalm 106:34, “They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them.” Sometimes, when I am sharing Christ, the other person tells me they cannot believe in a God Who would wipe out a nation, including men, women, and children. “That is too extreme,” they say. 

I understand their feelings. However, God, in His foreknowledge, knew those nations would corrupt His people, and Israel would soon be following their wicked, evil practices. It would take something as drastic as eliminating the wicked nations from the earth to protect Israel spiritually. Yet, God’s people wouldn’t obey God’s command. I have to wonder how many of you reading this article have made a similar decision not to cut off worldly influences into your family. “In what way?” you ask. Oh my brothers, if you watch TV and movies, isn’t that worldly influence (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) filling your home, mind, and your family’s minds? If that isn’t mingling among the heathen and learning their works, what is? Not only is it mingling but it is inviting them in to live with you while you spend hours listening to them. That’s just one example of worldly things that are often tolerated in Christian homes without really taking a thought about the influence they exert.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23).

Most, hopefully, don’t watch evil things (Psalm 97:10). However, in watching in the name of entertainment or being informed, you are still filling your mind with the idols of our world: pleasure, sensuality, and sports. 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Corinthians 6:12).

God is serious about His people being holy (1 Peter 1:16).